Episode 26:
The Morning Report
While on patrol throughout the Pride Lands, the Lion and Pony Guard along with Sunset Shimmer came across Bupu in a little predicament. He is currently straining and struggling to free himself after he managed to get his antlers stuck in a tree and he is not happy about it.
“Did you try pulling?” Bunga asked while standing on his back.
“Of course I tried pulling!” The antelope leader irritably returned.
“Did you try pushing?” Pinkie asked to which Bupu returned with an scowl a fuming snort from his nostrils. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
"Yep." Sunset answered for him while sharing the antelope's frowning demeanor and expression.
“Everyone? We've got an impatient antelope herd back here.” Ono informed the Lion and Pony Guard. “Seems they won't go anywhere without Bupu.”
“Of course not. I am their leader.” Said antelope pointed out the obvious.
“Good thing he didn't lead the whole herd into that tree.” Fuli whispered to the others.
“No kidding!” Rainbow laughed in agreement. “Then the whole tree would be knocked down.” Upon seeing Bupu glaring at him she cut it out right away. "Sorry."
“Wait.” Kion spoke up after coming up with an idea. “Instead of pulling Bupu out of the tree why don't we just break off the branch that's stuck?”
“So I'll be walking around with a branch stuck to my horns?” Bupu asked incredulous at the idea.
“At least you'll be walking around.” Kion pointed out.
"Along with being able to go on about your day without standing there waiting for someone else to assist you." Sunset leaned in towards the struggling antelope leader. "Unless of course staying put is what you want."
“Yeah. So you can lead your herd. Like you're supposed to.”
“Better than still be trapped there like my Granny Smith would always say.”
Beshte, Fuli, and Applejack all added to back Kion and Sunset up.
“Not to mention, it'll look great.” Bunga added while putting branch on top of his head. “Maybe I'll start wearing a branch.”
“I’d strongly not recommend it, Bunga.” Rarity kindly shot down the idea before pulling out her nail filer that she uses to trim down the nails on her hooves. “But as for you branch problem, Bupu, I think I can help you out there.” She then blew into her hooves before carefully brushing her nail filer against the branch. Slowly but surely she was able to make progress in sawing it off. “Now if we can just…”
“Careful!” Bupu warned even with delicate hoofs handling the matter just not wanting anymore damage to his horns.
“Don’t worry, Bupu. I am.” She quickly assured but her careful trimming of the branch was abruptly interrupted when a voice called out to her.
“Quit cutting down my branch!” The sudden command had Rarity fumble with the cutting as she ended up cutting the branch off of the tree already.
“A talking tree?” Bunga gasped with his claws to his cheeks in shock.
Pinkie was about to gasp when Twilight quickly placed a hoof over her mouth to keep her from following suit with a dramatic scream.
“No Bunga, that’s just a bird who happens to be living on this branch.” Twilight explained.
“That’s right! Can't a bird feather his nest in peace?” Said bird complained.
Beshte upon recognizing him was quick to happily greet him. “Hey, Nyuni! You live here now?”
“Yes.” He kindly nodded. “I like to try staying in different parts of the Savannah. And this was a great place to live. Until someone waving around his giant horns.” He then said the last part with an annoyed glance in Bupu’s direction.
Bunga whispered in the antelope leader’s ear. “Bupu, I think he means you.”
“No. Really?” He sarcastically remarked not even close to being amused.
Fluttershy floated over to try to reason with him. “Nyuni, we’re really sorry about all of this. But do you really mind if you had to find a new nest?”
“Why should I have to move just because this big ox came along and...”
“I am not an ox!” Bupu interrupted and corrected mid-sentence now feeling heated already at the insult.
“Or maybe he's not talking about you!” Pinkie tried to make light of it to no avail while popping her mouth free from Twilight’s grasp.
“Oh, I'm talking about him all right.”
Just then Zazu, the king’s royal advisor flew over to them having been drawn by the argument. “What is all this commotion about?”
“Oh, hey, Zazu.”
“Hi.”
Both leaders of the Guard greeted as Zazu landed in front of them.
“Kion. Twilight.” He nodded towards them in return before turning back to the issue at hoof. “Hmm. An antelope stuck in a tree now wearing a branch on his head...This will most definitely be included in my Morning Report.”
“To the King?” Bupu asked in embarrassed shock. “Does he need to find out about this? Does everyone?”
The royal advisor remained firm about it. “It is my sworn duty to keep the King informed of all the goings-on in the Pride Lands. No matter how bizarre they may be.”
Just before the argument could resume Sunset spoke up with a compromise for both sides. “Wait. Hold up. I think I know how you can both be happy.”
Said solution had Bupu free from the tree while still wearing the branch on his head and Nyuni riding his nest on top of it.
“I don't know about this.” The antelope leader expressed uncertainty about the idea itself.
“At least now you can lead your herd again.” Fuli pointed out once more.
“And Nyuni gets to see even more of the Pride Lands this way.” Applejack added in agreement.
“Even though it won’t last long.” Rarity muttered under her breath.
Nyuni himself liked this arrangement if it means keeping his nest and branch. “Yeah! Let's go Bupu!”
Bupu groaned still not liking the idea but pressed forward if it means everyone is happy about it. “Let's go, antelopes.”
“Whoa! Easy!” Nyuni yelled out before they could start running to which Bupu complied to his wishes immediately before moving to walk their way over to their grazing grounds.
“Hmm. Very original solution, Kion.” Zazu spoke approving the idea himself before turning to the unicorn with similar colors as the young lion. "And very original compromise, Sunset Shimmer. Also very original."
“Thanks, Zazu.”
With his business done here, Zazu moved to fly away. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I must see what else is transpiring in the Pride Lands. Not that I imagine anything will top this.” Before leaving he had one more thing to say as he flew by the antelope leader once more. “Bupu, in the future, do try to avoid running into trees.”
“Thank you, Zazu.” Bupu dryly replied while glancing back at him respectfully just wanting to move on from the whole incident.
Not only that, Zazu also had one more thing to say for Twilight to want to hear. “And you do remember that you have a meeting with the royal highness's and the other leaders later today in regards to…you know who.”
“Of course, Zazu.” Twilight acknowledged the reminder with a friendly nod to which had the hornbill fully satisfied into flying off ahead for good and without another word.
“Zazu sure likes getting into everybody's business.” Fuli commented somewhat annoyed herself.
“No kidding.” Rarity agreed. “And here I thought that was Pinkie’s job.”
“What? Me? Come on!” Pinkie giggled and affectionately nuzzled her head. “I’m more of a party planner than a nosy detail seeking note taker like a straight A student, Twilight.” Said alicorn scrunched up her face while resisting the urge to say otherwise.
“Well, as nosy as it may be, Pinkie, Fuli, it’s his job to know what is going on in the Pride Lands and let the king and the princesses know of that.” Twilight gently reminded while not taking offense to the party pony’s previous remark.
“Twilight’s right.” Kion agreed as he chimed in. “He looks out for all the animals in the Pride Lands. Even us. Remember that time he was after you to slow down when we were little?”
“Huh. Which time?” Fuli asked with a grin to which Rainbow moved to do the same seeking a more specific answer.
“The time Bunga and I ran into the crocodiles...”
"Really?" Sunset was now sounding intrigued to know more about this particular encounter. "Do tell?"
Using his magic, Kion was able to show a visual as he recalled that very memory that day much to the unicorn's awe. Back then, both Bunga and Kion as young toddlers are both walking through the Pride Lands both filled with adventurous spirit.
“Zuka Zama!” Bunga cheered just when Zazu appeared to intercept them.
“There you are! Kion, didn't your father tell you to stay put?”
“Aw, Zazu! Me and Bunga are on an adventure!” Kion complained.
But before Zazu could continue putting his wings down on the matter he was knocked off his feet when a certain cheetah both Kion and Bunga’s age rushed by.
“Coming through! Huwezi!”
Both Young Kion and Bunga laughed at what happened to which Zazu moved to pursue the baby cheetah to ensure she doesn’t get hurt,
“Now see here, young cheetah. You need to slow down!” Zazu scolded.
The baby cheetah stopped and turned back with a playful and somewhat mean smirk. “Slow down. Got it. Huwezi!” She moved to run by and knock Zazu off of his legs again before running off ahead.
“That's not slowing down. Fuli! Fuli!” Zazu called out to her while quickly pursing her much to both Kion and Bunga’s amusement before they ran off in the opposite direction.
“And as for you two...” Zazu then said to both boys as he turned around, only to see that they are already gone. “Kion? Bunga! Oh, dear!” He quickly flew off to where he last saw them in an attempt to find them. “Where have you gotten to?”
While Zazu is searching for them, the two buddies felt free to do what they please.
“Adventure, here we come!”
“Yeah!”
Young Kion gasped when he spotted something up ahead through the tall grass. “Crocodiles!”
Young Bunga of course scoffed in the face of them. “Crocodiles? Big deal. They can't stop us. Zuka Zama!” He then proceeded to foolishly march up to the edge of the watering hole where the float is all resting and swimming in front of them.
“Bunga? Wait for me.”
Already Young Bunga was quick to bite off more than he could chew with his brazen mouth. “All right, croc-iddy crocs! Outta the way!”
His words ended up catching both Makuu along with Pua’s attention.
“What's this?”
“Looks like a snack.”
The two crocs exchanged before the latter moved to float on over to the edge to confront the brash big talking babies.
Young Kion wasted no time in rushing up to his friend’s defense. “Careful crocodiles. You don't want to mess with us.”
“Who do these little ones think they are?” Makuu said outloud at the very sight of two babies daring to pick a fight with them.
“I'm Bunga! He's Kion!” Bunga replied while poking the short-tempered croc’s noise. “And you crocs are in our way!”
The crocodiles all laughed in response to the big talk the baby honey badger was throwing in their direction.
Even though Pua found it amusing he still asserted seriously to the kids that this is not the time and place for fun and games. “Little cubs. This is crocodile territory. You should leave. Now!”
“Unless you mean to challenge me.” Makuu added in a threatening tone while emerging from the water so he can see eye to eye to intimidate the brash toddler.
“Oh, yeah! That's right! You bet your bumps I'm gonna challenge you!” Bunga stated without even thinking or knowing what he is saying. “What does "challenge" mean?”
The crocodiles moved to circle around the cubs already taking offense to the honey badger’s tone directed at them.
“Hey!” Young Kion quickly stood by his friend even knowing of how foolish and dangerous it is for them. “If you're messin' with Bunga, you're messin' with me!”
Makuu smirked as he relished at the opportunity handed to him on a silver platter. “Oh, good. Two tasty snacks at the same time...”
“Yummy!”
The baby lion cub could only gulp as the crocs prepare to do their worst to them.
Luckily for them, Zazu managed to find them and see what was happening just in time. “Enough!” He seriously stated as he flew down and landed right in front of the two children.
“Zazu?” They both expressed in surprise and relief that he managed to find them.
Certainly they are both going to get a talk for this, but with more important issues at hoof. “I expect it's merely an oversight on your part, Pua. But surely you did not intend for Makuu to eat... The son of the King?”
“This is the son of the King?” Pua asked highly surprised as this is news to him.
With all eyes looking at them Bunga points at Kion. “Him. Not me.”
“I hardly think the King would be pleased if your crocs gobbled him up for no reason.”
Makuu however begged to differ on that. “"No reason?" These two came to our watering hole and challenged us. We have every right to eat them.”
“Makuu is right, Zazu.” Pua said in agreement. “King Simba knows and respects our ways.”
“Zazu?” Young Bunga fearfully uttered hoping that there is some way he can help them out of this.
Seeing the crocodiles are still mindset on wanting to make an example out of them he then moved forward with a decision in play. “Very well, Pua. I, too, respect the crocodile ways. But, as Kion's well-being is my responsibility...” He moved to hop into Makuu's mouth. “…I offer myself in his place.”
“Huh?” Makuu uttered very surprised by the hornbill’s willingness to go through with it.
“Un-Bunga-lievable!” Young Bunga gasped in astonishment.
“Though I am but a humble adviser to King Simba, I expect I will satisfy even the most discriminating of palates.”
All of the crocodiles including Makuu and Pua was all very impressed and amazed at Zazu’s sacrifice to the point the crocodile leader had a reasonable lapse of judgement.
“Simba is a good and fair King. I would not want to anger him by eating his son, or his royal adviser. Especially one who displays the bravery of a crocodile.” He sighed deciding it was best this way. “You three are all free to go.”
Both Young Bunga and Kion smiled at each other as Zazu flied out of Makuu’s mouth leaving said croc a little disgruntled at his leader’s decision.
“Fine. I wasn't that hungry anyway.”
Even still Pua then moved to make this encounter an example of what could have been had it not been for Zazu’s timely arrival and show of respect for their ways. “Kion. You and your friends should not come here uninvited again.” He sternly warned.
“Uh... Yes, sir!” Kion said understanding somewhat given that he is a baby still having yet to know right from wrong.
Wasting no time Zazu quickly ushered the two away from the float who have now opened a path for them to leave without any further trouble. “Come you two. Quickly. Back to Pride Rock before Pua changes his mind.”
After seeing enough, Twilight canceled the visual as their friends took in what they just saw in the present day.
“Huh. I forgot all about that.”
“Really? That easy to forget?” Twilight shot a knowing and disapproving look at him for instigating that in the first place.
“Well I really was a baby back then and I wasn’t known for having a great memory of every foolhardy thing I did.” Bunga defended with a shrug which did little to change the alicorn’s expression.
“Zazu jumped into Makuu's mouth to save you?” Ono asked sharing the same astonishment everyone had in the past when it happened. “That's brave.”
"Sure is not something you'd see everyday." Sunset commented in agreement.
“Well of course he had to rescue you.” Rarity commented thinking it’s predictable he would. “You're the King's son.”
“Rarity, he was in Makuu's mouth.” Kion reminded. “Not everyone can be that brave.”
“I'll say. And I know all about being brave.” Bunga agreed.
“Says the honey badger who decided it was a good idea to challenge the crocodiles in the first place?” Rainbow retorted.
“Like you’re to talk Mr. I’m going to challenge a dragon head on to a fight.” Bunga retorted back.
“Well at least I wasn’t a baby back then.” Rainbow returned a raspberry in his direction.
“All right! That’s enough!” Twilight sharply spoke up to get them to stop arguing. “And if you both are grown ups then start acting like it!” Both Bunga and Rainbow pouted in response like children would after being scolded by their parents.
“Even still it sure sounds like bravery to me.” Beshte then said with his opinion on Zazu’s heroic act.
“Maybe.” Fuli felt the need to agree to disagree.
“I’ll have to tip my hat to him when I get the chance.” Applejack said equally impressed.
“Along with throwing him a big “Congratulations for being a hero” party.” Pinkie cheerfully added.
“Maybe after Zazu is done briefing the king on the morning report which we’ll all get a chance to after the meeting today.” Twilight offered.
“About what?” Fluttershy curiously asked.
“Discussing on how to deal with the threat of Scar now that we know that he has escaped from Tartarus.” She explained. “I want to be able to know so that everyone knows of what he is planning, what he is doing, along with what he is having his guys do next, so that we can stop it before it happens.”
“How?”
“That’s something to be discussed then.”
“I guess the question now is, what’s his next move?” Kion wondered as he looks towards Twilight who returns the same look of uncertainty of what Scar is up to now.
"Whatever it is..." Sunset spoke after having gotten to know the enemy himself. "...it can't be good."
Speak of the devil, elsewhere in another part of the Pride Lands, Janja and his clan are stealthily making their way around through the bushes to avoid being spotted.
“Keep an eye out for Zazu.” The hyena leader whispered to his boys while looking out from their hiding position.
“Who-zu?” Cheezi asked having zero clue of who he is.
Said bird landed nearby them with his back turned.
“The bird. Right there.” He grunted in frustration while eyeing said target in sight.
At the same time Zazu is putting the finishing touched on his findings for the king and princesses later today at the meeting by observing the current surroundings.
“All appears to be in order here. Pathway clear, shrubs not too pointy.” He commented to himself.
“That's the bird Scar wants us to grab?” Cheezi once more asked much to Janja’s annoyance.
“Yeah.”
“But why did he want us to grab him?” Chungu once more asked.
“Who cares? When Scar tells me to do something, I do it. Just like when I tell you to do something, you do it.” Janja sighed upon seeing this is another pointless argument. “Just grab the bird!”
Wasting no time the three hyenas popped out from their hiding spot and quickly surrounded Zazu taking him by surprise.
“What is the meaning of this?” He squawked out in shock by the jump scare as Chungu places a firm paw on the hornbill’s tail feathers. “Hyenas.” His mood turned to one of dull surprise. “I should have known. What do you think you're doing in the Pride Lands?”
“Actually, we're leaving the Pride Lands. And you're coming with us.” Janja corrected.
“What? I most certainly am not!”
“Grab him and let's get moving.” Janja ordered of Chungu who quickly scooped the hornbill up in his mouth.
“Unmouth me, you brute!” Zazu defiantly demanded. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Ooh, ooh! I know! I know! You're Zazu.” Chungu replied yet again further annoying Janja.
“Yeah, and now that we've all been properly introduced, let's go.”
The hyenas then ran off ahead towards the Outlands with Zazu held hostage.
“You'll pay for this. I am adviser to the King. This is definitely making my Morning Report.”
Shortly afterwards, the Lion and Pony Guard along with Sunset have gathered at Pride Rock where they expected to meet with King Simba and Princess Celestia to brief them on their morning patrol before they set out to Canterlot for that important meeting with the other leaders. There, the news that Zazu is missing has reached them.
“Zazu missed the Morning Report?”
“Zazu? That doesn't sound like him.”
Both leaders of the Guard expressed finding this very concerning.
“That’s because it’s not.”
“It's never happened before.”
Both the king and princess expressed equally concerned.
“That doesn’t make any sense!”
“We just saw him a little while ago.”
Both Rainbow and Ono pointed out.
“Maybe he's just late?” Beshte suggested.
“And probably stopping for snack?” Pinkie added in agreement.
Simba however shook his head in disagreement with that. “No. It's not like him to be late. For anything. Especially the Morning Report. If he's not here, then I'm afraid something could be wrong.”
“You’re right about that.” Twilight stated as the pieces starting clicking together for her from what she is hearing from all of this with all eyes looking at her. “Something is wrong!" Then the realization strikes her. "Zazu is in danger!”
“Danger! How?!” Kion urgently asked.
“Janja and his clan captured him! Took him to the Outlands!”
“Why?”
“A fishing expedition! They want him to bite!” Twilight quickly rushed on ahead towards the Outlands.
“Twilight…” Celestia called out to her with motherly concern.
“I know! Bring the whole Guard this time around!” Twilight knew full well of what happened the last time she got the wild hair to play detective with only Sunset, Spike, and Rainbow by her side and was prepared not to make the same mistake again.
"...along with Sunset too." Celestia added as she finished.
Both Twilight and Sunset blinked in surprise before the former moved to nod her head towards the others to get them going on to the Outlands while they talk.
"Just go." Kion ordered of the Guard when Bunga, Ono, Beshte, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were all still looking on in confusion whether to go or not. "We'll catch up with you!"
Once it was just them along with Kion, Twilight spoke of her initial thoughts about her request. "Um with all due respect your majesty...I understand wanting me to bring the whole Guard alongside me but um...why have me bring Sunset along for the ride."
"Even when I'd rather not put myself through the danger that nearly got us all killed again." Sunset added.
"For two reasons. One, because you Sunset Shimmer have proven yourself invaluable for helping save Twilight back then. And two, it'll help rekindle with your hidden desire for friendship deep down. One that I think is holding up back from reconciling from your friends back at Canterlot High." The sun monarch explained much to the unicorn's uninterested in pursing the topic. "I know this is something you don't want to do but I really believe that this is better for you than just sitting inside in your room almost all day ever since you returned. Please, Sunset. As your former mentor, I kindly ask of you to do this for me." She gently implored of her.
Sunset looked back at both Kion and Twilight who while not entirely sure about putting her at risk again, both were still on board with taking in her assistance in this upcoming fight. After all, she did help Kion save Twilight's life. With her friends best advice already spoken she turned back to give her answer. "All right. I'll go with them."
"Thank you." She warmly hugged the unicorn while bringing the alicorn in too before letting them go.
Before leaving Twilight briefly turned back to give her a respectful nod and then hug to assure her of that.
“Please be careful!”
“I will!”
Twilight then set off alongside Kion and Sunset ahead with the rest of the Guard following suit.
“Don't worry, Dad. We'll find him and make sure he's okay.” Kion assured his father before moving to join the others in their quest to find and save him.
At the same time with Nyuni still nesting on the branch attached to Bupu’s horn he actually managed to start getting along with him especially since it’s paid greatly for his herd.
“See anything from up there, Nyuni?”
“Let’s see…” He looked out and managed to spot a little antelope straying from the herd. “Hey, Bupu, looks like one of the little ones is wandering off.”
“Again?” Judging from his reaction this isn’t the first time that this has happened. “Good catch, Nyuni. I'll take care of it.” Just when he set off to fetch the little guy before anything else can happen the Lion and Pony Guard managed to witness it as they ran by.
“The two of them are getting along now?” Fuli piped up to the others.
“Yep.”
“Sure looks like it darling?”
Both Applejack and Rarity replied able to call it when they see it.
At the same time Rainbow and Ono joined Twilight in the skies as they try to see if they can scan him out while Fuli moved to track Zazu by scent with Rarity and Sunset both trying to use their magic to scan him out on the ground.
“Any sign of him?” Kion asked Twilight as he ran on the ground.
“Nothing from up here.”
“We searched both our left and right from here to Flat Ridge Rock.”
“The hyenas have already taken him into the Outlands.”
The three urgent fliers all reported.
“Just keep looking!”
“We will!”
“Affirmative!”
“On it!”
He then turned to both Rarity, Sunset, and Fuli. “And you two, keep sniffing and scanning him out.”
“Of course.”
“On it, Kion.”
"Let's find him!"
All three girls complied without second thought.
“And we'll make sure he knows we're looking for him.” Bunga vowed and offered on his and Pinkie’s behalf before they prepared to break out their megaphones and loudest voices they can muster up.
But Twilight was quick to confiscate them before they could use them. “Whoa! Whoa! Hold on there! That wouldn’t be necessary!”
Everyone else sighed in relief as that spared their eardrums a heck of a headache that would have ensued had she not interfered.
“Phew!”
“Thank goodness!”
“I know!”
“I swear my eardrums haven’t recovered since joining the Wonderbolts!”
Applejack, Fluttershy, Kyoga, and Ono all commented in that order.
“Probably for the best.” Kyoga quickly assured both Bunga and Pinkie before they could get distraught. “If Zazu doesn't hear that, we'll know he's in trouble.”
Elsewhere, the hyenas have found a nice, quiet, and steamy area with a nearby pool of lava where they have the bird imprisoned in a rib cage. There Cheezi and Chungu are both laughing maniacally at his plight much to their victim’s annoyance.
“I fail to see what's so funny?”
“Really? It's funny 'cause you can't fly while you're trapped in there.” Chungu said with another laugh at his own pun. “Get it?”
“Maybe he had to be there.” Cheezi shared.
“But he is here.”
“Yeah. He ain't going nowhere.”
Both hyenas continued laughing at their own jokes while Zazu looks on like he was heard the worst jokes yet.
“Yes. So, now that you've trapped me so cleverly, what, pray tell, is the rest of your ingenious plan?”
Cheezi moved to explain. “You ain't gonna believe this, but... we don't know.”
“Yeah, we sure don't.” Chungu added. “We're waiting for Janja to come back and tell us.”
Zazu sighed as he expected it from them. “Of course, you are. Ugh. This wrongful imprisonment will not go unanswered.”
“Maybe we should just eat him.” Chungu suggested to his partner.
“You think?”
“Oh, you're thinking now? So, what would Janja think if he returned to find that you've eaten me?” Zazu reminded.
“Oh, yeah.” Cheezi smiled knowing full well of what that answer is.
“He's right.” Chungu agreed. “We gotta wait for Janja. Thanks, Zazu.”
“Honestly your plan would utterly fall apart if it weren't for me.” Zazu replied in a deadpan manner.
At the same time, Janja is personally meeting with Scar to inform him of their accomplishment inside the Outlands Volcano.
“We got the bird, Scar. So now what?”
“Now, you get Zazu to tell you everything he knows. And you listen.”
Now Janja is confused. “We went to all that trouble just to listen to that annoying, little bird?”
Scar is quick to point out why it’s a necessity. “That annoying, little bird is the King's royal adviser. He knows Simba's strengths, his weaknesses, who his allies are. In short, Zazu is keeper of all the secrets of the Pride Lands.”
Now Janja gets it. “Oh, and if he tells us, then we know all the secrets of the Pride Lands.”
“And armed with that knowledge, taking over the Pride Lands will be a simple matter. Even for you.”
“Yeah, even for me. Hyenas would rule the Pride Lands.”
“Yes.” He agreed somewhat but not entirely for obviously personal reasons. “But there's no time to waste. Zazu is very important to the royal family.” He firmly stated. “No doubt Kion and his Lion Guard along with Twilight and her Pony Guard are already looking for him.”
“Oh, I'll get him to talk, all right. It'll be easy.” Janja said with great confidence as he turns to leave the caldera in order to carry out his boss’s orders. “He hasn't shut that hornbill of his since we found him.”
As soon as Janja left, Scar disappeared with another objective in mind while this is all going on.
Back in the Pride Lands, the Lion and Pony Guard have made great time from Pride Rock to Flat Ridge Rock. Along the way they came across Zazu’s feathers to which Ono was the first to spot with Rainbow swooping in to snatch them up. At the same time, Fuli and Rarity managed to get a whiff and magical sense that the distressed friend is close. They didn’t need to even look at the crime scene to know what had happened before they pressed forward on into the Outlands thanks to the alicorn princess’s gut feeling.
Back in the Outlands where Cheezi and Chungu are guarding Zazu, the prisoner is now trying to take advantage of the duo’s idiocy to convince them to let him go.
“So...Why should I let you go?” Cheezi asked.
“Because, it's the smart thing to do. And you're the smart one.”
“Huh?”
“I'll address this to you since obviously, you are the smart one.”
“That's what I always thought.” Chungu commented with a giggle. “I just didn't think of it till now. When you said it. Hear that, Cheezi? The smart bird says I'm the smart one.”
Cheezi laughed in agreement while oblivious to the fact Zazu was referring to him. “Yeah! That makes sense.” But then he remembered. “But isn't Janja the smart one?
“Actually, I believe that you both are the smart ones.” Zazu corrected.
“Yeah, right!
Chungu hugged Cheezi fully agreeing with the bird’s assessment. “We is the smart ones!”
Zazu smiled seeing that they are buying it. “Indeed! And the smart thing to do is to let me go and tell Janja I escaped.”
“Ooh, that is smart!”
“Yeah! If we're smart, we gotta do what the smart bird says!”
Unfortunately for him just when it seems he is going to trick them into letting him go, their leader showed up at that moment.
“Oh, no, you don't!”
“Oh, dear.” Zazu sighed in disappointment that happened.
“Nice try, bird-brain.”
That comment had both Cheezi and Chungu laughing.
“Bird brain"
“Is that like a fur-brain?”
Janja groaned before leaning down to Zazu’s eye level for a between you and me moment. “See what I have to deal with?”
“I'm beginning to.”
With that out of the way, Janja pressed forward with the attempted interrogation. “Now. You're gonna tell us everything you know, bird. So start spilling some royal secrets. And fast.”
Zazu scoffed in the face of them. “Please. The three of you don't scare me.” Unfortunately for himself he wound up wrong again as at that moment the rest of Janja’s clan popped out from nearby to surround him from all angles. “Oh...That is a lot of hyenas.” Seeing that he needs a new approach he quickly proceeded to think of one fast. “Fine. Here is what I have to say.” He moved to shout. “If anyone can hear me, I'm trapped in the Outlands!”
“We already know that.”
“Yeah. We're right here. You don't have to shout.”
Both Cheezi and Chungu returned. While gullible enough to be easily tricked they are no strangers to shouting.
Janja however groaned in response. “Ugh! We ain't got time for this!”
“Oh, I'm sorry, were you in a hurry? I'll make this quick.” He shouted even louder. “I'm near the Hyena's volcano!”
Now Janja was growing impatient. “Enough screaming! Unless you'd like me to give you something to scream about. Especially seeing as how you're startin' to get me a little steamed.” He then cackled much to the hornbill’s confusion.
“Hmm? What now?” The answer to that question came when Janja pushed his bird cage towards the steam vent behind him. “No! No!” He screamed in desperation for that not to happen much to both Cheezi and Chungu’s amusement. From there, he could not risk it anymore, especially when literally backed into a corner. “All right! I'll talk! I'll talk!”
Janja smiled feeling pleased this is finally getting somewhere. “See boys? Sometimes all it takes is a little motivation.” Turning back to Zazu. “I'm listening.”
He proceeded to break out into a musical number focusing on Simba himself, but at the same time, smart enough to make it trivial and useless information hoping he can stall long enough for the Guard to hear him out and track him down.
“Tell us more, bird-brain.” Janja pressed mid-lyrics.
Zazu continued singing with more and more trivial Intel.
“Is that all you've got?”
“Oh, no need for steam, I'll tell you much more. In fact, we might be here all day. Take it from me when it comes to the king I do have a great deal to say.”
“Well, say it already.”
He continued doing so as requested albeit not what Janja was expecting.
“That makes sense.” Chungu commented.
“Give us the good stuff, bird.” Janja continued pressing of him with his paw threatening to push him into the pool.
“No need for steam, I'll tell you much more. In fact, we might be here all day. Take it from me when it comes to the king, I do have a great deal to say.” Janja growled him into obliging to his demands. “There's much more that I know from now and long ago... in fact...”
Start at 0:59 onwards to the end all while recalling the day Mufusa distracted Zazu so that his son can execute a perfect pouncing lesson.
At that moment nearby, the Lion and Pony Guard managed to catch the sound of Zazu’s singing nearby.
“Zazu!” Kion was the first to speak up upon hearing it.
“Sounds like it's coming from the volcano.” Fuli deduced.
"Straight ahead!" Sunset chimed in after pinpointing their exact location from just listening to the sound of the hornbill's voice.
“Sounds like he's flat.” Bunga added.
“Sure sounds like it.” Pinkie commented in agreement.
Twilight wasted no time in leading the team on over there. “And we have no time to waste! Let’s go!”
Back where the hyena’s are holding Zazu hostage as he finishes up singing.
The song ended shortly, but by then Zazu was still in hot water or more accurately facing hot steam right behind them courtesy of the hyena leader.
“Wait a second. You didn't tell us anything important!” Janja said in realization.
“I most certainly did. You just weren't listening.” He then sniffed out something odd. ”What is that delectable smell?” He screamed upon realizing. “It's me!”
“Steamed birdy sure smells delicious.” Cheezi commented with another laugh at his expense.
“Let him steam!” Janja laughed as he finally gives the order to have his goose cooked while Zazu screams in a panic.
“I'll talk! I'll talk!” He pleaded.
“Too late, birdy! Since nothin' good's coming out of your mouth, something tasty's going into ours.”
“Yeah.” Chungu said in agreement while he and the others all laughed together at the hornbill’s expense.
Luckily for him, the Lion and Pony Guard arrived on the scene ready to save him.
“Janja!”
“Let Zazu go!“
The Lion and Pony Guard leaders demanded.
“Oh.” Janja groaned upon seeing them appear before them again.
“Think he wants to eat the bird too?” Cheezi whisper asked Chungu.
“Maybe.”
Janja frowned in response to their idiotic thinking.
Never the less, the Lion and Pony Guard quickly sprung to action.
“Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end...”
“Lion and Pony Guard defend!”
Bunga and Pinkie were the first to leap into the fray
“Heya, hyenas. Zuka Zama!”
“And party time!”
With a firm tackle, Bunga leaped out of the way in time for the hyena alone to be blasted away by Pinkie’s party canon.
Kion and Twilight wasted no time in separating Janja from the rest of the pack.
“So you two came to rescue the royal advisor to the king.” He mockingly asked with a scornful and smug smirk.
“No, I came to rescue my friend!” Kion corrected.
“Our friend.” Twilight stated for emphasis before both she and Kion moved to resume their fight with Janja.
Both Beshte and Applejack teamed up as they body-slammed and bucked the two hyenas that attempted to come right at them and Zazu nearby.
“Ouch.” Zazu winced upon seeing the pain they endured along with seeing Cheezi futilely retreating when Rarity advanced towards him with karate like moves to utilize on him with Sunset jumping in and blasting the hyena away. “A-ha! That's definitely going into my Morning Report.”
Chungu himself is also finding himself having a hard time getting his teeth on the Lion Guard’s Keenest of Sight who likewise took pleasure in taunting him.
“Missed me.” He tried and failed once more. Try again.”
“Um, okay.” Chungu proceeded to keep trying up until he landed his front paws on one of the steam vents in front of him causing him to yelp in pain. “Hot! Hot!” And just a split second later…
POW!
Came from super speedy punch from Rainbow Dash herself followed by a swift rainbow trailed kick to knock the dumb muscled hyena off of his paws. And just when the hyena got up and growled, he smelled something burning and ended up yelping and springing away into Rainbow's fist when he found that Sunset Shimmer was using her magic to burn his tail.
“Nice going, Ono. You too Rainbow Dash! Sunset!” He complimented before his eyes and widen with his eyes widen upon spotting something alarming. “Oh no. They have Fuli and Kyoga backed up to the ledge leading up to the lava pool.” And judging from how the fight was going it won’t be long until the danger comes to them. “Fuli! Kyoga!” He shouted out after them in an attempt to warn them of the danger behind them.
Fuli’s eyes were too locked up on the three hyenas surrounding them. Esepecially when Kyoga managed to tackle one hyena away from her. “Little busy here, Zazu.” She irritably returned not even turning around to see what’s behind her.
"Don't worry, I'm coming!" Sunset called out to her before charging on towards them upon seeing the rest of the Guard’s already got their hooves and paws full.
With that, Zazu also moved to help them before it’s too late. “Very well. Up to me.” With full force of his willpower he was able to roll the cage that he is trapped in onwards in their direction.
”You sure you want to take me on?” Fuli growled and dared them to try even with her feet backed up to the very corner of the ledge and outnumbered.
Good thing, Zazu was able to gain downhill speed on towards her at the same time Sunset managed to make her way down. “I'm coming, Fuli!”
“Zazu?” Fuli spoke up surprised of what is happening in front of her just when he managed to roll his cage right into the two hyenas knocking them aside just when Sunset fired her magic to force them away. At the same time Kyoga managed to kick the hyena she was wrestling with flying away across the Outlands. “Whoa! Thanks, Zazu!” Fuli gratefully called out to her savior.
Zazu humbly thought nothing of it. “Just doing what has to be done.” Unfortunately the hyenas he briefly knocked out got the drop on him when one of of them knocked down the hill leading towards the lava pool. “Oh no!”
Seeing this caught both Kion and Twilight’s attention just when they both got done dealing with Janja.
“Zazu?”
“Zazu!”
Both Kion and Fuli said upon catching it with their own eyes.
“We’re coming!” Twilight called out to him as they arrived just in time to see him fall on the downhill slide leading towards the fiery pit.
Upon seeing the imminent danger he is now in, Twilight nodded at Kion as she quickly sprinted on ahead with full throttle on wing power.
“This better work.” Kion said to himself before looking on with focused eyes so he can unleash the power of the Roar to force the lava to spread out so Zazu won’t hit it upon landing.
Upon crash landing, Zazu’s cage broke into pieces thus freeing him and just when his eyes widen in alarm upon seeing his surroundings, the alicorn princess quickly managed to whisk him off of his legs before flying him on out of there.
“Gracious.” Zazu spoke up in relief as Twilight released him upon landing to safety. “Thank you, princess.”
“Don’t mention it.” She likewise humbly thought nothing of it.
“Zazu? You okay?” Kion asked.
“Indeed. Thanks to you two!” Zazu happily and gratefully returned.
At that moment Janja had managed to get himself up on his paws along with the rest of his defeated clan in time to see the glaring daggers everyone from the Guard is giving them, promising to ensue pain worse than before if they don’t quit while they’re ahead with Fluttershy quick to unleash her Stare on them.
Janja once again knew that he was beat once the yellow Pegasus started staring them down into submission. “Bird's free. Let's get outta here!”
The clan quickly followed after Janja as he led them away from the Guard.
“That bird sure told us a lot, Janja!”
“Yeah, he sure did!”
Both Cheezi and Chungu pointed out as they crossed the nearby footbridge during their escape.
“But he didn't tell us anything useful, fur-brains.” Janja reminded otherwise.
“He didn't?” Cheezi sighed upon realizing but then smiled. “Good. 'Cause I already forgot it all.
“Ooh, wait! I remember where Simba takes his bath!” Chungu recalled.
“Oh!” Janja once more can only groan in response to the dynamic duo at his expense while leading the way.
With the hyenas gone, the danger had passed.
“Come on, Zazu. Let's get you back to Pride Rock.” Kion said to Zazu wishing nothing other than wanting to get out of here in case Scar has something to say about it.
“Yes.” Zazu agreed. “You took the words right out of my beak.”
“Couldn’t have said it any better myself.” Twilight felt the same way.
"Me too." Sunset said in agreement. "And what a relief that's all over now."
By the time everyone was finally able to return to Pride Rock, it was already night time for everyone.
“And so, for today's Morning Report...” Zazu began.
Simba in return gives him a look. “The Morning Report? Really, Zazu?”
“Yes.” Zazu sighed in a mix of relief and self-disappointment. “I've never given a late Morning Report.”
“Not your fault, Zazu.”
“It was the hyenas.”
Both Beshte and Applejack reminded.
Bunga then added as he recalled Zazu’s bravery in the face of danger. “Yeah! But you should've seen Zazu in action!”
Fuli could definitely vouch for him there. “Yeah. You took out two hyenas to save me. Not everyone can be that brave. I owe you one.”
“Oh. Thank you, Fuli. Though I wouldn't be here if you all hadn't rescued me. In fact, I owe all of you one. Especially you since you knew what was going on the second it happened.” He said the last part in the princess's direction to make sure she knows it.
Twilight humbly shrugged once more. “What can I say? Just a simple gut feeling.” She quickly gestured to the others it’s something she’ll explain later in a non-verbal whisper.
Sunset said otherwise as he approached the royal advisor somewhat smugly but mostly humbly. “Not me. We've only just met recently. But I do owe you for the assist back there."
"All in a day's work. Consider us even, Sunset." Zazu returned feeling they can call it that there.
Kion then spoke feeling the same way as Sunset under different circumstances. "And the same can be said for us, Zazu. We're even. Maybe you forgot that you saved me from the crocs when I was a little cub. But I never did.”
Zazu indeed remembered what he is talking about. “Ah, yes. That was a close one, indeed. But enough reminiscing. And on with the Morning Report!” He then said as he flew by the king’s side along with Princess Celestia as they all proceeded towards the portal so they can have that meeting that was supposed to happen earlier this afternoon.
“Oh, by all means, before it's morning again.” He sarcastically returned much to the princess’s chuckling amusement when she placed a hoof to her mouth to reign it in barely but still visible to all close eyes watching.
“Well, it all began this morning! After observing Kion's clever solution followed by Sunset’s recommendation for Bupu - the sight of an antelope stuck in a tree is quite amusing, sire. I then continued my inspection of the path through the grasslands, where I encountered the hyenas. Of course we know how that turned out, don't we...?”
At the same time, Scar witnessing this from nearby managed to teleport away without being spotted with nothing but the sealed envelope in the grasp of his tail, having benefited from this whole ordeal the Guard went through…
“Excellent…” He said with sinister satisfaction.