//------------------------------// // Episode 11: Rescue in the Outlands // Story: The Pony Guard (Season 5) // by MXCDarkHorse2020 //------------------------------// Episode 11: Rescue in the Outlands "Jasiri..." Another female hyena greeted her friend. "Madoa..." Jasiri happily greeted in return as they both shared a friendly hug together as they both happen to be sisters. "...it's so good to see you!" "You too!" She then turns her eyes turns her stomach. "And I don't need to say anything else of what's about to happen?" "You mean..." She eagerly and excitably asked. "Oh yes. I am going to be having the babies this week!" "Oh I can't wait!" Jasiri could barely reign in her glee and excitement over the news. Suddenly, the happy moment got cut off abruptly when they heard rumbling from nearby coming from the Outlands Volcano. They ran up the nearby pathway so they can get higher and get a good look at what was happening before spotting Scar himself using the lava from the massive eruption to lay waste to the Pride Lands. "What?!" "No way?!" They both exclaimed in shock only at seeing Scar still alive in the flesh himself but also with magical powers at his disposal. Their shock and alarm further increased upon seeing the Lion and Pony Guard all fleeing the Outlands away from the Pride Lands along with not seeing Twilight and Kion with them. "Where's Twilight? Why isn't she with them?" Madoa asked her sister. "I don't know." She replied while unable to spot her out due to the volcano blocking the view of Twilight floating alongside Scar watching on seeing the royal family flee from the Pride Lands. "She must have been captured." "No! What do we do?!" "I'm afraid there's only one thing we can do." She said with deep regret before answering. "We have to flee the Outlands for now." "Jasiri?" "I mean it. He's too dangerous for our clan alone and you're expecting the twins any day. We have to find a safe place to raise them while trying to find help. It's the only way." "Oh...all right. Let's go." Madoa truthfully doesn't like it but knows full well that this is their best course of action for survival before they moved on away from the volcano before gathering the clan so they can evacuate the Outlands. Unbeknownst, to them Twilight who was looking around to see if there was anyone hit by the lava inside the Outlands happened to spot them from behind and from afar. To her relief, Jasiri and her clan weren't hit by the lava but at the same time for a brief moment she can't find it in her heart to pursue and face them as she correctly suspects they don't know of her involvement in this so she let them be. "Twilight! What did you see?" Scar asked as he appeared behind her curious of whatever discovery she just made. "A hyena clan who's not apart of Janja's is fleeing the Outlands in the opposite direction from the Lion and Pony Guard along with the Royal Family." She honestly replied. "Should I pursue and capture them?" "No." He shook his head. "Leave them be. They're no threat to us. And if they were they would think twice about going up against us." He turned his head on towards Pride Rock before flying off. "Come, Twilight. We have plans to make for the new era in which pony and lion come together here in the Pride Lands. And soon all of Equestria." Twilight gave one last look back in the direction Jasiri and her clan fled in and after seeing they have disappeared beyond the horizon where the sun touches the Pride Lands kingdom she obeyed and followed after Scar on over to Pride Rock where it's mostly lush terrain and Savannah is theirs for the taking to do whatever they wish with it with who knows if or when Jasiri may return... One year later... While Pinkie, Bunga, Rainbow, and Kyoga were all out in Griffonstone, the Lion and Pony Guard had an interesting day themselves… “Buffalo! Slow down!” Kion shouted after them as they are finding themselves overwhelmed by the extremely bothersome black flies hovering over their heads relentlessly. “It's the tsetse flies!” Ono stated why. “This is the most I've ever seen!” “And rather rude if I do say so myself!” Rarity also shouted wearing her fancy sunhat and spraying bug spray on herself while keeping pace with everyone. “They won't stop until they get some relief.” Twilight also said while running beside the buffaloes up front opposite from Kion. Knowing that they need a quick solve and that Rainbow is around to perform one of her famous twister to send them away from the Pride Lands, Ono spoke his mind of what he knows. “Well, tsetse flies aren't very fond of water.” “Of course!” Kion realized of a way that can come through. “Ono, find some water! We'll need enough to hold the herd!” “And fast!” Twilight stated for emphasis. Ono getting the message quickly flew up and managed to find a nearby body of water. “There's a river not far from here!” “Perfect! Lead the way!” “This way, everybody!” With both leaders of the Lion Guard up front to guide them, the buffalo herd made their way on towards the nearby river up ahead, along with coming across the zebra herd once more… “What is that?” Their clueless leader asked upon hearing the ruckus. “Zebras! Out of the way!” Kion shouted in their direction. But the message did not get properly received to the oblivious zebra. “Kion, can't you lead those buffalo somewhere else? We're eating here!” “I said move!” Twilight shouted before flying ahead and whisking the entire herd out of harm’s way forcibly just before any of them could get trampled. “Well, you don't have to be rude about it.” Thurston scoffed under his breath. “I heard that!” Thurston’s eyes widen in response before uttering a small yelp in fright before moving to another grassy patch nearby the river while the buffalo herd could all take a breather in the river. “Phew…” Rarity’s expressed relief even while she’s drying her sunhat. “…of all times to get wet, at least I can say this is one of those times I can accept it.” “Me too.” Fuli agreed. “I never thought I'd be so happy to get soaked.” “Guess the flies like the water even less than you, Fuli, Rarity.” Kion commented in delight. “They're gone!” Just then they heard another desperate cry for help. “Help! So many flies!” Mbeyea shouted from nearby. “That sounds like Mbeya.” Beshte said upon recognizing his voice. “Now we know where the little varmints went.” Applejack commented before both Twilight lead the team on towards his direction. “Let's go!” Both leaders stated in unison with the rest of the team following after them. Meanwhile in the Outlands, the hyenas have been doing some searching around in the Outlands and two out of three are doing quite some interesting searching. Particularly, Cheezi and Chungu both looking under rocks. Small rocks. “Huh. No jackals under here.” “What are we gonna do with the jackals when we find 'em, anyway? “Can we eat 'em?” Their leader was adamantly against their stupid proposal. “No, fur brain. Scar wants us to talk to 'em and see how their recent spying on the Pride Landers has been going along. See if there’s anything new on the Lion and Pony Guard that’s worth investing in.” “Then can we eat 'em?” Chungu stupidly asked once more. “Janja!” A familiar female voice called out to him. “Jasiri?” Janja said back surprised to see the hyena herself right in front of him as if she was not expected to be here in the first place. “What are you doing on my turf?” “Your turf? Since when?” “Since...Now.” She chuckled as she literally made her mark on the rocks she was standing on. “Oh. Did you forget to mark your turf for the dry season? Too bad. Now you're in my territory.” Janja just looks on exasperated at her while mentally berating himself for not reminding himself to re-mark his turf and thought Jasiri was dealt with when Scar took over. “But you're welcome to pass through if you'd like.” “Pass through?” Janja looked on as if she was making it easy on him on purpose. “Is that a challenge or an insult?” “Take it any way you’d like.” She smugly replied. Now Janja felt tempted to want to do this the hard way. “Think I'd rather take it back!” “Have it your way!” Janja furiously lunged at her, only for the quicker hyena to leap up and pin him down to the ground effortlessly. Both Cheezi and Chungu both moved to charge right at her, only to be both kicked aside in two seconds flat. Using this brief moment of distraction, Janja was able to reverse the pin Jasiri had her in. “Got ya now, Jasiri.” “You think?” Jasiri managed to easily push the male hyena off of her and then head-butted him away. “Ow! Hey! Cut it out!” “Sure. Just stop fighting me and go back the way you came.” “Oh, I didn’t come all this way just to lose to you, Jasiri.” Janja snarled still not giving up. He’s not about to disappoint his master again nor tip her off on something that the Lion and Pony Guard don’t know yet. “I got other’s who are waiting to meet with me. So if you’ll excuse me…” He charged right at her with a leaping attack. Jasiri prepared herself for the attack only to be caught off guard when he immediately ducked low and slammed her into her chest to slam her hard into the nearby rocks, thus knocking her out cold. “…me and my boys got get on by. Oh and by the way…” He then whispered in her unconscious head as he scratched the nearby dirt with four claw marks as opposed to the two Jasiri just used a minute ago. “…it’s my turf now.” Elsewhere in the Pride Lands, the Lion and Pony Guard had managed to find their rhino friend, with his horn stuck in the ground while upside down in the dry stream bed. “This is so embarrassing.” He said while the tsetse flies all hover around them. “Don't worry, Mbeya. We'll get you out of there.” Kion assured before he turned to both the Guard’s Strongest. “Beshte, Applejack...” They move to do so with the hippo using his head while the farm pony used her front legs to do the job. “Here we go rhino!” “Twende Kiboko!” With an instant push and roll, Mbeya was now free again. “Thank you so much!” “Sure thing, Mbeya.” “Anything for a friend in need, partner.” The two kindly returned with Applejack tipped her hat to him. “Oh my…” Fluttershy spoke feeling pity for him. “How did you get stuck in there?” “It's these flies! I tried rolling in the dirt to get them off, but I rolled into the stream bed instead.” “Don’t worry, Mbeya.” Twilight assured. “You’re not the only one who’s been experiencing this problem. This pretty much has been the case all day today.” “Come on…” Kion began leading Mbeya away from the dried out area. “…We'll take you to a watering hole. It'll help keep the flies away.” “Ugh.” Rarity moaned while trying her hardest to spray more bug spray on herself to avoid getting bitten by these nasty and vicious bugs. “At least Pinkie and Bunga aren’t around to join in on this not that they even has the appetite to stomach all of this…” She said to herself as if not having the entire around to help them out isn’t bad enough during a tough final stretch left in the dry season. Sometime later, in the Outlands Volcano where both Starlight and Ushari are both awaiting the hyenas return for their report. “So…” Starlight gestured with her left front hoof towards them to start talking. “…what did the jackals have to say?” “Assuming that your findings are truly useful.” Ushari added expecting nothing out of this knowing Janja himself. “For the record they are useful, okay!” Janja quickly and irritably returned in the cobra’s direction. “…For starts, at least the Lion and Pony Guard do not suspect anything that’s worth pursuing an investigation on over here. As for the Lion and Pony Guard themselves, Reirei informed me that Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and Kyoga are all out solving a friendship problem in Griffonstone and are gone for today.” “Are they?” Starlight asked to which Janja nodded in response. “And Applejack?” “Still limping around because of her earlier injuries, still got a ways to go in terms of recovery if that’s what you’re thinking.” “Interesting.” Starlight along with Ushari felt pleased with his findings. “Anything else you’d like to add while you’re at it?” Ushari inquired to ensure that everything is all covered. Janja shook his head in response. “Nope. That’s just about it.” “But boss...” Cheezi spoke up to say otherwise. “…we also found Jasiri too we were out there.” “And she's the one who nearly sent us back here!” Chungu added much to their leader’s annoyance at their inability to keep their mouths shut. “Wow, why am I not surprised?” Starlight commented rather dryly. “I'm sorry, did you say one hyena nearly defeated all three of you?” Ushari then asked in disbelief with their growing incompetence. “Hey, Jasiri's no ordinary hyena.” Janja quickly said in self-defense. “She's fearless or something.” Upon hearing this, Scar in his fiery glory decided to appear before them to chime in on the conversation. “A fearless hyena?” He smiles upon seeing potential in her. “Perhaps, she should be part of our collective.” Janja was quick to shoot that idea down. “What? No. No way. Jasiri's bad news. She's even friends with the Lion and Pony Guard!” “Friends with the Lion and Pony Guard?” To Scar, this was new news to him as Twilight never told him about that. “Oh, yeah. She even respects the circle of life like they do. Trust me, Scar, Jasiri's the worst!” He along with his two lackeys all moved to sing about Jasiri all while demeaning her positive qualities and traits as the opposite of good. Worst Hyena We Know After hearing everything he needs to hear, Scar then frowned at the potential threat this has for what he is planning. Especially since he had just managed to chase her off out of the Outlands once before. “We cannot have an ally of the Lion and Pony Guard, here in the Outlands. Get rid of her. Immediately.” Janja widen his eyes in surprise at the order itself but still moved to obey out of respect for his boss even if he seemed uncomfortable at pressing forward with attempted murder. “Oh? Uh, yeah. Sure thing.” “But take your entire clan.” He firmly added not wanting Janja to take any chances with her next time around. “She's obviously and nearly more than a match for the three of you!” “Yeah, yeah! The whole clan. You got it, Scar!” Janja and his buddies moved to leave the caldera so they can carry out his orders. “And, Janja...” Scar called out to him to stop him in dead in his tracks, all with fear in his lowered ears. “Don't disappoint me again.” He coldly added to make what will happen should another failure come to light again. Janja nervously gulped in response as he stammered in his next words. “No. I mean, uh, yeah. I mean... Let's go, boys!” He quickly scurried his way on out before anything else could happen. After the hyenas had left, Scar turned to Starlight deciding that he needs to take more precautionary measures in order to ensure that all goes accordingly. “Go after them, they’re going need your help if they’re going to able to carry out this task.” “Will do, Scar.” She nodded and obeyed without questioning it. “At least I’ll finally be able to get to do something for the first time in a while hiding in the shadows here.” “And remember Starlight…” Scar spoke up to stop her before she too could leave. “…do it without being seen by the Lion and Pony Guard. I don’t want anyone in the Pride Lands to know that I’m still around and pose a threat to them...at least not yet.” “Of course.” She nodded again, earning herself an approving smile from the evil lion before leaving the caldera too. Meanwhile back in the Pride Lands, the Lion and Pony Guard are all escorting Mbeya on over to the nearby river so he can relief from the tsetse flies that are all still hovering around them much to the poor rhino’s discomfort. “Can't the Lion and Pony Guard do something to get rid of these flies?” He desperately asked of them. “I wish.” Fuli scoffed while getting annoyed and uncomfortable with their presence. Rarity trying her hardest to be helpful tried putting bug spray on their friend, with the only success coming out of it was the flies were no longer invading their personal space, but that was it. “If only they had created a stronger repellent then this wish would be granted sooner than Discord can snap his fingers.” “I know what you mean Rarity…” Applejack said with sympathy. “It'd be great if we could just shout, "Flies, go away!" And...” Suddenly the flies all moved the heck out of dodge. “What in tarnation?!” “Poa!” Beshte spoke feeling very impressed himself. “AJ, how'd you do that?” “To be honest, I don’t know how.” She replied still stunned that actually worked as it seems. “Excuse me.” Thurston spoke up sounding rather demanding. “Where are we zebras supposed to drink? Someone filled the river with buffalo.” “Of course!” Ono realized. “The flies didn't leave because Beshte told them to, they've left because the zebras showed up! That's why they left down by the river, too!” “You mean the flies don't like zebras?” Fuli asked. “They don't like the zebra's stripes.” Ono clarified. “Common knowledge, really, though, nobody knows why.” “Well as long as they are all gone for now that’s good enough for me.” Rarity said as she this as a good opportunity to put lotion all over her white coat so she can get some much needed relief from having to deal with those flies. “So, if we stick with the zebras, we won't have to deal with the flies?” Twilight asked toe which Ono nodded in response. Hearing this had Twilight turning to the zebra who stick has a bone to pick with her after her reformation in a humble manner. “So in answer to your question, we'll take you to the nearest watering hole. Mbeya, too. Come on!” Thurston felt very pleased to hear and see this. “A Lion and Pony Guard escort? Well, I suppose it's only fitting.” “Don’t get too accustomed to it.” The princess lightly warned with a glance in his direction. In the Outlands, on Jasiri’s newly reclaimed turf since Scar's defeat, the heroic hyena herself is currently hiding behind some rocks while spotting two hyena cubs laughing and playing with one another. In an instant she emerged from her hiding spot. “Ha!” They both paused in surprise for a moment before resuming their laughing since this is just a friendly game of hide and seek. A game that really helps keeps Jasiri cheerful during her spare time. “You found us!” The hyena that resembles Jasiri’s color design the most happily said. “I did. And now we can all look for Madoa. You ready? Is she here?” She leads the two cubs on over to the nearby tall rocks. “Let's see...” They moved to all leap over them together. “Ha!” But only found an area filled with boiling geysers in front of them. “Oh, well. Guess we gotta keep looking.” “We're gonna find you, Madoa!” The other little hyena spoke while unaware that he and the others have all passed by her true hiding place from a nearby opening of rocks that allowed her to watch them and remain out of sight. While they were searching around the geysers, Janja and his clan are all watching from up high upon arriving. “Aw, ain't that cute. Jasiri's playin' with cubs.” His smile turned into a determined frown. “Let's get 'em all.” Cheezi and Chungu moved to take cover for the nearby rocks while Janja remains to draw out her attention towards him. “Jasiri!” “Back so soon, Janja?” Jasiri asked while she and the cubs are unaware that the other two hyenas are sneaking up from behind. “I already told you, this is my turf now.” It’s normal to her for Janja to want to fight to take back his turf, but now he wants more than that? "What has gotten into him now?" She thought to herself as he finds the sheer numbers Janja has brought with him for this particular encounter. “Oh this ain't about turf, Jasiri.” Janja said while most of his clan appears from behind. “I told ya this wasn't over. Get her.” Jasiri growled in response before being drawn to the kids cries for help. “Jasiri!” They both screamed while being pursed by both Cheezi and Chungu. “Slow down, kids!” “No! Leave them alone!” She shouted after them before finding herself surrounded by the clan not pursing them. “They're only cubs!” One of them tried to pounce upon her but she was able to effortlessly kick him off before kicking aside the others cornering her. She quickly pursed both Cheezi and Chungu and was able to knock them aside before they could even lay a paw on them. “No!” She screamed upon saving them. Unfortunately for her, that was just the opening Janja was looking for before he leaped in knocked her aside right into the nearby steam vent thus trapping them inside. “No!” Madoa who was watching this horrifying scene unfold gasped while Janja cackled in triumph. “I'll get you for this, Janja!” Jasiri angrily vowed to the now cocky hyena. “You ain't gonna get nobody, Jasiri. You're stuck down there.” He stated just when he and the others circled around the vent. “Gather 'round, boys! What do you say we stick around and see what happens next? Should be very entertaining.” “There's too many of them. Our clan can't fight them without Jasiri. I need the Lion and Pony Guard along with whoever their new leaders are. Oh, I really hope they can help us.” Before Madoa could move to seek out their help she finds herself hoisted up in the air by an unseen source of magic. “I’m afraid the Lion and Pony Guard won’t be around to help you this time.” Starlight’s voice spoke to the startled hyena before tossing her into the steam vent alongside the others. “And neither will you.” While everyone trapped in the vent was left wondering of who that strange voice was, Janja and his clan already know, not that they plan on telling her anyways. As luck would have it, a curious and worried pair of eyes was seen watching from afar before scurrying away from the scene. Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion and Pony Guard are currently standing by the zebra herd where they are listening to the zebra going on non-stop with tall tales that are quite obvious due to his personality and claims. “And in my fifth dry season, I fought off a leopard. That's how I earned the stripes on my backside.” He moved his rear end to show everyone. “See?” Beshte and Fluttershy looked on impressed while Applejack and Twilight were both just agreeing and going along with it, not because they truly believed him. “Poa.” “Wow.” “Sounds interesting.” “Yeah, quite the stretch there.” Thurston then turned his rear end towards the others. “Did you get a good look?” Kion looked away with disgust while Fuli and Rarity looked aside equally disturbed with the unicorn practically imploring of him that he’d stop. “Yeah, we can see it fine from here.” “And could please turn that around? I don’t need the see this moon of your’s anymore.” Ono practically groaned clearly annoyed by his outlandish tales at this point. “Zebras don't earn their stripes. They're born with them.” “Are you a zebra?” Thurston inquired back while scoffing in the face of logic. “No, obviously.” “Then how could you possibly know?” Ono was left exasperated by how he was acting. “Wait, what? But...” He groans before deciding to drop it and fly away. “Where are you going, Ono?” Kion asked. “Back to the flies. They're less annoying.” Sure that had him surrounded by them along with squawking, coughing, and spitting them out, but it beats putting up a zebra who barks more than he bites. Just then, the Lion and Pony Guard heard an audible voice calling in their direction. “Psst.” Twilight widen her eyes upon hearing that before moving on over to towards the tree to where the voice can from. “The hyena has spots on it's back.” A female voice whispered into her ear as the rest of the gathered in on Twilight who seems to understand what she is being told. “But because the tiger has stripes, spots it lack's.” “What?” “Huh?” Both Kion and Fluttershy expressed in confusion. “It’s okay, you can show yourself.” Twilight assured the voice before she appeared in her reptile flesh. “Okay you got me.” Upon seeing this chameleon had every amazed with her neat appearance trick. “Poa.” “Amazing.” “Well I’ll be darn tootin.” “A chameleon.” Beshte, Fuli, Applejack, Rarity all expressed with delighted surprise all while Fluttershy wastes no time gushing all over her. “So cute!” She said with nearly nose to nose with her all while making the poor girl uncomfortable. “Easy, Fluttershy.” Twilight said while gently getting her to back up before moving to introduce her to the team… …just before Thurston spotted her and however reacted differently. “Panic and Run! Panic and…” “No!” Kion quickly stopped him before it could spiral out of control again. “This chameleon is Twilight’s friend. Just stay calm, stay here, and keep the flies away.” “Oh. Well... Very well. But it's not the zebra way.” With that out of the way, Twilight moved to formally introduce and gesture the chameleon to her friends one by one. “Everyone, this Kinyonga. Kinyonga, meet the Lion and Pony Guard. Honest Applejack, Strong Beshte, Brave Bunga, Fast Fuli, Leader of the Lion Guard Kion, Keen-sighted Ono, Fashion aficionado Rarity, and of course animal-lover Fluttershy.” “Hi.” “Hello, partner.” “Hey!” “Nice to meet you.” “Fascinating to meet new friend as always, darling.” Beshte, Applejack, Kion, Fuli, Rarity all greeted with Kion being busy restraining Fluttershy knowing of the latter’s overly-eager desire to observe her. “And as much as I like to get to really know you, what brings you here, and why are you coming to Twilight in secret.” “Because I didn’t want to be seen by anyone and I’m here to relay to her an emergency going on in the Outlands.” Kinyonga nervously explained before turning to the friend she came to. “That mean hyena Janja has both Jasiri and Madoa trapped in a steam vent. And Wema and Tunu are in there with them.” "Jasiri?" Both Kion and Twilight asked very surprised to hear that she is around and back. "Madoa?" “And the two little cubs?” Kinyonga nodded in response to both Beshte and Fluttershy's question. “Are they okay?” Fuli asked in concern. “I think so, but they're stuck and surrounded by Janja and his clan.” “Thank you for telling us.” Twilight kindly said to her as she leaned down to her who warmly smiled back equally thankful. Kion was quick to lead the Guard into action towards the Outlands. “We'll save them, Kinyonga. Just lead the way.” “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...” “Lion and Pony Guard defend!” Unfortunately, they all found themselves not managing to get far due to the massive tsetse fly infestation hovering all over them causing them to stop in their tracks and relentlessly cough. “How can we run with all these flies in our faces?” Fuli expressed while coughing. “You tell me, if we had Rainbow Dash around she’d send those flies far and long gone from here.” Applejack expressed while coughing herself. Just then thanks to Thurston appearing beside them the teste flies instantly scattered. “Oh, hello, Lion Guard. I was wondering where you went.” Upon seeing this, Kion started thinking of an idea concerning their annoying ally. “Something on your mind partner?” Applejack then asked just when Rarity put the pieces together. “You mean…Oh no.” “I know what you're thinking, Kion.” Fuli added after getting the same idea. “Oh, no. You can't be serious.” Ono firmly shook his head against the idea too. “You guys have a better idea?” Kion asked the others who all had nothing to say in response… …all but their pondering alicorn princess friend. “Actually yes…” She said while having some black and white paint cans appear in her magic. “…I’ve got a better idea.” Before anyone could ask they suddenly see her instantly pouring the entire can of white paint on her whole body. “Twilight, darling!” Rarity gasped in shock. “What on earth are you doing to yourself?!” “Watch and learn.” She replied while painting on black stripes before walking on ahead. “But what is painting yourself going to accomplish? Twilight?!” Ono exclaimed in exasperation. She walked on to see if this will work and amazingly despite how zany the idea is itself, not one singly fly came to hover on over to her once she was out of the zebra’s range. “Well I’ll be darn tootin!” “Not a single fly is bothering her!" Both Applejack and Fuli were the first to express their astonishment over the success of this crazy idea. “And in case you’re wondering, the answer is simple as this, blending in.” Twilight said to the others before handing them multiple cans of paint. "A white and black stripe paint coating should do the trick.” The others still looked on at her like she is as crazy as Pinkie Pie just when Twilight was quick to firmly state with a sense of urgency. “Come on! Jasiri needs us! Paint yourselves!” “Okay, okay!” Both Fuli and Rarity were quick to follow suit while both Kion and Applejack both worked together to paint Beshte from head and toe before being doused with the paint themselves courtesy of their alicorn friend. “You can thank or hate me later.” She replied before turning back to the disguised chameleon and allowed her to ride on her head. “Now lead the way Kinyonga.” “You got it, Twilight.” Sometime later, they were all on their way over to the Outlands and have just arrived inside their territory and even there they wasted no time in searching for where their friends in distress are located. “This way.” Kinyonga instructed while gently tugging on the alicorn’s mane to direct her in the way she is pointing. Back in the vent they are trapped inside of, Jasiri and Madoa had to quickly shield the kids away when the vent blew dangerously hot steam out. If they weren’t standing safely on the ledge they sure would have gotten burned there. “What was that?” Tunu worryingly asked. “A little steam, that's all.” Jasiri gently assured. “Nothing to worry about.” “At least for now.” Madoa brought up when she saw the rising lava. Even though it is said with uncertainty, Wema still held onto to the elder hyena’s support. “I'm not worried, as long as we're with you.” “You see that?” Janja taunted from above as he and his clan all look down upon her. “The steam down there means the vent's gonna blow. Then, bye-bye, Jasiri.” They all proceed to all cackle and laugh at their predicament as the lava starts to rise towards them. Elsewhere, Ono has flown ahead to use his keen sight to try to spot Janja and his clan. “How are we doing, Ono?” Kion asked as he ran on the ground. “We're getting close. The vent's just past that ravine.” “Great. Lead the way.” Meanwhile back near the steam vents, the lava is nearly it’s boiling point as it is getting dangerously close to Jasiri and her cubs who are all now increasingly worried they are all not coming out of here alive, and Janja from above sure seems to know it. “How ya feelin' down there, Jasiri? Hot enough for ya?” He mockingly remarked before turning to his clan. “Well, fur brains, guess one of my plans is finally gonna work.” “Guess again, Janja.” Kion’s voice shouted to him as he and the Guard finally arrived on the scene. Janja upon seeing this was exasperated thinking that the Guard would have nothing better to do other than explore for trouble in the Outlands. “Oh, come on. Not you guys.” Jasiri upon hearing the commotion from above smiled knowing that their prayers for a miracle have been answered. “Who's up there, Jasiri?” Wema asked. “Kion. Twilight. And the Lion and Pony Guard.” She happily replied upon hearing their voices and especially Twilight's. Regardless and determined to ensure his success, Janja and his clan moved to advance on the Lion and Pony Guard present. “You know what, Kion? It don't matter. I got all my guys with me today. Even the smart ones while you are without your speedy flying friend, crazy cuckoo pink friend, and your special magical lioness friend.” “He means us, right?” Chungu mindlessly asked. “Uh-huh.” Cheezi confidentially replied. “There's no way you're savin' Jasiri and the cubs.” “Oh, yeah?” Twilight asked as if it was a challenge. “Watch us.” The Lion and Pony Guard all leaped into action with Kion taking on Janja paw to paw while Beshte plowed his way through with Applejack staying close to him for protection. Even though Applejack could walk and run to an extent, she had to use evasive maneuvers against the hyenas since she can’t buck anything with her back legs. “I'm coming, Jasiri.” Kion called out to the hyena in trouble while pinning Janja down. But Janja was quick to reverse the pin on him. “Oh, no, you ain't.” Suddenly, he was knocked off and aside by Twilight with a hoof punch to the face sending him tumbling backwards in front of the nearby steam vents. Some of the other hyenas scattered before finding themselves face to face with Fuli and Rarity who confidently smirked in their direction. “You really want to take me on?” “Along with me?” “Huwezi.” Fuli quickly ran circles around them while a series of punches were heard inside the cloud of dust. After a few seconds, Fuli stopped and leaped on top of the hyena’s head before skidding to the stop leaving the hyena completely dazed. With one more punch to the face courtesy of the unicorn right in front of him, he dropped to the ground, completely knocked out cold. “Ha!” “I may be a lady but I am also an expert of kung-fu!” “Touche.” Two more scattered hyena is now pursing both Ono and Fluttershy with the latter trying to avoid the panicking herself. “Just keep flying, Fluttershy, just for a few more seconds.” Ono encouraged as he spots Bunga from above ready to leap into action. Once they were lured right over his head, Bunga made his move. “Zuka Zama!” He chuckled as the first hyena dropped down to the ground in pain. “That was fun.” “Bunga, look out!” Fluttershy shouted upon seeing the second hyena about to attack from behind. Acting quick she flew down as fast as she could and used her tail as a club to knock the hyena out just before he could harm Bunga. Bunga looked to Fluttershy very amazed with what she just did while she meekly blushed in return. Janja continued to deck it out with both of the Leaders of the Guard. From wrestling Kion along with dodging every blast of magic Twilight throws at him, he was able to hold his own against them quite well culminating with Kion kicking the hyena leader off of him. “All right, Kion, Twilight. Now you're both getting me really steamed.” Right on cue steam emerged from the vent he was standing in front of him causing his tail to get singed from the heat it produced and he himself to scream and skid across the ground in pain. With Janja taken care for now, both Kion and Twilight moved on over to the steam vent where Jasiri, Madoa, and the cubs are trapped inside. “Jasiri? Are you okay?” Kion asked. “Oh, we're fine. Would love a little help, though.” “And fast please.” Madoa added while eyeing the rising lava above them. “You've got it.” Kion assured before turning to the rest of the team gathering alongside them. “We have to do something. The lava's rising fast.” Bunga was quick to come with one. “Easy. Roar into the vent and blow the lava away.” “And blow Jasiri and the cubs away, too?” Fuli inquired with a look like he is being crazy to even suggest that idea. “Ooh.” He realized the major flaw in his attempted suggestion. “Okay. Maybe something else then.” Before anyone could Ono quickly spotted something from above. “Hapana. Kion, look out.” One of the hyenas appeared on the ledge behind him and was about strike him when Twilight pushed her friend aside and sent a powerful blast to send his would be attacker flying halfway across the Outlands. After blowing the smoke from her horn she spoke of an even better idea. “Easy, we have two ponies that can fly and two can use magic.” “But…but what if I make a mistake before the lava gets to them.” Fluttershy worryingly spoke with her eyes focused on the rising lava. “And Rarity too.” “Then we’ll need some an extra layer of protection.” Kion suggested as he spotted an idea to combine with Twilight when he spotted a nearby rock slab. “Beshte, I have an idea.” Just then Janja and his clan minus one appeared ready to resume their fight. “We ain't done with you yet, Lion and Pony Guard.” “You'll wish you were, Janja.” Kion retorted while he, Fuli, Bunga, Applejack, and Ono all got ready to resume the action. Before doing so, the Lion Guard leader turned to the Guard’s Strongest. “Beshte, you know what to do.” He nodded in response alongside Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity. “Now!” Those continuing the fight all let out a yell as they all leaped in action while the others moved to rescue Jasiri and the cubs. “Okay, everyone…” Twilight called out to the four trapped inside. “…we’re coming to get you.” With sheer bravery she flew inside the vent. “Climb aboard, kids.” Initially reluctant and nervously hesitation, they both moved to hop on the alicorn’s back before she moved to quickly fly up out of the vent and up to safety while Rarity worked her magic in levitating Madoa out of the vent herself. She tried her hardest to lift her upwards but she is having a difficult time doing so due to not having excelling magic on par with Twilight's. After seeing the cubs are safely out of harm’s way. Beshte moved to carry out his turn to save Jasiri. “Incoming rock. Look out for the splash.” “Uh, okay.” “Twende Kiboko.” With a careful but firm push, Beshte was able to push the rock into the vent and on top of the lava thus allowing Jasiri a means to escape certain death. “Brilliant.” And at the same time, with one strong push from each member of the Lion and Pony Guard fighting Janja and his clan, they were each able to force each and every remaining hyena a small distance away. Upon seeing they are outmatched, all but Janja retreated. “You're all alone, Janja. You lose.” Kion told the sole hyena still not backing down. “Huh?” He turns and sees his clan are running for the hills before turning back with an undeterred smile. “So? I don't see Jasiri nowhere. And that means I win.“ “Look again, Janja.” Jasiri announced as her ride emerged at the top of the vent before she, Madoa, Wema, Tunu, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Beshte moved to join the others alongside them ready to overpower the hyena leader if necessary. “You really want to fight all of us by yourself?” Janja grumbled in response. He could not believe he truly lost even with every single hyena on Jasiri’s side trapped inside the vent with no way of warning the Lion and Pony Guard from nearby. “Fine. But this ain't over, Jasiri.” He moved to retreat to never be seen again for the rest of the day with the only question on his mind is being how? How did the Lion and Pony Guard get tipped off that Jasiri was in danger? It didn’t matter now, he lost and is now going to have to explain to Scar how he ended losing a task he had in the bag and is sure going to be a dead hyena walking going forward even more so than last time. After the danger had passed, Jasiri smiled at her saviors. “Asante, Lion and Pony Guard. Thanks.” “Happy to help.” “We’re just glad we got here in time.” The two leaders humbly returned. "Better late than never." Jasiri said before turning to Twilight looking on greatly relieved to see her alive and well. "And to think all this time I thought that you were in danger, Twilight." "In danger from what?" She asked looking confused. "From Scar." She answered much to everyone's confused concern wondering what she is talking about before she moved to recall the time they have spent away from the Outlands and the Pride Lands. "After he took over the Pride Lands and sent all of your friends fleeing, we too had escaped the Outlands seeking shelter and safety from Scar so we could raise the cubs properly. We spent days traveling around nearby savanna's for shelter and assistance but because we're hyenas, their residents weren't willing to give us a chance to fit in or hear us out. Before any of us knew it the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months. Then one day we decided to return to the Outlands with the hopes of finding and rescuing you. But we couldn't find you. We even looked every part of the Outlands and took one good look at the Pride Lands when it was all losing life and hope. We thought Scar had already killed you and that there was nothing left to fight for." She recalled doing just that with with her clan as they look on in sadness and horror at the devastation Scar's rule had brought upon to the Pride Lands again before turning away from the Outlands ready to leave for good before being stopped in their tracks when a big bright light. Seeing that had them investigating the source of it, so they went back into the Outlands to find out what. By the time they were able to get high enough to see where it came from they only saw a defeated Scar flying away from the scene just after being drained of his powers. Along with a distant look at the Lion and Pony Guard minus their leaders getting together at Pride Rock feeling victorious yet sad as at the same time it was when it seemed Kion had died at that moment. "Oh, you saw." Kion realized in the present what she is referring to. "Yes. And even about hearing that we could return to the Outlands I still could not feel completely at peace knowing that I couldn't do enough to help protect you both." "Oh, Jasiri. I'm so sorry." Twilight apologized. "I had no idea you felt that way all this time." "It's okay, Twilight." Jasiri reassured all is good now. "I mean it's not like you had anything to do with it, right?" "Um..." Twilight shifted her eyes around in a mixture of guilt and unease to which everyone else could tell why she is reacting like this. "...actually, I did. Both as a hero and a villain." The kids gasped in shock upon hearing that. "Easy..." Madoa was quick to calm them down. "...Twilight is still our friend not an enemy." "She's right, kids." Jasiri agreed before turning back to the princess. "But still, why?" "Long story short, I reacted badly to some friendship issues I had in the days leading up to Scar's takeover along with having a dark influence into making those decisions. Took a while for me to come around and pull through when it mattered the most." "Is that why you have that scar over your face?" "Yep." "And is he the reason why Kion is..." "A half alicorn, yep. I know it's hard to believe but it really happened." Kion replied now used to his wings as he spread them out much to the kid's fascination. "Ooh." "Aah." "Wow." For the four hyenas it was a lot to take in, especially for Jasiri. "Well I'm glad you came around and defeated Scar when someone really needed a hero like you around." "I feel the same way." Twilight smiled in agreement with that statement. “But still..." She spoke up still stirred up by the chaos that went down today. "...It's weird. I know Janja was trying to win back his turf, but this was more than that. He was really out to get me.” “I know.” Madoa agreed. “What’s even more weird was when I was about to find help, I was suddenly whisked inside the vent alongside you. Like I was being controlled by unseen magic from nearby.” “Really?” Twilight was highly surprised to hear that. “You didn’t get a glimpse of who did it?” “No.” “That’s really weird.” Kion said before theorizing Janja’s behavior. "And as for Janja, It's the dry season. It makes animals do crazy things sometimes.” “I don’t know…” Twilight said otherwise as she looked ahead where Janja and his clan were last spotted. “…if you ask me, I might be sometime more than just a one-time crazy thing.” “Like what?” “Like someone else was behind this.” Twilight replied while trying to put the pieces together of who else would want her dead. “Like Scar?” Bunga curiously asked. “But he’s in prison and without his magic.” Beshte pointed out. “How could he get in contact with Janja if he has no magic to work with?” “I don’t know…” As much as it sounds about right, she can’t put her hoof on how he did if that’s true before turning to Jasiri. “…but I going to strongly advise to you that you steer clear of Janja’s turf, just to be safe.” “Okay, Twilight…” Jasiri agreed it is for the best before smiling and leading the kids away. “…probably for the best I should take these cubs back to the clan and distance the clan from Janja’s turf. See you next time, Lion and Pony Guard.” “Bye, Lion and Pony Guard. Thank you.” The cubs happily returned before following after Jasiri. “Goodbye.” They all called after them as they parted ways. With their services here complete, Kion moved to lead the Lion and Pony Guard back to the Pride Lands. “Okay, everybody, let's go home.” Upon arriving back in the Pride Lands, they have approached the zebras current grazing grounds just when they were suddenly greeted by three familiar faces. “Guys, girls!” Pinkie cheerfully greeted before rushing over and tackled everyone for a group hug. “We’re back!” “I can tell!” Kion smiled as she hugged them tightly. “And I take it your trip went well?” Twilight asked just when Rainbow was the next to show up before them. “It sure did.” The rainbow-maned Pegasus happily replied as she took notice of the black and white paint on everyone’s bodies. “And I can see you all had an equally awesome time in the Pride Lands.” “Yeah…” Pinkie examined the paint herself. “…spending the day having fun with the zebras?” “Close…” Fuli answered while shaking her head. “It was more like trying out a little camouflage in trying to save some friends in the Outlands.” “Jasiri!” Rainbow groaned upon hearing that she missed out on a rescue mission for one of her friends in the Outlands. “Aw man!” “It’ll be okay, partner.” Applejack reassured. “There will always be more chances to see her in the future.” “And look at it this way…” Kyoga said with a grin. “…it’s not like we're going to be hanging out with the zebras.” Instantly the flies swarmed around her Pinkie, and Rainbow. “Of course I wind up speaking too soon.” “Not to worry, I got just the solution.” Pinkie chimed in before pulling out some more black and white paint from behind her mane before dumping it all over herself, Rainbow, and Kyoga. Once she painted themselves to look just like the zebras, the flies all dispersed once more. “Good thing I always carry that around because boy those flies are nasty little buggers.” She giggled to herself. “And suddenly where this whole paint job came from all makes sense.” Ono commented as he turned his eyes to both Twilight and Pinkie before settling in on the former. “I mean…” Twilight innocently defended with a shrug. “…you got to admit, her crazy ideas do actually work once every while.” “You mean actually used my idea?!” Pinkie squeed with excitement before hugging her friend tightly once more. “Oh I just knew you would someday!” Twilight giggled in response as she didn’t try to break herself free from the embrace no matter how tight it was for her. “What can I say? You have inspired me in a way.” Everyone else all chuckled and laughed in response just knowing how true it is, for all of her craziness, Pinkie sure is the embodiment of cheer and laughs amongst the team.