Welcome to the LAST CHAPTER! Hope you enjoy it, and be sure to review when you're done!

Chapter 21

At the edge of Pride Rock, Kimba and Kovu weren't having much luck. Even after years of training, in order to fight the hyenas, they just weren't strong enough to fight Kovu. It was sad to say, but they had lost.

"You two must know by now why I'm such a great king." Kovu sneered. "Now I will get rid of this cub for you!"

Kimba and Kayla watched helplessly as Kovu walked over to Kijari, and raised his paw over the cub's head. Just as it looked like their brother was gone for good, Kovu was tackled.

Kovu was knocked unconscious, but only for a moment. When he awoke, he looked up to see Simba and Kiara, with their paws pinned against him.

"Just as I thought, Kiara…" Kovu growled. "So pathetic, that Daddy has to fight for you."

"Not exactly, Kovu." Simba spat. "I'm here just to make sure you don't set foot in kingdom…ever again!"

"Your kingdom?" Kovu gasped. Underneath the two lions, the claw's retracted from the king's paws…

"Oh no, Simba…that's where you're wrong!"

Kovu lunged at his father-in-law, and attacked him. He sunk his claws into Simba's chest, and was about to strike, but Kiara threw himself against him. The two lion's flipped over, and tumbled over the edge of Pride Rock. Kovu's claws caught the cliff in time, but Kiara's claws sunk into his.

"You're weaker than I thought…" Kovu growled at her.

"No Kovu," Kiara sighed, her eyes staring straight at his. "That's where you're wrong."

With one paw on the cliff's surface, and her legs underneath it, Kiara finally let go. She watched as her former mate fell toward the water, and was swept away. Tears fell down her cheeks as she watched him go…but she knew it was the only way.

As she climbed back up the cliff, Kimba and Kayla appeared before her, and helped her up. She nuzzled her long-lost children, and then looked where her father lay. Kovu hadn't been able to kill Simba completely, but the lions knew he was too old to last much longer.

"I'm…sorry it has to be like this…Kiara." Simba whispered, as his daughter and grandchildren nuzzled him. "I just never expected…"

"None of us did, Dad," Kiara sighed. "It was the way of the Circle of Life, whether we like it or not."

"True…" they heard someone say. They looked up to see their family had arrived. Mufasa and Nala came towards them, and Nala came to be with her mate.

"The only question…do you really want to be queen on your own?" Mufasa asked his granddaughter.

"You don't have to do it, Kiara," Nala told her. "I…may not be here much longer…" she whispered, looking at Simba. "But I'll do what I can."

Kiara smiled and said, "You're right, Mom. I never wanted to rule, and don't want to now. But…you don't have to be queen, either."

Kiara looked at her cubs, and her smile got bigger. "If they agree, I think Kimba and Kayla are ready to take their place."

The twins gasped at the comment.

"Mother…we couldn't rule!" Kimba protested.

"We just got here!" Kayla agreed. "Would the animals want us to rule?"

"You'd be surprised what the animals agree to thesedays," Mufasa told them, with a chuckle. "Now…are you ready to go, my son?"

Simba sighed. "I…have no choice," he coughed, trying to say his final words quickly. "But…not without seeing…someone take…my place."

Kimba and Kayla looked at each other. "Are you ready, sis?" Kimba asked.

"Ready if you are, brother!" Kayla replied, with a smile.

The twin rulers gave out huge roars, as Rafiki raised their little brother in the air. It was spring now…in the Outlands. The flood waters of the previous winter had destroyed much of the Pride Lands, and they knew it would be a while until they could live there again.

Everyone was happy with their home, though. High in the sky, Mufasa, Sarabi, Simba, and Nala (who decided to go to Lion Heaven with Simba) looked on proudly. They were even joined by Timon and Pumbaa, who couldn't leave their best friend, and had become "honorary lions." Even Zazu got to sit on his old friend's shoulder.

Looking on from the cave were Kiara, Vitani, and Nuka, who didn't want to try to find a place in Lion Heaven just yet. Scar was also with them, who had chosen to stay on Earth to watch over Binti. The cub had her paws over the lion's head, and watched in awe as her best friend was raised over Rafiki's head.

For the first time since the rulers were first introduced, the two kingdoms were at peace once more. As it always did, all the animals-lions and others-knew there would be rough times ahead, as there always were. But it was all part of the Circle of Life, and as far as they were concerned, such a life was good enough for them.

The End!

It took nearly five months for me to write (and even longer for me to upload in the first place), so I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have. If you're lucky, then maybe I'll write a Lion King 4... wink

Also, as promised, I will finish up Taka's Story (short break, huh?), so be sure to check that out! Especially if you like Kovu...