Chapter Twelve

Indigo had no idea where the pride was. She searched everywhere for them, when all of a sudden, she heard her mother's voice.

“Indigo! Where were you? We're at war, with the Outsiders!” Indigo was shocked. She and her mother ran to where the fighting was taking place, right by the gorge. Rain was pouring down heavily, the sound of thunder roared in the distance. It was brutal, she couldn't tell who was who, it was all a blur.

She ran in, blindly taking swipes. She remembered the last time she fought, when she was battling the hyenas. She knocked one lioness to the ground, and was about to hit another when she noticed Zira and Simba, about to swing at each other. Everyone noticed too and the fighting halted. That was when Kovu and Kiara came leaping in, their faces turned towards their parents'. Simba told Kiara to move, but she stayed put.

“Look at them, they are us. What differences do you see?” Indigo looked around her as well. Kiara was right, nobody was any different than someone else. The rain ceased, and a light shone, and Simba smiled lovingly at his daughter. But Zira was still wanting a fight. It wasn't until all of the Outsiders groaned and walked over to the PrideLanders – obviously tired of Zira and her antics – that she began to calm down. Indigo thought for a split second that Zira would join as well, but instead she leapt towards Simba. Kiara leapt in front of him, subsequently throwing herself and Zira over the edge of the gorge.

“Kiara!” Indigo shouted, everyone ran over, desperately searching. Kiara seemed to be okay, but Zira had fallen further. Simba jumped in after them.

Indigo could hear the dam breaking. She looked over at Nala.

“Nala, look!” she shouted. Nala yelled at Simba to watch out for the river. Sure enough, with another loud snap, the dam collapsed and the river came running through. Simba managed to make it over to Kiara, and Kiara was trying to reach for Zira, but Zira fell off the edge and into the river. The river engulfed her, and everyone knew that she was gone.

That's when Indigo realized Nuka wasn't there. She looked around them. Was he still in the OutLands? She walked over to Kovu.

“Kovu...where's your brother?” she whispered. Kovu sighed.

“I...he's dead.” Indigo felt a pain in her chest. Nuka...she hadn't been able to say goodbye. Sure, she hadn't seen him since he got banished, but he was the closest person she had to a friend. As soon as Kiara and Simba got to safety, everyone went back to Pride Rock. Indigo took a detour, hoping she could find Silas. She could tell him that he could stay in the PrideLands, that everything was over. She ran to where she left him, the sun rising in the distance. 

“Silas!” she shouted. She sat down, expecting to see him running. But he wasn't there. “Silas!” she shouted again. Indigo's brow furrowed when she didn't see or hear him. 

“I'm afraid he will not be returning.” she heard a voice come from behind her. She jumped, startled, until she saw that it was Rafiki.
“Rafiki? Where is he? Where did he go?” she asked. Rafiki sighed.

“He left, back to the Arid Lands, just like you told him to.” Indigo cried softly. She knew that she probably wouldn't see Silas again, at least not any time soon. Rafiki placed his hand on her back, and they walked back to Pride Rock, where everyone was celebrating. 

Nala rushed up to her, and gave her a nuzzle.

“Oh Indigo, this is perfect! Simba and I talked, and we decided that everyone can join us. And what's more, when Kiara becomes queen, Kovu will become king! Isn't that great?” Indigo nodded, and tried to let out a smile. Nala could tell something was up with her sister.

“Indie? Are you okay?” she asked. Indigo shrugged.

“Yeah...it's just...I learned that Nuka died.” Nala frowned, and gave Indigo a sympathetic hug.

“I'm sorry Indie. I know he was dear to you.” Indigo sighed, but it wasn't over Nuka. She was upset that she still couldn't talk about Silas. She figured it would be safe now, but she didn't want to explain everything to people.

Later on, Simba, Nala, Kovu and Kiara roared out on top of Pride Rock to the whole of the PrideLands. Everyone was happy that this ordeal was over, and Sarafina and Sarabi, both old now, were roaring just as loudly. Indigo smiled. Perhaps things could go back to how they were before.


A few weeks had passed, and Sarabi had passed away. The PrideLands held a vigil for her. Simba was hurt, but Kiara kept his hopes up. Then, a week after Sarabi passed away, Sarafina left as well. Nala and Indigo were in the cave together, Simba allowing them to have privacy so they could remember their mother, together.

“She always had the best advice.” Nala said, sniffling. Indigo nodded.

“You get that from her.” Indigo said softly. Nala smiled, and the two nuzzled, crying, talking, and remembering their brave mother.


A few days later while Indigo was sunbathing, she could feel stirrings within her womb. She was surprised. She only slept with Silas twice. And with everything happening, she didn't pay any attention to herself. Indigo breathed deeply. She knew that she would have to tell Nala, she just didn't know how. She walked up to Pride Rock, where Nala and Simba were talking with Kiara and Kovu. Indigo figured she might as well tell them all now, they would all know eventually.

“Hey sis, I need to tell you something.” Indigo said, walking up to them. Kovu and Kiara turned around, Kiara rushing over to her aunt. 

“Do you need to speak to me privately Indie?” Nala asked. Indigo shook her head.

“No, it's okay. It's pretty big news anyways.” Nala cocked her head to one side.
“Nala, I'm...pregnant.” Nala was shocked. Kiara squealed.

“Really auntie Indie?!” Kiara almost yelled. Indigo laughed and gave a nod. Nala was still confused.

“But how? With who?” she wondered. Indigo let out a breath. This was it, this was the moment of truth. She told them everything, about how she had found a rogue and how they quickly developed a friendship, and how that turned to something else. But she left out the fact that Kiara and Kovu met him, and she could see out of the corner of her eye Kiara giving her a thankful smile. When she was done, she expected everyone, especially Simba, to be angry with her. But they weren't. In fact, Nala was even smiling.

“Oh my gosh Indie, that's amazing.” Nala said, hugging her. Simba nodded.

“It really is. Do you want me to have Zazu fly down and inform him of your pregnancy?” Simba asked. Indigo thought about it, but she shook her head no. Silas had his own kingdom to worry about, she would let him know after the birth. 

As the season came to an end, it started to become warmer. Indigo was preparing for the birth of her cub, which was due any day now. But she noticed something strange – she could no longer feel the movements inside of her. She figured she just got used to them, but as the days went on, she began to feel panic setting in. Simba requested Rafiki to come, he brought along his apprentice, Busara, as Rafiki was in his last few weeks of life.

He asked Indigo to lay down on her back, and he placed an ear to her womb. He shook his head.

“Busara, come here.” Rafiki said, and ordered him to do the same. “Can you hear anything?” Busara shook his head no. Rafiki's face saddened.

“I am sorry Indigo. Your cub has died.” Indigo was stunned. Her eyes grew wide.

“What?” she asked. She couldn't believe it.

“Don't worry, it wasn't your fault. It happens often with first time mothers.” Rafiki explained. But at that point, Indigo was heavily sobbing. Nala leaned over on Simba, Kiara and Kovu were silently weeping in the corner. Rafiki looked over at Busara.

“Busara, please get me some medicine. I am sorry Indigo, we're going to have to induce labour. It isn't healthy to be carrying the cub anymore.” Indigo could barely nod, Busara quickly left and came back with some bitter herbs which Rafiki instructed Indigo to eat. Almost an hour later – the longest hour of Indigo's life – she felt the need to push. It happened quickly, and Rafiki let Indigo nuzzle her lifeless cub.

“What's the gender?” she whispered. 

“A boy.” Rafiki said. Indigo smiled, and licked the top of his head.

“My boy. My Jasper.” she said. Rafiki let Indigo hold him for a few moments, and then took him back. Simba approached her, leaning down.

“We'll hold a proper burial for him later on...when you're feeling better.” Indigo rolled over to her side. She didn't feel like moving at all. Simba told everyone to leave, and Indigo stayed in Pride Rock crying. The only time she left was for the burial. The whole pride was there, everyone said they were sorry, but all Indigo wanted to do was to run away. Afterwards, she went back to Pride Rock, and she stayed there for a whole week, only coming out to drink. Nala would come and bring her food and talk to her, but that barely helped. All she wanted was Silas. He would know what to do.

One afternoon, as Indigo was laying by the cave entrance, Simba came up, smiling at her.

“Indie?” he said. She looked up, he was awfully cheery. “Zazu just informed me that we are to have a special visitor. Would you come with me?” Indigo didn't see why, Simba usually dealt with these things on his own. But she dragged herself up anyways and trailed behind him, they walked for a while in silence, until Simba said that they should stop.

“They'll be here in a moment.” he said, and backed away. Indigo looked back, confused. She turned around, when she saw a figure in the distance approach. She tried to focus, but it was too bright out. It wasn't until the figure was half way that she could make out who it was. Indigo's ears went back in excitement, and she yelled out, running over to him.

“Silas!” she shouted. Silas was running to her as well, at first it seemed as though the two were going to collide, but they stopped in time and nuzzled, both purring loudly. Simba couldn't help but smile.

“Oh Indigo. It's good to see you.” Silas said. Indigo laughed between her tears of happiness.

“It's good to see you too. But...how...why?” she couldn't find the right words to say.

“Simba sent Zazu to me with a message. Don't worry, he explained everything.” he told her as she started to speak. “Oh Indie...I'm sorry. I would have been here for you if I could.” Indigo nodded. She knew he would, she gave him a kiss. She looked back at Simba, and now standing next to him was Kiara, Kovu, and Nala. Indigo grinned widely. She turned back to Silas, who stepped back a bit.

“Indigo...I must ask...would you come back with me? And be my queen?” Indigo looked back at Nala, who gave her a playful wink. Indigo grinned widely and nodded, over and over again at Silas.

“Oh yes Silas! I'd love that!” she said excitedly, and gave him a kiss. She turned back to her family, who were all smiling at her. First, she said goodbye to Kovu, who wished her luck. Then she said goodbye to Nala.

“Bye sis, I know you'll be the perfect queen.” Nala whispered.

“Not as good as you.” Indigo replied. Nala giggled, and playfully hit her sister. Then, Indigo turned to Simba.

“Goodbye Simba. Thank you for everything.” Indigo said. Simba shook his head and gave Indigo a hug.

“No Indie. Thank you. You'll always be welcome in the PrideLands, and you'll always be a part of our pride.” Indigo grinned up at Simba, tears forming in her eyes. Finally, she went over to Kiara, who was sniffling a bit.
“Oh auntie Indie...I'm going to miss you.” Indigo ruffled the top of Kiara's head.

“Hey, don't worry Kiki, I'll always be here, with you. Just remember, you're a strong, intelligent lioness. And don't let anyone boss you around.” Indigo whispered the last part, giving a wink. Kiara laughed, and Indigo backed away, giving one last look to the four lions that had shaped her life, that made Indigo who she was. She gave them a smile, and walked back towards Silas, who was waiting patiently for her.

“Ready to go?” he asked. Indigo gave a deep breath and nodded.

“Ready.” she said. And the two walked, side by side, for two days and two nights, until they made it to the AridLands. 

Indigo and Silas ruled together, and although at times it was hard, Indigo enjoyed every moment. Simba even came on excursions to the AridLands, helping Silas return his lands to a fertile and prosperous kingdom. Indigo helped gather lionesses, and even two lions, from around the near lands, who were willing to join her pride. And for years later, the AridLands and the PrideLands were strong allies, always protecting each other.

Indigo and Silas had no more cubs together, but they adopted a small cub, a girl named Ella, who had wandered into the AridLands one day to find sanctuary. They had raised her as their own, and did everything for her.

Indigo lived the rest of her life as queen, and one night, as the stars were brightly shining, Indigo passed away in her sleep. She was peaceful, and had Silas and Ella by her side. She had done what her heart wanted to do all of her life, she changed others' lives, she had changed her own. She proved to everyone, and to herself, that she was different than what she was initially brought up to be. But in a way, she had always known that. 

Stories that were passed say that she joined the other great rulers of the past in the stars, and that everyone had a little Indigo in them.

THE END