A couple of years had passed since seeing Kira and her cub, Kovu. Kiara had talked with Kamaria about how nice the male was to her. But he didn't know how to play tag which made Kiara upset. Kamaria found Kiara's wish to befriend an outsider admirable, but Simba would never see it that way. He only would see his family getting into potential danger, something that he does everything in his power to avoid.

Kion was old enough to be leader of the lion guard and had done so for a while. He had saved the pride lands with his team multiple times already.

He had even ran into Kovu and his family in the outlands once. He unfortunately then met Zira, a hateful lioness with a vendetta against Kamaria and Simba. Thankfully, Kion managed to handle the lioness along with the help of his guard.

Kiara was also growing up, she was a mid teenager while Kion was a young teen. Both acting and looking like their parents more and more as days passed.

Kion and Kiara, along with Simba and Kamaria now all stood on pride rock with Rafiki. It was the annual celebration of Scar's defeat and Simba becoming king. It was a big celebration with animals from all over coming to rejoice.

"Well, it looks like you still haven't burnt the pride lands down to the ground yet. Your father would be so proud of you Simba. I know I am." Kamaria said as she focused forward.

"There's still time, maybe one day." Simba snarked back, a smile on his face as his mate laughed at him. Kion and Kiara sent a confused look to their parents, being unaware of the conversation they just had.

Rafiki was talking about Simba's heroic deeds as king and such as the family stood smiling to each other. Happy that everything was perfect on this perfect day.

That was, of course, until Simba let out a low groan and fell to the ground.

"Simba!"

"Dad!" Kamaria and the kids called as they rushed to Simba's aid. Rafiki quickly came over and inspected the downed lion. Simba could barely lift his head as he stared at his mate. She was so breathtakingly beautiful right now as the sun shone behind her.

In that moment, Simba knew he could die happy. Seeing his family together and well with them around him.

Kamaria, on the other hand, was not happy about this. No way Simba was going to leave her alone. He once told her that she was his world and without her then he didn't have one. Well, Kamaria shared those sentiments and if she didn't have Simba, she wasn't sure she could continue on. Kamaria had no idea how Sarabi managed to do it so long ago.

"Here. Poison from a scorpion." Rafiki lifted up Simba's tail, a bump sticking up against the fur.

"Ono! Find it!" Kion yelled to the crane, he was apart of the guard and Kion's eyes. Ono could see far and wide in the pride lands.

"Lion guard defend!" Kion started as he and the rest of his team ran after Ono.

"Until the pride lands end!" The guard finished. Kamaria and Kiara stayed with Simba, helping him stand and moving him inside pride rock. They would be able to protect Simba better here.

"Mom? Will dad be okay?" Kiara had tears in her eyes as she looked to her mother. Kamaria looked into her daughter's eyes, the potential truth weighing on her heavily.

Letting out a soft sigh, Kamaria brought Kiara closer to her as they sat next to Simba, Rafiki helping in any way he could.

"I hope so, Kiara. I hope so." Kiara turned into her mothers embrace, tears rushing down her cheeks. She couldn't bring herself to look at her sick father anymore. The sight too upsetting for the lioness.

Kamaria tried to help her mate and daughter as best she could. She had Kiara go with Nala to spend some time away. Nala promised to keep her close to pride rock in case Simba's condition changed as Kamaria expressed her gratitude. Nala could only give a small, sad smile before leaving with Kiara.

"Please be alright Simba. I can't do this without you." Simba cracked an eye open to look at his mate. She had dried tears on her cheeks and a frown upon her lips. Simba found himself hating that he was the cause.

"It's okay, it'll be okay. Kion will get the antidote to Rafiki and everything will be fine. I trust him." Kamaria nodded in agreement. She knew Kion would move a mountain if he had to. He loved his family and would do anything for them. Kamaria never doubted Kion in getting the antidote back here. She just wasn't sure it would be quick enough.

"Remember that time we had to leave pride rock for a day because of Pumbaa?" Simba questioned. Kamaria turned to the lion confused, why would he bring that up now?

Kamaria sent a slow nod to Simba, unsure of where this conversation was going. Simba let out a chuckle before groaning in pain. Kamaria was instantly there, placing her head atop his as a sign of comfort.

"It was me." Kamaria took a moment to process before a smile formed on her face. Soon, a laugh broke out as she remembered the day.

All of the pride had to stay outside pride rock, the smell pungent and nauseating. Poor Pumbaa was instantly blamed and heckled endlessly for it.

"You let Pumbaa take the blame? Oh you are terrible." A small smile laid upon Simba's lips. He did feel terrible about it and he swore he was going to take that secret with him until he saw his father again.

But seeing Kamaria so distraught, he decided that sharing the secret to put a smile on her face was worth it.

"Yes, well if that's the worst thing I do in my life, I'll die a happy lion." Kamaria instantly felt her smile vanish at the word die.

Looking to the setting sun, Kamaria could see Kiara running back to them, a hopefully look on her face. Kamaria could only look away as Kiara approached, having no good news to share.

"I got it!" Fuli, the cheetah and fastest member of the lion guard, carried Bunga, a honey badger and bravest member on her back. The honey badger held the vial of antidote in his claws, high above his head.

Fuli skidded to a stop and Bunga, not having a grip on the cheetah, flew off her back. The vial flew from the badgers grip, the others yelling in worry.

A hand wrapped around the vial, Rafiki holding on to it. Kamaria let out a sigh of relief as Rafiki gave the antidote to Simba. Holding her breath and Kiara waited next to her, the lioness watched as Simba's color slowly came back. His lungs took in more air and his heart beat steady.

It had worked.

"Dad!" Kion roared as he sprinted into pride rock the others behind him. Kamaria sent the lion a smile and walked up to her son. Kiara stayed back, cuddling into her father's body.

"He's okay, just resting. I'm so proud of you, Kion. You and your lion guard. The king and I owe you our deepest gratitude." Kamaria sent each member of the guard a smile before nuzzling into Kion.

Kion instantly relaxed as he welcomed his mother's affection. She was always so warm and comforting.

The two walked back to Simba, a smile on all their faces as the family of four laid next to each other. All happy that Simba was alive and recovering.