Return to the Pride Lands is the seventy-fourth episode of The Lion Guard and the nineteenth and final episode of Season 3. It is the series finale.
Synopsis
When the Lion Guard return to the Pride Lands, they discover that Vitani has formed her own Lion Guard in their absence.
Plot
Following the events from the previous episode, the Lion Guard, Jasiri and Janja follow 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 find the Guard. The hyenas have been living in hiding ever since, and thus don't know what happened after. Thinking Zira and her pride is still in the Pride Lands, the Guard realize they need all the help they can get, which comes in the
Kion's team is ready to defeat Zira
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 is even there, the Lion Guard is about to continue with great haste. Suddenly, Vitani, Kovu's sister, and a group of lionesses stop them in their tracks, warning the "Outlanders" not to invade the Pride Lands. Vitani, clearly the leader of this new group, barks out orders to Shabaha, Kasi, Imara, and Tazama, before launching an attack shouting out the phrase "Till the Pride Lands end, Lion Guard defend!".
Stunned at hearing their own 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
Vitani's Lion Guard about to fight Kion's Lion Guard

Kion thanks Jasiri and nuzzles her affectionately

Kion's family reunion
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 now explains that Zira raised him to believe that Simba and his pride of lions 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, they 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
Zira's Story explained

Kion and his family looking up at Mufasa

Kion and Kiara talk about queen Rani

An emergency at Mbali Fields
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 backward out of the hole, solving the problem, much to both teams’ shame. 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 original 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 the announcer. The contest is presented as a "best of" five 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 counterpa
The battle of the Lion Guards

the strongest challenge

The fastest challenge

The keenest of sight challenge

The bravest challenge
After four tests, Ono declares both teams to be tied up with a score of 2-2, and it all comes down to Kion against Vitani. Given the choice, Vitani calls for a mashindano to prove who is the fiercest. As the Pride Landers start chanting for the mashindano, an appalled Kion tries to tell Vitani she won't stand a chance against him because 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 before: "Only one who is willing to let go of the Roar completely...can truly master it."
Realizing she is right, Kion forfeits the last challenge, declaring that Vitani has proven herself to be the Fiercest by choosing to challenge him even without having the Roar. As a result, Vitani's team wins the contest, making them the new Lion Guar
Vitani uses the Roar of the Elders and becomes the new leader of the Lion Guard

Askari speaks to the Pride Landers

Kion masters the Roar

The queen with her true king
Appearances
Characters
![]() Kion
|
![]() Bunga
|
![]() Fuli
|
![]() Ono
|
![]() Beshte
|
![]() Anga
|
![]() Azaad
|
![]() Janja
|
![]() Jasiri
|
![]() Madoa (final appearance) |
![]() Cheezi (final appearance) |
![]() Chungu (final appearance) |
![]() Mzingo (redeem / final appearance) |
![]() Mwoga (redeem / final appearance) |
![]() Kovu
|
![]() Vitani (final appearance) |
![]() Shabaha (debut) |
![]() Kasi (debut) |
![]() Imara (debut) |
![]() Tazama (debut) |
![]() Kiara (final appearance) |
![]() Simba
|
![]() Nala
|
![]() Rafiki
|
![]() Zira (cave painting)
|
![]() Lioness (cave painting) (final appearance) |
![]() Timon (final appearance) |
![]() Pumbaa (final appearance) |
![]() Basi (non-speaking / final appearance) |
![]() Mbeya
|
![]() Shingo
|
![]() Hadithi
|
![]() Kulinda
|
![]() Ona
|
![]() Johari
|
![]() Zito
|
![]() Mtoto (final appearance) |
![]() Ma Tembo
|
![]() SableAntelope#1
|
![]() Boboka
|
![]() B. Baboon's Ma
|
![]() Baby Baboon (silent cameo/ final appearance) |
![]() Big Baboon
|
![]() Gumba's Mom
|
![]() Mufasa (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Laini
|
![]() Thurston (final appearance) |
![]() Vuruga Vuruga
|
![]() Bupu
|
![]() Mtoto's Mom
|
![]() Twiga (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() ♂Crocodile (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Makuu (final appearance) |
![]() Askari
|
![]() Makini
|
![]() Rani
|
![]() Tangaagim (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Cek (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Rama (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() F. Polar Bear (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Baliyo (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Nirmala (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Surak (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() King Sokwe
|
![]() Shujaa
|
![]() Tsah (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Sasem (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Pinguino (final appearance) |
![]() Tiifu
|
![]() Zuri
|
![]() Zazu
|
![]() Binga (final appearance) |
![]() Fikiri (cameo / final appearance) |
![]() Kitendo
|
![]() Majinuni
|
![]() Hafifu
|
![]() Janna (non-speaking / final appearance) |
Groups
![]() The Lion Guard (final appearance) |
![]() Jasiri's Clan (final appearance) |
![]() Janja's Clan (final appearance) |
![]() Mzingo's Parliament (final appearance) |
![]() Outsiders (final appearance) |
![]() Simba's Pride (final appearance) |
![]() Vuruga Vuruga's Herd (final appearance) |
![]() Mbeya's Crash (final appearance) |
![]() Twiga's Herd (final appearance) |
![]() Basi's Pod (final appearance) |
![]() Makuu's Float (final appearance) |
![]() Ma Tembo's Herd (final appearance) |
![]() Bupu's Herd (final appearance) |
![]() Baby Baboon's Troop (final appearance) |
![]() Big Baboon's Troop (final appearance) |
![]() Thurston's Herd (final appearance) |
![]() Pim's Group (final appearance) |
![]() Sokwe's Troop (final appearance) |
![]() Kitendo's Troop (final appearance) |
![]() Night Pride (final appearance) |
![]() Pinguino's Rookery (final appearance) |
![]() Tangaagim's Sleuth (final appearance) |
![]() Cek and Rama's Flock (final appearance) |
![]() Laini's Group (final appearance) |
![]() Kion's Army (final appearance) |
![]() Kulinda's Flock (final appearance) |
Locations
![]() Pride Lands (final appearance) |
|||||||
![]() Hakuna Matata Falls (final appearance) |
![]() Chakula Plains (final appearance) |
![]() Mbali Fields (final appearance) |
![]() Mizimu Grove (final appearance) |
![]() Pride Rock (final appearance) |
![]() Lair of the Lion Guard (final appearance) |
![]() Big Springs (final appearance) |
![]() Kulinda's Nest (final appearance) |
![]() Maumivu Thorn Patch (final appearance) |
![]() Urembo River (final appearance) |
![]() Mekundu Cliffs (final appearance) |
|||||
![]() Outlands (final appearance) |
|||||||
![]() Outlands Volcano (final appearance) |
![]() Termite Mounds (painting final appearance) |
![]() Broken Rock (final appearance) |
|||||
![]() Tree of Life (final appearance) |
![]() Four Stars (final appearance) |
![]() Mountain Pass (final appearance) |
Animals
![]() Lions (final appearance) |
![]() Honey Badgers (final appearance) |
![]() Cheetahs (final appearance) |
![]() Hippos (final appearance) |
![]() Egrets (final appearance) |
![]() Eagles (final appearance) |
![]() Hyenas (final appearance) |
![]() Vultures (final appearance) |
![]() Mandrills (final appearance) |
![]() Meerkats (final appearance) |
![]() Warthogs (final appearance) |
![]() Buffaloes (final appearance) |
![]() Rhinoceroses (final appearance) |
![]() Giraffes (final appearance) |
![]() Utamu (final appearance) |
![]() Hamerkops (final appearance) |
![]() Crocodiles (final appearance) |
![]() Elephants (final appearance) |
![]() Sable Antelopes (final appearance) |
![]() Baboons (final appearance) |
![]() Galagos (final appearance) |
![]() Zebras (final appearance) |
![]() Hyraxes (final appearance) |
![]() Gorillas (final appearance) |
![]() Polar Bears (final appearance) |
![]() Mountain Goats (final appearance) |
![]() Shrews (final appearance) |
![]() Penguins (final appearance) |
![]() Hornbills (final appearance) |