Well, the time has come for another chapter! I only got one review for the last chapter, so I'd like EVERYBODY who reads this chapter to REVIEW. It makes an author's day, and it will only improve the story. Well, I think I have done enough blabbing, so without further ado, here is the next chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Well, we are about to enter the Pridelands. Border is almost here."

Illya looked up too see Pride Rock looming in the distance. The sun was high in the sky, and all of the animals were gathering towards the base of the rock.

"Guess we are just in time for the presentation. It's a swarm all around us."

Gaudium nodded in agreement with his mate. "Yup. It's only a matter of time until somebody recognizes me."

Illya nuzzled her mate affectionately. "Hey, don't worry about it. I've got your back Gaudi, everything is going to be fine."

Gaudium shook his head. "What would I ever do without you by my side?"

"Still be Scelus?"

Gaudium shuddered. "Don't remind me. I was such an asshole."

As he finished the statement, Mufasa, the king of the Pridelands, climbed to the top of Pride Rock in order to overlook the kingdom that he ruled. Gaudium looked upon his brother in awe, and then turned to his mate.

"He looks just like our father. Hopefully he kept his former personality, and hopefully, he rules a better kingdom."

Illya nodded slowly in agreement with her mate. Gaudium scanned the area around him. He saw one cheetah looking directly at him, and he then whispered to another cheetah, who then whispered to a hippo.

Loud murmurs began to surround the maneless lion and his mate, as recognition began to spread about. In the midst of the large crowd, a zebra shouted up towards Mufasa.

"Your majesty! The Kingslayer is in the Pridelands!"

Mufasa looked down in alarm, and the animals moved to the left and right to make Gaudium and Illya clearly visible to the king.

"SCELUS! WHY HAVE YOU COME HERE? HAVE YOU COME TO FIGHT AS YOU USUALLY DO?"

Gaudium sighed, and walked up to face his brother. "No, I have not. There are three reasons why I have come here, and one of them is to watch the presentation of my nephew. There is no need to make a production out of all of this, but I would like to speak to you in a civilized manner once the ceremony is over."

"Fine, but I do not trust you."

"As you shouldn't, but what you should do, is continue the ceremony."

Not long after those words were spoken, Sarabi came out holding their little son in her arms. Rafiki advanced up the rock, and took the little cub from her arms. He held it for the entire kingdom to see, and a thunderous cheer emerged from the crowd.

Gaudium made his first genuine smile in a long time, his little nephew very much reminding the former killer of himself as a little cub.

After the presentation, Gaudium and Illya were resting under the shade of a large tree, neither of them saying much. It wasn't long until Mufasa walked up to them, with Sarabi by his side.

"Scelus. You had said that you wanted to talk to me, correct?"

"Yes I did, and first off, I no longer go by that name."

Mufasa began to sport a puzzled expression on his face. "Then what in the living hell do you want me to call you?"

Gaudium let loose a very wide smirk. "Well, simply being called Gaudium would be very nice."

Sarabi narrowed her eyes. "You seem different. What are you planning?"

"I'm not planning anything! I'm a changed lion, and I'm only seeking to atone for my past actions."

For the first time, Illya spoke up. "He is telling the truth. I would know. My father was one of the first he killed, and I came later seeking my revenge. Gaudium's redemption had just begun, and he said that he wouldn't fight me, that I could kill him if I really wanted too, and that living with his guilt would be a far worse punishment than death. Look at me now! I married the guy that slit my dad's throat."

Mufasa sighed. "I see the sincerity in both of you. Gaudium, you had mentioned that you had two other reasons for being here besides watching the presentation. What are they?"

Gaudium sighed. "The first is that my mate and I would like to join your pride."

"Permission granted."

Sarabi stared up at Mufasa in shock. "Mufasa, what are you-"

"Silence Sarabi! I have made my decision." He once again focused his eyes on to Gaudium. "What is the other reason?"

Several tears began to trickle down Gaudium's face. "The second reason is…well…I wanted to apologize to our mother."

Mufasa nodded. "I never have seen someone so consumed with guilt. She is in the main den. Brother, you are more than welcome to speak to her." Mufasa then smiled and put a paw around Gaudium's shoulder.

"It is really good to have you back! Especially since Taka went wacko!"

"I think he was wacko the day he was born. What happened now?"

"Well, he insists on being called Scar, and he rarely interacts with the pride. He wasn't even at the presentation!"

Gaudium rolled his eyes. "Idiot." He then stood up and stretched. "Well, I think I'm due for a conversation with my mother. I'll see all of you later!"

It was not a long walk to the den, and Gaudium got there in a relatively short amount of time. Uru was resting in a corner, staring intently at the newcomer.

Gaudium sighed, and then approached. "Hello Mother."

A single tear trickled down Uru's cheek. "Scelus, no matter what you say to me, or what crimes you commit, you will always be my little Gaudium. My little joy."

The maneless lion lay down next to his mother, and he placed his head on top of his paws. "Scelus is something that I want to put in the past, something I'd much rather forget." He sighed, and then spoke again. "I know this will not atone for any of my words or actions, but I figure that it's a start. I'm sorry Mom, for everything I said, for everything that I have done, and most of all, for abandoning you."

Uru looked at her son in absolute shock. "Gaudium?"

The maneless lion chuckled. "Yeah, Mom, I'm back and better than ever."

His mother became puzzled. "What changed you?"

"Love, Mom. It was love. Come on! You just have to meet my mate! Boy, we have quite the tale to tell you!"

Uru chuckled, stood up, and followed her son out of the den and in the direction of the large tree that Gaudium had previously left.

Well, that is all for now! I will have the next chapter up whenever I can. PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! Well, until next time, I am signing out! Bye, and thanks for reading!