Kion left the mountain that day thinking, remembering and grinning at all the times he had led the guard around protecting the Pride Landers and lands all while getting and staying out of mischief. It was time to move on though, his guard duties are past him now and in the paws of his children, his royal duties have not ceased and he'll carry out his oath by Rani's side till his time sets. Walking back to the tree the rest of the family were chattering, Rani talking about how they'll need to pass a few tests to ensure they're fit for duty.

"What will the test be about?", Carlos asked his mother,

"The test my dear is something you won't know until you've passed", Rani said

"Indeed, for us, we didn't know until we got to the final destination, be patient young ones and you'll find your success", Kion announced walking in and hugging Rani,

"I got to go join the Day Pride for patrol, see you this afternoon?", Kion said walking out,

"Do you want us to train? Practise or something", Rafi asked standing up.,

"I want you three to gather the rest of the lion guard", Kion smirked,

"But their on patrol right now?", Karla stated confused,

"No dear; Your Lion Guard, I want you to gather up your Lion Guard, you three are the smartest, bravest and strongest, all you need is fastest and the keenest of sight", Kion said nodding to them before taking off.

"Alright, I think we can manage that", Carlos said, his brunette tail flapping in the air.

As soon as Kion left Makini walked in. "Good morning your majesty", Makini said happy and cheery as usual,

"Morning Makini", Rani said getting up and walking towards her, "Can you do me a big favour today please?", Rani asked,

"Of course, anything for my queen, what can I do for you?",

"I need you to tell everyone in the Tree Of Life that there'll be an announcement later this afternoon here at the tree", Rani stated.

"I can do that, may I ask what will the announcement be about?", Makini asked curious,

"All will be said later today", Rani said not giving away anything,

"Alright then, better get to work than, see you later my majesty, bye cubs", Makini said running off,

"Now I got to go and meet someone, you guys go gather your guard and meet back here mid afternoon", Rani ordered,

"Sure thing mother", Karla said getting up and walking out with the cubs,

"Good luck", Rani said, hugging each and every one of them as they passed, "I'm very proud of you".

"Thanks mum".

"So, do you think Grace is up for the challenge?", Carlos questioned,

"I don't know, well she is the fastest out of the three of us and she is a cheetah, what do you think sis?", Rafi asked looking at Karla,

"Well, I don't want to be the only female on the guard, so yeah let's go ask".

Carlos lead the way out of the tree and to where Azaad and Fuli now live, in the Kumujo Forest, a nice quiet place not too far from the tree or the Day/Night Pride's layout. Grace is two and a half years younger than the tree lions, but that doesn't mean she can't handle anything, she takes after her mother, her smartness, sensibility and of course speed, but she also gets her knowledge and humour and fun from Azaad. They entered the forest and began heading to their cave where they hoped Grace would be around.

"Hello? Knock knock, anyone home?", Karla announced, Azaad popped out of the cave welcoming them,

"Ah, hello guys, what brings you guys here?", Azaad questioned,

"Hi Azaad, Is Grace around? We need to ask her a question", Rafi stated,

"Sadly not, may I ask what's the question", Azaad asked,

"We can't say, but if you come to the tree this afternoon It'll be explained", Karla said,

"Alight, Well Grace said she was going up to Kaliam for the morning", Azaad exclaimed,

"Okay, thank you Azaad, see you later", Carlos said, running off to the east.

"Hey guys, wait up", Karla said running up to them, "Maybe we should split up, I'll go to Kaliam and you guys can go ask Ahren if he would like to join?", Karla suggested,

"Good ideas sis, you are the brains", Carlos said, running off with Rafi to Find Reid, Ahren's father. Karla went off in the other direction and started to climb the mountain towards Kaliam.

                     ......

Kion lead his guard around the west side of the valley checking in on animals and making sure the paths are unblocked,

"So, I hear there'll be an announcement made by the royals today? Wanna share what it is?", Fuli asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Nope", Kion said returning the same tone,

"Alright, is it important?", Bunga asked butting jumping onto Fuli's back who grunted and flung him forward,

"You'll find out later today", Kion said nudging Bunga back on his feet,

"Whatever it is, I'm sure It'll be okay", Besthe said clearing a boulder,

"Thanks Besthe", Kion said

"Hakuna Matata".

                         ......

Karla ran up the mountain and began smelling for Grace's scent, she found it and followed it, "Grace?", Karla called out, " You here? I need to tell you something, Azaad said you'll be here", Karla said scouting the area. No response, Karla sniffed the area and noticed her scent was getting stronger, looking around she was lost, no one was in sight apart from trees and bushes, "Grace?", Karla called out, she was about to call out again when she was pounced on,

"Aha, got ya", Grace chuckled grinning,

"Grace, c'mon, that's not how you treat a princess", Karla grinned,

"Oh please, you should of seen the look on your face", Grace said laughing now,

"Well, I do got to say, your hunting skills are getting better, thanks to me", Karla said sitting up,

"Maybe, so...What's this news you got to tell me?", Grace said, getting serious.

"Well, this stays between us for now, but...", Karla said leaning into her ear and whispering, "Would you like to join the Lion Guard?", Karla said excitedly.

"What? You mean mum's guard?", Grace asked confused,

"No, our guard", Karla stated,

"You're joking right?", Grace laughed rolling over onto her back and acting as if she was trying to get rid of ticks, Karla scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Oh, your serious", Karla nodded, "So wait you're offering a place in the Lion Lion Guard, not a role playing guard? But the actual guard?",

"Yep", Karla announced smiling,

"Does your father know?", Grace asked,

"Yeah, he told me this morning that he'll be stepping down from leader of the Day Pride, so will my mum and that it's our time to become the new Lion Guard", Karla spurted,

"Alright, so I'm assuming you're hiring me because of my speed?",

"Of course, what else?", Karla said quirking her head,

"I don't know my good looks?", Grace said pulling a face, Karla rolled her eyes and began walking down Kaliam. Grace followed.

                    ......

The two male lions finally made it to Ahren's, Reid's and Anga's tree, Carlos got on two legs and placed his two front ones on the root, "Ahren?", Carlos called out, Ahren was two years younger than the rest but he saw as hell had the keenest eye, not as strong as Anga, but with help and training, Ahren's eye would be as good as hers,

"Give me a second", Ahren called out, he was just finishing cleaning himself and making sure he was looking as bold as an eagle, it was always for the females he would say, "Down in a sec". Minutes later Ahren flew down and landed on a stump that was once supporting an oak tree but a storm blew off the top half of the tree. "So, what do you guys need?", Ahren asked, pecking under his wing.

"Well Ahren, how would you like it to join the Lion Guard?",

"The what?" Ahren yelled,

"Yo, we're right here", Carlos said shaking his mane, his mane was like Kion's, only the top half, meanwhile Rafi's was becoming more like Rani's father, or even Surak's,

"Sorry guys", Ahren coughed, "The Lion Guard you say?", Ahren said in a comfortable tone.

"Yeah", Rafi said,

"Aren't our parents a part of that?", Ahren said,

"Yeah?", Rafi said, "But we got news today that my parents are stepping down from their leading roles to focus on their royal duties", Carlos stated,

"What about the rest of the Guard?", Ahren questioned,

"Don't know, my parents say they'll announce is later today", Carlos stated, "So you in or?",

"Pftt, Of course I'm in, who doesn't want to be in?", Ahren said, taking off and doing the Ono spin.

"Alright, let's go meet up with Karla and Grace", Rafi said leading the way,

"Epic!", Ahern Exclaimed.

                    ......

"What a day", Besthe said relaxing in the lake,

"Yeah, was pretty busy", Fuli said cleaning herself,

"Glad the day's over", Anga announced, perching herself on a tree.

Kion walked over and lapped at the cool spring water, looking around he began reminiscing about the past, "Hey guys, I got something to tell you all", Kion said standing up, everyone stopped talking and began looking at Kion, "So, me and Rani have been thinking and we have decided to step down from the roles of leaders and focus on our royal duties and I know you guys are thinking on focusing on your lives as well with your partners",

"Do you think they're ready?", Fuli asked

"Yes, just like when we first started out, if we were ready, they're ready", Kion said confidently.

"I think that'll be a good idea", Besthe said,

"I know it may feel strange, sudden and heartbreaking, but maybe we could become the Night Pride?", Kion said,

"Whatever you choose I'll stick by you bro", Bunga said,

"Me too", Fuli said smiling,

"Affirmative", uttered.

                      ......

The sun was beginning to set over the Tree Of Life and every animal was gathered around the rock, chattering, excited yet curious, questioning, the young ones were sitting in the front row ears pricked and massive smiles on their face, the crowd soon died down when they saw Makini and Nirmala walk onto the limestone. "Animals of the Tree Of Life, thank you for taking your time to be here this evening, please welcome your majesties, Queen Rani and King Kion", Makini said, gesturing to the royal couple walking up onto the rock.

"Good evening everyone, thanks for being here, you probably wondering why we are gathered here today, well we're here to announce something very special, It was only eleven years ago when I first started to lead the Lion Guard around the Pride Lands and It's been a pleasure serving, protecting and laughing with them, you and everyone I came across through my journey of the Circle Of Life, I thank you all for your support, your bravery and your kindness, me and Rani have decided that it is time, time for a new generation, a new generation of a new Lion Guard", Kion said, chatter began to rise from the crowd . " Now you're probably wondering who? Why and When? Well our children, Carlos, Karla, Rafi, Grace and Ahren are going to take on our roles in the Circle Of Life, this would mean me and Rani will be stepping down from patrol duties and focus on royal duties full time, when will this happen is whenever me and Rani feel they are ready, the current Day Pride will take over the Night Pride Shift when the young ones pass, but till then, know they'll be training hard, learning and achieving many great things in their life". Shouts of hurrah, praises and blessings echoed in the area.

"May I call upon the new apprentices", Kion said,

"Karla, my dear daughter, princess and smartest, you will be there to guide one another in trust, knowledge and making sure the boys don't go crazy, one day you will become the queen, but till then, you are the smartest", Kion said as she sat down next to him. "Carlos, second born cub to me and Rani, leader of this new Lion Guard, you are responsible for everything you do, don't be afraid to go outside of your comfort zones, don't forget you have friends and family here to guide you, you are the fiercest. Rafi, my dear boy Rafi, strongest lion I know, you will be lifting and carrying out heavy objections and watching everyone's back making sure when the enemy hits hard you hit back twice as hard, you are the strongest. Ahren, keenest of sight, your job is serious, you are the eyes in the sky, you need to be on alert twenty four seven on patrol and need to report everything you see, even if it's the smallest of incidence and last but not least, Grace, your mother wasn't wrong she said you had the speed, your duty to get to every situation as fast as possible and scout out the danger, protect, defend, save and stall till the rest of your team gets there", Kion remarked looking at the crowd. "Animals of the Tree Of Life, say hello to your future Lion Guard".