The Golden Zebra

The Golden Zebra is the is the fortieth episode of The Lion Guard and the fourteenth episode of Season 2.

Synopsis
Facing a water shortage in the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard must appease zebra leader, Dhahabu, to gain access to a new watering hole.

Renee Elise Goldsberry (Broadway’s “Hamilton”) guest stars as Dhahabu. Rico Rodriguez (“Modern Family”) and Raini Rodriguez (“Austin & Ally”) guest star as zebra siblings Raha and Starehe, respectively.

Summary
When a drought hits the Pride Lands, the Lion Guard try to settle Twiga's Herd and Vuruga Vuruga's Herd, with the two animal groups showing concern at the dwindling watering hole. Meanwhile, in The Lair of the Lion Guard, Simba speaks with Rafiki about the water shortage, asking if any of the previous Kings ever found a solution. Although Rafiki is doubtful, one his paintings depicts an earlier King leading his animals to a large, unknown watering hole. Makini pipes up to inform Simba that she has seen the same watering hole in the Back Lands, and that it is owned by a herd of zebras. Simba quickly concludes that the watering hole belongs to Dhahabu. When the Guard arrive, Simba asks them to locate her and request that she share her water, urging them to offer something in return.

The Lion Guard proceed into the Back Lands, where they are greeted by Makucha. The leopard refuses to let them past, and takes a strike at Ono. He misses, but Beshte tackles Makucha to keep him away. Kion informs him that they just want to pass, but have no choice but to engage in combat anyway when Makucha strikes out. He is effortlessly defeated by the Guard, and finally allows them to pass, warning them not to come back.

As the Guard continue, they notice a shaking bush, which they believe to be Makucha again. But to their relief, it is a pair of zebra siblings. Fuli assures them that there's no need to "panic and run", but the pair instead reply that they prefer to "frolic and romp", before doing so around the Lion Guard. Kion tries to stop the zebras from their routine, but only succeeds when using a stern voice. He asks if they know Dhahabu and if they can take them to her. Although their response is 'yes', no other action is taken, until Kion re-words his request to "will". They then excitedly guide them through a bush, telling them to be ready for the "Fabulous Dhahabu".

After introducing herself, Bunga takes a shine to Dhahabu, and even allows her to call him a mongoose. After Kion introduces himself and the Lion Guard, she mistakes him for someone who plans on guarding her, until Kion goes on to say that they came from the Pride Lands. This excites Dhahabu, and she asks them to prance with her. They follow, and decide that it would be best for them to befriend her first.

She presents to them Dhahabu Grove, describing it as the happiest place in the Back Lands. After a brief talk about leaderships, Kion asks the all important question, explaining about the drought in the Pride Lands. Dhahabu is hesitant, prompting Fuli to ask if they actually have one. Before she can reply, the two zebra siblings answer for her, claiming it to be the biggest in the Back Lands. Excited at the prospect of meeting the Pride Landers, the two beg her to allow them access. Since she is still hesitant, Kion offers to do something in return. After a quick think, Dhahabu requests a Tamboa Plant, their favorite food. She is shocked when they accept, and trots away happily. Kion turns to Ono for more information, who is sceptical that they'll even find one in time.

After hours of searching, Ono manages to locate one, but it's far away. The Lion Guard continue nonetheless, across a narrow path on a mountain. Bunga starts to walk backwards to show a nervous Beshte how safe it is, but he nearly topples over, requiring Fuli to save him. They continue to an opening surrounded by thorns. Beshte has the idea to charge through them to create an opening, allowing the Guard a safe passage.

At the end of the path they discover the plant, which is a lot larger than they expected. Failing to pull it out, the Guard resort to digging it out, with Beshte being the only one strong enough to carry it.

Back in Dhahabu Grove, Dhahabu is training her herd on how to perform some moves with their hooves. As she walks away from them, she is startled by the giant plant. After delivering the plant, Kion asks if they can see the watering hole, and the zebra siblings happily volunteer. But Dhahabu refuses to let them do so, and suddenly states that the deal is off. When the pair argue with her, she also denies them access, as well as the rest of her herd. Kion sends Ono to check on the watering hole, and the egret reveals that it's empty. With her herd feeling betrayed, they abandon Dhahabu.

She reveals to Kion that she noticed the missing water a few days ago, but had no idea where the water had vanished to. She didn't wish to tell her herd as it would make them unhappy, and she chose to wait, hoping that it would fill itself back up. Kion tells her that a good leader tells the herd the truth even when it's bad news, and that a good leader tries to help when there's a problem. Kion offers to help see if there's anything they can do, and asks again if she will share the water should they be successful. She agrees with great enthusiasm, and they make their way over to the watering hole.

When they arrive, Kion asks if she has any idea why it may have dried up. She explains that there used to be a waterfall, and Ono is sent to investigate. He reports back that a rock slide has blocked the water above. The Lion Guard start to move, showing no concern over Dhahabu's warning of the area being leopard territory. She insists that she joins them, to be a good leader.

When they find the rocks, Kion sends Beshte to smash the rocks apart. But Makucha appears, refusing to let them take his water. Even though Kion explains that they just want to break the rocks so that the zebras can have some too, he warns them that he doesn't share. Dhahabu approaches him, hoping that her reputation will help them in some way. Instead, Makucha leaps towards Dhahabu, only to be knocked away by Kion's fast thinking.

Kion calls for Dhahabu to take cover, and for Beshte to break the rocks. Makucha then claims to have brought his friends, and three more leopards appear. One of them strikes down Ono before taking on Beshte, and another stands in the way of Fuli, flinging Bunga off his back after the honey badger fails an attack. Dhahabu notices the third leopard about to pounce on Ono and cries out for him, alerting Kion. After saving Ono, the pair team up to defeat him, while Bunga defeats the other leopard.

As Dhahabu encourages Beshte, Makucha sneaks behind her. When the other leopards retreat, Makucha announces his position, ordering them to leave before Dhahabu gets hurt. With his back turned to her, Kion, Beshte, Fuli and Ono throw subtle hints to Dhahabu about how a good leader takes care of a problem. Dhahabu realizes what they mean and headbutts Makucha onto a rock. After that, she kicks him into the pile of rocks, causing them to break and return the waterfall. Makucha retreats, and Dhahabu tells Kion that the Pride Landers are welcome to her watering hole.

A little later, Kion leads some herds through the Back Lands, where they are introduced to Dhahabu. She approaches them and states that they have to do something before they can enter - "Frolic and romp". The animals happily agree, and enter the water. Dhahabu invites the Lion Guard, and all but Fuli enter to join her. Bunga tells her to lighten up, and Fuli does so by following the other zebras, monotonously chanting "frolic and romp".