You find Pablo by the waterfall, the golden light of sunset tracing the outline of his mane. For a moment, it feels like you’re both cubs again, chasing each other through the tall grass, before the weight of everything returns. “I can’t believe it’s really you,” you whisper, your voice trembling between relief and anger. “Everyone thought you were gone.” Pablo turns away, eyes shadowed. “Maybe I should’ve stayed gone. I don’t deserve to go back.” You step closer, your gaze fierce but kind. “You can’t run from who you are, Pablo. The Pride Lands need their king — and so do I.”

He looks at you then, truly looks, as if seeing the past and future all at once. The wind shifts, carrying the faint scent of home, and something inside him begins to stir — courage, love, destiny. “I can’t go back, the pride won’t trust me” he spoke stubbornly. You brush your head against his, your voice soft but steady. “This is what you were born for! How can you run away from your responsibility, your family!”