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____

"So, like... what do you suppose that whole 'beast' thing was about, anyway?" Shabaha asked, breaking the silence.

"Probably some kind of folklore the locals have around here." Imara shook her head, unable to fathom it.

"I'm not sure I doubt it, really." Vitani weighed in, staring straight on as she continued through the snow.

"What? You of all animals?" Shabaha couldn't believe her ears.

"No time to explain," Vitani curtly interjected, "we have to keep moving."

____

They continued on through more of the blizzard, but they at least stopped wandering in circles thanks to said blizzard dying down a bit. They descended to a valley, where they suddenly noticed a change in the ground's texture. They found out rather late as a few of them had slipped on said surface.

Vitani shook herself from the bewilderment at what had just happened before turning to the Keenest of Sight.

"Tazama, report." the leader commanded.

The lioness in question took a cautious step forward to look at the ground, catching herself from slipping. Her eyes shimmered as she squinted at the surface.

It was transparent. A deep, dark blue like a lake underneath. Despite the solid texture on top, fish swam beneath it, as if the solid layer was encasing water.

"It seems to be some kind of hardened body of water, possibly due to the cold weather. Could explain why it's so slippery." Tazama observed.

"Whatever it is, we're crossing it." Vitani brushed past the Guard.

"What?" Kasi caught up to Vitani, "We can't walk on this! Tazama just sai --"

"A straight line is the fastest way to get to Zazu. We have no time to lose."

"Makes sense to me." Shabaha agreed.

"Of course it does..." Imara rolled her eyes.

The Guard was halfway through. If constant slipping wasn't the problem, it was this newfound issue they faced in which they heard crackling noises from beneath them. Water was already cold back home, they could only imagine the potentially fatal shock the temperature of the water under the ice could bring.

"I still think we could've just raced around it." Kasi grumbled.

"We're not all blessed with your gift." snarked Vitani.

"I'm just saying that a few more yards wouldn't kill us --"

"We can't --"

SNAP!

Everyone turned to the deep, crackling noise. It was near Imara.

"Shouldn't we get her?" Shabaha asked.

The Strongest frantically shook her head, "Bad idea."

"I can. I'm light." Kasi attempted to rush over.

"NO!" cried Imara, "No... You'll just add more weight... Please, go on."

"Imara, you can't float!" Kasi cried back.

The Strongest looked at the cracking ice in terror. Kasi was right, she couldn't swim...

Silently, Vitani took a few slow, careful steps forward. She didn't listen to the distant yells from her Guard.

"Vitani, stop!"

"No!"

"Didn't you hear her? Don't add any weight!"

"I got us into this mess," Vitani held out a paw for Imara to reach, "I'm getting us out!"

Imara felt that there was no other choice but to grab on. Carefully, she leaned ever so slightly forward.

But 'carefully' wasn't careful enough...

The Strongest felt the ice give way, she sharply plunged into the freezing water. Pretty soon, she frantically paddled and gasped hard from the wave of shock.

Suddenly, a huge shape leapt between the hole and Vitani. Strangely, despite its mass, it hadn't broken through the ice with Imara.

Imara's vision was fading, but she could see a massive maw clamping down on her scruff. She was swiftly pulled out of the water.

The Strongest came to, and found herself coughing for dear life. Partly from inhaled water, mostly from the unforgiving cold. Her Guard rushed to her aid, and the large creature helped the lioness to her feet.

"...Who are you?" Vitani suddenly asked from behind him.

The creature suddenly turned, facing Vitani. He was revealed to be a lion, one with an unusually bushy mane that extended to his shoulders, creating sleeves, and all the way down his entire belly. He also sported a massive underbite, with oversized, tusk-like teeth.

This must've been the beast...

Just then, a gust of wind hit his long fringes just right, revealing a set of icy, blue eyes.

Vitani felt a strange sense of familiarity. The look in his eyes told everything. Could she be one of these lions? Was that the dormant trait Tazama was talking about? Could he...? No... couldn't be that coincidental...

Meanwhile, the hairy lion felt like he'd been looking in a mirror. The young lioness was fluffy like him, but sported features he'd seen in a lioness he knew a long time ago. The slim figure, the long, angular face, the large ears...

The very Guard, who had the advantage of seeing the two side-by-side, very much saw a resemblance. They all exchanged looks, agape.

"Name's Sakin..." the lion finally broke the silence, "You wouldn't happen to be lookin' for a bird, would ya?"

"Yes, why?" Vitani tilted her head, ready to jump with glee or rip the lion to bits depending on the answer.

The lion gestured left with his head, "This way."

"Shabaha? Imara?" Vitani turned to the lionesses in question, "I want you to flank him. Make sure he isn't up to any funny business..."

Imara tensed up fiercely while Shabaha cackled intimidatingly.

Sakin looked at the two lionesses staring him down. A normal animal would be downright scared of the heaviest-built members of Vitani's Guard, but he kept abnormally calm.

The Guard observed Vitani and Sakin closely. Adding all of the resemblances in their head.

"You don't suppose they might be...?" Kasi said in a hushed tone to Tazama.

They turned to see both Vitani and Sakin flipping their long fringes to the side with their head. They both did it the exact same way, despite not even knowing each other until today.

The remaining two lionesses were gobsmacked.

____

After the Guard made their way up the hill with Sakin, they were met with the entrance to a warm, dim cave.

Inside was a strange array of decorations, all seemingly from different regions. The den, to be frank, was a bit of a warthog-sty. Coconut shells, pigments, half-eaten marula fruit, and abandoned, relocated bird nests from various species.

Speaking of which, one of the nests had someone inside -- it was Zazu!

"Lion Guard!" Zazu hopped to his feet, "What a pleasure it is, seeing you here -- Agh!"

Zazu jumped at Vitani's strange, fluffy appearance. He glanced back and forth between her and Sakin, thinking himself to be seeing double. What didn't help is that both Vitani and Sakin had an itch in their ears at the same time, and both scratched simultaneously. They both sported the signature habit of sticking their tongues out when they hit just the right spot on their ears.

"We came to rescue you," Vitani crouched, "You were gone for days. Simba thought we ought to come find you."

"Yes, yes." Zazu straightened, "Being late is rather... unbecoming of me, let alone for days. But, mister Sakin, here, rescued me before I could become frozen poultry, eh-heh. All that time, he kept me company as I recovered..."

Sakin gave a nod, smiling warmly.

Shabaha held up a paw to hide her whispering to her fellow Guard, "He must butter his prey up before eating them..."

"Nah, nah, you got me all wrong." Sakin overheard the lioness, "I've heard all the rumors. I get it. I'm big, hairy, and scary. But, I don't eat the friends I make. I'm more of a vegetarian, anyway..."

"I have to admit," Zazu chuckled, then swallowed, "I rather... enjoyed taking a break, for once."

Vitani nodded understandingly, "We could all use one, soon."

"Sooner than you think," Sakin began, "looks like the storm's dyin' down for good. Could start heading home, if you need..."

"Oh, that's right!" Vitani whipped her head around, "Zazu! Your message to King Sokwe, now's your chance!"

"Why don't you do the honors, actually?"

"What? Oh, Zazu... I don't --"

Zazu placed his wings on Vitani's paw, "It's alright with me, really. I know that you're young and eager. My stay here made me realize that I won't be here, forever. Someone has to carry on with my duties after my time. It's about time I start showing my successors the ropes."

"Well said, Zazu." Vitani smiled.

"If you're looking for Sokwe's cave, it's on the tallest mountain. Northeast of here. The entrance is in a narrow crevasse in the mountain's face." Sakin pointed with a paw.

"Thank you." Vitani nodded, "Everyone, we head northeast."

The Guard headed for the exit. Zazu perched on Vitani's shoulder. She turned to Sakin, who did not get up.

"You want to come with? We could get this whole 'hairy beast' reputation of yours sorted out." she offered.

"Nah, I'm too wanted by the locals. Meeting the King would just be a mess." Sakin admitted, "Peace out!"

"Peace." Vitani saluted before turning to exit.

The truth behind Sakin's decline was that he had a lot to ponder: He was still unsure whether or not he'd just met his child who'd been born during Scar's Reign, said reign marking the beginning of tension between the Pridelands and Theluji Mountains, tension Scar's nephew spent wet season after wet season making sure to keep at bay, and eventually resolve.

Sakin always wanted to father his child, but he didn't want to risk asking the wrong lioness if that's who she was, and he couldn't imagine overwhelming her with the lost time between them, including instead the life she spent with the lioness who mothered her. It was too much to think about, even for a calm, cool, and collected animal like him.

____

The Lion Guard entered the tall, grandiose cave. They were flanked -- and ultimately guided -- by two strong sentries who each carried their own handmade spears.

"So, Zazu. I assume you have a message about the status of the Pridelands?" boomed the voice of the King, "You brought company, who is this?"

"Zazu is taking me under his wing today," Vitani spoke up, "I'm Vitani. Leader of the new Lion Guard. I will be your messenger."

"Very well." the gorilla sat back on his rock throne, "How are the Pridelands since Zira announced her attack?"

Vitani's heart dropped. She was not at all prepared for that question. Zazu did not tell her beforehand, and it was shocking to hear her mother's name after a matter of months.

"I... I would know," Vitani swallowed, "I'm her daughter..."

King Sokwe stoically nodded. Ultimately unsure of where this will go. Vitani continued to explain the events that took place. After letting her finish the story, King Sokwe finally sat up.

"Vitani, you are a very appropriate ambassador for this message. You are proof that things in the Pridelands are alright, and will be for a long time."

Vitani grinned at Zazu, and Zazu returned the gesture with soft smile in approval.

"Simba has made a wise choice accepting you as his royal guard. You are so much more than your mother."

The last part touched Vitani's heart, and frankly sent a chill down her spine as she'd just been reminded of intense thoughts regarding her heritage just today.

She certainly was more than just her mother...

____

When the Guard got home, were more than happy to be back in the savannah. Everyone took notice of Vitani's winter coat, which would eventually shed (rather heavily) in the following months. A certain lioness of hers takes quite a liking to the fluff while it's there...

____

((Finally done with this episode, and with Season 1! It was a blast discovering how to draw Sokwe. I want to draw him again in the future tbh

EDIT 12/21: Adjusted the colors to better convey the temperature in some scenes. The blue color balance immediately made the images look and feel much colder. Discovered this just now when playing around with Vitani's colors to see if I could've made a winter setting color scheme for her))

Next (Beginning of Season 2)

Description
Previous
____

"So, like... what do you suppose that whole 'beast' thing was about, anyway?" Shabaha asked, breaking the silence.

"Probably some kind of folklore the locals have around here." Imara shook her head, unable to fathom it.

"I'm not sure I doubt it, really." Vitani weighed in, staring straight on as she continued through the snow.

"What? You of all animals?" Shabaha couldn't believe her ears.

"No time to explain," Vitani curtly interjected, "we have to keep moving."

____

They continued on through more of the blizzard, but they at least stopped wandering in circles thanks to said blizzard dying down a bit. They descended to a valley, where they suddenly noticed a change in the ground's texture. They found out rather late as a few of them had slipped on said surface.

Vitani shook herself from the bewilderment at what had just happened before turning to the Keenest of Sight.

"Tazama, report." the leader commanded.

The lioness in question took a cautious step forward to look at the ground, catching herself from slipping. Her eyes shimmered as she squinted at the surface.

It was transparent. A deep, dark blue like a lake underneath. Despite the solid texture on top, fish swam beneath it, as if the solid layer was encasing water.

"It seems to be some kind of hardened body of water, possibly due to the cold weather. Could explain why it's so slippery." Tazama observed.

"Whatever it is, we're crossing it." Vitani brushed past the Guard.

"What?" Kasi caught up to Vitani, "We can't walk on this! Tazama just sai --"

"A straight line is the fastest way to get to Zazu. We have no time to lose."

"Makes sense to me." Shabaha agreed.

"Of course it does..." Imara rolled her eyes.

The Guard was halfway through. If constant slipping wasn't the problem, it was this newfound issue they faced in which they heard crackling noises from beneath them. Water was already cold back home, they could only imagine the potentially fatal shock the temperature of the water under the ice could bring.

"I still think we could've just raced around it." Kasi grumbled.

"We're not all blessed with your gift." snarked Vitani.

"I'm just saying that a few more yards wouldn't kill us --"

"We can't --"

SNAP!

Everyone turned to the deep, crackling noise. It was near Imara.

"Shouldn't we get her?" Shabaha asked.

The Strongest frantically shook her head, "Bad idea."

"I can. I'm light." Kasi attempted to rush over.

"NO!" cried Imara, "No... You'll just add more weight... Please, go on."

"Imara, you can't float!" Kasi cried back.

The Strongest looked at the cracking ice in terror. Kasi was right, she couldn't swim...

Silently, Vitani took a few slow, careful steps forward. She didn't listen to the distant yells from her Guard.

"Vitani, stop!"

"No!"

"Didn't you hear her? Don't add any weight!"

"I got us into this mess," Vitani held out a paw for Imara to reach, "I'm getting us out!"

Imara felt that there was no other choice but to grab on. Carefully, she leaned ever so slightly forward.

But 'carefully' wasn't careful enough...

The Strongest felt the ice give way, she sharply plunged into the freezing water. Pretty soon, she frantically paddled and gasped hard from the wave of shock.

Suddenly, a huge shape leapt between the hole and Vitani. Strangely, despite its mass, it hadn't broken through the ice with Imara.

Imara's vision was fading, but she could see a massive maw clamping down on her scruff. She was swiftly pulled out of the water.

The Strongest came to, and found herself coughing for dear life. Partly from inhaled water, mostly from the unforgiving cold. Her Guard rushed to her aid, and the large creature helped the lioness to her feet.

"...Who are you?" Vitani suddenly asked from behind him.

The creature suddenly turned, facing Vitani. He was revealed to be a lion, one with an unusually bushy mane that extended to his shoulders, creating sleeves, and all the way down his entire belly. He also sported a massive underbite, with oversized, tusk-like teeth.

This must've been the beast...

Just then, a gust of wind hit his long fringes just right, revealing a set of icy, blue eyes.

Vitani felt a strange sense of familiarity. The look in his eyes told everything. Could she be one of these lions? Was that the dormant trait Tazama was talking about? Could he...? No... couldn't be that coincidental...

Meanwhile, the hairy lion felt like he'd been looking in a mirror. The young lioness was fluffy like him, but sported features he'd seen in a lioness he knew a long time ago. The slim figure, the long, angular face, the large ears...

The very Guard, who had the advantage of seeing the two side-by-side, very much saw a resemblance. They all exchanged looks, agape.

"Name's Sakin..." the lion finally broke the silence, "You wouldn't happen to be lookin' for a bird, would ya?"

"Yes, why?" Vitani tilted her head, ready to jump with glee or rip the lion to bits depending on the answer.

The lion gestured left with his head, "This way."

"Shabaha? Imara?" Vitani turned to the lionesses in question, "I want you to flank him. Make sure he isn't up to any funny business..."

Imara tensed up fiercely while Shabaha cackled intimidatingly.

Sakin looked at the two lionesses staring him down. A normal animal would be downright scared of the heaviest-built members of Vitani's Guard, but he kept abnormally calm.

The Guard observed Vitani and Sakin closely. Adding all of the resemblances in their head.

"You don't suppose they might be...?" Kasi said in a hushed tone to Tazama.

They turned to see both Vitani and Sakin flipping their long fringes to the side with their head. They both did it the exact same way, despite not even knowing each other until today.

The remaining two lionesses were gobsmacked.

____

After the Guard made their way up the hill with Sakin, they were met with the entrance to a warm, dim cave.

Inside was a strange array of decorations, all seemingly from different regions. The den, to be frank, was a bit of a warthog-sty. Coconut shells, pigments, half-eaten marula fruit, and abandoned, relocated bird nests from various species.

Speaking of which, one of the nests had someone inside -- it was Zazu!

"Lion Guard!" Zazu hopped to his feet, "What a pleasure it is, seeing you here -- Agh!"

Zazu jumped at Vitani's strange, fluffy appearance. He glanced back and forth between her and Sakin, thinking himself to be seeing double. What didn't help is that both Vitani and Sakin had an itch in their ears at the same time, and both scratched simultaneously. They both sported the signature habit of sticking their tongues out when they hit just the right spot on their ears.

"We came to rescue you," Vitani crouched, "You were gone for days. Simba thought we ought to come find you."

"Yes, yes." Zazu straightened, "Being late is rather... unbecoming of me, let alone for days. But, mister Sakin, here, rescued me before I could become frozen poultry, eh-heh. All that time, he kept me company as I recovered..."

Sakin gave a nod, smiling warmly.

Shabaha held up a paw to hide her whispering to her fellow Guard, "He must butter his prey up before eating them..."

"Nah, nah, you got me all wrong." Sakin overheard the lioness, "I've heard all the rumors. I get it. I'm big, hairy, and scary. But, I don't eat the friends I make. I'm more of a vegetarian, anyway..."

"I have to admit," Zazu chuckled, then swallowed, "I rather... enjoyed taking a break, for once."

Vitani nodded understandingly, "We could all use one, soon."

"Sooner than you think," Sakin began, "looks like the storm's dyin' down for good. Could start heading home, if you need..."

"Oh, that's right!" Vitani whipped her head around, "Zazu! Your message to King Sokwe, now's your chance!"

"Why don't you do the honors, actually?"

"What? Oh, Zazu... I don't --"

Zazu placed his wings on Vitani's paw, "It's alright with me, really. I know that you're young and eager. My stay here made me realize that I won't be here, forever. Someone has to carry on with my duties after my time. It's about time I start showing my successors the ropes."

"Well said, Zazu." Vitani smiled.

"If you're looking for Sokwe's cave, it's on the tallest mountain. Northeast of here. The entrance is in a narrow crevasse in the mountain's face." Sakin pointed with a paw.

"Thank you." Vitani nodded, "Everyone, we head northeast."

The Guard headed for the exit. Zazu perched on Vitani's shoulder. She turned to Sakin, who did not get up.

"You want to come with? We could get this whole 'hairy beast' reputation of yours sorted out." she offered.

"Nah, I'm too wanted by the locals. Meeting the King would just be a mess." Sakin admitted, "Peace out!"

"Peace." Vitani saluted before turning to exit.

The truth behind Sakin's decline was that he had a lot to ponder: He was still unsure whether or not he'd just met his child who'd been born during Scar's Reign, said reign marking the beginning of tension between the Pridelands and Theluji Mountains, tension Scar's nephew spent wet season after wet season making sure to keep at bay, and eventually resolve.

Sakin always wanted to father his child, but he didn't want to risk asking the wrong lioness if that's who she was, and he couldn't imagine overwhelming her with the lost time between them, including instead the life she spent with the lioness who mothered her. It was too much to think about, even for a calm, cool, and collected animal like him.

____

The Lion Guard entered the tall, grandiose cave. They were flanked -- and ultimately guided -- by two strong sentries who each carried their own handmade spears.

"So, Zazu. I assume you have a message about the status of the Pridelands?" boomed the voice of the King, "You brought company, who is this?"

"Zazu is taking me under his wing today," Vitani spoke up, "I'm Vitani. Leader of the new Lion Guard. I will be your messenger."

"Very well." the gorilla sat back on his rock throne, "How are the Pridelands since Zira announced her attack?"

Vitani's heart dropped. She was not at all prepared for that question. Zazu did not tell her beforehand, and it was shocking to hear her mother's name after a matter of months.

"I... I would know," Vitani swallowed, "I'm her daughter..."

King Sokwe stoically nodded. Ultimately unsure of where this will go. Vitani continued to explain the events that took place. After letting her finish the story, King Sokwe finally sat up.

"Vitani, you are a very appropriate ambassador for this message. You are proof that things in the Pridelands are alright, and will be for a long time."

Vitani grinned at Zazu, and Zazu returned the gesture with soft smile in approval.

"Simba has made a wise choice accepting you as his royal guard. You are so much more than your mother."

The last part touched Vitani's heart, and frankly sent a chill down her spine as she'd just been reminded of intense thoughts regarding her heritage just today.

She certainly was more than just her mother...

____

When the Guard got home, were more than happy to be back in the savannah. Everyone took notice of Vitani's winter coat, which would eventually shed (rather heavily) in the following months. A certain lioness of hers takes quite a liking to the fluff while it's there...

____

((Finally done with this episode, and with Season 1! It was a blast discovering how to draw Sokwe. I want to draw him again in the future tbh

EDIT 12/21: Adjusted the colors to better convey the temperature in some scenes. The blue color balance immediately made the images look and feel much colder. Discovered this just now when playing around with Vitani's colors to see if I could've made a winter setting color scheme for her))

Next (Beginning of Season 2)