"Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!"
Kion roared happily up into the sky. Rani roared beside him. Joy and love filled his heart.
Love and peace at last.
He was finally back at the Tree of Life with his one true love. It was longer than usual before he ran out of breath and stopped roaring. He gazed up into the clouds where he swore he could see his grandfather Mufasa, Rani's grandmother Janna, and his ancestor Askari all proudly gazing down at them.
He blinked and they were gone, though Kion knew they'd always be watching over them.
Eventually, him and Rani stepped down from the rock in front of the Tree of Life. Immediately, friends and family rushed over to give their congratulations.
Kion was instantly swarmed by his family, former Lion Guard, and the Night Pride bounding over to him and Rani where they stood.
"My, how you've grown," Simba said, beaming with pride as he and Kion shared a quick nuzzle.
"My little brother's found looovvvveeeee," Kiara teased, a smirk on her face. "I can't wait to be Auntie Kiara."
Kion felt his cheeks heating up with embarrassment at that remark.
"I'm so happy for you, son." Nala's blue eyes shone with happiness and pride.
"My best friend's a king now! Un-Bunga-lieveable!" Bunga cheered, jumping up and down before punching a fist into the air.
"This is poa!" Beshte grinned from ear to ear. He wiggled his ears.
"Indeed," Ono agreed from his place upon Beshte's back.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to calling you Your Majesty," Fuli chuckled playfully.
"My sister, queen with a king!" Baliyo cheered, giving his sister a playful nudge. She responded to the action with her smile growing even wider.
"I can already tell you and Kion will make a great team." Nirmala was beaming with pride. The youngster she was put in charge of healing was healed at last, and had fallen in love with the young lioness she'd known for a long time.
"Indeed." Surak smiled.
Kion was about to burst with pride, love, and a million other emotions. He'd never even dreamed this moment would even exist. He was with the lioness he loved, and he was a freaking king too! But what mattered most was Rani. The two of them clicked like no one else. Kion might not have known her that long, but it felt as if he'd known her forever.
He broke his gaze away from his friends and family and over to Rani. She was still surrounded by Baliyo, Surak, and Nirmala, all saying their words of congratulations. She didn't look back at Kion, only excitedly to her family. Her smile was wide and her dark brown eyes beamed.
We're both so happy now.
Kion thought back to the events of the past...well, he didn't even know how long. It felt like forever. Gaining his scar, journeying to the Tree of Life, healing, seeing the Pridelands again, and finally returning to the Tree. But the most important event of all was meeting Rani. Sure, she hadn't been exactly friendly to him and the Lion Guard when they had arrived, but it was all because of a simple misunderstanding. Once they got to know each other, they had grown close. Very close.
And now here they were, queen and king of the Tree of Life. All the enemies were gone - now only peace and happiness existed in and around the kingdom. And with him to help Rani rule it, he'd make sure it would always be that way.
"It'll be great ruling with you, Kion."
His heart leapt as Rani looked his way at last. "You too!" He tried not to sound squeaky as he replied.
It would be great. Him and Rani ruling together side by side. All the kingdom would know is everlasting peace so long as they were around. And all Kion would know is everlasting peace as long as she was around.
Everything's amazing now.