The Rise of Zira

The Rise of Zira is the 56th episode and one hour special of Season 50.

Summary[]

Makucha and his band of bad guys try to use Catboy's magic to bring back the spirit of Zira in a dark lagoon of the Etherlands, far from the Tree of Life, to give them plans and she has assembled her own army so now has plans to take down Simba, the Lion Guard, the Night Pride, and even the PJ Masks and their friends, including her own pride and her two children, Kovu and Vitani, and her Lion Guard.

Plot[]

The episode begins at the Tree of Life where Catboy and his friends are seen helping Kion and Rani, and the Lion Guard and the Night Pride take down Makucha and his army, even with the help of some other animals. As time passes, Kion and Rani have grown to young adult lions while Catboy was more confident of using his magic and busy as the king and queen’s advisor at helping with solving all of the animals’ problems and other problems that involve shelter, finding new space for new animals coming to live at the Tree of Life, searching for food to feed the entire Tree of Life, making peace between animals fighting each other, helping with the water source problem, and territory sharing. After Makucha and his army have been defeat once more, Kion uses his roar again to send them back far, far away.

After another job well done of driving the bad guys out of the Tree of Life, King Kion, Queen Rani, and Connor and their friends were relaxing in the tree with some Swahili fruit juice and fruit smoothies made by Connor as they all made a toast, which Connor taught the Night Pride and the Lion Guard. Makini states that everybody’s getting stronger every year, and Kion includes Connor and his human friends as he shoots a proud smile at him, making Connor blush when he felt appreciated by the hard work they have done for the the king and queen, the former Lion Guard, and the Night Pride. As everyone was celebrating, Amaya asks Connor how things are going on being the king and queen’s first human advisor. Exhaling, Connor replies that it’s been a lot harder than he thought since Makucha, Chuluun, Ora, Mama Binturong, and the rest of their friends have been continuing to attack the Tree of Life and try to hunt the animals for their food, but Bunga notes that he’s (Connor) been doing a good job as much as Kion’s roar and being the king. With a shy smile, Connor thanks Bunga, although he was still concerned about the troubles going on in the Tree of Life, and just hopes that there is no other trouble bigger than Makucha’s army just as Amaya assures that they can handle it as long as they do it together! That made Connor feel better, thinking about it as he was glad that he has his friends by his side.

Meanwhile, in the darkest and farthest swampy region from the Tree of Life and the Pridelands called the Etherlands, Makucha, Chuluun, Ora, Mama Binturong, her porcupines, Makucha’s leap and Ora’s bank were on the ground and they were getting tired of being beaten up by the Lion Guard, the Night Pride, and even the PJ Masks and their allies, plus having to be blown back here next to the dark and damp lagoon by Kion’s roar that has become more powerful than ever and being clobbered by that human cat-loving kid’s magic, Chuluun added in an angry grunt, so they could stay hungry as usual. What’s even worse, Ora’s komodo dragon friend added, is that Kion is now king and Connor is his and Queen Rani’s new advisor who helps keep things at the Tree of Life in touch, and also why they can’t get any food to eat. Suddenly, Chuluun hears a voice, saying that she mentioned the Tree of Life’s human advisor’s magic, and a strange black snake appeared from the shadows as Makucha asks him smugly who he is. The snake, named Kuuma, explains that he overheard the snow leopard say about the human boy, that he just met not too long ago after giving him his own scar, being an advisor and having magic in his blood, which gives him an idea that would like to share with his newfound friends.

With the bad guys lifting their heads up to listen, Kuuma explains his plan to use Catboy’s magic, leaving Ora to believe that they might trick Catboy to use his magic on King Kion and Queen Rani, but Kuuma has a better plan: they can use Catboy’s magic to bring back Zira, one of Scar’s allies! Mama Binturong listens to this astonished, but only for a second when she asked Kuuma how he knows about Zira as he explains that he just heard about Kovu, Zira’s elder son and king of the Pridelands-to be, saying that Zira once tried to rule the Pridelands, and Zira is also his old friend’s daughter, but Makucha then asks if Kovu mentioned that Zira died in a flash flood a long time ago. Kuuma replies sarcastically that he didn’t know until now, but with the human boy’s magic, they can bring Zira back so she can give them some plans to take over that Tree of Life and destroy the Lion Guard and the Night Pride, including their human kid friends. Everyone was in on this now, and Makucha added, that if they can bring Zira back with Catboy's help, then she'll give them plans to help them hunt every animal in the Tree of Life, and even in the Pridelands! Soon, all the bad guys were in on Kuuma’s plan just as Makucha asks the snake with a sly smile what they should do to bring Zira back, and Kuuma explains how (Let’s Bring Back the Legend). After this, Kuuma, and Makucha, and his army prepare.

Meanwhile, at the Tree of Life, a penguin family has come for a visit to talk about a situation they have with the fish shortage. Thinking, Connor remembers the fish at Big Springs back in the Pridelands and proclaims that he'll talk to Beshte's father, Basi, and have the fish delivered to them in no time, as the penguins thank him before heading out back to their home. After the penguins left, Kion says well done to Connor and declares that he deserves a day off, although Connor says to the king that he doesn’t need to do that, but Rani insists that Kion is right and that their royal advisor has been working really hard and really does need to go out for some fresh air and relaxation. Taking that, Connor decides to go out and do so, as he walks out with his arms stretching and he soaks in the sunlight while taking a deep breath, then smiles to himself as he watches all the animals around the Tree of Life roaming happily.

Everything was well in the Tree of Life, since Connor and his friends help Kion, Rani, and their teams defeat Makucha and his army. There wasn’t a villain in sight, lucky for Connor who looked around for any, but so far, none just as he decides to go out a bit farther to explore the outside part of the Tree of Life, which was a dark, foggy, and dreary area that looked a bit like the elephant graveyard at the Pridelands, but it had sticky algae, eerie old willow trees, moss, and hot geysers spraying out steaming water that Connor had to jump out of the way before getting sprayed or soaked. Suddenly, he felt a rush on his back as Connor turned around with a gasp and called out who was there, then again, Connor felt the rush on his back again and turned to see nothing again, but as Connor turned to head back to the Tree of Life, he gasps loudly when he comes face to face with Makucha and he asks him with a growl, while his magic begins to activate, what he was doing as he adds if he was spying on him. Chuckling slyly, Makucha replies that he was just out for a stroll when he noticed Connor walking in the geyser ground as Connor replied back sarcastically that his friends King Kion and Queen Rani have given him a day off, but he (Connor) wasn’t expecting to see him (Makucha) again but then asks him if he wants to fight, then they’ll fight as Connor readies his magic activating his fists, just as Makucha was hoping when suddenly, Connor unleashes his magic at Makucha but he dodges and he smiles secretly and slyly. Hopefully that will be enough to bring back Zira as Makucha retreats, much to Connor's confusion, but he makes his leave anyway.

Meanwhile, Chuluun had found a bone of Zira's skeleton and Ora had taken a scrap of Zira's fur from her corpse when they were lead by Kuuma to find them in the Pride Lands. Just then, Makucha returns to report that the boy had released his magic so now Zira will be coming back, but Kuuma says that it's not enough as Ora says furiously what Kuuma means as Kuuma explains that Connor needs to perform more of his magic so it will be strong enough to bring the evil lioness back. Then, Mama Binturong comes up with an idea to get Connor's magic going, as if they capture one of his friends and takes them into the geysers, then his magic will make Zira rise. Chuluun asks if it’ll work and Makucha says with sly agreement that it might just work.

Back at the Tree of Life, Connor had returned after his encounter with Makucha just as Bunga and Binga appear playing catch with a pinecone just as Bunga sees his friend and calls him over. Connor comes over and plays with the honey badgers just as Bunga tells him how’s his day off is going as Connor explains to him and Binga that he just went out and bumped into Makucha, leaving Bunga to stop and exclaim in anger what Makucha was trying to do this time and Binga asks if he (Makucha) was trying to hurt him as Connor replied that Makucha was, but he didn’t look like he was in the mood for fighting which is very unusual for a bad guy like him, as Binga begins to wonder why Makucha wouldn’t want to fight as she throws the pinecone to Connor, then Bunga replies that maybe he’s just too scared to fight which is good since he and the other bad guys have been beaten a bunch of times, but Connor frowns as maybe it’s not much of a coincidence for Makucha to run away from a fight and that he might has some plans for the Tree of Life. Although skeptical, Bunga and Binga soon start to think that Connor might be right, but again they were skeptical as Connor decides that maybe he should report this to Kion and Rani just in case Makucha and his band of bad guys come back to the Tree of Life again.

That nightfall after delivering the fish to the penguins that afternoon, Catboy, Owlette, Gekko, Armadylan, Aquafish, and Luna Girl stay for the night in their tree fort to keep a lookout for any of the bad guys after Catboy had told the king and queen about Makucha, but Kion then asks them if they are sure if they want to do this as Owlette states that if Catboy believes that Makucha, Chuluun, Ora, Mama Binturong, and their bad guy bands are planning to attack the Tree of Life again, they need to keep them out if they put one paw step in the animals’ home. After a glance at Rani who nods in agreement with Owlette, Kion says with a sigh okay and that the PJ Masks, Armadylan, and Luna Girl can stay for tonight, although he was still unsure about this idea. While all five of his friends were resting, Catboy was keeping an eye out for any bad guys even though he was about to feel a bit sleepy just when Owlette wakes up with a yawn and asks him if he’s going to sleep, but Catboy replies that he can’t sleep until he sees Makucha, Chuluun, Ora, Mama Binturong, or any of their friends coming and if they do, they’ll fight them off. Sighing while getting up from her leaf hammock, Owlette says that she doesn’t think the bad guys are coming to the Tree of Life as they are probably just sleeping tonight, so that means Catboy should sleep too as Owlette reminds him that he is the king and queen’s advisor and that he can’t feel tired on his job.

After listening to her, Catboy decides that Owlette is right and that tomorrow is a busy day, as the two head for their hammocks. But just when they were sleeping, Mama Binturong was sneakily climbing up the tree and outstretching her arm, she grabs Owlette by the leg and pulls her out of her leaf hammock as she lets out a startled scream, waking up her friends as Catboy jumps out from his hammock as he sees Mama Binturong getting away with Owlette and he swings on a vine and jumps down to chase after them! Catboy calls Mama Binturong to let Owlette go, but she (Mama Binturong) just ignored him and kept on going until the three were in the geyser realm as Catboy skids to a stop when one geyser erupts hot steaming water, and it made him lose both Mama Binturong and Owlette. Just right after Mama Binturong and Owlette entered the Etherlands, Catboy kneels down and has a solemn expression on his face as he was then heading back to the Tree of Life when suddenly, Kion, Rani, the Lion Guard, and the Night Pride appeared running towards as Kion said that they just heard Catboy and Owlette’s shouting and asked what happened. Catboy explains that he saw Mama Binturong take away Owlette but had no idea why as he muttered angrily that he knew Makucha and his friends would come to the Tree of Life to cause trouble, just as Fuli comforts him as Baliyo then asks with his eyebrow raised why Mama Binturong would capture Owlette as Kion says that they’ll figure that out as they start a rescue mission, now.

Meanwhile, Makucha has his leopards drag Owlette as she asks them furiously what they want from her and demands them to let her go, but Makucha replies that there’s no special reason, except to lure her friends here to come and try to save her as Fahari and Jiona threw her down behind hot steaming geysers. Owlette demands why, but Makucha replies to her that it’ll be for them to know but for the owl girl and her friends to find out soon, but for now he says to Owlette that she should make herself comfy and behave herself like a pretty little bird she is by waiting patiently to come, then he orders Jiona and Fahari to keep an eye on her while he and the others get ready for the Night Pride and the PJ Lion Guard to arrive. After the villains have left, Owlette tried to fly out of her prison, but then she falls and realizes that her leg is sprained. She just hoped that her friends get here to save her soon.

On their way in the Etherlands, Ono was leading the way and he uses his sight to see Owlette trapped behind a group of geysers with her leg looking sprained. Catboy then rushes off to save her before anyone could tell him to wait, but he was already in the center of the Etherlands, then suddenly, Makucha and his leap appear, and so do Chuluun, Ora and his bank, Mama Binturong, Smun, and his porcupines! With his feet standing on solid ground, Catboy kept his guard up as the villains readied to attack and so did Catboy, who growled and had his magic growing and aura claws out, then pounces in to fight the villains as he slashes claws with the leopards and the snow leopard, while dodging Mama Binturong's own claws, then grabs her by the wrist and throws her down on the ground, but Mama got up on her paws until Catboy kicks her, then when Makucha pounces up behind him, Catboy’s instincts kicked in as he spun around and pins the leopard down instead. While Makucha was struggling to get up, Catboy snarls down at him with his eyes glowing furiously and he growls at him to tell him where Owlette is, or he (Catboy) says threateningly that he’ll slice and dice Makucha and his friends. However, Makucha just sent Catboy an evil grin and replied to him that he’d like to see him try, but even if he did that, he’d never know where Owlette is just as Catboy’s eyes widened as he realized that Makucha is right, right before the leopard pinned him down and was about to claw at him, when Catboy used his magic to protect him and then slide underneath Makucha, then as Makucha turned, Catboy karate kicks him on the side of his head! But just when Catboy thought that Makucha was down, Machuka gets up with a chuckle as it is not over yet. Suddenly, Chuluun sneaks up behind Catboy and headbutting him on the back, knocking him off his feet as he painfully lands on solid ground on his chest and tries to get up, but Ora pins him down with his foot to prevent him as Makucha sneered down and slyly says to him that it’s over for him. But just then, a familiar boulder rolled in the battle and knocked the Komodo dragon right off of Catboy, who recognized it as Armadylan, who unrolled himself and exclaimed to the bad guys that it ain’t over yet, then Luna Girl, Gekko, Aquafish, and the rest of the Night Pride appeared to help Catboy as they went to battle.

Meanwhile, Jiona and Fahari were still keeping watch of Owlette when they heard the sound of hits, smacks, and shouting overhead. Fahari then realized that the Night Pride and the PJ Lion Guard must already be in the Etherlands and Makchua and the rest of their friends must be fighting them. Jiona wished they could join in, but Machuka had already given them orders of watching their red owl prisoner, which gives Owlette an idea as she still has some of her powers. Calling to the leopards, Owlette used her super owl charm to wink at them and suddenly, Jiona and Fahari fall under her love spell as she prompts them to come to her so they can "have some quality time together," but her real plan was to get Fahari and Jiona to get her out. Just as the two love drooling leopards were busy admiring Owlette’s beautiful eyes, she asks them if they can take her out for some fresh air, as the two try to do what she requested but then they began to fight over who gets to carry Owlette on his back. Until Owlette decides to choose on her own by riding on Jiona’s back and the three get through the geysers just right after she was out, Owlette gives both Jiona and Fahari a kiss on the forehead as the two faltered leopards felt flat on their chests while Owlette hides behind a willow tree and deactivates her super owl charm before making her escape, and before the geyser’s spring hot water blasted out from the hole and it’s steaming pressure snapped both Fahari and Jiona out of their love trance when they felt it on their tails as they realized with frantic expressions that their prisoner had escaped!

Back in the battle field, the fight between Makucha’s army and the Night Pride and the PJ Lion Guard were still fighting as Aquafish sprays a jet water blast at one of Ora’s Komodo dragons while Catboy ties Chuluun’s paws together with his super cat stripes! Kion then tackles Makucha while Baliyo, Surak, and Gekko fought with Mama Binturong and her porcupines! Nirmala pounces on one of Ora’s Komodo dragons and another, but was just about to pounce on Ora when he smacks her with his mighty tail and she hits rock ground, but just when Ora was about to bite Nirmala, a sudden wall of red feathers appeared from above to protect her as she looked up to see Owlette, who has escaped and left Makucha looking wide eyes with bewildered surprise just when he heard Jiona and Fahari calling to him as they ran to join him, only to get a scowl from their leader as Makucha snaps at them that he thought they were keeping an eye on the owl girl.

Intimidated, Fahari and Jiona apologize for Makucha and tried to explain to him that Owlette had put them under some kind of spell, but Makucha berates at them to forget about it and help him and the rest of the army to fight off the PJ Lion Guard and the Night Pride, who didn't look too tired as they were, and they had Owlette flying around, helping their enemies. However, Makucha already had a plan as he leaps into hiding behind the rocks. Owlette's leg was still a bit sore from being sprained, but she was staying strong as she uses her owl wing wind to blow away Smun and his prickle, then uses her good leg to kick a Komodo dragon coming to bite her as Catboy shouts a compliment at her and she thanks him for that. Suddenly, Makucha pounces up to Owlette and grabs her around her neck, as Catboy gasps when he saw with horror that Makucha's got her! In fury, Catboy demands the leopard to let go of her but Makucha tells him never, then adds that one step closer, and he'll make Owlette into 'feather pulp' as he takes out his claws, making Owlette cry out in fear for Catboy's help while she wriggled in Makucha's grasp. Seeing Owlette in danger again, Catboy clutches his fists and was getting very angry that his suit turns red with anger and every rock started floating up and flying everywhere, hitting all the bad guys and even his friends, as they tried dodging them.

Then, as Makucha hoped for, Catboy was about to use his magic, even in spite of Owlette shouting out to him to wait, but he already unleashed all of his magic as she ducked while Makucha got hit by it and was sent flying straight to a rock, then crashes onto it, then heads inside of the lagoon for cover. Suddenly, thanks to Catboy's magic, the water of the lagoon begins to churn and overflow uncontrollably that Makucha had to jump on the highest rocks before getting his paws wet while outside, the geysers sprung out like crazy and everyone retreated from the battle as Catboy quickly picks up Owlette and carries her with him and their friends to safety out of the Etherlands!

After the Night Pride and the PJ Lion Guard were out, Owlette thanks everyone for coming to her rescue, especially to Catboy, but then she noticed how worried he looked at from seeing those overactive geysers spring up. She walks over to him and asks Catboy if he's okay as he replies that he's fine, but concludes that Makucha got to him by making him so angry with trying to claw at her, just as Owlette assures him to not worry and that the important thing is she's safe now. Smiling slowly at her, Catboy notes that she's right an as everyone leaves, he concludes that at least nothing else bad will happen. Back at the Etherlands lagoon, Kuuma, Chuulun, Ora and Mama Binturong were trying to summon Zira, but nothing works. As Makucha arrives, he furiously tells Kuuma that he thought that getting Catboy to release his magic will bring the lioness back, but all he had was a back pain from being blasted on. Chuluun and Mama Binturong were also furious that this scheme was all for nothing as they threw the bone and fur into the water in frustration, when suddenly, the lagoon water bubbles as Makucha, Chuluun, Ora, Mama Binturong (all four shrinking back), and Kuuma (who was grinning) backed away to see a geyser spring up and then a familiar lioness face appeared before them. Makucha gasps at the cackling water spirit and questions her in a stuttering voice, if she is who he believes it is, as the water spirit entity confirms herself as Zira, ending the episode.

Song(s)[]

Let's Bring Back the Legend

Music in this episode[]

TBA

Characters[]

Trivia[]

This episode is an inspiration of The Rise of Scar from The Lion Guard.
The concept for Zira’s spirit is an inspiration of an art by Silver-Wolf-17 on Deviantart.
While Scar's spirit comes back in a volcano due to have died in a fire while being attacked by the hyenas in The Lion King, Zira's spirit comes back in a lagoon due to have died in flash flood despite Kiara’s offer to save her in The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride.

Transcript[]

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