Chapter Text
It was morning as the sun rose across the valley and began to light the Tree of Life, the grass still wet from the morning dew. It was the day after Kion had been crowned as king so he had to get used to being a monarch. Kion yawned as he looked at his queen and mate, Rani. "Wake up sleepy head," he teased.
She opened her brown eyes and yawned before nuzzling her co-monarch. "Morning, Kion," she replied sleepily. The coronation had taken a lot out of them, so they were still exhausted. "Sleep well?" she asked.
"Surprisingly, yes," Kion said, standing up and doing a big stretch. “But we need to get up. There’s two people I want you to meet.”
“Who?” Rani asked, confused. She’d met Kion’s parents Simba and Nala, his sister Kiara, and his brother in law Kovu. Who else could she meet.
Kion grinned. “You’ll see,” he said mysteriously. He nudged Rani gently with his snout, urging her to rise. The couple padded out of the Tree of Life and into the sunlight. The air was cool, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant calls of various animals. The ground beneath them was a mix of soft grass and firm earth as they made their way towards the a hillside.
Once they reached the hillside, Kion sat down and looked up at the sky which was painted with red and orange due to the sunrise. “Grandfather? Grandmother? There’s someone I want you to meet,” he called out. Rani looked at him with curiosity, not knowing who he was referring to.
Suddenly, two majestic figures appeared before them, floating in the sky.
One was a male that bore an incredible resemblance to Kion. To be honest, he looked more like Kion then Simba did. He had a big red mane and orange-golden fur, red eyes, a square muzzle, abnormally large nostrils, and thick black eyebrows.
The second was a lioness. She had a boxy muzzle, medium brown fur, tan eye rims, dark ear rims, a light brown nose, and orange eyes.
"Rani, meet my Grandfather Mufasa and Grandmother Sarabi, two of the greatest rulers ever to grace the Pride Lands," Kion announced with pride.
The teen lioness looked at the ethereal figures with awe, her heart racing. To be in the presence of such legends was a moment she never imagined would come. She dipped her head in respect. "Your Royal Highnesses," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.
The spirit of Mufasa gave a hearty laugh. “We know who you are, Rani, queen of the Tree of Life. You are family, now. No need for formalities here," he said warmly.
Sarabi nodded gracefully, her eyes sparkling. "Welcome, my dear," she said, her voice as gentle as a breeze through the grasslands of the Kingdom of the Tree of Life. “We can see that you two will be great rulers together.”
Rani felt a warmth spread through her, the weight of their praise not lost on her. “Thank you, Your Royal Highnesses.”
“We just want you to make sure Kion doesn’t do anything hard-headed," Mufasa chuckled, a twinkle in his eye.
“Hey!” Kion exclaimed, feigning offense. “I’m not that bad, am I?” He playfully nudged Rani.
Mufasa’s smile grew wider. “Rani, I told this to Kion when he first got the Roar, and I want to tell you that me and Sarabi will always be there if you need to talk or need advice, until the Pridelands and the Tree of Life end.”
And on that note, the two legends disappeared into the clouds.
Rani looked at Kion with wonder. "They're just as great as in my Grandmother Janna’s stories. Now, I have two people I want you to meet,” she said, her voice filled with excitement and nerves.
Kion tilted his head. “Who?” he asked, genuinely curious about the people Rani held in such high regard.
Rani looked up at the sky and asked, “Mother? Father? Would you come and meet my mate, Kion?” She sounded hopeful, but unsure if they would hear her call. Kion watched her, his tail swishing slightly with anticipation.
Within moments, two more spirits materialized in the air above them. One was a male lion with dark brown fur, a pale muzzle, thick dark eyebrows, a mane darker than his main pelt that was also streaked with pale fur, and brown eyes.
The other was a lionesses with soft, rounded features, deep brown fur, a cream-colored muzzle, eye rims, and chest, thick eyebrows, and a cluster of dark markings under her brown eyes.
The spirits looked down at the young couple, and Rani felt her heart swell with emotion. "Mom, Dad, this is Kion, the love of my life, the new king of the Tree of Life, son of King Simba and Queen Nala of the Pridelands, former leader of the Lion Guard, and master of the Roar of the Elders,” she said, her eyes glistening with pride.
“Kion, this is my Mom, Ãnanda, and my Dad, Sãhasí,” Rani introduced, her voice quivering with happiness.
Kion’s eyes widened and he bowed respectfully. “Your Royal Highnesses, I am truly honored to meet you both,” he said, his voice steady despite his nerves.
Sãhasí’s gaze was warm and wise as he studied Kion. “We have watched you both together, and we know that you will rule with love and strength, as one should,” he said, his voice echoing gently across the hillside.
“Thank you, Sãhasí, Ãnanda,” Kion replied, his own eyes shining with a mix of happiness and respect. He knew that gaining the approval of Rani’s parents meant a great deal to her.
The two spirits hovered in the air for a moment longer, their gazes lingering on their daughter and her mate. Then, Ãnanda spoke, her voice as warm as the rising sun. “We are so proud of you, Rani. And we can see that you have chosen well, Kion. The Great Spirits have guided you both to each other for a purpose. Just know that we’ll always be here if you need us,” she assured them before they, too, faded into the sky.
The young couple looked at each other, the weight of the moment settling over them. They were now bound not only by love and duty but by the approval and guidance of their ancestors.
They went to go find the Light Pride, which was the former Lion Guard but now was called the Light Pride as they patrolled the Tree of Life during the day, and the Night Pride.
They found all of the members, Bunga, Fuli, Beshte, Ono, and Anga of the Light Pride/Ex-Lion Guard, and Baliyo, Surak, and Nirmala of the Night Pride. Bunga and Baliyo were snickering and chuckling.
"What's so funny?" Kion asked, raising an eyebrow as he approached.
“Bunga, now,” Baliyo said, his whiskers twitching with mischief as he gestured towards Kion.
Bunga composed himself, and began to sing.
[Bunga]
There are despots and dictators—political manipulators
There are blue bloods with the intellects of fleas…
[Baliyo]
There are kings and petty tyrants, who are so lacking in refinements
They’d be better suited swinging from the trees!
[Bunga]
He wasn’t born and raised to rule
But no one has ever been this cool
In a thousand years of feline monarchy!
[Baliyo]
An enigma, and a mystery
In all of animal history
The quintessence of perfection, that is he!
[Bunga and Baliyo]
He's the sovereign lord of the nation!
He's the hippest dude in creation!
He's a hip cat in the his new throne!
Years of such selective breeding,
Generations have been leading,
To this miracle of life that we all know!
What’s his name?!
[Bunga, (Baliyo)]
Kion, Kion (That's his name!)
Kion (He's the king of the world)
Kion, Kion (Is he hip or what?!)
Kion-oh-oh-oh (Yeah).
[Both]
He's the sovereign lord of the nation!
He's the hippest cat in creation!
He's the alpha, the omega, A to Z!
And this perfect world will spin, around his every little whim!
'Cause this perfect world begins and ends with...
What's his name?!
[Bunga, (Baliyo)]
Kion, Kion, Kion
Kion (That's his name!)
Kion, Kion (Is he hip or what?!)
Kion (Don't you know he's the king of the world?)
Kion, Kion, Kion (Oh yeah)
Kion-oh-oh-oh!
(End of song).
Kion couldn’t help but laugh at the antics of Bunga, his best friend, and Baliyo, his now brother in law. “Seriously, guys?” he asked, still chuckling. “Isn’t that a little over the top?”
Bunga grinned. “Come on. We were just having a little fun.”
Kion chuckled again, before he looked at the Night Pride. “Rani, Baliyo, Surak, Nirmala, you get some rest for your patrol tonight. The Light Pride and I will patrol around the Tree of Life to ensure everything is ok," Kion ordered, his tone firm but fair.
Rani nodded, understanding the importance of maintaining order in their now shared kingdom. The Night Pride dispersed to their respective resting areas, leaving the Light Pride to gather around their king and longtime friend.
“So, what’s the plan, Kion?” Fuli asked.
“Check the mountain pass for intruders and then go around the kingdom and see if anyone needs help,” Kion instructed, his eyes scanning the horizon. The members of the Light Pride nodded in understanding, their expressions determined.