High atop the icy mountains of the Stone Forest, Chuluun stood on the edge of a cliff, her pale gray fur blending into the surrounding snow. Her sharp eyes scanned the horizon, where the cold winds swept across the jagged peaks, carrying the faint scent of the distant Pride Lands. A smirk tugged at her lips as memories of past confrontations with the Lion Guard flickered in her mind. The snow leopard had always prided herself on being untouchable, her stealth and cunning unmatched in the harsh wilderness of her homeland. But today felt different. There was a tension in the air, something unsettling. The wind howled louder, and the sky above was a stormy gray, threatening to unleash a fresh blizzard. Chuluun’s paws left faint imprints in the snow as she padded down from her perch, her movements silent and fluid. She had heard rumors that the Lion Guard might be venturing closer to her territory once again, perhaps searching for another rogue predator to put in their place. “Fools…” she thought, her icy blue eyes narrowing. They should know better by now. Reaching the base of the mountain, she crouched low, her muscles coiling as she blended into the white landscape. The snow fell heavier now, thick flakes swirling in the wind. Chuluun welcomed it… It would only make her more difficult to detect. She lived for moments like this, waiting for the perfect time to strike, her prey unaware until it was too late. Suddenly, a noise caught her attention. The soft crunch of paws in the snow, distant but growing closer. Her ears twitched, her heart quickening as she recognized the scent. They were near. A low growl rumbled in her throat as she crouched lower, her eyes gleaming with excitement.