He hated that dark lion for every molecule in him, no matter how much his sister was going to tell him otherwise. That it wasn't Kovu's fault for becoming prince of the Pride Lands. That was like comparing a lion to a bug and saying the bug could easily be the winner. Was everybody intact around here, all right? It didn't seem like anyone was thinking right to him. Who wouldn't crown their one and only son, and instead basically adopt the enemy's son? And sure, his sister was part of the reason. But again, it wasn't even a fair comparison, between him and her. Kopa was much more stronger, intellectual… handsome. Not like she would know anything about those qualities. She probably hadn't even laid a paw outside the Pride Lands since the day she was born.

Deep down he knew he shouldn't be thinking this. Kovu had just came up to him merely a few nights ago and had tried to console him. He must have had a kind soul. But even deeper down, he knew for a fact that this Kovu lion didn't deserve the crown at all. It was his possession by birth right. Kopa hadn't been born to kill Simba, king of the Pride Lands. Kopa had been born from Simba, king of the Pride Lands. Anyone still wondering how this makes sense?

Kopa was just… Kopa didn't even know what he was doing. He was still in pure shock. Kiara had tried consoling him, but even his own sister couldn't get through to him. Kovu had tried to confront him, after undoubtedly talking to Simba. Why didn't they just get married already? They spent so much bonding time. Sure, not nearly as much him and Simba, but still a noticeable amount. Kopa was his son, not Kovu.

He was laying down, looking up the sun, squinting for the life of him. It was a horribly stupid idea to try and look directly at the sun, but who even cared at this point? He wasn't going to be king. Eyes were for kings, not Kopa.

How bizarre was he sounding? He shouldn't have functioning eyes, just because some washed up king told him that he shouldn't be king? The old Kopa would've overthrown Simba, killed Kovu, and become the true king, like he was meant to be. But… it was different this time. Kovu was now technically family, and he meant technically to the fullest degree. There was no way that dark and insufficient lion would ever become a brother to him. It was different this time mostly because the king he wanted to take over, was his father. King Simba.

Kopa heard something in the distance. It was the snap of a twig, and a heavy one at that.

Kopa had been through everything, actually. He had witnessed the entire massacre of a pride, just for the bettering of the land. He had seen lions kill one another over scraps, and lions being trampled by elephants. The least he could have picked up from all these lessons was the ability of knowing whether or not a lion was about to approach. This was one of those times.

He slowly got up and turned around. There was a lion standing basically in front of him, no more than five yards away. He was black, just like Kovu. And familiar…

It was the lion who had been mistaken for trying to kill his friend, actually.

Kopa sighed with relief, not seeing any danger. Vitani herself had even told him that Kitambi was no threat to anybody, that what Kopa had seen that day was the beginning of a mating process. He bought it readily, not wanting to believe that his best friend in the Pride Lands right now was mortal in any way. He had confided in her so much lately, especially this morning, when he was in his worst state. She was always first to lend an ear, and the first to offer advice. They had caught up just like old times. It was the only thing keeping Kopa sane at this point.

"Hey, Kopa."

It was very nonchalant, considering what he had been accused of not very long ago. Things should've been a little more… awkward?

"Hello…" Kopa pretended to forget Kitambi's name, in any case that it would strike up some conversation. Even Kopa had to admit he was bad at the whole making conversation nonsense. He was the type to get to the point and get information out of a lion, and then leaving. He had bonded with a few lionesses here and there, sure, but even then it was awkward for him. He was more of one to show what he could do, not just talk about it.

"Kitambi. I think you remember me." He laughed, walking closer.

"Oh, from the other day!" Kopa must have sounded stupid.

"Yeah. Sorry about the wrong idea. I just ran so fast because I didn't want anything to happen. Just wanted you to calm down."

Kopa looked at Kitambi's chest for a moment, observing the fact that the hole was still there, from where he had stuck his nails in. He felt guilty for a moment. "Yeah, sorry about the whole me pinning you down stuff."

He looked at Kopa for a second, then looked down to his chest, as if in realization. "Oh, you mean this old thing? Don't mention it, it doesn't even hurt."

Kopa laughed, merely. "Oh, I bet."

Kitambi advanced the rest of the distance between them and sat down. Maybe he was expecting Kopa to do the same? "So you're new here, I hear?"

Kopa sat down. No need to be rude to someone who had actually had the courage to talk to him. "Yeah. It's a long story."

"Same here. I don't know if it's as long as yours, but I'm really new here too. You okay? You seemed really… depressed. That's why I came to talk to you."

Kopa was intrigued at this point. "Well thanks, I guess. I didn't know you were new here."

He laughed. "Actually, yeah. I had a pride of only six, including me. And if we didn't head for better lands I was afraid we would be attacked by neighboring prides, or something along the lines of that. So we found this place, and Simba took us in."

"Oh," Kopa responded mildly.

"What's your story, Kopa? You seem like you've gone through quite a lot."

Kopa didn't honestly know whether or not he could trust this new acquaintance. He wanted to believe he could trust people, but after seeing what he had seen so many times over, it seemed that trust was a weakness. You just had to do everything for yourself, never make yourself vulnerable, and attempt to survive. That was all it took to live. That was even his response, when lionesses used to ponder things such as the meaning of life, why lions were put here on the first place.

"Well…" He cleared his throat a little bit, in no mood to talk. No one understood how he felt. Neither did he. "Well, at a young age I was Simba's son. Some lioness tricked me into running away and said Simba had died. I believed her, stupidly. So, for five years, I was a rogue. Plain and simple. And now I'm back." There, no harm no foul. It was simple, yet explanatory.

Kitambi gave Kopa a face that told him he wanted to hear more. "Kovu mentioned Simba was your father."

Unbeknownst to even himself, Kopa let out a snarl. Every time he would hear the name Kovu he would instinctively react like that. He was so deeply in anger…

"What… You're not a big fan of Kovu, are you?"

"Don't tell me he has fans at all." It was obvious how Kopa was putting his heart out on his sleeve. But he just had to let go of some of this hatred.

"Well… He has people that care about him, at least." Kitambi gave Kopa a weird expression, like he didn't understand where any of this was coming from.

"Sorry… I'm just… Yeah." It was the best response Kopa could come up with at the moment. He was so angry, and now, he figured, Kitambi was one of those lions that supported Kovu. There was no use in spilling any feelings to him.

"Wait, so you're Simba's son, right?" It sounded like an attempt in trying to change the direction of the conversation, which Kopa was alright with. Talking about anything else than Kovu was exactly what he needed at that point.

"Yeah. What about it?"

"Well… That means you're prince now instead of him."

It was like opening a scab that had just began to heal. I was about to lose it. Again, I was coming second best to a lion that didn't deserve anything he had right now. And now he had to talk about it to this lion, whom he had barely met?

"No." That's when the realization really hit. When he spoke about it out loud to another person, the realization that what he had worked for five years to do was for nothing. To be given away to Scar's heir, of all the possibilities.

"What? But isn't it your birthright?"

Kopa was visibly starting to get annoyed. "Yeah. But my dad doesn't think the same way you and I do, apparently."

Kitambi acted surprised, as if he didn't already know what had unfolded the previous day. "That's not right! You have the birthright. Kovu isn't his son, right?"

He got something right so far. "You'd think."

"Well you've got to talk about this to Simba. I mean, I've barely met you, but I can tell you deserve it more than that lion. Kovu doesn't even look like any of you. I mean, I'm not one to talk, but I'm new too. You look like a leader, on the other hand."

Kopa knew he did. He didn't have to be reminded of what he deserved. "I tried yesterday. That was the baffling part. Simba just doesn't get it."

Kitambi looked baffled. Kopa had to admit, Kitambi was a good listener in the least. "It doesn't matter whether or not Simba gets it, though. It's your rightful spot here." He paused for a second. "How you gonna fix that, Kopa?"

Kopa gave Kitambi a surprised look. What was he gonna do about that? He didn't have any slight knowledge about what to do. He had to admit, in any other situation, in any other pride, and in any other place he would've overthrown the king if he was supposed to be. He wasn't above killing even, and had often wounded other lions and lionesses to get his point across. He had just never come to the point of taking a life. Why should this be any different? Oh, right… Because it was his father. His irrational, stupid, cold-hearted father.

"I didn't think of that yet. I mean… there's nothing to do, Kitambi. Simba's my father. I can try and persuade him all I want, but I can't use force against my own father."

Kitambi nodded. "I guess I agree with you. But you have to admit, this just isn't fair."

Kopa nodded right back at him.

Kitambi then leaned in, craning his neck to whisper something into Kopa's ear. "And you wanna know something, Kopa?"

It was eerie, the tone of his voice. Kopa got goose bumps, despite the boiling anger he still had yet to relieve himself of. "What?" he responded slowly.

"I could help you out with all your problems. Just remember Kopa, if there's a will there's a way. Whenever you're ready for the way, come to me." With that, Kitambi got up from his spot, nodding farewell to the former prince of the Pride Lands.

…

So… yeah. Fun stuff.

In the course of just two days I had managed to make a new enemy, over a huge misunderstanding. And above it all, I didn't even wanna be king. I wasn't fit for kingship. What was I gonna do in a few years when I was king, blow the Pride Lands completely off the map? Everyone should have at least prepared for that much. I could see it now, looking all grey, out of food, barren, and dry. Just how Simba described it back when Scar had the throne. How could Simba be so ignorant? I mean, I loved Simba as a father figure. And I know that I wasn't about to come second best to anyone who had just returned after a five year hiatus of the Pride Lands. But this wasn't a wise decision by any means.

It was extremely awkward this morning when me and Kopa woke up at about the same time. I had attempted to at least say some nice words to him, but all he did was shoot me a look that told me I wasn't welcome to talk to him. It was sad, all I wanted to do was stop being misunderstood. I mean, there has never been a time where I didn't have someone genuinely hate me for no reason since my life even began. Sure, the most of it had faded recently, but I wasn't about to be hated again. Kopa had to know that it wasn't my choice, nor did I even want the throne. He seemed so angry all day…

"We really have to do something. I mean, look at him, the only one of us that could fight him would be Kovu. And I'd rather have that be a last option," Simba said, obviously concerned.

Me and Kaira had spent the entire day together, let alone for the time it took her to hunt. It was now midday, and Simba and Nala had summoned us, to talk about the whole Kopa situation. In fact, all Kiara talked about during the day was her thoughts on Kopa, how she thought I would be a better king anyways. And all I wanted to do was stare into those amazing eyes of hers, and talk. We hadn't got around to all that affectionate stuff we used to do lately, and it was getting on every one of my last nerves. Life was actually better before Kopa had came two days ago, whether or not that sounded selfish.

Now me, Kiara, Nala, and Simba were behind Pride Rock, near the very hole Kiara had admitted to escaping through when she had disobeyed her parents to go find me. It was ironic, if you asked me. And for the first time in a long time, I was at the center of all this worry and attention, but not for bad reasons, this time. I spoke up, to answer up to Simba's concerns:

"Why would I have to fight him? He doesn't seem that irrational."

"But none of us have seen him in at least five years. You and Kiara haven't seen him your whole life. We know nothing about him at all. And that's another reason why we're confident in picking you as prince, Kovu."

It was flattering, I had to admit. "I tried to talk to him yesterday. There was no end to the way he talked about you," Kiara said, looking at me.

She had already told me about what they had talked about. About how much he hated me with a passion, and how much of a bad influence I must have been on her so far. It was sickening. He didn't even know me, and already, like everyone had at one point or another, was straight up judging me. Amazing.

"What did he say about Kovu?" Simba asked.

"He just said how much he hated him. And how me and Kovu would never last." Kiara sighed, and I raised my paw to put it one hers, attempting to comfort her. I hated feeling pitied on, but I loved that Kiara actually cared for me. She knew how little self esteem I actually had when it came to things like these, she just didn't want me getting hurt.

"How dare he say that!" Simba said, slightly outraged, it seemed. "He has no right to butt into that kind of…"

"C'mon, Simba, he's just really hurt right now," I said, sighing right after. It was true. I wasn't the one to talk about people behind their backs. It was nonsense, and I even prided myself on looking down at Kiara when she would gossip around the Pride Lands. She respected why I didn't like it and usually stopped. Why add salt to an injury by spreading rumors and stuff? It was the lowest form of life, if you asked me. But I knew if I was more like Kiara, I would've said double the stuff Kiara told me Kopa had said. I couldn't blame him.

"Simba, I think you just need to talk to him," Nala suggested, nuzzling her mate's mane. I could only wish that me and Kiara would stay strong as they had through all this time. It was touching.

"I know, but look at the way he's treated us. Saying those things about Kovu? Disrespecting me like that?" He scoffed at the mere mention of the word disrespect. "I know I need to talk to him. But I'm almost sure he won't understand. And that's what makes my decision so firm. Just from what I've seen so far, and that's much, I can tell he's so… distant. Outlandish. And especially impatient, and just plain rude at points. Kovu would serve as a much better king."

"Simba," I said, sighing. "It was his birthright though. I would be really ticked off if this was happening to me. Maybe you made a mistake, Simba."

Nala was next to speak. "Kovu, I'm tired of hearing this. Have some confidence in yourself. You're going to be a great king."

Simba thought for a second, before breaking the silence. "What happens when we're gone though, Nala? There won't be me in the way anymore."

Kiara sighed, then nuzzled her nose into my mane. I smiled wildly, disregarding the point brought up. "I'm sure Kovu could more than take on Kopa, Simba." Nala smirked at me.

"I just hope we're all overreacting, and nothing becomes of this. Really. I've already lost him once, I don't wanna lose him again. Over something as stupid as this."

…

"Well the way I see it, you didn't really do anything wrong. He's a newcomer, he doesn't have the rights you've earned, Kovu."

I was just standing there, eyeing Kopa across the distance. It wasn't spying, as much as it was coincidental stalking. Or… yeah, spying was a better word. I saw him across the distance, so me and Kitambi had ducked, watching his every move for a few moments. He still seemed ticked off as ever, chatting it up with, of all animals, Timon and Pumbaa. They seemed to timid around Kopa, which was understood. I know if I was Timon's size I wouldn't go hanging out with severely pissed and muscular lions.

"I know I haven't done anything wrong. And I'm basically as much of a newcomer here as he is," I responded, keeping my eyes sharply ahead. We were behind a rock, and only my head and mane were sticking out. Hopefully he hadn't noticed me. That would only add to the unnecessary tension.

"But still less of a newcomer. And besides, you see how… how outlandish he acts? He's strange. I mean, I've tried talking to him. It's awkward."

"So? He still is Simba's son. I'm just a fake."

"You're no fake. I'd like you more as a son than… than him."

I shook my head at Kitambi. Was he kissing up to me just because I was gonna become prince, regardless? I mean, yeah, we'd been good friends for about a week now. But still, he never usually complimented me this much. I left that up to Kiara, even if all she had to talk about now was how much she was worried about Kopa, and how she didn't like how Hatari was always hitting on me. I pretended not to notice.

"Quit kissing up, Kitambi." I laughed softly, ducking all the way down behind the jutting out rock to face Kitambi directly. "Honestly though, what do you think'll happen? Nothing?"

Kitambi shrugged. "I mean you guys barely know the kid. Any of you, and especially you, Kovu. I'm sure he's not that hostile. I mean, he seems pissed, sure, but who would do anything with their father as king?"

"I guess you're right." And yet I wasn't so sure. I had premonitions about these kinds of things usually. From the second I met Kopa, actually, I just got this… eerie feeling about him. Like he was at great unrest or something.

"I know I'm right. How's Kiara? I haven't seen you guys together."
I got back up to look over the rock. Kitambi was still there, chatting the day away with Timon and Pumbaa. I mean, me and them had talked before. It was funny, actually. Pumbaa was wise beyond his years. I swear that Timon didn't give him enough credit. It was amazing that they had finally accepted me, but they accepted Kopa in a heartbeat. It was stupid. Then again it was Simba's son, right? I was more associated with Scar than anything else. "I guess you must've missed us lately. We've been doing good. How's Jaribu? I've seen her all of twice so far."

"She's fine. I love her a lot. She's usually with Hatari, talking gossip or something. Like all the lionesses here do."

I growled. "I hate gossip. It's so pointless." Timon and Pumbaa were backing up slowly.

"I know, I know. You've said that before. What's so intriguing, Kovu?"

I couldn't believe my eyes, actually. Kopa was standing there smirking at Timon and Pumbaa one second, and then attacking them the next. Maybe he realized how close they were to Simba? All three of them were no more than twenty five or so yards away. And anything to protect Simba was my main goal…

I pounced.

It was exhilarating, nerve wrecking. I always hated pouncing on things. Sure, I was good, but back when it was in the Outlands, it meant so much more. It was practice to pounce on each other, to attempt to catch a sparse dinner of mice, or even an occasional stray animal. I had messed up so much back then. It was constant scowling and smacking from my mother, and all the lionesses would always comment on how weak I was. She said it was good for me, so that I would be emotionless later on. Man was she right.

Kopa was scared straight. I had one of those roars that echoed, even if there was nothing to echo off of. Not even Simba had anything on it. He backed up a little, as I saw a few deep gashes on Pumbaa's left side. This wasn't about to go down.

"Kovu!" Timon yelled, swinging his fists across the year. "Get 'em, boy!"

I wasn't a dog. But it was still my pleasure to protect them, I guess. "What're you doing, Kopa!" I demanded, attempting to puff out my chest a little. Even though he had already seen me rested, size, even if apparent size, was everything in a fight. If there was one thing Zira had taught me correctly, it was this.

"Kovu! Get out of my way you good for nothing low life. I was having a conversation with some friends…"

"That you just tried to kill?" I calmly asked, squinting a little bit more, in an attempt to show the fierceness in my stance. He merely stood there, chest not even pushed out. He was relaxed, content.

"Kovu, please. Before I rip you to shreds. I hate every single thing about you, and now you have to go ruining my fun! Just like your kind."

I stood up from my stance. There was no use in looking intimidating to a lion who didn't care in the least amount. "What do you mean, my kind, Kopa?"

"I know Scar always used to make the Pride Lands a horrid place…"

"Never, ever compare me to that monster," I calmly retorted, shaking a bit. That was the last straw. If I didn't have the common sense to know that this was Simba's son, I would've pounced. I would have ripped his throat out. Maybe that was the evil talking in me. But asked me if I cared at this point.

"You even have a scar, Kovu. Copycat, much?"

I was about to burst. I felt a small, a very, very small hand touch part of my mane. I looked over my shoulder to see Timon on my back. "Let it go, kid. It's not worth fighting over."

I shook my head. "Kopa, come on. I know you're just mad, but don't take it out on people that don't deserve it." Where in the world was Kitambi? I could've used back up by now. He must've been scared or something. Honestly, I wouldn't blame him. But two against one was better odds than this would have been.

"I deserve to be mad, you monster!" He slammed the ground with his paw, obviously getting even more enraged. "You don't deserve any of this! I do! I'm Simba's son, not you! He should exile you for being… For being such a disgusting monster, Kovu." He spat in my direction, landing only inches away from my right paw. I had to keep my cool, I knew that.

"Kopa. I'm sorry. I don't know what to say, honestly. Please, just accept my apology. I'm sure if you prove yourself to Simba he could pick you…"

"But then you wouldn't get your opportunity, Kovu."

I shook my head. I didn't want to even ask the question. "My opportunity for what?"

"To ruin this place. Just like Scar. You're no different. I don't even know why my sister likes you. I see nothing in you. It'll fall to pieces eventually, don't you worry."

I roared. I was losing it. He was winning, by emotional advantage. How could he bring up these things? I wanted to rip every muscle, every ligament, even every bone from his cold hearted body. He really knew what he was doing, trying to enrage me to the point of pouncing. I had to not give in, though. No matter how many remarks he made. It would be worth it in the end…

"C'mon, Kovu. Let's just walk away."

Usually I didn't know Timon for not cracking a joke, even in the hardest of situations. But I agreed with him. I started to walk away slowly, eyeing Kopa as I did.

"What's the matter, running away? Like you do from all your problems, Kovu. Run away again. Just like you did from Nuka."

I walked right up next to him, claws extended. I could see a little of the fright in his eyes. He probably didn't expect it, to say the least. "You take that back, Kopa. I will literally rip you to shreds if you say another comment. I've trained all my life to kill off good for nothing lions like you. Don't think I'll hold back just because you're the king's son. After all, I am prince, aren't I?" It was all I could think of, to hit him back with something. But it barely phased him.

"Go ahead, Kovu. Strike me down. What will Simba think?"

I laughed. "He'll think that you're a horrible son for attacking me. It was self defense, wasn't it?" I asked. "I get to make up the story. I'll win, Kopa. Do not test me."

Kopa just laughed right back at me. "Save it for another time. You'll be needing it. Good day, traitor."

He just got up and started to leave. Like the coward I secretly knew he was. Timon had hopped off my shoulder and now onto the slightly wounded Pumbaa. I chased after him for a few yards, just to catch up.

"Now who's running away, Kopa?" I asked, stopping behind him.

He turned around. He looked right in my eyes, teeth bared. "See you later, Scar. I'm gonna go and be the better person and walk away now." He turned his head back around, padding off to the mass expanse of trees, where, strangely, Kitambi's little pride usually hung out.

…

There was his dad, just standing there, talking to Zazu. That bird was more annoying now than he ever was, and that was even hard to believe.

Kopa padded on. Zazu met his eye contact, and immediately flew off, leaving only Simba in the clearing under Pride Rock. Simba looked at Kopa right in the eyes, with an emotionless look on his face. It was as if he was expecting his son already. Before Kopa finally completed his approach, he thought he heard a sigh escape his father's muzzle.

"Hey, Kopa. You need to talk?"

He just laughed. "Shut up, dad. I'm just asking you something."

He looked at his son, disturbed beyond belief. He wished so badly that his son would just realize that Simba loved him, and that he had picked Kovu for king for a reason. He was blowing it so out of proportions.

"What is it, Kopa? You can talk to me any time."

"Oh, cut the cute stuff, Simba." It was so formal the way Kopa said it, you would have never known they were related if you weren't told. "Why can't I be king? Can I at least know that?"

Simba shook his head. "Why do you care so much, son? Please understand, it's a big duty."

"I know. So why are you giving it to the second version of Scar?"

Simba grimaced. At this, Kopa just smirked. He knew he had hit a soft spot with the king. "He's not anything close to Scar, Kopa. Believe me. I was the one who was alive during that time."

"Why is your judgment so blind all of a sudden, father? I'm so obviously the right choice! What do I have to prove to you!"

Simba had to be honest, if anything. "Right now. You're just proving to me the fact that you're impatient, you're too hasty…"

Kopa sighed, to keep his anger composed, to some degree. "I'm patient, dad. But I just want you to understand how bad the decision you're making is."

"There's another thing. Judging Kovu before even knowing him. Kovu is a great lion, with many virtues. You could learn from him, believe me. He overcame what he was dealt with, and you can too. Trust me, Kopa. You don't want to be mad over something so stupid…"

"Alright, Simba. I give. I'm done being coy." Kopa looked down at his claws, slightly erect. "Give me the throne. My birthright. It doesn't matter. It 's my right, Simba."

Simba just sighed. "Why can't you get it? I'm sorry, son."

"Don't be sorry." Kopa started to turn the other way. "You'll be the sorry one, soon, father."

Simba couldn't just let his son walk off again. "Please, Kopa, let's talk it out."

He scoffed at his father. "You had your chance." And with that, he walked away.