It was truly a tragic day for the Pridelands. They have recently lost a king, a king who they respected, looked up for, and loved. It was the following day after their conflict. Almost no one had any decent sleep, especially for Nala, Kiara and Kovu. It was nearly impossible for them to shut and dry their eyes. The pain was too much.

Kovu along with Zazu, went to see Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa to deliver the news. Kovu's face was still stained with his tears and his body mildly bruised. Timon and Pumbaa were happily mingling with each other not knowing that their friend has passed.

Timon and Pumbaa noticed Kovu walk up to them and they expected good news.

"Kovu! How are you doing buddy? Did you do it? We free to go home now? By the looks of those bruises looks like it is." Timon positively said.

Kovu couldn't crack a smile, nor did Zazu.

"Where's Simba?" Pumbaa asked.

Kovu didn't know how to break it up to them. He had no words on how to relay it. All the sadness was evident of both Kovu and Zazu's face.

"He's... Simba's gone." Kovu spoke.

"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Timon asked once more.

"He is no longer with us unfortunately." Zazu spoke.

The positivity on Timon and Pumbaa's faces suddenly shifted to shock and soon after sadness. Rafiki then joined in and noticed the upsetting atmosphere of the group. He walked up to Kovu and asked.

"Kovu? What has happened?"

This time Kovu couldn't handle it anymore and he broke down into tears.

"Simba?" Rafiki looked to Zazu and he nodded in disapproval, along with Timon and Pumbaa's depressing expression.

Rafiki finally got the message it and it took him by surprise. He felt sorrowful.

"I am sorry. You have my condolences."

Later that day...

It was partially early through the day, everyone has gathered around to where the conflict and where Simba's deceased figure lay. Rafiki has covered him with large leaves as it is through tradition. He spoke and lead the prayer. He reached out to the great kings of the past, to guide Simba in the afterlife.

As Rafiki continued on, among the crowd were all the Pridelanders showing respect and empathy. Infront were the Nala, Kiara, Kovu, Timon and Pumbaa along with Timon's mother and his Uncle Max, who held their sorrowful cries, but even then they couldn't prevent themselves from shedding their tears and sniffles.

Vitani, Shika and Kiburi sat right behind them. Shika and Kiburi both had their heads down. Vitani on the other hand retained a strong and serious expression. Although she didn't feel much of the king's death, seeing her brother Kovu in tears really set the tone for her.

Along with the crowd was the Highland Pride's previous king Akili, current king Sijui, their royal mjuzi Ponya and the rest of Kijana's guard and their majordomo Kipanga. They all attended to pay their respects to the fallen king. Akili was hurt the most out of the Highland Pride, seeing how history repeated itself. Simba, the son of his friend Mufasa both died tragically. Sijui on the other hand felt guilty for refusing to help, the least he could do was atleast attend his funeral. Kijana felt bad for Kovu. Only now she realised that Kovu wasn't Simba's biological son, yet their connection was similar to those of a real father and son. Either way, she felt empathic towards Kovu.

"And now, a word from the members of the royal family." Rafiki concluded and moved to give way to the ones who will speak.

Nala came first.

*Sigh* "Where do I start? No words could describes how great Simba was. Not only as a king but also a mate... He... was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. He... He was my hope, my life... He was everything to me." She wiped off her tears.

"I'm sorry, I can't help myself... He loved me, and I love him still... That's all I have to say."

Soon after, Timon came up.

"I uhh... I've never been this depressed ever since that time in the jungle... Where he left me. Simba was our friend... a family member... Pumbaa and I we... we treated him as a friend at first... but I realized now that we took care of him when he was still a cub, we practically raised him.. oh those days. Seeing him grow up and take his place in Pride Rock... It felt good to have accomplished something. Simba was the single greatest thing that happened to me and Pumbaa... It's just new to us that we ever get to see him like... this."

"Kiara?" Timon called. It was Kiara's turn.

"I don't what to say... I can't really say much other than how he was the best father a little girl could dream of. He.. dad was mostly strict, but now I'm just looking back at the great times I had with him. Dad... if you can hear me... I just wanna let you know that... I love you and I'll never forget the things you've taught me." Kiara then let the water works go.

Lastly was Kovu.

He sat infront of Simba's body and took a moment to look at him. He then brought himself back to reality.

"When I was a cub... I never received real love by a parent. Zira only pretended that she loved me. I was forced to train from dusk till dawn. Overtime, it had me down... not being able to know what love is. Not until Kiara came to my life, but as much as I love her... She hadn't filled the gaping hole in me. I realized that despite Kiara's love... I was still missing something." He continued.

"Then Simba came along and taught me all the things a king would do. But I didn't think it was just me and his lectures. Months passed and I started to feel happier than usual... then it just clicked. "You're a son I never had" he said. I... I could never thank him enough for what he has done for me. I... I thank him for bringing me into the pride, I thank him for letting me be with Kiara... and... I thank him for being my father." Kovu then broke down into tears just like Kiara previously.

"He showed me what a it felt like to be cared... like a real parent would.

They concluded their short but heart wrenching speeches, it was time for them to say their goodbyes. Sijui insisted that their guard should do the burying of Simba's remains. It's the least thing he could do. As Kijana's guard continued to do the process, Sijui saw Kovu isolated from his pride, facing his back at them. He could tell that he's hurt bad.

"Kovu?" Sijui walked up to him.

"Oh... King Sijui... Thanks for attending by the way." He said in a depressed tone.

"It's alright, it's the least I could do."

"I'm sorry for your loss and I'm terribly sorry for refusing to assist. I should've known better."

"It's alright. You had a reason." Kovu replied.

"I know it's hard going through times like this. It's not something anyone can get over after a day." He continued.

"I feel absolutely guilty for what I have done. I could've made a difference. So to make it up to you and your pride. I'm willing to reform our treaty. Anything as long as it's worth our time, we'll be there." Sijui offered.

"Thank you... I really appreciate it." Kovu answered whilst sniffling.

"Simba would've wanted this." Kovu spoke.

"I bet he did." Sijui added.

After Simba's remains was buried, Rafiki added a final prayer infront of the two prides, concluding their funeral. It was the saddest day of the pride, and era put to an end. But as one ends, another starts, and it starts with Kovu.

Their funeral has ended, everyone was free to depart. Most of the Pridelanders headed back to Pride Rock with the exception of Vitani and her hunting party doing their daily hunt. The Highlanders went the opposite direction and started their journey back home. Nala who stayed a little longer, thanked the Highland Pride for assisting and attending the funeral, especially to their king and Kijana. Kiara needed some time to adjust with her new reality and to try to take her mind off the sadness. So she volunteered to join the hunt with Vitani.

Kovu on the other hand, stayed near Simba's burial. He had his eyes stare at the ground where he was buried. A frown down his face, stains of his own tears on his fur, and a heavy heart. He thought to put a commemorative tombstone near his burial for him to remember. He found a rock nearby and etched his claw marks on its surface. He placed it on the middle of the coarse ground.

Meanwhile, Timon noticed that Kovu still hasn't left. He thought to give him some company.

"Hey kid, you coming?" Timon asked in a calming manner.

"Oh... Yeah, yeah I'll go in a sec."

Timon stood beside Kovu, looking at the rock that acted as a tombstone.

"I just wish I had more time with him." Kovu said dryly.

"He would've loved that." Timon added.

"C'mon let's take our mind off of it. Why don't we take a shot of snails huh?" Timon offered.

"Sure."

END OF CHAPTER