Kion walked up the snowy mountain to find the next Mojo Kwa Mojo stone. It had taken them quite a while to get from the mountain with two peaks to the snowy mountain, especially with Kion's broken leg slowing them down. His broken leg had finally healed after all that time, though it had healed faster than expected, probably due to Fuli always keeping an eye on him to make sure he didn't overwork himself. She made sure he got a good amount of food and water each day. We would have gotten here a lot quicker if Fuli wasn't constantly taking care of me like that, Kion thought, annoyed. Though deep down, even though he didn't quite know it himself, Kion was grateful that someone cared so much about him.

"Careful everybody." He warned the rest of the Guard. "It gets really steep up here." The Guard were currently climbing the snowy mountain. The wind blew in their faces obstructing their view. It was cold and uncomfortable. Kion wished he was back in Pride Rock with his family. Must keep going. Kion told himself determinedly. Must keep going.

"I don't remember having to... climb a mountain the first time I went to... the Tree of Life." Makini said while grunting and struggling to walk through the snow.

"Perhaps that's because the map in the Lair showed the path going around the mountain," Ono told her.

"But going over the mountain should be quicker." Kion told them. Logic, guys.

"Sure," Anga replied sassily. "If you can make it."

"We're the Lion Guard." Kion told her determinedly. "One mountain isn't going to get in our..." Kion slipped on the snow and started sliding down the mountain. "Way." He finished quietly. He tried to react, to bring out his claws to catch himself, but then he got hit with a pain in his scar. He tried to react, but he couldn't.
"Kion!" Fuli gasped. "I got ya. Zuka Zama!" Bunga said then leaped to catch Kion. However Kion bumped into him and sent them both sliding down the mountain. "I take it back!" Bunga exclaimed. "You got me!" Kion looked behind him and saw Fuli. Before she could leap out of the way Kion and Bunga crashed into her, sending her sliding down the mountain with them. Then they all crashed into Beshte, Makini, and Ono, sending Makini and Beshte sliding down the mountain with them. Ono was sent flying but was luckily caught by Anga. Kion heard Ono say something to Anga, and she replied back, but Kion couldn't tell what it was.

The Guard continued sliding down the mountain, they came over a bump and went airborne for a second. They saw a cliff ahead of them. Luckily Beshte used his strength to stop them from falling off. "Twende Kiboko!" He shouted. The Guard landed in an awkward position, with Makini leaning against Beshte, who was also sitting on top of Kion who landed on top of Fuli. And Bunga was- Wait, where's Bunga? Makini got off of Kion, who got off of Fuli. Just then, Anga landed back on the ground carrying Ono. And Bunga burst out of a pile of snow next to them. "Hoo-hoo-ha!" He exclaimed. "That was fun!"

"Good job Beshte," Kion told the hippo. "Now let's try that again."

"Kion?" Fuli asked him. "Maybe was really should just go around the mountain?" What? Does she really think we're going to just slip down the mountain again? That time was just bad luck.

"It'd take too long," Kion told her. The faster way to get to the Tree of Life is the better way. Your the Fastest, Fuli! You should know that! Kion suddenly got hit with another pain in his scar. He quickly put his paw up to it.

"I'm the leader of the Lion Guard and I say we go this way!" Kion told her dominantly.

"Kion, are you okay?" Fuli asked him gently. Ugh! Not this again.

"I'm fine." He responded calmly, "I just wanna get to the Tree of Life as fast as we can." Then he heard Makini exclaim. "Oh! Maybe they know a shortcut." She then used her bakora staff to point to a family of monkeys relaxing in a hot spring nearby.

"Couldn't hurt to ask," Fuli said. "Yeah," Beshte agreed. "They sure look friendly." "Beshte, who are 'they'?" Ono asked him, as he was blind and couldn't see like he used to, He used to have the greatest vision in the whole Pride Lands.

"A family of monkeys," Beshte told him. "Up in a hot spring not far from here." "Oh," Ono replied. "They must be snow monkeys." Doesn't the Guard realize by chit-chatting they're slowing us down?

"Want me to ask?" Anga asked him. "I guess," Kion replied, annoyed. "Just make it fast." He ordered her.

"Yep. Anga-lenga!" Kion heard Ono say something, but then he got hit with another pain in his scar and didn't pay attention. He heard a high pitched ringing in his ears. His vision blurred for a split second. Then Ono yelled, "Anga! Stop!" What's he squawking about? Kion wondered to himself. "Too late," Bunga said, unworried.

XXXX
Kion saw Anga finally fly back. When she landed she looked annoyed.

"They... didn't wanna talk," Anga told him. Kion was annoyed. She probably didn't even try!

"Did you even try asking them?!" Kion raised his voice.

"Don't worry Anga," Beshte tried to reassure her. "You didn't know those snow monkeys would be a afraid of you." What's he talking about? Kion wondered, then suddenly felt dizziness. He was determined to not show weakness to the Guard so he didn't say anything.

"Or were you afraid of them?" Bunga teased and laughed. "She did fly back here pretty fast didn't she?" Then he suddenly turned around and noticed Anga was giving him a death glare. "But I'm sure you weren't scared. Why would you be? Bunch of monkeys? You were just..." He blurted out, but then was interrupted by Kion.

"Enough joking around!" He shouted. "We need to get to the next Moja Kwa Moja stone! Now!" He saw Fuli whisper something to Makini and she replied back, but he couldn't hear what it was, as the high pitched ear ringing came back suddenly, along with the dizziness. He pawed at his scar for a moment.

"I'm tired of all this ice and snow," he announced. "If only there was another way." Then he got an idea. "Hey, we don't need to go over the mountain. We can go through it. Everybody, stay behind me." He heard Beshte say: "He's gonna use the Roar?" And Bunga yell: "Oh yeah! Blast a hole right through that mountain Kion!"

Fuli muttered something, then came up to Kion and blocked his way. "Kion. You know you have trouble controlling your Roar when you scar's bothering you." She told him.

"I'm fine Fuli," he growled. "Now get behind me." "Ugh." Was all Fuli said before slowly walking behind him. Kion looked up at the mountain, aiming his Roar. But then he got hit by another pain in his scar. He felt dizzy and uncomfortable. But he Roared anyway. Lions appeared in the clouds as he Roared. When he stopped Fuli came up to him.

"Did it work?" She asked. "I'm not sure," he replied. "Hoo-hoo-ha!" Bunga exclaimed. "What a Roar! It was so loud it's like I can still hear it!"

"I, I think I still can," Beshte said nervously.

"Uh... I don't think that's the Roar." Ono said uncertainly. Anga flew up to confirm his statement. "It isn't," she replied. "It's snow... sliding down the mountain."

"Hapana!" Ono shrieked. "It's an avalanche!" Kion suddenly felt fear pulse through his veins. "Everyone! Take cover!" He yelled. He started to run, not thinking about anything else other than getting himself to safety.

"Kion, the snow monkeys. They're in the path of the avalanche too!" Fuli reminded him. I only thought of getting myself to safety, Kion thought, ashamed. "Huh. Of course, the snow monkeys. We gotta help 'em." He replied.

"I won't be much help," Anga told him. "They think I wanna eat them." "Then keep Ono and Makini safe." Kion ordered her."  "Got it," she replied.

"Everyone else, let's go!" Kion shouted then ran off with the rest of the Guard to help the snow monkeys. Kion saw them turn around, surprised to see the avalanche. "Avalanche!" One exclaimed. "Run!" A baby snow monkeys was about to be swallowed by the incoming snow just before Fuli darted in and grabbed him by the tail, saving him. "Huwezi!" She had shouted. That was brave. Kion thought to himself, admiring Fuli's courage, risking her own life for someone she had never even met before. Kion then saw another snow monkey in the avalanche's path. "Oh my..." It said, scared. He pushed the monkey out of the avalanche's way just in time before both of them were swallowed by the huge amount of snow charging towards them.

Kion looked back and saw that the entire habitat was destroyed by the avalanche. Fallen trees and rocks were everywhere. Kion felt a sharp pang of guilt. He was the one who did this.

"You okay?" He asked the snow monkey, concerned.

"I... I think so." She replied, obviously still in shock after what had happened. "Is everyone alright?" Kion asked looking back at the Guard. Fuli was the first to reply. "We're fine." "Yep," the baby snow monkey she saved finally spoke.

"Whee! Yeah!" Another baby snow monkey exclaimed riding on Bunga's back. They kicked up snow into Fuli's face. She stood there with an annoyed look on her face.

"We're ready for another ride, right?" Bunga asked the snow monkey, confirming they were both alright. "Yeah!" She replied.

"Beshte?" Kion asked, noticing the hippo was nowhere in sight. He then Beshte shake off a bunch of snow on top of him and the monkey he shielded from the avalanche. "We're good," he told Kion.

"So are we," Anga said, finally flying back down carrying Makini and Ono. At the sight of Anga the monkey Kion had saved shrieked in horror.

"The giant eagle's back!" She exclaimed. Huh? "Hurry! Hide back here!" The monkeys then all tried to hide underneath Kion, but instead almost toppled him over.

"You're right Ono, they really don't like large birds," Beshte commented. So that's what Ono was saying earlier, Kion realized.

"You don't have to be scared of Anga," Kion reassured them while getting off of them. "She's a nice bird."

"Okay," one monkey said, the uncertainty lingering in her voice. She still hid behind Kion. "But tell her to stop staring at us."

"Snow monkeys don't like to be stared at," Ono told Anga. "Common knowledge really." "Fine," Anga replied. "I'll remember to blink."

"Oh! And thank you all for saving us from that avalanche," the monkey thanked them. "Yes." "Thanks." "Arigato." The other monkeys said.

It's just too bad you couldn't save our home too." She added sadly.

"Mom," one of the baby snow monkeys said sweetly. "It's not their fault. There was an avalanche." Kion felt even more guilt at this. He had destroyed the snow monkey's home. It was his fault. Yet they had no idea.

"Actually, it is," Kion admitted, ashamed. "I caused the avalanche."

"You did?" The snow monkey asked, surprise evident in her voice. "We thought it was the faces in the sky." Another monkey told him. "Yeah," one of the baby snow monkey's agreed. "They were roaring really loud."

"That... was me. I'm the one who roared," Kion told them guiltily. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to destroy your home."

"It's okay," the baby monkey said. "There are other hot springs. Apology accepted." The monkey forgave him sweetly. This made Kion feel really guilty. He should make it up to them.

"Aw. That's nice." Beshte said.

"Oh. Then I guess we can go now." Makini said. No. Kion suddenly as hit by another sharp pain in his scar. He starting pawing at it. "Yeah," he heard Fuli agree. "Maybe find some Tuliza?"

"No," Kion told her. "I need to make it up to them." It would just be unfair if Kion destroyed their home and left. He should help them find a new home.

"Don't worry. We'll find you a new home." Kion announced to the monkeys.

"We will?" Fuli asked him, the uncertainty audible in her voice. "But Kion-" She was interrupted by the baby snow monkey

"Ooh!" She exclaimed. "Will it have an even bigger hot spring?"

"And lot's of food?" The other asked.

"Yes," Kion replied. "It'll have everything you need. Just tell us what you want."

"What we want in a new home?" The mother snow monkey asked. Oh no... she's going to sing, isn't she?

XXXX

The Lion Guard were currently taking the snow monkeys to a hot spring Anga had spotted. The hot spring had everything they listed when Kion asked what they want in a new home. Except of course, the ice slide. The hot spring also had many trees nearby. They were scared that if there were trees nearby, large birds would make their homes in them. But other than that, the hot spring had everything they needed.

Kion stopped suddenly. He felt another sharp pain. Dizziness overcame him. A nauseous feeling creeped it's way into his gut. He felt miserable. But he was determined not to show the rest of the Guard any weakness, so he carried on. Fuli glanced back at him. Apparently she saw that something was bothering him, because she came to check on him.

"Kion, are you okay?" She asked him, her voice filled with worry.

"I'm fine Fuli!" He snarled, not loud enough for the others to hear. Kion thought he saw Fuli flinch, but he must have imagined it. Fuli turned back around and carried on with the Guard. Kion didn't think he would convince her so easily. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw her whisper something into Makini's ear, though Kion couldn't hear what they were saying, he knew it was about him.

Kion saw the snow monkeys start to groom Ono. "Thank you," he sighed, relaxed. Suddenly, Bunga pushed Ono off and exclaimed; "Hey! Let me in on that!" The monkey started to groom Bunga while Ono looked on with an annoyed look on his face. "Ooh, yeah. That's the spot." Bunga muttered, relaxation ebbing his voice. Kion saw Anga land on front of a hot spring. "Here," she told them.

Okay, snow monkeys," Kion announced. "Welcome to your new home." He was interrupted by the snow monkeys rushing ahead of him and jumping into the hot spring.

"Oh my. It is a big hot spring." one spoke. Then she looked around. "But, there are a lot of trees." She added.

"Yeah," Kion said. "But they're not that close to the spring."

"True," the monkey agreed. "It is bigger than our old place," another added. "It has herb bushes too!" Another exclaimed.

"Maybe we can give it a try," the father of the baby monkeys said.

"Very well," the mother said, nervousness etched in her voice. The baby monkeys were happy at this, because the first thing they did was jump into the hot spring again. "Yes!" "Woo hoo!" They exclaimed before diving in.

One monkey then gave another a herb. "Mmm. Oh my." She said after tasing it. Then the baby monkeys came over and splashed them all, Kion observed.

"See?" He said to Fuli. "The snow monkeys are happy."

"I guess," she replied, the uncertainty not leaving her voice. "Just as long as they don't see any-" She was interrupted by the monkeys screaming. "Giant birds!" They screeched at the top of their lungs.

"They're attacking the monkeys!" Fuli exclaimed. "Come on!" Kion shouted. The Lion Guard ran to defend them.

"Stay right there!" Kion ordered the monkeys. "Get away!" Makini shouted while swinging her staff at the birds. "Shoo! Shoo!" The Guard swatted at the birds, missing every single blow.

"These birds are everywhere!" Fuli exclaimed, annoyed and furious.

"There's something strange about these 'birds'." Ono observed. "Yeah," Anga replied. "They are not birds," she told them.

"They're not?" Bunga asked surprised. "Zuka Zama!" He then leaped up out of a dead tree and caught one of them. "Gotcha!" He was obviously surprised when he looked at what he was holding in his paws.

"Woah! Hey you're all furry," He exclaimed.

"Yeah, so what? So are you," The creature replied.

"Wait a tick. He's a flying squirrel," Ono told the group.

"Like I said," Anga told them sassily. "Not a bird."

"I know I'm not a bird." The flying squirrel said. "So why are you attacking the snow monkeys?" Kion asked furious. The squirrel's ears folded down in dismay, Kion observed. "Attack? Oh no. We thought we'd to a glide-by and say, 'Welcome to the neighborhood.'" The squirrel told them. "Back to the trees boys! You're scaring the neighbors." The squirrel told his scurry. The rest of the squirrels immediately glided back to the trees

"Sorry for the confusion," the squirrel apologized. "Mind putting me down now?" He asked Bunga.

"Okay," Bunga replied while putting him down. "See you little guy!"

"Cheerio!" He told Bunga then scurried up a tree.

"Snow monkeys," Kion began. "You can relax. They weren't birds, they were-" He cut himself off, realizing the monkeys weren't there.

"Snow monkeys?" Kion asked. Silence. They definitely weren't still there. "Where did they go?" Beshte asked.

"Maybe they're hiding in the water. Zuka Zama!" Bunga said then dove in to check. He then emerged from the water saying; "Nope. Nobody here but us honey badgers. Ah. So warm." He added. "Jump in every-" He was cut off by Kion snarling. "Bunga! We don't have time for this! We've gotta find the snow monkeys!" Kion shouted then growled. Ugh! Can that honey badger ever sit still and focus?!

"Okay, okay. But you don't know what you're missing."

"Uh, yes we do." Ono replied sassily. "We're missing four snow monkeys." This was one of the very rare times where Ono showed his sassy side. Kion saw Fuli scan the area. "I don't see any footprints," she told him.

"Anga?" Kion asked. "Maybe you can spot them from the sky."

"Yup," Anga replied then took off to the sky, trying to spot the missing monkeys.

"Found them," she told him." There right down-" Anga cut herself off. "What? I- I lost 'em. They disappeared." Anga told Kion. He then got hit by another pain in his scar. The ear ringing returned once more.

"Then we'll find them." Kion growled then put his paw up to his scar in pain. "Ono, stay with Makini." He ordered. "Everyone else, spread out and look for the snow monkeys."

"Okay Kion, "Beshte replied. "Got it." Bunga said. Fuli, on the other hand, stayed with Kion.

"Kion, maybe we should stick together. Snow monkeys don't just disappear. It might be dangerous." Fuli told him, her voice thick with concern and worry.

"We're the Lion Guard Fuli, we can handle danger." Kion replied.

"Sure, when we think first, but your scar's been bugging you all day. And without Tuliza you haven't been thinking clearly." Kion was frustrated with her concern. He suddenly turned around, annoyed and angry.

"I'm fine Fuli!" He shouted, making Fuli take a step back. "I'm the leader of the Lion Guard, not you. And I know what I'm doing." He finished while giving her a glare.

"Do you?" She said quietly while looking at him in defeat.

"Hey!" Bunga exclaimed. "I think I hear something!" He then rushed over and walked near a big tree. "Let's go." Kion said. "Yeah. Sounds like snow monkeys just can't tell where they- Whoa!" Kion then saw Bunga disappear under the snow. Kion and Fuli gasped

"Bunga!" They both exclaimed in worry.

"I'm okay!" Bunga yelled, reassuring them. "And guess what? I found the monkeys! They're hiding in the snow!" The monkey's replied back, but Kion couldn't tell what they said, as they were too far away.

"Everyone, this way." Kion told the group, then they all ran over to the place where Bunga fell in the snow. Kion saw Anga fly up. She then flew down and told them; "There's a hole in the snow. Near the big tree."

"Must be a tree well," Ono told them. "I've heard of those. Loose snow under a tree that you can fall into."

"Don't worry Little B." Beshte told Bunga. "We'll get you out!" 'Little B' was Beshte's nickname for Bunga. 'Big B' was Bunga's nickname for Beshte. Beshte then ran over to the hole Bunga fell into. The snow that Beshte was standing on started to fall in the hole. "Uh... Uh-oh" he said. Kion gasped.

"Beshte get back!" Fuli shouted. The hippo scrambled backwards just in time to not fall in the hole and on top of Bunga and the monkeys. "Whew!" Beshte sighed.

"We need to be careful," Ono warned them. "The snow around the tree well could bury them if we get to close."

"Can they climb out?" Kion asked.

"No," Ono replied. "If they move at all they might fall in deeper." Makini gasped. "They can't move at all? Somebody should tell them. Bunga! Snow monkeys! Ono says don't move around!" Kion heard Bunga say something, then he heard them all fall deeper into the hole.

"Bunga! Monkeys!" Kion shouted to make sure they were okay.

"We're okay!" Bunga shouted back. "Much better, actually." One of the monkeys added.

"So," Anga began. "If we can't get close to them..." "And they can't climb up to us..." Makini added. "How are we gonna get them out?" Beshte finished.

Kion thought, then he got hit with a pain in his scar. He realized that he had no idea what to do. "I... I don't know." He admitted, embarrassed. "Fuli?" He asked. "What do you think we should do?"

"Me?" It's not up to me. You're the leader of the Lion Guard. You know what you're doing." She said sarcastically. Kion knew she was trying to get him to admit he was wrong. Fine. He shook his head.

"Not today I don't. You were right. I can't think clearly when my scar is bugging me. 'I can't trust myself right now, but I know I can trust you." He told Fuli. "You make the call."

"What should we do Fuli?" Beshte asked her. "Um... Ugh." It was clear she was thinking. "Wait, right. Ono, can you fly over the hole and pull them out?"

"Theoretically, yes. Though I couldn't lift them," Ono replied. "But Anga could." Fuli said.

"Me? No way." Anga replied. "It's the only way. Just fly down the hole, grab Bunga and the snow monkeys, and bring 'em out." "Sounds like a plan." Kion added.

"But don't touch the walls, and don't let them move." Ono warned.

"Don't let 'em move?" Anga asked sarcastically. "Those snow monkeys panic like zebras every time they see me."

"They won't if they know you're a friend." Beshte, probably the most friendly animal in the world, told her.

"I found 'em a new home. What more do I have to do?" Anga asked sassily.

"Well, you could try smiling." Surrrreeee. Great idea Beshte, Kion thought sarcastically.

"Okay," Anga replied flatly. "How's this?" She then showed the worst smile ever smiled. Even Beshte hesitated to reply. "It's... Poa." He told her.

"Okay, I'll do it." She then rolled her eyes and flew to the hole. She then said something to the monkeys, and they replied multiple times, but Kion couldn't tell what it was that they said, as he suddenly got hit with another very sharp pain in his scar. This time it hurt so bad that a tear of pain slid down his cheek. Then another. And another. He then felt someone pick his head up with their paw. It was Fuli. She wiped his tears away with her paw.

"Kion," she said gently. "You're going to get through this, I promise." Fuli told him. He looked up at her, eyes glimmering with pain. She then pulled him into a hug. Kion felt a feeling he hadn't felt before. He felt happy despite his pain. He felt warm despite all the snow around them. He felt safe despite knowing they and the rest of the Guard would face great danger on the rest of their journey.

Kion continued to cry into her fur. When he finally pulled away, his breaths were shaky from sobbing. "T-thank you F-Fuli." Kion saw her look deep into his eyes.

"Kion, no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you. And that is a promise." Kion looked up at Fuli. She wiped away his tears once more and held his gaze until suddenly they heard a noise.

They quickly turned around to look at the hole Anga had flown in to rescue Bunga and the snow monkeys. They were shocked to see that the snow had collapsed in the hole.

"Anga!" Makini gasped. They then heard a muffled "Anga-lenga!" Then, Anga bursted out of the snow carrying all of the snow monkeys and Bunga.

"Didn't plan carrying all of you at once, but whatever." She said with effort to carry all of the snow monkeys and Bunga. Bunga jumped off of Anga and landed beside Kion and Fuli. "Miss me?" He asked them.

Anga dropped the baby snow monkeys and the father on top of Beshte. She lowered the mother to the ground. "Sorry I moved, but you're the first giant bird we've ever met who's nice." The monkey told her.

"Thanks," Anga replied. "Oh." She looked shocked to see the two baby snow monkeys hugging her.

"Thank you everyone." The mother snow monkey said. "But... do we have to go back to the place with all the trees?

"Well-" Kion was about to reply, but then got interrupted by a sharp pain in his scar. He put his paw up to it briefly. "Fuli?" He asked. "What do you think?"

"I think Anga can find a place that's really right for them. And some Tuliza for you." Fuli said.

"I like how you think," Kion replied. "Anga, a new place for your new friends?" Anga looked fondly at the baby monkeys and replied. "Yup."

XXXX

The Lion Guard were now at the hot spring Anga had spotted not long after a they rescued the snow monkeys from the hole. This time it didn't have that many trees around it. The snow monkeys cheered and dived in, followed by most of the Guard. The baby snow monkeys laughed. Bunga, obviously relaxed, said: "Ah. This is the life."

"You said it Little B." Beshte agreed. "Uh-huh," Ono also agreed. Kion was watching them when he felt another pain in his scar. He pawed at it.

"It's really bugging you, huh?" Fuli asked, concern ebbing her voice.

"I'll be okay," Kion told her. "'Cause I know no matter how bad it gets, you're on my side."

"Always," Fuli replied, a warm glow in her eyes.

"Tuliza?" Anga said as she dropped Tuliza blossoms in front of Kion. He ate them gratefully. "Mmm. Thanks Anga. Better already."

"And I think I found the next Moja Kwa Moja stone. Just around that slope."

"Guess we came the long way around after all." Kion said before the baby monkeys ran towards Anga. "Anga!" They shouted excitedly. "Play in the hot spring with us!" "Um, I, uh..." Anga didn't have much time to protest before they both pushed her in. She started splashing them playfully as they laughed.

"Should we tell everyone we need to get going?" Fuli asked Kion.

"What do you think?" Kion asked her.

"I think they've earned some fun."

"I think so too." Kion stood there watching the rest of the Guard for a minute or two, then curled up on a nearby rock, warmed by the hot spring. Fuli curled up next to him.

He looked at her. "And also, I'm sorry for acting like a jerk today," he apologized. "I should've listened to you. You were right all along."

"It's alright Kion," Fuli told him. "I know it was just your scar, not you."

Before he knew it, he was starting to feel quite tired from the day. He felt soft fur next to him as his mind slowly drifted away from the real world and into sleep.