Episode 14:

The Cave of Secrets

Shortly after the defeat of the first group of Evil Lions from the Pride Lands Past, Askari now having ascended to the role as King of the Pride Lands, met up with the new group of lions to be destined to become the new Lion Guard in his stead.

"All right, everyone." He spoke to the team with a old mandrill by his side. "I know it hasn't been long since you stepped up to your new roles in the Lion Guard but I wanted to be able to get through with this as soon as possible. Today, we are going to be taking a little field trip inside the Lair of the Lion Guard where you will get to see and watch as new paintings are going to be created for future generations of our family to see and behold the very tales engraved inside of them. And for those wondering what good will any of this do for us? Well, aside from seeing stories and tales of what has happened in the past, recently. and how long ago, this stories in simple pictures will tell our future seers of the remarkable tales behind it." He then lead the way towards the area that would soon become a work of art. "Now, let's get started."

While the whole group of lions destined to become the new Lion Guard in Askari and his late team's place look on still unsure and nervous of entering somewhere where no one but someone with great worthiness is supposed to go inside, they all proceeded to follow after their king none of the less, not one to disappoint his faith in them.

Inside the Lair of the Lion Guard, both the Lion and Pony Guard are all looking at paintings of the past Lion Guard’s. The main reason is because Twilight had called upon them to meet up inside so they can traverse the hidden cave she once traveled inside to discover the secrets she uncovered when coming across paintings of the original Lion Guard.

“The fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight.” Kion commented as he looked at one of the past Lion Guard’s before his and Scar’s.

“Poa...There sure are lots of paintings about the old Lion Guards adventurers.” Beshte commented in awe.

“Yeah. But nothing about them battling an evil lion who's come back from the past.” Kion returned.

“Though you do have to remember it’s never happened before.” Kyoga reminded. “That along with one that is capable of magic and is half alicorn.”

“Yeah!” Makini appeared to chime in. “Did you know that all the lair's caverns have paintings in them?”

“Really?” Kion asked very curious himself.

“Oh yes! And there are so many caverns, you wouldn't believe it. Come on, I'll show you! Rafiki has been teaching me all about them. There's so much wisdom on the walls.” She threw her hands up in the air before proceeding to break out into a song.

Wisdom on the Walls

All while making paints come to life with her staff. From the painting of Nala’s father being saved by the Lion Guard during his time, from when Simba was living with Timon and Pumbaa during his exile (to which Bunga happily danced to much to Fuli’s eye rolling annoyance), his birth presentation, his first fateful fight with Scar (to which Kion frowned heavily and determined at the sight). In addition, the previous mashindano’s along with Askari’s Lion Guard and them in action. She kept singing up until she ended crashing and bumping into a wall right in front of her causing her to slide and fall onto her back after the accidental impact she made with it.

“So much for wisdom on the walls.” Fuli sarcastically remarked as both she and Kyoga moved to help her up on her feet.

“Yep.” Bunga nodded. “I say we go show Scar what's what.” Just as Bunga turned to nonchalantly do so, he is blocked off by a violet red barrier of magic.

“Yeah...No.” Twilight shook her head just when she and the rest of the ponies arrived. “And now that we’re here, I’ll be glad to answer any questions going forward starting with this wall. So Kion…” She then asked her curious lion friend. “...what would you like to know?”

“For starters, that painting kinda looks like the Mark of Evil.”

“You mean that symbol Scar burned in the dirt?” Rainbow asked.

“From when Scar appeared in fire from when he had multiple Outsiders attacking at the exact same time?” Pinkie rapidly chimed in.

“That’s because it is the Mark of Evil.” Twilight confirmed. “And while what you’re about to see might give a clear answer on how to defeat Scar, it will give a much needed insight about yourselves which will serve as the perfect thing for today’s training session.”

“So there’s more painting’s beyond this wall or boulder?” Makini asked eagerly.

“Yep.” Twilight nodded. “So...without further ado…” She turned to both Beshte and Applejack. “...will you two do the honors in removing this boulder?”

“You got it, Twilight.”

“Can do, partner! Here we go!”

“Twende Kibo...ko?”

Both the Guard’s Strongest grunted as they both struggled a bit with pushing the boulder itself.

“Everything okay, darlings?” Rarity asked with concern.

“Yep.“ Beshte replied with a slight strained gasp. “Whew! It's really wedged in there.”

“Not to worry, Beshte.” Applejack assured feeling sure this won’t be too difficult. “If we work together we can get it. Ready?”

“Ready!”

By working together in pushing the rock in one direction at the exact same time, they were effortlessly able to move it out of the way to reveal the hidden tunnel that Twilight once discovered herself.

“Oh my stars!”

“Look at that.”

“Wow!”

“Goodness!”

Rarity, Ono, Fuli, and Fluttershy all commented in astonishment with this discovery.

“So this is the secret cave you were talking about?” Starlight asked.

“Yep!” She stated as the previously obscured painting was all fully visible for all eyes to see. “And that’s the Mark of Evil all right.”

Makini then proceeded to make the paintings accompanying come to life with one in particular being the first Guard preparing to walk inside a maze together. One that circled around the Mark until it magically disappeared. “And the original Lion Guard. You were right, Twilight. This cave leads to a secret chamber deep beneath the lair.”

“Makini, Twilight, what does that mean?” Kion asked.

“It means that these lions managed to find a way to defeat great evil, and this chamber holds the secret.” Twilight explained.

“Then we're going to that chamber.” Kion stated.

Already Bunga was ready to go in first. “Now we're talking! Zuka…” But before he could step inside the tunnel, Twilight was quick to pull up her barrier magic again.

“Wait!” Makini’s voice called out. “This painting's a warning. The caves are dangerous.”

“Exactly! And considering the powerful secret is held down there, the lions of the past would have wanted it as far away from eager knowledge seeking eyes…” She then quickly added to avoid embarrassment after realizing she just described herself there. “...that want to expose and deliver it into the wrong paws and hoofs.” Unfortunately she couldn’t save herself from sporting pink cheeks along with having knowing smirks aimed right at her for the moment. “So before we go in, I need to make sure we all fully understand that we need to be prepared for what’s about to happen next. Do we?” She asked the others after collecting herself.

“Of course!”

“Yes, sir, ma’am sir!”

“We do!”

“Absolutely!”

“Ready when you are!”

“We keep ourselves alert at all times!”

The rest of the ponies vowed.

Kion himself spoke on behalf of the Lion Guard. “It may be dangerous, but we're the Pride Lands fiercest, bravest, fastest, strongest and keenest of sight. If anyone's gonna find the secret to defeating evil, it's us.

“You said it, Kion.” Beshte returned ready to follow his friend’s lead.

“Like I was saying, Zuka Zama!” Bunga repeated before she and the others went inside.

Makini was the only one who didn’t immediately follow after them to which caught both the leaders attention.

“Makini? You coming?” Twilight asked.

“Nope! I'm good! Good luck!” Makini happily waved off as the two turned to each other to whisper for a moment

“I don’t see why she wouldn’t.” Kion interjected. “Personally I think she’ll be safer if she stay’s here.”

“Actually, I think we are definitely going to need her around.” Twilight said otherwise. “Because we need someone to help make those paintings come to life that’ll be helpful in telling us what to expect while down there.”

“But still, she could get hurt.”

“Not without company.” Twilight reminded.

“That is true…”

“And…” Makini appeared right in between them. “...these paintings were all painted by a Royal Mjuzi!” She then quickly added. “Sorry, but I couldn’t resist wondering what you two were saying? So can I come along too? Please?”

It didn’t take even a second for the two to make up their mind there, even with the thought of lecturing her for eavesdropping on private conversations in mind.

“Of course!”

“As long as you stay with us!”

“Can do!”

“All right!” Twilight then led the way inside where the others are waiting for them. “Let’s go!”

Once everyone was all grouped up together, they were all eyes on the first painting they saw in front of them.

“Kion! Twilight! Makini! There you all are!” Starlight exclaimed upon seeing them. “We were beginning to wonder what was keeping you?”

“Nothing important.” Twilight assured as she gestured to the mandrill accompanying them. “Just making sure we have all of the company we need for our journey here.”

“Well I’m glad you’re here, Makini, because we could definitely use some help figuring out this painting here.” Applejack gestured to said painting featuring Askari’s Lion Guard and nothing else.

“Don't worry. I can figure it out.” Bunga assured everyone before examining it himself. “Mmm-hmm. Uh-huh. Mmm.”

“Well?”

“Anything?”

“An answer?”

“Like right now?”

Fuli, Twilight, Starlight, and Kyoga all asked with the former looking on flatly and latter two looking on impatiently at expecting the obvious reply.

“Nope. I got nothing.”

“Then why did you say you could answer it?!” Starlight irritably asked.

“I just thought it was worth a try! Really!” Bunga innocently defended upon seeing the glare the unicorn was giving her.

“Maybe the answer is here somewhere else around here…” Beshte suggested as he moved to look around. But suddenly the ground underneath gave way and caused him to fall downwards. “Whoa!”

“BESHTE!” Both Kion and Bunga called out in horror with what they just saw.

But before anyone else could process what had just happened everyone else minus Twilight, Kion, Rainbow, Ono, Fluttershy, and Makini ended up all falling downwards after Beshte. While both Kyoga and Makini watch on in horror with what has happened, the flyers then all flew after them as they all slid downwards themselves. All of them screaming expect for Pinkie.

“AAH!”

“WHEE!”

Both Rainbow and Ono were quick to spot out the danger ahead of them.

“Hapana! Guys, girls, watch out! Sharp rocks coming up!”

“No! You're coming down on sharp rocks!”

“Uh-oh.” Beshte himself acting moved to skid himself to a stop before that could happen. And thankfully he managed to just do that. “Twende Kiboko! Yeah!”

“Beshte!”

“Incoming!”

Both Ono and Rainbow alerted.

Upon seeing them Beshte knew what to do. “Guys! Girls! Land on me.” By using his big body everyone all managed to slide into him which stopped their descent with their friend having just enough space to work with to avoid going over himself...

...all but one…

“WAAAH!” Rarity screamed when she ended flying over everyone’s shoulders instead of making a complete stop when she ended sliding over the ramp instead.

“Rarity!” Thankfully for her, Applejack was quick to use her lasso to catch the unicorn just when she was inches away from hitting the rocks before ensnaring and lifting her back to safety alongside everyone else. It took much of her strength just to save her, but she did it, and it was worth it.

“Oh! Thank you, Applejack!” She returned with a great big hug for her savior.

“Well it’s a good thing I always carry this here lasso with me at all times.” Applejack returned with a humble smile as the flyers landed beside them.

“Everybody okay?” Makini asked as she called down from above.

“Yep. I'm okay.”

“Same here. And that sure was fun! Let’s do that again!”

“Um, I got a better idea.” Rarity quick said to discourage them from doing so. “How about no.”

“Aww.”

“Thanks, Beshte.”

“You too, Applejack.”

Both Kion and Starlight thanked.

“You’re welcome.” Both the Guard’s Strongest replied as the latter tipped her hat towards Rarity.

“Oh, good thing we had the Pride Lands strongest with us.” Ono commented.

“Along with Equestria’s strongest.” Twilight added.

“You said it, Ono, Twilight.” Kion agreed fully with that.

“No kidding.” Rarity said in great relief. “And I sure would not look pretty afterwards.”

“No kidding.” Kyoga responded with rolled eye annoyance knowing the unicorn’s sense for fashion and appearance. “But with all of that aside, what just happened?”

“Easy answer, silly!” Pinkie giggled. “We fell down through that hole that just appeared over our heads.”

“I know what happened! I mean how it happened!”

“I can answer that!” Makini called out from above as she tapped the painting which featured Askari’s Lion Guard going through the same thing the current Lion and Pony Guard went through. “That last painting was a warning for that!”

“And exactly how did we miss that?” Starlight asked.

“Because Beshte accidentally stepped right in the weakest part of the area around it followed by everyone else that fell. And that was before I could get a chance to take a look at it.”

“Oh, right. That.”

“Okay…” Fuli then said as they looked back up the hole they fell down. “So, Twilight, Kion, Rainbow, and Ono can fly, but how do the rest of us get back up there?”

“Maybe we're not supposed to.” Kion said as he happened to set his eyes on something that caught his attention. “Look!” It just so happened to be a windy downhill path leading to a nearby tunnel up ahead.

“You think we should go in there?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

“The painting said the chamber was deep beneath the lair.” Kion reasoned feeling certain they should.

“We're deep, all right.” Fuli replied surely before

“And considering I want to know this big secret too, there’s no going back now. So I say we move forward.” Rainbow stated as she and the others went along ahead with Fluttershy lagging a bit behind due to her nervousness over exploring unknown areas.

Seeing this spurred the alicorn in wrapping a hoof around one of hers as they flew down together with the Pegasus now feeling a bit relieved with extra security around her. And upon catching up with the other’s she was the first to speak up upon spotting something up ahead. “Another painting.”

“Any idea what it means?” Beshte asked.

“I think it means we're on the right path.” Kion said before leading everyone onward. “Come on!”

“Um, guys, girls…” Makini tried to speak to everyone who already went on ahead. “...think maybe we should tell them where they should go?” She asked Twilight beside her.

The alicorn princess remained certain they’ll find out from there. “It’s okay, Makini. I’m sure they’ll find out what they’re dealing with themselves.” The young mandrill looked on curious of why she is content with this until she added. “Plus I know what to expect down here.”

“Oh...right! I remember you telling me about your solo discovery here the other day.”

"Yes." She nodded before pressing forward without another word.

Back in the past in the same area of the first painting, everyone gathered around it, wondering it could mean, when suddenly the biggest and strongest lion accidentally stepped on the very weak center which caused the rock floor to give away below them with Askari only having the quick instinct to leap out the way while rescuing his mandrill companion with him. The lions all screamed "Whoa!" as they all fell down the slide headed right towards the sharp rocks up ahead.

"Hang on!" Acting quick, the strong lion himself quickly turned himself around mid slide and proceeded to reach out his front paws ready to catch them. And one by one they all slid into his arms as they all found themselves completely halted from where he stands by using his claws on his back legs to firmly plant himself to the ground. "Is everyone okay?" He asked everyone who all nodded their heads along with replying to assure their good.

"Yeah."

"Uh-huh."

"We;re okay."

"We;re good."

"Good. Now let's keep moving." Aside from the strong lion having the claws on his back legs trimmed down to a fraction of a inch from all of the rock scraping, everyone all made it away from that section unharmed before continuing forward down where the present day travelers are now headed.

After traveling through the pathway for a while, Fuli then sighed as she started to get a little weary from all of these twists and turns they’ve encountered so far. “I hope we're getting closer to this big secret.”

“Me too.” Rainbow turned to Kion. “Are we sure we’re going the right way?” She asked.

“We gotta be. We're still finding paintings.” Then when they turned the corner they came across a fork path leading to two different pathways in front of them. “Huh?”

“So, which way now?” Applejack asked as everyone all eyed the pathways.

Immediately, Bunga stepped forward to give one of the paths a try. “I got this. I've got loads of experience with caves.” He then proceeds to go down the one on their left.

Kion trying to be optimistic is the first follow after him. “Who knows, maybe he picked the right one.”

“Doubt it.” Rarity said otherwise before reluctantly following suit with the others.

“You’re right about that, Rarity.” Ono called back as they see that the tunnel doesn’t lead to much.

“Dead end. Let's head back.” Kion said before leading everyone back to the others.

Bunga still stuck around trying to insist otherwise. “Or maybe it just looks like a dead end.” He grunted trying to push the wall thinking it’s movable with predictable results. “I bet it's another secret passage. Like before!”

“Keep in mind these ain’t the same caves as the ones you and Simba traveled in a while back. Applejack reminded and then added before he could speak up. “Or the caves in Ponyville where they keep the diamonds.”

“Applejack’s right, Bunga. It's just a wall.” Fuli also said while pitying his efforts to vainly prove everyone wrong.

“I don't think so.” After grunting and pushing futilely for another minute. He ended feeling defeated. “Okay... It could be a wall.”

“Yep.” Fuli nodded in agreement. “And it only took you twenty-five seconds to figure it out.”

The Lion and Pony Guard went on to travel the other nearby pathways only to run and walk into the same results.

“Ugh. Another dead end.” Rainbow remarked in annoyance.

“Nah. This one's definitely a secret passage. Zuka Zama!” Bunga once more tried to move the wall to no avail before quickly giving up. “Why does that keep happening?” He groaned.

“Because this path is nothing but dead ends.” Fuli answered.

“It doesn't make sense.” Kion commented not understanding why this is happening. “Why would the paintings lead us down here if there's no way to get through?”

“Maybe that’s because we’re in a maze.” Rainbow suggested as she began thinking back to the painting from just earlier. “And I think one good look from above might actually help us out here.”

“That works.” Rarity agreed while thinking of something else in mind. “And for someone who’s had experience in the caves back in Ponyville. I have a trick that’ll help guide us through on land. One I’m sure Twilight has shown you once before.” She makes her horn glow to unveil paw prints, unique and old paw prints.

“Ooh!” Everyone all said in awe with this magical ability of her’s.

“Yes I know! Stunning isn’t it?” She proudly returned while briefly flipping her mane.

“Good idea.” Kion approved before turning to the Guard’s Keenest of Sight. “Ono, fly up there and see if you can get the lay of the land.”

“Affirmative. Hmm.” He then flew up and scanned the area above them. And quickly and effectively he managed to find the pathway to the other side. “Got it. Follow me.” Ono then told everyone down on the ground that just so happens to match with the path Rarity managed to filter out with her magic.

“This way!” Rarity added as she and Ono led the way on towards the correct path that allowed them all to make it through the maze.

“Good work, Ono. Rarity.”

“You got us through.”

Both leaders of the Guard complimented.

“Happy to help.”

“Anything for a friend, darling.”

Both Ono and Rarity humbly returned.

“I still think I could have found the secret passageway.” Bunga commented.

“Please.” Rarity scoffed. “Mazes don’t have secret passageways. Otherwise that would be cheating. And cheaters never prosper.”

“Excuse me?” Fuli returned rather confused and offended.

“Cheaters, darling. Not cheetahs.”

“Oh. My bad.”

Kion laughed at the joke before speaking his thoughts about the maze. “Luckily, we had the keenest of sight with us so you didn't have to.”

“Yeah.” Fuli agreed. “Just like it was lucky we had Beshte with us earlier or we might have been smashed on those rocks.”

“Along with Applejack when it came to saving me from flying into those rocks.” Rarity added and recalled.

“Oh, it was nothing.”

“And who was I to allow you to fall and face death right then and there, Rarity?”

Both the hippo and pony returned like it’s nothing new to them.

“Wait.” Kion realized. “What if it's not luck at all? What if this is all a test? We needed the strongest and the keenest of sight to get past those first two obstacles. All these hidden caves and challenges, it's meant to see if we're a worthy Lion and Pony Guard.”

“Worthy?” Bunga returned like it’s a joke. “Of course, we're worthy! Worthy of what?”

“Worthy of discovering the secret to defeating great evil!”

“Yeah.” Fuli spoke coming to realize it herself. “The lions of the past must have made it so that only the best of the best can make it down here.”

“That's us!” Bunga proudly stated. “I mean, who else in the Pride Lands could have gotten this far? Seriously, who else?”

“Um, me.” Kyoga pointed out while gesturing to the ponies also with them. “The ponies from the Pony Guard, Starlight, Makini.”

“Oh, right.”

“Hold on! Wait a second!” Starlight spoke up trying to make sense of this. “If it makes sense that the first test was a test of strength for Applejack much like Beshte, and Rarity’s keen sight also matches up with Ono’s for the second test, then what’s the extra pony and lion’s compatible tests. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s the Strongest, Keenest of Sight, Bravest, Fastest, and Fierceness. So that makes five tests and there are six ponies, six members of the Lion Guard. So does this mean there is a sixth test, one for Kyoga, and one for the pony who doesn’t match up with the Lion Guard member who’s not any of the aforementioned qualities?”

“That’s a good question, Starlight.” Twilight returned accepting that it actually is something worth exploring. “A very good question.” She then pondered for a moment before replying. “I’m sure the answer to that lies within these caves, somewhere.”

“Where, exactly?” Starlight hoped for something more specific from her teacher as she’s been then before and would have an idea how and who it might be.

“Can’t say.” Twilight shrugged before turning to everyone else. “And now that you know these are tests, you now know it's not gonna get any easier.” She then proceeded to lead everyone forward. “Up here, this way.”

"Where are we going now?!"

"We keep hitting dead ends everywhere we go!"

"We're lost!"

The group of lions from the Lion Guard in the past then traveled through this very maze as they found themselves struggling for a little while to navigate the areas until the lion who naturally narrows his eyes whenever he looks upon something up ahead got himself an idea.

"Hang on, everybody." The lion proceeded to act on the idea he had that involves him moving to move backwards before taking a sprint charge to leap upwards on the wall in front of them. He mustered much of his strength as he climbed his way to the very top before managing to get a scope of the whole maze from above. "This way, everyone! Follow me!" The keen sighted lion instructed of everyone as he then proceeded to continue making big leaps of faith as he maintains the high ground as he guides the Guard from above up until they were all able to make their way out of the maze. And once he was back down on the ground alongside his companions and mentors, they all pressed on their way down the path ahead of them.

The whole group made their way forward, up until they came across the edge leading down to a huge dark chasm down below.

“Whoa!”

“Stop!”

“There’s the path.” Pinkie pointed out to said path on the other side.

“Yeah!” Bunga also pointed it out himself. “Over there!”

“But how do we get to it?” Applejack asked as she pointed out. “There's no way across.”

“Is this another test?” Starlight asked.

“Yep.” Twilight nodded.

“I can get across.” Ono assured.

“You've already had your test.” Bunga pointed out. “Unless this is a test for the keenest of flight.”

“Earlier Lion Guards were all lions.” Fuli also pointed out. “They couldn't fly.”

“Oh, yeah. Too bad. Ono would've aced this test.”

“He sure would have, along with me, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Kion, and Kyoga.” Twilight said in agreement before being quick to shut down any thoughts of taking the easy way by. “And before any of you say or even think of it. The answer is no. Teleportation and flight included.”

“Hey, guys, over here!” Makini called out to everyone just as she spotted another painting on the nearby walls. “It's a lion on the edge of the cliff, just like now.” Said painting features said lion in front of the empty air in between the two ledges.

“Hey, that's the bravest lion.” Bunga recognized. “That's me! I'm the bravest lion. Except the lion part. So make it move. Let's see what I do.”

Makini proceeds to tap her staff on the painting to make it come to life which features the lion simply walking across thin air to get to the other side without any trace of fear.

“That was a lot of help.” Fuli sarcastically commented.

“No kidding.” Kyoga said in the same tone.

“He just walked out into empty air.” Beshte then said what he saw.

“But how?” Applejack also asked curious herself.

Seeing this had Bunga quick to dismiss is as no hard feat. “I could do that.” He proceeds to approach the edge to try to do the same.

Seeing sparked caution for Kion to try to reason with one of his best friends. “Hang on, Bunga. Let's think about this.”

Bunga still didn’t heed to his friend’s concerns as he scoffed it off. “Think about it? Pfft! Since when do I do that? Zuka Zama!” He proceeds to jump out into the open much to everyone’s gasps of horror. “Whoo-hoo!” But then just when it seemed like Rainbow and Fluttershy were about to fly to the rescue (only being held back by Twilight) with only Pinkie being quick to bypass the princess in order to rush over to catch him…

...they surprisingly landed on a surface and didn’t fall into the trench below them causing everyone but Twilight to gasp in surprise.

“What the…?!” Rainbow exclaimed with wide eyed shock along with many others.

“How?!” Rarity also spoke utterly baffled by the sight of two of her friends floating in mid-air.

“Are we not dead?” Pinkie returned as she placed Bunga down on the area they are on.

“Uh, Little B? Pinkie?” Beshte then spoke wondering what everyone is asking in their minds. “How are you doing that?”

“Good question.” Pinkie replied as she moved to look around where they are standing. “Maybe it’s probably because we just so happen to be standing on some kind of bridge they we never saw before.”

Both Rainbow and Ono flew over as they examined the area around the two to find out why they are not falling to their death’s right now.

“Oh.”

“That’s how!”

“How?” Fluttershy asked.

“There's a bridge.”

“That requires full focused eyes to see.”

“There is?” Kion himself moved to place a paw on said bridge and amazingly found himself not falling downward. “Oh, there is.”

“Poa." Behste uttered equally amazed.

“I don’t believe it.” Starlight gasped as the magic of her horn had her see it in a different color. “How about that.”

“When did that get there?” Makini asked.

“Well, it's always been there.” Ono explained. “We just couldn't see it. It's called an optical illusion.”

“Exactly. Well said, Ono.” Twilight complimented.

“Aw…” Bunga said in disappointment. “I thought maybe I was the keenest of flight.”

“Sorry, Little B.” Rainbow returned with a friendly and teasing jab on the side. “That’s my thing.”

“So is Beshte’s.” Bunga fired back referencing the nickname she just used.”

“That’s true. But it’s okay.” Beshte said before he and the others proceeded to walk onto and across the invisible bridge.

Already, Makini is voicing of how great a discovery this is. “I've never seen anything like an invisible bridge before. I can't wait to get back and tell Rafiki all about it. Better yet, I'll paint it!”

“And exactly how are you going to paint an invisible bridge?” Fuli asked skeptically.

“Oh…” Makini realized. “...good question, Fuli.”

“Doubtful there’s a good answer, Makini.” Rarity said to her while trying her hardest not to discourage the young Mjuzi before both she and Fuli walked alongside her onwards to the next chamber.

"What the...?!"

"What is this?!

"How are we supposed to get across?"

Upon reaching the area where this very invisible bridge lies in between the two tunnels where the path continues, the lion who looked unsure of how this very pathway continues while looking at what seems to be big wide opening proceeded to check the area out himself, being courageous enough to step up and be willing to take one for the team even while very cautious and nervous himself.

"Guess I'll find out." He paced around the ledge before eyeing the very middle of the area where the two tunnels align in a perfectly straight line together. Sensing that there is no way unless there just so happens to be a rock solid way of getting across, he went with his gut feeling by stepping forward and walking forward from the ledge. "Okay, here it goes."

While initially worried and shocked at him doing something that would normally result in him falling a great big height, it was all replaced with a collective sigh in relief when it didn't turn out to be the case. Then their expressions were all fascination and surprise at seeing the reason why their bravest kin didn't fall to his death. And after he assured everyone while making it across that it is safe to do so they all followed suit.

"What?!"

"An invisible bridge?!"

"No way?!"

"Believe it or not, it's there. And as long as you all follow where I walk you won't fall. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Now come on, let's go."

All while Askari and the mandrill follow after them all liking what they are seeing thus far with the latter painting on the very things that have happened throughout their journey here thus far...

Upon seeing the next painting, Makini smiled as she sees their progress thus far. “Oh, we're really close to the final chamber. The entrance is at the end of this path.”

“You mean the entrance that's blocked by a gigantic rock?” Fuli commented as all eyes were focused on said giant rock right in front of them.

“This must be another test.” Kion deduced.

“I don't know, Kion.” Bunga commented feeling it’s not the case here. “I don't think even Beshte and Applejack can move a rock this big.”

“Maybe not. But I can try.”

But before Beshte could move to give it a shot, Applejack was quick to speak up while stopping the hippo. “Hold on there partner, if this is a test, both you and I already had ours, remember?”

“That is true.” Beshte acknowledged.

“And it’s not mine nor Pinkie Pie’s since we already had our tests along with Ono and Bunga.” Rarity added.

“Maybe it's just a rock.” Pinkie tried to say before hearing sudden rumbling. “Huh?” She looked down on her own tummy. “Funny, my stomach isn’t rumbling yet I heard rumbling.”

Bunga turned to Beshte wondering if it’s his stomach making noises. “Did you skip breakfast today, Big B?”

Beshte shook his head. “That's not me.”

“Nor me.” Rainbow added just as she spotted the rock about to move from it’s spot and right towards them. “And I think now we should RUN!” She then sprinted away from the scene as everyone else gasps and follows suit when the rock starts coming right at them.

“Hapana! The rock!” Ono gasped before being pulled out of harm’s way by Rainbow Dash.

“Ono! Rainbow Dash! Is there anywhere we can get out of the path of this boulder?” Kion asked of them who both quickly used their eyes to spot out the only passageway up ahead.

“I wish we could, but we can’t!”

“The passageway is too narrow!”

“I got an idea!” Fuli proposed as she stopped in her tracks before locking eyes with the boulder preparing to face it head on. “Rainbow Dash! With me!” The speedy Pegasus didn’t even stop to ask before following after her in hopping onto the boulder. By working together they both tried to run it like they’re both on a treadmill, only it’s acting exactly like a treadmill that won’t stop.

“Fuli, Rainbow Dash, what are you both doing?” Kion asked of them while still running.

“Trying to slow it down!”

“Only that it’s not working we hoped.”

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t get the rock to stop, not even slow down the increasing speed it’s going.

“So let's try this! If we can't slow it down, maybe we can speed it up!”

“Crazy but okay! More speed it is!”

Both the Guard’s Fastest proceeded to work together in speeding the rock so that it maneuvers right alongside the walls so that it doesn’t crash into their friends and right into the narrow passageway’s direction ahead of them. And once their friends were now safe, they leaped off of the boulder allowing it to crash into the passageway.

“Huh, nice work, Fuli. You too, Rainbow Dash.” Kion complimented.

“Thanks.”

“Amazingly enough as crazy as it is, more speed was definitely the answer to this problem.”

“No kidding. Way to steer that thing, you two.”

“That was un-Bunga-lievable!”

“Excellent use of brain power there!”

Applejack, Bunga, and Twilight all complimented.

“Good thing you two are the fastest.” Beshte noted.

With the danger passed, the Guard could now press forward with the now open passageway.

“Okay, guys, this is it.” Kion said to his comrades. “I hope.”

“It is, Kion. It is.” His alicorn friend assured.

“So, Kion…” Bunga spoke to his lion friend when he had a thought running through his head. “...we've had tests for the strongest, the keenest of sight, the bravest, the fastest, even the Mjuzi-est. What do you think your test is gonna be along with Fluttershy’s?

“I'm not sure, Bunga.”

“Whatever it is it’s got to at least that proves I have a Lion Guard worthy trait as much as kindness.”

While Bunga was distracted and walking backwards while talking to both Kion and Fluttershy he accidentally bumped into a rock that ended up causing a rock slide.

“Hapana!”

“Incoming!”

The rock slide itself ended up covering the tunnel they came into and the area around to turn pitch black.

“Or something not as scary as being in the dark.” Fluttershy whimpered as she struggles to see where everything and everyone is now.

“Is everyone all right?” Twilight asked everyone.

“Yep.”

“Affirmative.”

“We’re okay.”

“No injuries, darling...”

Beshte, Ono, Applejack, and Rarity all replied on behalf of the team.

“Me, too. Except I can't see anything.” Makini moved around trying to navigate the area only to hit her head on the wall. “Ah!” She screamed in pain.

“Makini?” In his attempt to check up on Makini he ended up bumping into her by accident and dropped her staff when that happened.

“Oh, careful!” Makini alerted a little too late when the hippo accidentally bumped into Rarity by mistake.

“OW! Oh my!” Rarity screamed when she ended up running into the hippo’s rear with her face.

“Oops! Sorry!”

“No worries, darling. Just don’t mention it…”

“No really I…”

“Ever!”

Seeing this sparked panic inside Ono. “Hapana! What if there are more traps and dangers here and we can't see them?”

“Or more bottomless pits?” Bunga also said in worry.

“Or more sharp rocks that could cut into our beautiful skin?” Rarity melodramatically cried. “I’m serious! It could happen!”

“Oh, no.” In an attempt to move around Makini bumped into Bunga and they both ended up bumping into Fuli.

“Look out!”

“Careful! Ow!” Fuli complained when the two landed on her.

“Don’t worry everyone, I got this!” Pinkie declared before bouncing her way over…

...not to crash face to face with Rainbow Dash.

“Ow! Pinkie!”

“Sorry!”

“Enough!”

“Everyone stop moving!”

Both Starlight and Kion yelled out to everyone which got them all to stop what they were doing.

“Follow my voice, and get behind me.”

“That’s right keep coming, right towards the spark of my horn.” Starlight flashed her magic repeatedly so that everyone will know where to go.

“That's good. Everyone here?”

Once everyone was gathered they all confirmed it.

“Yep.”

“Uh huh.”

“I am!”

“Me too.”

“Affirmative.”

“We’re all here.”

“Girls?” Twilight asked of the ponies to do the same.

“Right here.”

“Coming, darling.”

“We’re now right behind you.”

“All present and accounted for.”

“All five of us.”

“Okay, good.”

“Now…” Kion then spoke. “I think I can find the way out.” He roared which released an audible echo across the area.

“Hey, was that another lion?” Bunga asked as he looked around.

“Don’t look at me because that wasn’t mine.” Kyoga replied as she looked towards where Bunga spoke. “It was Kion’s.”

“But how…?”

“It bounced off the cave walls.” Ono explained. “It's called an echo.”

“Right, and I'm gonna use it to lead us all out of here.”

“Along with the help of the sparks of my magic to help shed some light.” Starlight added while looking towards Twilight to assure her, it’s only what they need to which earned her a look of approval from her teacher.

“Okay…” Kion then said roared to his left with an echo following shortly afterward. “Okay, there's a wall to our left.” He roared again straight forward which echoed in that direction as well. “Okay, and one dead ahead.” He then roared to his right where the echo multiple times indicating that it leads somewhere in contrast to the two previous areas where he roared at. “Okay, we're going this way.”

“Everyone stay close.”

“And follow us.”

Both Kion and Starlight took lead as they made their way forward. Along the way Kion briefly turned a path on the side and roared at which shortly echoed, indicating that also leads to a dead end. Seeing that is going nowhere, had the two press on forward. Following that, the two had no more obstacles to encounter as they managed to reach another chamber filled with a bright heavenly blue sparkling light.

Back with the past Lion Guard, upon crossing into the next part of the pathway, they came across the boulder which is now placed on the opposite side of the tunnel blocking their way.

"Wait here until I give the signal and stand by," The lion that appeared to be the fastest moved to motion everyone to move to the side before proceeding to leap on it which caused it to move around by using all four legs to steer it all around the walls. "Go! Go! Go!" He then motioned for the others to run on over to the other side while he keeps the giant boulder under control. Once he sees that everyone made it to safety, he proceeded to leap off of it to allow it to crash on the opposite side of the tunnel.

"Aw, great!"

"Now it's dark here."

"Where do we go now?!"

Although this caused the cave to go suddenly dark which caused near mass panic among the team as they all frantically screamed, panicked, and ran around like silly zebras.

"ENOUGH!" The Fiercest of the bunch roared of frustration at their current surroundings ended up cluing him in on how they can navigate this tunnel and he was able to use it for great effect too, right up until they reached the area where there is light inside... "Everyone get behind me, and stay together. I'm going to get us out of here."

“Nice job, Kion.”

“Very smart, I might add.”

Both Fuli and Kyoga complimented.

“If that was a test of leadership, I'd say you passed.” Beshte commented.

“Indeed.” Ono agreed.

“Couldn’t have said it any better.” Twilight also agreed before turning to her student. “Well done, Starlight. You’re starting to take after me.”

“Aww, thanks.” Starlight returned rather playfully and affectionately in good humor.

“I mean it.” Twilight asserted. “You displayed excellent leadership skills alongside Kion right now. You’re starting to see your true potential inside, Starlight.”

“You don’t say…” Starlight returned with a slight nervous chuckle which didn’t go unnoticed by her teacher but she let the moment slide for the moment before focusing on what’s in front of them.

“Wow, look at this place.” Makini remarked upon seeing the chamber they are now in. One filled with specially painted rocks in front of them.

“Guys? Girls I think we made it.” Kion told everyone.

“We sure did.” Twilight confirmed.

“'Poa.”

“Fascinating.”

“Amazing!”

“So...beautiful!”

“Ooh...sparkly!”

Beshte, Ono, Rainbow, and especially both Pinkie and Rarity all commented as they basked with what they were seeing, with the white unicorn’s star’s sparkling in her eyes.

“I never dreamed it'd be so beautiful.” Makini commented as she went off ahead towards the nearest painting. “Look at this painting.” Then she spots another one. “And this one!”

“If I had a diamond for every painting you encountered along with every inch of this astonishing and sparkling shade of blue color I could find, I would have another store of dresses lined up ready for every pony to try them!” Rarity commented as she is still awe struck with the very color shining all around where they are standing.

“You sure would, Rarity.” Applejack agreed as she patted the unicorn on the head to help her snap out of it before following suit with the others.

“Like my dad always says, "Live long enough, and you'll see everything."” Beshte told everyone. “I don't think he ever thought I'd see something like this.”

Fluttershy couldn’t agree more. “Me neither, though…”

“...where's the secret?” Bunga finished just thinking out loud the same thing.

Kion chuckled in response to his friend. “We've come this far. I think we'll find it, Bunga.”

“And it’s something that’ll all be worth the wait in the end.” Twilight added as she turned to Fluttershy. “And deep beneath this chamber is where you will shine the most.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Good…” Bunga accepted it from there as he pounded his knuckles together. “...after all these tests, I'm itching to fight great evil.” He then proceeded to pose and act out a few kung fu moves himself before scratching himself. “Or maybe I'm just itchy.”

“Everyone, over here!” Makini called out as she came across more paintings. Specifically some they saw near the very opening to the cave they wandered into. “I think the story we're looking for is right here, look.” She proceeded to bring the painting to life. “It all started long ago. A very evil group of lions tried to take over the Pride Lands. And, in doing so, they nearly destroyed it. So, the good lions of the Pride Lands created a powerful, unstoppable force that could defeat the evil lions, once and for all. And it worked! But only the worthiest in the Pride Lands would be allowed to find this force and use it.”

“Right...”

“That's us, we're the worthiest.

“But where is this unstoppable force?”

“What's the secret?”

Starlight, Bunga, Kion, and Rainbow all wondered.

Makini moved to look around to help find it. “I think... It's right…” She then spotted another area where the bright blue light is the brightest with foilage covering up the entrance to the area. “Over there.”

“Okay, guys, girls, we've come all this way.”

“Everyone ready?”

“Ready.” Fluttershy confidently replied with a sense of specialty like never before.

Bunga on the other hand, said so feeling equally confident like he does every day. “You kidding? Cave of secrets, here we come.”

Both Beshte and Fuli nod at each other with equally confident expressions alongside Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“Show us the light.”

“The very light that makes everyone and especially me look bright even on the darkest day.” Pinkie laughed at that to which Rainbow simply shrugged in response. “Okay, I guess I walked right into that one. But anyways, enough said. We’re ready.”

“Makini, will you do the honors?” Twilight asked of her.

Taking a calming breath to keep herself from exploding like Pinkie Pie would, Makini composed herself ready to do so. “Okay.”

She then moved the foliage aside as they all walk forward towards the chamber’s brightest area, where lies is a a bright blue shining pool in the very center. Though seeing this sparked confusion to most of the Guard.

“Huh?”

“That's...” Ono began.

“Unexpected.” Rarity finished.

“There's gotta be more than this.” Kion stated trying to understand it himself.

“I know…” Bunga proposed. “...maybe the secret's in the water.”

“Good thinking.” Pinkie along with Bunga both proceeded to jump into the water which created a big splash of water that would have soaked everyone had Twilight not put up a large umbrella over everyone’s head’s to protect them from the splash.

“Seriously?” Fuli asked not impressed in the slightest.

“Nope, no secret to defeating great evil in there.”

“Not even close!”

Fluttershy moved to look at her reflection as she realized something. “Maybe not the way you were thinking.” She suggested. “Maybe just maybe the answer lies within us.”

“What do you mean?” Kion asked as he too looked at his reflection. “Heyvi kabisa! You’re right! Look. The great force to defeating great evil is here. It's... Us.”

“Really?”

“Poa.”

“Wow!”

“Oh…”

“I never would have guessed.”

“Me neither...if I wasn’t fully distracted by my own reflection that is.”

“But all joking aside, it’s true.”

“We're the secret.”

“Well, yeah, that's what I've been saying all along!” Bunga commented feeling superior, up until having a huge drop of water splashed on top of him courtesy of Twilight mentally telling him otherwise and not to brag about it.

“Of course!” Makini realized as she put two and two together with the accompanying paintings. “It's all right here in the paintings.” She then proceeded to bring the painting to life. “That's the secret they created to defeat great evil. Askari's original Lion Guard.”

“Exactly.”

“You are correct, Makini.”

Both leaders of the Guard returned.

The young Mjuzi then felt a pang of guilt when she realized something. “If I had figured that out from all the paintings earlier, you wouldn't have had to go through all those dangerous tests. Sorry.”

“No need to be sorry.” Twilight assured. “Doing so actually is what everyone here needed.”

“That is true, Makini.” Kion came to the same conclusion as the princess. “I think we had to go through those tests.”

“So everyone would know we were worthy?” Ono guessed.

“So we'd know.” Kyoga answered. “We are the powerful, unstoppable force that will defeat Scar, together.”

“Because we're the Lion Guard…” Bunga added.

“...with the Pony Guard fighting alongside us.” Fluttershy finished feeling very brave inside.

“Right.” Twilight couldn’t have said it any better herself. “Till the Pride Lands and Equestria’s end…” She began as they all looked on towards the painting on the wall where the Mark of the Guard stands.

“Lion and Pony Guard Defend!” Both Guards from the present and past stated together as they all come to the same conclusion that they are ready and worthy to continue protecting their respective kingdoms from such potential threats going forward.

All while Scar's ominous green eyes observe from above just like he did to the Guard in the present day every step of the way with his physical body currently invisible to ensure he remains unseen. After seeing and hearing what he needed to hear he proceeded to disappear like a dazzling display of sparkles that reflect off of the other crystals that all shine bright even on it's darkest days.

Author's Note

Before we begin, I'd like to start off by saying this one needed some extra time since I felt the need to include some flashbacks scenes in this version of the episode which I hope told enough about these characters as they make the same journey as the current Lion and Pony Guard many years later. Not to mention I had really busy work week courtesy of the 4th of July.

Second, there is the matter of wondering why Twilight is playing Stealth Mentor here? The answer to that is because given that she managed to clear the obstacles on her own back in a flashback from Rainbow Rocks, it would make sense she'd want the others to be able to test themselves to prove themselves worth of their roles in the Guard and along the way the other ponies got to prove it themselves that they truly deserve it along with their current elements at their core.

Next up we have an episode where both an overworked Applejack along with an equally tired Kion both being convinced by both Rarity and Fuli to take a day off at the spa with them where their need for work clashes with, along with deep-rooted issues in the works, so stay tuned...