I have read most of the Kopa centered stories on here and finally got inspired to write my own. I am a student so bear with me as updates will depend on my school schedule. Please review and enjoy. I am very open to ideas so feel free to float them my way, I will try and incorporate them. I want to thank every author who has written a Kopa based story for the inspiration.
2016 update: finished reworking chapters 1, 2 & 3. Chapter 4 is almost done
King Kopa, now that has a nice ring to it, thought the lion. Staring out into the distance, he could only imagine what lay beyond the cave and the elephant graveyard. Suddenly, the blue sky changed to a burnt brown, and the eerie light of dusk fell. A terrible pain shot through his right flank, then his neck. Then everything was black - until he woke up with such a start that he woke his little sister Maisha too.
"Hey, watch it!" the pale yellow cub exclaimed. Still very small, only knee high to Kopa, she had been thrown from her spot next to him across the cold cave floor.
"Sorry," mumbled Kopa as he started to become more aware. It was early morning, the sun just peaking up over the mountains in the distance.
Even though she had just woken up, Maisha was very quick to pick up on what had happened. She crawled back next to Kopa near the entrance of the cave. "Did you have another one?" She asked, her eyes full of concern.
It hadn't been that long ago that Kopa had told her that he had been having the same nightmare night after night, though he didn't tell her what they were about. He wasn't sure if she was old enough to hear the rest. However that didn't matter to Maisha. She still tried to comfort him as much as a young cub could. He was just glad he could tell someone. He could tell that she knew that it bothered him deep down, and she longed to help.
"What exactly are your dreams about?" Asked the inquisitive cub. She was trying to help to the best of her ability.
"They're about something…" Kopa took a deep breathe before he continued "that happened when I was a cub. At least I think they are." Kopa sighed. He didn't remember much of his younger years, and he didn't feel like telling her what he did remember. Kopa could tell that she hated to see him in pain and it would sadden her when she found out how much pain the dreams put him through. He decided to lie so she didn't have to carry the burden that he was: "Whatever they are about has already happened. They are in the past, and we are in the present. I love you and because I love you I don't want you worrying about me." He gave a warm grin, and lifted one paw above Maisha's head and wiggled his claws, enticing her to jump and grab it.
When the young cub had had enough with the game, she stretched and walked towards the entrance of the den. The sun had come up farther and when she exited to the outside it blinded her for a moment, disorienting her for a few seconds.
"Hey! You there"
The voice came from behind, and Maisha growled a warning. "You should be more careful about sneaking up on a lion."
"I think I can handle a puffball like you," the voice gently ribbed. "Besides, how dare you threaten the one bird who's told you so many stories…"
Now Maisha recognized the voice, and her growl dissolved into joy. "Habari!"
Sure enough, she turned around to find Habari the hornbill.
"How do you do?" Habari asked.
"Very good!" responded Maisha. "Do you have any more stories? Last time you came you promised that you would tell me something about a grand pride."
"Ah, I have so many I haven't decided on one yet! I'll think of it, after I deliver some news to your father. Where is he? "
"He's still sleeping." Spoke Kopa as he emerged from the cave, grinning. "Can I take a message for him? I know you have such a very busy schedule to keep."
"Oh my, how big you've gotten! It was only yesterday you were about the size of my wing... Well maybe a bit bigger than that," said Habari with a big smile.
Kopa supplied her with a hug. "So, what is the news? I can get it to-"
"I feel this is news that your father will want to hear directly from me," interrupted Habari. "Would you mind waking him for me? I'd do it myself, but I'm sure the reaction will not be pretty, especially if the first thing he sees is a bird. I'll take your sister to the river in the meanwhile and start that story she wants." She glancing at Maisha as she finished her sentence. She could see the face of an excited cub.
"I can try." Replied Kopa. "You two have fun." With that he turned back towards the cave to rouse his father.
"Dad! Dad, Habari wants to talk to you." Called Kopa as he worked his way back to of the cave.
His father muttered something incomprehensible and rolled over.
Kopa smiled to himself. That was typical Mheetu. "While you work on waking up I'll go and get some food."
After having walked back out into the sunlight Kopa took a deep breath in. When Habari had mentioned him as a cub he couldn't help but let his mind wander back to his dream, and of the memories that eluded him. He tried to remember back as far as Habari had mentioned, but his youth remained shrouded in obscurity. The earliest Kopa could recall was his father tending to his wounds after...something. He probably only remembered that thanks to four long scars across his right flank.
Kopa didn't want to think about this unpleasantness anymore, and he decided to leave for the meal he promised to Mheetu. He just needed to get his mind off of this matter. He shook his head to try to clear his thought. Once his ruffled mane settled he ran off into the grass.
The wind rustled through the grass, as Kopa crept up on a grazing herd of zebras. Most of the zebras were fully grown, but there were a few that were still young, not yet fully aware of the dangers of savanna. The adults surrounded them, keeping the naive foals away from predators - while young zebras would easily fall to predators, the adults were not to be trifled with. Luckily Kopa, being the size of a young adult lion, was confident he was up to the challenge.
As he lay in wait for the perfect time to strike, he took note of every zebra in his line of sight, watching their movements, looking for an opening. Finally, a male strayed just a little too far from the herd, and Kopa saw his chance. With a deafening roar he took off, gripping the ground with his claws for traction. The rest of the herd scattered away from him, leaving the lone zebra behind. By the time the straggler realized how far he was from the herd, it was too late. Kopa took a giant leap onto the rear of the zebra, dragging it down to the ground. He worked his way up to the neck. Once his jaws found their target he bit down, crushing the windpipe, and it only took less than a minute for the zebra's life to completely fade away. After looking down at his meal he started the task of dragging it home, taking little note of the faint plumes of distant smoke.
A few hours later he approached the den and could hear a conversation between Habari and his father, Mheetu. He couldn't quite determine what they were talking about, and his curiosity got to him; he tried to move as quietly as he could, in order to listen in without being seen. This plan was foiled when Maisha jumped onto his back from behind, startling a growl out of him. He could understand she was excited about the meal but she had also alerted the two adults to his presence.
"How long have you been there?" demanded Mheetu. He was a large tawny lion with a deep brown mane, who at the moment he seemed rather cross.
"Not long at all," sighed Kopa, glaring at his sister.
Mheetu opened his mouth, probably to question Kopa further, but his attention was drawn to what the lion had behind him. "Well, at least you brought breakfast."
As Mheetu decided to start eating, Habari made her final remarks. "Today was her first hunt, I can't wait to get back to find out how it went. I'll keep you updated on the happenings. I'll try to make it back before the next rainy season."
"Thanks Habari. Don't forget to update the mandrill." Said Mheetu between bites of food.
"How could I forget." Replied Habari Turning her attention towards Kopa and Maisha. Interrupting the young cubs game of trying to pin down the her brother tail, Habari said, "I'm afraid I must say goodbye. Maisha, I hope you enjoyed my story and next time I see you I hope you will have grown into a lovely young cub. Kopa, stay out of trouble." She smirked. "Good luck to you." She nodded to Mheetu, and then was off to her next stop in some far away land.
Once Mheetu had eaten his fill he was bombarded with questions from Kopa. "Who was 'her' referring to? What's a mandrill? Why did she only tell you? How-"
"In time, you'll see." Mheetu cut him off firm but gentle voice, and paused before he continued. "I hear that the cheetah twins want to play today, why don't you two go find them and have some fun?" Playing with cubs was fun, but he was still much older than them. Kopa would have protested but Mheetu gave him no chance. "I know you'll make the best of it. I have some things to take care of. Kopa, watch your sister and be back no later than nightfall."
He gestured them out of the cave. Kopa realized he had no choice but to accept that he was going to spend his whole day with younger cubs, his least favorite way to spend a day.
Maisha, at least, was feeling excited, and her energy cheered Kopa up. As they were walking she told Kopa all about the story that Habari had told. "Kopa, you should have heard all about this one pride of lions that Habari visits. She told me that there was once a huge power struggle between an uncle, his brother, and his nephew. The uncle let the lands surrounding the pride become barren but the nephew finally returned to put an end to the rule and returned the land to a beautiful paradise again! The story took place in an area known as the Pride Lands, the same place dad grew up."
Though her thoughts were not completely collected, he still became intrigued by this place. A real pride of lions was something that neither of them had ever seen before - their own small family remained pretty isolated. One part in particular rooted in his mind: "Dad grew up there." How he had not known this was a mystery. He found it quite interesting that dad had neglected to tell him this before. He would have to ask him why.