(Simba's pov)

The sun fell on the Pride Lands again, bathing the atmosphere in orange tones. It was surprising that everything turned out well, despite the danger to his family and the inhabitants of the distance. While looking at the horizon, Simba began to think that Dan's arrival was predestined for such events and that is why his father sent them to him.

"Father" he said as he looked at the heavens, "I have to confess that I was a bit worried when Dan told me he was a human. But now, I see that he has shown himself to be braver than I thought"

He took a long breath to continue.

"I don't know what will happen from now on, but with everything we've been through, the future in the Pride Lands doesn't seem so dark: Kion is king with Rani in the Tree of Life, the outlander lions are forgiven and are part of the pride, Kiara has Kovu, and now they both have Dan... I just think, one day I can have the happiness of seeing them all as all the kings"

He was silent for a moment, while he breathed a soft breeze that his father surely sent him to clear up his doubts. But, at the same time, he gave him a message on the air.

"Really?" he asked as if the message was big news, "That explains it…so, he'll be…well, if you deem it right…"

"Simba...did you need to talk to me?" Kovu asked, accidentally interrupting him.

"Yes Kovu..." he answered as he turned around with difficulty.

"You're still a little weak. Rafiki said that it would take a few days for you to be like before"

"I'll be fine. But I wanted to talk about that precisely. You see... the time has finally come for you and Kiara to be the new kings"

Kovu looked at him as if he hadn't heard correctly.

"Are you sure? So soon?" he asked.

"Well... Kion is already king of the Tree of Life" Simba answered, "And, as you can see, I'm too hurt to continue taking care of my family, although of course I will continue to do so... but you you are younger and you have shown to take care of the Pride Lands. And I thank you for that."

"Don't thank me, we all cooperate"

"And so, a king unites everyone to work together for the common good. Kovu, when I first saw you, I have to admit that I didn't like you. But seeing as you are now, I can only say that it fills me with proud to call you my son and heir"

Kovu bowed proudly.

"I am proud to be your heir" he told him.

After the tilt ended, Simba added:

"There's something else we need to keep in mind... My father told me that Dan..."

(For his part …)

Dan was resting peacefully inside the cave. To say that all the scares, blows and other things that he had experienced were enough, was really an understatement. His cub body needed rest. However, as he thought about it, he still had a doubt in his head:

"I finished my role here, right? Have the rest of the hunters given up? Or is this moment just a breather? I'm afraid they'll come back"

As he continued to sleep, he noticed that he was dreaming something strange: he was in an environment similar to the Pride Lands, and he was on the top of the Pride Rock. It was already night and the sky was just as starry. It was… like I was awake in real life, but aware that you were sleeping and dreaming.

"Well done, Dan" said a voice behind him, which sounded distantly familiar.

"Mufasa" Dan said seeing him inside his dream.

"You've learned a lot from being a lion, haven't you?"

"Well... at first I wasn't very comfortable with this... but now, I have friends and a place in this family. I'm just saying... that I didn't expect something like this"

"The cycle of life gives us several, but only special things happen to special beings..."

There was a long pause in which no one said anything.

"But... what will happen if the hunters return?" recalled Dan, "I wouldn't know what to do..."

"They won't cause any more damage" Mufasa explained, "They escaped, back to the land of humans. They told what they had seen: animals working together, lions with powers and great blizzards... apparently, they thought they were out of their minds and took them to a hospital. It is curious that humans who do not believe in the impossible believe that those who did see that it is possible have gone crazy.

Dan laughed imagining the scene.

"But... Rafiki told me that I had a story to live here" he said, "And if it's all over, will I have to go?"

"You were turned into a lion because you have the heart of one" Mufasa replied, "Do you really believe that this is the end? No little cub, you still have a life to live. But it is a matter of what you decide to depart from now on... do you decide to do it as a human or a lion?"

There was a moment of silence. Dan then replied:

"I think I still want to move on all fours"

Mufasa smiled:

"You will always be part of my family..."

Dan smiled.

"And for me…" he continued, "It's time to stop watching the Pride Lands from the sky: life can always be reborn. Before, I told you that a part of me was in your heart. But now, my whole being will always will be with you..."

Mufasa put his paw on Dan's chest. The cub felt something different in him: as if he was now complete or ... as if something or someone had entered him.

" Dan...?" a voice asked, and then he woke up.

Night had already fallen, and moonlight was visible outsite. There, in front of him, was Kovu.

"What's going on?" asked Dan, still a bit sleepy.

"Come with me for a moment" he replied, and left the cave.

Dan got up and followed him, wondering what he was going to say. Outside, the night was starry again, just as it was the night he tried to escape. At the edge of the rock, Kovu sat waiting for him, looking out over the meadows. Slowly, he approached him.

"Dan" he said once he was by his side, "Kion told me what happened with my mother"

Dan felt a little sad: he thought it was her fault. To his surprise, Kovu told him:

"Thank you. I know…she can't see her again but…she was so sorry for saving you…not knowing that it was her adopted grandson that she was saving from her"

"Kovu..."

"You are a very special child. So, have you decided yet?"

Then the cub understood what he wanted to ask.

"A few moments ago, I had a very strange dream" Dan commented, "Mufasa told me that even though all danger is over, my life still goes on, and it is my choice to go and become a human again, or stay and always be a lion." "

There was an awkward silence.

"I think…no one would want to have a happier life than this. I really want to stay. And by the way, it would be great to have Mommy and Daddy again. Thank you so much."

Kovu smiled at the cub and put his paw on its head, like a father to his child.

"Hey, you're messing me up!"

(Later. That same night... )

Kovu had gone to sleep happy to tell Kiara the next day that Dan had agreed to be their son. On the other hand, as soon as he had closed his eyes, Dan slipped out of the cave and lay down on the big rock. He had no intention of running away this time, he just couldn't sleep.

"You're not planning on running away again, are you?" asked Simba, who had quietly approached.

"No... I just can't sleep" Dan replied, "There's something spinning in my head..."

"About what are you part of the family now?"

"How...?"

"Kiara told me a few days ago," Simba explained, "And from the look on Kovu's face before he went to sleep, you agreed to be their son, didn't you?"

"Well...yeah" Dan said, "And I think I should call you grandpa from now on, right?"

"Ouch, that makes me feel older"

They both laughed at it. The next second, there was silence. And after a few minutes, Simba spoke again:

"A few hours ago, I told Kovu and Kiara that, starting tomorrow, they will be the new kings"

Dan fell silent at that. I didn't know what to do with that information.

"And, by law, their son must be the prince and heir" Simba continued to Dan's incredulous ears, "However, there is one more thing: since you are adopted, you have a choice to make."

"A decision?" asked. Really that day, it was to make several decisions.

"That's right: you can choose to be the king's heir or be the leader of the next lion guard. It's your free decision"

"It's not a joke this time, is it?"

"No, it is not"

"Well... I..."

Very well... that was the most difficult decision he had ever made in his life. Although he had decided to stay as a lion, he never thought of being a leader or a king. Both ideas were great for her, as it meant making sense of her life again. What would someone else do in your place?

And then he remembered:

" it's not your destiny to have it ..."

"Simba... that is, Grandpa Simba" Dan told him, "Your father Mufasa, told me that I couldn't use the roar again, as it was not my destiny to possess it... This time, I am sure of what I can and cannot do: I can't be leader of the lion guard"

Simba looked at him and saw a face full of humility and righteousness, a face he had seen only two other times: Kiara and Kion.

"And then...?" he asked.

"I guess... I'll be a prince" he finally said, although he didn't seem very convinced or comfortable with those words, "Although, I want to have time to think about my decision, I still have a lot to learn from the Pride Lands. I haven't been here long, so I don't know how to be. And for that... I want you to teach me, please"

"Wow" Simba said happy to hear that, "Being a little cub, but you have as much wisdom and humility as a true lion king..."

Dan was glad to hear those words.

"Well, I guess it's because I have the heart of one" he told him, smiling.

( The next day... )

All the animals gathered in the celebration of Kovu and Kiara's coronation, including those who lived in the Outlands. Kion and his friends from the night watch also stayed long enough to celebrate before their return to the tree of life. Amidst the gleeful cries of the animals, Kovu and Kiara climbed to the top of Pride Rock to make the famous roar, while Dan stood to one side with Simba, Nala, and of course Shany and her mother.

Just as they reached the top, Kiara stopped, turned, and motioned for Dan to join them. This, somewhat puzzled, looked at Simba in search of an answer.

"Of course, go" he replied, as if reading his mind.

"Don't worry" Nala added, "You can go, you're part of the family"

"Go, Dan" Shany also told him, "They're waiting for you"

Dan thought about it for a moment and said:

"Okay, but I want you to come too"

"Me...?"

Shany was quite nervous about that proposition.

"Go ahead Shany" Tiffu told her, "Go with your friend"

Shany smiled at her mother and walked Dan to the top of the rock where the new kings were waiting for them. Once all together, they roared so loud that it resounded for miles.

Dan saw quite a few things as he roared: his new friends, his new family, a beautiful homet, and a future full of hope. Then, one thing became quite clear to her: he was home, and she knew it... deep down in his Lion's Heart.