The Lion Guard: A Bedtime Story

Author's Note: This fanfic was updated on November 5th, 2024, nine years after publication.
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It was a peaceful evening in the Pridelands. On Pride Rock, Kiara and Kovu were settled down outside the den. 
"Did you have success  on the morning hunt?" Kovu asked her. 
"Yes, I caught a bushbuck." Kiara replied.
Kovu leaned over, nuzzling Kiara's cheek affectionately.
"That's wonderful, my love." Kovu told her.
Suddenly, Simba and Nala came out of the den, Kion following close behind them.
"Kiara, would you and Kovu mind getting Kion settled for the night? It's time for the evening hunt and your father's decided to come along." Nala said.
"Sure, Mom. We'd love to." Kiara agreed.
Her expression softened as Kion bounded up to her and Kovu, crawling into his brother's paws.
"Thank you, sweetheart. We'll be back by moonhigh." Simba said.
As the lionesses emerged from the den, Nala came forward to nuzzle Kion affectionately.
"Goodnight, my darling." she said.
"Goodnight, Mama." Kion responded.
Simba stepped forward to nuzzle Kion, his eyes shining with affection.
"Goodnight, son." Simba said.
"Goodnight, I love you." Kion replied.
Nala's expression softened. 
"We love you too." she said.
"Have a good hunt." Kiara told her parents.
"Thank you, Kiara." Nala said.
Kiara watched as Simba and Nala led the lionesses down the pathway towards the grasslands. 
She turned her attention to her younger brother, who was still nestled in Kovu's paws.
"What do you want to do, Kion? Do you want us to tell you a story?" Kiara asked him.
Kion's gaze was focused on the night sky above them, having noticed a star that shone brighter than all the others.
"Kiara, have you seen that star before? It's so much brighter than the others." Kion commented. 
"Yes, that is a very special star. It's the spirit of Mohatu, our great-great-grandfather." Kiara explained.
"The ruler before Yeh-Yeh?" Kion questioned.
Kiara nodded.
"That's right. Daddy told me a story about him when I was your age." she said.
"Will you tell me how his spirit became a star?" Kion asked.
Kiara reached over to ruffle Kion's head tuft affectionately.
"Many seasons ago, during Grandfather's reign, a terrible drought struck the kingdom. Due to the lack of rain, the grazing grounds became barren, with many of the water sources going dry. Across the kingdom, the animals began to suffer, due to the effects of the depletion of prey and water. Having gained a reputation as a wise and fair king, Grandfather made a law specifying the amount of water each animal was allowed to drink, decreeing that due to being able to go the longest without needing water, the lions would have their share of water last." she began. 
Kion's eyes were wide with curiosity and excitement as he took in his sister's words.
"With this new law in effect, the animals were able to get through the worst of the drought. Though all seemed at peace, the tranquility was soon broken due to a very selfish lion. He went to the Water Hole one day, where a crowd of animals had already gathered, each waiting their turns to drink the water." Kiara continued.
"What happened next?" Kion asked tiredly.
"The lion had made it clear to Grandfather that he disagreed with the water law, believing that the lions should be allowed to drink before the other animals. When a gazelle attempted to ask the lion if she could drink from the Water Hole, the lion attacked her, causing the animals to flee. Angered by the unjustified attack, Grandfather summoned the lion, exiling him from the Pridelands for his selfish actions. Grandfather knew that immediate action was required, to ensure the wellbeing of his subjects. After consulting with Granny, he decided to take an expedition to find a new water source, so the Pridelands would survive the drought. He called the animals to Pride Rock, explaining that he will travel to find a new water source, and the kingdom will be left in Granny's care. Grandfather set off on his quest, eventually reaching a large river. At the river, he encountered an upset crocodile, who believed himself to have no friends due to an incident with a hippo. After conversing with a hippo, wildebeest, and a zebra, Grandfather is able to sort the situation out. Upon his return to the Pridelands, he announces that all the animals must trust each other, so that they can travel to the river to use it as their water supply." Kiara continued.
Her expression softened as she noticed Kion's eyes clouding over with exhaustion, still curled in Kovu's paws.
"The other animals of the Pridelands, while happy that Grandfather had found a water source, also expressed disbelief of his plan succeeding, due to the actions of the selfish lion. Despite Grandfather's efforts to reassure his subjects, an argument occurred, with a zebra expressing the belief that each species should defend theirselves and nobody else. Due to the hostility of the gathered animals, already weakened by hunger and thirst, a stampede occurred, as the animals rushed to the river that Grandfather had described. Each of them wanted to be the first to reach the river, regardless of the ones hurt in the chaos. Soon, Grandfather is informed that a zebra had gotten stuck in quicksand. Rushing to the river, Grandfather asked the crocodile to help the zebra. The crocodile obliges, and the zebra is saved. After the zebra apologizes for his role in the stampede, all of the animals drink their share of the water, being cautious to avoid the quicksand. They return to the river many times in the passing moons. After the end of the drought, Grandfather Mohatu continued to journey to the river to see the friends he'd made. Grandfather continued to rule the Pridelands for many seasons, until his death due to Greencough. After his death, the animals grieved heavily, with occasional fights also breaking out. One day, the animals of the Pridelands noticed that a mysterious star had appeared in the sky. The star was bigger and brighter than any other star. Upon this discovery, the animals fell to peace once again, reassured by the knowledge that the star was the spirit of their king." Kiara finished.
She and Kovu exchanged a glance, both of them having noticed Kion's exhausted state.
"Let's get him into his nest. Mom and Daddy will be home soon." Kiara suggested, keeping her voice lowered so she wouldn't disturb her brother.
Kovu nodded. He stood up, carefully reaching down to gently grasp Kion's scruff. The two of them headed inside the den, Kovu gently setting Kion down in his nest. Kiara brushed her tail affectionately over her brother.
"Sleep well, my darling." she said fondly.
Kovu settled down beside Kion, glancing up at Kiara.
"I'll stay with him if you want to wait outside for your parents." he offered.
"Thank you, Kovu." Kiara replied.
She watched as Kion's eyes opened, his gaze struggling to focus on the two of them.
"It's okay, Kion. You can sleep." Kiara said.
Kovu moved closer to Kion, wrapping his tail around his brother. Kiara watched Kion nestle deeper into the moss, closing his eyes. She turned, heading back out of the den.
As Kiara emerged from the den, she saw Simba and Nala approach, the lionesses following behind them. Kiara came over to greet the hunting party.
"How was the hunt?" she questioned.
"It was very successful. We've made several good kills." Nala replied.
"Is Kion asleep?" Simba asked his daughter.
Kiara nodded.
"Kovu's with him. I told Kion the story of Grandfather and his drought." Kiara said.
"That is a very good story. Granny told me it several times when I was a cub." Simba reflected.
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