Hello, wonderful readers. I came up with this idea while coming cross some KovuxNala art. Royal Descend is on going, just wanted to get this out.

Disclaimer: Some of words used is lyrics from the Hamilton musical as well as the actual lyrics used. Just worded and written differently.

Now onto the story, enjoy.

Prologue: Happiness Falls Apart

The bright golden sun had started to rise over the horizon. As a morning breeze went through the kingdom. Animals big and small lifted their heads in alert before heading towards priderock. Different types of birds flew over the traveling animals. Standing on the peak was Simba and Nala. They nuzzled lovingly before stepping aside as Rafiki walked up and held a yellow cub for the kingdom to see.

The pride roared as the animals cheered. When the sun shined down on the Sharman and the cub the pride and kingdom bowed. After giving the cub his ceremonial mark, Rafiki gave Nala the cub and took his leave. Simba nuzzled his cub and mate before walking in the cave with Nala.

A Few Months Later

The sun had once again started to rise over the horizon. Spreading her golden rays across the kingdom. Standing at the peak of priderock was the heir of the Pride Lands, Prince Kopa. The yellow cub smiled at the waking kingdom, his green eyes brightened in the sunlight as his reddish tuff ruffled in the morning breeze. He couldn't believe he was going to be king of all this. With a quick turn Kopa ran into the cave and over to his parents.

"Daaaad! Wake up, we gotta go!"

King Simba blinked his orange eyes open with a yawn. "Go where?"

Kopa was about to respond when his father's majordomo, Zazu flew in, out of breath. "Sire you must come quick! The west and east zebra herds are at it again!"

Simba groaned before standing, "Alright...I will be there. Get Rafiki to come here on your way. The queen's sister-in-law hasn't been feeling well."

Zazu bowed before taking flight. Simba yawned again before heading towards the cave entrance.

"Dad! What about our promise?"

Simba sighed as he rubbed his temples. "Kopa, I'm sorry but I have to handle this. I promise..."

Kopa shook his head with the small growl. "Save it! I don't want to hear any of your false promises!"

The golden lion pinned his ears back. "Kopa! Come back!"

But the upset prince kept running, ignoring his father's calls. The king of the Pridelands was soon joined by his mother and brother-in-law.

"Let Nala handle the herds, so you can spend time with Kopa." Sarabi suggested.

Simba was about to disagree when a loud scream pierced through the air. The males and the dark beige lioness shared a concern look, both thinking the same thing. Kopa!

Sarabi and Simbaraced across the kingdom, while Simba's dark cream brother-in-law went to gather the queen and some lionesses.

Simba and his mother had ran to the gorge on the northern border. To their horror, Zira was there, along with five other lionesses. But the horrified part was that the pale tan lioness was attacking the prince.

"Get away from him, Zira!" Simba roared, which felt like the ground shook.

Zira looked up with a evil smile as blood dripped from her muzzle.

Simba looked down and had to fight back the tears. Closing his eyes before he looked at the bloody body of his once life filled son.

Zira laughed darkly. "You are a pathetic king and even more pathetic father. Couldn't save your boy."

With a quick movement of her paw, Zira sent the yellow cub over the edge of the gorge.

"No!" Simba cried as he ran over to see the river swallow the small cub.

With a snarl Simba pounced on Zira. His orange eyes and body full of rage.

Simba and Zira fought for blood. Simba had pent up anger for the pale tan lioness that fueled his adrenaline. Zira was just upsessesed with avenging her beloved father, Scar. But as the fight went on, Zira's's adrenaline rush was dying out and Simba knew it.

The golden lion latched his sharp teeth on Zira's left ear and tour a notch in it. Zira roared out and pain before being roughly tackled.

Simba was about to give the pale tan lioness a killing strike when a small voice reached his ears.

"Mama!"

Simba looked up to see a small tannish cub looking at him with wide fearful eyes.

"Simba stop!" came Sarabi's anxious voice. "She's pregnant!"

Simba glared before narrowing his eyes. Why should he care she's pregnant? This lioness just killed his son. But he knew that it wasn't right, no matter what happened.

"Simba, kill her!" Simba looked over to the voice to see his peachy cream mate. "She killed our son!"

Simba wanted to kill Zira but he'll do one better. "I hereby exile you and all who are loyal to you and Scar. Take your cubs and get out!"

Zira stood on shaking legs before sneering in hate. "You will regret this day!"

Simba only glared at the pale tan lioness as she grabbed her young cubs and made way out of the Pridelands with a son and lionesses following.

...

"It's all your fault. If you kept your damn promise, our son would be alive!"

That was what Nala said that night after the farewell service for their son. But as much as it hurt to hear, Nala was right.

It was his fault. If he had kept his promise, moved a bit quicker. Kopa would be here now.

It's been exactly four weeks since his son's death. Nala barely wants anything to do with him.

He spend hours alone in the purple blossoms field where Kopa was conceived.

He walks alone in the morning, Nala had used to accompany him.

It's too quiet. He never liked the quiet before. He went to his father's grave, where he'd look mournfully at the sky. And pray. That never used to happen before.

Simba knows that when the pride and the animals saw him walking by himself, talking to himself, they took pity.

The few days after Kopa's death, Nala's sister-in-law, Jiana announced his was expecting.

Kopa would liked that. He was always pestering his Uncle Mheetu about a cousin.

Simba looked back to where things went wrong, to where things started. So caught up in being king, he never made time for his mate and son.

Deep down the golden lion feels he don't deserve Nala. But if she could hear him out. That would be enough.

If he could spare his life. If he could trade Kopa's life for his. Kopa would be standing here right now.

And then Nala would smile, and that would be enough.

He remembers the day Kopa was born. It was after the presentation, when he held his son for the first time. Almost instantly, Kopa began to cry. He began to shush the infant as he cradled his son and sung with a warm voice that promised protection.

"Oh Kopa, when you smile I am undone

My son

Look at my son

Pride is not the word I'm looking for"

Nala had smiled as Kopa began to calm down.

"There is so much more inside me now

Oh Kopa, you outshine the morning sun

My son

When you smile, I fall apart"

At that moment, Kopa gave his father a gummy smile with a coo that melted his parents.

"And I thought I was so smart

My father wasn't around"

"That wasn't by choice..." Nala put in earning a smile and a nod from him.

He turned his eyes back to his son and smiled.

"I swear that

I'll be around for you

I'll do whatever it takes

I'll make a million mistakes

I'll make the world safe and sound for you

I'll bleed and fight for you, I'll make it right for you"

Kopa had giggled and cooed before yawning as his heavy eyes fight to stay open.

Nala purred as she joined in his song.

"If we lay a strong enough foundation

We'll pass it on to you, we'll give the world to you

And you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday

Yeah, you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday"

They looked down and smiled at the sight of their sleeping son.

Now everything had been wiped away. Everything has fallen apart, he wanted to try again but Nala barely could stand looking at him.

When Simba believed everything was lost, that he'll never regain his happiness that Kopa and Nala brought.

He found a light at the end of his dimming tunnel.