A week after Simba's funeral, Kovu was about to have his coronation as he moves up from the position of prince to king along with his mate Kiara who will be moving up as well. The animals of the Pridelands have gathered around Pride Rock expecting their new ruler. Kovu along with Kiara, Nala, Vitani and a few other were in the den preparing the main events.

"It's time, Kiara. Oh I'm so proud of you." Shika said.

"From princess to queen, not bad." Kiburi added.

"Yeah, been expecting for this to happen." Kiara said.

"Looking marvelous your majesty. Ready for the coronation Kiara?" Her mother, Nala came by.

"My daughter's all grown up, I just wish your father could see this." Nala shedding tears of joy.

"Mom, don't cry. I know that dad watches over us."

"Kovu?" Kiara called.

Kovu still hasn't recovered from the devastation of Simba's funeral. He faces the wall of their den with a frown on his face. He felt unworthy of his place. Kiara walked up to her mate and comforted him.

"Kovu? You okay?" Kiara asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"It's about dad again isn't it."

Kovu nodded.

"Yeah, I miss him too."

"I don't think I'm ready to step up as king." Kovu said.

"Of course you are. You're worthy of one, dad even thought so. Other than that it's an obligation too." Kiara continued.

"And... Who will be my king? Who will be there to confort me? Who will be there for our cubs?" Kiara said.

Kovu gave Kiara a warm smile and nuzzled her.

"I think my only obligation is you." He romantically said.

"Aw, that's really sweet of you."

"Are you two ready? Rafiki's been waiting." Vitani interrupted.

"Oh, yeah yeah we're coming." Kiara said.

And so, Kiara and Kovu went near the edge along with Rafiki.

"Are you ready? Kiara, Kovu?"

"We are?" They both said in unison.

As Rafiki introduce the new king and queen of the Pridelands, he drew a straight line over Kiara's forehead and an arrow facing down on Kovu's, officially attaining their King and Queen status. He then announced them as the new rulers, as the animals below them celebrated. It was a new chapter for the history of the Pridelands.

Kiara and Kovu felt the excitement seeing the animals cheer and create noise as appreciation to them. Shika, Kiburi, and Vitani watched behind them and felt proud for the two of them. Nala was accompanied with Timon and Pumbaa who were comically crying out of joy. Nala chuckled at them. Kovu, who stood on the edge, was giving a smile at the animals below him. Although a wonderful moment that he is experiencing, deep down he still was hurt. Not being able to see Simba again gave him the feeling of tears welling up, but was soon suppressed. He really missed him.

Three months have passed. The Pridelands went through some minor changes, Kiara had given birth to two beautiful cubs. Thamani and Sahara. When they were born, Kiara and Kovu were both excited, happy and a little anxious. But they managed to live with them and keep them in control. Their lives couldn't been more happier. Nala, now a retired Queen getting on age, took the role of a babysitter and loving grandmother to them. She adored her grand children and loved spending time with them.

Thamani, a young male cub with an explosive and jumpy personality, much like his mother. He carried the same eye and fur color of Kiara. Thamani loved playing with his siblings, so much so to even disturbing the other lions, but they tolerate to him. Sahara was a female cub, she had a more composed and calm personality, similar to the likes of his father, Kovu. But she wouldn't back out in a fight, a feisty little girl she is. Often times she was associated with the word brave and outgoing and it was getting tossed around with the rest of the Pridelanders.

Nala loved her role as grandmother to Thamani and Sahara, she never gets bored of them running around, climbing over her and letting them grab her tail around. It brought her back to the days of when Kiara was still a little cub. Nap times were her favourite as she can snuggle up with them as they slumber. She also joked around with her daughter and Kovu saying that she owned them. She told them tales of when she was young and the idea of the circle of life. Thamani and Sahara were always intrigued at Nala's tales and sayings.

Vitani, had less tolerance over Kiara and Kovu's cubs but atleast she does find joy in giving them training sessions. Kovu wanted to reconsider, but considering Vitani is older than Kovu, he had no power against him. But still, Vitani took their safety to consideration and always reminded them to not use their claws when sparring. Overall, Vitani took good care for them.

Timon and Pumbaa were happy to see more of the little ones. Timon was a little surprised to see that neither did Thamani or Sahara played with him like some chew toy. In fact, they respected him as to being older than their parents. Pumbaa on the other hand always did the same thing he loved with little cubs, carrying them over his tusks giving them a literal piggy back ride. Still, they had great time with Thamani and Sahara, playing tag and other fun activities while also keeping an eye at them..

Finally, Kiara and Kovu, the new king and queen of the Pridelands. They grew older than they were before, Kiara grew in size matching that of her mother and Kovu's mane grew all the way to his underbelly. Ironically, Kiara enjoyed her status as queen. Even though she doesn't do much other than be a second opinion for the king, she still enjoyed her time with Kovu dealing with royalities and treaties. Speaking of Kovu, he has fully recovered from the Simba's death, although the thought still saddens him, he now only remembers the good times he has spent with him and give him smiles. They also share those moments with their children, telling their own tales while watching the stars at night. Kiara and Kovu loved their cubs the most, they saw them as reflections of their selves and not to mention they're adorable for them. There is never a day where Kiara and Kovu lose interest over their cubs.

One night, Kovu was out with his family. Kovu was leading the way on their favourite spot to star gaze, Kiara and their cubs lagged behind. Kovu arrived at their favourite spot, it's the spot where him and Kiara used to star gaze when they first met. It truly was a memorable place. He lied down on back and faced the shining stars above them. It never gets old seeing the heavens above them.

As he watched the stars, he was reminded one of Simba's saying about the stars, that the great kings of the past look down upon those stars. It made him remember Simba. He wondered if he's watching them, he wondered what would he say to the things that have happened. He wondered what might have been the outcome if he was still here.

He inhaled deeply and exhaled through his snout and thought about something else.

"So... what has happened to the Pridelands?" A voice spoke.

"Nothing much, although I did make a few changes in the hierarchy of Pride Rock." Kovu replied undisturbed.

"Oh really, tell me more." Simba moved closer, inticed to hear what Kovu has to say.

"Well, for starters both Thamani and Sahara will be both the next rulers. Even though Thamani was the first born, we didn't want to feel Sahara left out." He continued.

"Zazu and I even had a feud about changing traditions."

"That's nice to hear. How are the Kiara and the kids?" Simba asked.

"Oh they're alright, you should meet Thamani and Sahara though, you'll love them." Kovu chuckled.

"You bet."

There was a short moment of silence between them.

"Do you remember that time, when you choked on a beetle when you first started eating bugs?" Simba recalled.

"Yeah, I do. It's kinda your fault for shoving it on my mouth." Kovu laughed.

"Haha yeah, but you kept denying it, so I had to just wing it." Simba laughed.

"Luckily Pumbaa tried to help." Simba said.

"Right, like charging on someone's stomach is considered helping." Kovu sarcastically said.

"Hey, atleast it got you to stop choking."

They both laughed at their memory and another moment of silence between them.

"Kiara misses you, you know." Kovu broke the silence.

"I do too." Simba replied.

"I really wish we had more time together."

Simba then placed a paw over his shoulder.

"Kovu, I'll always be with you. I will never let go." Simba said.

Kovu looked at Simba to his right for a moment. He saw that signature smile of his that is etched in his head. It reassured him and put a smile over his face too. Without his paw lifting from his shoulder, he looked back at the nightly sky. He remembers another fond memory of him with Simba and decides to share it.

"Hey do you remem-"

He looked to his side in hope to see his Simba's smile... unfortunately, the wish he desired the most, to see Simba beside him, the one he thought to be beside him, was just only a figment of his imagination. The hard reality, is he was alone all this time. For what seemed like a real moment, his sudden disappearance saddened him. The grass even looked untouched, as if no one has disturbed them.

Moments after, Kiara joined him along with Thamani and Sahara who were both excited to have another night of star gazing. Kiara wondered who Kovu was talking to earlier.

"I heard you talking earlier. Who were you talking to?" She asked as she lied down next to him.

"Oh nothing, just talking to myself." Although it sounded like a lie, in reality it's the honest truth.

"Hehe you're weird."

Thamani and Sahara came in as active as ever playing tag over their parents.

"Tag! You're it!" Sahara exclaimed.

"Start running!" Thamani playfully said.

"Thamani, Sahara. You guys don't wanna star gaze with mom and dad?" Kiara called.

As Kiara called, her cubs quickly joined them. Thamani lied down on Kovu's chest and Sahara on Kiara's.

"Woah, there's more of them than yesterday." Thamani said.

"You wanna know something about stars hun?" Kovu saying to his son.

"You know something about the stars? Cool!" Sahara said.

"Someone once told me that the great kings of the past look down from those stars, they're always watching over us."

"Woah." Thamani and Sahara said in unison.

"Hehe, I told you that." Kiara joked.

"No you didn't." Kovu laughed along with their cubs.

"You guys remember your grandfather Simba?" Kiara asked.

"He's up there, watching you two." She said.

"Really? That's so cool!" Sahara said.

"So whenever you feel alone, just remember, that those kings will always be there to guide you." Kiara concluded.

"Wait if kings are up there, are there queens too?" Thamani asked.

"No, the stars are reserved for kings only, not for queens." Kovu jokingly said and referred to Kiara.

"Hey!" Kiara play fully nudged Kovu.

"Of course there are queens too. Like your great grandmother Sarabi."

"I love these time with mom and dad." Thamani said.

"Yeah, me too." Sahara agreed.

"Aww I love you guys too."

"Me too, daddy loves you both." Kiara and Kovu curled up together hugging their cubs.

Their life was perfect. Kiara and Kovu loved each other's company and their relationship grew even stronger when they finally became parents. They were at their highest point in life. Simba might be gone in the real world, but his spirit and memory lives on. They live in Kiara, Kovu and to everyone he has influenced. Another chapter ended for the Pridelands, but a new one is about to be written. A chapter revolving the start of a new era.

THE END