Chapter 7

Kovu walked into the den, and saw the young Prince Kiava, alone at the edge of the Lair of the Lion Guard. He wasn't in the main lair, but in one of the small enclaves within the stone structure, not dissimilar to the one that Jasiri was now recuperating in. According to Nala, aside form his black shock of hair upon his brow, he looked very like Simba had in his cubhood, though Kovu had trouble believing that the great King Simba had ever looked quite as amusing as his own son, puffing himself up in front of the images upon the cave wall of the lair of the Lion Guard.

"Son. What are you doing in here?" He asked him, and watched as Kiava jumped in surprise.

"Dad!" He dashed over to Kovu and jumped at him. Kovu gave a laugh and rolled to the ground, as his son laughed with him.

"Trying out for Vitani's Lion Guard?" he asked him, causing Kiava to blush.

"Uh… No." He said. Kovu looked over his shoulder and saw the familiar paintings of the story of the Pridelands there. His expression darkened when he saw his own young self-there, and for a moment, he let himself hear his mother's whispers. They didn't affect him as they once have. Instead, he looked at the one that held Kiava's attention.
"Ah." He said. "Kion's Guard. I'll be sure not to tell Vitani. She'll be offended." He joked. Kiava rolled his eyes, a habit he had appropriately picked up from his aunt.

"We were playing earlier. The other cubs and me." He said.

"Let me guess." Kovu said. "You were playing at being your own Lion Guard?" He asked, smiling.

"Uh huh." Kiava nodded.

"Sara was the Keenest of Sight, and Zuri was the Fastest. She wanted to be the strongest, but Inti called that, even though she pinned him three times." He said lightly. Kovu laughed at that.

"So that makes you the Bravest?" He asked him.

"Yup." Kiava nodded, puffing out his chest as he did before.

"Well." Said Kovu, poking him in the belly, causing the young cub to tumble to the ground, "You certainly inspire me to be brave. Just so long as you remember the most important thing about being brave: It isn't the same as not being frightened." He said. Kiava nodded.

" – Its being afraid, and doing what you have to anyway." He said. Kovu grinned. He could hear Kiara in his voice.

"That's my boy." He said, and pulled the young cub in close, despite his squirming protests. "So." He said. "If you were the Bravest, who was the Fiercest? Who led your Lion Guard?" He asked him, curious. Kiava smiled.

"Don't be silly Dad. Vitani's the fiercest in the Pridelands. Everyone knows that." Kovu laughed. "Okay, that I will tell Vitani." He said, chuckling. Kiava gave his best growl, and leapt at his father again, clinging into his fur.

"Kiava!" Kovu winced. "G'off –"

"Never!" Kiava crowed, and began to gnaw on Kovu's ear.

"Ouch – Kiava!" He jerked involuntarily, and the cub was once more sent tumbling to ground, with Kovu only just able to catch him in time. Kiava only laughed, apparently never worrying for a second. He looked up at his father.

"Hey! I never noticed that before." He said, suddenly.

"Noticed what?" Kovu asked him, cautiously.

"You're Scar. It's just like his." Kiava said. Kovu felt his heart sink.

"Ah. Well. You see, Kiava –"

"How cool is that?!"

"Excuse me?" Kovu asked, blinking. That hadn't been what he'd been expecting. And if anything was more concerning.

"I mean, that's pretty awesome! I wish I had a Scar just like Uncle Kion's!" He said, excitedly. Kovu paused, and then burst out laughing, leaving Kiava feeling confused.

"What is it?" He asked him. Kovu just continued to laugh.

"Its nothing. Don't worry about it. Its just…" He paused. "You wouldn't want one of these. It hurt."

"Oh. A lot?"

"Yes. A lot."
"Oh." Kiava looked a little less enthusiastic at the prospect. Then decided to change the subject. "So who was your favourite?" He asked suddenly. Kovu cocked his head in surprise.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked him again. Kiava laughed.

"Which would you be? I bet you'd be the Strongest like Beshte and Imara, right? Oh oh, or would you be the fastest? Danyal said you outran a forest fire once, right?" He asked. Kovu shook his head.

"Oh, I am not sure," He said. "I didn't have much time for playing pretend when I was cub you know."

"Yeah" Kiava said. "But that was ages ago." He protested.

"Okay. Ouch." Kovu said. "I couldn't possibly pick."

"Maybe they could make a new one for you?" Kiava suggested, yawning. "Didn't one of Kion's Guard do that.

"Yes, that's right. Anga became the Keenest of Sight, and Ono, who had been the keenest of sight, until his eyes were injured, became the smartest in the Pridelands." He said. Kiava nodded excitedly.

"Yeah. Something like that."

"Like what? Smartest in the Pridelands? I think Vitani and Nala would both have something to say about that…" He said, imagining their reaction.

"Nah…Something else. Bestest Dad in the Pridelands, maybe…" He said, drowsily. Then let out another yawn. Kovu looked down at his young son.

"Heh. That I like the sound of that…"

The two of them fell asleep, there and then. Though out of sight, the stars gleamed down on them in silence.

They were in that same position, the Prince fast asleep, and Kovu quietly dozing, when, some hours later, one of the lionesses stumbled upon them.

"Prince Kovu?" A voice woke him from his pleasant dream. Kiava remained softly sleeping, but Kovu quietly disentangled himself, and looked up at the lionesses approaching him. He recognised Almasi immediately. Kiava was good friends with both of her children, who had formed part of his pretend Lion Guard. His smile died on his lips, when he looked at Almasir's face. Her eyes were wide and red, she was pale.

"Almasi… Is everything all right?" Kovu asked her, a knot tightening in his stomach.

"No, Prince Kovu… Its… Something terrible has happened! You need to come at once!" She told him. Not pale. Her face was ashen, and any last vestige of happiness Kovu was feeling died. Kiava stirred, and looked between them.
"Dad?" He asked, drawing closer. Kovu didn't move. "What's the matter?"

Kovu thought he had felt grief before. But that had been nothing compared to what he saw on Kiara's face now. She was shaking, weeping, crying. The object of her despair could only have been the body that lay upon the grassland before them. Golden fur, and red mane, streaked in blood, as unmistakable in death as it had been in life. Mighty, majestic, and now broken. Life bled from him, and shattered against the rock. Simba. Simba, King of Pride Rock, was dead. He lay next to one of the Pridelands rocky outcrops, like a miniature mesa that dotted the Pridelands, as if at rest.

Kiara was leaning over his body, her face deep in Simba's fur. Kovu felt his blood run cold, as Nala gave a wail of anguish, and he tried to avert his own gaze.

This was impossible. This couldn't have happened. This was some illusion or mirage, or other trick. There was no way, no way on earth that such a thing could have happened. And yet, lying there before him, the evidence of his own eyes was irrefutable. King Simba was dead, of a dozen mortal injuries that would have killed a lesser feline.

He rounded on the rest of the lionesses, his anguish and fury becoming rage. He roared in anger, cursing the heavens.

"What happened! When did this happen! Will someone tell me!" He looked about, and the lionesses met his gaze, looking as terrified and as pained as he felt. Simba had been a beloved King. A wise and just ruler. A kind and compassionate lion.

"Someone must have seen something!" One of the lionesses said. Kovu though it was Almasi, or maybe Fasina.

"We didn't even know he was out here!" Another protested. Kovu shook his head.

"I spoke to him." Kovu said. He was shocked at how low his voice was, at how hoarse and ragged it was. "We talked a little. Then I left him. He wanted to be left alone." He said, swallowing.

"So you were the last to see Simba alive?" Sabini asked. There was a curious look to her. "What did you talk about?" She asked him.

"It doesn't matter now." Kovu said briskly. That would remain private. "There's no other body. Whoever killed him must have gotten away. This wasn't some accident or catastrophe. Our King has been murdered!" He voice was harsh as he said it. There was a tremor of anger to it. Vitani stood next to him, and swallowed.

"Brother…" She whispered, and he shook his head.

"What has the Lion Guard found?" He asked her. Vitani felt the eyes of the others on him.

"We're… we're still looking." She said.

"Tell me the moment you find anything else. I want answers, 'Tani! Right now I need something to claw, before I lose my mind!" He wasn't the only one. Vitani looked down at Simba and felt a familiar rage simmering within her. She had only felt it twice before. Once, when Nuka had been slain, and once, is secret, in her most shameful moments at the end of Zira's rebellion, when her mother had been lost to her. In her weakest moments that she would never admit to.

"Lion Guard. With me." She barked the order. Imara, Shabaha, Tazama and Kasiaan, followed her, in various states of shock. Imara was stoic as always, but sensitive Tazama looked pale. The Pridelanders were even worse off. Many looked desolate. Vitani left the group, the guard fanning out behind her. Vitani felt her blood pumping in her ears. Someone was going to pay for this. Kovu was right: She needed to find something to claw. Something to rip into pieces. Her blood was boiling.

As Vitani left, Nala was as silent as Kiara had been emotional. Kovu stepped forward and put his foreleg around Kiara but looked across to Nala, wishing there was something he could say, anything, to be of some comfort. But he could find nothing. Only confusion, pain, and bitterness.

"No." Kovu said. He pointed to the rock behind where Simba had lied. The rock was grey, smooth, and nondescript in every way. One of a few hundred that scattered the savannah, unnotable except maybe for its size. And, streaked on to the stone in kingly blood, was a design. A sigil or spiral of unmistakable symmetry and careful. It was no mere splash of blood. It was intentional, and someone wanted them to know that. To know that this murder, like the blood upon the rock, was by design, no mere fluke of nature. Simba was dead. The Great King was gone. He who had stood against the greed of Scar, the wrath of his deranged mate Zira, had been killed in the night. His body had been left unhidden and unsoiled, a message to the Pridelands and all who lived in it.

"If it wasn't already clear, it is now. The Pridelands are under attack. And the Pridelands have lost its King." Kovu said. "I want everyone called back to Pride Rock, now¸ everyone who can fight, whilst we figure out who or what it is, we are fighting. This cannot go unpunished. As far as anyone else is concerned, we're at war. Whatever this is, it targeted the King deliberately. That means its winding up to hit again. I don't want to lose anyone." Kovu continued. Though I don't have the faintest idea who it is we are supposed to be fighting. He said in his head, and to himself. He looked around, and forced himself to part from Kiara, even though every cell in his body protested it. With Vitani gone, the other were all looking at him expectantly. Kovu swallowed, trying to burry the pain he felt.

"We need to move him. I won't leave him for the vultures and the carrion. He deserves to buried behind Pride Rock, with his ancestors." He looked over at Simba's body. Not daring to touch his body. It would make it to real. He let out a breath of air he didn't know holding and felt his body shake.

He felt the warmth of a body next to him, and looked up to see Nala next to him. The queen's expression was stony. She gently took his paw, and moved it to Simba's body. Kovu didn't resist. But as if it were a signal, a number of other lionesses moved with him, ducking under his limbs. Together they half dragged, and half carried the body of the King to Pride Rock. It didn't have the dignity that the King deserved. Simba was larger than even Kovu, and it was a mighty weight, though not half as heavy as the weight Kovu felt now. His throat was dry.

It took some time, but they managed to move Simba to the base of Pride Rock, behind the stone itself, where even cubs didn't play. It was a still place, surrounded by small mounds, dotted with white wild flowers. Kovu knew it. It was where all the Great Kings of the past had been buried – those whose bodies had been found. As well as the members of the Pride who had fallen protecting their Kingdom. Former members of the Lion guard, and family of the throne. Kiara nuzzled him, and Kovu breathed in her comforting scent.

"Kovu…" She whispered to him.

"Go." He told her. She looked up and met her eyes. "I've got this. Go. You don't need to…"

"Nor should you."

"Yes, I do." He said simply. Kiara looked up at him, and nuzzled him. Then she turned, and left.

Kovu swallowed. The other lionesses had gathered in a small circle around Simba's body. There was weeping and mourning not seen since Mufasa' death, years before. Kovu cleared his throat and other looked to him. Timon and Pumbaa came out last.

"All right, what's all the commotion!" Timon began, then he froze at the sight of his friend's body. "No…" he whispered. "Simba! Come on buddy! Damu! Where's the healer at a time like this!" he begged, running into Simba, trying to lift Simba up as if that would bring him back. Timon managed to lift up Simba's tail, before falling back to the ground. Pumbaa was mute. The boar drew small circles on the ground with a cloven hoof, his eyes wide, his mouth half agape. Neither cried, they just stood there in shock. Timon crawled to his feet. None of the lionesses had the heart to move him away. Timon stared the body. Without taking his eyes off it, he reached up to Kovu, and grabbed a fistful of his dark fur.

"Kid… Please… tell me you know who did this?" He asked coldly. Kovu shook his head sadly.

"I don't know yet, Timon. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. But believe me, I intend to find out." Timon nodded sullenly. And swallowed.

"Well then… I… I mean… Excuse me then Kid, I have to… be someplace else right now." Timon practically fled. And Kovu remembered the common story, told to cubs in the colder months of the reason for the strange trio's friendship, that Simba had been found in the desert as a cub, dying from exposure. And that Timon and Pumbaa had rescued him. Simba had spent the majority of his young life, with this pair. In a sense they had raised him. And now he was gone. It should have made him sad. It only made him angry. Angry at whoever or whatever had killed Simba – had done this to such a beloved teacher and friend. Cold fury gripped him. Anger blazed in his heart, so strong it hurt. It was quenched instantly by the touch of Nala's paw.

He pulled away from the others, and stood alone for a moment, taking a deep breath. He could hear whispering behind him. Muttering, directed his way, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He looked off at the sunset, and clawed the ground. He felt someone approaching him, and resisted the urge to snap. Wasn't it clear he wanted to be alone right now? He needed to figure out what to do. At least that was what he told himself, as he tried to focus on anything but. Anything other than the horrifying reality that faced him.
"Kovu…" The Queen said. Kovu looked at her. She leant towards him, her forehead touching his.

"Kovu, you need to make an announcement. You need to let the rest of the Pride know what has happened. Let the rest of the Pridelands know what has happened. We need to have Rafiki here as soon as we can."

"For Simba's departure."

"Yes… And to crown his heirs." Nala said, giving him what he guessed was meant to be an encouraging smile. Kovu froze and shook his head.

"No." He muttered. "It's too soon. I won't –"

"Yes, you will." She told him firmly. Kovu looked at her. She leaned into him, and Kovu embraced her. "You will. Because it has to happen. And you know it. We both do. So, we'll do it. No matter how much it hurts."

"Kiara and I… We're not ready." Kovu protested. Nala looked at him. Then, with a surprising tenderness, leaned closer, and licked the side of his cheek. It was a closeness Kovu hadn't experienced.

"Simba thought you were. We both did. Prove us right. Please." She said. Kovu nodded mutely, and Nala left him. Kovu stood at the edge of Pride Rock, as alone as he felt, for the first time. Selfishly, he wanted to call her back. Call back Vitani. Go after Kiara. He shuddered as a cold wind blew across Pride Rock.

When Kiara reached the den, she at first meant to make a beeline for the lair of the Lion Guard. Although it was there that Damu lay in guard over the unconscious form of Jasiri, a number of leaves covered in strange herbs and crushed fruits covering her wounds, it was also a favoured haunt of various cubs of the Pridelands, who found its pictured walls to be fascinating, and played their own games there: So long as Vitani wasn't there to chase them out. To her surprise though, she found Kiava within the main den of Pried Rock, far from the others eyes. Kiava looked up at her as she approached and ran towards him.

"Mom!" He rushed to her, and buried his face in her fur. He was shaking.

"Kiava…" Kiara said, and reached out to her son. The dark maned cub had never looked so young or vulnerable to her. She pulled her child in close, and hugged him against her. She could feel him shaking.

"Danyal told me what happened to Grandpa…" Kiava said. His eyes were red, it was clear the young cub had been crying. Kiara was stricken suddenly. In all the confusion she had merely focused on herself. She felt like the worst mother in Africa. She drew him in close. "It's okay sweetie…" She said, as Kiava gratefully hugged his mother. "It's going to be okay." She said.

"What's going to happen now?" Kiava asked her, tearfully. Kiava still struggled to reconcile the image of his grandfather with the reality of his death. The firm, unyielding, great lion had been the largest lion Kiava had ever seen. Larger even than his father, and much larger than him or any of his friends. But he had never felt intimidated by his slightly silly grandfather, who smiled at the slightest provocation, laughed at any joke Timon or Pumba made, and ate bugs when he thought his Grandmother wasn't watching.

"Well…" Kiara drew a ragged breath. Her throat threatened to seal itself off as she gulped down a breath of air. What would happen now? Everything would change, that was for sure. Change in ways she hadn't imagined. Not for years and years.

"Your Grandfather has completed his journey on the Circle of life… Sooner than we thought…" Kiara said. She squeezed Kiava a little tighter.

"Grandfather always said… that when he was done… You and Dad will be King and Queen… Is that now?" Kiava said, looking up at his mother. Kiara nodded.

"Y…Yes… That's my job now. Our job. We're going to make sure that everything your Grandfather did doesn't get undone. That it doesn't all go flying apart now he's gone. We're going to make sure this Pride that he loved so much… continues. Because our role now. We're going to take care of everything." She assured him. She just wished she knew how. She pulled in her cub close, and felt tears of fear, grief, and shame fall to the ground.

Some distance away, Danyal watched the two for a few moments before, before turning away. He only got a few steps out of the den, before he felt a familiar presence come upon him. He flicked his tail in annoyance.

"You ought not to be here." Sabini said. Danyal shrank back guiltily.

"I wasn't doing anything!" He protested. "I heard what had happened, and I took Prince Kiava to see his mother. That's all. Nothing wrong with that." He said.

"You've done that. Then you should have left right away. Not kept spying on them." Sabini said. Danyal stepped back. He always kept the same distance between him and other lionesses. Sabini found the trait distracting.

"I was just going. What were you doing here?" He said. Sabini sneered.

"I came to speak to the Princess. As it is, it can wait. I have no desire to intrude upon their grief, and possess the grace to allow them their own time to mourn, without prying on them."

"I wasn't prying!" He said indignantly.

"No, you were just skulking in the background. Like you always do. Lurking just out of the sight where you think no one sees you." She said. The gangly adolescent lion felt his cheeks redden.

"I wasn't lurking." He said. "Just because people don't pay attention to me, doesn't mean I am skulking and trying not to be seen. And just because I notice things, doesn't mean I am spying. So you can pushoff, and speak to the princess, some other time!" He said, planting his forelegs on the ground with as much indignation as he could muster. It wasn't very impressive. Sabini was twice her size, and merely arched an eyebrow.

"I don't need to explain myself to you." She snapped. "If you had a mother, I'd tell her to discipline you for having the nerve to speak to your elders like that. You are old enough to know better." She snapped at him. Danyal flushed with further embarrassment at being scolded and pushed his way past her, provoking yet another glare of disapproval. He moved past her and made his way to the edge of Pride Rock. Looking out, he could see the lion guard out on patrol again. Vitani and party of the Pridelands fastest, keenest of sight, strongest and bravest. Illustrious company. His thoughts wandered. Something had killed Simba. The mightiest in the Pridelands. Simba had killed Scar. And fought off Zira. And yet, something unknown to them had brought him down. It was a grim thought. Unlike Kiava, Danyal had been intimidated by Simba, though not as much as he was by Kovu. Kovu may have been smaller of the adult males within the Pride, but he was dark, mysterious and rumoured to have been the chosen of Scar himself. If anyone could defend the Pridelands form this strange new threat, it was him. He sighed. He briefly considered making his way to the Lion Guard's den, where Damu was seeing to that mysteriously injured hyena. They ought to have been waking up soon, at any rate. No one would try and stop him. He climbed to his feet, and jumped back down to the base of Pride Rock, and made his way to the entrance to the lair of the Lion Guard.
The lair was empty and cold.

Three sunrises and three sunsets later, Kovu and Kiara were standing together, within the main den of Pride Rock. They had stood in a similar position so many months ago, when Kiava had been presented to the Pridelands. In that ceremony, Rafiki had acted as Shaman and Mjuzi to the Pridelands. There was no sign of the ape now. They had delayed as long as they could, but there was little they could do. The Pridelands needed a King. It had been a jubilant occasion. A day of celebration, of new birth and renewal. It had been the proudest moment of Kovu's life. He could remember Simba, standing right there by the entrance to the den. He could remember Nala, leading the hunting party the night before to ensure there was plenty of meat today to celebrate, both amongst themselves and amongst their honoured guests. There had been birds, representatives from the Southrons and the Mountain Pride. Both Ono and Anga had been in attendance, and bringing with them the fondest wishes and congratulations of both Queen Rani, and her King, Kion of the Pridelands. Kion had been unable to attend – something that had visibly disappointed Jasiri and her guest, Janja, who had attended representing the Outlanders. He could remember it vividly. It had been from a happier time that seemed like a distant memory.

"Are you ready?" She asked him. Kovu exhaled.

"No. Are you?"

"No." She agreed.

"I'm so sorry Kiara… He wouldn't have wanted –"

"Nonsense" Kiara scowled him. "This is exactly what he'd wanted. It was no secret that he loved you like a Son, Kovu. And we always knew I'd rule after him someday. And that you'd rule with me. This is right Kovu. Believe me." She said, and nuzzled him gently. Kovu nodded. Outside the others awaited them, waiting for them to emerge from the den, to the edge of Pride Rock's lower peak that arched out over the Pride Lands. Here though, there was no one else with them. No one, but Nala, who stood between the two. She smiled at them both, sadly, but encouragingly. Kovu swallowed. He was as ready as he'd ever be.

"Your Majesty." Kovu greeted her.

"Your Majesties." Nala returned the greeting, and Kovu felt himself tense. It still sounded odd to his ears.

"I am Nala. Daughter of Sarafina, who left these lands. I was consort of King Simba, now passed. Mother of Kiara and Kion." Nala said, as if anyone present didn't know. You could have heard a seed fall to the ground.

She leaned down, and reached into a splintered gourd that was filled with fresh water taken from the watering hole. Without another word, she let the water drip down onto her forehead, as if cleaning away an invisible mark or stain. Then she turned to Kovu and Kiara, who took another step forwards.

Nala leaned down, and cracked open a new gourd, this once containing some red juice in it, the colour of blood. Far darker than the one new cubs' presentation, though Kovu couldn't remember the reason why. They weren't even onehundred percent sure that they had the right gourds, though there was no reason to suspect that anyone one else would be able to dissent. In a few moments, Nala had prepared a sticky paste from the juice, some earth, and the water from before. She dipped a clawtip into it, and spoke, her voice wavering but not breaking as she did so.

"Who comes before the Throne of Pride Rock?" Nala asked.

"I am Kiara, Daughter of King Simba, who has passed and Queen Nala." Kiara said, bowing her head to her mother.

"I am Kovu. Son of Scar, and Zira, now both passed." Kovu said, hesitantly. For a moment, they looked at one another. Then spoke in one voice together. "We claim the throne of Pride Rock." They said.

"Then in this place, let the Pride be my witness." She said, though there were none to see the anointing as was their custom. "By my right as a former Queen of the Pridelands, and by the Will of the Kings. You shall be Queen Kiara, and King Kovu of the Pridelands and all the light touched earth." She looked at Kovu. "Black Flame of Pride Rock." Then back to Kiara. "May you and your mate rule wisely and fairly and may the Crown, Throne and Kingdom of the Pridelands pass to your heirs, for so long as the stars shine in the heavens." He said. Both of them knelt down to Nala in an act of supplication and bowed their heads. There was a stillness to the air. Not a breath of wind. Not a cry of a bird.

"Kiara. Kovu. I crown you both with the life of the land…" and with that she leaned forward and with the crimson concoction, anointed both her daughter and son in law "And the earth of the kingdom" she picked up a small pinch of dust and let it fall onto the red mark. And it was done. Nala wasn't Queen anymore. Kiara was. And Kovu was King. She let out a supressed breath. "I hope I did that right… I'm no Shaman…" She said, but Kiara leaned in and licked her mother on the cheek. "You're my Mother. You have every right you need." She said. Nala gave a sad smile. "I know your father is proud of you. Both of you. Now." She cleared her throat. Shall we go and greet your subjects? She asked them. The two of them nodded.

"Pridelanders! I give you our new King and Queen! King Kovu and Queen Kiara of the Pridelands!" Zazu proclaimed. The blue hornbill was acting his best, which was to say, in a pompous manner, but rather than annoy people, it seemed to comfort people. It was, in the very least, familiar. When they stepped outside, for a moment the sunlight blinded him. There were no gathered animals of other species, no cheering crowds like those at Kiava's presentation. It was a subdued affair. Both funeral and coronation. But the Pride was gathered, as were a few friends to the throne that stood off to one side. Timon, Pumba, and Zazu. But other than that, only the lionesses were there. Vitani and the Lion Guard were there, though they all looked somewhat awkward. The cubs were together, pushed to the front so as to get a good look at the new King and Queen, even Kiava trying to find some reason to celebrate, though his expression was serious. He smiled up at Kiara though as he passed, and Kovu winked at him. The other cubs looked awed and impressed, though he couldn't imagine why; it wasn't as though they didn't see him in some capacity every day. Maybe it was merely the ceremony, the reminder that today was a special, even sacred occasion. The red marks that showed their new positions glinted in the sun, and one of the lionesses let out a cry.

"Long live the Queen!" She called. Kiara didn't see who. The cheers were a little subdued, but the roars that greeted them felt sincere. Kovu's own thoughts though were shattered by a sudden shout, which broke the metre and timbre of the celebration. A sudden and violent growl.

"Kovu look out!" There was an outcry, and Kovu ducked, as a set of claws swung at his head. In an instant, years of Zira's training kicked in and the lion ducked, and rolled. His claws leapt out, and struck at his clumsy attacker, and she was thrown to the side with a cry of pain.

"Lion Guard!" Kiara shouted, and in a moment, there was a rush of movement, and suddenly, Vitani was there at his side. The lioness who had attacked him rushed him once more, and Vitani opened her mouth and roared.

The ground quaked, and the earth trembled, and high above the, sky screamed. The sound that emitted from Vitani wasn't a mortal roar. The roar of the elders ripped across the Pridelands, and slammed into the form of Sabini, who was rushing towards Kovu again with her claws outstretched. She was flung backwards, and slammed into the ground with an audible crack. For a moment there was silence, and then she begun to groan. The rest of the Lion Guard moved in, and Vitani turned to Kovu, who was stepping back.

"Kovu! I'm sorry! I didn't see her! Are you alright?" She asked him. Kovu nodded slowly.

"I'm fine, 'Tani. I am fine." He said. He had never grown quite used to seeing Vitani use the roar. Sometimes, he almost didn't see the mark on her shoulder than announced to the Pridelands her position, as fiercest in the Pridelands. And then there were moments like today, which served as a staunch reminder as to why that was the case, and the power that she had been chosen to wield. Then he looked at the lioness that was now being pinned by Imara and Tazama. Sabini, the lioness was writhing under her claws. Sabini.

"Let me go! You idiots! Let me go!" Sabini was thrashing desperately, clawing at the lionesses who held her down.

"Sabini! What you doing!" Kiara gasped in shock.

"No!" Sabini's voice carried. The lioness was pushed forward. "No! I won't stand for this! This is wrong! This is wrong!" She shouted out. There were numerous growls of annoyance, and shock at her impertinence, that she would dare interrupt this most sacred of events. The coronation of a new King and Queen of the Pridelands.

"Do you have some objection, Sabini, to bowing before my daughter?" Nala asked her. Her eyes were narrow and cold. Sabini hesitated. Then she nodded firmly.

"Not your daughter, your majesty. Him." She said, jerking her head towards Kovu. Kovu couldn't help but look shocked at such a pronouncement. "I know what you did! And I won't bow before an Outlander! Nala, you were Queen for years, and leader of the hunting party! Why can't you rule? You –"

"I won't hear this, Sabini! How dare you! Simba thought of Kovu as a Son!" Nala had retrained her emotions for days, but now the damn burst and she let loose a roar of indignant rage.

"Maybe that was what killed him!" Sabini shot back.

That provoked a response, finally. From many of the Pridelands, and many of the former Outlanders especially. Zazu blustered, and Vitani and her Lion Guard sent looks of anger towards Sabini, and the one or two lionesses that were nodding in agreement.

"What do you mean, won't bow before an Outlander? What Outlanders? Sabini, the civil war is over!" Kiara said, passionately.

"Is it? Is it? Are you all quite so sure? Because I am not. Something is wiping out our herds. Something is killing for sport! And that same something killed our King when his back was turned? That same something was able to move around unseen and unmolested? And our Lion Guard either doesn't see them, or lets them go about their business! Is it really so crazy?" Sabini asked. A few of the lionesses looked at one another at that. It did make a certain amount of sense. A lioness, or group of lionesses from the Pridelands would have free roam of the Pridelands without being seen by birds, and they would have no issue getting bast the borders of the Pridelands, because they were already safely within the Pridelands. It did make sense. Of course, for it to be true, there would need to be traitors within the Pride itself. Traitors willing to violate the laws on hunting, traitors willing to break the circle of life, to assault Jasiri's Outlanders heedless of the consequences.

"You really think that Kovu had something to do with Simba's death!" One of the lionesses shouted out in shock.

"Him – or one of his Outlanders! Well I won't do it!" Sabini said. "I won't bow to you. I Know what you did! I know what you and your family have done!" She looked about satisfied. To her shock however, she did not receive the cries of support she had expected. There were no shouts of anger behind her directed at Kovu, rather they were directed at her. Nala shook her head.

"You poor fool. Simba wanted nothing more, than to make up for his mistakes, with the Outlands. He'd be appalled to hear you today, trying to rip those divisions open, when he worked so hard to heal them."

"His only mistake was letting them return to the Pridelands to begin with! As if everything was okay! As if it changed anything!" Sabini protested. "If he hadn't, he'd be alive to this day! You know it, your Majesty!" Nala stared at her. Then shook her head.

"I am not your Majesty. And I am no longer your Queen. Lion Guard. Take this traitor –"

"Hold it." Kovu said, holding up a claw. Sabini seethed glaring at him. "You actually think that I would try to kill Simba? After everything that happened?" He asked her. Sabini spat on the ground.

"How else do you explain the Lion Guard's failure? Its all made up of former Outlanders! And we all know that Zira's minions weren't raised with any respect for the Circle of Life!" She said. "I don't know if you knew but I know that Simba's death is the fault of the Outlanders! And I won't bow before their King." She sneered.

Kovu stared at her. And was suddenly aware that he held the attention of all of the lionesses there. Most were scowling at Sabini, or held expressions of shock and anger. But there were some who were nodding to Sabini's words, or who were casting suspicious glances towards the other lionesses, particularly those who once served Zira. He hesitated. What would Simba have done? He felt his chest tighten.

"And does anyone else feel that way?" He asked quietly. There was a stillness to the air. Sabini's triumphant expression faded. There was no surge of support. Slowly, a handful of lionesses stood up, and approached Sabini. They looked nervous, but resolute. Sabini looked about in shock. In her mind, she had imagined a great many, a silent majority of the Pridelanders sharing her opinions. Astonishingly, she saw only expression of anger and shame from the majority of former Outlanders and former Pridelanders. Nevertheless, Sabini growled, and bared her teeth.

"Kovu –"

"Enough." Kovu said. Breathed out, and his anger was palpable. "I am not the traitor here, Sabini. Simba had been dead less than three days, and you're already dishonouring his memory." He fixed his gaze on her, and Sabini flinched, looking away from his expression, and the scar that marked his face. "I am not Simba, Sabini. But I know exactly what he would say to you."

He stepped towards her, and the Lion Guard allowed her to crawl to her feet. Sabini shrank back, suddenly very aware of how much he outsized her, despite his youth compared to her. He growled. "Go." He said, so quietly, she couldn't quite hear him.

"What…" Sabini gasped.

"Go! You won't bow to your new King and Queen! Fine! You don't have to! Leave! You raised your claws against your King! You attacked me; you've made your views plain! So, Go! GO! You think yourself so much better than the Outlanders, you can prove it! Make your own home in the Outlands! Or somewhere else, I don't care where so long as it is not here! Go!" And he roared at her. Sabini almost jumped out of her skin, and sprinted from Pride Rock.

The pawful of other lionesses ran with her, before he could even turn his gaze to her chasing her. The Lion Guard watched them go.

"Tazama, Imara! Go with them – from a distance. Make sure they don't try to return to the Pridelands." Vitani said, giving a look towards Kovu, who nodded in agreement.

"By your command!" Imara said, giving a cruel smile that Vitani felt was beneath her and forced herself not to share as Sabini got her just deserts. The rest of the Lionesses looked on as they departed. Kovu let out a sigh. Privately, he wondered if he had made the right choice. Then he turned around, and walked away, back into the den.

Sometime later, Kiava was still trying to wrap his head around the day's events. What was wrong with Dad? Why would Sabini object to? He didn't know the lioness called Sabini well, but she'd always been rather nice when he'd met her in the past. He didn't know anyone who disliked her. So why was she saying all those horrible things about his Dad? When she had lunged forwards, Almasi had put a protective arm around him and the other cubs, but it had all happened so fast, it was almost as if nothing had happened at all. There had been some roaring, some shouting, and Vitani had used the roar, something she never used in front of him, no matter how many times he asked her to. So, it must have been a real emergency.

"Kiava?" Zuri asked him. The cream coloured lioness cub was looking at him with concern. He nearly opened his mouth to ask her, but Almasi prompted him.

"Don't pay any notice to her Kiava. Sabini has always been cold. Especially to those she doesn't fully understand, or those she's suspicious of. Don't worry. Your parents have some things to take care of and then they'll both want to see you." She said. The people that Sabini was suspicious of, numbered plenty of people, but she didn't feel the need to add that.

"Vitani was so cool!" Inti said. "She was like, ROAAR, and Sabini was like, AHHH! And it was awesome!" He said, giggling.

"Inti, what have I told you? The Roar of the Elders isn't a toy, it's a serious business!" Almasi protested. But privately, Kiava had to agree. It was pretty awesome.

"So does this mean you're a Prince now?" Sara asked him. Zuri rolled his eyes.

"Sara! He was already a Prince!" She said.
"Yeah, but now Kovu and Kiara are King and Queen, does that mean he's, what, super Prince?" She asked him. Kiava didn't know, but before he would say anything, Zuri's mother care tearing out of the Lair of the Lion Guard, a panicked expression on her face. Zuri looked worried.

"Mom? What's the matter?" She asked, but Damu was already talking to Almasi.

"Where is the Queen? Send for her at once! And King Kovu too!" She said urgently.

"What's the matter?" Almasi asked her, sounding worried herself.

"It's the hyena!" She said, before she could stop herself. Almost immediately the four cubs raced past her to where Jasiri was lying in the lair of the Lion Guard. Her wounds weren't much better, but her breathing had stabilised. In fact, she was moving and tossing and turning.

"Is she okay?" Kiava asked her.

"Jasiri! Its okay!" Almasi tried to reassure her, but the hyena was shaking, tossing and turning in her sleep.
"She looks like she's having a nightmare!" Inti realised. The cubs had crowded around the injured hyena in their curiosity, and as she shouted and snarled into thin air, the four cubs leapt back with shouts of alarm, even as the two mothers raced in after them. Jasiri's breathing became laboured, and then without further warning Jasiri awoke with a gasp and shout of pain and fear.

"NO! Janja!" She screamed and the cubs jumped back in fright and surprise. Jasiri looked around, eyes wide with terror. Almasi leaned down, but Jasiri took one look at the adult lioness and snarled in panic. "No! Aragh!"

"Jasiri! Jasiri of the Outlands, its okay! You are safe in the Pridelands!" Almasi told her. Jasiri eyes widened in recognition. Kiava gulped, takin in the sight of the hyena. He knew she was some kind of queen, and that she had been a friend of his uncle Kion's. He knew several stories about them both, and he was fairly sure she was painted upon the walls of the lair of the lion guard somewhere.

"Someone get King Kovu!" Damu ordered, looking at Jasiri with concern. "Jasiri…" She said quietly. "What happened to you?" She asked.