It makes sense that Lion-O is more of an Idiot Hero in this version. He is meant to be a kid in a man's body like the original, just amped up to eleven.
From “Prince Starling’s Quest,” the titular Starling returns from untold wanderings to save his Micrit Village from further destruction Destroyer/Lion-O. After drinking the waters from the "Fountain of Growth" Starling grows large enough to face Lion-O. After a brief fight, Lion-O figures out that Starling is trying to defeat him to save his village. Lion-O also notices they have around and atop of the Micrit Village, wreaking destruction by not only his soles but Starling’s. You might expect Lion-O to attempt a truce with Starling and both trying to patch up relations with the Micrits. No, Prince Starling is so consumed with Lion-O’s role in the ordeal that he goes insane and wreaks further havoc upon the Micrits before Lion-O casually takes a sip from the Fountain of Growth, grows even bigger and kicks Prince Starling into the sky. Lion-O is thus hailed as a hero in the end by the Micrits who had earlier viewed him as a monster.
