The Lion Swap: Return of the Roar

Part 1: Be Happy?

The sun rose slowly over the horizon, bathing the dark night sky in a multitude of warm colours, ranging from the palest yellow to deep maroon. The sunlight spread across the Pride Lands, illuminating every corner and landmark of the territory. 

Sitting upon the great Pride Rock and witnessing the break of day, the King and his two children sat together, following the traditions of their ancestors. Like his father before him, King Simba shared the same words spoken across every single generation.

"Everything the light touches," he said, a deep tone of reverence and truth in his voice, "is part of our kingdom. It is our duty as lions to uphold our place to contribute to and protect the Circle of Life and all it's inhabitants. One day, you both will step up and take this responsibility."

To his irritation and disappointment, instead of the quiet awe, veneration and respect he had felt when he had been told this, he heard a tired yawn and crabby grumbles from one cub and an annoyed scoff from another. 

He looked down wearily at his daughter, Kiara, who was lying on the cold stone floor of Pride Rock lazily. 

"Daddy, why are we doing this?" the younger cub complained, burying her muzzle in her paws. "Why do I have to be up this early, when Kion's going to be future king, not me?"

Her older brother and twin stared down at her unamused, and twitched his tail. "Oh, forgive us for thinking of including you. Besides, what do you have to complain about? You are forever a princess, free of any responsibilities, able to run around and do things that the future monarch can't? And here you are, complaining about how we took you out to watch the sunrise and hear the Circle of Life Speech, instead of excluding you." Despite being only a few minutes older than her, the difference between the twins were remarkable. Kion was already very mature and understanding for his age, qualities Simba hoped he would retain as he ascended the throne.

Kiara, however, was much more adventurous, relaxed, carefree and childish. There wasn't one corner of the Pride Lands she hadn't explored, one animal she hadn't met. Kiara snorted and rolled away to get some distance between her and her brother. She smirked up at him. "Exactly my point, I don't have to be up for this. I'm not future king - I don't even have a role."

Simba frowned, as if wanting to tell her something, then shook his head and decided against it. He didn't want to get her hopes up - it was possible that it might not happen.

"And that is why you should be grateful for coming with us. I mean, what are you even planning to do with your life?" The young prince put on a mocking tone with his question.

Remaining on her belly, she leaned forward and stretched her lips out in her most cocky grin at her twin brother. "Be happy?" The short, yet somehow witty retort did not sit well with Kion, and he flattened his ears and frowned at her.

Not wanting to deal with an arguement this early, Simba softly tapped Kiara's back with his paw. The first tap to gain her attention and the second to tell her to sit up straight. The princess giggled and looked up at her father before obeying. "Your brother does make a good point about conclusion, Kiara," Simba gently told her. "You're my daughter and I don't want you feeling like you're being left out. Even if you aren't destined to reign the Pride Lands, you need to be aware and invested in the safety of the Pride Lands. This will be important to you one day."

Kiara frowned and raised her eyebrows in concern. "I know that, Daddy, I understand why we have to know all this, I really do! I just don't understand that if I'm just the spare why I need to be present for all this. And I know that you're just going to say that 'you need to be there to support Kion', or 'we must respect the Circle of Life', but it all feels so unnecessary. I know I'm the princess, but surely there's something else for me to do in the pride?"

There was a touch of sadness to her tone, and Simba felt a rush of sympathy for her daughter. As the second-born, she, unlike Kion, could choose what she got to do in life. But her choices were only limited to being a huntress, a babysitter, a storyteller, or leaving the Pride Lands and creating her own pride. None of the positions really interested her - apart from being a huntress, but she wasn't very committed to it because of her lack of skill.

Though, there was another option that might open itself to Kiara. However it was dangerous and - Simba shut the thought down. Nope. Hopefully, Kiara would be burdened with that responsibility. 

And despite her typical nonchalant and moderate tone, there was the smallest hint of concern for her future. As the younger cub, Kiara expected a future full of mundane, boring tasks and to fulfill the role of a regular pride member, while also having to keep up appearances as a member of royalty.

But before Simba could respond, Kion beat him to it again. "Yeah, Dad, why does she have to be here if she clearly doesn't respect these lessons?" He glared at his sister, who in return, poked her tongue out at him. Simba frowned at their disharmony and decided to step in before a fight between the two siblings broke out.

"Alright, that's enough you two. Kiara, if you truly do not wish to take part in this lesson, you can go. But you should check with your mother if she has any plans on taking you somewhere today," he offered. 

"Mummy doesn't have any plans today," Kiara said brightly, sitting up straighter with the knowledge she could leave. "So I was wondering if I could hang out with Tumaini today? I won't even try to escape my escort." Tumaini was a young bluebird Kiara's age, and the two enjoyed each other's company. 

Feeling a bit generous towards his daughter, Simba decided to give her the freedom. "You know what, Kiara?" he said, noticing how her ears perked up at his change of tone. "If you truly don't want to be cooped up inside Pride Rock today, you can go out in the Pride Lands yourself."

"Wait, what?" The outburst came from Kion, envious and surprised by this sudden turn of events. Kiara too, was surprised, but in a good way.

"You mean it?" said Kiara, a wide grin slowly lighting up the features on her face. There was unmistakable joy at the idea of going out to the Pride Lands on her own, with no adults or eyes from the sky shadowing her. Sure, she'd been around the Pride Lands plenty of times before, but that was always with an escort. "Do you really mean it, Daddy?"

Simba nodded. "If you promise to stay out of the Outlands and be back in time for your hunting lesson with your mother." 

"I promise, Daddy, I'll be careful. Thank you! See ya later, Kion!" Eagerly, the young princess ran down Pride Rock, jumping down each boulder with distinct delight and darted off into the Pride Lands, a skip in her step.

Once she was out of earshot, Kion let out a loud raspberry, and sat up straight, glowering down at the dot that was his sister. He stared out at the morning before him, dismayed to see that the sunrise had faded into the now bright azure sky. The dawn lesson was over, and ruined because of his sister that refused to stay quiet and respect the tradition.

"I still can't believe I'm related to her," he huffed. The young prince looked up at his father and raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure she isn't adopted?" Simba frowned, but understood his son's frustration. 

"There's no need to worry, Kion. Kiara will grow up someday, once she finds her purpose. However long that might take." Kion rolled his eyes, but regained his composture and maturity and sat up straight once again. "Look on the bright side," Simba continued. "While she's out exploring with Tumaini, that leaves you and I to spend the day in the Pride Lands. How about that?"

A small smile formed on Kion's face. "Yeah, sound's good. Let's go."