As the sun began to rise all the animals began their terk to Pride Rock for the crowning of the new king and queen. Jesús sat at the summit of Pride Rock with his head lowered and eyes closed.
"Jesús?"
The red-brown lion looked up and seen Janna by the slope.
"Janna..."
The gold-tan lioness smiled lightly before walking over and sitting. "I'm sorry about Queen Kiara. She must of been special."
Jesús looked from his birth mother to the gathering animals. "You have no idea. She was funny, she always made me feel safe. That's one of the reasons I married Sherise. She was so much like Kiara...I fell for her."
Janna smiled at the younger lion. "Sherise sounds wonderful. I'm sure she would be a amazing queen like Kiara. And you'll be just as wonderful as king."
Jesús smiled grateful at the older lioness. "Thanks, Janna."
Janna frowned with her ears back. "Maybe some day you can call me mother."
Jesús pinned his ears and frowned. "Maybe.."
A elephant trumpet made the new king's ears perked. Jesús sighed before standing and heading towards the slope.
"Poor kid." Jesús whispered before walking down herself.
~O~
Sherise was already at the peak with Rafiki and his daughter. Jesús walked over to the young dark brown lioness' side. Sherise licked her mate's muzzle.
"You ready?"
Jesús nuzzled her lovingly before sighing. "Than I'll ever be."
Sherise playfully growled before pawing her mate's black mane. "Stop using my words."
Jesús smiled before looking at the animals. Rafiki chanted a spiritual royal chant before breaking a groud and spread the juice across their heads and waved his staff over them.
Jesús and Sherise shared a look before the red-brown lion turned back to the gathered animals and took a deep breath and roared. Sherise took a deep breath also before letting out a loud roar.
The Pridelanders and Neverlanders roared in reply as the animals cheered for their new rulers. A sun beam shined down on the king and queen causing the animals to bow. Sherise nuzzled into Jesús' mane. As the new king looked up and seen a image of Kiara smiling loving down. Jesús smiled up at the spirit silently promising to make her proud.
~O~
The cubs were hanging around the water hole. It wasn't nothing to really do, three of the six had lost their grandmother. But two out of the three was hurt the most.
Princess Skye was lapping up the cool liquid with her eyes closed. When she finished drinking she opened them and looked at her reflection. A terrifying scream left her mouth.
"Skye, what's wrong?" Dimitri asked running over to the young cub's side.
"My eyes...they're not amber anymore!"
Dimitri looked at Skye's eyes and remembered yesterday her eyes changing.
"Dimitri!"
The red-brown cub shook his head before looking back at the small golden cub. "You have grandma's eyes."
Skye didn't know what to say. She was lost, her eyes had changed colors and now she looks like Kiara.
"If anything...I think your new eye color is pretty."
Skye blushed before looking away. Dimitri smiled before tapping Skye on the shoulder and ran off.
"Tag you're it!"
"No fair!" Skye playfully growled before running after Dimitri.