Time went by since the annoucement of Rani's pregnancy. Sadly, Janna had passed on and Rani was crowned queen with Kion as her king. The ceremony had taken place before the birthing and just a few days after, Rani was in labor. Kion, Surak, and Baliyo were ordered to stay outside of the tree while Nirmala was inside with the queen.

Kion had been uneasy since the whole pregnancy, more so during the ceremony in case the birth was triggered. He had told Rani to stay on rest until the birth and Nirmala agreed. Since Janna had helped Kion settle into the pride and he had a way with the animals, he went off to help with any problems that rose up.

During the birth, the king was a pacing wreck. Surak and Baliyo seemed more calm than the king but inside, they were just as nervous as Kion was. The trio of lions couldn't seem to sit still until Nirmala came outside with a wide smile.

"King Kion." Nirmala bowed her head and Kion rushed up to her. "Rani and the cubs are ready for you."

Kion's eyes widened. "Cubs?"

Without waiting for Nirmala to reply, he dashed inside the Tree while Baliyo and Surak stayed behind to speak with Nirmala about the birthing and to see how it went. As soon as the king stopped inside, he took a moment to catch his breath before smiling at his mate.

In between Rani's paws were two small cubs. One was golden-brown cub and the other was a brown cub like Rani but lighter in color. Both cubs had dark pink noses, and when Rani licked their heads, one cub showed orangey amber eyes like Kion, and the other showed chocolate brown eyes. Their tail - tips were dark red.

"They're beautiful, Rani. What's their names? Genders?"

Rani purred happily as she gazed down at her cubs. "A boy and a girl. Kopa and Janna."

Kion nodded as he nuzzled his mate and then lowered himself down to his cubs. He laughed when Kopa, the golden-brown cub with the chocolate eyes, licked his nose in greeting. "Hello, Kopa. It's great to finally meet you."

Rani purred as she nuzzled her daughter. "Now comes the big question, who rules?"

Kion laughed as he laid down next to mate and took his daughter into his arms. "Let's wait on that, Rani. No need to rush."

"You truly are wise." Rani laughed as she nuzzled into Kion's fluffy red mane as Surak and Baliyo walked into the tree to meet the new additions.

YWE

Ujanja padded into the Pridelands, unknowingly to them, and padded around until he came behind Pride Rock. He saw the creamy prince walking with his father and mother despite his mother not even gazing towards him and he smirked.

The queen was totally dead without Kion around in these Lands.

"Good day, your majesties." Ujanja greeted as he bowed his head to the royals.

Simba frowned heavily as he pushed Talib between his paws. "Why have you returned, Ujanja?"

"I have news on a certain lost prince."

Nala gasped when she heard the words, and Talib was confused. Simba's eyes had widened as he realized who the male was speaking about before shaking his head. Impossible! Kion was dead and there was no way his son could've survived that fall.

"Impossible. He's dead. He died in those waters." Simba growled as he flicked his tail. "Ujanja, you need to leave these lands."

Ujanja laughed. "Fine, but if you do believe me, trust me when I say; he knows the truth about you and these lands, Simba. He won't ever step a paw here again."

"Wait!" Nala said as Ujanja moved to leave. The lion gazed over his shoulder at the queen. "Do you really know about... Kion?"

Ujanja grinned as Simba and Talib held confused expressions. "Hmm? Do you believe me?"

"I'll always listen to information about my son." Nala replied.

Ujanja chuckled as he gazed at the queen and bowed his head in respect. He noticed how Simba was tightly holding Talib from him, and he couldn't help but humorlessly chuckle inwards. He gave a charming smile to the queen.

"I assure you he's alive." Ujanja replied and Simba rolled his eyes.

"No, he's not!" Simba snapped. "He died in those waters, Nala! You know this. You saw it first paw like I did. You can't believe this rogue!"

Nala winced as she knew Simba was right. "You're right." she sighed, gazing at her love before looking at Ujanja. "As much as I want to believe those words, Ujanja. I can't. I saw him fall."

Ujanja frowned before sighing. "I suppose so..."

"Leave. Now." Simba growled.

"Oh, I will, but I think your little replacement prince is shocked at this news." Ujanja chuckled, eyeing the shocked prince. "It's time to tell him how you failed to save his dear older, dead at five months, brother."

With that, he padded away.

YWE

As the royal couple with their son began to walk back to Pride Rock, Talib couldn't help but think about the words the rogue had said. He had an older brother. Dead at five months? Why had they kept this from him for so long? Was this the reason why his mother couldn't get close to him? Why she ignored him for as long as he was alive?

"Dad? Mom?"

The golden king looked over his shoulder at his son. "Yes, Talib?"

Talib shifted on his paws. "Did I really have an older brother?"

Nala sighed heavily as she refused to look at her youngest cub and held an emotionless expression as she answered the cub's question. "Yes, you did. But like Ujanja had said, he died at five months."

"Why? What happened?"

"Simba. Answer him."

Simba winced at his mate's tone but moved to sit down in front of his son. "His death was so sudden. He and Kiara had been fighting like normal, expect someone bumped them too hard and they fell off the side of the cliff. They managed to hold on with their claws. The rain was pouring when we got there." he took a deep breath. "I managed to get Kiara but then your mother screamed, and all I saw... was..." he choked as he closed his eyes as he remembered Kion's scared expression. "... was him falling to his death."

Talib's eyes widened. "Why didn't you grab him?"

Nala growled. "Because he favored Kiara."

"Nala." Simba sighed heavily. "I don't favor Kiara."

Nala flicked her tail. "But you do! Tell me! If another incident happens like that day, would you save both of them? Kiara and Talib?"

"You know I would!" Simba roared.

Nala bared her teeth. "No, you wouldn't. You'd be forced to pick again!" she roared back in anger. Talib shrunk back at his mother's anger. "You'd always pick Kiara because if something happens to her, King's above it's the end of the world for you!"

"Nala!" Simba roared. "Enough!"

"You know what?" Nala growled. "I'm done with this. Don't talk to me until you've got your head on straight and see what this means to me."

With that, she padded away.