"The test of courage is by far the worst of them all," said Hila, as he walked through a field, followed by Simba, Nala, Haiba, Mufasa and Sarabi. "To overcome it, it will require not only your skill and intelligence, but all of the courage you've got."

"What do I have to do?" Simba asked, unaffected by how dangerous Hila was making this test out to be. Simba had been heroic – far too many times – so this shouldn't be too difficult at all.

"Well… this is going to sound kinda complicated, but…" Hila stared at Simba. "I'm going to need a magical lion."

Simba sighed. "What about a cub?"

In the middle of the jungle, Tama slept peacefully, a smile on her face. Tojo had gone out to try and get them some food for the evening, so she was just relaxing, not a care in the world…

Well, until she was grabbed by someone, and dragged away...

Tama's eyes flickered open, and she was surprised to see Simba standing over her. "Simba…?" She groggily got to her paws. "What are you…? What happened?"

"Um…" Simba looked a little nervous. "Well, you see, I've got a problem – a b ig problem – and I need your help."

"I need your help," declared Hila, walking over to her. "You must be Tama – the magical cub?"

Tama nodded. "Yeah. Why? What do you want from me? Because if you think I'm gonna help you take over the world, then you've got another thing coming!"

Hila chuckled in response, shaking his head. "No, no, no. I don't want the world. I just want the kingdom. Am I not merciful? And this is all completely legal. It says so in the law of the Pride Lands."

"I am going to kill Zazu for forgetting to get rid of that law," Simba muttered, an angry look on his face. So far, his day hadn't been going too well, to say the least. He just wanted it all to end.

"So what is all of this about?" Tama asked, feeling a little confused.

"Simba and I are taking part in the Royal Challenge," Hila explained. "Now, the Royal Challenge has been around for years, and it allows a cub like me to challenge Simba for future rule of the kingdom. You face three tests, and whoever gets two points wins."

"But what has this got to do with me?" said Tama. "I have to admit, I find this a little confusing. But that's probably because I've been sleeping for hours. I lose a lot of my intelligence when I sleep. Which is kinda strange, if you think about it…"

"Well, this test requires a spot of magic," Hila told her. "And I'm told that you're the only magical cub around these parts, so we brought you here."

"Just how deadly is this test?" asked Nala, taking a step towards Hila. "It sounds really serious."

"It is really serious," Hila insisted. "And it just so happens that you – Nala – are going to be a crucial part of it." He turned to Tama. "Tama, I want you to give Nala the Unyevu disease."

Tama gasped. "What?" she yelled. "I'm not going to give Nala the Unyevu disease! You're crazy!"

"You have to do it," Hila informed her. "Otherwise that means that Simba forfeits this test, meaning that he forfeits the Royal Challenge, meaning that I get the kingdom. So, it's your choice: give Nala the Unyevu disease, or give the kingdom to me."

"You can't make her do that," said Mufasa, glaring at Hila. "This is wrong."

Sarabi was going to agree with her mate, but then fainted again, slumping to the ground.

"What's the Unyevu disease?" Nala asked, a worried look on her face. She didn't think it was going to make her invincible… Probably the opposite.

Hila opened his mouth to answer, but Haiba got there first. "It's a deadly disease," Haiba explained. "Although it's not as rare as other illnesses – such as the Kulaani illness – it's still pretty uncommon. You can only catch it by eating a poisonous plant. Either that or get someone with magical powers to infect you with it. But why you would want someone to do that, I have no idea—"

"So what does it do?" Simba asked, staring at Haiba.

"Once a person becomes infected with the disease, it begins to slowly drain them of their life energy over a short period of time. The person just gets weaker, and weaker, and weaker, until… they're dead," Haiba explained, causing everyone to gasp. Well, everyone but Hila, who was chuckling to himself.

Nala turned to Hila. "But why would you want Tama to infect me with that?" she asked. "What's that got to do with this stupid Royal Challenge?"

"Because in the test of courage, you have to rescue someone from the Cliff of Impending Doom – as you can guess, King Ahadi named it that – in a certain time, otherwise the person will die because of the illness."

"Wait, so King Ahadi knew someone with magical powers?" said Haiba, sounding a little surprised. "What was his name?"

"Oh, I can't remember," Hila replied. "I think his name started with a 'H', but that's not the point right now. We need to get on with the final test of the Royal Challenge."

"So where's the Cliff of Impending Doom?" Simba asked. "I get the feeling that it's not going to be very easy to climb…"

"Oh, you don't have to worry about climbing anything," Hila told him. "You just have to navigate the narrow curving path along the side of the cliff. Reach the top, find Nala before she dies, and you'll win. The cliff resides in the Outlands."

"Easy," Simba said. "Let's go there right now." He started to walk off.

"Ah, ah, ah," said Hila, pushing Simba back. "I haven't explained it all yet. You're going to be racing against me. And it is a race this time, Simba – unlike the test of skill. If you get to Nala before I do, then you get to rule the kingdom when you're older. However, if I get to Nala before you do, then the kingdom is mine, and Nala will become my Queen."

"Never!" Nala declared, glaring at Hila angrily.

"Well, if you don't…" Hila mimed slitting someone by the throat. "Sorry about that. Pride Landers' law."

"Yeah – your version of it," Nala retorted. She didn't care whether she lived or died – she was not marrying Hila! She would only marry out of love. That was one of her personal promises. And right now she loved Hila about as much as she loved having her head slowly ripped off: not at all.

"Oh, whatever." Hila didn't have time for this. "Tama, just give her the Unyevu disease. Maybe then she'll shut up. I'll be teaching her a serious lesson later when I'm the new King."

"If Simba doesn't beat you," Nala muttered, looking down at the ground.

Slowly, and rather hesitantly, Tama made her way over to Nala. She looked at her apologetically. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I thought I left this kind of stuff behind. If I could get out of it then—"

"It's okay," Nala told her. "It's not your fault. Just do it. I know Simba will save me, anyway. He always does."

Tama took a deep breath, and tried to concentrate. "Here goes," she said, before putting a paw on the top of Nala's head.

The result was instantaneous. A green aura surrounded the outline of Nala's body, before she collapsed to the ground, suddenly feeling very weak indeed. "Oh… I don't… What's happening?"

"Looks like it worked," said Hila, staring down at Nala. "She's only got about an hour before all her energy is drained, and she dies." He turned to Haiba. "Haiba, carry her up to the top of the Cliff of Impending Doom. Then we can start the test."

"There," Haiba said, as he walked down the sloping path that curved around the side of the Cliff of Impending Doom – a seriously tall cliff in the middle of the Outlands. "I've put her at the top. I'm not sure how long she will last, though. It's really hot up there."

Simba, Hila, Tama, Mufasa and Sarabi were gathered at the bottom of the cliff. "If she dies because of you, then you'll be very sorry," Simba warned Hila.

"Don't worry," said Hila. "I'll rescue her, and then she can be my loving mate. We'll grow old together, and have little cubs of our own."

"I don't think so," Simba stated, taking a step towards Hila, glaring at him, his eyes burning with fury. "If anyone's going to be Nala's mate, then it's me. You don't deserve anything. You're just pathetic."

"We'll see," Hila turned towards the cliff. "You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Simba replied, his eyes fixed on the sloping path. He had to get to the top and save Nala.

"Then the test will begin. One… two… there… go!"

Simba and Hila raced off as fast as they could. Using all of the strength he had, Simba got to the sloping path first, and started to make his way up the cliff, following the curving path as quickly as possible. Glancing behind, he could see Hila was right behind him. Gotta go faster, he told himself.

Looking down, Simba quickly realised that the path was narrowing. It's getting smaller! Simba realised. Or am I getting bigger? He shook his head. Nah. That's just stupid.

Simba craned his neck upwards, and saw that he was about three quarters of the way there. Not long to go now, he thought, checking to see how far back Hila was. He was quickly gaining on him, determined to win this race as much as Simba was.

Simba wanted to go faster, but the path was simply too narrow. Any faster and he would slip from the edge, tumbling to his doom. Come on… he thought, nearing the top of the cliff. Come on…

"Yes!" Simba cried, hopping to the top of the cliff. Nala was lying in the centre, looking seriously weaker. "Nala!" he cried, running over to her. "Are you okay?"

She looked up at him, and smiled. "Simba… I…" She closed her eyes, slipping away into unconsciousness.

"Oh, no," said Simba, his eyes widening in horror. "I've got to get her to—"

Suddenly, Simba was pounced on by Hila, landing hard on his back by the edge of the cliff. "You think you can beat me?"

Hila snarled, his eyes blazing with anger. "Well, think again!"

"Get off me!" Simba shouted, pushing Hila away from him. "Nala's dying! I've gotta help her!"

"I don't care!" Hila slashed at Simba with his claws, striking him across the chest.

Simba cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground.

Hila laughed at the top of his voice. "The great and mighty Prince Simba, finally reduced to nothing!" He extended his claws, ready to tear Simba's throat open. "Don't worry, though, Simba. Nala will be perfectly safe in my care."

With an angry cry, Simba leapt at Hila, tackling him to the ground. They rolled about the place, finally ending up right on the edge of the cliff. Hila got on top of Simba, and tried to slash at his throat with his claws. "Stay still!" Hila ordered.

"Listen to your King!"

Simba growled loudly, before exploding with anger. "You! Aren't! The! King!" He kicked Hila in the stomach, sending him sailing over the edge of the cliff. Simba heard him scream as he tumbled to his death.

Hila was gone.

Simba lowered Nala gently to the ground once he arrived at the bottom of the cliff. "Tama… you can heal her, right?"

Tama nodded. "Of course." She walked over to Nala, and put a paw on the top of her head.

A green aura surrounded her outline, and she gasped loudly, her energy restored. "Whoa!" Nala exclaimed, hopping to her paws. "Why's everything so slow around here?" she asked, looking at everyone. "Why don't you speed up a bit?" Nala started running around and around in circles.

"Oh, dear," said Tama, watching Nala as she ran around the place. "I seem to have given her too much energy. Looks like I haven't got these powers worked out after all." She shrugged. "Oh, well. She'll calm down in a few hours or so."

"Yippee!" Nala yelled, hopping and rolling around on the ground. "I can do anything! Wahoo!"

"Where's Hila?" Haiba asked Simba.

"He's gone," Simba replied. Haiba understood what he meant. "Still, at least that's the Royal Challenge over and done with."

"Exactly," said Mufasa, taking a step forward. "Now I can finally get rid of that tyrannical law. I'll do it personally this time. Zazu obviously can't be trusted. Isn't that right, Sarabi?"

Sarabi fainted again. Mufasa shrugged, not really surprised this time.

"What a day," Simba sighed as he walked into the den, with Nala and Haiba on either side of him. "I never want to do anything like that ever again."

"You can say that again," said Nala. "I can't believe that jerk thought I would marry him!" She stuck her tongue out.

"Gross!" She smiled at Simba. "There's only one cub I'm interested in marrying."

Suddenly, a loud whimpering was heard coming from inside the den. "What's that?" Haiba asked, trying to determine where the noise was coming from. "Sounds like it's coming from in here."

Nala pointed at a large rock. "There," she said, wandering over to it. "Zazu?"

Simba and Haiba joined Nala by her side, and found Zazu cowering behind the rock, a fearful expression on his face.

"What are you doing in here?" Simba asked.

"It was a nightmare!" Zazu cried, his eyes widening. "I'll never forget to abolish another law for as long as I live! Those monkeys… They don't just tickle people for fun. They're experts at it! First it was under the wings – they always do that. And then my stomach. Then my feet. That was the worst part!"

Zazu continued to cower and whimper behind the rock. The three cubs shrugged at each other, before walking off.

"I guess it serves him right for putting me in a deadly challenge," Simba said.

The three cubs laughed, knowing that they had overcome yet another trial. However, a trial far worse was going to present itself. Ever so soon. And it was going to test them to the very limit, because Simba's worst enemy was about to resurface.

And this time, he had nothing to lose.