Well guys, here we go -- second last chapter. After I finish this story, I'm going to re-edit "The Marking", so make sure you check back for the finished version! Once again, thanks so much guys, for your reviews and kind comments -- you're awesome!

On the journey back from the Pride Lands, Vengeance spoke to his son. The evil black lion had an assignment for Redeye to complete, and he told him exactly how to put his plan into action. However, Vengeance was unaware that at the same time, Redeye was making his own plan.

When they arrived back at home, Vengeance turned to Redeye.

"Remember what I told you," he said. Redeye nodded. It was to be his first cold-blooded murder, but not his last.

Making his way to the old cave, Redeye found who he was looking for. An albino lioness sat alone there, her eyes filled with misery. As the black lion approached, Halima knew his purpose. Silently praying to the stars, the albino looked out on the lands once more.

Finally, her pain would be over.

Late into the night, as Redeye returned to his father's side, the black lion looked to his son.

"Is it finished?"

Redeye shook his head. "Not quite," he whispered, his red eye gleaming through the darkness of the night. Creeping closer to Vengeance, suddenly he pounced. Throwing himself on the lion that had raised him, Redeye attacked with all his might. And Vengeance, fighting back, was suddenly filled with fear. Redeye was stronger than he had expected – and he was cunning. But worst of all, he had turned on him. His own father.

The fight lasted for hours, but finally, Vengeance fell. He was no match for the lion he had taught to be more ruthless than he ever was. As Vengeance lay in the blood-stained grass, he watched as Redeye claimed the pride as his, and led it away into the night.

Knowing that the diseased lioness would infect the Pride Lands, Redeye had no further purpose living close to its borders. It was time for his pride to fulfill the calling they had been brought together for. Leading them away, Redeye headed towards the nearest land. Together, the Black Pride would tear through each kingdom – killing and marking its leaders and driving them from everything they owned. The same treatment they had once brought to the strange floxes was to be now carried to all the lands.

The Black Pride would be known as the bringer of death.

As the sun rose over the Pride Lands, a small group of lionesses gathered together near the newly added graves of Kovu and Kiara at the base of Pride Rock. Nearby, was the still new grave of Nala, and a little way off, lay seven more fresh graves. In all, the pride had lost ten members, and the group still left seemed smaller than ever.

As the lionesses stood in silence, they wondered what would happen to the pride now. Their king and queen had both been killed by the disease and the prince was still young. Would he have the courage to step up and lead them? Or would the lands fall victim to rouge lions?

Suddenly, a low roar answered their silent questions. There, at the tip of Pride Rock, stood the prince, Kimoni. There was a regal air about him, and as he stood, looking out across his newly claimed lands, the lionesses could see that he was ready to do anything to protect them. Joining in with his roars, the lionesses called in a new king to lead them. Rafiki watched in silence, but as he glanced up at the sky, he noticed the faint shapes of lions, standing in the soft clouds – looking down on the brave new king below them. Meeting with the eyes of one of the lions, Rafiki noticed his dark mane, and emerald green eyes. Lowering his head with respect, Rafiki smiled to himself.

He had always had faith in the dark lion, even when Kovu had none himself.

As the lionesses roars continued to echo through out the lands, Kimoni looked down on them, and his eyes met with those of a beautiful pale lioness. She gazed up at him with gentle blue eyes, before lowering her gaze. Feeling overwhelmed, Kimoni suddenly realized he had met her gaze before – many times. But he had felt differently this time, as he returned her soft stare. Trying desperately to remember her name, Kimoni finally sighed with relief.

Her name was Azmera, daughter of the only outlander loyal to Simba, and she was the one Kimoni wanted at his side. Swallowing, the new king suddenly realized what he was feeling.

He was in love.