It was early morning, as Mufusa couldn't wait to be back to the Pridelands once again, but this time as The Tree of Life's Lion Guard Leader. 

It is also the first time that he'll meet two of his father's friends who his father haven't been in touched with since Kion became the King of the Tree of Life. 

Janna said, "This is so exciting! Going to the Outlands seems so interesting, as to seeing Aunt Kiara, Aunt Vitani and Uncle Kovu back at Pride Rock." 

Penda said, "Well, I am from the Outlands after all, and I still couldn't believe that our parents knew each other before we were born! How come Kion didn't mention that to you guys?"

Ona said, "Maybe he had been so busy of being King , it's hard to make direct contact with anyone outside the Tree of Life. " 

Mufusa seems to be silent for a moment since it has been two days since he found out that he was destined to become the Tree of Life's new Lion Guard leader, and he still hasn't adjust it yet. 

The King of the Tree of Life notices his son's behavior, as he leans down to the young cub, "It's ok to be nervous. Janja and Jasri are friendly hyenas and Jasri is the Leader of the Outlands as I recall." 

Mufusa asks Penda, "Is that true, Penda? Your mother rule the Outlands?"

"Yes. She has been a leader since I was born, and has a big help with Dad and his friends along. I can't wait to see their reaction of seeing you and Janna. " The Bravest replied to the chestnut golden lion.

As they arrived to the Outlands, Penda took a deep breath at first, and then she howled loudly as she can so her pack can hear her. 

She heard a friendly call back as she turns to the group, "It's all right. Mum and Dad taught me this signal long time ago, in case we get separated. This way!" 

She led the group, as her aunt, Madoa runs up to her niece, "Penda! Welcome back! Oh, I see you're not alone." 

"Hajabo, Madoa. It's been a long time. Remember me?" Kion asks nervously. The hyena looks at the red lion for a long moment then asks, "K-Kion? Is that you?" 

"Yes, it's me and this is my family." Kion said, as she first notices Rani, Mufusa and Janna .

"Whoa. I never thought that you started a family. It's big news, Kion.  I'll send word to Jasri and Janja you're here. Wait here." 

Ona said, "This is so exciting. " 

Shira said, "Penda, you nervous about telling your parents about this?" 

"Well, I have to tell them sooner or later." The hyena replies, "They must been worried since I didn't come back home straight away." 

"Penda!" Jasri exclaimed as both embrace each other's comfort. 

Janja said, "Where you been young lady? Your mother send out the pack looking for you." 

"Papa, I'm fine. You don't have to extremely worried. Besides, I've brought friends who wanted to see you both." Penda said, as they noticed that she wasn't alone.

"Oh. Um, who are your friends, Penda?" Jasri asks. 

 It was Mufusa who step forward, as this is a perfect opportunity to introduce himself as the Tree of Life's Lion Guard Leader. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. My name is Mufusa, and I'm the leader of the Lion Guard for the Tree of Life." He said. 

"Wait, if you come from the Tree of Life, that means-" Janja said, as the hyena looks at Kion and Rani.

"Kion! Rani! Welcome back to the Outlands! What you guys doing here? Shouldn't you be at the Tree of Life?" Janja asks nervously , due of seeing Kion and Rani back .

"It's all right, Janja. We have someone keeping things under compete control while we're gone." Rani said, reassuring the hyena.

Janna said, "She's right. Besides we're on a family vacation." 

"Uh..." The hyena said, looking at the chestnut lion cub in pure confusion, as Penda laughs at her parents' confusion.

"I guess I should introduce you guys properly. Lion Guard, this is my parents, Janja and Jasri. Mama , Papa, this is Mufusa's Lion Guard, and Mufusa isn't just the leader of the Lion Guard, he's also the Prince of the Tree of Life as Janna is his sister. They're King Kion and Queen Rani's children." 

The friendly hyenas were dumbstruck of hearing that Kion and Rani having children. Kion said, nodding at Penda's revelation, "What Penda said is true. Mufusa and Janna are our children, and apparently it seems that Mufusa has his own destiny in the Circle of Life as the Leader of the Lion Guard, just like me, but for the Tree of Life." 

Jasri said, "I never guessed that you and Rani are parents to these cubs. Mufusa seems a lot like you." 

Shira said, "Well, um, how did you know King Kion anyway?" 

"Well, Kion and I weren't friends at first. We were enemies so time ago." Janja sheepishly said, remembering all the times that he had when Kion uses the Roar on him and his fellow hyenas. 

"Yes, we were. Although, you didn't take it every kindly towards us as I recalled." Bunga replied to him, as the hyena sweats, remembering. 

Mufusa clears his throat, "Well, despite of that, I'm the new leader of the Lion Guard for the Tree of Life, and Penda is part of my team now, as the Bravest. I chosen her because of she showed me bravery of coming into battle head-on , without hesitant and also I also consider her one of my best friends and my second in command." 

The hyenas were amazed by the golden chestnut lion's speech about their daughter as Penda said, reassuring them, "I promise to visit as much as I can, but this is what I've decided on my own. Please don't be mad." 

Jasri smiled at her daughter, "Why we would be mad? We're proud of you, Penda. You deserve to be with your friends. Mufusa, We're going to be good friends . We'll visit the Tree of Life soon, that's a promise." 

Mufusa nods, as he agrees with that statement. 

The group arrives at Pride Rock, where Kiara and Kovu were on Pride Rock, looking at the Pridelands. 

"Aunt Kiara! Uncle Kovu!" Mufusa yells, running towards his aunt and uncle happily.

"Mufusa! Welcome back!" Kovu said. The chestnut golden lion cub smiles at the royal couple, "Yeah, and this is my Lion Guard. You know Ona, she's the Keenest of sight. Shira is the Strongest. 

Muffy is the Smartest, Auni is the Fastest, and Penda, is the Bravest." 

Kiara looks at the Tree of Life's new Lion Guard, "Hm, this seems too familiar when Kion chosen his friends as members of his Lion Guard. Your grandfather Simba didn't actually approved that idea too much." 

Janna smirks at Mufusa, "It seems like it is a family trait, don't you think, bro?"

Mufusa sweats , as if he knew it was true. 

He turns to his parents, "I think you have something to say to my dad, do you?"

Kiara turns to see it was her younger brother, the King of the Tree of Life!

"Kion! " Kiara yells happily of seeing her brother after so long. 

They muzzled in embrace, as Kion said, "I'm back. I'm so sorry that I took so long." 

She scoffed, "I honestly can't believe you. You never told Mufusa and Janna about you being the Leader of the Guard, or that fact the Lion Guard ever existed in the first place!" 

Kovu nodded at comment, "Yeah, I have to concur with Kiara on that. It's not very nice of keeping it as a secret from your kids like that. " 

The King sighs, "Yeah, I learnt my lesson: Never underestimate your family. Although, I wished that you guys would've witnessed how awesome Mufusa and his Lion Guard defended the Tree of Life on their own! " 

Fuli nodded, "It was so amazing, I hardly believe it myself." 

"Well, I guess that it was an indeed a total surprise. Mom and Dad would've been proud of seeing  how well you guys turned out to be." Kiara said, as Kion turns around to look for their parents. 

"Speaking of Mom and Dad, where are they?"

"Oh, they said that they're on a hunting trip with some of the other lionesses. They will be back sometime this afternoon. " Kiara said, due to her brother's concern and curiosity.

"Oh." Kion said, seems to understand as Mufusa went inside the Lion Guard Lair to see the paintings of the past.

"Whoa. " Penda said, seems to be in awe, "Are these-" 

"The past events of the Previous Lion Guard. I happened to look amazed myself." Vitani said as Mufusa gasps in delight as the two Lion Guard leaders embraced one another.

"Hmm. It seems like you gotten the Mark of the Guard. It suits you, Mufusa." Vitani chuckles, looking at the chestnut golden lion's shoulder. 

"Thanks, Aunt Vitani. To be totally honest, I never gotten it if you encouraged me to find out I was really destined to become the leader of the Guard, and having my friends by my side, it's a good thing." 

"I guess that Janna helped you out of talking to Kion, am I right?" Vitani asks. Mufusa chuckled at his aunt.

"Yeah, I guess so." 

That night there was a celebration, as both guards and both royal couples waited for King Simba and Queen Nala.

"This is so amazing that we're going to meet our grandparents for the first time." Janna whispered to Mufusa.

"Yeah, To be honest, I'm completely nervous of meeting them." The leader of the Guard confess as Kion laughs at his son as he muzzles him, "You'll get along with your grandparents just fine, Mufusa. Don't be so nervous, my son." 

The chestnut golden lion wasn't too sure about it. Then the lioness sat up to see the old King and Queen of the Pridelands approaching. 

"Simba, Nala!" Kovu said, as greeting them as Simba said, "Hello, Kovu. We're back, and is that-" 

Kion ran towards his parents, "Mom, Dad!" 

They embraced as they were happy to be finally reunited since he had his coronation as the King of the Tree of Life. 

"We missed you, Kion." Nala said to her son, as Kion lets go of the embrace, as he turns to them, replied, "I've missed you too. " 

"Is everything all right, son?" Simba asks curiously, wondering why of why Kion was back in the Pridelands .

"Well, I wanted to come back for a visit , and.. Rani and I have someone we want you to meet personally. Janna, Mufusa, come here please." 

Simba and Nala were stunned to see the cubs, but also in surprise of seeing Mufusa's right shoulder, showing the Mark of the Guard.

"Is that-" Simba asks in total shock, as Kion nods , as he rubbed his head, "Yes, it appears that way. Mufusa is the leader of his own Lion Guard. 

I wasn't sure if he was ready too, just like you had with me, now I understand what must've felt for you, Dad. " 

Simba said, "I never imagined that I would be a grandfather. Is this why you never contacted us all this time?"

Kion blushes at the comment, "Yes, and I'm sorry that I haven't been in touch lately. " 

Kiara said, "Mufusa was a lot like how Kion used to be. Stubborn and reckless before he had the Roar. Kion, can I speak to Mufusa and Janna alone?"

"Um, sure." Kion said, unsure of what his sister had in store for them.

The group leave the Pride Rock, as Janna ask, "Why the sudden urge to talk to us, Aunt Kiara?"

"Well, there is something I should teach you for a change. You know all about the Circle of Life, but there is also something else you should know. 

No matter what happens in the near future, We are One." 

The cubs were confused, but Kiara smiles at them.

https://youtu.be/qA2cM8_IEGg

Mufusa and Janna were amazed by the beautiful landscape as they spend nightly sky with their aunt that they never been in contact since birth. 

Mufusa said, "I never thought of having an amazing beautiful place like the Pridelands be a home we can visit anytime." 

Janna concurs, "Yeah, I wished that Dad would've told us about his childhood. It seems incredible that he used to live here." 

 Kiara said, "I know it's been overbearing for the both of you. You'll never be alone, as long you have each other." 

Kiara , Mufusa and Janna went back to Pride Rock as she notices the stars above. Kion smiled as he said, "It seems that you got to spend time with your niece and nephew well. What you taught them?"

"Well, I taught them the same lesson that Dad taught me when we were their age. Kion, I am still in shock that you actually had cubs with Rani and never visited us. 

I was worried about you. I'm your older sister after all." She said, seemed to be upset at the King of the Tree of Life. 

He pout, as if he was nervous, "Y-Yeah, I know. I am so sorry that I haven't been in touch with any of you. It's not entirely easy of ruling a kingdom and raising two cubs." 

She chuckles at the red lion, as they looked at the landscape of their home. 

"This really takes me back. Remember how we were back then, how I thought you were annoying little brother , playing with Bunga?" Kiara asks her younger brother as the red lion chuckles at the memory. 

"How can I ever forget? We had a lot of bonding as brother and sister back then. And when I told you about my feelings about Rani, you knew how difficult it was for me. 

I never got the chance to tell you back then, but thanks for helping me of finding out I really loved Rani. " 

The pale golden lioness said, "Hey, it's not a problem, Kion. We always have each other's back no matter what it takes. 

So... how long you and your family going to stay in the Pridelands?" She asks curiously.

Kion said, "Well, I was thinking of staying for three weeks, to catch up. Is that ok with you?" 

"Yeah, that sounds great. " Kiara said, as she felt total relief that she would spend time with her brother again. 

Mufusa was the one who was listening to the lion's conversation, as he jumps from the rock as he went off to find his Lion Guard , waiting for him.

"Guys, how about we do a night patrol in the Pridelands? I know we are suppose to be off duty-" Mufusa said, but Penda reassures the lion, "Hey, it's all right, Mufusa. We want to do it anyway. It's only way we can use our abilities as the Lion Guard. I'm sure Kion would understand." 

Muffy said, "We should get started before anyone else finds out we're on patrol right now." 

Mufusa said, "Yeah, let's get going. With strength and protect, -"

"Lion Guard, defend!" The other members said, as they begin their first night patrol while his family were asleep. 

Within their midst, there was a lion who was watching Mufusa and his Lion Guard, but hid within their shadows.

AN:

 As promised, a new chapter. Who is this mysterious lion watching Mufusa? Give your thoughts and theories below! The next chapter will come soon!