Chapter 142

Simba

We returned back to Pride Rock, completely different. The battle was officially over and the only remaining animals were the allies on our side. The bodies of dead hyenas littered the grounds.

"Simba!" I turned when I heard my name being called "Nala!" Sarafina came bounding towards us, along with the rest of the lioness. Everyone carried cuts and bruises but nothing worse for wear. " Are you two alright? A few of us saw you both run off after him but we coudlnt follow. Where's he...where's Nuka?"

"Gone," I explained. Sarafina's eyebrows furrowed together as she took in the information. Seconds came and went before I saw a change in her expression, one of commitment.

"Good." She voices, but despite myself, it still didn't feel that way. His last words still haunt me as his words played from the back of my memory. The overcast skies carried a heaviness with them. when my ears picked up the sound of low rumbling thunder.

"Rain…" Nala vocied in disbeief. " It's raining." Rain drenched my fur as I looked into the breaking sky. The heavens were weeping for us. Then the sound of wet foot fall were heard making their way towards us. Nala as well as the other lionesses around me fur stood tall as I followed the path of their directed aggression.

Jinna.

The small mud-covered hyeans stood with a few of the other surviving hyeans. Only a pawful really no more than ten of Evelen, followed behind her as she approached me cautiously.

"A promise is a promise…" she stated "We helped you defeat him." She voiced nervously as if at any moment I would resend on my word. Yet then again, that was something she was likely used to. Her eyes watched me uncertainly.

" And I thank you for that. I will keep my word to you."

"What word?" voiced Nala stepping to my side with a confused look on her face. I took a breath. I knew this would be hard if not impossible for my family to agree with me but this is a decision I have to make. I have to start to reshape this land we call home and the animals that live here. "Simba?"

" These Hyenas are free to go there way. there will be no judgment."

"...what?" this wasn't from Nala, but another pride member.

"It's an agreement I made with them." As expected, this was met with slight marks and whispers.

"Why would you agree to something like that? They worked for Nuka and did terrible things in his name." said another

"Some yes, but they didn't have a choice." I rebutted.

"But how can you side with them…let alone trust them?" voiced another.

"They could have easily remained loyal to Nuka," I explained.

"And how do we know they will be loyal to you? They are dogs….scavengers!-"

"Enough! These scavengers helped us win this battle or did you not see them fighting beside you?" I looked each one of my pride members in the eyes when I said this, Nala too. " We can't afford to be blinded by hate anymore." there was a shake to my voice, I was nervous...maybe even afraid. I had never addressed anyone in the manner I am now...as king. As a final the decision-maker but I continued " We as a pride have to acknowledge when things went wrong and make them right. Even if that acknowledgment makes us uncomfortable. and I for one know my Uncle Scar started this dangerous rivalry and usage of the hyeans and it has to stop." My words fell upon the crowd and though they didn't say a word. I knew they were listening. I turned to Jinna nodding in my head off in a forward direction " You all are free to go."

The young hyena bowed her head " Thank you…King Simba." I bid them farewell and safe travels, then I stepped away needing time to myself to reconvene and get the much-needed guidance from my father and mother.

The next morning I sat atop priderock. The few memories I still have of my father, I can always recall this very moment. Hearing his words play in the back of my mind, telling me. Everything the light touches in my kingdom.

"Nkosi and his herd are leaving now." I turned to see Nala approaching me.

"I know…I bid them safe travels earlier this morning." remember that my father always said a good king awakes before his family and rests once everyone else is safe and asleep.

"He said he will bring the other herds back in the next few weeks." Nala sat beside me. We didn't say much for some time as we looked at the vastness of the pride lands. "Kenya is going back home later today with the Valley pride lioness. Have you said your goodbyes?" I nodded. Again silence falls between us. There was just so much going on in my mind and I have no doubts the same was happening for Nala as well. But finally, she broke the silence. "I'm... I'm still struggling to agree with you about allowing those hyenas to just…. roam free like that. like...nothing happened."

"They're not absolved of any punishment Nal believe me. They fought against the members of their own family for me, no doubt taking the lives of others who might have meant the most to them." The blue-eyed lionesses exhaled and deep breath.

"I guess when you say it that was ..."

" but I get it…and I'm sorry. Im sorry we won't agree on some things right now." When I said this I watched as Nala shifted between her front paws. There was no secret that I had to deal with Shanti one way or another. She was being held away in a side den, and the time I took when stepping away from everyone to really think about my options allowed me to see everything with clear and fair eyes.

I'm not my father…and I can't rule in blind faith like he did. Having no idea his own brother would be his own downfall. Kindness and believing in others isn't a weakness but it damn sure can get you killed. Because you can't just give that trust out to just anyone.…and then…I refuse to be like my uncle. Killing with no remorse…no code or honor for family. I refuse to get lost in the lust for control and consumed by the need for vengeance. I have to find my own path.

"I'm banishing her from the pridelands. She will be ordered to go south from here."

"South… so she can't even return to the mountain pride?"

"No." I could tell by the look in Nala eyes that she did not agree with this.

"Simba she's pregnant."

"I know."

"You have to at least have compassion for her cub."

"My compassion is allowing her and her unborn cub to live. And believe in the kings that she won't allow them to follow in their father or forefathers pawprints. She crossed a line of no return when she allied with Nuka. She chose to betray her pride, her queen…for what? power? That is an offense that I won't overlook or forgive Nala. Because if it can happen to them it can happen to us…and now as king I refuse to let that happen."

"…Okay." I felt part of my hardened exterior slowly fades at the welcomed warmness of her voice. " I get it. And you're right. It's just hard when you have to make a decision like that- that affects someone's life."

"Yeah, it is. But I know it's something we can do together." it took her a moment before she responded.

"Together?" I nodded slowly and watched as the information slowly began to register with Nala. "…Simba" she voiced as she opened then closed and opened her mouth again. " No... are you serious?"

" I figured there would be no better time to ask."

"S-simba…this is a big thing to ask."

" Well, it's a good thing I know you're a lioness who never backs away from a challenge." To say Nala went through a wave of emotions would be an understatement. But I'm glad she settled with a look of joyful tears in her eyes. That is what I want to see more from her….joy, and I want to be the one to bring that to her. " Nala we've been together since the beginning. You've been my best friend, backbone, and even protector…you were the one who pushed me and showed me the way. And for that, I'm forever grateful. And I know embarking on this new journey as king. There is no one else I want at my side to call my queen."

"…I…I can't believe you right now."

"So….is that a yes?"

"Yes- yes!" I felt the ground move from under me as Nala tackled me to the ground nuzzling me. I wrapped my arms around her in a deep embrace. " You realize I have to tell my mom now right-"

"Oh please I already knew." we both looked up to see Sarafina, standing with her not-so-hidden cheekish smile. " You two were fated since the very start."

"H-how long have you been standing there?" we both said in unison.

"Just long enough to hear the good part." Nala leaned into me again and I couldn't help but let out a joyous laughter. While taking in this precious moment.

I took a long moment to myself before leaving pride rocks den. The Great Circle had risen high in the sky and I knew it would greet me with its warmth as I stepped outside onto the ledge of Pride Rock.

"It is time." Said Rafiki, as he motioned with his staff for me to go forward. "They are waiting for you."

"Okay, I'm ready." I turned to Nala one last time, seeing the spark of admiration in her eyes was just the encouragement I needed.

"You've got this." She said. " Your parents would have been so proud of you." I nuzzled the lioness who would soon become my mate after today's ceremony.

Three weeks had passed before the herds returned to the pride lands and now as I make my way down the ledge of priderock I can see how much my home has changed. The air was mixed with the smell of newly growing grass and blooming savannah flowers. As the herds of animals gathered all around the base of Pride Rock, their calls to my appearance bellow in the wind. The noise sounding like a beautiful chaotic harmony.

Then as a cool breeze blew by me, I could hear my father's voice so clearly and feel my mother's loving embrace.

"Remember who are you."

The words weaving them deep into my core. As I finally understood the call to my destiny. Now I could finally answer as I lifted my head and gave this new Pridelands a united roar. the call reaching past the horizon itself echoing the call for a new day.

Author note

Hey guys I hope you enjoyed the final chapter. It has been a long time coming and this story has finally come to an end. I really do hope you enjoyed it, I want to thank again who left reviews or PMs. especially during my long hiatus. This has been such a learning moment for me and I will continue it in my writing career.

Now for the questions I know I am going to get asked- don't worry we will be back in this TLK universe of My father Uncle Sacr as I am planning a part two! I don't know about you, but I wanted to know what happened to our beloved main characters during the time. Like Simba and Nala are really going to be adults out here now….crazy and to think I started this fanfic when they were cubs.

Anyway, I see you all soon the next time.

Lionesscreator out!