So any cubs, clear out!

My name is a part of me.

They shouldn't be able to take it away.

You don't have to join, it's not too late to change your mind...

No. I...I want to.

It's just...

I'm Hover. I don't want to be Not-Hover.

What were you before they called you Nothing?

Pride lionesses are born Nameless.

They just call us Sister or Daughter until we're old enough for our assessment.

I never had a name before Nothing.

But males are born with names!

They still have to earn their Manes by leading a Pride.

None of us are born whole until wee serve the Pride.

Don't you see?! All of this is just mind games!

I hate it!

And I hate that I care about it!

I hate that I am so nervous about this stupid test to get a stupid fake new name.

You'll be there, won't you?

Of course! You'll be amazing.

Besides! You couldn't possibly do worse than I did.

You're right. I don't think anyone ever has.

I'm not sure if you've heard, but I received blessings from all three Goddesses during mine.

And performed well in all supplementary skills.

Okay?

It's the best you can do! Even Sharptongue said she'd never seen anything like it!

We thought you might like to train with us for your assessment.

Our mother's a harsh critic..

...as Nothing knows.

Hover doesn't need your help.

She'll do fine on her own.

Nothing! I'm surprised!

I thought you'd want her to do well.

So she can stay.

Do you...not want that?

Of course I want her to do well!

Then why are you being weird about this? We're trying to help.

It's not like you can help her what with your...injury.

That's...true.

Well, coming?

That's a really nice offer...

Nothing, would you mind if I trained with them for a bit?

I think it'll help my nerves.

Sure! They're right, they can help.

I'd...just get in the way.

Are you sure?

Yeah! Go train up, Hover. We'll catch up after the ceremony!

Yeah! Only I won't be Hover anymore.

I'll be Good-Bitey-Girl or something equally insane.

Seems like your friend knows a winner when she sees one.

Nothing!

Yes Quickmane?

The cubs need supervision.

Can I trust you to look after them without Sharptongue's help?

Yes. That I can handle.

Don't be cute with me, Nothing.

We'll return for your pet's assessment at the height of Sunce's eye.

Arrive there on time with the cubs. Understood?

Understood.

Hover's right. You're pretty cute when you're not talking.

Psst! Sister.

Fire?

Don't look suspicious.

Quickmane will have my hide if he catches me.

What are you doing here?

It was the only way to talk to you!

Meet me at the watering hole.

I can't, I have to watch the cubs!

Fire?

Did you hear me?

Don't move. I'll be back.

Fire?

F-Fire?

Sister! You made it!

Ah ha! YOU'RE the No-Mane my Dad has been sniffing!

Are you here to take over the Pride, Fire!?

How could you!?

Feather!

What are you doing here? You're supposed to be asleep!

A hunter never sleeps!

Silentstalk taught me how to track and I followed you here all by myself!

You never suspected a thing.

Pretty cool, huh?

Hey buddy!

You've grown so much, I barely recognized you!

I just stopped by to visit my sister, don't worry.

Okay! I believe you.

So, what's it like being a No-Mane?

So far, so fun!

You'll be joining me soon at the rate that mane's comin' in little guy!

Whoa, you're right!

I'm gonna be the toughest No-Mane in the world and have a million Prides

and EAT anyone who says different!

Sorry about him.

That's enough excitement for you today, Feather. Let's get you back to the Sisters Steppe.

Unhand me villain!

You're leaving already? I was hoping you could meet my friends...

There are MORE No-Manes!?

A whole band of them!

We're staying near here on the Prideless Stretch for thee next few days.

I wanna go see!

Nothing, can we go?? Pleeease??

Is it safe for Feather?

Of course! Nobody'll touch him, he's under my protection.

We have to be back for a ceremony at Sunce's highest gaze.

Do we have time?

That's plenty of time, come on!

I've never been so far from the Sister's Steppe before!

It's sooo empty out here!

It's called the Prideless Stretch because it's empty...

Nobody can survive out here for long. Especially in the dry season.

There they are! Come on!

This future Mane here is the Mane of this Pride's newest cub.

Everyone!

This is my Sister! Sister, these are my friends!

Tangle, Stub and Proud.

That's Meadow and Root over there.

And back there is Scruffy.

We aren't actually sure if that's his real name but he hasn't corrected us yet, so...

Do you have your Huntress name yet?

Yes it's...Nothing.

Ouch! That's a tough one!

The Hunt Chief only gave it to her to be cruel.

You can just call her Sister.

Nothing seems pretty accurate to me.

Ha! Proud's teasing!

He's got a pretty glib sense of humour, right buddy?

All I'm saying is the point of Huntress names is to let the Pride know what a lioness's

skills are.

If she's not good at anything, it follows her name should be--

Proud doesn't have a glib sense of humour, he just doesn't know when to shut up.

I'm Tangle and it's a pleasure to meet you.

Fire talks about you all the time!

You do?

How could I not?

You defeated a No-Mane when most cubs can't defeat a dung beetle.

I'm proud of you.

I'm afraid I'm new to this group and haven't heard the story.

You battled a No-Mane when you were a cub, Nothing?

It's true!!

She jumped on my Dad's face and ripped out his eye!!

Heh heh...

Wow! I don't know anyone with the guts to pull that off!

Certainly not me. I'd have just accepted death.

So your Pa's half blind?

Yeah! He can never catch us when we play! It's so funny.

That does sound funny, little Mane.

Flaming eyes! I lost track of time!

Hover's ceremony is starting, we have to get back!

It was so nice meeting you all!

Who's Hover?

Can we stop for a drink?

It's just a little further!

Please? I'm so tired.

Urgh okay but let's be quit.

Fire?

It is time.

You must follow.

W-who was that?

Get behind me.

We are under the protection of Quickmane and his huntresses.

Whoever you are, I suggest you leave.

Be calm. Ghost does not wish to harm you.

It is shifting. Time runs short.

Follow.

Nothing, I'm afraid.

We aren't going anywhere with you! Leave us alone!

That is not your decision.