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Another beautiful day has begun at the Tree of Life, and Maelewano has woken up early and was sitting at the base of the tree and watching the sun rise. Kion wakes up shortly after and notices Maelewano wasn't nearby, so he gets up and stretches and heads outside to look for him. When he spots him sitting by the roots of the tree, he smiles. "Watching the sunrise Maelewano?" Kion asks, stepping over and sitting beside him. Maelewano looks up at him and nods. "Yep! I got up early to watch it like you told me to! You have to be up early to catch the sunrise!" he replies. Kion smiles and nuzzles him. "My dad used to tell me that when the sun rises, it's the lions of the past waking up from their own sleep, ready to help their families who are making their way through the Circle of Life." Kion says. ""Like my great grandfather Mufasa?" Maelewano asks. "Yes, like him." Kion replies. "Whoa, that's so cool." Maelewano says, curling his tail happily. Kion smiles and nuzzles him happily, then glances over as Rani steps out of the tree and looks at the two of them. She gives Kion a smile and nods, and Kion smiles back. "Now, we better get ready if you want to go on your playdate with Mrithi." He says to Maelewano. Maelewano perks up and smiles happily. "Oh yes! I'll be right back!" Maelewano says, running inside and getting the little flower bracelet that Mrithi made him the last time they were together, and washes his head tuft, before running out and smiling. "I'm ready!" He says excitedly. Kion chuckles at his eagerness and smiles. "You really enjoy being around Mrithi, huh?" he asks. Maelewano nods and curls his tail. "Y-yea! She's fun and playful, and I like hearing her giggle." he replies happily. Rani gives Kion a look and smirks. Kion nods knowing exactly what she's trying to say, and smiles. "Alright let's go. Uncle Baliyo, and Fuli will watch over the tree while we're in the outlands." Rani says. Maelewano nods and together the three head off on their trek to the outlands. Maelewano giggles and runs a little ahead of Kion and Rani, though he doesn't run far as Rani has told him multiple times to stay close. The day was warm but not overly hot, with the sun going in and out behind clouds every once in a while. "We chose a great day to have a playdate with Mrithi, I'm glad it's not raining." Rani says, looking up at the blue sky and smiling. Kion nods lightly. "True, but I'm sure Maelewano would see any day with Mrithi as a great day for a playdate." Kion says and chuckles. Rani nods, then whispers. "Between you and I, I know they're friends now but I can see it turning more like us at any time." Kion nods and chuckles. "I think you're right, though I don't mind, who are we to tell him who he can and can't like." Kion whispers back. Rani smiles and giggles. "I know it will be different if they do get together, but I would still be very happy for them." she replies. Maelewano runs a little faster as they soon enter the Pride Lands and continue onward towards the Outlands, arriving on the outskirts a few minutes later. "There's the Outlands, Mrithi is gonna be so happy to see us!" Maelewano calls back. Kion chuckles. "Yes but slow down, you're a bit to far away." Kion says. Maelewano nods and slows down so they can get closer, before they all continue to Jasiri and Janja's camp. When they arrive Mrithi tackles and hugs Maelewano. "Maelewano!" She says and wags her tail. Maelewano curls his tail and hugs back. "Mrithi!" He replies. The four adults chuckle and smile. "Alright you two, feel free to play around near the camp, but Do not go into the lowlands." Kion and Janja both say together. "Yes dad." Both cubs say together, giggling happily as they run around the camp. Rani smiles and stretches out near Jasiri, and the two start having a conversation. "I see Maelewano is wearing that bracelet Mrithi made for him, I'm so glad he likes it." Jasiri says with a smile. Rani nods and purrs lightly. "Oh yes, he loves it very much. He puts it on almost every morning." She replies. Kion nods and Chuckles. "And if he forgets to put it on he always feels a little bad about it." Kion says. Janja chuckles. "Yeah Mrithi is the same way about the twig and leaf tiara he made her, though if she plans to roll around a lot she puts it on her favorite rock so it doesn't get broken." Janja says. "That's a good plan, they both worked really hard on those gifts for each other. I'm happy they get along so well.'' Kion replies, watching as Mrithi leads Maelewano over to the den to show him some drawings she had made on the wall outside. Janja nods and stretches his legs, then smiles. "Yep, just like you and Jasiri when you met." He replies. "Heh yea, sure I was skeptical about Jasiri at first, but it's never nice to judge someone that way. Sisi Ni Sawa." Kion says happily. Jasiri smiles. "It's just like water and Rain!" Jasiri adds, and both her and Kion laugh. While the group is chatting Maelewano and Mrithi head to the cliff overlooking the Lowlands. "It looks so peaceful down there." Mrithi says. "Yeah but dad says we shouldn't." Maelewano says. "Aw come on, just a few minutes won't hurt, they won't even know we did it." Mrithi says. Maelewano glances back towards the camp, seeing them talking and chuckling happily. He then glances down at the Lowlands and smiles. "Okay, let's go!" he says happily, and he carefully runs down the side. Mrithi giggles and follows after him, and the two cubs begin to explore the new sights. As the two walk deeper a pair of eyes watch them from the bush, a Cobra then slithers away to a cave nearby and comes to Balaa. "Balaa, you aren't going to believe this. Janja and Jasiri's daughter and Kion and Rani's son are in our territory." The cobra says. Balaa hisses in surprise and smirks. "Really? What a pleasant surprise. We rarely have visitors in the lowlands, and what a treat to have the two cubs of our enemies wander onto our territory." he says with a grin. "What are you planning?" the cobra asks, grinning as well. "I say we strike at those cubs, take them as our prisoners so we get what we want from Jasiri and Kion." Balaa hisses with glee. The cobra smirks. "I second that idea." He says. Balaa nods and gathers up five cobras, two hyenas and three Jackals, before they all head off to get Maelewano and Mrithi. Mrithi is gleefully bouncing beside Maelewano when both hear a hiss and stop. "Well, it's not often that we have Visitors here. I say we must get acquainted." Balaa says and motions for the group to Surround the two cubs. The group quickly surrounds the cubs, and Mrithi looks at them and growls. "Leave us alone! You can't bother us!" She shouts. Balaa grins and slithers closer. "I believe I can, dear, this is my territory you're trespassing on." He replies. "Yea well, you're just a bunch of meanies!" Mrithi adds, glaring at them angrily while Maelewano tried keeping an eye on each of them and making sure they didn't get close to her. Balaa hisses and turns to the Jackals and hyenas. "If they don't cooperate, you know the drill." Balaa says. The group nods and then Balaa turns to the cubs. "The way I see it we have two options for trespassers like you. You either come with us to base willingly, or we force you to come with us." Balaa says and hisses. "We're not going anywhere with you, right Maelewano?" Mrithi asks. Maelewano nods and growls. "Yea, if you lay a fang on her, you'll be sorry!" he says, before bracing his paws against the ground, just like how he remembers Kion had told him he always did whenever he used the roar of the elders against enemies. Balaa laughs. "Look guys! Little cub here thinks he has a roar!" He says. The rest laugh and one of the hyenas smirk. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but the roar is only for the second born!" The Hyena says, and then all begin to move in on them. "Get... away... from....US!" Maelewano yells, before letting out a roar of his own, taking them all by surprise and sending them all flying back. The group of Lowlanders is scattered quickly from that, and Mrithi stares in shock at what just happened. Balaa manages to not get flung by the roar and hisses angrily. "You think you're such a tough little cub? Think again!" he shouts, before lunging at Mrithi with his fangs out. Maelewano quickly turns and faces him, letting out another roar that quickly tosses Balaa backwards before he can bite Mrithi. Maelewano then steps up right next to him and growls. "Next time I say get away from us, you go!" He says, letting out one last roar, and watching them all run away. Meanwhile at the camp Rani and Kion both look at each other upon hearing the roar. "Did you hear that too?" Rani asks. "Yea, that sounded like... the roar." Kion replies, then looks around the camp. "Maelewano and Mrithi aren't here, they could be in trouble!" he adds, before the four of them quickly run towards the direction the roar came from. "Whoa, h-how did you do that?" Mrithi asks, looking at Maelewano with wide eyes. He looks back at her and smiles. "I dunno, I just didn't want them to hurt you." he replies, hugging her tightly as Kion and the others soon arrive over the cliff from earlier. Janja looks around with the others and is the first to spot them. "Over there!" He says and points to them. Kion nods and the four quickly rush over to the two cubs. "Are you two ok?" Rani asks. "We're fine, thanks to Maelewano. Balaa and them came after us, and he roared them away." Mrithi says. "It can't be the roar, only the second born cub gets it..." Kion says. "But I did use the roar dad... they were threatening Mrithi, and... I don't know how, but I just roared, but it was different.. . It didn't look like yours when you roar." Maelewano says. "Can you do it again?" Kion asks. "I'll try dad." Maelewano says and tries, only letting out a normal cublike roar. Mrithi giggles and hugs him. "Aww, that was cute!" she says happily. Maelewano chuckles and lightly shakes his head. "Sorry dad, it's not working now." He replies. "That's okay Maelewano, we're just glad you're both okay." Kion replies, ruffling his head tuft. Rani looks at them both with a stern look. "Yes, I'm glad you're both okay but you disobeyed us. What do you have to say for yourself?" She asks. Maelewano opens his mouth to speak, but Mrithi stops him. "It's not his fault... It's mine. I wanted to explore farther. He said you said we can't go here but I persisted, saying we'd only be in here for a few minutes..." She says. Jasiri looks at her and frowns. "Well I'm sorry sweetie, but no special treat for dinner tonight then." she says. Mrithi lowers her head lightly and paws the ground. "I understand mom, sorry." she says lightly. Jasiri gives her a loving nuzzle and licks her cheek. "I'm not mad at you, I'm just ticked that you didn't listen to our rules. Both of you could have been hurt, and we would be devastated." she says. Mrithi nods and nuzzles her back, and gives her a hug. "Love you mommy." she says with a smile. Maelewano looks back at the direction the lowlanders ran, then at Mrithi and the others. "Sorry we didn't listen to you guys..." he says. Kion nods. "I get it, dad did the same when he was a cub, and he learned his lesson. I hope you two have learned your lesson?" Kion says. Mrithi and Maelewano nod, and they follow Kion and the others back to the safety of the camp. Once there, Jasiri and Rani inspect the two just to make sure they didn't get any injuries before they allow the cubs to continue playing together. Kion thinks to himself, wondering how Maelewano could have roared like that. Kion excuses himself to go off to a nearby cliff overlooking the pridelands and sits down, before looking up towards the sky. "Askari?" Kion asks. Askari appears and smiles. "How can I help you Kion?" He asks. Kion takes a deep breath. "My son and only cub just used the roar, but I thought it only comes to the second born." Kion says. "He used the roar? That is odd and you are correct. The Roar of Elders only comes to the second born cub of the royal family. The first born having it is not normal." Askari replies with a confused expression. Kion nods and thinks back to what Maelewano had said. "Him and Mrithi were down in the Lowlands and Balaa threatened to hurt them. Then Maelewano stood in front of Mrithi to protect her and he let out the roar." he explains. "Do you think this could be a different version of the roar?" he adds with a surprised look. "It could very well be, we'll have to keep an eye on it, who knows what it may be capable of. If we are to test his ability we must wait for him to feel threatened, it could be a defensive roar, or it may be very similar to the regular Roar of The Elders, we can only find out as he gets more proficient in it's use, for now, I suggest you come up with a name as for now we only know its a different version." Askari says. Kion thinks for a moment, then smiles. "He was doing it to protect his friend, how about the Roar of Friendship?" he asks. Askari chuckles at the name and smiles. "It does fit what he was trying to do, and we can always change the name if we think of something else. Perhaps you will have to let Maelewano show it to me and I can see how he did it." he replies. Kion nods and takes a deep breath. "I'll be back soon, I have an idea." Kion says, before running over to the camp. "Janja, Jasiri, Rani. I just had an idea on how we could get Maelewano to replicate his roar in defense of Mrithi. Neither of them know Vitani and her Guard, what If we convinced them to act as if they were wanting to hurt Mrithi, and we could get Maelewano to roar at them so Askari could watch and figure out what's going on, after all, he was the one who discovered the Roar." Kion says. Rani thinks for a moment and looks at Jasiri, who nods and smiles. "It might work, so long as Vitani and her guard act well enough to seem like they really want to hurt Mrithi." She replies. "Yea, if that's how it worked with the Lowlanders trying to hurt her then Maelewano would definitely want to do everything he can to protect Mrithi." Janja adds. Kion heads over to Mzingo's tree and looks up at him. "Mzingo?" Kion asks. Mzingo smiles. "Hello Kion, how can I help you?" Mzingo replies. Kion explains the situation and idea he had. "Ah I can let them know right away." Mzingo says. "Thank you Mzingo." Kion replies. Mzingo nods and flies off towards the Pride Lands, searching for Vitani and her Guard. Once he spots them he flies down and lands nearby. "Mzingo, haven't seen you in a while. What's going on?" Vitani asks. "Kion would like you and your guard to help him out with something, can you and your guard come to the Outlands?" he asks. Vitani smiles. "Sure we can. Let's go guys!" Vitani says, smiling at her Guard. The others nod and follow Mzingo to where Kion is waiting. "How can we help you Kion?' Vitani asks and curls her tail. "I know this isn't how you normally act, but I need you to pretend to be evil and be convincing, I need you to threaten Maelewano and his friend Mrithi, Maelewano used the roar in defense of her from Balaa, which isn't normal, and Askari wants to watch and figure out what exactly is happening." Kion says. Vitani frowns and tilts her head lightly. "So you want us to pretend to attack your son and Jasiri's daughter?" She asks. Kion nods and explains that the roar he used was different from the roar of the elders, and only came out when he was protecting Mrithi. Vitani looks at her friends, who nod and grin. "Alright, we can do that for you Kion." she says with a smirk. Kiom smiles and lightly nuzzles her. "Thanks Vitani, right now they're exploring the canyon near the camp, if you guys can get them there it may be enough to get him to roar." Kion says. "I'll also let Askari know." Kion adds. Vitani nods. "Let's go guys, we can do this." Vitani says. While Vitani's Guard heads towards the canyon, Kion heads up along the cliff side and calls for Askari again. He shows up once more, and Kion explains the plan to him. "Interesting plan Kion, let's see if it works." Askari replies. Kion nods and waits, as he glances down and sees Maelewano and Mrithi playing around and Vitani and her guard approaching quickly. Vitani takes the lead and growls lightly. "Oh look what we have here. Two little cubs, all alone." She says to her team. One of the other lionesses nods. "Such easy targets, no one around to protect them." She says. Maelewano growls and stands between them and Mrithi. "I don't know who you are, but you can't hurt us, our parents are the leaders of the Outlands and Tree of Life!" Maelewano says. "Wait you mean to tell us you're the cubs of our biggest enemies, Jasiri and Kion!?" Vitani says, and laughs evilly. "That just makes it much better getting rid of you!" Another lioness says. Mrithi stares at them and growls. "You better stay back, he knows how to send meanies like you away!" she says. "Oh really? I'd like to see him try. Attack!" Vitani growls, and her guard races towards Maelewano and Mrithi. Maelewano braces his paws like he did before and growls, facing them defensively. "Stay, away, from my friend!!" he shouts, then lets out the roar. Askari watches in Surprise, as it sends most of the guard flying, besides Vitani, who, having the roar, knows how to avoid getting flung by it. "You have a roar!? How! You're the only cub!" Vitani says. Maelewano growls. "I do! And if you don't wanna get it again you best run!" He says. "I'm going I'm going!" Vitani says and runs to catch up with the rest of her guard, who then go to meet up with Kion. "Did you guys get that?' Vitani asks, looking at Kion and Askari. Kion and Askari both nod, and Askari thinks for a moment. "It does appear to be similar to the Roar of the Elders, but mainly for defensive purposes." He replies. Kion nods and frowns. "It's odd seeing Maelewano able to use it, but he really cares for Mrithi and wants to protect her." he replies. "Hmm, I think a new name for this roar is in order then. Instead of the Roar of Friendship, how about the Roar of Heirs?" Askari suggests. Kion nods. "It does work, as he is the Heir, perhaps it is the Roar of the Elders, but Maelewano was the first to discover it can also apply to the first born if they are trying to protect friends and family. After all, you discovered the Roar in the same way, Askari." Kion says. "I mostly agree. I can see very subtle differences between his roar and the roar of the elders, such as it applies to the first born, and seems to be able to be used later in life than the roar of the elders, as the youngest cub I saw use the roar was 4 months old. It also appears that it starts out fairly defensively. Whereas the roar of the elders is more evenly split between offense and Defense. However they're also very similar. They both happen when there is a major threat, they both have the same lion roar appearance in the clouds, and they can both send enemies flying. I think we need to watch him use it more to know its full potential. Just like when I found the roar, he may need to train to unlock his full potential with it." Askari replies. Kion nods and smiles, curling his tail proudly. "Thank you Askari, I will train him and see how much he can use it and how it can grow with him." He replies. Askari nods and smiles, then disappears into the clouds. "And thanks Vitani for letting us do this, it really helped." Kion adds with a smile. Maelewano looks up and growls seeing Vitani and her guard near Kion. "They're trying to hurt dad!" Maelewano says, and runs with Mrithi up to the cliff and growls at Vitani's Guard. "Leave My dad alone!" He says and gets ready to roar at them again. Kion quickly runs between Maelewano and Vitani's Guard. "Maelewano it's ok, they're not actually bad lions, we had to have them threaten you to see your roar In action. One of your ancestors, Askari, who found the Roar in the first place wanted to see it in action to see if he could determine what was going on." Kion says. Vitani nods. "Yeah, me and your dad are actually really good friends." Vitani says. Maelewano frowns and tilts his head, looking confused. "Wait, so you didn't actually want to hurt us?" he asks. Vitani shakes her head and smiles, lightly ruffling his head tuft. "Of course not little guy, it was just an act to see your roar. I gotta tell ya, that's pretty cool that you can do that." She says. Maelewano blushes lightly and giggles. "Heh, thanks! I don't know how I did it, I just wanted to keep Mrithi safe." He replies. Vitani nods and smiles. "And I'm glad you want to keep her safe, that's what makes you a good future leader, you're not afraid to stick up for your friends and family." Vitani says. Kion nods. "I'm sorry we had to do that to you Maelewano, but we needed to see your roar in action to get a proper assessment of it." Kion says. "I understand dad, I'm glad it wasn't a real threat." Maelewano says, then turns to Vitani's guard. "Sorry for roaring at you." He adds. Vitani smirks and chuckles. "No problem, I know how to handle a roar." She replies, before turning to her friends and smiling. They then head out, and Kion and Maelewano return to the camp with Mrithi and Kion explains to Rani and the others what he found out. Rani and the others smile. "So it's related to your roar then, Kion?" Janja says. Kion nods. "Askari thinks the two roars are closely related, while being separate roars, he wants me to Train Maelewano in the Roar's use to further assess its capabilities." Kion says. "That would make sense, I mean he told us that he sent the lowlanders flying because they were trying to harm Mrithi. So it sounds like he somehow obtained a different version of it from you Kion." Rani replies. Kion nods and smiles. "It's interesting to say it that way, I didn't know the roar could be passed through that way, and so Askari came up with a new name for it. The Roar of Heirs." He explains. Rani smiles and Curls her tail. "At least we now know that even after you, the roar, or at least some version of it, will stay at the Tree of Life, Like Grandmother Janna wanted." Rani says "You know, you're right Rani. Maybe Janna knew this was going to happen?" Kion says. "I doubt that, but it would be kinda funny if she did." Rani replies and laughs. Jasiri and Janja chuckle as well and smile. "Well the good news is we at least figured out how he uses it, now we just have to get him to control and grow it like Askari said" Jasiri replies. Kion nods and curls his tail as well. "Yea, though I'd have to find time to fit training into parts of my schedule as a leader already." He replies, rubbing the back of his neck with a paw. Janja smiles and pats Kion. "What if Rani and Her brother Shared duties while you Train Maelewano, I Mean, you guys already put him in charge when you come here, and he does a good job, what's to say He and Rani wouldn't do even better than Him and Fuli?" Janja says. "I wouldn't be against that, I just don't want to put too much of my duties onto him." Kion replies. Rani smiles and stretches her paws. "Well I can always handle things on my own while you train Maelewano, it would only be for a few hours of the day." She replies. Kion nods and smiles. "I'm glad you're okay handling things on your own, Rani." he says, nuzzling her proudly. Maelewano looks at them having been listening the entire time. "You mean I may be able to use my roar like you dad?" Maelewano asks. "Potentially, we have to see what limits your new roar has." Kion replies. "I'll, I'll do everything you say dad! I'll listen and train really hard to get my roar to be just as strong as yours!" Maelewano says, bouncing around excitedly and grinning widely. Kion chuckles and pats his head. "I guess that settles it, I'll train you as much as I can." he replies happily. Mrithi looks at Janja and Jasiri. "Can I watch him train? Please!?" Mrithi asks. Kion chuckles and ruffles her head tuft as well. "I don't think that would be a good idea Mrithi. Until he fully knows how to control it, it could potentially cause you harm, a roar is a very powerful thing, I would know.... I almost hurt my mom with it when I was younger." Kion says. Jasiri nods and looks at her. "It would be a lot of work to bring you there and back every time they train, I'm sorry sweetie" she replies. "But how will he train without a friend that could be in danger?" Mrithi asks. "There are other ways to bring out the roar without actually being in a dangerous situation, we just have to find other ways of triggering it." Kion replies. Janja nods. "Yeah. I know personally. I was the subject of the roar a lot." He says. Kion laughs. "Yeah, you were. I'm glad I don't have to use it on you anymore." Kion says. "You and I both. I hated that thing." Janja says. "And yet you kept coming back to get it." Kion says. "Yeah... I didn't know when I was beat." Janja says. Kion chuckles and smiles, giving him a hug. "Anyway now that we know what the roar is all we can do is train and make sure you can control it Maelewano. We should head back to the Tree and get started as soon as we can " He replies. Rani nods and smiles. "Yep, and relieve Baliyo and Fuli of leader duty." she says with a smirk. Maelewano nods and hugs Mrithi. "See you next time. I will show you what I learned too!" Maelewano says. "Oh no you won't, we only use the roar in emergencies." Kion replies. "Aww! OK dad." Maelewano says. Jasiri sees the look on Mrithi's face. "And that's doesn't mean we purposely get into an emergency." Jasiri tells her. "Awww, rats!" Mrithi says, huffing lightly and kicking a rock with her paw. Rani giggles and turns to Jasiri. "Thank you for having us over again, it was a fun visit" she says with a smile. "Thanks for coming, always a pleasure to see you both." Jasiri replies, hugging Rani and smiling. Rani hugs her back, and then gives Janja a quick hug, before she leads Maelewano off while Kion says his goodbyes. Kion gently bumps Jasiri's side and smirks. "Have fun with your daughter, and make sure she stays out of trouble." Kion says. "We always try." Jasiri replies, and the three wave to Kion as he runs to catch up with his family. When the three lions arrive at the Tree of life they're greeted by Baliyo, Fuli and the rest of Kion's Guard. "Welcome back guys. How did it go?" Fuli asks. "Fairly well. But you aren't going to believe this. Maelewano found a new type of Roar." Kion says. Fuli's eyes widen slightly in surprise and Ono frowns. "A new type of roar, how is that possible?" Baliyo asks. "It happened when Mrithi was being threatened by the Lowlanders, Maelewano stood between her and them and did everything he could to protect her, and he let out a roar that sent them flying. I then asked Askari about it, we came up with a new name for it. The Roar of Heirs" Kion explains. Bunga smiles. "Unbungaleivable! Two roars!" Bunga says. Kion nods. "Askari wants me to Train him how to use it, and for sure, how not to use it. I'm sure that if he used it if angry... it might do the same thing that happened when I did." Kion says. "Yeah that was something seeing your roar come back at us." Fuli replies. "I knew I shouldn't use it in anger then, but I did... and we all know what happened. Now I'm taking Maelewano to Cikha Escarpment to train him." Kion says. "Good luck Kion!" Beshte says. "Thanks Beshte, I'll keep you guys updated on how the training goes." Kion replies, before leading Maelewano out that way. Rani smiles and watches them go, excited to see how the training would work out. Fuli looks at Rani. "How are you so calm about your son getting a roar?" Fuli asks. Rani giggles. "Because I know my son, and I know he would only use it for good." Rani replies. "Fair." Fuli says. Meanwhile Kion brings Maelewano up to an edge of the Escarpment and smiles at Maelewano. "Are you ready?" Kion asks. "I... I think so dad." Maelewano replies. Kion smiles and places a paw on his shoulder. "I know its scary thinking about all this, but I'm here beside you every step of the way. We'll figure out your new roar and you'll learn to control it, just as I did." he says. Maelewano takes a deep breath and nods, curling his tail happily. "Thanks dad, I can do this!" he says proudly. "When you're ready, face out and try and let out a roar." Kion says. Maelewano nods and takes a deep breath, and turns to face out, first letting out just a normal roar. "Focus Maelewano. You can do it." Kion says. Maelewano nods, and focuses, soon the wind picks up and Maelewano takes a breath, and lets out his first roar that isn't in defense, knocking a boulder off the far edge of the Escarpment. "Whoa! I did it!" he shouts, his ears perking up excitedly. Kion smiles and looks at another boulder. "Good, focus again and try and hit that farther one." He instructs. Maelewano nods and focuses once again, making the wind swirl around him as he lets out another roar and hits the farther boulder. Kion smiles and curls his tail. "Very good. Now. Do you think you can hit both those over there?" Kion says, pointing to two boulders side by side to his right. "I can try." Maelewano replies, taking another deep breath, before turning and focusing, and letting out another roar, hitting both but only manages to knock one down. "Awww!" Maelewano says. "It's ok, you did hit both, even if you didn't knock them both down, let me set them up for you again." Kion says, using his own roar to carefully lift the rock back to the top and set it beside the other. "Woah! Do you think I'll be able to do that sometime?" Maelewano asks. "It depends on the limits of your new roar, we don't know what it's limit is." Kion replies, then instructs Maelewano to try and knock them both down again. He nods and continues trying, most of the time only able to knock one over. But after some practice and continued effort, he finally manages to knock both rocks over together. "There you go, those rocks are not easy to take down even one on their own, but taking down two is a big challenge and you handled it pretty well!" Kion says. Maelewano smiles and Curls his tail, then locks his eyes on a very big rock, and smirks. Kion follows his gaze and chuckles. "You can sure try and take that one down, but don't be afraid to come back and try another day of training." Kion says. "I want to try, even if I can't I still want to try." Maelewano replies, taking a few deep breaths and turning to face the rock. Maelewano closes his eyes and focuses hard on making the biggest roar he can safely muster, the wind picking up around the two, before Maelewano opens his eyes and roars, causing the rock to wobble, but not topple right away, Maelewano however, not deterred let's another roar out, and causes the rock to topple over, even if it didn't fall down off where it was sitting. KIon's eyes widen in surprise and he smiles. "Wow, that's an amazing start Maelewano. It took me a lot longer to even knock down that rock." he replies. Maelewano purrs proudly and grins. "I just kept thinking about Mrithi being in danger, and it made me feel a lot stronger. Keeping her safe is all I care about, and it helped me knock the rock over!" he says. Kion smiles and ruffles his head tuft. "I think we can finish training for tonight, and come back tomorrow, you've already accomplished a lot." Kion says. Maelewano nods and smiles. "Yeah, I'm proud of what I've accomplished today." Maelewano says, curling his tail happily. Kion nods. "And I'm proud of you." Kion replies, before both head back to the tree. Once they arrive, Maelewano runs over to Rani and tells her what he was able to do after training for a while. "Oh my, that's quite impressive! I'm so proud of you Maelewano." she says, nuzzling him happily. He nuzzles her back and smiles. "Like I said to dad, i just kept thinking about Mrithi being in danger and it made my roar stronger!" Maelewano says. Kion smiles at Rani. "I was very impressed at what he accomplished in such a short amount of time." Kion says. "I can imagine. It took you weeks of training to knock down the big rock, and Even longer to knock it off. And he knocked it down in his first day." Rani replies. "Yeah, he definitely has the mindset to train hard though, he wants to try his best to get as good at it as he can." Kion says. "I'm proud of you Maelewano, and you Kion for being such a good teacher. I knew you would be a great dad." Rani says, licking Kion's cheek. Kion smiles and licks back, then yawns and stretches. "It's been a long day, we should get some rest. We can train some more tomorrow Maelewano." He says. Maelewano nods and stretches as well, smiling happily. "Night mom, night dad!" he says, then heads inside the tree. Rani smiles and waves, before heading over to Queen Janna's Grave and looking up. "Grandmother?" Rani lightly asks. Queen Janna appears and smiles warmly at Rani. "Yes Rani?" She asks. Rani smiles at her and curls her tail. "I'm sure you've seen, but me and Kion's son has discovered a new roar. I was worried that when me and Kion finished our time in the Circle of Life that the roar would once again Leave the Tree of Life, after you had been so excited and hopeful that it would Return. Do you think that my worry caused the great lions of the past to bestow a new type of roar on Maelewano?" Rani asks lightly. Queen Janna smiles and looks at her happily. "It is a possibility Rani, worry is a powerful emotion and if the great lions of the past sensed your worry then I believe they did what they could to help you." she replies. Rani smiles brightly and curls her tail. "That's amazing, I'm happy they listened to my worries." She says with a giggle. Queen Janna nods and smiles. "I could definitely sense your worry about the Roar leaving the Tree of Life after you and Kion finished your journey through The Circle of Life, so it is very possible the Great Lions of the Past did as well. However, if it was the case, I would suggest you make sure Maelewano understands the Importance of the gift he was given. Especially of such a powerful gift like a roar. There is immense responsibility placed upon those who Wield a roar." She replies. "I understand, I'll make sure to remind him of its importance and how he has to take great care in using it. Thank you grandmother." Rani says, bowing her head and smiling. Queen Janna smiles and bows to her as well, then disappears into the clouds as Rani turns and heads back to the Tree. When she arrives she finds that Kion is gently rubbing Maelewano's back as he cries. "What's wrong Maelewano?" Rani asks. "He's worried that he was given the roar because there's a threat to the Tree of life." Kion replies. Rani smiles and has Maelewano look at her. "Maelewano. I don't think you were given the gift of the roar because of a threat, moreso I think you were given the gift because the Great lions of the past trust that by giving you such a powerful gift, that you know the responsibility you possess, not just as the wielder of the roar, but as a future King. I also feel that they know that when it's your turn to take the Throne, a roar may come in useful to defend your pride from threats that could arise." Rani says. "I spoke to Grandmother Janna about you getting the roar, and she wants me to remind you that the gift of the roar comes with great responsibility, and that you must always remember that you got the roar as you are a good lion." Rani adds. Maelewano brushes a paw across his face and sniffles, looking up at her worriedly. "Y-you really think so mom?" He asks. Rani smiles and licks his cheek, and hugs him tightly. "Yes sweetie, nothing is going to threaten the Tree of Life for a long time, and if so we have your father and the Night Pride to help protect it" she says. Maelewano takes a deep breath and then smiles lightly. "Thank you mom. And about... being a future king." Maelewano starts. "I want to do the best I can to become a great king, like dad... but.... I think I need help to do so." He finishes. Kion smiles. "Maelewano, you're already on your way to becoming a great king in the future, me and your mother know when the time comes, you'll be ready to take the role in stride." Kion replies. Rani nods and smiles. "Yes, there is still a long road ahead before you become king. And we will be by your side until that time comes around." She replies. Maelewano perks up and smiles brightly. "You're right, thanks mom and dad." He says, nuzzling them both before yawning and lying down. Kion and Rani smile at each other, then lay down beside Maelewano and they all soon drift off to sleep.

Location: Arborton, Leyland Protectorate. The new girls were permitted to return to their homelands to tidy up loose ends from their private lives. On the orders of Empress Nila herself, Lieutenants Viola, Jenjen, Grbi, and Sabrina were granted a week-long furlough to see family, friends, and do whatever they felt was necessary conducive to a professional life in Evaland. They were permitted to extend an invitation to their families, to their boyfriends. In short, they had unilateral authority to bring their lives with them. Being Humans and from Leyland, Sabrina and Viola went together and met the other's family and friends. On their last day abroad, Viola and Sabby travelled to the quiet, hilly, and woodsy town of Arborton in Easter Leyland, where Sabby's shrunken Human boyfriend was staying with relatives. On their way she had explained to Vi that during the pandemic, Sabby was one of the few members of her family who didn't die or shrink as a result of Other Way Out, and that her boyfriend of six years was shrunk down as a result of the sickness as well. She giggled when she revealed that she had known her boyfriend all their life, and that never had he grown taller than her. Sabrina Falconer, at five feet seven inches, was taller than most other girls, but not one of the tallest in her graduating class. She was two inches taller than her boyfriend before the shrink, and for two years, they cautiously dated. Whenever she went somewhere with him, she forbade him from riding in her cleavage, and that was when her breasts were still very small. They had sex only twice before he shrunk, and whenever they kissed, she would kiss her fingertip and touch his little lips with it. It was an unorthodox and difficult relationship, but only because of their size difference. Her dating a shrunken boy was partly what made Sabrina an appealing candidate for the Vallusia Academy of Size in the first place. When they were two houses away from her boyfriend's relatives' house, a small brick house on Wells Street, Vi decided to fall back and watch, to give Sabrina a little distance so that she could share intimacy with her boyfriend. Once out of the house, Sabrina kept her boyfriend safely cupped between her hands, like old times, and walked him to the wooded park behind the street so the two could be alone. Vi followed, watching the two closely. It wasn't creepy at all, if anything, Sabby appreciated that Viola had her back in a world where the Shock Squad was running loose. Under the red and yellow autumn leaves above them, Sabrina Falconer and boyfriend Tommy Rundt chatted privately at a line picnic table near a maple tree which was slowly showering the ground with brilliant red leaves. Sabrina was dressed in a cute black, brown, gold, and red dress that was buried beneath a long cafe au lait brown pea coat with a waist sash tied. She was beautiful, gorgeous, everything that made a Micronaut particularly dangerous to a man. Her black hair was swept aside and she had a light gray hair band with a matching bow off-center to her left side. Even in black leggings and dark brown knee high boots whose heels clomped proudly with every step that she took, the slight breeze chilled Sabby. As for Tommy Rundt, an inch and a half small, a very dark brown short hair with a short ponytail at the back, dark eyes that always seemed to look up at his giantess girlfriend with a large degree of angst and longing. He grabbed a large red maple leaf and threw it around his shoulders and sides to shield him from the zephyr, because his little made-for-small green and black jacket wasn't cutting it for him. So with her back against the table, her arms and hand spread out behind her, her right leg over the left, and looking straight ahead at the back of the row of nearby houses, Sabrina laid it on thick for her boyfriend, who she knew desperately missed seeing her. "Tommy, I have something very difficult that I must tell you, and no, I'm not breaking up with you." She muttered to him. Tommy sat against his giant girlfriend's left arm a few inches away from her shoulder. From his spot he saw that her once small C-cup breasts had evidently grown significantly since she left two years ago for Size Academy. And even though he had seen her several times before her second and final year of training, he was scheming a way to convince his girlfriend to go on a ride between them. In the back of her mind, Sabby suspected this was distracting, but didn't mind so long as he listened. "What m, my darling?" He asked her. "Emm..." She started to mumble, noticing Vi off in the distance sitting by herself at another table. Suddenly she was cut off by little Tommy. "You're more beautiful than ever, have you been working out??" He thought to ask. This disregarded the fact that Sabby was very fashionable and consciously dressed to impress. She appreciated the compliment and smiled. "Yes I haaaaave, actually." She murmured to him, looking his way. "Wanna know something else?" She was teasing him with a half smile. "Yeah!" He responded. "You remember how I was always taller than you?" Sabby reminded him. "How i used to kiss you on your nose because you were so short-" "Hey! I wasn't short!" Tommy interrupted her with a chuckle, always being teased by Sabby and others for being short before the shrink. "I was fun-sized!" He joked. This made Sabby giggle. She missed his sense of humor. She smiled for the first time, showing perfect white teeth at him. The smile was a double-edged sword for a guy small like him. On the one hand, a happy giant girlfriend was always desired, on the other, showing teeth reminded Tommy that he was little and if she was truly angry, she could eat him and no one would ever know what happened. Sabby wasn't the type, and he knew it, however. "I missed you." She told him, brushing her cute twirly sidekicks of her shiny black hair. "I missed you too." He said, smiling up at her. "So what about your height? Were you fulfilling a quota of size jokes, or something? Haha?" He asked her, slightly nervous. "I'm growing taller." She revealed to him. This was both exciting and scary news to a guy whose girlfriend was many times his size. Although she didn't see it, his eyes showed worry. "You are?" He meekly responded. "Mhmm!" She nodded, and brushed her sidelock away from her shoulder again. "Where I'm living, the girls grow huge and the men stay small." "Right... Evaland...?" He muttered. "So are you saying I would fit in there? At my size?" Sabby nodded again. For all the strengths of their relationship, there was one fragile crack in the plaster that made up their love. Tommy could handle being called "Two-Inch Tommy", "Tom Thumb", or anything else to reference his size, but after a bit, it became sensitive, and after learning that his girlfriend was moving to Evaland to study at the only size science school in the world, the humor of being little didn't always show itself. Tommy Rundt discovered that he felt smaller when Sabby was away, and in a sense, he felt threatened by her new education. Now that she had returned and offered him a new life among the little of Evaland, he felt slighted by her, but tried to play cool for a little while longer. Finally, in her bid to impress her tiny boyfriend and make him feel safe, Sabrina Falconer unleashed his insecurities unknowingly. "Tommy, I want to tell you that I actually never graduated from the Academy of Size. I was kicked out..." At first Tommy was relieved because his sense of envy was diminished. He was afraid Sabby would go on to become a great size researcher under Dr. Silver as she had dreamed and made him aware of many times, only for her huge shadow to cast over him and he be forgotten because of it. Still she didn't see the relief he showed on his countenance, it was what came next that started to bother him. He began to talk, and she cut him off. "I guess that means you'll move back the-" "I'm a Micronaut, Tommy." She revealed. The revelation was at first difficult to believe. After all, why would anyone that tiny Tommy know be a Micronaut, let alone his girlfriend? "Eh?" He murmured back. "I'm a Micronaut." She repeated. "I know what you said!" He snapped, albeit softly, which stirred the suspicion in her mind that he was jealous. Her eyes widened a little when she looked back at him, and he wisely changed his tone. "I just... I'm not sure if you're kidding me..." "I'm not." She answered. Tommy chuckled dismissively at his girlfriend. "Sabby! Please!" He begged for her to stop messing with him until he saw the somber look she gave him. "You're... Serious...?" "As a heart attack." Sabby told him. "And please don't be rude." She requested politely. In his little mind, his sweet girlfriend went off to a foreign country, received an education, and became empowered with her size, only to preach to him on her high horse. He didn't like being shunned for his condescending tone, and she was well aware of it. "I received my commission a few weeks ago." "Let's see those emblems, girly friend! And hey! I guess that means you and I can err... You know..." Tommy tried to play cool again. "I'm not shrinking in size just to have sex with you, Tommy. And besides, I came here on a furlough to ask you to come with me to Evaland. Come with me! We can do this! I'll be your shrinking wife! It's so neat out there!" She tried to encourage him and be positive, turning in her seat to look more directly at him. Finally he got a better look up close to her larger breasts with her cleavage directly in front of him, and then jiggling as though she weren't wearing a brassiere. "Are you not wearing a bra? Because that's sexy!" He abruptly asked her. "Oh! Tommy! I'm trying to have a genuine conversation with you!" Sabby moaned at him. Not wanting to piss her off, Tommy wisely took a step back from her and changed his mindset again. "You're right! You're right! You're right! You're right! I am so sorry, babe!" He apologized to her. "Tommy..." She quietly gazed down at him with those amazing beautiful deep brown eyes of hers, soft and gentle as a giantess girlfriend can let them be. "It's just that I hardly ever saw you... I... Kinda miss the..." He murmured. "Come with me to Evaland. It will be great, and everyday I can come home to you, I can shrink to your size and we can make all the love in the world." She suggested with a cute smile. "Oh now you want this!" Tommy exclaimed. "We're required to have a rigorous sex life." Admitted Sabby. "So what do you say, honey? Come with me? We can start a new life there, you and I." Sabrina's offer was so genuine that she could feel the strings in her heart being tugged at. Tommy was not going to jump at the chance, he had desires too and he didn't want to leave Human Leyland. Worst of all, he feared being powerless in a land full of women who were mostly bigger, his insecurities began to show their ugly teeth to Sabby who was used to it. "And live in a world of gigantic women who can take advantage of me. "What?" Sabby responded to him. "You speak of this land like it's some great size haven, baby. But I dunno, I hardly feel safe here at home as it is. The neighbor's cat is a terrifying animal, and I'm worried a great bird of prey will fly off with me." Tommy admitted. "But Evaland is far safer than you imagine." Sabby tried to reason with him. "Have you gone mad? It's a wild world, Evaland. Haha! I don't know what kind of propaganda they are stuffing into your little skull, baby!" He chortled and then realized his mistake. Sabby shrugged. "I'll protect you!" She said. "You??" He then quipped. He immediately regretted that remark. Now his giant girlfriend punched the back of his jacket and lifted him up from the picnic table. Panicking he begged her to put him down. "Baby! Baby! Let me down!" Sabby no longer showed the soft and gentle expression that she always gave him. Her gaze was turning sharp and she started to tangle him in front of her face, reminding Tommy that she was big and he was small. "What was that, little man??" She questioned him. "Ugh!!!" He grunted as he struggled in discomfort, suspended in the air a mere four inches away from her giant brown eyes that suddenly looked more disappointed than he had ever seen them. "Honey! You're hurting me!" Now her huge eyes squinted, her black eyebrows came down at a sharp angle and let him know that she was unhappy with him. "As a little man, I would think you have better sense than to piss off a girl who is much bigger than you!" She warned him. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! Can you put me down!?" He begged. "Tommy, I came all this way to provide for you. I have been loyal to you, I have thought of you everyday since I left Leyland." She retold him, tactically lowering his tiny body so that he had a clear view of her giant mouth, her white teeth, pretty lips that were laden with a light red color and sparkles in the sporty sunlight. "Gahh!! Baby!! I didn't mean it!!" He again cried. "I think you are jealous of me, little man." She said "I'm not! I swear!" He yelled. "What if I... Place you on my tongue and let you feel the edges of my sharp giantess teeth?" She suggested. "Please!! Sabbyyyyy!!!!!" "Huh, little man??" She questioned him, bringing him closer to her lips, so close that his hands grabbed at them and sank into her lipstick. "Do you know what happens to little men awhile feel threatened by a bigger girl?" "Sabbyyyyy!!!!" That was when Sabby dropped him. He yelped as his tiny hands slipped from her soft bottom lip, he didn't realize until he landed on the wooden table below that in between, he had bounced off of his girlfriend's large breasts. He landed on his back, seeing the bulge of her chest to his right and then the stare of her hurt dark eyes as her face leaned down over him. The friendliness had vanished. "Tommy Rundt, I have been your loyal girlfriend for six years. And now you thank me? By feeling threatened?" She saw right through him, partly thanks to her training with the unit. Hana Minami and Allie Yeo made it clear how tiny men react when threatened by a giantess, and he had showed the classic signs, doubting their ability to do anything as the bigger one. She stared at him as he got up, and he only proved her and her superiors right with his comments. "Ugh! You think because you're so big and mighty that you can just run my life??" "Ughh!!!" Groaned Sabby, rolling her eyes and turning to see Viola who was patiently watching from her seat. She waved at her and she took it as the signal to come over and meet her little boyfriend who was dangerously close to being dumped. "That wasn't funny, Sabby! You could have killed me!" He roared up at her so loud that Vi heard him from her spot. "I can kill you a lot of ways without picking you up, Tom." Sabby reminded him, calling him by his shorter name, a sign that she was angry. "Tom??? What's that about???" He questioned her before her huge hand playfully pushed him onto his rump. "You did that on purpose!" "Shrimp." Sabby said with a sneer before Vi came over to the table. "You ready, my friend??" Sabby asked her. "Sure am! Is he coming along?" Vi asked about Tommy. Sabby shrugged. "Nah, little Timmy isn't ready for the big world out there." Sabby replied, dumping her tiny boyfriend. "Little Timmy?????" He repeated with rage before he saw Sabby pull Viola in for a kiss. "What the hell, Sabby!!! Sabbyyyyy!!! Talk to me!!!!" Sabby and Vi kissed very intimately and Tommy grew more angry as he watched it. "Who the fuck this this??!!!" He demanded to know before Sabby out her hand over him, shutting him out from the world while she finished kissing Vi. "Shut up, insecure little man." She said after the kiss was over with. By then Vi understood what was happening. So when Sabby raised her hand and he continued to rage, she stepped in. She leaned down, putting her hands on her knees and gazed upon Tommy like he was a nuisance, even sneered at him. He stopped waving his arms like a little mad man and looked into her huge green eyes. Viola pursed her lips slightly and blew her breath at him hard enough to knock him bacm in a short puff. "Shut up, little man. I'm bigger than you." "Bitch! I bet if you were my size you wouldn't be saying that!" He argued. "If I were your size, I'd kill you with one finger." Vi assured him with a wink as she stood up again and held Sabby's hand. "God, who is this little twerp? You dated him for six years?" "Nah, I don't know who he is." Sabby shrugged. "Hey, wait... Wait, Sabby, honey..." Tommy began to beg knowing that they were about to leave him. "Oh, that's Lieutenant Falconer to you." Sabby turned and addressed him. "And if you had accepted our offer of asylum, I'm sure you would be back to your old height again within a couple of weeks, we kinda have that sort of tech in Vallusia." "Wait! What??" He shouted. "Buuuuut... Since giant girls scare you, I guess Evaland is not a good fit for you, little guy." Vi interrupted him, looking at her long fingernails. "Sabby!" "C'mon, Vi." Sabby said to her friend. "Sabby! You're gonna just leave me here??" "The Tinerians are your size and they aren't afraid of anything or anyone." Vi told him. "It isn't a long walk to your house, not even for a shrimp like you whose afraid of everything." "And if a naked mole rat attacks you, just poke it in the eyes, shorty!" Sabby suggested as she and Vi were getting too far away from the picnic table to bother furthering the conversation. "Giantesses of the world unite!" "Woohoo!!! Go Micronauts!!!" Though Sabby was disappointed and was already trying to move on from her break up, she had not yet grasped the concept that she was essentially free again, and untethered from a long distance relationship which was borderline abusive at times. Stepping away from her old boyfriend, Sabby continued to kiss and hold Vi, not as an expression of revenge, but as a sign that she had moved on and belonged in Evaland. It wasn't her plan to break up with him, she was ready for his mildly abusive rhetoric. She no longer needed his doubts, she was her own woman.