Thunder roared and lighting flashed across the sky. Many months have passed and new life has been brought into the world. Lady Tala had given birth to a healthy boy and girl, who she and Kiros named Shaju and Tiifu.

In the present, while the storm rages across the Pridelands, Queen Eshe went into labour. Everyone was surprised to hear that another royal child was on the way but rejoiced at the announcement.

Everyone in the kingdom gathered under priderock to see the new cub of Queen Eshe and Prince-Consort Mheetu. On the peak of priderock was the royal mjuzi. Rafiki stood at the peak taking in the winds of the greats of the past as Eshe apporched with Mheetu at her side, the tawny lion was holding their new son, Prince Askari.

Askari had his father's tawny colored pelt with a light beige underbelly and his mother's green eyes and dark brown ear rims.

Rafiki took hold of the cub and held him up for all to see. Everyone cheered, and trumpeted, and honked and stomped in celebration at the sight of the new prince. Rafiki held Askari for a little while longer, before turning away from the crowd and placed the mark of royalty on Askari's forehead.

Askari looked at his surroundings curiously, before smiling adorable, gummy smiles when his parents nuzzled him lovingly.

...

"Eshe, my love he's wonderful," Mheetu whispered lovingly as he gazed upon the sleeping cub snuggled comfortably in his mother's arms.

Eshe smiled and nodded before she gently licked her son's head. Askari whimpered before he leaned against his mother's warm tongue and purred.

"Our little prince," Mheetu purred softly.

Eshe smiled, but it wavered and she let out a sigh. Mheetu caught it and narrowed his eyes a bit down at her.

"Eshe, they're not going to turn out like how your mother and uncle did," he reprimanded.

"I know," Eshe replied, but she regretted it when she realized that the volume of her voice was too loud and it caused Askari to squirm and whimper against his mother's pale fur. But quieted down until he was calm and was asleep again.

"Eshe, Askari is not going to try to get rid of his brother or sister one day you need to tell yourself that he'll be always there for them and he won't end up like his great-uncle." Mheetu's tone was determined yet soft not to disturb the infant.

"I-I know. It's just that what will happen to him when see sees his brother being taught how to king? He might feel jealous of all the attention Jashua would be getting and feel unwanted because of his position while he has nothing. What then?" Eshe asked and sighed again.

Before Mheetu could speak, the royal couple heard the clicking of gourds against one another and footsteps approaching and they turn their direction to the mouth of the den where Rafiki was coming in with his staff. His expression grew wide as he saw the two rulers with their offspring right before him.

"Aah, Eshe my friend. And Mheetu! Congratulations again," he said. Both smiled and allowed the mandrill to look at the bundle in the queen's arms. Rafiki moved his eyes from the prince to Eshe and Mheetu. "He will make an excellent member of the Lion Guard. No?"

Eshe looked shocked and gaped at the mjuzi. "L-Lion Guard?! Are you sure Rafiki? You and I both know that the last Lion Guard..."

"-Was destroyed by the one who lead it, your uncle Mufasa, yes. He had left a dark impact on the Guard's name and legacy and had shamed it." Rafiki head had dipped solemnly, but then he perked it up again at the happy truth. "But your daughter has a chance to change all that. As the second born, she is chosen by the Great Kings of the Past to take up responsibility to form and lead the new Lion Guard when the time is right. And perhaps Prince Askari will be one of the Princess Nala's members. Together, they will protect the Pridelands and the balance of the Circle of Life. They will stand by their brother and aid him in his time of need."

Rafiki then placed a hand on Eshe's shoulder. "But you need to believe that they can do it. Nala or Askari will not fail you if you give them a chance." with a smile the mandrill nodded at the queen and Prince-Consort before walking out of the cave.

"Okay, now tell me that you still don't believe that our son will remain good and loyal to his brother, my love," Mheetu purred nuzzling his head against Eshe's.

Mheetu's voice jolted Eshe out of her thoughts and she turned back to the tawny lion. Before she could speak though, she heard a whine from her arms and looked down to see Askari squirming.

Askari gave a small smile and slowly bend down and nuzzled her son. Askari's whines soon subsided into purrs and he snuggled back comfortably against his mother causing Eshe to smile.

"I think you have quite the bright future, my little soilder," Eshe smiled lovingly as she purred softly.

~TLK~

Not long after Prince Askari's birth, Eshe and Sarabi walked through the Pridelands. While Askari was being watched by Sarafina, Jashua and Nala were with their Uncle Sãhasí.

Sarabi had asked to accompany her daughter during her morning routine. Of course Eshe knew that this was more than her mother wanted to spend time with her as the dark beige lioness claimed.

Once finishing her meeting with the cheetahs, Eshe walked up a hill and sat at the top. Sarabi following after, mother and daughter looking out into the Pridelands.

"What is it and how bad will it be?"

The Queen Mother was silent before closing her orange eyes and sighed heavily. "The Pridelands has recovered wonderfully and you and Mheetu's visit to the Highlands went amazingly well. King Rohan and Queen Alkira are now allies."

Eshe's tail flickered as she frowned. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"

Sarabi tore her eyes from the kingdom to look at her daughter. "My brother has really made a mess of things. He tarnished a long and valuable alliance with the Avaloria kingdom. King Ojore has agreed to reestablish the alliance with a betrothal."

The queen's green eyes widened. "A betrothal? Mother, you can't be serious? I said I would get rid of those outdated traditions."

"I understand completely, Eshe." Sarabi stood and looked at the light brown lioness. "But sometimes we make scarifies for the greater good."

Eshe continued to sit on the hill as her mother walked away. She was in a hard place, she wanted her children to to find love on their own but at the same time, she couldn't afford the outcome of losing the alliance with Avaloria.