Return to the Pride Lands

Return to the Pride Lands is the twentieth and final episode of The Lion Guard in Season 3.

Synopsis
When the Lion Guard return to the Pride Lands, they discovered Vitani has formed her own Lion Guard in their absence.

Plot
Following the events from the previous episode, the Lion Guard follows Azaad to a shortcut through the Outlands, where they meet up with Cheezi, Chungu, and Madoa, who are pleased to see their clanmates again. Madoa explains that Zira and her pride entered the Pride Lands not long after Janja and Jasiri left to get the Lion Guard. The hyenas have been living in hiding ever since, and thus don't know what happened after. Thinking Zira and her pride are still in the Pride Lands, the Guard realize they need all the help they can get, which comes in the form of Jasiri's hyenas and Mzingo's vultures.

Nearing the Pride Lands, Anga reports that a strange lion is on Pride Rock. Jasiri identifies him as Kovu based on a descriptive appearance. With no indication that the rest of Simba's pride are even there, the Lion Guard are about to continue with great haste. Suddenly, Vitani, Kovu's sister, and a group of lionesses stop them in their tracks, warning the "Outlanders" they won't invade the Pride Lands. Vitani barks out orders to Shabaha, Kasi, Imara and Tazama, before launching an attack with the phrase "Till the Pride Lands' end, Lion Guard defend!".

Stunned at hearing their catchphrase, Kion lets his guard down and allows Vitani to attack him. Soon, a battle ensues between the two Lion Guards, with members from each team proving to be evenly-matched against the other. Noticing how similar their strengths are, an idea comes to Ono. He calls for the vulture to distract Tazama, Vitani's Keenest of Sight, while he and Anga assist Kion with Vitani. With Tazama unable to keep watch, Kion is able to knock out Vitani. Having had enough, Kion orders his team to get behind him as he prepares to use the Roar of the Elders on Vitani's Lion Guard.

Suddenly, Kiara appears, calling for her brother to stop. Kion is pleased to see her, but his joy is short-lived when he notices Kovu sliding down the wall behind her. Believing Kovu will attack her, Kion calls for Kiara to move out of the way, but Kiara refuses, blocking him from using the Roar against Vitani's Lion Guard or Kovu. Kiara explains that Zira's Pride has joined theirs, much to Kion's surprise. With both sides calming down, Vitani finally recognizes Kion as Kiara's little brother, though she admits it was hard to do so with his scar, as well as seeing him surrounded by Outlanders.

Kovu then joins the group, asking Vitani what's going on moments before Bunga does the same. Confused, Kion explains that he and Lion Guard had come to the Pride Lands after learning that Zira was attacking the Pride Lands. Somberly, Kovu reveals to the Lion Guard that Zira has completed her journey through the Circle of Life, much to  the Lion Guard's surprise. Understanding her brother's confusion, Kiara tells Kion to return to Pride Rock, offering to explain everything back there. After thanking Jasiri for everything, the Lion Guard follow Kiara and Kovu to Pride Rock. Arriving at Pride Rock, Kion is reunited with his parents, who realize with worry Kion still has his scar.

Kion explains that while he will always have it, he is now healed. When the others arrive, Simba asks if their journey was worth it. The rest of the Guard admit to have enjoyed the Tree of Life while Ono managed to recover his eyesight. After Azaad presents himself to Simba and Nala, Rafiki asks about Makini, noting her absent. Kion reveals she decided to stay, causing Rafiki to announce that Queen Janna had been right all along: Makini's true destiny was at the Tree of Life, not the Pride Lands like Rafiki had believed. Before long, the subject of Zira is risen again, and Rafiki guides them to the lower section of Pride Rock, ready to reveal what happened.

Using paintings detailing the story, Rafiki explains that, after the Lion Guard's first encounter with the Outsiders, Zira devised a new plan to take over the Pride Lands. Taking over for Rafiki, Kovu explains that Zira raised him to believe that Simba was their enemy. However, after getting to know Simba and Kiara, Kovu realized that Zira was wrong and changed sides. Kiara reveals that, soon after, Zira led an attack on the Pride Lands herself, where she engaged with Simba's Pride. Kiara and Kovu intervened during the showdown between both prides, explaining that they didn't have to fight, with Kiara explaining that, as lions, "We are One".

Zira's lionesses, including Vitani, saw that this was true, and joined the Pride Landers. Zira, though, was unwilling to get past her hate, and this ultimately led to her destruction. After Zira's death, Simba welcomed the Outsiders into his Pride, ending the story. In the present, Simba declares that, one day, Kovu and Kiara will rule the Pride Lands as king and queen, naming them his successors. Hearing all they missed, the Lion Guard soon learn from Nala that they themselves were missed as well, as Bunga and Beshte soon reunite with Timon and Pumbaa, and Basi, respectively.

A montage soon happens, showing the members of the Lion Guard enjoying their return to the Pride Lands and reuniting with the friends and family they had left behind: Bunga relaxes with Timon and Pumbaa at Hakuna Matata Falls; Anga meets with Hadithi in the skies; Ono performs the Hamerkop Family Dance with Kulinda and his surrogate daughter Ona; Beshte reunites with Makuu's crocodiles, his pod and a now teenaged Mtoto; and Fuli spends the day showing Azaad around the Pride Lands before troops of baboons catch up and surround them. That night, the royal family, including the new prince Kovu, smile towards Mufasa as he leaves their sight from the clouds.

All but Kion return to the den, prompting Kiara to sit alongside her brother to see what's troubling him. Kion tells Kiara that seeing her with Kovu reminded him of a "friend" he met at the Tree of Life. Quickly realizing what is going on, Kiara lightly teases Kion as he tells her about Rani, noting her brother fell for a Queen. Kion goes on talking about all he likes about Rani, noting Kiara would like her. Listening to Kion,  Kiara instantly detects her brother's sorrow, getting him to confess that he misses her. Supporting her brother, Kiara suggests that maybe Kion could go back to the Tree of Life and Rani someday, believing their parents would understand Kion's decision.

The following morning, the Lion Guard decide to go into their Lair. However, the lair is occupied by Vitani's Lion Guard, and both teams start arguing over who should be the Lion Guard, with Kion pointing his team is real since they have the Mark and the Roar. Before both teams can fight, though, Laini rushes into the lair and tells both Lion Guards that there's an emergency. After some encouragement from Azaad, both teams head over to solve the problem together. Laini takes them to the emergency, revealing it to be Thurston getting the upper half of his body stuck inside a hole.

However, both Lion Guards soon get distracted arguing over each other over what to do. However, Azaad walks over to Thurston and tells him to walk backwards out of the hole, solving the problem and shaming both teams. Realizing they won't be able to help anyone by fighting all the time, both teams soon start arguing over which Lion Guard is the best. Hearing this, Thurston suggests they do things the zebra way and have a competition to prove who is the best. After discarding the original Lion Guard test in the Lair, Ono proposes that both teams do a series of challenges to prove which team is the best. Both teams agree to the competition while Thurston starts spreading the word.

The contest is witnessed by the entire Pride Lands, with Rafiki acting as announcer. The contest is presented as a "best of" 05 challenges between both Lion Guards, during which the members that represent the roles of Fiercest, Bravest, Fastest, Strongest, and Keenest of Sight will face off against their counterpart to see which is better. Since Ono's role of Smartest is a newly created role not present in Vitani's Lion Guard, Ono will act as referee for the contest. The rules establish that the losing side of the previous challenge will get to set the conditions for the next challenge.

As challenging team, Vitani's Lion Guard gets first choice. Starting with Strongest, Imara declares that for the challenge, the Strongest of both Lion Guards will push a giant rock with an elephant on top it across Chakula Plains, with the first to reach a tree at the end winning the challenge. Arriving at Chakula Plains, Beshte and Imara face off in the contest as they push Ma Tembo and Zito, respectively. Though Beshte seems close to winning, he soon begins to tire as he get sunburned. Convinced by Ma Tembo, Beshte runs off to a mud pit to cover his skin, allowing Imara to catch up and win the competition, giving Vitani's Lion Guard the lead on the competition. Beshte makes his way to his friends, who reassure him he did fine and caring more about his health.

For the second round, Fuli chooses that the Fastest will compete. Making their way to a canyon, Ono reveals the challenge chosen by Fuli: Fuli and Kasi will race each other across the canyon, loop around, and return to the finish line, with the first declared winner. Starting the race, Kasi is seen using her energy too quickly while Fuli paces herself. Upon reaching the end, Fuli makes a final sprint to the finish line, winning the race and earning Kion's Lion Guard their first victory. While Fuli is welcomed by Azaad and her friends, Kasi makes her way to her Guard in defeat. Declaring that the third round will involve the Keenest of Sight, Ono allows Tazama to make her pick.

Standing in front of a cavern, Ono explains the Keenest of Sight challenge: both competitors will to use their keen eyesight locate Laini, who has hidden in a dark cave. Inside the cave, while Anga struggles to see around her, Tazama uses her night vision and finds Laini quickly. Returning outside, Laini declares Tazama the winner of the contest, putting Vitani's Lion Guard back in the lead. While Anga apologizes to her team, Bunga reassures her, noting that the Bravest is up next, and he gets to pick. For the fourth round, Bunga reveals he planned series of tests for the Bravest challenge.

The Bravest of both teams will run through Maumivu Thorn Patch, cross Urembo River with Makuu's Float, and then climb up Makundu Cliffs, with the winner being the first to grab the baobab fruit from a tree at the top of the cliffs. Though clearly shaken by the magnitude of the test, Shahaba tells Bunga she is not afraid. The challenge begins, and both cross the thorn patch quickly. However, at Urembo River, Shahaba hesitates on seeing the crocodiles while Bunga crosses them. Though Shahaba soon jumps over the river, Bunga quickly reaches the top and grabs the baobab fruit before the branch supporting Bunga breaks, sending him to the ground with the baobab fruit.

After four tests, Ono declares both teams to be tied up with a score of 2-2, and it all comes down Kion and Vitani. Given the choice, Vitani calls for a mashindano to prove who is the fiercest. As the Pride Landers start chanting for the mashindano, Kion tries to tell Vitani she won't stand a chance against him when he has the Roar. However, Vitani says she doesn't need the roar, telling Kion: she is already fierce enough to lead the Lion Guard without it. Kion is left amazed at her courage, realizing she knows the lesson it took him a while to learn. Kion remembers Askari's words from long ago: how "Only one who is willing to let of the Roar completely can truly master it".

Realizing she is right, Kion forfeits the last challenge, declaring that Vitani has proved herself to be Fiercest by choosing to challenge him even without the Roar. As a result, Vitani's team wins the contest, making them the new Lion Guard of the Pride Lands. Kion then turns to Vitani and, giving her his blessing, passes on the Mark of the Guard and the Roar to her. Surprised, Vitani tests out the Roar of the Elders for the first time as the Pride Landers cheer her on, officially welcoming them as their new Lion Guard. Meanwhile, Kion and his friends watch as their Marks of the Guard fade from their left shoulders, somberly accepting their time as the Lion Guard and as a team has ended.

Suddenly, Askari appears in the sky in front of everyone, including both Lion Guards and Pride Landers who are stunned by Askari's appearance. Askari tells Kion that he has truly mastered the roar by letting it go. Confused, Kion asks why would he would still need the Roar if he's not leader of the Lion Guard anymore. However, Askari tells Kion that there's another place that could use the Roar's help, causing Kion to realize  he's talking about the Tree of Life. At that moment, the Mark of the Night Pride that was given to Kion by Queen Janna before her death appears on Kion's right shoulder.

Turning to his friends, Kion asks them if they all want to join him help Queen Rani protect the Tree of life. Happy to return to the Tree of Life, Kion's friends accept the offer as the Mark of the Night Pride replaces the Mark of the Guard on their bodies. Approaching Kion, Vitani wonders what Kion does it mean to master the Roar. Telling her to watch, Kion summons the Roar of the Elders, proving his mastery of the power by lifting the entirety of Pride Rock off the ground and holding it aloft in the air as the Pride Landers watch in shock and surprise. After returning Pride Rock to the ground, Kion listens as Vitani utters Kion's catchphrase "Hevi kabisa" in shock and wonder.

Some time later, the Pride Landers and Tree of Life inhabitants alike are seen gathered  outside the Tree of Life to witness Kion's wedding ceremony to Rani as well as his ascension as King of the Tree of Life. Before the ceremony begins, Kion approaches Rani, who says she's glad the Roar have returned back to the Tree of Life. Agreeing, Kion affirms it's here to stay as both look forward to ruling the Tree of Life together. Makini then anoints Kion's forehead, officially declaring him King of the Tree of Life as the crowd erupts in cheers. When Kion tells  Rani they'll make a great team, Rani responds they already are as both roar to commemorate their rule. Meanwhile, Askari, Janna, and Mufasa are seen appearing in the sky, looking down at the ceremony in happiness as the Great Lions of the Past Roar around them.