The journey to the Pride Lands was thrilling, all day the upcoming guard was wondering, guessing what test they may come across when they enter the Cave Of Secrets, that thought led into the night and now into the early mornings. Waking up Carlos yawned to the sound of the breeze flowing into the cave, whistling through small gaps in the guards' lair of Pride Rock. Looking around everyone was still fast asleep, Ahren was in Ono's old nest high on the ledge while Grace was sleeping on the rock where Fuli loved to lie in the sun, Karla and Rafi was bunched up against him, slowly moving trying to not wake them up Carlos made his way out of the lair, the sun just peeping over the horizon, stretching his back Rafi decided to go speak to his great grandfather, he was a little nervous, he has a big role, it's his duty to protect his guard and everyone from others who doesn't follow the circle of life, what if he fails? This became like deja vu all over again, the same situation when Kion was his age, questioning and asking himself if he was ready.

"Great Grandfather Mufasa?",

"Yes Carlos, I am here", Mufasa said appearing out of the orange clouds,

"Am I ready to lead the guard yet? I know I've been chosen and I am truly grateful but I don't know what to do. I know my father was in the same situation and he went through it but what if I can't do the things he did?",

"It's okay to feel this way, every leader goes through the same stages you're going through now, the only way Kion did the things he did was because he believed in his friends that stood by him and not only that, he believed in himself. I know you can do the same",

"How would I use the roar?",

"Like I told your father, trust your instincts my dear boy, no one can take that away from you, if you trust yourself, your friends and every decision you make, you'll be a great leader, don't try to be something or someone your not, just be yourself and you'll be fine".

"Asante Great Grandfather Mufasa", Carlos said pricking his ears up feeling better about himself,

"Hakuna Matata Carlos, good luck today, I know you can and everyone on the guard can do it, remember to trust your instincts",

"Will do Great Grandfather, Asante".

                                                                                           ......

Reluctantly getting up, Kion did his usual routine, stretch roar and give his family a morning hug, but this morning was different, he was all alone, the cubs were in the Pride Lands and Rani was visiting her brother but it was all good as Rani would be home today, just in time to head off to see how the new guard is coming along. Walking out the birds were chirping, praising for the beautiful day ahead,

"Morning Kion", Fuli announced walking over with the rest of the guard,

"Morning everyone", Kion said walking up to them,

"Rani not home yet?", Besthe asked,

"Not yet, she'll be home later this afternoon",

"Oo maybe we should throw her a surprise party?", Bunga excitedly shouted,

"She was only gone for two days Bunga, I don't think that's necessary",

"Oh, too bad. It would've been nice though",

"Maybe next time; anyways, today's patrol is going to be short as I got to head off to the Pride Lands, so for now we'll just do our rounds and make sure the herds are doing well and prepared for winter". Kion announced, leading them to the south entrance.

                                                                                ......

Arriving at the Cave Of Secrets the guard was astonished at the massive boulder blocking it's entrance,

"How do we get in?", Ahren asked,

"Karla try moving it?", Carlos asked, Karla got up, she tried rolling it aside but it was no use, the boulder was wedged in there pretty tight,

"No use", Karla said out of breath, thinking Carlos suggested if they all tried, one by one they got up on their haunches and tried moving the rock out of the way but it was no use again,

"What if you use your roar Carlos?", Grace annoyed,

"I don't know how to use it yet? But I'll give it a shot", Carlos said asking everyone to stand back,

"Carlos got into a stance and took a deep breath and tried to believe, he let go and roared, but it was just a normal roar, it wasn't the roar of the elders, disappointed and embarrassed Carlos turned to the guard who did nothing but support him,

"It's okay, we'll find a way in bro", Karla said scouting a way in,

"What do you have in mind sis?", Rafi asked,

"Hmm, we'll two of our strengths failed, maybe it's a job for the keenest of sight, Ahren, do you want to try looking for a way in from above?",

"Sure", Ahren said taking off into the sky, telescoping in scouting for a way into the cave,

"Anything?", Carlos shouted,

"Nothing yet", Ahren shouted back, "Oh wait, I see another entrance over here", Ahren announced flying down next to Karla,

"Show us the way". Ahren took off flying over to the hole in the top of the mountain ridge,

The hole was big alright, the guard walked over and bent in, well it was an entrance but if they jumped in they'll fall and break their legs, well except Ahren who could fly in,

"How do we all get in now?", Grace asked disappointed,

"I don't know, maybe if Ahren could go down and look for another entrance?", Karla suggested.

Ahren nodded and flew into the hole, it was dark but he was an eagle, his eyes were just bright enough to see in the dark,

"There's nothing here", Ahren said flying back out, Karla looked in and saw there was vines hanging from the roof of the cave straight down to the floor, maybe if she was...thinking she ran off back towards the main entrance and looked at how the boulder was wedged in,

"I got it, I know how to get in!", Karla shouted running back,

"How?", Rafi asked,

"Easy, we get that vine in the cave, cut it and you guys lower me in and I'll push the boulder out of the way", Karla said pleased with herself,

"But we tried moving, it wouldn't budge", Grace said confused,

"Trust me, It'll budge, now come on we haven't got all day", Karla said running to the hole in the mountain ridge, "Ahren, find something sharp to cut the vine out of the rocks and then you guys will lower me in",

"Great idea sis, no wonder you're the smartest" Rafi said.

Ahren came back with a sharp rock in his claws, flying in Ahren searched for the longest vine there was, looking and looking Ahren finally came across a sturdy vine that looked twice as long as the distance between the hole and the ground below, cutting it Ahren was able to grab a hold of the vine and carry it up to Karla who bit into it and dragged it to a rock that was placed at a few metres away from the hole, tying it around the rock and then around her body.

"Okay, guys gently lower me down carefully", Karla said walking to the edge, "Ready?", Karla asked turning back, nodding they carefully moved forward and lowered Karla into the hole,

"Keep going until I say stop", Karla echoed, looking down it was a far way to go but she had no fear for she trusted her team, after all her life is in the paws of the animals above,

"A little closer", Karla announced, Carlos was nearly at the edge, any further and he too would fall in,

"Ah, hey sis, I don't think I can go any further", Carlos tried to say, but it was a bit hard to speak with a vine in his mouth.

"Oh okay, just let go then", Karla shouted,

"But you'll fall", Carlos muffled back,

"Trust me", Karla shouted, with that Carlos spat out the vine, along with everyone else. Karla fell, but it wasn't that far, she landed on all fours, safe and sound she made her way back up, she got back onto her haunches and pushed, dust blew out from underneath as a glimmer of hope came across her mind, Come on Karla grunted,

"You okay Karla?", Carlos shouted from behind the rock,

"Yeah, I am okay, move out of the way", Karla said giving it one final push, her muscles were acing but she didn't give up.

"Come on sis, you can do it", Rafi shouted, " It's moving, it's so close to coming free, give it all you got", Rafi said giving her support. Grunting in pain Karla found enough strength to give it her all, the rock moving back and forth until it finally came free and went tumbling down the hill.

"Yes you did it, good thinking Karla", Grace shouted, out of breath Karla sat down and collapsed,

"Give me a sec", Karla said trying to catch her breath.

"Congratulations, you've successfully passed your first test", Rafiki said walking up behind them,

"Thank you Rafiki", Karla said sitting up, "Were you watching?",

"Yes I was and it was a smart move, you should be proud of yourself, well good luck young ones, down there you'll need to trust each other like you did up here, who knows what kind of challenges lay ahead. Just be aware of the Demigorden".

"What's that?", Karla asked,

"You'll find out soon enough", Rafiki said, chuckling to himself.