"Tian, once more. Who are you seeking?" My father asked for the millionth time, making sure everything was crystal clear for us so we could do our job. Which today was finding the other three Lion Guard members and telling them about their new jobs.

"I'm after Kambuni, sir," Tian said, sitting up straight, ready for his assignment.

"What about you, Koda?"

"Mtoto, sir," Koda said, more meekly then Tian.

"And I'm after Umjia," I stated before my dad could ask, a smile crossing my face.

My dad caught my smile and beamed proudly at me. I knew how happy he was to see me lined up, ready to carry out my first unofficial Guard duty.

"Good. Now that you know your assignments, I release you to go out and proceed with your duties. You are dismissed." My father said, his voice too much like an army general for my taste.

I lifted my head high, more than ready and overly excited. I was going to meet my future fellow Guard members, and if they agreed to join, then we'd start training fairly soon.

I watched Tian sprint off through the green grasses, letting his nose guide him to Kambuni the Ostrich. Koda gave me an uncertain glance before I saw determination flicker in his eyes and he turned away with a smile, surging forward to find Mtoto.

"Goodbye, dad," I called with a nonchalant smile, trotting off in search of my new friend, Umjia.

"Bye, Kito. Good luck!" My father replied with a nod.

With an excited smile and a boatload of confidence, I strutted off towards Priderock where I'd last seen Umjia.

The sun was shining and the clouds were scarce in the bright afternoon sky. The cheery sunshine matched my mood 100 percent.

I slowed down once I reached Priderock, my eyes searching around for my dark friend's fur. Luckily, he was super easy to pick out amongst the pale lions and lionesses resting in various places around the large Priderock. Therefore, I spotted him quickly.

"Umjia!" I called, jogging faster once I located him. He didn't stir from his slumber. "Hey, Umjia!" I called louder.

Finally, his head lifted and he sleepily blinked his eyes open.

"I have somethin' important to ask you," I said, a smile crossing my face at the anticipation of his answer.

"Really?" He asked, ears lifting.

"Really really," I responded with a firm nod.

"Sweet! What is it?"

"I assume you know of the Lion Guard?" I inquired, taking a seat in front of him.

"Actually, no." He replied sheepishly.

"Oh," I said. Then I shook it off and continued, "Well its the team my dad's on. You know, they go around and protect the Pridelands. Scaring off hyenas and saving helpless creatures from certain death, that kinda thing."

Umjia blinked, his ears folding back in confusion.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. This was going to be harder than I thought.

__________

[Koda's Point of View]

My nose was completely focused on finding Mtoto, but my mind wasn't.

All I could think about was how much I looked up to Uncle Kion and how I would never amount to greatness as he already had. I suppose I must try my best and settle for what I'm good at.

No, wait. I thought, frowning. Dad says settling for less than the best is no way to live. But how can I become strong and wise like Uncle Kion?

I was pondering my newly discovered title so deeply, that I almost missed the large gray pachyderm I was searching for.

He was mud bathing with a few other bachelor elephants his age.

I was a bit nervous, as I'd never really spoken to Mtoto before. But I summoned up all my courage and stepped forward.

"Hey, Mtoto!" I greeted, regretting my courage already.

The large elephant lifted his flag - like ears and turned his face towards me. His round eyes turned from curious to welcoming as they spotted me in the grass below him.

"Hi there, Prince Koda!" He greeted me, smiling and stepping closer to where I was with his slow, graceful walk. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I'm here to tell you about recruitment for the future Lion Guard!" I told him.

"The Lion Guard?" He asked, tilting his head as a wide grin crossed his kind gray face. "I haven't heard from them since I was a child. Do they want me to join still?"

"Well, sir," I began, nervous that he would laugh at the thought of me being the leader one day. "I am the future leader of the Guard. Have you heard that Kion has returned?

"Yes, I heard rumors here and there." He replied. "So it's true?"

"Yes, sir." I start, ready to launch into my preplanned speech. "He's back and leading the old Guard once more. Me, being the king's second cub, am the future weilder of the Roar of the Elders and therefore the future Guard leader. I've come here today to ask you if you would like to join me and the other future members of the next Lion Guard in training."

"So you believe I'm the strongest?"

"Yes sir," I say, examining his face for a reaction. "I would like you to join my Lion Guard, sir. What do you say?"

"You know how long I've been waiting for you to ask?" Mtoto smiled his words as joyful as I feel.

I take a quick victory, "Yes!"

"Under one condition." He said, catching me off guard.

My eyes rose to meet his.

"The one condition is: call me Mtoto. No more 'sir' stuff." He said. Then he grinned wide and let out a chuckle.

"Whew!" I sighed quietly. "Of course, sir-uh-Mtoto."

__________

[Kito's Point of View]

Within an hour after I had first talked to Umjia, the whole group of animals that Koda had chosen to be in his Guard were all gathered at the current Lion Guard's lair. Mtoto and Kambuni were talking quietly in one area, but Koda and I were practically bouncing off the walls with excitement over by the large pond. 

I mean, we were gathered as the future Lion Guard, awaiting my father to show up and give us training or briefing or something cool like that! How awesome was that?

Umija was silently lying on a sunning rock, watching Koda and me bound around playfully in the pond. I could tell he was excited too because his mouth was curled upwards in a small smile. 

Suddenly, as I lept down from a rock above and landed on top of my unsuspecting cousin, about to wrestle him to the bottom of the water, I heard my father's loud voice boom through the lair.  

"Alright, everyone, please listen up!" 

I immediately released my cousin and we surfaced, turning our attention excitedly to my dad. 

"Come out of the water, you two." he smiled. 

Koda and I climbed out of the crystal clear pond, our wet fur dripping all over the tan colored rocks as we smiled up expectantly at the current Lion Guard leader.  I glanced around and saw  Kambuni the ostrich and Mtoto the elephant amble over closer to where we were standing. Umjia lept down from the sunning rock with the flowing grace only a leopard has. 

Koda and I s decided to shake our pelts off at the same moment, which sprayed the water all over the place and all over our new friends. 

"Hey!" Kambuni cried loudly, squinting and shuddering, trying to shield herself from the spray. 

My dad chuckled heartily as he watched everyone burst into smiles.

"Welcome to the Lion Guard!" my father said, his eyes sparkling and his grin wide. 

I want to apologize for the lack of updates lately. I've been super busy and a lot is going on in my life. Hopefully I'll have more time on my hands now to write more chapters before Christmas.

Also, sorry for the short and bad quality chapter.

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Love y'all! 💚