[Closed] Trials in the Pridelands

[changa]

"I see. Well, you'll be first for everything Diamanté. Sometimes speed gets the round. But as quick and agile as you are, you don't have much muscle. Work on that."

Kovu finished his meal and looked to the cub. "I'm done, so go ahead," he whispered, so as not to scare her.

[Nitro]

"But 'Fasa," Kopa whispered, sobbing. "I don't want you to go!"

[Thegeni99]

Geni breathed in deeply at the words that she would pass breakfast and start training. But she didn't mind it that much, since the Kudu dinner had given her enough energy and calories for the first test. Besides, living as a rogue in the wilderness beyond an oasis where you couldn't find much, she was used to it. "I'm next.." Geni whispered to herself as Diamante' got her word from Zira. She strolled to the starting point, crouched down, and sprinted with as much strength she could get from her hind legs. Then her front paws pounded the ground, claws dug into the cracked terrain. She repeated the same motions with every 12 sprints. Geni wasn't as fast as Diamante', but she could prove she was the one with most muscle. Years of life in the harshest wild and mistakes had put her to the test. She speed-walked over to Zira and waited for her word.
--

Chaka crouched under Nala's body. He hadn't said a word since he arrived at the healing den. His grandfather was about to join all the other great kings in a place high up in the sky. "Grandpa..." he said in a croaking voice. "I'll see you in the stars." He bowed his head and shut his eyes hard, not allowing tears to flow onto his cheeks.

[Nitro]

"We all will," Kopa added. "And I'll come visit you all the time and I'll tell you what's happening in the Pridelands and who is chosen as heir and everything!" He was close to hysterical now, hiccuping periodically and becoming unable to see through his red eyes.

[Songo]

Simba pulled Kopa to him and hugged him close, "We all will let papa 'fasa know." he said softly. He stayed strong for his family and let them speak their peace. "Nala, take the cubs outside. I need to speak to my father alone." he ordered softly.

Nala nodded and stood up quietly, "Say goodbye cubs, we must leave your father alone to spend time with papa 'fasa." she said softly. She sighed and lead the way outside the den, she reclined to her hinds and her blue eyes waited for her cubs.

Sarafina sat by Nala's side and remained quiet, her friend was passing. She remembered many seasons back when Mufasa was crowned, how much happiness it brought them. Tears flowed down her warm cheeks and she wiped them away as she saw the cubs.

[changa]

"Yes, lots of muscle. Good. But speed is also a good idea. If you have a balance of both, you will succeed."

Kovu looked at his mother. "Mom, do I have to fight lions?" "Of course! If you want the throne, you have to kill Simba and his heirs."

[Nitro]

Kopa whimpered slightly as his mother took him outside and buried his muzzle in her warm fur. "Mom, is he going to go be with the other Great Kings of the Past like Ahadi and Mohatu?" he asked quietly.

[Songo]

Nala's blue eyes gazed lovingly down at Kopa, seeing him so sad broke her heart. "Yes. M'love. Hes going to join the Great Kings of the Past and he will always be there to guide you." she added nuzzling Kopa's neck fur.

Simba stepped closer to Mufasa and nuzzled his dad's cheek, tears falling down his face. "I wish there was something I could do, dad. I don't want you to go." he muttered. He wiped his tears from his eyes and looked to Mufasa, hoping he would give him some wise advice. "What about choosing a heir, do you have any idea who it should be?" he asked.

[Nitro]

"Always?" Kopa asked, wiping his tears away with one tawny paw. "Promise? Wherever we go?"

[Kopalover]

Mufasa had tears running down his face. "I don't want to leave you cubs, but like you were told. The great circle of life is in motion." He choked, Mufasa smiled one last time at his Grandchildren as they left the den. "I love you." He called back to them. He coughed yet again and looked to his heartbroken son. "Simba, I don't want to go either, I'm scared. Very scared right now." He looked down, then back up at Simba again. "Simba, choose Kopa. He has demonstrated kingship, everyday he has been alive." Mufasa smiled. "He is the first born, and should be chosen as next king." He answered Simba, looking at Kopa who was sitting outside the den.

"Son, I love you. You are my sun on a rainy day." He paused. "You make me happy everyday." She said, "But now it's time for me to go. Tell everyone my last dying wish." He looked into Simba's deep brown eyes. "For Kopa to be the next king." He smiled one last time.The eyes of the great king started closing, "Good-bye, my son." Were Mufasa's last words before his life was taken.

The king's body lay, smiling. The room was empty, beside's the sound of crying. The great king is dead.


------

Kiara obeyed her father, and started making her way out of the den with her family. "I love you, Papa 'Fasa." She cried padding out of the den. The young lioness cub sat beside her maternal grandmother, Sarafina. "Nana 'Rafi." She said to gain Sarafina's attention. "What is the 'circle is life'?" She asked, seeing as her mother and father were busy.