Azali

Azali
GENERAL
The Lion King
Character	Azaad
Character	Fuli
Canonical?	Canon
Status of Relationship	Close friends
IN FANDOM
Type (?)	Het

Azali is the het ship between Azaad and Fuli from The Lion King fandom.

Canon

Azaad and Fuli are both cheetahs and met in the episode "The Race to Tuliza." While searching for some tuliza for her friend Kion, Fuli became lost in a series of canyonlands that proved to be Azaad's territory. Not taking kindly to the presence of another cheetah, Azaad was also less than impressed when Fuli suggested that if he felt crowded, he could leave. He was then surprised when Fuli claimed to be on an errand helping her friends, since cheetahs were famously solitary, and he didn't believe friendship was something that they did.

Letting go of some of her initial temper towards Azaad, Fuli asked if he would be willing to help her find her way. Impressed by her obvious sincerity and also seeing that she had what he called "the flame...of a cheetah!", Azaad agreed to help her. However, he had a condition: if Fuli wanted his help, she first had to beat him in a race. Fuli readily agreed, and Azaad laid out the course they were to run. Fuli had hoped that they could race to the tuliza she was searching for, but Azaad insisted that if she wanted the plant, she had to prove to him that she could beat him.

The two were soon in the thick of the race, both showing obvious competitive sides. However, Azaad managed to secure victory due to his knowledge of the terrain and savored his victory while also denying Fuli access to the tuliza. Undaunted, Fuli insisted on a rematch, claiming that one so obviously passionate wouldn't be intimidated by the prospect. Azaad, somewhat surprised, nevertheless agreed.

On the second race, Azaad found Fuli more than a match for him and became desperate to secure victory. However, his attempted shortcut nearly led to a disastrous fall, and it was only Fuli's surprise intervention that saved him from injury. Stunned by her actions, Azaad questioned why she had come back to help him instead of claiming victory. Fuli cited it as the act of a friend, surprising Azaad with the idea that she considered him to be one.

The two soon found themselves laughing over this development, and Azaad openly admitted that Fuli had earned his admiration. He then honored his agreement to lead her to the tuliza, and even offered to help her return to her friends as well. Fuli willingly agreed, before questioning whether he'd like to make it yet another race. They soon reached Fuli's comrades in the Lion Guard, and Azaad introduced himself, noting his friendship with Fuli as he did so.

Fuli thanked Azaad for his help, and the two cheetahs then prepared to part ways. Azaad noted that Fuli was a good friend, and expressed the hope that they would meet again someday. Fuli agreed, and the two then took leave of each other by racing off in separate directions. However, Fuli would turn back to watch Azaad's departure, wistfully bidding him farewell yet again before joining her friends.

In "Journey to the Pride Lands", Fuli was surprised-and visibly pleased-to hear Azaad's signature cry of "Mibinamet!" as he arrived at the Tree of Life. She was surprised to learn that he and Queen Rani were acquainted, and after greeting both of them Azaad explained his reason for being there. He had brought Janja and Jasiri, hyena allies of the Lion Guard, with news of an attack on their home in the Pride Lands. Azaad then joined the Lion Guard and their two allies as they began traveling back to the Pride Lands. During the journey, he questioned Fuli about her friendship with Janja and Jasiri, and she admitted that the circumstances were somewhat convoluted.

Later in the journey, faced with the prospect of crossing a ravine, Azaad declared that he and Fuli would cross in cheetah fashion, to which she agreed. The two raced and then leaped over the ravine, landing safely. As the party continued onwards, Fuli and Azaad's obvious pleasure in one another's company became evident to the others. Bunga and Beshte discussed the matter, and Besthe noted that the cheetah's blooming friendship reminded him of that between Kion and Queen Rani.

Still later, when Kion expressed the hope that Fuli and Azaad wouldn't object to being wet, the two cheetahs shared a concerned glance. Azaad would later voice the sentiment that cheetahs disliked water, something Fuli had often stated; she pointed this out to her other friends as vindication of her stance. Fuli would later express gratitude to Azaad for his help, apologizing for certain unpleasant aspects of the journey so far. While Azaad admitted to the discomfort, he also expressed gratitude for being able to be in her company, and the cheetahs shared a smile in spite of being soaked.

Near the end of the journey, the group would be forced to take action to save several animals inadvertently endangered by Kion's use of his of powerful Roar of the Elders. Fuli would enlist Azaad in helping a group of klipspringers, the two working together to herd them to safety. Afterwards, the group continued their journey and soon arrived within sight of the Pride Lands.

In "Return to the Pride Lands", Azaad and Fuli would both be targeted by Kasi, the Fastest member of Vitani's new Lion Guard. Once the conflict was resolved by the arrival of Kion's sister Kiara and her new mate Kovu, Azaad accompanied the old Lion Guard into the Pride Lands. Upon arriving at Pride Rock and greeting King Simba and Queen Nala, Bunga noted that they "met lots of amazing animals" on their journey. Fuli turned to Azaad at this remark and expressed agreement with Bunga's sentiment, earning a returning smile from him. When Azaad introduced himself to the monarchs, Fuli smiled fondly and quickly explained his part in leading them back home by the swiftest possible route.

As the old Lion Guard reacquainted themselves with their old home, Fuli and Azaad raced through the Pride Lands together. Unfortunately, what might have been a tender moment viewing the sunset from atop a small rise was interrupted by some of Fuli's old "friends": a group of baboons whom she had often found frustrating rather than endearing. The next day, Azaad accompanied Fuli and her teammates as they went to the Lair of the Lion Guards, only to find Vitani and her Guard in residence. He would then accompany both groups on a "rescue" that resulted in them deciding to hold a competition to determine which group should take over permanent duties as Lion Guard of the Pride Lands.

When the time came for Fuli's competition against Kasi, Azaad was confident that his friend would win due to her "fire of the cheetah", however fast Kasi proved to be. He would cheer her on during the ensuing race and expressed a complete lack of surprise when Fuli achieved victory. Azaad and Fuli also stood together as spectators during the other Guard members' competitions, and Azaad also turned to regard Fuli when she and her friends decided to return to the Tree of Life as permanent defenders alongside Queen Rani's Night Pride. The two would stand together again during Kion's coronation and wedding to Rani.

Fanon

Azali's reception in The Lion Guard fandom is somewhat mixed, though it appears to be generally positive in spite of Azaad's rather late entry into the series and his mere handful of appearances. Opponents of the ship include those who favor KiFu, the pairing between Kion and Fuli. This is the major rival ship to Azali for Fuli, whereas Azaad has no other ships of note.

There are 11 works featuring the pairing on AO3, one of which is rated Explicit. It is Fuli's second most popular ship after KiFu, but the most popular ship for Azaad.

Fandom

Azaad/Fuli tag on AO3