In the pride lands, fittingly it was raining. The morning after Simba had died. The teenagers were all on Pride Rock, telling Kaela and Zara stories of their dad and grandfather. But Muhasi was sitting alone down below under a tree. Which Kaela noticed. She went and walked over to Muhasi to check on him.
"Are you okay?" Kaela asked.
"I just can't believe he's gone. I loved my grandfather. I learned so much from the little time I had with him," Muhasi said holding back his tears.
"What's something you'll miss most about him?" Kaela asked.
"His caring attitude. He always wanted others to feel important and loved. Even when they felt like crap," Muhasi said.
Muhasi started to cry again, and Kaela really didn't know how to comfort him.
And then out of nowhere, Kaela licked his cheek. Which shocked Muhasi.
"I'm sorry, I was just trying to comfort you," Kaela said.
Muhasi didn't say anything but began to kiss her, and she didn't stop him.
Maisha looked over the ledge and was stunned to see her brother kissing Kaela. But she didn't say anything.
"Is Muhasi okay?" Kitu asked.
"I'd say he's getting there," Maisha laughed.
"What do you mean?" Njia asked going to look over.
"No, there's no need for that," Maisha said.
"Ah come on," Njia shouted.
"Hapana!" Ono shouted flying down to the teens on pride rock with his eyes bugged out.
"Ono, what is it?" Kishindo asked.
"Um, well I can't unsee what I just saw," Ono said.
"Oh for the love of God, let me see," Kitu said looking over the ledge.
"Well damn!" Kishindo said standing next to Kitu.
"We're tormenting him about this right?" Kitu asked.
"Is that a question?" Kishindo laughed.
"Boys," Jala shouted.
"Wow, that is unexpected," Zara said.
"I didn't know lions kissed like that," Ono said.
"Apparently you didn't pay attention to our parents," Maisha laughed.
"What's going on kids?" Kiara asked walking out to them.
"Hey mom, look at Muhasi," Kitu whispered.
"Awww," Kiara exclaimed seeing her nephew so happy. But then looked at Kitu and knew what was running through his mind.
"She'll come back, Kitu. You'll see," Kiara said hugging Kitu.
"I hope your right mom," Kitu said.
Kaela pulled away from Muhasi for a minute.
"I'm sorry I took it too far," Muhasi said.
"No, no. You didn't I need to breathe," Kaela laughed.
"So I guess you like me huh?" Muhasi asked.
"What was your first clue?" Kaela joked.
"Muhasi! Come on you two we have to go to the funeral," Kiara said walking down as the teens followed her.
"Yeah come on you two," Kitu nagged.
"You think they saw us?" Muhasi whispered.
"Oh my brother, always beating me, in everything. Being born first, now getting a girl first," Kishindo said.
"Don't tell dad and mom yet please," Muhasi said.
"Alright, your secret is safe with me, it's them you have a problem with," Kishindo said nodding his head toward the girls.
"Oh crap," Muhasi said.
{
Meanwhile back at the tree of life. Polina the green-eyed tigress was pacing back and forth next to the rockslide.
"I say we all climb this damn rock wall, and go slaughter them now," Polina said.
"Patience. I'm assuming someone escaped through a secret passage and is going to warn the Night Pride of our emergence. With Simba's death imminent we have time to wait things out. Our only goal now is to destroy all refugees who try to seek shelter here," Feliks said.
Just then the tree saw a full-grown buffalo and her calf walking toward the tree of life's entrance.
"Done!" Pasha snarled.
Inside the Tree of Life. Baliyo didn't know what to do, he was worried about his family's safety but also about the safety of Sikoa and his lionesses.
"We can battle them together, they have three. We have ten," Sikoa said.
"I'm not making my daughter fight these monsters," Baliyo said.
"We have to do something," Nirmala exclaimed.
"Surak what do you think?" Baliyo asked.
"Ask Nirmala. She knows what's best in these types of things," Surak snipped.
"Excuse me!" Nirmala yelled.
"Enough, look it's obvious you two are in an argument. But right now it doesn't matter this is a matter of life and death. And if you want your son's story told or your story told, I suggest we put our heads together and figure something out," Raya yelled.
"That's my girl," Baliyo smiled.
"What if we use that exit route to attack them? We have to get them out," Sikoa said.
"But what about your pride?" Baliyo asked.
"It's not my concern at this time. You all are my allies. And I will fight to the death for you, just as I know you would return the favor," Sikoa said.
"If only Kion was here. His roar could flatten them because of the barrier we made," Binga said.
"But King Kion isn't here. So we have to think of something," Baliyo said then he froze.
"Baliyo?" Surak asked concerned.
"What if we lead the tigers to the canyon!" Baliyo said.
"The one where your parents died?" Raya asked.
"Yes!" Baliyo exclaimed.
"No. I refuse to bring those demons to your father and mother's place of rest," Surak stubbornly retorted.
"Uncle Surak, I appreciate the sentiment. But right now we have bigger problems than the sacred. We have to get rid of these tigers for the sake of the animals who will come here seeking shelter. For God sake, we're the guardians of this Tree of Life, and I will defend it by any means necessary," Baliyo said.
"Then let me help to daddy," Binga replied.
"Binga, I don't want you to get hurt," Baliyo replied concerned about his daughter's safety.
"Daddy, I can do it. Besides like Sikoa said, there's ten of us and three of them," Binga said.
"Yes, but," Baliyo reluctantly said.
"And you always tell me the story of the battle when mommy ripped the balls off that evil lion," Binga said.
Sikoa's eyes got really big and looked at Raya concerned.
"He deserved it," Raya responded.
"Holy hell. Your mate is a bad lioness," Sikoa said.
"When she wants to be a bad girl yeah," Baliyo replied smiling at Raya.
"Didn't need that info guys geez. Now, are we taking the fight to them or not?" Shuri asked.
"Let's go," Baliyo said taking a deep breath and then leading the way to where the other exit is.
{
Back in the Pride Lands. Animals from the Backlands, mountains, outlands, and even some of Rafiki's family from far away showed up along with all the pride landers. Who was wondering why they gathered near the border?
"Greetings animals from near and far. As you know, King Simba yesterday completed his journey in the Circle of Life. King Simba requested that he be buried not where the kings of the past are laid to rest. But to be laid to rest at the border of the lands he loved so dear," Makini said motioning for Kovu to come forward and say something. But he shook his head because he knew he would be too emotional. Makini panicked but then Bunga stepped up.
"Pride landers, and guests. Hi, my name is Bunga. Some of you remember me, I see some of the little ones I used to babysit who are now fully grown. Dang, I'm getting old," Bunga said as the crowd laughed.
"Simba was raised not just by Queen Sarabi and King Mufasa. But also by my Uncles Timon and Pumbaa. When Simba was all alone, about to be eaten by buzzards. Fate had it that a Meerkat and Warthog found him and raised him. He ate bugs just like I do, and like all the insectivores. He lived not in the comfort of Pride Rock, but in the lush Jungle not far from here. He grew up the Hakuna Matata way, then came his true best friend. Nala! She reminded him who he was destined to become, and she reminded him that she loved him. Then with Rafiki and Mufasa's help, Simba returned to Pride Rock to end the madness of King Scar. My Uncles helped in the Battle, as did Rafiki, the lionesses, and," Bunga said as he saw Zazu fly down into the front of the crowd.
"And our friend Zazu as well. Zazu remember's him when he was a cub, and saw him until his old age. Simba then became king, one of the greatest kings the pride lands has ever known. He had his share of heartbreak, trials, and tests. But had Queen Nala by his side. And had the help of the Lion Guard. I'll never forget the day when Simba told Kion about the Lion Guard, that Kion had a place in the Circle of Life, leading the guard to protect the pride lands. And now that the time of our Guard has come and gone, I look back and remember all the fun times we had together. I remember racing to the outlands to get ash from a Volcano to heal Simba of a scorpion's sting. I remember when Kiara and Kion couldn't agree on if the sky was blue, and Simba led us for a day. Or when me and King Simba got stuck in tunnels. Simba is survived by his four kids Kopa, Kiara, Kion, and Malkia. Along with their mates Vitani, Kovu, and Rani. Along with his grand cubs Kitu, Muhasi, Jala, Kishindo, Maisha, Njia, and Kopa and Vitani's soon to be cub or cubs. But also survived by his mate Nala, who was with him when he couldn't wait to be king until he completed his journey in the Circle of life. The Hakuna Matata trio is now together again on the other side. Along with all the others we have lost," Bunga declared as he cried through his eulogy.
The Crowd stomped and cheered and bowed down to the gravesite of Simba. They all paid their respect to where Simba was laid to rest. As Bunga walked to Kovu and Nala who were standing beside each other.
"I hope I did him well," Bunga said with a tear welling up in his eye.
Nala hugged him crying on his shoulder.
"Thank you Bunga, that was beautiful," Nala said.
"Um, Kopa!" Vitani shouted making a face of pain.
"Yeah, Tani?" Kopa asked now concerned seeing her face.
"It is time," Vitani whispered to him.
"Oh wow. Um, guys, Vitani is going into Labor," Kopa shouted above the crowd's noise.
"Alright, the funeral is over anyway, let's go. Beshte can you carry her to Pride Rock?" Nala asked.
"Of course, Come on Vitani," Beshte said.
"There's no time, I have to stay here, I'm in too much pain," Vitani said.
"Alright just stay with me. I'm right here, we all are," Kopa said.
"Can it just be us right here?" Vitani asked.
Kopa looked at everyone, as Nala nodded her head.
"Come on everyone, Vitani is having her cub, give them some privacy. NOW!" Nala shouted at the crowd, as they all scattered quickly.
"Your highness, I'm so sorry for your loss. Simba was a right all along, he was a mighty king," Zazu said hovering next to Nala.
"Thank you, Zazu. And he had thick hair," Nala joked.
"Yes, yes. Of course, he did, My mate told me to go. She had to stay with our egg," Zazu said.
"Congratulations Zazu, I will definitely come to visit you sometime," Nala said.
"Thank you, Nala, and my how the grand cubs have grown. And it appears more on the way," Zazu laughed.
"It's the circle of life," Nala joked.
"And it moves us all, in a good way," Zazu said.
"Zazu!" Nala blushed.
The lions went to pride rock, with the old guard until.
"Hapana! Everyone, there is a lioness running this way," Ono said.
"Wait, a lioness?" Kitu asked hoping it was Sana.
"It's Sana!" Ono said.
Kitu ran as fast as he could to where Ono saw her coming.
Sana saw Kitu coming and she smiled from ear to ear.
"KITU!" Sana shouted. As Kitu ran past Vitani and Kopa as even Vitani while in labor pains, smiled to see her nephew reunited with the one he loved.
Kitu and Sana hugged.
"I missed you so much," Kitu said.
"I missed you too Kitu. And there's something I have to tell you, but it has to wait. Where is your Uncle Kion?" Sana asked.
"I have a message from Baliyo," Sana said panicking.
"Okay, come on," Kitu said.
The group of lions walked toward them, and Kovu and Kiara were thrilled to see Sana back. Especially for Kitu's sake.
"King Kion, I went to the tree of life. Cause I remembered you told me if I ever needed to go somewhere I could come there. But you all weren't there, and there was a terrible," Sana frantically fumbled through her words.
"Hold on Sana, slow down. What is it?" Rani asked.
"The tigers you were worried about, they are outside the mountain pass. We created a rockslide barrier to keep them out. They are Varia's cubs and they want revenge!" Sana said.
"Varia?" Beshte yelled.
"We found her dead after Rani's coronation remember?" Kion asked.
"So wait those cute cubs, are trying to take over and kill us?" Bunga asked.
"Apparently," Sana said.
"We've got to go then," Kion said.
"But what about Kopa and Vitani's cubs?" Jala asked.
"I want to be here, but we can't let our kingdom fall because of some tigers," Rani said.
"Kopa and Vitani will understand Kion, you all go. I will tell them why later on," Nala said.
"I'm coming with you," Beshte said.
"Wait Big B?" Rani questioned.
"This mark is still here for a reason. Just like on Ono's wing. We're family. And I want to be there to help you," Beshte said.
"I appreciate that Beshte, but I can't let you take that chance. We'll be fine, we completely outnumber them," Kion said.
"Kion, Rani. If you need anything, send for me, and we will be there as fast as we can!" Kovu said.
"Thank you Kovu," Rani replied.
"With strength and respect," Kion said.
"Night Pride protect," The group shouted as they ran off going to defend their home.
Coming up
What will happen when the remaining Night Pride battle the tigers? And we get to meet the newest addition to the Pride Lands.