The newly formed guard rambled on, guessing whose task would come up next. They already had the strongest, bravest, and the Fiercest, It's now only the fastest and the keenest of sight to face their task to see if they're worthy enough to protect the circle of life. 

"I'll place my dinner on the line and say that Grace will be the next task", Carlos announced eagerly. 

"Alright then, we'll make it a fair game and I'll say that Ahren will have his task next". Rafi said, placing his paw vertically on Carlos's paw, signaling a deal.

"What about the rest of you guys? Keen on joining in on the bet?", Carlos asked the group,

"No, I'd prefer to have dinner tonight", Karla said walking ahead, 

"What about you guys?", Rafi asked, his gaze looking at Grace and then to Ahren", 

"No thanks, not me, I'm going to need that food for when I do my task, we cheetahs burn off a lot of the food we eat, so I'm going to be hungry". Grace said prancing as if she is preparing for a race, 

"I'm with the others, you guys can have your bets", Ahren remarked. 

"Alright, your lost", Carlos shrugged, 

"Technically it's your food that's being lost", Karla shouted from the front, everyone laughed, the laughter bouncing off the cave walls and continuing forward. 

The guard came to a bend, the light was pouring in, the guard kept on walking until they reached the source of the light, an opening, the cave was an open plan, the roof stretching upwards for meters on end, gazing down the guard now saw where the light was coming from, It was a pool of lava sitting at the end of the cave, the river flowing downstream towards the east, most likely to the outlands, 

"What now?", Carlos asked. 

"I don't know, take a look around and see what we need to do?", Karla said tracing back and forth, there was a good distance between them and the lava, potentially a good ninety to one hundred meters, looking around they tried to see if there were traps in the floor but as they continued forward they heard a voice in the distance. 

"Help!", the voice in the distance shouted, the guard stood back up, ears pricked, Ahren flew up and squinted, his eyes shining as he looked to see who was in trouble, and to his surprise, there was someone in danger, a zebra found his way down here and was trapped on a rock that was breaking. 

"It's a zebra, he needs help soon or else he'll fall in, that rock doesn't look sturdy enough, Ahren shouted, now flying over to the stranded black and white horse, 

"We won't make it in time", Carlos said now running towards the lava, 

"Don't worry, I got this", Grace said sprinting past the guard, leaving dust trails behind, "Don't worry zebra, I'm coming, just hold on", Grace yelled. The zebra was panicking as well as to try running, but he had nowhere to go and the ground under him was collapsing, it was getting smaller and smaller by the second, too small in a matter of fact.

"Come on Grace, get there, he's about to fall", Ahren yelled, 

"I'm going as fast my legs can go", Grace said pinning her ears back and using all of her core strength to push, ten metres, nine metres, she was getting closer and she could see the zebra about to faint, the rock under him couldn't be any bigger than thirty centimetres, how he was able to stand without falling off amazed Grace, especially the fact that the lava was rushing past. The ledge was a few metres up so she'll need to push him upwards to get him over the edge to safety.

"Please hurry, I don't want to die", the zebra yelled, 

"Nearly there", Grace exclaimed, "come one", she closed her eyes and leapt, just in time for the zebra to topple over, unbalanced, she pushed the zebra upwards on a thirty-degree angle across, the force was so great they both landed on the other side of the cave. Out of breath, Grace looked to her side to see the zebra getting up and shaking his head, 

"Thank you for saving me, how could I ever repay you?", the zebra stated, 

"No need, just doing what I was supposed to do? Now how did you get down here in the first place?", Grace asked, 

"I don't know, I was walking and then the ground under me collapsed and here I am", the zebra stated. 

"Everything good over there?", Rafi called out from the other side, 

"Yeah, we're fine thanks", Grace yelled back getting up, 

"How do we get across?", Carlos asked, "we can't jump it in one go, the gap is too big",

"Just wait for a rock and jump across", Karla remarked jumping onto the rock and then onto the over the side. So each one waited for rocks to flow down one by one the two brothers made their way across the river of lava. 

"Was that my test?", Grace asked, 

"I don't know, I guess it was, to test your speed?", Carlos replied, 

"It was your test", the zebra butted in, "Kion asked me to participate and your correct Carlos, it was to test her speed and timing". 

"What if I messed up and you fell in?", Grace asked him, 

"I would have been fine, I could easily make this jump, I am a horse". 

"Well, looks like you owe me your dinner Rafi", Carlos said clearing his throat, 

"Oh come on, no please", Rafi said pleading, 

"Nope, a bet is a bet, own up", Carlos said nudging him, 

"Fine", Rafi sighed walking ahead ashamed. 

They walked ahead, exiting the testing cave and into another corridor of caves, they were about to discuss the next task when another set of voices shouted from behind, 

"Is there someone else I was meant to save?", Grace said annoyed, 

"No, it was only meant to be me?", the zebra stated confused, 

"So who's that?", Grace asked listening, 

"Help me, someone!", the voice shouted, the distress in his tone switched on Grace's feet and she raced back to help the animal

"You guys go on, I'll be quick". 

Turning the corner she saw a brown lion clinging on for dear life, Grace stopped to examine the situation and walked to the ledge. Karla walked up next to her and together they grabbed the lion by his scruff and dragged him upwards, 

"What are you doing down here?", Grace asked, 

"I'm sorry, I saw you guys enter this cave and I'd thought I'll follow you guys in, what are you guys?", the strange lion stated, 

"We're the lion guard, well will be when we finish our test", Karla said pushing Grace to the side, 

"Hey, watch it sis", Grace said annoyed, 

"This is a dangerous place, you shouldn't be down here", Grace said, 

"Oh sorry, I could leave but the entrance is kinda blocked so really I have no choice", the lion stated, 

"You could tag along with us", Grace suggested, 

"Yeah, sure thing, but if you get injured or worse, not our fault", Grace said sarcastically, 

"Grace!", Karla said blushing, "sorry about her".

"Don't worry about it",

"What's your name?", Karla asked, 

"My name is Rocky", 

"My name is Karla", 

"Nice to meet you, Karla", 

"You too", Karla stated blushing, 

"Well...Sorry to interrupt but we gotta go, come on, you can talk but you better get a move on", Grace sighed walking off, they giggled as they walked off towards the next task.