Prompt from FireFlamerx9z: Simba speaking to Kiria as a "Great King Of the Past" spirit
…
Her Father's death had come at quite a shock to everyone.
One moment, he was going to sleep… and the next, he wouldn't wake up.
She was now Queen, sitting at the top of Pride Rock as the evening clouds rolled in. Her head tilted up to look at them, ignoring how tears streamed down from her eyes.
Sighing quietly, she took solace in the silence.
The last few days had been filled with the rest of the Pride coming over and offering their sympathies, wishing her luck and telling her that they had every faith in her that she would do well.
That Simba would be proud of her.
Kiara wished she could believe that…. But ever since the incident with the Outlanders, she couldn't help but feel like there was a distance between them.
She moved to lie closer to the edge, one front leg hanging off the side.
How often had she come here and done the same thing as a younger lioness, sulking over her perceived imprisonment.
What sounded like thunder rumbled overhead, prompting her to look up, startling to her feet as a familiar voice echoed all around.
"You should be asleep."
Her Father's face was as soft and reassuring as it always had been.
"Sleep is… difficult." She whispered in return, desperately trying not to think of the moment when she woke up to find her Father dead.
"Sleep is also necessary for a Queen."
"I- " Kiara cut herself off, looking away from the clouds, "- I'm not ready to be Queen. Not yet."
"You have been ready for longer than you believe." Simba stated, "From the moment you stood against me to defend the Outsiders, you've been the Queen this pride needed."
"… I don't know if I can do this without you."
"I will always be with you, as are all Kings and Queens of the past." Simba's voice was fading away now, "Just look to the stars, and I will be there."
Kiara could feel the tears in her eyes, "I-I love you!" She called out, as the clouds rolled back into normalcy.
"And I love you."
And then Simba was gone.
"Goodbye Father." Kiara stood and headed back towards the rest of the Pride.
It was time to be the Queen her Father saw in her.