The earth shook, and slowly the stone beneath her paws split with a deafening crack as the rock rose above the surrounding lands, carrying her into the sky as the animals around her bowed. Above her, a strange bird soared overhead, its shadow swallowing the lands as it passed. From its talons, a snake dropped from the sky, landing at her paws. She stepped back in disgust as it slithered down the rock and into the throng of gathered masses, the animals parting as it divided them. The rock trembled, and she fought to keep her balance as she searched for a way down. She felt paws on her legs, and turned to see Kion supporting her. He was in the company of animals she didn't recognize, a mix of male and female. Together they kept her secured. She didn't fall, but she couldn't escape. In the distance, thunder rumbled, and dark clouds gathered in a ring around the Pride Lands. On the ground, three creatures glowed in the mysterious light of the storm clouds. Spirits of the dead and living, she realized. One of them, she somehow knew, was her mother. She didn't know who the others were, she could only feel their pulsating power. Her father was there, she felt his comfort, but not where she wanted him to be. He never stayed put, evading her eyes. Circling. He has his own plans.

Suddenly, the snake struck an animal, and the animal dropped instantly. It struck another, and another. All around her, animals began to fall as the death spread.

"Stop him!" She cried angrily. The animals who once surrounded her sank away as they answered her command. They returned, and Kion dropped the wriggling snake at her paws. She rose her paw to kill it, but as she did, the snake transformed into a cub. It wasn't a lion cub, it was something she'd never seen before, but it didn't matter what it was. The creature was helpless and frightened. She faltered. She couldn't kill something so helpless. As if sensing her hesitation, the creature twitched, and its body dissolved into snakes, each leg slithering after her pride. The head turned into a curled cobra that hissed menacingly before it sprang at her face.

Kiara's eyes flashed open, darting around the den as she caught her breath. She felt Zuri's back against her own, Tiifu's jaw on her hip. Her mother slept beside Sarafina, in the back of the den where her father had always slept. Unsettled, she carefully dislodged Tiifu's head, resting it against Zuri's paws, and slipped out of the mouth of the den, glancing at the grass in the shadow of Pride Rock where Chumvi, Mheetu, Malka, Tojo, and Kion were sleeping, sprawled across each other peacefully. Malka snored lightly. Moving quickly, she climbed around the spine of Pride Rock to the very top, sitting carefully as she saw the lands spread before her, almost blue under the bright moonlight. She inhaled slowly, centering her body and aligning her posture, letting her muscles relax and focusing her mind.

"Mufasa," she whispered, "I need your guidance."

She was almost surprised as his familiar face appeared in the night sky.

"Queen Kiara," he smiled. "What troubles you?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "I keep having this vision about dead spirits and snakes, and-and it bothers me that I keep having it, but each time I only understand a little bit more. I know that my father and the other males are supposed to help Surani put souls in the fountain to rest, but, after that, what next? What's coming? We killed the last of the walking snakes, my father saw to it, what am I missing?"

"When my son returns, send him and the rest of the Mountain Guard to see Surani. There is knowledge in the fountain."

"I can't in good conscience put their lives at risk, the disease is ravaging the mountainside, it's already killed a third of the gorilla population. I don't ever want to disrespect you, but I'm afraid for their safety. I have to protect my pride." She prepared for his smile to fade, but it only grew.

"The elders are willing to protect them as they healed your father. Have faith and send them once your father has returned and rested. Your father needs rest."

"I will, Grandfather Mufasa. Thank you," she bowed.

"So, we can't ask them what they are?" Shabaha cocked her head.

"That doesn't make any damn sense," Kasi made a face.

"Yeah," Tazama argued. "Like, what if I call them the wrong species? Isn't that like, rude?"

"If someone called me a cheetah I'd be pissed," Kasi agreed.

"Right?"

"That's not what I said," Kiara took a deep breath. "I said it was rude to walk up to an animal and say, 'what are you.' If you don't know what species someone is, you have to ask tactfully, or better yet, not ask at all. Please do not call attention to it if you can possibly help it."

"So what are we supposed to say?"

"If you must ask, say something like, 'I haven't had the privilege of encountering one of your kind before, may I ask what are you are called?' Like that."

"That's literally the same question, though," Imara argued.

"No, what I said emphasizes your respect for their time and doesn't press them for an answer, it creates a socially balanced interaction based on mutual respect, just saying 'hey what are you' is dismissive and puts the pressure on them to explain their very nature without you doing any emotional work to warrant it. It's rude."

"Fine, fine, you know best."

"The rest of it was good, though," Kiara allowed. "Kasi, you and Tazama especially. The way you handled the antelope's question was perfect."

"He was rude," Kasi snorted.

"He was," Kiara admitted. "But you stood your moral ground and didn't let him drag you into bickering, and they will try, believe me."

"And you're sure we can't eat him next?" Imara asked.

"I'm positive," The queen affirmed. Soon, Anga landed at her paws.

"Nothing to report, how goes the summit training?"

"It's going," Kiara forced a smile.

"Basically we can't talk to anyone or we'll offend them," Kasi grumbled.

"That's not true," Kiara tried to argue.

"With all due respect, if none of them like us, why are we going?" Imara asked.

"There's nothing 'respectful' about that question!" Vitani snapped. "Those are our orders, suck it up, buttercup!"

"It's not an order, it's a request," Kiara was exasperated. "You have to understand the value in the image of seeing you at my side. The animals need to respect you and take you seriously."

"If you say so, that's what we'll do," Tazama answered, but the unease in the air was palpable.

Across the lands, Kion led Malka and Tojo into the low pass where the fountain was, the two jagged halves of the mountain looming over them. It was cool in the shadows, and birds flew between the two halves through the narrow and steep pass they created. Slowly, animals chased by the split and avalanche had carefully begun to return.

"Surani?" Kion called as they entered the cave where the water glowed on the wall. Surani was perched in her usual spot, grooming herself. "It's us."

"Is Red back yet?"

"No, my dad's not back yet."

"I wonder what's taking him," she stood and stretched. "Aisha said they've already left with Chaka."

"So everyone's fine?" Kion asked hopefully.

"Yeah, yeah, they're fine."

"How have things been going?" Kion asked, sitting on the cool stone. Beside him, Tojo curiously poked the water.

"Dude," Malka hissed.

"Sorry." Tojo quickly backed into place beside Kion.

"It's funny," Surani ignored them. "Your dad's not here, but he's helped me a lot. His name has, anyway. This old badger in the fountain wanted me to find his daughter, right? And tell her she was forgiven. Simple task, I get plenty of those. Guilt is the reason most of them can't leave the fountain, but anyway, I ask around and I finally found her, but she didn't want to talk to me. So, I told her about how I was sent by her father, but she told me she didn't believe all the talk about the dead talking to the living, especially not through a lion. But I didn't want to leave without getting the message across, so I tried something else. I told her, 'I'm here on behalf of Simba.' And as much as I hate to admit it, it worked. She was willing to hear me out, and now her dad's ascended out of the fountain to wherever it is that the freed souls go."

"That worked, huh?" Kion was impressed, but not exactly surprised.

"Yep. So now that's my 'go-to,' as he used to say. I'm not Surani, I'm just a nameless friend of Simba's. And that's how I've managed to help eleven souls since you last had that mean bird check on me."

"Zazu?"

"No, the girl."

"Ah, Anga." Kion nodded. "Well, wow, that's impressive. Do you know how many are in the fountain?"

"Hundreds, I'd guess, but you know, more each week, this whole plague is really wiping out the apes and monkeys."

"That's why we're here," Kion looked at his friends. "Kiara got a message from Mufasa, our grandfather, that he'd protect us from the plague if we helped you, just like the great kings healed my dad so he could go save Chaka. We're here to help you, and I mean actually help, this time."

"Well well well, that is interesting," she looked them over. "This morning I spoke to a boar named Sigo, he wanted to tell his mate Udashi that she's free now. I don't know what that means, I don't care, he said she usually resides at the southside of the mountain, in the brush below the snowcaps. Then there's Onodo, the gorilla, he wants you to tell his children that he's proud of them and to listen to their mother, and tell the mother he loves them. He didn't say where to find them, I don't know if he knows the gorilla kingdom has dissolved."

"It's what?" Kion was shocked.

"You didn't know? The gorillas have all scattered, half their kingdom is dead, there's talk of leaving the mountains. Shujaa has been terrorizing the mountaintop since your dad pissed him off, nobody can reason with him, there's no order at all. I keep getting asked when your dad is coming back, which doesn't make any sense since last time he was here, all he did was make Shujaa angrier."

"We'll find Sigo's mate and Onodo's family," Kion promised. "And while we're there, we'll see what the situation with the gorillas is."

"The sooner the better," Surani trotted to the mouth of the alcove. "Can I borrow Tojo? We'll be more efficient with two teams, I've got a list in my head. It was cold this morning and I didn't want to go back out, so I just stayed in the fountain talking to anyone who was ready."

"Don't they all want to get out?" Malka asked. "Like, isn't the fountain just limbo? Why wouldn't they want to leave?"

"Aisha hasn't left because Chaka's not here, and she probably wants to meet Simba. Kovu's brother and mother want to talk to him, usually it's a case of a message not being enough, some of the souls want to see their loved ones eye to eye. That sort of thing. Some of the animals we'll need to lead back here and see if the spirits will let them into the fountain, I still don't know how any of the rules work."

"We'd better get as much done as we can, establish a routine so it'll be easy to fold my dad and Kovu into the group when they get back to the Pride Lands," Kion nodded. "Malka, I guess you're with me."

"Cool," Malka followed Kion as they began to walk up the mountain. Surani began to silently lead Tojo around the other side of the mountain.

"So," Tojo cleared his throat, "who are we looking for?"

"A family of mice, if you can believe that."

"How are we supposed to find mice on a whole mountain?"

"The mother was really specific, she told me about a landmark, it's not far."

"Alright."

He allowed her to lead him through the cool grass and mist, the land sloping up into the sky. They walked several hundred paces before she stopped beside him.

"I've seen you eyeing me, it's been a while since I've been ridden, I'm game if you are."

"I-" Tojo balked. "Wh-what?"

"Do you think I'm pretty or don't you?"

"I mean, of course I do, you're gorgeous, but-"

"But what? I got us alone, we can do our thing and then find the mice and nobody will ever know. Just a little fun between friends."

"Surani," Tojo tried to calm his heightened pulse, "as much as I want to, and I really, really do, I can't do that to Simba."

"What does he have to do with anything? He's got Nala, he doesn't like me, I feel he's made that clear."

"That's really none of my-"

"Tojo, Simba's not my friend, and if I'm being honest, he doesn't seem like he's yours, either. I've never seen you two talking unless it was about all this grand mission talk. He leaves the second he can."

"We were cubs together, he's just, you know, he's just got a lot going on. I care about him, he's an old friend."

"He doesn't care about you."

"I get that you don't like him, but you need to give the guy a little credit."

"I know him better than you do, Tojo. Not the old cub Simba, the grown Simba. The grown Simba doesn't make friends, just political allies. You're just an asset to him, he doesn't let anyone in. You'd be throwing this away and he'd never thank you for it."

"I wasn't planning on telling him."

"Funny," she circled him, brushing her body against his. "I wasn't either."

"Surani, I can't, with all this going on with the disease and Simba almost dying and your daughter and Chaka, it's just..."

"So you're going to let me be lonely, too?" She licked his cheek. "You're handsome, Tojo. And sweet. It doesn't have to be a thing, Simba never has to know. I'm not his to control, stop being so afraid of him."

"I'm not scared of Simba, I just...you know I want to respect you."

"I'm telling you pretty clearly what I want, and you keep talking about my ex, that's not very progressive."

"Well when you put it that way," he forced a nervous laugh.

"I can tell you're aroused," her voice was soft in his ear, "you're a handsome single guy, I'm a lonely single girl, what's the problem? We're alone, there's a secluded spot over that ledge, no one will see. It's none of their business, we're just two adults having fun."

"Surani, I need you to promise me something," he looked into her eyes. She looked into his.

"I'm not too fond of making promises I haven't heard, but I'll do my best."

"I know I don't have a ton of reason to be loyal to Simba. You're right, he ignores me. But this is his family's pride, and I finally feel like I have a place here. And I want to earn his trust back as a friend. I still think of him as my friend, even if he doesn't see me as his. I remember what he used to be like, and he's a good guy. Everyone here is. I need you to promise me that this will stay between us. You can't tell a soul. Nobody, dead or alive, can know."

"You have my word, on my life," she kissed him.

"Just two adults having fun, right?"

"Exactly," she purred.

"There you are!" Zazu swooped down from the sky, circling over the lions' heads. "Safe travels, I presu-"

"How's Nala?" Simba interrupted anxiously.

"Her only concern is for you, young master, she is in perfect health."

"Thank you," he breathed a sigh of relief. "Sorry Zazu, you were saying?"

"You know, it wasn't that long ago that you stood before me, pink nose wrinkled, and declared that you'd never marry," Zazu commented fondly.

"Feels like several lifetimes ago," Simba sighed. "Zazu, this is my grandson, Chaka. Chaka, hadha sadiqui Zazu."

"Marhabaan," the cub rasped from his tired perch on Simba's back.

"Never thought I'd live to see another generation of the royal family," Zazu landed on Kovu's shoulder without asking, nodding politely at the cub. "Would a resounding 'marhabaan' be the proper response, your highness?"

"It would."

"Well then, marhabaan to you, young Chaka. Shall I tell the pride you'll be arriving at Pride Rock by midnight, your highness?"

"Please. Thank you, Zazu."

They made their way not straight towards Pride Rock, but to the closest stream, stumbling down the muddy bank and dunking their heads in the water, swallowing stomachfulls of clean, cool water. Each were well aware that drinking too much too quickly might make them sick, but none of them cared. When their thirst was finally quenched, they took a moment to rest, knowing that they only had a few more miles to go, but feeling the full brunt of their travels bearing down on them as the threat of foreign territory no longer prodded their instincts. Here, it was safe to feel exhaustion, and so they did.

"I just want to sleep here in the mud," Kovu admitted, feeling his joints stiffen with fatigue and overuse.

"You say that now, but once we get to the den, it'll be the best sleep of your life, trust me," Simba flicked some of the mud off his leg. "Out here we're still right on the border, you won't be able to fully rest, you'll subconsciously be on alert. Let's stick it out until we get to Pride Rock, then sleep all night and half the day."

"Yeah, your plan sounds better," Kovu admitted, stretching with a yawn. "Yeesh, my bones are popping. I feel old. Is that what happens when you get old?"

"So I'm told," Simba looked at Chaka, who laid in the mud. "He's beat, I'm going to pick him up and keep moving before my joints start locking up."

"Right behind you," Kovu yawned again. He watched as Simba spoke quietly to Chaka, who nodded and allowed Simba to pick him up by the nape of his neck, carrying him like a much younger cub. Chaka's eyes slowly closed.

Zira hadn't carried him that way, she'd grabbed him with her teeth jutting into his ribs. "Too keep you from squirming," she'd said. It hurt. Being carried the way Simba was carrying Chaka, who looked relaxed and comfortable, was something he'd never experienced. He remembered seeing Simba hold Kiara that way, that one day they'd all met and things had gone so wrong. Looking back, he wondered why it was that Simba had picked her up, and not Nala, or one of the other lionesses. She really was Daddy's little girl.

When they neared Pride Rock, the entire pride swarmed to greet them. Simba sat Chaka down, who slid between his legs cautiously. Simba stayed put and allowed his family to come to him, stationed solidly over the cub. Nala warmly nuzzled Simba and gave him a kiss.

"Come here," he pulled her closer, licking her cheek.

"I take it the trip was uneventful?" She asked, glancing between his legs at Chaka.

"It was..." Simba looked to Kovu, unsure how to summarize the events that had transpired.

"...We accomplished what we set out to do?" Kovu offered as Kiara nuzzled him.

"We did," Simba turned back to Nala, who narrowed her eyes.

"What happened?" Behind her, Malka and Chumvi snickered.

"Nobody got hurt, it's a long story," he assured her. "Tomorrow."

"Hi there, sweetie!" Tiifu tried to great Chaka. "You've had quite a journey, haven't you?"

"He doesn't speak our tongue," Simba explained.

"Wait, he doesn't?" Nala was surprised, and a little concerned. "Not even a little?"

"Not one word."

"But Surani-"

"Didn't teach him," Simba shrugged. "It's fine. My accent is atrocious, but he seems to understand me well enough."

"How do I tell him we're happy to meet him?" Kiara asked.

"Uh, 'yuseiduna muqabalatak.'"

"Yuseiduna muqabalatak, Chaka!" She beamed. "I'm Kiara!"

"Kiara hi abnataya," Simba explained, and slowly introduced most of the pride. Chaka listened, eyeing them curiously.

"He's so cute," Zuri grinned. "Oh, I just want to eat his little face!"

"Kind of a weird reaction but okay," Shabaha scratched her ear.

"It's late," Sarabi ushered them all towards Pride Rock. "I'm sure these boys could use some rest."

"Simba?" Nala stopped him. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

Simba nodded, quietly telling Chaka to go ahead and follow the pride, which he did reluctantly, glancing over his shoulder at Simba until he was gone.

"Skittish little thing," Nala commented.

"He'll warm up," Simba leaned forward and nuzzled her. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, just tired. Listen, I-"

"You are the perfect wife, you know that?" He asked warmly, kissing her cheek.

"I was about to change the subject, but go on," she smiled.

"I can't believe I ever had eyes for anyone but you, I was such an idiot."

"Well well, what prompted this stirring speech?"

"All those lionesses let that little cub sleep out in the cold just because some bastard of a king told them he preferred it that way, they did whatever he asked and I have never seen before or since such a weak-willed group. No spirit, no fight, just 'yes sir' without a second thought."

"You like your girls feisty, huh?"

"Juuuust the one girl," he held her close. "Everyone else was a mistake. Anyway," he rubbed her back, "what were you saying?"

"It doesn't matter now."

"Of course it does, what was it?"

"It's kind of embarrassing to admit now, but, I was feeling a little insecure about the thought of you being there with them, and not here with, you know, with me."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"I don't, actually."

"They're...you know, unscarred, and-and beautiful and not on their third pregnancy..." her voice trailed off, half expecting Simba to speak or interrupt her. He didn't. "You know what I mean, don't you?"

"I hope not," he drew his paw back from her, looking at her with a frown. "Because it sounds like you're saying you were jealous."

"Not...'jealous,' just...a little insecure. I mean, can't you understand why?"

"No, I can't, why would even say something like that?"

She realized too late from his tone that she'd hurt his feelings.

"Simba, I'm not accusing you of being tempted, necessarily, I just-I know it must be hard seeing them and-"

"Why would it be hard?" He demanded. "I went after Qabi because I incorrectly assumed that she would be taking care of him, not because I've kept a flame for her over the years! Nala, she and I had sex once, and it wasn't even that great, and it certainly didn't mean anything! Do you have any idea how paranoid and-and hurtful you sound? When we first started courting you took jabs at me for having meaningless sex saying it was heartless and now suddenly the narrative has flipped and you think they were torrid affairs that I had some deep emotional investment in? What the hell changed?"

"That's not what I said," she couldn't even muster the energy to raise her voice. She knew he was right, each word cut into her. He was drained, but the heat of his anger had given him enough to carry on instead of relenting.

"It's exactly what you said. I let you take jabs at me back then because you were right and I felt bad about how things started, but I really want to know what I ever did to deserve this conversation."

"Am I not allowed to be insecure?"

"You can be and always have been whatever you wanted but I'm getting really sick of it hurting me."

"Simba-"

"Let me walk you through it," he snapped. "You find me in the jungle, call me out for not coming home, I come home. Scar dies, I take over, it was messy but I tried. Things with Zira exploded, you and my mother told me to exile her and her cubs saying that she'd take them somewhere safe and start over so I did, but I took full responsibility for the decision and to this day I'm the jackass who banished cubs. Kovu shows up, he tries to kill me, everyone calls me callous, the ambush happens, I banish Kovu because of the information I had at the time, Kiara lashes out at me and all that time you had nothing to say. The two prides clash, Zira dies, Kiara convinces me to unite the prides so I apologize for the war that Zira started. Barely any times passes and you're asking for another baby, so I give you one because I want you to be happy. I broke my leg trying to keep you safe, then Kion comes back and suddenly the great kings heal my leg and shove me out into the wilds to find the son of the dead daughter I never got to meet and now I find out you've been sitting here worried I'd be tempted to sleep with the lionesses who turned their back on that cub and turned on me the split second their king asked them to partially because the baby you wanted is now suddenly an insecurity?"

Nala felt as if she'd been kicked in the chest.

"Well?" He demanded. "Here's your chance, tell me what I got wrong."

"Nothing," she whispered.

"Then what the hell am I missing? I am begging you, tell me what I'm not getting here because I can't believe this conversation is even happening. The only thing that makes even a lick of sense to me is that you're the one who's been tempted and you're just projecting that onto me!"

"That's not what's happening."

"Are you sure? Because Tojo's single and desperate, he'd take you in a heartbeat."

"Simba, stop it," she roughly wiped a stray tear.

"You're right, you're right," he sat back. "Look, it's late, I'm tired, and I need to be with Chaka. I thought it would be good for him to sleep in the den but I think it's best if he and I join the guys and sleep outside."

"Please don't, I don't want to keep sleeping alone. I miss you." She hated how quiet and submissive she sounded. Pregnancy always did make her emotional.

"That's not even remotely near the top of my list of priorities right now, unfortunately," he set his jaw. "The den's crowded enough, anyway."

"I don't want the night to end like this, I don't want this to be how things are."

"Yeah, well, you don't get to hurt my feelings and then ask me to clean up the mess," he stood. "Come on, I don't want you walking alone."

"I want to apologize, but would you even hear me out?"

"Of course, I love you, but nothing you can say will change how I feel right now, so I'll let you save your breath. We'll talk...I don't know, some other time. Come on."

She stood stiffly and allowed him to lead her back to Pride Rock in silence, and then she walked up to the den alone. As she glanced back down at the grass, she watched as Chaka quickly scurried back to the protection of his shadow.

Inside the den, Sarafina rose an eye at Nala. A few others seemed to silently note that Simba was not at her side. Nala took her place beside her mother silently. Sarafina cuddled against her, and whispered in her daughter's ear so no one else could hear, "My motherly instincts told me you were a little too honest with him." Nala didn't answer, but her face said enough. "Oh, sweetie," Sarafina nuzzled her. "My little mind-speaker. It'll be okay, just give him a day or two, this isn't the end of the world."

"I know," Nala murmured. She knew her mother was right, but Simba's hurt expression played again and again in her head.

"W'kan hadha tawil alqama!" Timon shouted enthusiastically, gesturing to the sky. Chaka snickered, entertained by Timon and Pumbaa's antics. Some of the lionesses, enjoying the temperate weather, smiled from a distance as they chatted in the grass.

"What is he talking about?" Kiara asked with a small smile from their spot in the shade at the base of Pride Rock. Simba, laying down on one of the rocks, basking in the warm afternoon sun, glanced at his friends.

"Oh, some story about finding the biggest beetle in the world, but the story changes each time he tells it."

"Ah."

"Anyway," Simba rested his head on his paw, "you were saying?"

"The summit went...fine, but, in the end I think Kion did more of the talking. Nothing really got resolved."

"That's not true, you helped the ladies and the clan leaders warm up to each other, you started a relationship, and it sounds like it went smoothly. I'm proud of you. And, Kion did tell me about the situation with the gorillas this morning, and before you ask, no, there's not much you can do."

"You would have made so much more progress."

"There's plenty of time before the dry season, more than enough time to make some more rounds and go into things with each leader. Believe me, that was not a bad summit, I would know a bad summit."

"Agree to disagree," she shrugged. "I just wish I had better things to report, it feels like nothing happened while you were gone, we should have made more progress."

"Kiara," Simba rubbed his face, "the past year has been nothing but crisis after crisis, having nothing to report is a damn blessing. And besides, it sounds like Vitani and the rest of your Guard are taking to Kion's lessons, I'd call that progress."

"I guess you're right."

"You," he nudged her cheek playfully, "need to start giving yourself more credit, you're doing great. Zazu's a heartless critic, and he's spoken very highly of you."

"Thanks, Dad," she had to smile. "So, what's the thing you had to talk to me about with the jungle pride?"

"Well," he frowned, "long story short, other lands are getting their own Lion Guards, but the leaders have different abilities. In the desert, one lioness can conjure water from thin air. The king's brother in the jungle can detect lies and read, I don't know, read auras or souls. He did it to me, it was the strangest feeling, like I was being hypnotized."

"What?" Her eyes widened. "You let him?"

"He had me in a corner, I figured if he tried anything, I had Kovu with me. We could have taken them, if we'd needed to."

"Did he say what he saw in you?"

"Basically he said that I was trouble but not a threat to him, provided I wasn't provoked."

"Seems accurate."

"Yeah, I hate to admit it, but it was. He knew I was coming and everything, he was waiting. It was creepy."

"Was this Rais or someone else?"

"Sorry, no, Rais is dead, his sons Hasaan and Almanii became the king and leader of their Guard. I'd never met them."

"Oh, so they didn't know who you were?"

"No, they knew. I want to blame his premonition, but it didn't help that Qabi sang like a bird."

"Did she?"

"I don't blame her, we're not friends," he dismissed.

"I can't believe they just let you have him and that you didn't have to steal him," Kiara looked at the cub. "Who would let him go? He's precious."

"He is. But, you alright? Something on your mind?"

"Oh," Kiara thought for a moment, her mind traveling back to what Kion had told her. "No. Well, did Mom tell you about Huzuni?"

"No," Simba sighed. "I haven't seen much of your mother today, who's Huzuni?"

"Well?" Vitani prodded.

"Um," Kovu exhaled slowly. "I mean, fuck, Vitani, what am I supposed to do with that?"

"I don't know," she muttered. "Nala wanted me to tell you, okay?"

"And you haven't gone to see him yet?"

"He's dead, Kovu."

"Yeah, but-"

"He's got all the time in the world, he's dead," she repeated.

"So you're not going to see him?"

"I didn't say that." She looked at the ground. "But, you know, your mother's there. I figured you'd want to see her, and maybe not alone, and since Kiara is busy with all this training stuff, I figured I'd go, and since Nuka's there too, I guess I'd see him too since I'd already be there."

Despite his shock, Kovu was able to recognize that Vitani was making herself about as vulnerable as she was willing to. She wanted to see Nuka, but something was holding her back, be it fear, or guilt.

His mother.

He didn't know a damn thing about the lioness who had given birth to him. No name, no description, he didn't even know where he'd been born. Or what had happened to her. He'd assumed that she was dead, but that was always it; an assumption. Nobody but Zira had ever seen her. Zira had left the Pride Lands one day alone, and returned two days later with a small, dark cub. She alone had known where Kovu had come from, and she'd taken the secret to her grave.

"I want to see them," he spoke finally. "I want to go."

"When?"

"Now."

"You can't go now," Vitani snorted. "Kovu, you just got back from like, weeks of being on the move, chill, what about Kiara?"

"You said it yourself, she's busy."

"Alright, fuck it," Vitani stretched and cracked her neck. "You wanna go now? Let's go now."

"Wait, we should tell somebody, we can't just leave."

"They've got so many lions roaming around they won't miss us."

"Kiara and her parents notice everything, they will absolutely know we left. Plus, I'm not doing that."

"Fine, fine, tell your future baby mama, then let's go." Kovu rolled his eyes and turned towards Pride Rock, Vitani at his heels.

After talking to Kiara, who earnestly agreed that Kovu and Vitani needed to go to the fountain as soon as possible, and offered to accompany him.

"I'd like that," he admitted. "Might be a little easier if you're there, actually."

"I know this isn't a happy trip, but," Kiara pressed her forehead against his chest, "I've missed you, and I've hardly seen you in what feels like forever, it'll be nice to get to talk on the way there."

"Yeah," he agreed quietly, enjoying her affection. He felt a new kind of anxiety he'd never felt before. His body ached from fatigue and wear, and his muscles were a deep sore that reached into each nerve, but the thought of meeting his mother's spirit was too enticing to allow him to rest. He had to know. Kiara quietly explained to Nala where they were going, and Nala immediately understood.

"I'll take care of anything that comes up," she assured them. "Go, be safe."

"Thanks Mom," Kiara nuzzled her mother before leading Kovu and Vitani away from Pride Rock. Though Simba, like Kovu, was supposed to be resting, he was playing with Chaka under the shade of Pride Rock, batting the cub's head gently as they play fought.

"Dad," Kiara called out. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Of course," Simba stepped over, Chaka waiting where he was. "Something going on?"

"I don't know what you've heard," she looked at Kovu, "but Surani said that Kovu's mother is in the fountain. And Nuka. I'm taking them to the fountain. Kion said Aisha's still there, I wanted to know if you and Chaka wanted to come as well."

Simba looked back at Chaka, then shook his head. "No, this is Kovu and Vitani's trip. We'll go another day."

"You sure?"

"Positive. Stay safe."

"We will."

The walk to the fountain took the rest of the day, and Kovu spent it listening to Kiara talk about what he'd missed, and answering questions she'd had. He sometimes forgot that Kiara had scarcely spent any time outside the Pride Lands, and she wanted to know everything. He recounted the events of their trip as best he could, surprised that even Vitani had the odd question here or there. However, as the great split mountain grew larger ahead of them, their conversation grew quiet.

As they stepped into the alcove, the strange silent waterfall still casting an eerie glow across the staggered stone walls, Surani emerged.

"Kovu, right?"

"Yeah," Kovu stepped forward. "That's me. I'm here to talk to Huzuni."

"She's not ready for you, your brother needs to talk to you first. And Vitani."

"What?" He was startled. "Why?"

"I'm just the messenger. But trust me, there is no arguing with the dead."

"Alright," Kovu looked back at his sister. She was hiding her emotions as always, her face cool and controlled.

"Fine by me," she replied flippantly in her husky voice.

"Walk past the waterfall," Surani nodded, taking a seat next to Kiara. "Come out when you're done, they don't like it when you stay too long."

Taking one last look at Kiara, Kovu took a shaky breath, and stepped towards the waterfall, Vitani at his side. The closer they got, the more energy he felt. They expected the water to get louder as they got closer, but it remained nothing but a whisper. When they reached it, he stopped. It was Vitani that reached a paw forward, allowing the water to flow over her paw.

"It's like mist," she whispered, as if in a trance.

"Walk through it on three?" He proposed nervously. Instead of answering, she strode forward, disappearing behind the wall of glowing water. "Alright, three," he murmured, bracing himself and stepping through. He had expected the weight of the water as he passed, but only felt a brush as he suddenly found himself in a strange, dark place. Only a blue, glowing figure sat before them.

"Long time no see, huh?" The lion cocked his head.

"Nuka," Vitani stepped forward, but Nuka's body wavered like smoke. He had no body, no warmth. He was hardly more than an illusion. And yet, Kovu could hear his voice, he almost recognized Nuka's scent.

"Sorry," He cracked a crooked smile. "They're not too big on hugs on the other side."

"Nuka...I'm so sorry," Kovu's voice cracked as he felt a lump form in his throat, months and months of repressed grief swelling to the surface. "If there was anything I could do to bring you back-"

"Don't," Nuka held a paw up. "It's better this way. Once I'm done here, I'll be up in the sky with the big boys, presumably. I guess we'll see."

"It hasn't been the same," Vitani's voice was scarcely audible.

"That's a good thing though," Nuka relaxed, "isn't it? Things weren't good. You're both happy now. I like it. Feels right."

"But you're not," she tried to argue. "It's not fair!"

"Nothing is, sis. Listen, I can't talk forever. Or rather," he counted on his paws, "I can, but you can't. We've got some things to talk about."

"Nothing can be said to make it right," Vitani insisted, a rare tear sliding down her face.

"Tani Tani Tani," Nuka shook his head. "Let it go."

"But-"

"Let it go. All of it. It's a new day, huh?"

"So, what," she wiped her face, "you talk to us and then you leave forever? Become some stupid star?"

"Tani, you couldn't get rid of me if you tried. But you gotta listen to me; Simba didn't finish what he was supposed to do. He opened the mountain, but that's just the beginning. This fountain? It's from the old times. Times are changing. Simba's Roar wasn't strong enough, we need a proper Roar to break the fountain."

"Break the fountain?" Kovu balked. "Why?"

"Hey," Nuka shrugged, "believe me, I don't get it either. I just know it's what has to happen."

"Kion will never do it," Vitani set her jaw. "He thinks each soul needs to be freed one by one."

"Yeah," Nuka smirked, "you don't have time for that, and you also don't have time to argue with Baby Simba. So, you know, you do it yourself. I see the mark, you've got the stuff."

"They'll kill me if I just break the fountain."

"Hey, being dead ain't so bad."

"If I do this, if I trust you and do this," Vitani looked Nuka dead in the eyes, "what will happen to you?"

"Don't know!" Nuka seemed unbothered. "But I'm tired of being here. I know it's not where I'm supposed to be. When you're dead nobody explains stuff to you, you just know."

"I'll do anything for you, Nuka," Vitani was resolved. "I'll use the Roar and split the fountain open, free everyone inside."

"I trust you too," Kovu affirmed. "But, Nuka-"

"Listen," Nuka's voice was calm, but had a strength to it that was ageless and resounding. "I know. Believe me, I know. We never got it right together, the three of us. Maybe we never had the chance, I don't know. But let's do it right tonight. And besides," he stood. "It's kind of fitting isn't it? Shattering a sacred, ancient spiritual relic of the Pride Lands while they sleep? What do you say, one last little hurrah?"

"I need you to promise me something," Vitani choked out.

"What's that, lil' sis?"

"I've seen Mufasa's ghost. If that old geezer can haul his ass down from the clouds to talk, I want you to do the same, and scare the piss out of Kovu."

"A noble mission," Nuka smiled slyly at Kovu "I'll see what I can do."

"You better," Kovu chuckled through his tears.

"Well," Nuka stepped back. "Now's the time. One last hurrah."

"Wait," Kovu stepped forward. "My mother, Huzuni, I have to meet her, I have to talk to her!"

"Sorry Vuvu, but it's not time."

"What do you mean 'it's not time,' Surani said my mother wanted to talk to me, I'm here, I..." his voice faded, and he resigned. Perhaps it had all been a miscommunication, a lie. Kovu didn't know. He was powerless, and arguing wouldn't summon his dead mother, if she even existed.

"I'm sorry," Vitani whispered.

"It's fine." He felt like the life had been sucked from him, everything was too much.

"See you on the other side," Nuka gave a little wave with his paw. Kovu halfheartedly waved back.

"But, you might want to step back, Kovu," Vitani warned. Kovu obeyed, stepping backward out of the fountain, feeling the chilly touch of the wall separating the two realms slide up his back as he came back into the cavern.

Just as soon as he did, the water around him began to vibrate, and the waterfall began to glow.

"What's going on?" Kiara dashed over to him, splashing with each step.

"Back, back, back!" He warned, pushing her back to shore as Vitani's Roar exploded with a burst of light and energy from within the fountain. It was as if a small sun was contained within the water, and they all shielded their eyes as it grew whiter and warmer, almost like fire. Suddenly, a release, as if a dam had broken, allowing a river to flow.

Then, nothing. The cavern went dark. As their eyes adjusted, they say Vitani standing in the shallow water. Alone.

"They're all gone," Surani's eyes went wide. "All of them. There's nothing."

"What," Kiara stepped forward, "did you do?"

Something was different. Simba sat up, suddenly awake. Around him, the other males slept soundly. A quiet breeze swept through the soft green grass. A few insects chirped. In the distance, an owl hooted. Chaka was curled against his stomach, breathing deeply. He looked around, but saw nothing. All seemed well. Just as he laid his head back down, he felt a presence. Looking up, he half expected Timon, or perhaps Nala. Instead, he saw the glowing face of a lioness he'd never seen. She was dark gold, with bright auburn eyes, stunningly beautiful. The spirit smiled warmly, and licked the top of Chaka's head.

"I know you'll take good care of him," she said gently.

"Aisha," he realized aloud, his breath catching. "How-"

"Things are changing," she answered simply. "Don't worry, we'll have more time."

With that, she was gone.

Author's Note,

I've known this chapter was coming for over a year and I still had trouble with it. We're tying up the second act and setting up the third and final act. For those of you who are looking for action and tension, I promise, the next chapter has plenty of it.

Corderbollie [AO3]: Chaka is babey, and Simba is a sassy shit, you are 1,000% correct. I'm so glad you liked it, we love a little sibling silliness!

Phuong [AO3]: I'm sorry if it was anticlimactic but glad that some of the tragedy rooted in the lack of action - the fact that they didn't think Chaka was worth the fight - came through. And y'know my little in-story universe is so contrived and complicated it feels wrong to try and write different headcanons for my oneshots, glad you caught that we've seen Afdalia before! Thank you so much, I love your comments!

little_sloth [AO3]: You're so right about the history of the Night Pride being open to interpretation. I do have this fic plotted out until the end, and I feel I need to admit upfront that there just wasn't room for Rani and the others in this fic, there are already so many characters, I wouldn't be able to do them justice in the chapters we have left. I do, however, have some plans for the Night Pride cast in an upcoming Zootopia AU. I know that's not quite what you had in mind, but who knows? I might write something for them in the near future, I love the characters too much not to try and write something for them.

Tealander [FFN]: Mmmm none of the lions have eaten a human.

bravesfan6 [FFN]: Thank you! I'm so glad you've stuck with the story!

Guest [FFN]: Nala and Sarafina both deserve so much more than they ever get in canon, I try to do them justice. And thank you, I just tossed the whole job and got a new one, never be afraid to move up if you have the chance!

LadyKeren [FFN]: Simba? Let his emotions cloud his judgement? Pssshhhhhh, no! /s

Each and every one of you is lovely and kind and deserves all the hugs.

Cheers!

- Dieren