An idea thats been floating in my head for a long time and one that @ninjaturtlecosmo and I have been dabbling with that I thought I could post the premise for. Its a Lion Guard story with an extremely dark storyline. Its set right after Kion becomes leader of The Lion Guard, right after Season 1 Episode 5: Eye Of The Beholder
After a violent attack led by the ruthless Zyaire destroys the Pride Lands and kills Simba, Kion and the surviving members of the Lion Guard, Kiara, Scar's daughter, Kuona, and newborn Princess Aina are forced into exile across a kingdom consumed by war, starvation, and fear. As grief, trauma, and exhaustion slowly tear the group apart, the survivors struggle to protect one another while adapting to a brutal new world where survival matters more than destiny. But hidden within the shadows follows Asya — Simba and Nala’s long-lost daughter, believed dead for years — quietly watching the family that never knew she survived.
I have a full episode list for season 1, I can start by posting a few and then put more up if people are interested
Opening Movie — “Fall of the Pride Lands”
The Pride Lands fall after Zyaire launches a violent attack against Pride Rock. Simba is killed defending his family, while Timon and Pumbaa die protecting Bunga during the escape. Forced into exile, Kion flees with Kiara, the Lion Guard, Kuona, newborn Aina, and a handful of survivors as enemy patrols hunt them across the kingdom.
As grief, fear, and exhaustion begin tearing the group apart, nobody realizes they are already being watched from the shadows by Asya — Simba and Nala’s long-lost daughter, believed dead for years.
Episode 1 — “Smoke”
As the Pride Lands burn behind them, Kion leads everyone into exile while grief, panic, and exhaustion begin tearing the group apart. Meanwhile, Kuona and Fuli immediately clash over survival decisions as enemy patrols begin hunting fleeing loyalists across the kingdom.
Episode 2 — “Under The Surface”
While hiding in underground tunnels beneath enemy territory, the exhausted survivors encounter Zakiya, a guarded young outlander who knows the tunnels better than anyone else. Though reluctant to trust the group, Zakiya helps them evade enemy patrols after realizing Zyaire’s forces are hunting him too. Meanwhile, the claustrophobic tunnels and constant fear of discovery begin pushing tensions within the Guard dangerously close to breaking point.
Episode 3 — “We Are One”
As the exhausted survivors begin turning on each other under the pressure of grief and fear, Kiara desperately tries keeping the group united the way Simba once held the Pride Lands together. But when old tensions explode during a dangerous crossing through enemy territory, Kiara realizes being part of a pride does not stop family from breaking apart. Meanwhile, Kion begins understanding that leadership means holding everyone together even when he himself is falling apart.
Episode 4 — “Hakuna Matata”
Bunga secretly keeps trying recreating old routines Timon and Pumbaa used to do with him, but the memories quickly stop being comforting and start forcing him to confront his grief.
Episode 5 — “Beyond Sight”
While traveling through unfamiliar canyon territory, Kuona becomes increasingly frustrated after the group starts unconsciously treating her differently because of her blindness — warning her about obstacles she already noticed, grabbing her without asking, and constantly second-guessing her abilities. Tensions finally explode when Kuona storms off alone to prove she can survive without help, only to become trapped during a sudden rockslide.
EDIT: Asya is @ninjaturtlecosmo's character
