years.

Kovu slowly approached. He couldn’t help but snicker at the sight. He would enjoy this and he licked his lips.

Simba struggled to breathe. With tired and exhausted eyes, he looked up at Kovu. “Kovu… I should never have accepted you!” he said hissing. “You…” He coughed. “You used my daughter… just to get to me…”

Kovu laughed. “Yes! And she’ll never know. If you hadn’t killed Scar none of this would be happening. And don’t worry. Kiara will be queen but I will be her king and I will take good care of her.” He chuckled, seeing that there was still life in the battered lion yet. “Look at you. I thought you were better than this, but I guess I was wrong.”

“You really want to continue the circle Scar started Kovu? It doesn’t have to be like this. Scar killed my father…” He was cut off by a smack to the head. He didn’t cry in pain. He was numb all over.

“And Scar was the father of my brother!” Kovu growled. “You threw him to the hyenas. You didn’t stop it! You’re a king of mercy? No! My mother was Scar’s mate, his queen and his second in command! Scar knew I was not of his blood but of my mother and a rogue. He could’ve killed me but he saw himself in me. He saw brilliance and strength and he named me his heir out of love! You know nothing Simba!” The dark lion circled him. “Scar didn’t have the experience but he would’ve made a great king if he did. Your father was the favorite and Scar was shoved to the side like a piece of trash because he was second born, not strong like Mufasa. The circle Scar created will continue but it will be different.” He came up to Simba’s neck.

The king didn’t reply. He shut his eyes, waiting. “Father… please, watch over Nala, and Kiara. I… I failed you. I’m sorry.” Tears leaked out of his eyes.

“Aww… a Daddy’s little boy… sounds like your daughter, a Daddy’s little girl!”

“Just do it Kovu,” he whispered.

The lion laughed. “If you insist…” He lunged out and wrapped his jaws around the king’s throat, his buried in the bloodied and dust covered red mane. He felt his teeth sink into the flowing blood and with a fierce jerk Kovu stepped away.

Simba cried in pain. Blood formed underneath his body and spewed out of the wound, also covering his shoulder. The king gasped for air and after a few moments, his struggles ceased, his legs stopped jerking and finally, Simba’s eyes rolled in the back of his head and he was still.

Kovu smiled triumphantly and went towards another small pond of water and dipped his blood stained muzzle into it.

Zira smiled with the same triumph. At last it was done. The lionesses muttered to themselves. A few moments later Nuka stood beside his mother but leaned on his sister for support, the four lionesses following. Zira turned to her eldest son and nuzzled him.

“Mom… did I make you proud today?” Nuka asked in a pained whisper.

“You did your best my son,” she replied. “And I am proud of you, of both you and Kovu. Scar… your father would be too.”

“But Kovu did it didn’t he?”

“He did it for all of us.”

Kovu cleaned his muzzle and came near the pride. His mother smiled proudly. His brother and sister held shocked but proud expressions.

Nuka winked. “Not bad ter… I mean, not bad Kovu.”

For the first time, the three siblings shared a laugh.

Kovu looked on his brethren then to Zira. “Mother… you said I would be king. You are the mother of the new king, the Queen Mother.” He turned again to Vitani and Nuka. “Vitani, Nuka, prepare to reclaim your true titles of Prince and Princess of the Pridelands. Vitani, you’re an excellent huntress. I hereby appoint you, leader of the hunting party. And Nuka… there shall be no hard feelings between us. I’m gonna need your help.”

The gray brown lion smiled. “No… that’s what happened between Dad and his brother. And I would be glad to help. We are brothers right.”

Kovu nodded and walked in front of the lionesses, some bowing their heads a bit. Despite him being in terrible pain he managed to jump onto a ledge and look down. He cleared his throat and spoke in a bold voice. “Simba, our oppressor, is no more. His daughter, Princess Kiara and his mate, Queen Nala are officially stripped of their titles but Kiara will be my Queen and she will learn the ways of the Outlander but never again will we be known as that.” The lionesses just stayed silent. “From now on, we are Pridelanders, for that is our true title!”

Some wanted to roar but they wanted to hear his speech.

“On this day, we will return home and our glory will be restored. If Nala wants a fight then that is what she will get. We will not have another Pridelander stand in the way of taking back what was stolen from us! Before this day is done, we will eat in peace upon Pride Rock! We will help each other and defend the Circle of Life from murderers, traitors. Anyone who wants a home shall have it and have it freely.”

The lionesses roared followed by Zira who roared with joy, her heart pounding. Nuka and Vitani roared alongside their mother and from the top of the ledge, Kovu roared and in his mind, he imagined himself standing on Pride Rock’s promontory.

After the roars, the lionesses bowed their heads deeply. Vitani and Nuka laughed softly sharing a sibling embrace, while Zira, somehow felt the presence of her dead mate. “Look on our children, my love,” she whispered. “Your legacy has been restored.” Then she, along with her son and daughter, bowed.

But as she did, she heard the words she had spoken long ago. Then, they were just words but now, their meaning was fulfilled. Her youngest son was king, her other children, prince and princess.

One day when you’re big and strong, you will be a king…