Hey everybody!

I've been spending way too much time on my other story and I'm sorry about that.

This is the second to last chapter before this story ends for good.

I don't own anything!

Please read and review!

"Kopa what's on your mind, besides lying around".

Timon then cracked up at his own joke but he got no response from the depressed cub. It had been months since Kopa had even smiled, his family was extremely concerned about him and nobody really knew what to do. Simba had tried everything to have his son go back to his once joyful self but nothing he tried seemed to work. Timon stopped laughing and mentally kicked himself, he should've known that wouldn't do any good. But he was only trying to help. Timon didn't look like the type but when it came to those he loved he would go to great lengths for them. Simba was his foster son and therefore he had a duty to Kopa and Kiara that he considered as his grandkids. He couldn't just let his grandson fall deeper into his depression.

"Say...you wanna go eat some bugs? That always cheers me up".

Kopa only sighed "Not now Timon".

In the past Kopa would've enjoyed the idea. He had grown rather fond of insects, they were quite tasty but ever since the event that had happened months ago. He wasn't himself; Timon scratched his head trying to come up with another idea.

"If you want you can chase me around like you did when you were small remember". He climbed aboard Kopa's head "You'd catch me off guard and I'd scream and run around in circles". Kopa merely huffed as he shook Timon off who landed with a thud. "Come on Kopa there's gotta be something that I can do. What do want from me?! I'll do anything I'll give you a massage for Pete's sake. Just tell me what it takes to make you smile!". Kopa looked at the desperate Timon with dull eyes for a moment all he wanted was to be left alone and gather his thoughts. "I'm sorry Timon maybe some other time". With that said Kopa picked himself up and headed towards the main cave; he suddenly needed to find someone important to talk too.

He was hoping that the lioness he was looking for was there when he arrived and to his relief he found Jasi sleeping soundly towards the back of the cave.

"Jasi...Jasi wake up". He nudged her a bit till finally she stirred "Hmmm Kopa? What's the matter?" She said sleepily as she yawned "I'm sorry but I need to ask you something". "What's that?" He didn't respond right away "I want you to tell me everything you know about Zira".

Jasi looked at her godchild with a surprised look "I beg your pardon?" Kopa narrowed his eyes a bit "Please don't spare me anything there's something I've been trying to figure out". Jasi bit the inside of her cheek in nervousness; she could tell Kopa but she didn't know if that was the right thing to do. She wasn't sure what he was planning inside his head, there had to be something behind the sudden demand that he know everything. Kopa wasn't the kind of person to just ask random stuff for no reason.

"Does your father know about this?"

"No he doesn't".

Kopa would prefer that Simba stayed out of this. As far as he was concerned this was his decision, whatever information he potentially gathered from his godmother would later impact the choice he was already deciding on for later.

"Shouldn't we inform him first?"

"No I don't want to talk to my dad".

Jasi looked even more surprised "Why not?" "He's not the boss of me, I want to hear this for myself. Please Jasi just tell me".

The young lioness looked very hesitant and Kopa noticed. They both knew that Jasi was hiding things and Kopa intended to find out what it was. Jasi however was at a crossroads with herself, Kopa was impatient and needed details now. But Simba was his father and the king of these lands. She hated to keep secrets from his majesty; she had worked hard to gain his approval long ago and she didn't want to lose it. But at the same time Kopa was the esteemed prince in a way he had more power over her being the next heir to the Pride Lands. It was all very frustrating. "Kopa please forgive me, but I don't want to upset your father. You know he hates secrets".

Kopa thought for a moment, he wasn't going to get her to talk this way. But then he thought of another idea.

"I'll take all charge. If Dad asks just tell him it was my doing. I promise I won't let you get in trouble".

Jasi still didn't know if she was doing the right thing, but if Kopa was that desperate then she wouldn't deny him what he wanted to know. She figured that it hopefully wouldn't do any harm and she made a mental not to talk with the King later about this so that he wouldn't get the wrong idea. As she told Kopa what she knew he shuddered in horror at the information. Zira wanted mainly him dead so that her son Kovu could take over. Kiara wasn't as much of a threat but as long as Kopa was still alive that meant he was in serious danger and Zira couldn't excel forward. Jasi then explained to him the struggles his father faced with her. Zira was about as stubborn as they came, her mental health was very poor and as a result she had gone insane still clinging to the past. The small cub was in total fear as he tried to process everything that he just heard. "That's all I know, I'm not so sure about everything else. There was only so much I learned when I was still an Outsider".

Kopa didn't say anything for a long time and Jasi didn't know how she could comfort him. It was a lot to take in after all and eventually he would've learned the truth. She just wished that it didn't have to be her that told him; how she wished it could've been his parents instead.

"I know it's difficult now. But Kopa I promise that things will be better in the future. Take my life for instance I've nearly died more times then I can count but I survived each time by means of fate. I know that I'm nothing special but that doesn't mean fate hasn't been kind to me. I do believe that all will be well in later times this is the worst of it".

Jasi wasn't entirely sure if her words were having an effect on him. But she knew that she had to say something to reassure him. She gingerly placed her paw on his back "Keep the faith Kopa, fate will show itself eventually". Her godchild only nodded before making his way past her and to the top of Pride Rock. He hadn't been up here in a while, but in the past he'd come up all the time with his family and spend hours with them looking over the horizon.

"Kopa?" He didn't turn his head, he already knew who it was. "Dad I've been thinking".

Simba made his way over to his son settling himself beside him. It had been quite a while since Kopa had been willing to talk to him. Mostly because his depression had almost completely taken over. Simba didn't want to spoil this rare moment so he would let his son talk at his own pace.

"Your mother and I have been worried".

"Yes I know, I'm sorry".

Simba glanced at his son for a moment "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"

Kopa took a minute to chose his words carefully. "Actually there was something". "What is it?" he looked up at his father "Dad why do the Outlanders hate us so much?" though he already knew the answer he still wanted to see how his father would respond. Simba knew that his son had always been the kind that wanted to know everything; but he was still just a cub. Perhaps it was better if he waited a while longer till he was much older. Then again, Kopa hadn't opened up to him like this in a long time. Finally Simba shook his head at his conclusion; he would have to be honest with his son. Nala wouldn't like him doing this but his cubs did deserve to know the facts plain and simple.

"It all goes back to Scar. He did terrible things my son, things that I dare not repeat. He's the reason why things turned out this way".

He knew that Kopa was aware of the story of the madness behind Scar's reign. But Kopa really did deserve to know how Scar's story was a part of his own. His great-uncle did have a role to play in order to fill in the missing piece of the puzzle after all.

"Was he always like this?"

Simba thought for a moment "No he wasn't...your grandfather would know".

Mufasa was the older brother of Scar and as such he would've known what Scar was like as a child. He must've been such a sweet little cub; but his own darkness and greed eventually consumed him. If Simba was really honest with himself he knew that his uncle had his own demons that were to blame. Despite all that Scar did to him when he was young he knew that it was better to forgive his actions for the past rather then hold onto them and drown in false truths.

"I never knew that about Scar".

"I didn't either, but that's the truth".

There were a few details he had to leave out simply because his son wasn't old enough to accept yet. Those would have to wait another time, you didn't gain wisdom without first learning.

Kopa leaned against his father's forearm and exhaled in understanding. "Dad?" "Yes?" Kopa looked up at him and gave him a small smile "Thank you".

His son was actually smiling. That was all Simba could ever ask for, perhaps things were going to be better from now on. He bent down to nuzzle his son. "I love you Kopa" "I love you too Dad".

Father and son stayed like that for a good while before they decided to go for a walk together. Of course descending the top Kopa was greeted by his mother and sister each of whom were relieved that he was a little bit more like his old self. The small family then enjoyed a nice walk around the Pride Lands Kiara even got to play with her brother again for the first time in a long while. The twins chased each other around laughing wildly as their parents smiled away in bliss.

"Glad your finally acting like yourself again".

"Kiara I've always been me".

"No! What we're doing the whole time, just mopping around is all".

As the twins continued to play with each other Nala leaned into her mate more the happy that her son was doing much better. She had been so worried about him for ages. As a mother Nala loved her cubs dearly and it pained her when there was nothing that she could do to help them when they were in a time of need. "Oh Simba isn't it wonderful. Our son is finally smiling and laughing again". The king licked his mate's cheek watching his cubs play with each other. "Yes it is".

When night came to the Pride Lands, Kopa was unable to sleep. He was cuddled up beside his family but he had other things on his mind. He had already come to a conclusion inside his mind. And now he knew what had to be done. In order to ensure that all those he loved were safe he would have to leave his home and family.

He had been thinking about it for weeks now. Debating whether or not it would be a good idea. But at long last he knew that he had to do it. He carefully squeezed his way out of the group and took a look at his family sleeping soundly. They looked so peaceful and he almost wished he didn't have to do this. Being mindful not to wake them he nuzzled all of them before taking one last look at his sleeping pride. He'd miss all of them, but he had to leave now before dawn came. "Goodbye everyone I love you all" he whispered. Soft tears ran down his face as he quietly made his way down the stone steps before heading out into the Pride Lands. Kopa wasn't sure where'd he go, or even if he would ever come back. But he knew that as long as he stayed in the Pride Lands he was destined to something far worse. It was better to go into hiding until things quieted down. Problem was Kopa wasn't even sure if things would be solved. It might even be years before he was allowed to return.

As he passed Rafiki's tree he gave a silent goodbye to the old baboon. He would miss him a lot.

Finally he made it to the borders that marked the unknown. If he left now who knows what the future would hold. Hell, he may not even live long enough to make it back. But if he stayed he could potentially be killed by Zira or one of her lions.

It was too late to turn back now. Whatever the fates had in store for him waited beyond the borders in the land where anything could happen. Taking a deep shaky breath Kopa turned around one last time seeing the great figure of his home before running off into the night.

Simba awoke when the dawn arrived. Letting out a yawn he stretched himself out before looking over to his family that would awake any moment now. He noticed his mate and daughter but his son was nowhere to be seen. Simba raised an eyebrow in confusion, that was odd Kopa was always near him every morning. He never woke up before he did. The king gazed over his pride, all of them were accounted for but he couldn't find Kopa. He couldn't smell his son either, he was nowhere in sight. Simba was taking a moment to think of the other places that his son would be when Nala suddenly awoke. Immediately she noticed her mate looking worried "Simba is something wrong?" the king looked at his queen "Nala I can't find Kopa, nor can I pick up his scent". Her blue eyes were full of concern as he stood up calling his name. "Kopa?! Kopa?! Where are you?!"

Hearing the distress of the queen caused the rest of the pride to awaken. Jasi noticed the royal couple looking very worried and her stomach dropped "Oh no" she mumbled. She figured something like this would happen; she just didn't think that it was true. She nervously made her way over bowing her head in submission she had to tell them now before something else happened.

"King Simba I bring grave news".

"Jasi what is it? What has happened?!"

She swallowed hard "It's about Kopa".

Simba and Nala now had her full attention "What is it? Please tell us everything".

Jasi was growing more nervous as she calmly told them about the discussion that she had with Kopa the day before. Her worst fear appeared to have came true, the prince of the Pride Lands was missing and she couldn't help but feel as though it was partly her fault. Simba and Nala were both shocked at what Jasi told them and suddenly Simba knew why everything was making sense. But that still didn't mean he knew what had become of his son. He looked at Jasi who was shaking like a leaf. It certainly wasn't her fault but as a father he should've paid more attention to Kopa's behavior he was clearly anxious about something and he mentally kicked himself for not realizing it sooner.

"Jasi stay here with Kiara, I'm going to try and find Kopa".

She could only watch as Simba ran out the den with Nala and a few lioness' behind him. She was hoping that it wasn't too late to find him. Who knows what could happen to a cub his age.

Simba was in a bit of a frenzy trying to find his son. Kopa's scent was faded but it was still there. He followed it to the borders of the Pride Lands. That's where it let out and he cursed in frustration, the direction he was heading in would take him two ways. One would lead to a vast desert, and the other would lead to a raging river with unfamiliar territory on the other side. Either way it was still dangerous. Simba thought to himself what the best thing to do was. Kopa's scent was almost invisible and he could easily get lost if he made an error but if his son was out there, he had to try. Cursing to himself he called over one of his pride members explaining that he was going out into the unknown to try and find his son. With that said Simba raced as fast as he could trying to hold onto his son's scent before it disappeared forever.

I hoped that you liked this chapter, only one more to go!

I can't believe at long last I'm finally going to be finishing this story it's been so long since I started it.

Until next time everyone!

Don't forget to review!