While Kion, Bunga, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri are at the mudpots at the edge of the Pride Lands, Scar has Mzingo set fire to the area upon being informed by Shupavu and Njano. Seeking shelter from the fire, the five of them head into Muhangus the aardvark’s den and underground where they meet Kuchimba the golden mole. Kuchimba points them in the direction of Pride Rock and helps Tiifu get over her fear of the dark. Eventually, Kion, Bunga, Kiara, Tiifu, and Zuri run into Thurston, who has found himself underground as well. They are soon able to track down Muhangus and get him to help them find a way back to the surface. Tiifu ultimately becomes friends with Thurston and helps him get over his fear of the dark using what she learned from Kuchimba.