Chapter 1 – The New Plan
TW: This chapter contains self harm and depression.
Three weeks had passed since the death of Simba, which also marked a whole week of the Pridelands now being ruled by Kopa and Vitani. The whole royal family struggled to cope with the devastating loss of the late king. Kopa struggled the worst, as he felt he never spent enough time with his father. Vitani announced that she was pregnant the day after she and Kopa became the new rulers of the Pridelands. Chuma had fallen ill and was not eating. He slept for about 23 hours each day. Rafiki had also fallen ill, but fought well. Rafiki managed to check up on Chuma every day or two, but he feared that the sick lion's time was almost up.
"Kovu, Vitani, come." The elderly mandrill spoke weakly. The two siblings stood outside the entrance to the cave at Pride Rock. "What is it, Rafiki?" Vitani asked. "I'm sure you know by now dat your father's condition is worsening. Sadly, I fear he may be gone by dusk." Rafiki replied regretfully. Kovu dipped his head in sadness, and a tear fell from Vitani's eye.
"Will Nuka be able to make it on time?" Kovu asked while raising his head again. Rafiki shook his head in response. "I'm not sure.. We don't know how far away he is, or if he has even been found yet." The mandrill replied. "Can we see our father?" Vitani asked. "Of course." Rafiki responded, moving out of the way for the queen and her brother to enter the cave.
Kovu and Vitani walked into the den. They looked ahead of themselves and saw Chuma lying on the ground, surrounded by leaves for warmth. The two lions lay down by each side of their father.
"Dad?" Kovu whispered softly into his father's ear. "I'm still here.." Chuma chuckled weakly. Kovu and Vitani smiled sadly. Vitani placed her paw on the side of Chuma's head and rubbed against his ear gently.
"How are you feeling?" Vitani whispered. "I've felt much better, my dear. How is Kopa and the others? How are they coping?" Chuma asked. Vitani frowned. "Nala and the princesses are coping much better than I thought, but Kopa isn't doing well. He seems so distant, so unintrested in anything, he doesn't even seem that excited about the cubs. He's barely eating too." Vitani explained. "Poor boy, hopefully he will be able to pull through, he and his family deserve something nice after everything they have gone through. He might start to cheer up more once your cubs arrive." Chuma responded.
Kovu looked at his sister, seeing her face become distressed looking. He knew exactly what was going on in her head. He felt awful, knowing the pain that his sister will have to go through raising cubs without having her father around.
Nala walked into the cave. "Chuma, there's someone here to see you." The retired queen moved out of the way, revealing Nuka and another lioness standing beside him. The young lion ran to his father, hugging him instantly.
"Hey dad.." Nuka whispered, smiling sadly. "Hello, my son." Chuma smiled. "And who is this you have brought with you?" Chuma asked, looking at the new lioness. "Dad, Kovu and Vitani, I want you to meet my mate, Princess Hasani of the Mountain Lands." Nuka replied. "Ooh, a princess!" Chuma cheered. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." Hasani said, bowing. "Oh please, there's no need to bow, I should be doing that to you.." Chuma said, before his breath started to become shallow.
"Dad?.." Nuka asked in fear. Chuma's eyes began to slowly open and close. "It's alright my children. It's alright.." Chuma's eyes closed for the final time.
Kopa walked slowly through the Pridelands. It was starting to rain lightly, but the king took no notice of it. Over the past few weeks, he had gotten depressed, and was barely eating a cub's portion of food. He had become much skinnier than he was before, and was losing the muscle he had gained while living in Ardhi ya Usalama. He had been replaying the memories of him and his father over and over in his mind for days. He deeply regretted staying away from the Pridelands for so long, wishing he could have spent more time with Simba.
Kopa also had a few scars around both his front legs, from cutting himself during his worst stages. He felt so alone, so guilty. Why did I stand there and scream... Why didn't I try to save him... Kopa asked himself. He flopped onto the grass and just sobbed, just like he had been doing over the last few weeks. He had no idea if he could keep going on like this. Kiara burst out of the grass and saw what an awful state her brother was in.
"Kopa!" She ran over to her brother and pulled him into a hug. "It's m-my fault.." Kopa choked . "No its not. There was nothing we could have done.." Kiara replied. "I know how much you're hurting, Kopa, but you can't go on like this. Do you think dad would want you to act like this? All these scars, not eating, distancing yourself from everyone and everything, you're slowly killing yourself, Kopa." The lioness added.
Kopa sniffed and hesitated before answering. "I didn't spend enough time with him, or Grandma Sarabi.. And now they're both gone." Kiara began to stroke her brother's head. "I promise you, it's going to get better, and in a couple of months, you're gonna be a dad. You can't keep beating yourself up, or your cubs might grow up without a father too." Kopa nodded slowly. "... I'll try.." he sniffed.
The two siblings sat up. "Guys! Guys!" Tiifu said as she burst through the long grass infront of them. "What is it, Tiifu?" Kiara asked. "Chuma's gone.." Tiifu replied, tears forming in her eyes. Kopa's head dipped in sadness.
The three siblings ran back to Pride Rock. Vitani, Kovu and Nuka stood outside in tears. "Vitani!" Kopa cried as he hugged her. "I'm so sorry, Kovu.." Kiara said as she nuzzled her mate. Hasani hugged Nuka as he cried into her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Kifo and Zira crouched in a bush not that far away from where Kopa and Kiara were. "The king is expecting cubs, Zira." Kifo smiled. "If all goes to plan, then soon, we will finally be able to return to the Pridelands, and claim it as ours." He added. "Whatever you need me to do, I will do it." Zira replied with interest. "Good, now lets go back to the jungle" Kifo replied. The two lions got up and began walking. They walked for three hours before finally reaching their destination. They were greeted by a skinny lion.
"Welcome back, my king." The lion said, bowing. Kifo and Zira passed the monkey and continued on. All the animals surrounding Kifo and Zira began to bow before them as the lions walked. Eventually, the lions made it to a large open area filled with small ponds. There were many lions and lionesses scattered around the ponds. They all bowed down to Kifo once they saw him enter.
"Good evening, everyone!" Kifo roared. The lions and lionesses roared back in response. "I have some good news for you all. My niece is going to become a mother soon! But do not fear, we will still take the Pridelands and have it as our own land. Those Pridelanders will be driven from their home soon enough, and I will return to my true home and become the king!
"So sit tight everyone, in a few months we will have our new forever home. I can promise you all that you will not be let down!" "Long live king Kifo!" The lions cheered. They continued to cheer as Kifo began to walk to his den. He turned to Zira who followed him. "If this fails Zira, well, you better hope it doesn't... for your own sake.." Kifo warned. "It wont fail, brother, I promise." Zira replied.