The three lions finally exit the barren desert as the sun sets in front of them, cooling down the hot and dry air. Faizah took over leading the way towards the Lowlands as Mlezi fell in behind Kion, all her confidence had left and in a way, he felt sorry for her. She no longer had the optimism she had before, about returning to her former home. He knew very well that it was shame and regret that had plagued her mind for he had experienced it many times before during his Guard days.

As they pressed on, the terrain became more alive. Shrubs, saplings and other vegetation become thicker; small animals retreat as they flee from sight of the predators. The sun disappears from view, orange and purple rays of light crawl across the sky to mark the final hour of daylight. Faizah brings them further down into the growing forest. Trees became taller, perhaps taller than Rafiki's tree, and a lot more green. They stop at a small grove of trees that formed a unique arc and hollow center as they wrapped around and through one another with a hole just big enough for Kion to fit though. But in the center of these tangled up trees, a small puddle of water pools up in a bowl of roots as droplets fall in with the rest. Another small hole in the ceiling casts a small glow into the water, reflecting the ripples of the puddle onto the walls of this natural wooden burrow. Kion had never seen anything so majestic in his life. Faizah steps aside as he examines this grove in awe.

"If you think it's nice now, just wait until the moonlight shines through." Faizah informs Kion with amusement.

"What is this place? I've never seen anything like this before." Kion asks as he looks inside.

"I don't think it ever had a name." Mlezi speaks up this time.

"I assume you've gone on the journey to find Udugu?" Faizah asks.

"I have, with my sister Kiara. We didn't have to leave the Pridelands on our journey." Kion responds in puzzlement, not knowing what Udugu had anything to do with this place.

"Our mother brought us here on our own journey; this is where she was born." Faizah answers his thoughts.

"She died shortly after I gave birth to my own cubs; in this very place." Mlezi adds softly.

Kion realizes that this place isn't just something unique, this place is special to Mlezi and Faizah as it holds the memories of their mother's past.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Kion dips his head to the two respectfully.

Faizah looks to the ground as a tear floats down her cheek. Mlezi looks at Kion with misty eyes. "I was looking forward to taking my own cubs here for their journey to find Udugu but Muuaji and his lionesses took my son from me and robbed Tumaini of her brother." She cries out. "Robbed us all of our King and future."

"It's not just Mlezi's family that was destroyed. Many lionesses had their moments stripped from them as Muuaji killed their sons, daughters and destroyed precious memories." Faizah adds.

Kion stops to think for a few minutes as they both vent to him. He knew very well that things in their pride had been bad for them. He felt sorry for all who dwell in the Lowland Pride that have suffered. If he were to help them all, none of them would need to suffer again.

"Your mother, what was her name?" Kion asks Faizah.

"Layla." She answers softly.

"Mlezi, what was the name of your son?" Kion turns to the other grieving lioness.

"Bakari." She answers as a tear rolls down her cheek.

"May Layla, Bakari and all those who've lost their lives rest in peace and never be forgotten. You've both given me a lot to think about and I promise that when we face Muuaji, he will be brought down and never again harm another one of your pride mates." Kion humbly responds to the sisters.

"So, you still care about the circle of life." Faizah acknowledges.

"I never said I didn't." Kion responds.

"Kion gave Tumaini another shot at life when he took us into his pride." Mlezi turns to her sister. "If he didn't, I would have lost her too."

"What are the lionesses like in your pride?" Faizah asks Kion.

"They've all been through a lot in the Outlands. Most were loyal to Scar, but they've all changed; it's one of the reasons we broke away from Zira's pride; she still lives to serve only him. They're broken from having to survive, but that's why I'm doing everything I can for a better life for all of them and those that come after." Kion responds softly, hoping she would feel a little sympathetic for them. "My lionesses don't serve Scar anymore, and Simba can't see that and refuses to forgive them; and he exiled me because he feared that I would become him. This is why Simba must be removed as King of the Pridelands; and as I've mentioned to my own sister, he saw an opportunity to remove me from my home and took it."

"So you're not just after yourself?" The lioness asks as she tries to understand.

"My pride comes first before my own interests. They eat and drink first, they express their concerns before a decision is made; this is my new tradition within my pride. I'll wait until they've all had their fill before I have mine and I ask what they want and fulfill their request the best I can." Kion replies sternly.

The lioness watches Kion in interest, making him feel a little uncomfortable as she examines him from head to paw. Then her eyes lock with his as she looks thoughtfully at him.

"Once we're done staining Muuaji blood on the mound of bones he places his backside on, I believe I could get used to calling you my king." The lioness chuckles.

Kion raises an eyebrow in question as her words sink in.

"I assume that we already have someone to call Queen that isn't you?" Faizah turns to Mlezi with a little hostility.

"Vitani is Kion's mate and future queen of the Pridelands when we take it." Mlezi answers her sister.

"Let's just get some rest and we can continue on our way in the morning." Faizah looks back at Kion without answering Mlezi. She pushes past her sister, entering into the center of the grove of trees. Mlezi followed but stopped in the opening, she let out a defeated sigh as she disappeared inside. Kion could very clearly see the tension between the sisters but did nothing in case it sparks a bigger problem.

The daylight completely disappears as the moonlight takes its place. Kion enters the grove and looks around in astonishment as the puddle's reflection had turned into a misty blue from the moonlight, even creating a mist-like atmosphere. As Kion takes a deep breath in, he realizes that the air was almost... comforting. The two lionesses had already settled themselves in, on opposite sides of the burrow. Both have their eyes shut, but Kion could tell they were still awake. He settles himself into another corner, away from the lioness. Drowsiness conquers the lion as he begins to doze off; closing his eyes, Kion falls into darkness.

—TLK—

This chapter is a lot shorter than my others but I hope you still enjoyed it.

{comments}

HydroCOre: glad you liked the bonus and yes I will be doing more. I've actually got one planned here after part 3.

Kia: I have no idea where your comments disappeared to but I still have the notification so I can still answer your question. Yes Vitani and Kion are together and when I'm finished with this story, the prequel I have planned will go into greater detail on how they met (the second time since they've already met in Lions over all) and how they fall for each other.