Dan (with Bunga on his back), Koda and the others ran as fast as they could back to the Pride Rock, hoping it wasn't too late to save the queens Kiara and Nala. Upon arrival, they encountered a group of lionesses led by Shany's mother, Zuri.

"Shany! Oh darling, I cared a lot about you" her mother said as soon as she had met her daughter.

"Me too, Mom. But we don't have time, we must bring the antidote to the queens" Shany told her.

"Okay, come in"

Zuri allowed them to pass and led them to the cave, where the rest of the family were cared for by Kovu, Ono and Zazú.

"You guys did it!" said Ono delighted.

"Oh, thanks heaven" Zazu exclaimed.

Wasting no time, Rahisi removed the pumpkin and proceeded to treat Kiara and Nala, who were still asleep. On the other hand, Kovu was speechless upon seeing his two sons.

"Koda, Dan... I'm so glad you came back" he told them, but then he noticed Dan's scar "Dan, what happened to you?"

Dan was a bit embarrassed by now having the scar on his eye and didn't know what to say to them. However, Koda helped him:

"He saved me" he said, "A snake tried to bite me, but he protected me. Thanks, brother"

Dan smiled as he replied:

"Thanks to you, Koda. I wouldn't have been able to go back to Pridelands if you… I mean, without everyone's help"

"It was a pleasure to help," Lea replied, "And I'm sorry for everything our father caused to you"

"Me too" his brother supported her, "Since he came into the volcano… I must have realized before that he was no longer the same as always. Sorry, but now, I think we can do the right thing"

Meanwhile, Rafiki and his apprentice had given Kiara and Nala the antidote. When they finished, Rahisi not know if what he had done would have worked. Rafiki had told him to trust his abilities, to remember his teachings… well, he had…. but did he get it right? Nala and Kiara were not yet awakened, or perhaps should wait a bit and have some faith.

"Do you think it will work, Rahisi? " asked Koda, watching their parents.

"The truth is that I do not know" he replied as he looked outside with fear, "The night is falling, we must trust that they can survive..."

Rahisi was going into a bout of depression. However, Dan put a paw on his shoulder as he said:

"I know you did well, and did everything you could. We just have to have faith that everything will be fine"

Moreover, Ono and Bunga looked at Dan.

"It's quite strange," said Ono. Dan heard him and turned to him.

"What thing, Ono?" Shany asked, also looking at Dan.

"The scar. At this time, the snake venom should be getting to you, but it seems you're fine and calm. Kion was instantly affected a bit and then he was somewhat aggressive towards Bunga in a few minutes..."

"A shock that I still remember..." Bunga commented.

"But" Ono continued, "It seems like it doesn't affect you"

Dan touched his injured eye and tried to remember... the venom was taking effect as soon as he received the damage: he felt his blood rush and his heart beat faster until... some kind of heat filled his heart and spread to the rest of his body, calming him. Finally, he was as before the bite.

"Mufasa ..." he muttered as he understood.

"The king Mufasa?" Ono asked, very surprised.

"Yes, I don't know how to explain it, but... it's as if he saved me from the poison..."

A murmur interrupted him: Kiara was beginning to wake up. Immediately, the young lions came forward to help her.

"Koda… Dan! I thought I would never see you again..." Kiara said, hugging him and crying with happiness, "But ... who did this to you? Is it a scar?"

"Guys!" shouted Rahisi, who had approached Nala.

"What's going on?" Dan and Koda asked at the same time.

Rahisi did not respond, but looked at them with a pained face, as if… No, it couldn't be.

However, a noise from Nala told them that she was not dead. They all approached her. Slowly, the lioness moved until she saw them all, but she could not get up.

"We gave her the antidote, but I think it's too late" explained Rahisi quite sadly, "I'm afraid her body was in a very bad condition because of that and she only has a few minutes to live"

"You have done well, Rahisi. Without a doubt you have equaled your master Rafiki. It's just me ... and I'm too old to survive "Nala said," My time in the cycle of life is coming to an end, it's time for me to reunite with Simba..."

"No, don't say that mom" Kiara cried, "You can still live"

"You know that, as with your father, my strength would abandon me one day. Kiara, you must not cry... You have become a beautiful and fair queen who always saw inside others and unite us. Like you and Kovu... "

Kovu was crying too.

"Mother, I ..." he tried to say, "It is a pride to be from your family"

"It is a pride that you are my son" Nala replied happily, "You have shown to protect my family and love my daughter a lot. I appreciate it, Kovu"

Then the queen turned to the young lions.

"Koda, you have grown so much…" he said, "All Pridelands received the rain today and the fire was extinguished. Without any doubt you are the rightful leader of the lion guard. Use that power with justice and responsibility"

Koda's eyes filled with tears as she said, "So, I'll do it Grandma"

"You four" she continued, referring to Jabari, Akira, Mako and Lea, "You have helped my grandchildren bring their brother home and save Pridelands. I am in eternal gratitude to you "

"We did it as a team, your Majesty" said Jabari, bowing.

"And as friends ..." Akira added, mimicking him.

"It was an honor, your majesty" said Lena doing the same.

"Yes, it was. I just hope you can really forgive us" Mako continued.

Nala looked at Kiara and then turned to the two brothers:

"You will be welcome in Pridelands. We are all family here"

They both smiled and took a step back. Then, the dying queen turned to Bunga and Ono.

"Bunga, Ono…" she told them, "I am glad you are back… thanks to your help, Pridelands are safe again. Kion would be happy to hear that, my son chose you very well"

"Thank you very much, Queen Nala" said Ono with a slight bow.

"Always at your service, your Majesty..." said Bunga (he was not speaking as impulsively as always, but was showing sadness and respect).

Finally, Nala turned to Dan and Shany.

"Dan… you also grew so much" she said crying, "But you always kept your lion's heart, as well as your humility. You are a pride for Pridelands and surely one day you will be a great lion king"

"No, I can't do it, grandmother ..." the young lion was sad, while he touched his scar, "They did this to me..."

"That scar does not change anything yourself. Look at your adoptive father, he also has a scar and he is a king"

"She's right Dan" Kovu replied, "The scar alone is not a mark that changes you, you always forget that it is there"

"But…"

"Dan" interrupted Nala, who was now breathing with some difficulty, "You have shown that you have the great values of a true lion king: not only strength to endure injuries, but also love, humility, justice and heart. Nobody deserves to be more than you… you are a true member of this family and I am proud to have been your grandmother"

Dan's eyes filled with tears.

"And me for being your grandson..." he replied.

Nala smiled at him and then turned to Shany.

"Shany" she said, "You have been her best friend for years, do you promise to always be with my grandson?"

"I promise, your majesty" she replied, also very sad.

Nala was beginning to look very tired and it seemed that her eyes wanted to close and immerse herself in eternal sleep. However, with the last of his strength she calls Dan to come closer. He, without hesitation, approached her. Then, Nala whispered something in his ear, something no one else could hear.

Finally, the queen laid her head down and closed her eyes, thus ending her time in the cycle of life. All her family and Pridelands mourned her silently.

Author's Notes: Pretty sad, isn't it? First Simba, now Nala ... But everything is part of the cycle of life, what can we do?

There are still questions: What will happen now with Dan? What was it that Nala whispered to him before she died?