Here it is...the final battle...my pride and Niagh's...now it's time to test everything i've learned over the past five and a half years. It all comes down to this. As me and my team of lions stood together, ready to defend the Pridelands, I thought of all of the things leading up to it. My first arrival in this world, my friendship with Kiara, the battle with Scar...my eventual marriage to Kiara after we stopped Zira. All of the stuff in the conflict with Niagh, all the pain and suffering we had to endure to keep this land stable...it all comes down to this battle, this moment, the moment of truth. Am I truly capable of leading us to victory? I guess i'll find out.

I will assist you with my abilities in any way I can.

Thanks, Mohatu.

''You ready for this?'' Nala asked me from my right as I nodded.

''I'm ready to defend this land, this pride and my family at all cost, Nala.'' I told my mother-in-law, who smiled proudly, ''And we'll kick Niagh's furry butt across Africa if we need to.''

''Indeed.'' Nala agreed, ''From you and Zira's description of her, she sounds like a threat that will not easily back down.''

''She isn't.'' I replied, ''Me and Zira barely escaped her pride on our own.''

''So with everyone against her pride, it will pose a threat.'' Nala concluded as Armani came running over.

''Armani, anything with your scouting mission?'' I asked my long time friend, who nodded.

''I found that Niagh wasn't with the pride coming from the Outlands, where they are assumed to be focusing their forces from.'' Armani explained as I rubbed my chin, ''I don't feel like Niagh is wanting to attack from the Outlands..''

''Maybe she's using a bulk of her forces to flank.'' Nala assumed, ''That way, we'd be cornered with nowhere to go and it will have us retreat to-''

''Pride Rock!'' I shouted, ''She's heading to Pride Rock!''

''What? Are you sure?'' Armani asked me and I nodded.

''Everything makes sense now…'' I gasped, ''She said she'd kill Kiara..now I see how she's going to do it! She's not going on the offensive with her pride, instead using an undefended area to slip into the Pridelands, leading the gate open for her to get to Pride Rock!''

''Which means…'' Nala started before her eyes widened, ''We fell into her trap...all of this was planned.''

As she said that, I had a look of horror...that's when I knew...she wasn't intending to capture the Pridelands...she was intending to kill off the next generation of royalty before it had a chance to blossom. She was going after Sara, Kiara and the unborn cub! My family is under threat!

''I'm not sure of what to do right now!'' I growled in fear, ''Should I help the pride or help Kiara?''

As I said that, Nala put a paw on my shoulder.

''Shujaa..'' Nala started, ''I still have fight left in me. I can lead this group while you go and help Kiara and Sara.''

I slowly nodded before running off to help my family. If she was truly intending to attack Pride Rock, due to Kiara's pregnancy, she's more vulnerable and I will NOT lose her. Not now, not ever!

As I was getting closer to Pride Rock, I heard a shout that caused my blood to go cold.

''Get away from us, Niagh!'' I heard Kiara shout, causing me to had a look of fear, as I knew I was almost too late, but I quickly regained my composure and continued to push on to save them.

Mohatu, what can you do to distract her?

Perhaps contacting Sara and telling her to chuck rocks at Niagh until we arrive?

That's a terrible idea...but it's worth a shot.

I looked around for a way to get a foothold and way to jump Niagh without putting my Kiara and Sara in harm's way, eventually locating some vines...actually…

Perhaps Sara could trap Niagh's back legs in the vines?

Yeah. Tell her that.

Understood.

After a little bit, I noticed the little furball sneaking around Niagh's legs with vines, then tugging on it to make Niagh stumble forward as I had a proud smile. Alright, time to go to work. When I reached Pride Rock, I jumped between my family and Niagh with a smirk.

''Aw, did everything not work the way you wanted?'' I asked mockingly, ''Guess it's the game of life and death, Niagh. Not everything will die like you want. There's always someone with a backup plan.''

''Wait...you knew about this?'' Niagh asked before growling, ''How!?''

''One of my scouts reported you not being with your pride.'' I replied as I shrugged, ''Wasn't hard coming to the conclusion that you were heading for Pride Rock.''

As Niagh growled, I snarled.

''Now..get away from my family..and get away from the pridelands.'' I demanded, causing Niagh to laugh.

''Oh, how stupid you are, Shujaa…'' Niagh said before pouncing at me, leading to our fight that will determine the fate of the pridelands.

Well, this was tougher than I thought it would be.

Despite me being younger, stronger and faster than Niagh, she was using her experience and the environment of the pridelands to throw me off, more specifically repeatedly whacking me in the face by flinging branches back at me.

However, as she tired out from all of her attacks, I managed to pin her down and chuckle. But when I chuckled, she outright laughed, setting me off quite a bit. Surprised, I looked at her.

''Well...this is exactly how I took out Sarabi.'' Niagh said and my eyes widened before roaring.

''You WHAT?!'' I yelled. It was her! I should have suspected it, ''You mean YOU killed her?!''

''It wasn't easy, but owing to a distraction, I managed to get rid of her.'' Niagh said before doing a chuckle, ''Guess that can get to your head sometimes, eh, Shujaa?''

In anger, I chucked her into a thin tree before outright crashing into her, sending her through the tree and rolling on the ground before I jumped onto her, beginning to choke her.

''You…'' I started, ''You've done so much to me...but now I know why you're always so proud of the pain you bring to me. You nearly broke me and you're proud of this.''

''You hate it, don't you? The pain?'' Niagh asked, ''It's the pain that the pridelands brought upon my dad! And to gain his approval, I must break this land over my paw!''

As I stared into her eyes, I saw the hate. The suffering. Everything she bathes in, from blood to chaos, it's all within her with her cocky smile. But in the back of my head, I knew this isn't want Sarabi would want me to do. But...my anger...it was too deep.

As I raised up my claw, I heard from inside my head.

Shujaa…

Mohatu?

However, the voice sounded..warmer than that...and that's when I realized.

Would you really kill someone to satisfy your anger?

S-Sarabi?

My son, Nala and I taught you more than just acting out of emotions, did we not?

Y-Yes, but-

Then why start now? You are more than this.

I just want to make her suffer for what she did to you!

Acting out of emotions and ignorance of the consequences is how Scar ruled...don't be like him. Spare her life and put her on trial.

My claws sharpened as I was about to go in for the skill...but didn't. Instead, I took vines and wrapped them around her legs before dragging her off.

A victory that was only bare.

When the pride got back to Pride Rock, they reported that they barely chased out Niagh's pride, but I assured them not to worry, as it is a time for celebration rather than sappiness.

After much discussion, we agreed to have Niagh's trial in four months, where by that time Sara could be old enough to involve herself with the affairs of the pride, though to a lesser degree than me, Kiara and Kion.

But, while everyone was celebrating, I was walking through the dark land of night, as sort of a way to..clear my head, per say.

Smart move to distance yourself from the celebrations since you've had a rough day.

Ain't that right?

But, I will say..where do I go from here? I've essentially covered years of my life and I found my place in the circle of life...but what now?

Perhaps a new chapter can begin...for Sara, perhaps?

Hmm...you may be right...you may be right.

As I walked further into the night, I thought of everything leading up to this moment. It's time I stopped caring about my story...and it's time for my little girl to continue her's.

Because that...is family.

Boom! Final chapter of the story, but wait, there's more! A sequel, The Path of Honor, will be starting soon. Instead of continuing Shujaa's story, it will start Sara's, with new friends, new foes, new places and new animals.

Next story: 3 months after the events of Return to Pride Rock, a now adolescent Sara is excited about being able to have more freedom, not being constantly under watch by her family members. But as dry season comes along, Sara is finding it hard to do anything worthwhile. However, when she comes across Rafiki's young apprentice, the two unintentionally find themselves dragged into something none of them expected.

Toots!