Author's Note: All right my friends I present to you a new story. In summary this story takes place one year after the events of TLK 2. This story does not revolve around the canon characters but don't worry they will appear every now and then. To let you know, this story will be dark in many places but it is to be expected in order for things to expand.

All characters in this story are mine and are not to be used without my permission.

I hope you enjoy this!

Prologue: A New Order

Nafsi looked out across the Eastlands. Once a Prince, now a King, the young brown lion stood on the high peak of his home, inhaling the soft cool air. His mind was full of thoughts; mainly of how he would change the way things were run. His cool green eyes stared at everything from the grass to the flowing river streams, even to the farther and tallest trees.

Minutes after the death of his father word spread throughout the kingdom, that Prince Nafsi was now King. Before stepping into his new duties, Nafsi was kind enough to give the animals and the pride time to mourn. King Jabari was buried in a special place reserved for all past Eastland rulers and in that place, his body became the grass. Nafsi's mother, the newly retired Queen, Neema, was still alive and for that Nafsi was somewhat grateful. In a way he wished his mother had passed away with his father so they could be together in the afterlife.

"Is there really an afterlife?" he questioned mindfully, turning his head up to the sky. "Father are you with our ancestors?" He continued wondering.

The lionesses rested beside the royal cave, the kills having been caught. They looked to the old Queen, wanting to question but the retired monarchess turned with gentle eyes that said, "My son is King, see what he says"

A few minutes passed and Nafsi turned to face his pride. His eyes looked beyond them and to the entrance of the royal cave, his royal cave. He turned to the right, looking over the stone and into the grass plains where he saw four other lions wandering and talking. They too were members of the pride. They were guardians, protectors of the lands and the royal family. Guards served the Eastlands since Nafsi's great-great grandfather founded the lands with only a small pride. Now that pride near tripled in size.

Nafsi stepped forward to the kills, gently ripping a piece of antelope flesh. He prepared to go in his cave when light blue bird swooped down. At this Nafsi stopped, setting the meat down.

"Sire, the messengers have been sent to the four kingdoms has you requested," she said.

"Thank you Tuza," the lion replied and the royal advisor flew back to her home. When she was gone, Nafsi picked his meat up again. Turning to the lionesses he nodded and went on his way.

Neema smiled at her son. She went towards East Rock's tip and roared, telling the guards to get their share of the evening meal. The lionesses were lining up.

One lioness turned to the royal cave's entrance. She growled and viciously tore a piece of antelope away, droplets of blood spraying all over. She growled again, dangerously towards anyone who would dare bring her disturbance. She went up the ramp that rested beside the royal cave and went to the pridal caves.

The pride members exchanged glances wondering what was wrong. Neema only looked down. She was no longer Queen but that didn't stop her from worrying and wanting to help. She shook her thoughts but in the back of her mind, she wondered how her daughter-in-law was fairing.

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The cave was dark but Nafsi knew who he was looking for. A lioness lay in the center of the cave. He padded over dropping the meat in front of her.

"How are you feeling Nuru?" he asked in a warm voice.

"I'm alright," his mate said with a yawn. "And so is he." She turned her head to the tiny cub that lay at her side, sleeping peacefully.

Nafsi looked down at his son with a fond smile. Watching as the little cub snuggled up to his mother's side for more warmth, his smile grew. Whatever problems surfaced they would have to wait. The King of the Eastlands was going to spend this peaceful moment with his family.

"I love you Nuru," Nafsi said purring, gently licking her cheek.

"I love you too," Nuru replied, nuzzling his mane. She started to eat her meal but split it in two, sharing it with her husband.

Nafsi smiled back and started eating. As he chewed the meat, he looked down at his son. "Wouldn't you say he looks like my father?" he asked after swallowing.

"Yes, I would. His coat is a mixture of yours and mine. His eyes…"

"Are green. The line of royals, King and Queen alike."

"They fit him," Nuru said with a smile.

Nafsi nodded. "He needs a name."

"I've been thinking about that. How does the name 'Seth' sound?" Nuru asked.

"Seth? Prince Seth? King Seth?" Nafsi considered this and nodded. "Yes, Seth is perfect."

The royal couple looked down at their son. Nuru stared down with love while Nafsi stared with plans for the future.

"My father may be gone, but you came in his place," Nafsi said in a whisper. "I love you my son." He gently nuzzled the cub and resumed eating.

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Outside, lying on the many rock ledges away from the peak and the royal cave, the lionesses talked, mainly about the events of the last three days. Much happened. Their King was gone and his son was the new leader. To make the day of loosing Jabari somewhat better to deal with was the fact that the new King's mate, their new Queen, gave birth. Questions flowed through their minds that day. Nafsi wasn't like his father, at least not when he was around them. So what of his son, their, new Prince? Would he be like his father or would he have the peacefulness of his ancestors?

"Only time will tell," their thoughts said.

Neema had her own spot. The past few days had been hard but she got through it. As much as she missed her mate, she knew she'd be okay. Nafsi was doing her proud… so far. Neema turned her head up to the skies. Jabari… She looked up at the stone peak. Just three days ago her mate died and her son had been crowned. That day had been sorrowful for all and joyful for her on her son's behalf. Nafsi had stood on the peak with pride in his eyes. At his side was Nuru, heavily pregnant. The two had been declared mates while Jabari was still alive. Jabari was proud and happy for his son.

"…He and Nuru will live a long, happy life," Jabari purred to his mate.

"Yes they will," Neema replied. "They're as young as we were, remember." She smiled. "It doesn't seem long."

Jabari looked at her. "No it doesn't. Time as a way of moving and one day they'll be up here looking on their son or daughter watching them take mates of their own."

Neema nudged him. "Don't think about that, that means we'll be old when it happens!"

"You'll never be old to me," he said nuzzling her. Neema snuggled up to him, her head resting against his black mane.

A tear came to Neema's eye. She really missed Jabari. They had shared their whole lives together and now he was gone. "I'm glad you went peacefully my love," she whispered to the skies. Her ears flickered and Neema turned her head. As hard as she tried, the lionesses' conversations regarding her son was heard.

Neema sighed again. All his life Nafsi had behavior issues. When around his parents he was good, but around the pride and the other cubs, he was different. He would be kind on one side and disobedient, rude and cruel on the other. Jabari and Neema assured themselves that Nafsi would grow out of it but he didn't. As time passed the problems became steadily worse. There was no explanation. Even the shaman, a leopardess, named Nabihi, couldn't figure it out.

The one thing Jabari had prayed about for years, up to his last breath, was that Nafsi would make him proud, not as a lion but as a King. Now only time would tell until the old King's hope and dream for his son to become a good King was shattered…

In the grasses, the other lions were lying in a circle, eating their share.

One lion named Rubani looked up at his friends then looked down at the grass. A slight breeze blew around his golden coat. "I hope Nafsi fulfills his father's wish," he said to himself.

Rubani was a knight of the Eastlands like his own late father. He was born there and grew up with Nafsi, knowing everything from strengths, weaknesses, faults, trials, failures and love interests. He tried to help the Prince through any problem but as time flew by, Rubani knew that the only one who could help Nafsi was Nafsi himself. At one point, Rubani had a crush on Nuru but never acted on it. He was envious of Nafsi and Nuru's happiness but knew that jealousy could have dangerous consequences.

"I won't let the Eastlands suffer the same problems the Pridelands had," he told himself. "I would never kill Nafsi and if Nuru's happy, I have no right to endanger that." Rubani let out a low growl, clawing at his meat, allowing his golden mane to fall in his face.

Another lion with brown fur, tan muzzle, underbelly, paws and a dark red mane, looked up from his meal. He noticed the pain in his companion's face and gently nudged him. "Rubani, you okay?"

Rubani sighed. "I'm okay Danso."

"I know you're worried about Nafsi and I know he's your friend. You and Ronan are closer to him. When we were all young we tried to avoid him. That's impossible now. He's King." Danso placed a paw on his friend's shoulder.

Sitting across from Danso, Marko gulped down a piece of his share. "I have an idea," he began. "Since we're knights and guardians, the animals know that we would never harm them except for hunting…" He paused and at this moment all eyes were on him.

"Yeah, so?" Ronan questioned curiously, his brown fur shining in the sun's now sinking light. Like Rubani, he too grew up in the Eastlands. His parents were rogues and when they died unexpectedly, Ronan, only a cub at that time, was left to fend for himself. It was the late King, Jabari, who found him while patrolling the area. He took him in, asking a lioness from the Pride to raise him, which she gladly did. Ronan loved her like a mother. He considered himself thankful. The spirits gave him a chance.

Marko continued. "Well whenever Nafsi goes out to talk with the animals, one of us can follow him to make sure things go okay." He paused again and lowered his voice. "I don't know him that well as any of you, but I don't trust him. There's something off."

The friends stared at one another with slight shivering glances. "It's best we don't tell you his problems Marko. For some of us and the pride members, it's… It hits close to home," Rubani said sadly.

The light tan lion nodded his head, his dark tanned mane falling gently at the sides of his head. Silence loomed for a few minutes, each lion having their own personal thoughts as to the future of not only themselves, but the pride and the lands.

"You think Jabari ever knew?" Danso suddenly asked. Rubani shrugged, Ronan refused to meet his friend's gaze. Marko stayed silent and Danso mentally smacked himself for even asking.

After a while, Ronan felt himself grow tired. He looked up at the sky. The sun had completely sank and dusk was near. He rose to his feet. "Well my friends, it's time I left. Sandra will be wondering where I am. She ate earlier but it'd be rude of me not to bring something home." At his paws, he saw a good-sized piece. With a nod from his friends, Ronan took the piece in his mouth, bowed his head in a 'goodnight' gesture and walked past Marko going to the caves where his mate and son waited.

Two hours passed and the lionesses, once disposing of the bones and putting leftovers in their respective places, turned to their caves. The knights did the same but three slept outside the three main areas just to be safe. Danso slept on a high ramp that led to the pridal caves. Rubani was positioned beside the royal cave and Marko lay down in the grass beside the steps.

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When night settled in, the animals of the land except for those who roamed at night, slept peacefully so did the Eastlands lion pride. Everyone that is, except their King.

In the royal cave, Nafsi twitched in his sleep. Luckily Nuru was in a deeper sleep and was unaware of her mate's soft cries and mutterings. Little Seth was curled up in his mother's embrace, dead to the world.

"You must break the contact," said a voice in Nafsi's head.

Nafsi growled softly. "No, I won't. The Eastlands have been friends with them since it's founding," he thought.

The voice continued. "Yes, but you don't know that they could come around, that they could destroy you and the kingdom. They are a threat. Instead of war, break all contact. After all you don't want any blood shed… do you?" The voice paused, waiting for a response. It came with a snarl.

"No!"

"Good. By tomorrow, the Kings will be here and you will break the traditions." With that being said, the voice was silent and gone.

Nafsi breathed a soft and relieved sigh. He woke. He lifted his head slightly up off the ground, looking around his cave and his eyes adjusted to the darkness. He heard the soft breathing of his wife sleeping peacefully beside him with their son at her side.

"Thank you spirits for that," he said to himself. Nafsi shook his head; his mane was soaked with sweat, a cold sweat. He licked his lips. He wanted to go down to the waterhole, but his paws were almost numb. "I'll get my drink when the sun rises," he said mindfully.

Tiredness came quickly and Nafsi fell back asleep. In the back of his mind, he knew that the Kings of the neighboring lands would not be happy with his decision.

An hour later, Nafsi woke again, his eyes snapping open for no real reason. He shook his head, turning to the right. Nuru was still in slumber as was their son. He smiled and felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. He growled softy and rose gently so as not to wake his mate but it didn't work. She was stirring.

"I didn't meant to do that," he thought.

"Nafsi," Nuru said in a quiet voice. "Where are you going?" Her eyes were still closed.

Nafsi turned. "Outside, I need some air. I shouldn't be gone long."

"Okay."

Nafsi walked over, and kissed her forehead, nuzzling her gently. Turning back, he walked out of the den.

Outside the night was cool and calm. Up ahead, directly in front of his view was the stone peak, the peak on which he roared his sorrow for his father's death and where he roared the start of his Kingship.

Nafsi sighed and turned to the right. Near the royal cave, Rubani was sleeping peacefully. Nafsi's eyes looked from his friend and up to the ramp that led to the many caves in which his Pride slept. Lying on a ledge was Danso. Nafsi smiled. The red maned lion didn't like sleeping in the caves; he always said they were too crowded. The King now looked to the grasslands and prepared to go down the steps. Before going further, a voice sounded from behind.

"I'll keep watch over Nuru and Seth." Nafsi turned again. Rubani was watching and vowing to keep his promise he stepped into the royal cave, lying at the entrance.

Another smile made it's way to the King's mouth. "Thank you Rubani." With that being said, Nafsi made his way down the stairs. At the last step, another lion lay sleeping. It was Marko.

Nafsi walked past him, going at a fast pace in the grass and he started to make his way to the waterhole. The stars were out, as was the moon; it's light shining down on him. "Thanks for the light Father," he said softly.

Walking for about five minutes, the King's paws led him to one of the smaller waterholes on the northwestern side of the lands. Nafsi laid down at the edge, thinking. His mouth was dry. Craning his neck out, he lapped up the cool water, licking his lips in satisfaction, sighing with relief.

"Now that's good water," he said.

"You're telling me," said a voice.

Nafsi was startled. He looked all around him. No one was there. "Did Marko follow me?" he wondered.

"Hello, look in the water!" the voice said again in utter irritation.

Nafsi did as told and was so shocked that he let out a huge gasp, a gasp of surprise. His reflection was speaking even when he himself wasn't. "I'm must dreaming this," he said mindfully. "I should go back to the cave and sleep. Yeah, yeah, sleep. That's what I need. Sleep."

"You're not going anywhere," the reflection said in a snap. "Now, look up!"

Nafsi's forehead felt increasingly heavy. He put a paw to it. It was burning up and he felt feverish. He wasn't sure whether to follow the voice's directions or not. He sighed, becoming fearful of this. Very slowly Nafsi lifted his head to face the front of the waterhole's opposite side and in complete shock his eyes widened in fear.

On the opposite side, there was a shadow of a lion lying in the same position as he and in the same angle. He was confused. Questions and crazed suggestions began to run through Nafsi's mind.

No one followed him. Your reflection in the water couldn't talk.

No, this was a dream of some kind. It had to be, right?

"No, this isn't real!" his heart screamed. While his heart said this, his mind was unconvinced.

Nafsi needed proof. He was alone so no one could see any of this anyway. His tail tapped in the grass. He looked up at the shadow and his tail tapped in the grass again. The lion's did the same. Nafsi looked to the right and to the left. The lion followed, mirroring everything Nafsi did.

Nafsi was curious, worried and fearful at the same time. Staring harder, he recognized the lion's face through the darkness. The moon's light shined down on both of them. Shock showed on the King's face, satisfaction was on the lion's.

They were the same lion. They had the same build, the same eye color, mane color, and facial features.

"Who are you?" Nafsi demanded in a snarl as he leapt to his feet, preparing for a fight. To only half to his surprise, the lion leapt up to, snarling.

"Why your majesty haven't you figured it out! I'm you! I'm a part of you!" he replied simply, his eyes giving off the same dangerous stare as Nafsi's.

"No! You can't be!" Nafsi yelled.

The lion chuckled evilly. "Oh but I am! I know everything there is to know about you. Even the events of the past." He walked around the waterhole until he was face to face with the King, who trembled in fear. "All your life, you've been called different. Your parents weren't even sure if there was something wrong with you! Not even that pathetic excuse for a shaman could figure it out." The lion shook his head disdainfully. "The lionesses talked about you behind yours and your parents' backs! Even now they still do!" The lion was now circling him and Nafsi watched every move. His mind was in a twirl.

"They have a right to talk," Nafsi said trying to keep calm. His legs were shaking, he hoped that whatever this thing, him, was, didn't notice.

"Yes but not about you! You are the KING! Take control of them!" the lion demanded.

Nafsi shook his head. "No!"

"If you don't, they will kill you! And the knights will help them!"

"The knights are their own lions. They stay here because they wish to. I will not drive them out! One has a family! They stay!" Nafsi was breathing heavily, his heart pounded in his chest.

The lion rolled his eyes. He walked a few steps away. Suddenly, he turned around and swatted his paw at Nafsi, though no contact between his paw and the King's face was made. Taken aback at this Nafsi stumbled and fell into the water on his back. The water was very cold and Nafsi shivered. The lion scoffed in disgust and annoyance.

"Get up!" he said with a growl.

"How can you be me?" Nafsi asked, climbing out of the water. "I would never hurt anybody!"

"Like I said, I'm a part of you. Everyone has an inner self, the self that just waits for the perfect moment to take control."

"Why me? I don't understand. Why me?" Nafsi was practically begging for an answer to that question.

"Stupid question! These things do happen and they happen for a reason. You're not the only one."

"No one can hear you or see you right?"

"That's right. Just you. No one else."

Nafsi bit his lip before asking another question. "How many others have this?" He paused, searching for a word.

"Problem? Dream? Hallucination? Or gift?"

"You call this a gift? You want me to break the Eastlands companionship with its neighbors?"

"Yes. Do it, before it's too late, before they decide to wage war…"

"They wouldn't!"

"You don't know that."

Nafsi looked on the lion with narrowed eyes. "And if I don't. What are the consequences? You can't make me do something I don't wanna do and this is something I don't want to do!"

The lion smirked. "I'd rather keep that a secret. Remember you and I are linked."

Nafsi shivered again, but not from the water that was still in his coat and mane. It was from yet a question he was afraid to ask. He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Why did you wait so long to appear before me?"

The lion laughed. "That's easy! I wanted you to have a 'good' cubhood." He paused and chuckled. "Of course did you even have that? Other than being a good boy, a good Prince for your parents? Whenever you weren't around them, you were the way I wanted you to be: rude, cruel and cold, especially to the lionesses. Your friends, well, that was needed in some ways. It paid off though didn't it? You have Nuru now, Rubani doesn't. Nuru is your mate, your Queen and the mother of your son. 'Seth'? Good name! Strong and worthy of the title 'King' "

"Leave them out of this!" Nafsi said in a hiss, his blood boiling.

"Don't worry, I will unless your wife should get suspicious…"

"How? You wouldn't show yourself, you're in my head remember?" Nafsi smiled at that.

"Don't get cocky! Just because I'm a part of you, that can't stop me from tearing you apart! Which in affect could kill us both."

"Wow, good to know!" Nafsi said in sarcasm.

"You're good at that," the lion said with an evil smile.

"Shut up! Leave me alone!" Nafsi turned away but out of the corner of his eye, the lion moved up beside him with the same smirk that was so full of evil that Nafsi cringed.

"I'll leave you for now. Remember, I'm you."

Nafsi turned his face away, looking down at the grass beside his left paw. When he turned to look back, the lion was gone like he had appeared, silently and out of thin air. Nafsi lowered his head, looking down into his reflection. In the reflection winked and disappeared leaving only Nafsi's still shocked face in the water.

"I have to get home," Nafsi said tiredly. He tried to move but found it very difficult. His face hurt. The lion didn't even strike him so why did he feel as though he had been struck? Falling into the water didn't help. He only fell in due to shock. Now… he was terrified.

An alter self?

Was that even possible?

"It must be," he said softly. "Otherwise… Was I hallucinating? Did I just have a conversation with myself? Did I imagine myself, my evil self on the other side? Those words? Can I really be that cruel?"

Again, Nafsi shook his head. He bent down to take a long drink from the waterhole and head for home. The water, tasted good yet foul. With water droplets from his chin and whiskers, he turned to go to the caves. He barely made it one step when the wave of dizziness came. Without warning, he fell to the ground on his left side, his face facing the waterhole. He struggled to get up but couldn't. His head pounded, painfully.

Nafsi put his paws over his head, trying to block the pain. Weariness and the words his 'other self' had said echoed in his mind.

Within a few moments, almost like seconds, Nafsi passed out by the water's side. Before closing his eyes, there was one thing he saw and one thing he felt: he saw swirling colors and he felt pain throughout his body. He whimpered in suffering, his head burning.

At long last, Nafsi fully lost all conscious.

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Next time: A meeting of leaders changes everything and as time passes, a new Prince begins his first steps into the world he lives in…

Translations: Nafsi means 'personality', Neema means 'grace', Tuza 'observe', Nuru 'brightness', Jabari 'brave', Rubani 'leader',