//------------------------------//
// Episode 16: The Bite of Kenge 
// Story: The Pony Guard (Season 5) 
// by MXCDarkHorse2020 
//------------------------------//


Episode 16 :



The Bite of Kenge


“Come on, fur brains! Move it! Before the Lion Guard shows up.“ Janja ordered of his two companions when they managed to come across a great source of fruit.

“Right! Move it, melon!” When Cheezi pushed a melon across the field he ended up breaking it out spilling it’s precious juice and water. “Janja! This melon's got water inside it.”

“They all do, fur-brain. That's why we're takin' 'em.”

“Really? Ooh, good. I'm thirsty.” Chungu tried to open one only to end up playing around with like a chew toy.

Janja with a clearly annoyed expression simply slapped the melon out of his teeth causing it to crash and crack on Cheezi’s face with the juice and water spilling out from it and onto his nose. “Enough messin' around. Let's go!”

But unfortunately for them their leeway just got cut short when the Lion and Pony Guard quickly spotted them complete with a siren and spotlight courtesy of Pinkie Pie.

“Stop right there, Janja!” 

“Those melons are for the elephants!”

Both leaders called out to them upon arriving.

“Oh, are they?” Janja said while trying to act all innocent.

“Yeah! So drop the melons or you’re all under arrest!” Pinkie stated through her megaphone complete with her and Rarity’s stylish police uniforms.

“Well, don't worry, Kion, Twilight. We'll bring 'em right back. After we drink all their water. Move it, fellas!”

The three quickly took their leave with three melons in tow by rolling them with their noses.

“We gotta stop them!” 

“Come on!”

The Lion and Pony Guard quickly pursed them as they leaped down from the small hilltop to give them a chase.

“Faster, fellas!” Janja commanded of the others as the Lion and Pony Guard started gaining on them.

Both Rainbow and Fuli were quick to take him up on the challenge.

“You want fast?”

“You got it! Huwezi!”

Rainbow sprinted ahead while Fuli snatched the melon Cheezi away from his grasp.

“Hey! Oof!”

Without watching where he is going he ended up greeting a super strong and speedy punch from the blue Pegasus waiting for him.

“Oops. My bad.”

“That's one!” Bunga commented as Fuli rolled it over to him.

Next up was the melon Chungu had with Applejack quick to lasso it away from him leading to him to run after it.

“Come on partner, give back that there melon!”

But Chungu wasn’t about to give it up as he tried hugging onto to for dear life. “Uh-uh. I stole it fair and square!” Due to the blinding light flashed in his face due to Rarity’s outfit he wound up crashing right into Beshte causing him to let go of his grip and allowing Applejack to safely secure it.

“There's nothing fair about stealing!” Beshte chided.

“It’s wrong and unkind!” Fluttershy sternly added forcing the hyena to cower under her stare again.

With the melon secure, she rolled it on over to Bunga.

“Zuka Zama! That's two!”

And all that is left is the melon Janja has with Kion catching and wresting it right from his greedy paws.

“Give it up, Janja!” Kion was able to wrestle it away and force the hyena leader to retreat and flee but not with sending it flying into the air. “Somebody grab that last melon!”

“I got it! I got it!” Bunga quickly called out.

“No, no, me, me, me!” Pinkie also shouted unintentionally walking right into a collision course with the honey badger. 

“I don't got it.” They both stated together after crashing into each other.

Luckily for them, Twilight was able to secure it with her magic before it smashed into pieces.

“Phew! I haven’t had this much fun playing ball since I was a filly.” She commented in good humor.

“Let me guess, with your brother?” Kyoga asked.

“Yes.”

“Anyways, good thing we came here when we did.”

“How'd the hyenas even find the elephants' melon patch?” Bunga asked curiously.

Fuli scoffed knowing the hyenas track record. “Luck, I'm guessing.”

“Pure luck.” Rarity chimed in agreeing with the cheetah.

“Gotta be. The patch is really well hidden.” Kion said.

“Indeed. It's even difficult for me to see!” Ono added in agreement.

“Me too!” Rainbow also stated leading to a brief argument between the two.

“That’s because your eyesight is not as keen as mine.”

“Says you. If it weren’t for me even spotting them first when they came here we would never have busted them.”

“Ahem.” Twilight cleared her throat with a stern look to get them to break up the bickering before focusing on what’s more important. “In the meantime, we’ll have to keep a close eye on them, in case the hyenas come back.”

“Really?” Rainbow asked finding it a ridiculous task.

“We gotta guard fruit?” Bunga also asked in agreement.

“The melons help give the elephants the water they need to make it through the dry season.” Fluttershy explained. 

“Common knowledge, really.”

“It's all part of the Circle of Life.” Kion also reminded them. “And defending it is our job.”

“Even though they can always get more fruit from Ponyville.” Rainbow muttered to herself along with Bunga only to get tail slapped and ribbed courtesy of both Applejack and Rarity. “But it’s true!” She defensively said before giving up. 
“I mean, all right all right! I keep watch over them!” She then moved to fly on after them to get a precise eye set on them as they have all retreated to the Outlands.

Upon seeing that her friend is moving on ahead into enemy territory, Twilight quickly flew after her. “Me too!” She quickly stated before taking off. “Rainbow Dash! Wait up!”





When the alicorn was able to catch up, Rainbow had just located the hyenas retreating to the Outlands Volcano.

“Rainbow…”

“I know. But we got to find out if they’re coming back or not. At least can we go in there incognito?”

“Fine.” Twilight huddled with Rainbow before working her magic to teleport away and into the Outlands and inside the rocks leading up to the entrance to the caldera. Once they were in she casted a spell on themselves to make them invisible. “Shh…”

They tiptoed inside just when they spotted the hyenas walking inside.

“Another one of my brilliant plans, ruined by the Lion and Pony Guard!” Janja grumbled to the others in great annoyance.

“Yeah. Those guys and girly girls are always gettin' in our way.” Cheezi added in agreement.

During their walk inside they accidentally stumbled into Ushari who was napping at the time who unfortunately had no time to get out of the way before getting trampled.

“Huh? No!”

But by then it was already too late for him.

“Huh, Ushari…?”

“I thought he was locked up in Tartarus?!”

“He was?”

The invisible girls can only look on trying to understand as they watch them untangle themselves and squabble about it with heated looks and words directed at each other.

“Speakin' of gettin' in our way...”

“Excuse me? Watch your step!”

“Enough!” Their boss’s voice roared out to them as his fiery soul fiercely glared down on their souls for another one of their petty disputes.

Upon seeing him in fire and flame had the hyenas cowering into submission and Ushari being quick to drop the arguement entirely.

Both ponies however, could not believe what they are seeing right in front of them.

“What?”

“How?”

Was all they could say at the moment upon seeing him in his fiery glory.

”Hi, Scar.” Janja nervously greeted.

“What happened this time?”

“We stumbled onto some Tikiti melons and was gonna take 'em. But then the Lion and Pony Guard stumbled onto us…

“And on top of that you stumbled onto me!” Ushari irritably added.

“Only because we didn’t see you there!”

“Well you should have looked where you were going!”

“Why you little…”

“Hey!” Scar barked at them. “Break up the dog pile!” They both shut up immediately as Scar turned back to Janja on the subject. “…and the Lion and Pony Guard defeated you all once more?”

“Yes.” He admitted.

Hearing this had gotten the fiery spirit intrigued by the item brought up in question.

“Tikiti melons! Ah, yes.”

“Did you know they got water inside 'em?” Chungu asked.

“Yes. Precious water. The Pride Lands' elephants would be vulnerable without those melons.” 

“Especially during the dry season.” Ushari sinisterly added.

“Hyenas!” Scar barked out loud which had them huddling together in a whimper. “Go back and take all of the Tikiti melons. If the elephants don't have enough water, it will mean the end of their herd! And perhaps the Circle of Life, as well!” He chuckles menacingly at another opportunity to bring chaos to the Pride Lands to seize upon.

“Uh, Scar?” Janja spoke up to remind him of one big flaw in that regard. “We totally wanna help. But the Lion and Pony Guard's just gonna stop us again.”

Undeterred, Ushari had an idea to help them out in that matter. “I know a lizard who can stop the Lion Guard. Then you'll have plenty of time to steal the melons.”

“A lizard? You mean, like one of those skinks?” He asked with his comment directed at said creatures who all scowled and hissed right back at him. “How's one little lizard gonna stop the Lion and Pony Guard?”

“Trust me, my friend is not a little lizard. He's very big. And very bad.“

The Big Bad Kenge

Pleased with this proposal, Scar gave his stamp of approval. “Ushari. Tell your friend Kenge to pay a visit to the Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Certainly.” Ushari nodded before turning back to the others. “And, hyenas? Whatever you do, don't call Kenge a "little lizard."”

“Why's that?” Janja felt the need to ask.

“You don't want to know.”

Acting quick, Twilight pulled Rainbow away so they can sneak out without alerting the bad guys inside.

Once outside and out of sight and on the other side of the volcano where they couldn’t see them, Rainbow wasted no time speaking her shock in light of their discovery. “How is this even possible?! I thought you took away his magic and locked him away back in Tartarus?!”

“I did. Somehow he must have gained enough magic to make contact with the Outsiders.”

“But how?!”

“I don’t know! But we’ll find out soon enough! Right now we have to keep a sharp eye for Janja and his pack along with their special friend.”

“Leaving so soon…?” A stranger’s voice spoke as he emerged from his hiding spot thus startling them. Said stranger came from a giant lizard appearing right in front of them. “…but you arrived just in time to get a sneak preview of what’s about happen next.” Before any of them could say anything Kenge wasted no time leaping right at them.

Rainbow was quick enough to fly out of the way in time, Twilight wasn’t so lucky when their attacker managed to bite the alicorn on the leg who gasped in pain when it happened.

Furious, Rainbow tackled the beast who quickly rolled over body slammed her into the ground to her pin down. Once she was briefly subdued, he bit the blue Pegasus on the leg too, who groaned in pain too.

Now left at the lizard’s mercy when the two were unable to stand up properly due to sudden paralysis in their bitten legs they were left with no option but to make a quick retreat. In order to be able to get away from him, Twilight gave a quick sprint with her wings to yank Rainbow off of the ground before Kenge can try to capture them and then teleported away from the scene.





After they suddenly disappeared, he looked on satisfied that they got the message before moving on ahead to meet up with the hyenas so he can buy them the time they need to get the melons without the Lion and Pony Guard’s interference. All while Starlight Glimmer watched taking pleasure of the sighting from up high on the Cliffside and unseen from the shadows. 

Meanwhile the hyenas have managed to reach the bushes nearby the elephant’s hidden melon patch where they are told to meet Kenge.

“Gee, Janja. How big could this lizard be?” Chungu asked his leader.

No sooner than he said it, the lizard himself appeared and made himself known to the gang.

“Okay. That lizard's definitely not little.” Janja commented and unfortunately for him was close by enough for him to hear it.

“What did you call me?” He angrily hissed and demanded.

“Uh, a big lizard!” The now nervous hyena stammered as he corrected himself. “You're a very big, big lizard!”

“That's right. And don't forget it.”

With the tone he used to illustrate that he is not someone to be messed with even as an ally, both Cheezi and Chungu had their say towards Janja about him.

“I wouldn't want to be his enemy.

“I don't even wanna be his friend!”

Kenge thought likewise. “Don't worry. We're not friends. Enough chit-chat! Time to find the Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Find 'em? How you gonna do that?” Janja asked.

“I'm going to let them find me!”





Meanwhile back at the patch, Bunga is starting to get tired of watching over the melon patch, even when they have good reasons too to the point he started playing around with one of the melons.

“Kion, how much longer are we gonna stick around here? You really think the hyenas will come back knowin' we're around? Not too smart, if you ask me.”

“Hyenas aren't smart. Remember?” Fuli reminded as she control of the melon Bunga is playing with so they don’t lose one and have the trouble of explaining that to the elephants.

“And they don’t have the keen sight to know when to back off.” Applejack added in agreement.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Fuli and Applejack are right, Bunga.” Kion asserted. “Janja might come back and we can't risk losing these melons.” In order to make sure everything is all good he turned to the Guard’s Keenest of Sight. “Ono? Take another look?”

“Affirmative!“ Ono flew up to the skies to spot them out. “I don't see any hyenas. But...” He gasped upon seeing something alarming. A dust storm spooking the zebras at the watering hole. “Hapana! Animals are being attacked at the watering hole!”

“Attacked? By who?“

“I can't tell. There's too much chaos! But whatever it is, it's fast. And big!”

“Then we've gotta stop it! Ono? Be sure to keep an eye on the melons, too.”

“Affirmative!”

“Now let's go.” 

Before they could head out, Twilight and Rainbow suddenly appeared both while still afloat and doing whatever they can to not touch the ground.

“Wait!”

“Stop!”

They urgently warned before they could take off.

“Twilight!”

“Rainbow Dash!”

“What’s going on?!”

Rarity, Applejack, and Kion all asked in that order highly surprised by their sudden reappearance.

“For starters, we know who’s causing trouble there…” Twilight started.

“Okay.” Kion spoke first still expecting more details.

“But…this guy is no ordinary walk in the park. This guy’s huge! He moves fast! He bites really hard!” Rainbow added with emphasis on the word hard.

“Oh my.” Fluttershy gasped.

“Like how big?!” Beshte asked.

“It’s a monitor lizard!”

“A monitor lizard?!” Ono gasped.

“Then what are we waiting for?! Let's stop him!” Bunga eagerly asked ready for a fight before the alicorn moved to stop him from going on ahead.

“Because it’s a trap!” She urgently warned him against trying to confront him.

“And in case you haven’t heard us. Monitor! Lizard! You let him get so much as one bite on you, you’re done! As in Paralyzing Venom if he happens to so much get a bite on you!” Rainbow added for emphasis as she showed the group the bitten and paralyzed legs she and Twilight have now. Hence the reason why they can’t land on the ground.

“But we got to stop him before he hurts anyone else!” Bunga protested wanting to engage in some action. “What if he doesn’t stop there!”

“Bunga’s right!” Kion agreed. “We at least to make sure he doesn’t cause any more harm to anyone else!”

Rainbow exclaimed rather baffled that they are still going to seek him out. “Are you even listening to us?!”

Twilight however accepted their decision without further protest as they all while placing a calming hoof on Rainbow. “Very well. Then we’ll stay here and guard the melons.”

“And I’ll stick with them.” Kyoga vouched.

“Great.” Kion said pleased for her understanding before leading the team on over there. “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...”

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”





At the same time Kenge has managed to strike fear into everyone’s hearts with his ongoing rampage.

“Come here, you! Hold still!” Kenge snarled at Thurston thus easily spooking him once more. 

“Panic and run!”

He and the rest of the herd all proceeded to run and scream like mice while Kenge watches on with sadistic pleasure like a cat playing with his food.

“That's right! Run away from the big lizard!” He suddenly spotted two nearby impalas before barking his imposing stance towards them thus frightening them away from the watering hole.

The hyenas watching this all laughed finding this all very entertaining.

“Lizard! Stop this attack! Now!” Kion called out to him upon arriving.

“Well, fun's over.” Janja commented expecting another repeat failure.

“I don't know who you are, but this is not how we do things in the Pride Lands!”

“Yeah! Around here we respect the Circle of Life!” Beshte stated in agreement.

“You must be the Lion and Pony Guard.” Kenge said after turning to face them.

“That's right.” Applejack asserted. “Protectors of the Pride Lands!”

“And Equestria!” Rarity stated with the most dignified fighting stance a lady could get before going into battle.

“Yeah. They said you talked like that.” Kenge commented unimpressed himself.

“Then I bet you're not happy to see us!” Bunga smugly commented back.

“Actually, I'm thrilled.” Kenge voiced otherwise with an eager smirk. “Bring it on.”

“You asked for it.” Kion said just as Fuli moved to approach to fight him first.

However what she didn’t expect was how fast and quick the monitor lizard was in snapping his jaws right at her. 

“Whoa!” She exclaimed before being nearly bitten in the face. She moved to retreat and leaps away from another attempted bite, but was not quick enough to avoid being bitten on the third attempt and then gasped in pain when it happened. “Oh!”

Fluttershy gasped already sweating in fear and sticking to the sky upon seeing this.

Kion furiously growled as he leaped on Kenge to attack him only for him to easily knock off to the ground by flipping onto his back. Kenge wasted no time in biting his leg when he was down.

“Ow!”

Next Beshte tried to advance on him onto to be forced to back away when he swung his tail at him. Because of his slow speed he was bitten just a second later.

“Ow!”

Fuli suddenly felt her bitten leg go limp and found herself unable to move because of it. “My legs!”

“What's going on?” Kion wondered as his bitten leg went limp too as the others looked on in concern and fear with what is happening in front of them.

“I don't feel so good!” Beshte commented before dropping to the ground too due to his limp leg.

“Kion! What's wrong, darling?” Rarity called out in alarm before having to perform a front flip when Kenge charged at her. “Whoa! Hey! Watch the mane! I just groomed that!” She had to leap once more when he attempted to bite her before succeeding the next time by. “Ow! Where are your manners you rude beast!”

Just then Applejack took a turn trying to tame the beast to pull him away from the unicorn. She grunted with all of her might as she tugged on the rope with her teeth. “That’s right get along you big lizard!”

“Oh I am a big lizard all right! Big enough to beat you!” Kenge moved to effortlessly yank the lasso while pulling the pony up and back down into the ground very hard to the point she ended up landing on her legs again, and injuring her right unbroken back leg before being bitten. 

To Applejack the bite felt tame compared to the cracking of her bones she suffered when she broke her leg first time around let along the bruising her other back leg took in.

From the sidelines, Janja watched on in amazement with what he is seeing. “Ushari was right about Kenge. He's takin' 'em down!”

“Yeah!” Cheezi cackled in delight. “Down and out!”

Next up, Bunga stepped forward alongside with Pinkie Pie ready to defend their defeated friends.

“Okay you mean green and greedy old reptile! Listen up! There’s a new sheriff in town and her name is Sheriff Pinkie!” She seriously stated while wearing a wild western outfit to match alongside Bunga.

“Come on, I dare you!”

Kenge laughed in amusement. “Listen to the honey badger and pretty pink pony! You two think you’re brave enough to fight Kenge! Biggest lizard in the Outlands!”

Both remained unfazed in response.

“Well, duh! Of course we’re brave enough to face you silly!”

“And I don't just think it! I know it!”

“Really? I smell fear.”

“I'll give you something to smell!”

“And I’ll give you something to celebrate on!”

Pinkie quickly pulled out her party cannon with Bunga getting inside of it. The cannon immediately went off with Bunga bursting out of it with confetti and a flip before releasing one his most powerful farts in his face.

Kenge wound up coughing in disgust before being forced to retreat.

“Yeah, that's right, you lizard! Run!”

“Run from the Bravest of the Lion and Pony Guard!”

“Hey, wait for us!” Chungu called out to him while pursing him along with the other two hyenas after he passed by them.

Bunga sniffed deeply with great pride. “Smells like victory.”

“You said it!” Pinkie while wearing a gas mask agreed by high-fiving him.

Rarity however groaned and gagged before passing out from it but not without spotting the hyenas following Kenge.

After recovering from her shock once the monitor lizard has left them alone, Fluttershy was quick to tend to her paralyzed friends. “Are you all okay?”

“Yeah, but...” Kion struggled and failed to stand up. “My legs won't move!”

Fuli grunted as the same happened to her. “Neither will mine!"

“I can't even feel them.” Beshte commented without moving a muscle. “They're just numb.”

“That explains why both Twilight and Rainbow didn’t land on the ground when they tried to warn us.” Applejack realized as she found herself unable to put any weight of her legs. “They got bitten before we did.”

“And of course...” Rarity face-hoofed herself at the foolishness they just committed. “…we walked right into the trap both Twilight and Rainbow were trying to warn us. So they can steal the elephant’s melons.”

“You mean the hyenas and the monitor lizard…Hevi Kabisa!” Kion realized it too. “They must be working together!”

“Wait a tick.” Ono gasped. “Hapana! They are!” Ono reported as he caught a glimpse of them heading on over there together. “Janja, Cheezi and Chungu are heading back to the melon patch right now. And Kenge's with them!”

“You mean Janja asked Kenge to bite us so we couldn't stop them from taking the melons?” Applejack asked as it is all starting to come together before grumbling. 

“Yep.” Fuli said in agreement feeling the same way upon figuring it out too. “Hook, line, and sinker to a monitor lizard.”

“Why that no good varmit and his clan always seeking to cause trouble!”

“You read my mind, Applejack. Wait till I get my legs back.” Fuli angrily vowed in agreement.

“I heard about them, but I've never seen one until now!” Fluttershy said while shuddering at the sight still fresh on her mind.

“What does that have to do with our legs being numb?” Fuli asked.

“A monitor lizard's bite contains venom which causes paralysis.” Ono explained. “Common knowledge, really.”

“So that's why our legs won't move?” Kion asked.

“Yes, but don't worry.” Ono assured. “The venom will wear off and your legs will go back to normal.”

“Great!” Fuli briefly smiled before frowning once again. “When?”

“I…” Ono started before falling flat. “…I have no idea.”

“A couple of hours at the very least.” Fluttershy meekly answered while looking on apologetically for not being able to give her the answer she is expecting.

“Well, we can't just sit here!” Fuli complained. “That lizard is roaming the Pride Lands!”

“He could bite someone else!” Beshte pointed out.

“And keeping us from being able to protect the elephant’s melon patch.” Applejack added.

“We still have Kyoga and I’m sure both Twilight and Rainbow got some fight in them as long as they aren’t on land.” Kion assured before turning to both available fliers. “Ono, Fluttershy, get Rafiki. Maybe he has a remedy that can heal our legs faster.”

“Affirmative!”

“Don't worry. You’re not alone silly fillies and babies.” Pinkie assured while ruffling everyone’s backs. 

“We'll stay here and protect you in case that lizard comes back.” Bunga confidently added while they both walk around the perimeter.

“Ugh!” Fuli groaned while crossing her arms just knowing what they are all in for now.

“Here…” Rarity handed her a gas mask. “…just in case.”

“Thanks.”





In the meantime both the egret and Pegasus made their way over to the tree hoping they have expert healing on their side and nearby today.

“Rafiki? Rafiki!” 

“Oh, please be home, please be home. Rafiki?”

“Oh, hi, Ono! Fluttershy!” Makini greeted while emerging and hanging from one of the upper braches upside down. “Rafiki's gone for the day. I'm watching his tree. Well, I'm not really watching it, I'm more like...”

“I’m sorry Makini, but we need your help!” Fluttershy politely yet firmly interrupted wanting to cut to the chase.

“A monitor lizard bit Kion, Twilight, Fuli, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, and Beshte!” Ono urgently added. “Their legs won't move!”

“Oh, no!” Makini gasped. “ If they can't move, then they can't protect the Pride Lands and Equestria. And if they can't protect the Pride Lands and Equestrua, then the Pride Lands and Equestria are unprotected, and...”

“The venom will wear off.” Ono quickly assured. “We were hoping Rafiki had a remedy to help them heal faster.”

“Oh, I'm sure he does! Oh, but he's not here. Oh, but I'm here. And Rafiki's teaching me all about remedies. So maybe I can help!”

“But, we were...” Ono tried to speak but Makini still kept on going. 

“Or, I mean, I can try to help. I've never actually made a remedy before. I've watched him do it, though.”

“Makini, please!” Fluttershy politely yet firmly interrupted. “We need that cure soon. Very, very, very, soon to stop the hyenas from dooming the elephants to suffering dehydration when they lose their melon supply!” Fluttershy added sounding and looking very worried for everyone involved.

“What?” Makini gasped. “You mean…”

“Yes.”

Immediately Makini got the message and got right to work. “One cure coming up!”

Fluttershy sighed in relief with a smile to boot. “Oh, thank you.”





At the same time Bunga started to take a little fun at Fuli due to being immobilized. “Who's the fastest now, Fuli? Huh? Huh? Who's the fastest now?”

“Still me.” Fuli answered clearly annoyed at him constantly rubbing it in literally to the point she grabbed him on the back fur when he was close enough with his back turned.

“Yeah, okay. But I'm still the bravest!”

“Yes, and that’s it, Bunga.” Rarity spoke up finding it annoying herself. “Just because we can’t move our legs doesn’t mean you have to constantly gloat about it.”

“Yeah, no need to go on acting like Trixie about it!” Applejack agreed.

“But it’s true!” Bunga defended before being taken aback by their glares with Rarity’s meaning she is ready to girly him up in a dress when this is all over if he doesn’t back off. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop!”

“Everyone! Everyone!” Ono called out to the group upon arriving alongside Makini and Fluttershy. “Rafiki's gone all day...”

“But I'm here!” The young mandrill quickly assured. “And I'm going to find a way to help your legs heal faster! Or, I'm gonna try.”

“Thanks, Makini!” Beshte gratefully said knowing it’s the thought that really counts.

“Better than nothing I suppose.” Rarity sighed really wishing that the mandrill is capable of working her magic on this one.

“I’ll take it any day…” Fuli agreed before turning to Makini hopeful that she can come through for them. …We really need your help.”

“But no pressure.” Pinkie happily added acknowledging that she is going to try her best here.

“Okay, now, let's see.” Makini said as she started pondering. “I remember Rafiki telling me something that can help heal. I think it was Ghanda root! Or the kioo stone. Or maybe kupona sap?”

“She's still learning.” Ono explained in a deadpan tone.

“Obviously, still a new one.” Rarity couldn’t but remark in sarcasm.

Then Makini gasped when she thinks she knows how. “Oh, oh, I know! Ponya flowers! I'm almost totally sure that's what Rafiki said can help!”

“Okay!”

“Great!”

“The sooner the better!”

Beshte, Fuli, and Applejack all commented.

But then Makini realized… “Oh. But I don't have any Ponya flowers. Do you?”

“Uh, no.”

“Do we look like we have flowers on us?”

Both Fuli and Rarity returned with the latter still unable to resist dripping sarcasm at Makini.

“Is that any way to treat a friend who’s trying to help?” Applejack asked disapprovingly.

“No, but it is the truth.”

“I can find the flowers, Makini. I am the keenest of sight.” Ono quickly spoke up to help move things along.

“Oh, thank you, Ono! That would be great. Especially because I don't know what Ponya flowers look like!”

“Shocker.” Fuli quipped mimicking Rarity’s voice.

“Rarity!” Applejack scolded once more.

“What?! That wasn’t me this time!” She innocently protested before frowning back at the cheetah who simply smirked.

“Hey! Got to find some way to entertain myself while I wait here with you.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie both laughed together finding humor in all of this.

“Anyways…” Ono said deciding to pay no mind to the class clowns of the Guard. “…Well, they're bright red... Hmm.” He then remembered. “And there's a big bush of them by Big Springs!” Just then they heard Janja cackling again. “And Janja and the hyenas along with the lizard are all heading their way back to the melon patch.”

“Wait till I get my legs back.” Fuli growled.

“And you will! As soon as I get the Ponya flowers!” Makini assured.

With action needed to be taken, Kion turned to the others who still can move and fight. “Bunga. Pinkie. Ono. Fluttershy. You've gotta stop Kenge and the hyenas. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Kyoga will need all of the help they can get.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie were quick and ready to set up to the task.

“No problem, Kion. They'll be sorry they ever left the Outlands.

“In fact! By the time we’re done with them they won’t be getting an invitation to my next party!”

Ono and Fluttershy however weren’t so keen to step up to the task.

“But, you mean, just us?”

“Against that big mean creepy lizard!”

“Sure!” Bunga confidently assured. “We've got brains and bravery! In addition the elements of laughter and kindness on our side.”

“Yeah!” Pinkie agreed. “Something to laugh about when we beat them and get them to be kind enough to give them mercy. What more do we need?”

“More friends to help us out.” Fluttershy replied meekly.

“Oh don’t you worry, Fluttershy…” Pinkie assured while hugging her tight.  “…we’ve got your back!” She then turned to the still nervous egret. “Right, Ono?”

“Hmm.” Ono said reluctantly before speaking up. “I guess there's no other choice. Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...” He started.

“Lion and Pony Guard defend!” Both Bunga and Pinkie stated as they ran and flew off together.





Elsewhere at the melon patch, Twilight, Rainbow, and Kyoga have spotted the four Outsiders approaching them once again. 

“Remember, this time we gotta take all the melons.” Janja reminded his clan as they approached the seemingly unguarded patch. “Then the elephants won't have nothin' to drink when their watering holes go dry.”

“And that’s a very good plan Janja…” Twilight commented as she appeared while flying. “…certainly what Scar would have done if he was around.”

Janja was left stunned in shock upon seeing her again before being greeted to a powerful surge of magic that forced the four Outlanders away. “What?! But how?!”

“Hmm…” Kenge gave the alicorn a good look before deducing. “…because she’s not putting support on where I bit her!”

“Well…that makes one of us!” Rainbow voiced while rushing down on the monitor lizard at such a fast speed that he had no time to prepare for a punch to the face. A punch so hard that his nose got bruised super hard and felt some of his teeth left crooked and out of place. “And that was for biting us earlier!”

Kenge growled in response to the two fliers in front of him ready for a fair fight. “Go!” He shouted towards the hyenas. “Hyenas! You get the melons. I deal with these two!!” He moved to take a bite at them only for the two to separate before he could grab them.

Acting like a tag duo team, Rainbow flew in with her super speed while using her wings to fling dirt and dust into his eyes. When the dust cleared up, he is suddenly greeted when Twilight performs a karate kick to the face. After tumbling backwards, Rainbow and Twilight both relentlessly moved to punch and kick him every chance they get while taking turns just when Kenge tried to make a move on one of them.

After barely picking himself up as he glares down his opponents who are both ready to attack whenever he is ready to try again. Neither one of them said a word but the expressions make it clear that it’s only going to get worse for him if he keeps this up.

But he wasn’t about to give up there, deep down he was determined to get the better of them. Upon spotting their tails just above grabbing reach he had an idea. By thinking fast he lunged up and grabbed them by the tails without warning, twirled them around before flinging them aside causing them to crash into the nearby bushes and knocking them out cold.

Kenge growled just when Janja called out to them after taking care of business. “Hey, lizard! You wanna give us a little help here or what?”

Kenge however didn’t take kindly to the word itself. “Little?” He snarled enraged. 

“Okay, how 'bout some big help then?” He hastily corrected himself.

“You think you're in charge here?”

Janja was left stammering in response to that threatening response. “Me? Uh, maybe? But, uh, maybe not.”

His lackeys however couldn’t resist saying the truth.

“Janja! You say that all the time!”

“Yeah!”

“"I'm in charge! I'm in charge!"”

Janja could only scowl in annoyance in their direction for having big mouths.

With that said, Kenge made his say while getting in his face in an intimidating manner. “Maybe you're in charge of them. But you're not in charge of me!” He then commanded. “Now we start rolling!”

With the threat made clear, they all complied and started rolling while Kenge takes lead ready to attack the next Lion or Pony Guard member that they come across.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Okay!”

“Sure!”

“My venom won't stall the Lion Guard forever. We'll need to get to the Outlands before they recover!” He warned as they made their out of the patch.

“Too late for that, lizard.” Bunga called out as he appeared alongside the remaining members of the team. “The Lion and Pony Guard's already here to stop you!”

Janja smugly smirked in response. “What Lion and Pony Guard?” 

“This Lion and Pony Guard!” Kyoga stated sporting her ready to fight expression.

“Whatever! Point being, most of you ain't even here! Not even Twilight and Rainbow Dash, thanks to Kenge. Uh, the very big Kenge!” He added when he briefly glanced threateningly in his direction.

“That's right. You five can't possibly stop us.”

“Oh, yeah? We'll see about that!” 

“Zuka Zama!”

Before leaping into battle they had time for this brief exchange.

“You and Fluttershy take the hyenas, Ono. Pinkie I got the lizard. And if you can back us all up Kyoga, great.” Bunga told the others.

“You can count on that!”

“Affirmative!”

“Got it!”

“Ready, Bunga?”

“Yep! Zuka Zama!”

Before they could so, Kenge already made an attempt at both Fluttershy and Ono and would have bitten their wings had Bunga not leaped on and clamped his jaws and Pinkie not bounced on top of him. 

In addition, Kyoga sent a blast of magic to force him back just before he could do anything else, along with performing a drop kick to knock him on his back.

“Whoa!” 

“Ahh!”

“That was close!” 

“Thanks, Bunga and Pinkie!”

“Anytime!”

Kenge snarled in response to both the honey badger and pink earth pony before hissing in their direction with the latter having a cupcake rifle on hoof.

“There's more where that came from!”

“And we got plenty of it!”

At the same time, Ono and Fluttershy were quick to intercept the hyenas.

“Give up those melons, hyenas!”

“They’re not yours to take!”

Ono swooped in and tripped up both Cheezi and Chungu with the melons with Kyoga being quick to seize them with her magic before they can all scatter. 

“Ooh!” 

“Oh!”

“Watch it, fur-brains! Don't lose the melons!” He warned them just before being intercepted by Fluttershy who wasted no time in giving him the Stare. “Whoa! Hey! Easy now! Easy now!” He fearfully stated while shielding his own eyes.

Kenge moved to circle around both Bunga and Pinkie while feeling incensed by their constant defiance. “I've had enough of you both, honey badger and pink pony.”

“Oh, yeah? Tell me about it!” Bunga dared while leaping over and sliding across his body before leaping over to a nearby melon.

“Yeah me too!” Pinkie rushed over to his face while repeatedly tapping him on the face. “Yoo hoo! Over here! Missed me! Whoops! Missed again! Oops you missed!” She rapidly spoke with each failed attempted. “Wow! You are not on such a big winning streak right now are you!”

Kenge was now enraged as he charged up for another good bite…

…only for Bunga to shove a melon up his throat.

“Got anything to say about that?” Pinkie asked with a smile.

“No, no, really.” Bunga tauntingly implored. “Tell us about it. Speak up!”

While Fluttershy was steeling her fierce look on Janja’s face, Ono was pecking him and his buddies relentlessly.

“Beat it, bird! Scat! Shoo!”

“We got this, Ono!”

By rolling one of the melons like a bowling ball with another being used to give the first melon a good burst of speed, the hyenas all were knocked down in one effortless throw.

“Strike!”

“Times three and you’re all out of here!”

“Ha! Nice shot, Bunga!” Ono complimented as he flew on over them. Unfortunately it proved to be an inopportune time when Kenge crushed the melon with his jaws and managed to get a bite on him just when he tried to fly up and dodge the attack while Bunga and Pinkie successfully dodged. “Ow! My wing!” He tried and grunted with all of his might to stay afloat to no avail before collapsing to the ground in pain.

“Ono!” Bunga gasped.

And in an instant Kenge did the same for Fluttershy while her back was turned followed by another bite to the legs to further ensure she is completely paralyzed.

“Ouch!” Fluttershy yelped as she dropped down to the ground like a fly while her gazing hold on the hyenas was broken.

“Fluttershy!” Pinkie gasped before angrily frowning at her attacker. “Hey!” Pinkie moved to tackle and repeatedly punch the lizard leading to the two to tumble across the grass. “Don’t! Bite! My! Friend!” She stated with each punch before the latter moved to bite the former on the forearm after using a free front paw to swipe the pony off of him. “Ow!” She screamed in pain.

“Leave them alone! You want another stink bomb?” Bunga threatened when they faced off once more.

“What I want is you out of my way once and for all!” He charged at him once again and was able to land a hit on him when he tripped him up with his tail and managed to land a bite on his right leg.

“Whoa! You bit me!”

Kenge spit out saliva after doing so. “Yeah, and you and the pink pony both taste as bad as you smell.”

“Hey!”

“Now if nobody minds, we’ll be taking the fruit.”

“I mind…” Kyoga stated as she prepared to work her magic on the four. “…and now your four are all going back to…”

ZAP!

“Ow!”

Suddenly Kyoga was knocked aside by a powerful blast of magic from behind thus paralyzing her long enough for Kenge to quickly rush over to bite her.

“A little advice, you pirated lion. Find shorter magic words.” Now with the whole Guard dealt with they were all free to go with fruit for the crocs and jackals to feast on as celebratory drinks. “Let's go!”

Janja chuckled in delight before he and his pack moved to roll away the melons with their noses. “Hey, nice one, Kenge! Now that ya took care of the Lion and Pony Guard, takin' melons is easy!”

“Yes, hyenas. That was the plan.”

“Kyoga!” Pinkie quickly rushed over. “Are you okay?”

Kyoga groaned in pain. “Well that depends on what you define is okay? That we're all still standing or the fact that an Outsider aside from Scar is actually getting the best of you?”

“A little from Column A and a little from Column B.” She admitted with a giggle. “More on Column A though.”

“I can't believe that lizard bit us!” Bunga commented in disbelief. “And somebody just used magic on Kyoga from out of nowhere! And your on your legs, Pinkie!”

“Huh?” She realized she really is still standing like the bite had no effect on her. “Hey! How about that!” She giggled and bounced around like a kid in the candy store. “Woo-hoo! I’m immune to lizard venom!”

“Really…” Ono asked in disbelief. “…well, that makes one of us.” 

“Can you feel anything?” Fluttershy asked Bunga.

“Just my feet.” He wiggled his toes… ”And my legs...” He moved them and managed to stand up without any paralysis effect on him. “Hey! I can feel everything! Un-Bunga-lievable! I'm okay too!”

“Great.” Ono groaned with another Pinkie mystery he’ll never understand. “I hope Makini found those Ponya flowers.”

“Me too.” Fluttershy agreed.

“Same here.” Kyoga couldn’t have said it better too while the invisible unicorn lurking around made her leave without being spotted.

By the time Twilight and Rainbow Dash came too they managed to get back to flying again since they weren’t bitten in both encounters and were able to group up with the others.

“Us too!” Rainbow also stated before moving to hoist Fluttershy and Ono with her front hooves while Twilight moved to do the same with Kyoga.

“Come on.” Twilight added while glimpsing a sight of the footprints of the invisible attacker.

To her it was like the pieces were starting to come together, but as for the main question in regards to Scar, well that’s an even bigger piece of the puzzle.





Meanwhile, Makini has indeed found flowers and has just placed them on top and all around half of the Guard’s bodies.

One of the flowers landed on Fuli’s nose causing her sneeze and blow it onto Rarity’s snout who ended up doing the same.

“Eww.”

“So Makini…” Fuli spoke up asking. “…are we supposed to smell the flowers?”

Kion spit out one of the flowers that landed in his mouth before asking. “Eat them?”

“Or wear them?” Beshte asked.

“Well we’re already wearing them.” Applejack commented. “Like we have a choice in the matter.”

“Hmm.” Rarity held her head up high. “And here I’m being the one that’s rude.”

Makini paid no attention to the remarks as she is more focused on healing her friends. “Yes! Actually, I'm not sure.” She then admitted. “But if we do all three, then something's bound to work!”

“Question is which one does have a successful effect?” Rarity honestly wondered just when the others arrived.

“Well, I've got good news and bad news! The good news is, I'm immune to monitor lizard venom!”

“And so am I!”

Both Bunga and Pinkie cheerfully told everyone.

“But how…” Ono started to ask before shaking his head against it. “…never mind. Anyways, guess what the bad news is.” Ono then said.

“The lizard bit all of you guys and girls, too?” Kion asked.

“Yep. And now I can’t fly.”

“Me neither.”

“Nor run thanks to some random magic attack from out of nowhere.”

Hearing this sparked confusion and alarm amongst the group.

“Huh?!”

“What?!”

“But how?” Kion asked.

“I don’t know! But I know now that the hyenas and lizard are all heading on over to the Outlands with all of Tikiti melons because of that!”

“What? No!” Kion gasped before turning to Twilight and Rainbow. “Didn’t you two try to stop him?!”

“We did!”

“And we both nearly got our tails ripped out of us for it!”

“Just when we him dead to rights!”

Of both ponies Rainbow was the most frustrated in dealing with Kenge’s successful track record upon seeing that some of the group is already feeling bad enough about it had Kion back off on giving them a hard time.

Beshte trying to help make things better tried to complement their best healing cure they have. “Well, I think these Ponya flowers are at least starting to make our legs feel better. Right, guys?”

“Uh, sure.”

“I guess.”

“Better than nothing I suppose.”

“At least it’s the thought that counts.”

“Oh, good!” Makini then moved to place flowers around the remaining Guard crew, all three methods as described by Kion, Fuli, and Beshte. “Here, Ono, Kyoga, Twilight, Fluttershy, Rainbow. Wear this! Now smell. And eat!”

“Okay.” 

“Um…”

“Sure…”

“Let’s…”

“But how is doing any of this or all of above going to do us any…”

They all end up gulping down a petal and they all voiced their opinion about it.

“Hmm, not bad.”

“Hmm…” Fluttershy didn’t have a great taste in the petals like it was medicine.

“Tastes just like a flower.” Kyoga commented dryly.

“Bleh!” Rainbow stuck out her tongue in disgust.

“Eh.” For Twilight, medicine is medicine.

With that aside, now it was time to focus on the current dilemma right now.

“What are we gonna do, Kion? We still can't walk and only Twilight and Rainbow can get around by flying!” Both ponies shrugged in response.

Bunga and Pinkie both however remained undeterred. 

“Maybe you can't. But we can!” 

“Yeah! We can handle 'em alone, honey badger and Pinkie Pie style.”

“But there's too many of them.” Beshte pointed out. “You're outnumbered!”

“Actually, no…” Twilight shook her head as she and Rainbow floated up over their heads. “…account for two members of the Guard who can use magic even while paralyzed that evens the unfair advantage.”

“But we still need another pair of legs to help out.” Kion pointed out before turning to the mandrill standing before them. “Makini, we need you to help Bunga, Pinkie, Twilight, and Rainbow save those melons.”

“Me?” Makini having no combat experience didn’t feel comfortable about the idea. ”But, oh, uh, I don't know.”

“Without that water, the elephants won't survive the dry season!”

“It could change the Circle of Life forever!”

“We really need your help, Makini.”

Ono, Beshte, and Fuli all said to further stress the severity of the situation.

Wwith her strong desire to help kicking into gear, Makini vouched her support. “I'll do everything I can.”

“Thanks, Makini.”

“And don't worry.” Twilight assured with a comforting hoof. “We'll be right there to protect you.” She then turned to keen-sighted fliers. “Ono, Rainbow, what path were the hyenas taking to the Outlands?”

Both fliers flew up to spot them out.

“They seemed to be heading toward Embamba Canyon.” Ono reported.

“That's a pretty narrow pass.” Fuli commented.

“Then that also means you better get on over there because if we don’t stop them there they’re home free.” Applejack then said seeing that time is at the essence now with them almost at the kingdom’s border.

“Okay.” Kion said with a new resolve and a confident smile. “I have a plan.”

“Oh, good. I really hope it'll work.” Makini expressed seeking for good luck on their side.

“So do I.” Twilight agreed.





At the narrow pass, the active members of the Guard spotted their enemies approaching the borderline.

“Okay, there they are.”

“Target sighted.”

Both Bunga and Pinkie said.

“We need to hurry, Bunga! They're almost to the Outlands!” Makini urgently expressed.

“Don't worry, Makini. Just remember the plan.” Pinkie again assured.

“Right.” Makini after performing the deep breathing exercise was able to steel her nerves. “Shwari. I can do this.”

“Ready?” Twilight asked Rarity while hoisting her up in the air while Rainbow moved to do the same with Kyoga.

“Ready!”

“It’s payback time!”

They flew up ahead, while Bunga, Pinkie, and Makini all remained on the ground.

To make his appearance known Bunga came down to greet them, all while singing. “Zuka Zama, I'm immune! Zuka Zama, zoom zoom zoom!”

Seeing this got the four Outsiders baffled at seeing him again along with moving around like nothing happened. 

“The honey badger?”

Not only that…

“And the pretty pink pony, Pinkie Pie!” Said pony suddenly appeared by their side.

“AHH!”

“AHH! Yourself!”

“What the…What are they doing here?”

“Yeah, I thought you bit them.” Cheezi asked.

“I did!” Even Kenge can’t understand why this is happening while they are all unaware that Makini is making her down from behind.

“Hey, Kenge!” 

“Yoo-hoo!”

Kenge snarled before bounding up towards them. “What are you two doing here?!”

“Just wanted to let you know your bite's not workin' anymore. See?” He showed his behind as emphasis. “It hasn't stopped me!” 

“And me!” Pinkie cheerfully mocked while using her tail to slap his face around. “Guess that bite of yours ain't so bad after all!”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Phew! But your breath, now that's bad! I mean really you should start considering having breath mints.” Pinkie moved to chunk one into his throat and forced him to swallow it. “There much better!”

”Gotta tell you, for someone who says they're a big, scary lizard, you're not that scary or that big.” Bunga then taunted while Makini moved to hide melons in the nearby rocks.

“Uh-oh!” Cheezi remarked as he and the other hyenas cringed knowing what’s about to happen next.

“What did you just say?” Kenge demanded with barely controlled anger.

“Which part? Pinkie asked. “The part where you're not scary, or the part where you're not big?”

“Just don't call him little, Bunga! You too, Pinkie!” Cheezi fearfully tried to warn the two like they are playing with fire right now as the monitor lizard threateningly approached them.

But of course to both Bunga and Pinkie that is actually useful information about Kenge they can use against him. “Oh! You don't like being called a little lizard.”

“Stop saying that!”

“Saying what?” 

"Little lizard"? 

Bunga then held Kenge by squishing his cheeks together while tauntingly mocking. “Little lizard. Oh, little lizard.”

“I am not a little lizard!” Kenge furiously screamed as he stood on only two legs.

“Whoa. He's gonna get it now.” Chungu fearfully commented while he and the other hyenas were all huddled together.

“Eh, I've seen bigger. Lots bigger!”

“And by that I mean super bigger than you! Why I seen snakes bigger than you!”

And that was the last straw that sent Kenge into a flying rage as he charged at the both of them all while inadvertently plowing through the hyena clan in the process.

For both the pink pony and honey badger, it is like it is all a game to them.

“Stand and fight, pony and honey badger!”

“Oh, are we fighting I thought you were just getting warmed up!”

“I was!”

Kenge made a few more attempts at the pink pony all while failing to land a hit on her.

“Is that all you got? Geez! Any small lizard could outdo you these days!”

Kenge furiously attempted another bite which failed just when Bunga appeared to take a turn in having him chase him and while having fun with it.

“How ya gonna bite me if you can't even catch me?” Once he got beside Cheezi he then taunted while shaking his rump. “Ahoy! I’m the Big Bad but Little Lizard!”

And just like he counted on, Cheezi was bitten in a mad frenzy.

“Ow! What'd I do?” He complained before dropping to the ground in pain and having lost feeling in his legs.

Next both the honey badger and pony moved to appear in front of Chungu ready to do the same thing with him.

“What's the matter, little lizard? Can't tell a hyena from a honey badger?”

“Yeah! Also, I don’t why, but I thought you’d be better than any other little lizard?!”

That remark drove Kenge into only biting Chungu but also nearly biting Pinkie in the face to which she very narrowly dodged by a few inches with the former screaming in pain when it happened.

“Eep!”

“Ow!”

“Gee, I guess he can't.” Chungu helplessly commented before dropping the ground due to his legs now being paralyzed.

“Sloppy very sloppy!” Pinkie taunted while enraging Kenge like a deranged ape.

Now Bunga and Pinkie were both circling around Janja as Kenge tried to corner them.

“Hey, hey, hey! Leave me out of this!” The hyena leader protested.

“See? I knew you couldn't catch us... Huh?” 

“Hey!”

Instantly, both Bunga and Pinkie were caught and restrained from behind by Janja.

“Hey! Let us go you big meanie!”

“Yeah! Don't make me use my stink on you, Janja!”

Now that Kenge had them right where he wants them he was now prepared to put an end to this. “Nowhere to run now! You little smart mouths! And this time I'm not just gonna bite you both, little honey badger, and little pink pony. I'm gonna eat you both too!”

Knowing that she now needed to act quickly in order to save them, Makini moved to throw one of the melons right at Kenge causing him to accidentally bite Janja while letting go of his grasp on the two when it happened. To add insult to injury, Bunga and Pinkie both just laughed at them.

“Oh, this ain't fair!” Janja remarked before dropping to the ground after being paralyzed.

“Who threw that melon?” Kenge angrily asked before quickly turning around and figuring it out upon spotting the young mandrill. “You!”

Before he could advance on them, he was greeted to another punch and kick to the face courtesy of both Rarity and Kyoga with the latter quick sending some quick blasts of magic with her paws at him. Then instantly, Twilight and Rainbow after letting them go who have both now recovered from their paralysis swooped in and unleashed their magic and hooves on him too relentlessly as payback for earlier.

Despite Kenge’s attempts to bite at them while using his teeth and tail, he quickly found himself overwhelmed by the four who have now have him beaten and cornered.

“You’ve lost this battle!” Bunga stated with crossed arms along with effortlessly avoiding another bite and getting punched in the face by Rainbow Dash and kicked by Rarity.

“Are you crazy?! Your friends haven’t thrown a single blow!”

“No, but you have.” Twilight gestured to the hyenas he bitten during his frenzy. “Apparently for a guy so strong and filled with powerful venom, you have no restraint.”

“And now it is time for you all to leave!” Bunga then said before calling out. “Now, Kion! Now!”

“What?”

And that’s when the remaining Lion and Pony Guard appeared now having recovered from the monitor lizard’s venom.

“The Lion and Pony Guard?” Cheezi asked highly surprised to see them.

“Uh, Janja? Ain't you gonna tell us to "Run, fur-brains"?” Chungu also asked.

“If we could, I would.” Janja could only groan in response due to the paralysis they now have.

“Time to go home, Kenge!” Kion stated before locking eyes and unleashing the Roar on the defeated Outsiders all while they screamed helplessly as they are sent across the border.

“Whoa!”

“And stay out!” Bunga shouted in their direction after emerging from the cave he and the others took cover inside of.

“Yeah!” Both Makini and Pinkie cheered in agreement.

“Poa!” Beshte remarked in amazement. “Kion, your roar blew them all the way back to the Outlands!”

“And only that we managed to pummel that Big Bad Lizard too!” Rainbow pounded her hooves together now relishing in finally being able to defeat him. “And it was Awesome!”

“It was.” Twilight agreed. “Now let's make sure the melons are safe!”

“Kion, Twilight, that was un-Bunga-lievable!” Bunga complimented when they climbed down into the pass so they can assist with gathering the melons they’ve just managed to get back.

“Not as amazing as you tricking that lizard into biting the hyenas!” Twilight returned equally impressed. “Along with having some friends getting in on the action.” She added in both Rarity and Kyoga’s direction who both smiled in appreciation.

“Your legs are working again!” Makini pointed out as everyone is all standing on their hooves and paws with no flying assistance required. “The flowers helped!”

“They sure did, Makini.”

“They really did work wonders, darling!”

“They healed us.”

“You healed us.”

“They sure did.”

“And for that, we thank you!”

Beshte, Rarity, Ono, Fuli, Rainbow, and Applejack all said as they commended her for what she did today.

Hearing this had Makini elated to see that she came through for them after all. “Yay!” But she still couldn’t help but wonder. “I wish I knew how I did that.”

“Just the magic of healing is all.” Kyoga said while winking to her to assure she’ll understand one day.

“What about the melons? Bunga, Pinkie, are they okay?” Kion asked.

“Sure are!”

“They are all fine!”

They happily reported.

“Now the elephants will have enough water to make it through the dry season.” Ono commented in delight.

“Whee!” Pinkie squeed. “This calls for a celebration!” She then sees everyone eyeing at her like she is crazy. “That is…after we get these melons to the patch, of course.”

“Well said.” Kyoga commented before everyone all huddled around her and Twilight so they can get together for a group teleportation.

But before that happened Bunga commented. “I sure am glad you all can move again. Taking on Kenge and the hyenas by myself along with Pinkie is one thing, but movin' all these melons? That's hard work!”

Both Twilight and Kyoga turned to each other and then nodded in agreement.

“On second thought, that’s a great idea, Bunga.” Kyoga commented with a smirk.

“Why teleport when we can walk and continue regaining the feeling in our legs, wouldn’t you all agree?” Twilight also commented while smirking too while turning to the others.

“Sure!”

“Why not!”

“Yep!”

“I could go for a long walk.”

“Absolutely!”

“I think a walk is a splendid idea, darlings.”

Kion, Beshte, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity all agreed in that order.

“Better get to work, Bunga.” Rainbow teasingly remarked while handing him a few melons to roll across back into the Pride Lands. While floating aside him, he couldn’t resist but adding. “Should have kept your big mouth shut.”

“Come on, Rainbow. You too!” Twilight called out to her.

“What?! Aw man! Is it because I…”

“Yes.”

Rainbow groaned before complying and following suit with the others in rolling the melons back to the Pride Lands where they’ll be safe and sound.

Along the way, both Twilight and Rainbow gave this private exchange.

“Should we tell them?!”

“We will. As soon as we find enough proof to find out how he did it.”

“Fair. But that still doesn’t make any sense. How could Scar manage to get in contact with the Outsiders if he’s in Tartarus?!”

“I think the real question is, is he actually in Tartarus?” She rightfully wondered as she suspects more foul play behind it all especially since they haven’t seen Starlight either alongside Scar since defeating them.





Said question is answered in secret by said lion’s fiery head watching on from inside the volcano.

Scar chuckled as he quietly responded. “No I’m not, dear Twilight.”

Starlight who is appearing on the cliff edge questioned. “But she is going to find out how.”

“Oh yes, Starlight. All part of the plan…where Operation D-Day is coming closer and closer.” He then pulled out a visual of both Shining Armor and Princess Cadance making plans for what is supposed to be a momentous occasion for them. Locking eyes on them, the event where it all started is now about to be the same event where things once again reach its peak.

Both Scar and Starlight looked on with evil smiles as the biggest opportunity for revenge against Twilight Sparkle is fast approaching and very, very soon…