Chapter 5
(Takes place from where the last chapter ended)
The pride lands have been restored and everyone is cheering for the rightful king and queen who are ruling the land once again, they were also happy for Prince Simba's return. Sarabi then ran up to Simba, and hugged him, "my little Simba you've come home, you freed us, you saved us, you saved Nala, Cora and Mheetu, im so proud of the lion you have become, and look at you, your much stronger than a fully grown lion, thank you son, I love you so much", Simba then hugged his other tighter and said "I love you to mum", Nala was crying with joy at the sight of her boyfriend, hugging his mother. Sarabi then separated from the hug and smiled at Simba, and then Nala and said "I knew you two would find feelings for each other", 'we all did', three lions said, they were Mufasa, Ni and Sarafina, Sarafina then hugged Simba and said "thank you for freeing us, for saving us, for saving my children, thank you", then Ni hugged Simba and thanked him then Mufasa gave Simba a huge hug, and then stepped back and said "Simba I cant believe its really you, you have grown into a fine young lion", 'thanks dad', was Simba's reply, he then hugged them again.
After a few more minutes of talking, everyone settled down to have lunch, Simba and Nala shared a meal, their parents couldn't help but smile proudly at their children, who have found love, but Mufasa was observing Simba, more specifically his muscles, he wondered how Simba was able to get so in shape, he then said to Sarabi "Sarabi, how do you think Simba got so in shape and why did he train anyway", before Sarabi could answer Cora came and said "I saw Simba's work out routine, he works super hard, and he's so strong, ive got such an amazing big brother", both parents smiled at Cora and Sarabi said "yes your brother truly is amazing, but how did he get to this point, I can only wonder", Rafiki then came and said "the prince is strong, you can ask him but he may not feel like talking about it, it is a soft spot for him, if you want an answer, I suggest you talk to his friend Banai. "thank you Rafiki we will do that", Mufasa said, Rafiki nodded and left, once lunch was completed, Mufasa and Sarabi went to find Banai, they found him chatting to Zazu.
The king and queen greeted Banai and asked him why Simba is so strong, Banai then replied with "Simba, was depressed, he thought he was responsible for your death king Mufasa, he told me that you told him about the great kings and queens and that they look down on us and guide us", 'I did tell him that', Mufasa said Banai continued and said "so every night he would look to the stars and say Im sorry dad, its my fault your gone, I hope you can forgive me, if you hate me, I understand", both parents started to shed tears, "my Simba went through that and said that every night, what else happened", Banai said "I tried to help Simba, but no matter what I said or could do was enough to stop him from carrying the burden, he was constantly plagued with nightmares and would mutter things in his sleep such as, its my fault he's dead, im a murderer, a monster, for some time Simba hated himself, he would often do stuff to stop himself from thinking about the past, the only times he wasn't upset was when he was hunting, but he respects the circle of life and only hunts what he needs, so he started working out, every time he trains to become stronger or a better fighter he smiles for the first time, so every day he would train, as it was the only thing that would stop him from thinking about his past, and that's why he is a great fighter and extremely strong, he was suffering, and training helped him, reduce his mental suffering", Banai finished his explanation.
Both parents and Zazu started to cry, Sarabi and Mufasa had not realised what their son had been through, Sarabi hugged Mufasa for comfort and said into his fur "oh Mufasa I cant believe what our baby has been through, he suffered because of that monster", Sarabi started sobbing so hard, and Mufasa also, then a voice came "mum, dad are you okay", both Simba and Cora said, Sarabi immediately embraced Simba and said "my son I am so sorry, we should have known Scar would have become that monster, because of that you suffered, the mental trauma you went through, my little Simba, Banai told us what you went through, im so sorry", Simba then said, "mother its okay, im okay now, but yes I was suffering mentally in the jungle that's why im so strong, training was the only thing I could do to get my mind off my past, also Banai is a really good friend and supported me through it all, you should thank him, he did essentially save my life", Sarabi kissed her sons forehead, and both she and Mufasa, thanked Banai, they then all began the short walk back to pride rock, Sarabi and Mufasa astonished at the size of Simba's muscles.
When they arrived, Simba nuzzled his little sister, a sight that made Sarabi and Mufasa smile, and then started to play with Cora, they were astonished that Simba with his strength and power was so gentle and did not mind Cora climbing all over him. Then Nala came over and Cora got off Simba, because she knew he might want to nuzzle her, that's exactly what he did he and Nala nuzzled each other then Nala greeted Simba's parents.
Then night came and Simba and Nala cuddled up together to sleep, a sight that brought a smile to their parents faces. They were glad Simba and Nala had found love.
More chapters soon.