*Chapter 22: The Final Battle/King of Pride Rock*

Simba walked over to the ledge while the battle is going on. Ajani joined him with his spear. The two looked to see Scar trying to quietly sneak away from the whole battle. With lightning flashing down the dark lion, Scar stopped dead in his tracks as he had just been revealed. Simba roared ferociously as he and Ajani began to chase after Scar. Running all the way up to the highest point of Pride Rock, Scar jumped through the rising flames as he ran up to the edge. Stopping at the very edge, Scar gasped as he looked down at the sheer drop. Before he can even try to back away, the dark lion hears another roar and is suddenly cornered. He looks over his shoulder to see Simba and Ajani jumping through the flames, appearing as strong and furious as ever. The man and the lion begin to lurk towards Scar.

"Murderer..." Simba whispered.

Simba, Ajani. Please... Please have mercy... I beg you." Scar pleaded apprehensively.

"Mercy?!" Ajani spoke. "After what you did? And you are begging for mercy?"

"You don't deserve to live." Simba said to Scar.

"But, Simba, I am... Ah... Family." Scar said. He looked over at the hyenas behind the flames. "It's the hyenas who are the real enemy. It was their fault! It was their idea!" Unbeknownst to everyone, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed overheard everything Scar had just said. Enraged by their friend's betrayal, the three hyenas growled as they are back away.

"Only one hyena is on our side." Ajani said to the dark lion.

"Why should I believe you? Everything you told me was a lie." Simba angrily said to his uncle, leering down at him.

"What are you going to do? You wouldn't kill your old uncle..."

"No, Scar. I'm not like you." Simba said bluntly.

"Oh, Simba! Thank you! You are truly noble... Even the human. I'll make it up to you, I promise. How can I, ah... Prove myself to you both? Tell me. I mean, anything." Scar said as he rose to his feet. With deep anger, Simba looked down at his uncle and said gravely, reminiscing the same words that Scar had told him long ago as the dark lion looked back at him in horror.

"Run... Run away, Scar." He said.

"And never return." Ajani finished for him. With caution, Scar walked past both Simba and Ajani, spotting a pile of hot coals...

"Yes. Of course. As you wish... Your MAJESTIES!" Taking the chance, Scar swiped the coals into Simba's face, causing the lion to cry out in pain and surprise and for Ajani to cry out in worry for his brother.

"Simba!" Out of nowhere, Scar leapt at Ajani and had begun to attack him. The man let out a yell and tried to push Scar off of him with his spear. Scar scratched at Ajani's arms and chest. Simba lunged at Scar to help Ajani. As the two roll over and bite at each other, Scar pinned Simba down to bite at his neck, but Ajani jumped on Scar's back and brought a spear around to pull the dark lion back. Scar bites down on the stick, trying to break it, but no avail. They both rolled around, and Ajani placed his feet under Scar to kick him off. The dark lion quickly recovered and growled at the man.

"Bow to me!" Scar yelled as he tried to swipe his paw at Ajani. But the man dodged his attacks and swung his spear at him, causing him to leave a scratch on the arm. Scar attempted to charge at him as Ajani used his spear to jump out of the way. But his luck ran out when Scar jumped onto his back and bite down his shoulder! Ajani let out a cry of agony. Before Scar could finish Ajani off however, he was suddenly stopped by Simba.

"Get away from him!" Simba yelled. The two powerful lions are fighting each other once more. Ajani held his shoulder where Scar bit him. He pulled his hand away to see some blood. Simba let out a roar after being hit by Scar, but that didn't stop him. They are striking at each other. That all came to a stop however, when Scar struck Simba hard in the face, knocking him down to the ground. Simba looked up in alarm to see Scar leap through the flames towards him, roaring ferociously. Ajani watched helplessly in horror. Simba regained his courage and used Scar's momentum in a throw that was similar to Nala's fighting tactics, sending his uncle flying over the edge! The dark lion continued to tumble to the bottom, landing on the ground with a hard thud. With his nephew and the man watching on.
Weakly getting up, Scar looked to see Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed approaching them, with hatred and anger written all over their faces. But they are not alone. Nia was with them. She gave the dark lion a hateful glare.

"Ahh, my friends." Scar said with relief.

"Friends? I thought he said we were the enemy!" Shenzi said with an evil grin.

"Yeah, that's what I heard." Banzai said as Scar looked at them in horror.

"And that is not all." Shenzi said. "Nia told us everything. You killed her parents a long time ago when she was a small cub. And she told us her gift."

"Gift?" Scar wondered. "What...what're you talking about?"

"I can see the future, Scar. And I can see yours. And it's happening. Right now." Nia said with a smirk. She turned away from the scene. "So long."

"Ed?" Shenzi and Banzai asked, gazing to the third hyena. Ed replied with only an evil laugh as more and more hyenas began to come forward and lurk towards the dark lion. Scar is backing away from them.

"No. L-L-L-Le-Le-Le-Le-Let me explain." He nervously said. "No. You don't understand. No! I didn't mean for... No! No! Look, I'm sorry I called you... No! NOO!" But none of them listened, as the horde of hyenas began to close on their former leader and devour the dark lion! Bringing an end to Scar's reign and tyranny for good. Nia could only hear the pleas from Scar and laughter from the hyenas as she walked away from the horrific sight. She had to tell those three hyenas everything. Shenzi is the only one who understands. Nia was relieved that they believe her visions and they were shocked to hear that Scar killed her family years ago. Nia felt free. She doesn't have to hide any longer.

Rain began to pour down from the sky and put out the fire. Emerging from Pride Rock, Simba and a slightly wounded Ajani came down to join the rest of the lionesses and their friends. While Simba went to greet his mother, Zuri hurried over to Ajani to examine the wounds. She brought out bandages to cover up the scratch marks. Iris slithered over to the man with a smile. She slithered around his shoulders and nuzzled his cheek. Ajani chuckled a bit and stroked her scales. Nia walked over to him and smiled. Ajani pets her head. After Ajani was patched up, he made his way over to Simba and Sarabi. He embraced the lioness he had rescued those years ago. Sarabi purred lovingly.
Simba affectionately greeted Nala as they nuzzled each other. Ajani and Zuri hugged each other. The moment was soon interrupted however at the sound of a rattle. Looking up, they saw Rafiki gesture towards the point of Pride rock, motioning for both Simba and Ajani to ascend Pride Rock as king and human chief. Ajani let out a sighed and turned to Zuri.

"This is it. Simba is going to be the king and...I'm going to be the chief of our village." Ajani said. Zuri nodded. Simba was on his way up to Rafiki until he spotted Timon and Pumbaa. They made a bow to him. Simba brought them in for a hug.

"I couldn't have done with it without you guys." He said to them. Timon and Pumbaa smiled at him. They are so proud of him and Ajani. Simba walked up to the old mandrill and Ajani walked towards the duo.

"Thanks for everything you two." Ajani said. "For taking care of us and... Hakuna Matata."

"Anytime, kid." Timon replied.

"You and Simba are going to be the best leaders." Pumbaa said. Ajani nodded and joined his lion brother. Stopping at the bottom, they watched as Rafiki humbly bowed to the both of them. Simba pulled Rafiki into a hug, grateful for the help. Ajani bowed his head to the old mandrill respectfully.

"It is time." Rafiki said, breaking the embrace. Simba and Ajani began to make their ascend towards the top of Pride Rock. Zuri, Iris, Nia, Nala, Sarabi, Zazu, Timon, Pumbaa, and every single lioness watched in awe as both Simba and Ajani majestically made their royal ascent through the rain. Making it to the top, the lion and the man stopped as they gazed up into a hole in the clouds, where a patch of stars could be seen. Hearing the spirit of Mufasa.

"Remember..." Ajani couldn't believe he heard a voice from the former king. Simba gave him a smile. Ajani smiled back at him. Their time has come. Ajani raised the spear high in the air as Simba roared with all of his might, declaring themselves King of the Pride Lands and a new chief to the human tribe.

Busa le lizwe.
Busa le lizwe.
Busa le lizwe.
Bus-busa ngo xolo.

Nala, Sarabi and the lionesses roared in reply as Zuri cheered with joy, rejoicing in their new king and new chief! Ajani let out a yell as Simba continued to roar.

Months Later...

The Pride Lands have been restored and was better than ever. All of the animals have returned as well as their food and water source. Ajani and Zuri have brought the village to the land so they could be close by Pride Rock across the river. After all these years, the lions and humans have become one. Ajani had become the new chief for the village. His foster parents were surprised to see him alive after all this time, but they support him after what he had done.

Is'khathi sifikile. (Sifikile)
Is'khathi busa iyo. (Ndabezitha bo)
Is'khathi sifikile. (Maye babo)
Busa lomhlaba.
Is'khathi sifikile (Ihei)
Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Busa Simba!
Busa Ajani!

United together in peace and happiness, the many herds of animals and the human villagers cheered together with joy as they stood before Pride Rock. Standing above the crowd, Simba, Nala, Ajani, Zuri, Timon and Pumbaa stood proudly alongside each other at the edge of Pride Rock. Ajani is wearing an African hat and held a new staff. Zuri is now wearing a beige dress and kept Ajani's old headband on. Not only that, but her hands are over her stomach as she is only 7 months pregnant.

Ubuse ngo xolo (Ngo xolo bo)
Ubuse ngo thando (Ngo thando)
Ubuse ngo xolo (Siyacela baba)
Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo xolo...

Timon sat on top of Pumbaa as he proudly waved his arms in a victory sign, while Simba and Nala gazed down at their royal subjects proudly. Zazu flew above the group happily as many other white birds followed in unison. Iris and Nia are in front of the crowd below the Pride Rock, feeling so proud for the royal subjects. Nia is officially welcomed to the Pride Lands and no longer be treated like an outsider.

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(Enamabala wa)

Briefly glancing to each other with mutual respect, Simba and Ajani then turn to their respective mates. With the pair lions nuzzling each other lovingly while the African couple shared a romantic kiss with each other. Ajani placed one hand over Zuri's stomach. Soon, his baby will be part of the Circle of Life.

Till we find our place!
On the path unwinding!
In the Circle,
The Circle of Life!

Suddenly, Rafiki came up to the two couples while holding a newborn lion cub in his arms. The lion couple smiled proudly at their cub. Ajani and Zuri grinned at the lion cub as Zuri used her finger to lightly stroke its forehead. The old mandrill finally lifted the newborn cub in the air for everyone to see. The Circle of Life will continue on.

Circle of...
Life!