Okay so, Jello Shots don't work with me, nothing is more fun than having a bad headache and wanting to hug the toilet. NOT! And I only had less than a half of that shot. Man I would hate to see what happens if I had more than one beer. Any way enough of my rambling on with the chapter.
A few months passed and Kopa grew into a handsome young cub who was very much like Simba was when he was a cub. He always wanted to play and was always in trouble. Simba finally talked to him about it one night and I knew that on that same night he gave his son the great kings of the past lecture.
After that talk, Simba felt that Kopa needed a new playmate besides Nuka who was getting a little too old for Kopa to play with. In fact, in a few months time, he would be kicked out of the pride for being a threat to the king. So Simba and Nala made a decision to have another child, Kopa would have a brother or sister in a few months time.
But sadly Kopa would not be around when the new cub would be born. It was a few weeks before Nala's due date and I was awakened by Nuka who was wandering the cave looking very lost and disoriented. He woke every pride member with his cries and Simba was especially angry with him.
"What's wrong Nuka?" asked Simba as he stood up and walked toward the young cub who was shaking and crying while looking fearfully up at Simba.
"I don't know where Mom is, I fell asleep with her right there and then I woke up to find her gone, usually she is always there when I wake up," said Nuka.
"Don't worry Nuka, she's probably off getting you a treat for being so good yesterday," said Sarabi who now came up and nuzzled him.
"No I don't think so, she told me she could not hunt right now because she did not want my brother to get hurt," said Nuka as he pushed Sarabi aside but never keeping his eyes off Simba.
I then saw Simba and Nala look at each other worriedly. I could tell that they knew that Zira had given birth somewhere, but where.
"Zazu, take Nuka with you and find Zira, she is probably not far," said Simba.
"Yes sir, come Nuka," I said as I flew out of the cave, Nuka trailing behind me. I had a hunch where she might be and that was where I was heading.
Sure enough I found her hiding in the cave behind pride rock, the place where Scar used to live when Mufasa ruled. There she lay and beside her were two cubs, one a dark brown color, the other a golden brown. Both showed their newborn cub spots and both were at their mother with ravenous appetites. I showed her to Nuka who ran up to her.
"Mom!" he cried out happily.
But at that instant, Zira roared at him causing him to back up and shake with fright.
"You piece of dirt, can't you see that I am nursing your brother and sister, I don't have time for you any more," she said with such hate that it almost made me cry, Nuka did not deserve a mother like that.
"But mom you were not there when I woke up this morning, it scared me," said Nuka with tears still in his eyes.
"That's because I was giving birth to these two, I cannot be in that place when there are hundreds of other lionesses surrounding me," said Zira.
"I'm sorry mom," said Nuka quietly.
Zira just growled and then cleaned the dark cub while Nuka sadly watched. I could tell his mothers love for him was now gone and that the cub who would overthrow Simba was now born to be loved more than any one.
"Do you want me to catch you anything?" asked Nuka.
"No, Sadura here has already helped me; in fact don't you think its time for you to go play with Kopa. I bet he is expecting you," said Zira with a smirk and then looked up at me with a very suspicious look.
Nuka gave a happy grin, as if all his sorrows disappeared in an instant knowing he cold play with Kopa. But I thought they did not like each other that much, I guess playing with Kopa was a lot better than feeling the wrath of a mother.
"Okay mom I will," said Nuka happily and ran out as fast as he could. I followed him back to Pride Rock. He did not go far though when he saw Kopa walking in the distance.
"Hey Kopa, where are you going?" he asked as he ran happily toward the young prince.
"I promised Timon and Pumbaa that I would spend a day with them at the waterhole, they want to teach me how to make bubbles," said Kopa with a happy grin.
"Oh I thought we should play today besides I have something to show you that is cooler than any old waterhole," said Nuka.
"Oh what?" asked Kopa.
"Oh you'll see, it's kinda hard to explain any way," said Nuka.
Kopa stood there for a moment, pondering on whether or not he should play with Timon and Pumbaa or with Nuka. For some reason Nuka won out.
"Okay I will go with you, I can play with Timon and Pumbaa any day any way," said Kopa who then followed Nuka into the brush. I thought about following them but I had to tell Simba what I saw and flew into the cave to find him.
I found Simba talking with Nala and both looked over at me when I flew in with my report.
"So did you find her?" asked Simba.
"Yes I did, she is behind Pride Rock, though I am afraid that her cub has been born," I said.
Simba sighed. I knew that keeping an eye on the betrayer was hard but he had been doing it for nearly a year now and so far he was loosing his patience.
"I will look into it, but first it is time for the morning report, I will see you later in the day," said Simba.
"Yes sir," I said and then flew off into the pride lands.
The morning report was the same business as usual. Some complaint about someone here and there and other things I was used to addressing with to the king.
I decided after my royal business to go out and search for Binti. I wanted to tell her about Zira and the new cub so she could help me watch her and make sure she was not plotting. I did not have to go far though because Binti found me. Or really just ran into me and nearly knocked the wind out of me. I noticed that she looked very worried and that she seemed to have been flying fast to find me for she was breathing quite heavily. I directed her to a tree branch to let her get her breath back and to find out what happened.
"What's wrong?" I asked once we got settled on the tree branch.
"Oh Zazu it was horrible," she said between breaths.
"What was?" I asked.
"I did not even see what was happening until it was too late. First Nuka was showing Kopa this pile of logs and then all of a sudden Leza jumps out and…oh Zazu it was so horrible," said Binti with tear filled eyes.
I knew something bad happened when she mentioned Leza; she was one of Zira's followers. Never really around much, spent most of her time in the outlands believing that Simba was a false king.
"What happened, please tell me," I said.
"Oh Zazu, she killed Kopa," said Binti.
For a minute I stood there in shock, not sure what to do. It did not sound believable since I of course had not seen it for myself, but Binti never lied and I trusted her.
"Where did you say this happened?" I asked.
"Over by that river that has many logs lying around," said Binti.
"I know where that is, go get Simba and tell him what happened, I will go find Kopa, maybe he is okay," I said with hope filled eyes. Though I doubted that Kopa was going to be alright.
Binti just nodded and flew toward Pride Rock while I headed toward the river. Along the way I saw Nuka and Leza standing behind some bushes but I did not have time to investigate what they were doing, I had to find Kopa.
When I found him though I wish I hadn't. He way lying a few inches from the logs looking like he was sleeping if it was not for the blood that covered his golden fur. I could not believe what Leza had done especially to a cub she barely knew. I could barely even look at Kopa without turning away in disgust.
I waited for a long time near the body, hoping Simba would come soon. I did not feel comfortable being alone and I knew the enemy was most likely watching me. He finally arrived though only about a half an hour later, with Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, Binti and Rafiki.
"Where is he?" asked Simba in a worried voice.
I pointed sadly with my wing at his son's final resting place and slowly Simba walked over to investigate. As soon as his eyes made contact with Kopa he literally fell to the ground and began to cry uncontrollably. Nala was about to look when Rafiki held her back and shook his head.
"A mother should never see a gruesome death," he said.
Nala only nodded and then began to weep, her firstborn was now dead. I could tell that she now had to worry about what the future held for the next cub that was to be born.
I looked over at Timon and Pumbaa who had the bravery of looking at what was left of Kopa and both looked like they were sick to their stomachs. They now knew that teaching Kopa about Hakuna Matata was now over.
Binti stood beside me with worried eyes, she had witnessed the horrible death and I could sense that it gave her quite a shock. I could only hug her while Simba and Nala mourned.
For a long time there was silence until Simba finally looked up at us and began to speak while holding back tears.
"Rafiki, please bury my son at Pride Rock while I have a meeting with Nala, Timon, Pumbaa, my mother, Sarafina, Binti, and Zazu," he said.
"Yes sire," said Rafiki sadly.
Simba nodded and motioned for us to follow him back to pride rock where I knew we would have a long and very tiresome meeting that I knew was to discuss the fate of Zira.
When we reached Pride Rock, the lionesses were standing nearby wondering what had happened but Simba did not say anything. He only nodded sadly to them and motioned for Sarabi and Sarafina to join him in the cave. The two followed wondering what had happened.
Once we entered the cave, Simba stood at the place where he usually slept and looked down at us, his eyes were all watery but he remained strong and began to speak.
"As some of you are aware, my son was killed today by a member of my pride," began Simba. His voice was shaky as he held back the tears but that did not stop one from falling down his cheek and onto the hard rock.
"What! Kopa's dead! Who did it and why?" asked Sarabi who looked at his son with worried eyes. The same kind I remember seeing those years ago when she found Mufasa at the bottom of the gorge.
"Yes I'm afraid it's the hard truth. Though I am not sure why it was done but I do know who did it thanks to Binti here," said Simba who looked down at Binti who was standing close to me looking very worried.
"Yes sir I saw everything," said Binti.
"Could you tell us how it happened?" asked Simba.
"Well I was just flying around looking for a nice shady spot to spend the afternoon in when I saw Kopa and Nuka running over to the river. I remember hearing Nuka say that there were some great places to hide in the logs and that mice liked to live there. I saw how fascinated Kopa was and before he could even join Nuka who was on a log, Leza suddenly jumps out and grabs Kopa by the neck and shakes him violently. She then drops him as hard as she can on the ground and makes sure he's dead by ripping him apart. It was just so terrible to watch," said Binti who then began to cry. I let her put her head on my shoulder where she stayed for a few minutes trying to wipe away the horrible memory.
"And Nuka what did he do when that happened, or did you not see him?" asked Simba who was eager for more answers.
Binti pushed herself away from me and looked up at Simba while the tears continued to flow freely. "I did not watch him until after Leza had finished her task. I remember hearing Leza tell Nuka that he did a good job in tricking Kopa and that his mother would be very proud," she said.
"Did they say why she killed Kopa?" asked Simba.
"No not at all," said Binti.
Simba gave a deep sigh and looked sadly down at the floor, this was not an easy task for him and probably one of the biggest judgments he had to make in his life as the new king.
"Zazu, as my advisor I must ask you what you think I should do to Zira," said Simba.
I knew something like this would happen; I was an advisor after all. I had to help the king make decisions whether they were too far fetched or just not likely. I was ready to give him my answer though.
"I say she has no place among our pride. I say you should banish her and her followers to the outlands so nothing like this will happen again," I said with as much dignity as I could in my voice. I always thought I did that well.
"That sounds like the perfect idea, does any one have any objections to it?" asked Simba.
"What about Leza though, she killed in cold blood," asked Pumbaa. I did not expect him to speak up like that.
"Yeah she killed our student," said Timon with his arms crossed and giving the angriest pout I had ever seen him make. For as second it made me wonder if he did it often when he still lived with his mother.
"Yes, they are right about that. How could you let someone live after they killed someone you loved," said Sarafina.
"Then I will give her a sentence as well but I will not pass it until I have a talk with Zira and her followers, Zazu find Zira for me and tell her that she needs to bring her followers with her to the base of Pride Rock for a meeting," said Simba.
I nodded and headed back to the cave where Zira gave birth. I was lucky enough to find her still lying there and she was not alone. All five of her followers were there including Leza who I could see still had a bloody muzzle from her execution of Kopa.
"What do you want?" asked Zira angrily.
I remembered Scar saying that to me years ago for wanting to talk to him about not coming to Simba's ceremony.
"Simba would like to have a talk with every one of you at the base of pride rock this instant," I said.
Zira growled and looked at her followers who seemed to be ready to do whatever Zira was ready to do.
"Tell him I will be there in a minute," she growled.
I nodded and flew back to Pride Rock where Simba stood outside waiting and watching. For about five minutes we stood there until we saw Zira finally arrive with one of her new cubs in her mouth, the dark one. Nuka had come too and had the lighter colored cub in his mouth. She set the dark cub down and then told Nuka to set the other one beside it. Zira then looked up at Simba angrily.
"Did I break a rule by giving birth to cubs?" asked Zira who acted like she had no idea what had happened today.
"No Zira, a witness told me that they saw one of your followers kill my son. Don't deny it because we know for a fact that this witness is truthful and has never lied to me once. So tell me, why did you kill my son?" asked Simba. He did not show any sadness but remained firm.
Zira growled under her breath and paced back and forth before finally making a reply. "Because I wanted the cub out of the way for my new cub so he could be in line for the throne and not have to worry about killing two males when he is old enough to rule," said Zira with hate in her voice.
"So that cub there is the reason for Kopa's death?" asked Simba pointing at the dark colored cub who was still sound asleep with his sister.
"Yes and he will be a grand leader one day, make no mistake about that," said Zira.
Simba sighed and shook his head. Zira was plainly out of her mind. Scar really made her as evil as she could get.
"Because of what just happened, I am now banishing you to the outlands, you are not to return here," said Simba.
"What! The outlands have barely any food and less water. How is this cub to survive without food or water?" asked Zira.
"That is no concern of mine," said Simba.
Zira growled and looked like she was ready to run up there and kill Simba but she stood her ground.
"Now before I send you on your way, will the killer of my son please step forward," said Simba.
Surprisingly Leza walked forward, showing no emotion but sensing that her sentence would not be a good one.
"It was I, Zira told me to and I regret nothing," said Leza.
"Then because of the murder of my son Kopa my sentence to you is death," said Simba with a roar.
Leza did not flinch she must have known it was coming and stood her ground as Simba came forward.
"Do you have any last words?" asked Simba.
"Only that I hope Zira will avenge my death one day and that your death will be slow and painful," said Leza.
Simba said nothing and before any one could react, Simba attacked. There was a cry of pain as Simba tore at Leza. As it happened I felt something grab my wing. I looked beside me and saw Binti holding her wing to mine and covering her eyes with her other wing. She had witness yet another gruesome death that day.
It was all over in less than a minute, Leza's body lay beside Simba while Simba stood over her with no marks of any kind on his body. He had done the business of a king.
Simba then looked up at Zira and the remaining followers with angry eyes. They knew they all had to leave at once, but Zira could not help but threaten Simba one last time.
"Mark my words Simba; this is not the last you will hear of me, my son will return one day, stronger than ever. And that is when you will meet your demise," she said with an evil laugh.
Simba stood his ground and said nothing. Instead he only watched as she picked up the dark cub and began to carry him to the outlands. Nuka stared at us for a moment with angry eyes before finally picking up the little female and carrying her with him to the outlands.
For a long time we watched them go until they were only mere specks on the horizon. Simba then turned to the remaining members of the pride.
"Rafiki has buried Kopa on the other side of Pride Rock if you wish to pay your respects to him. If you see any of Zira's followers please report them to me and I will deal with them. Now if you don't mind I would like to have some alone time with Nala," said Simba.
The lionesses all scattered while Simba and Nala retired to the cave. I knew they had to discuss about the future of their unborn child. I hoped that this ones life would not end so tragically like Kopa's and that Zira would not try to mess anything up.
I then turned to Binti who was still standing beside me and crying softly.
"Everything is going to be okay Binti," I told her as I raised her head up to look into my eyes.
"Oh Zazu it was terrible, I cannot believe someone would do that in cold blood," she said.
"I know, some people are not as kind as others," I said.
"Just like my father," said Binti.
"What?" I asked.
"Just like my father," said Binti.
"Can you tell me about him?" I asked.
"It will be a long story, would you be willing to listen to a long story?" she asked
"Yes I really want to know more about you," I said.
And so Binti's story of her past began.
A/N: Okay you will find out more about her past in the next chapter. This chapter is long enough to begin with I think. I hope you all liked it too sorry if it did not have enough action in it or that it was a little boring, but hey not all stories are perfect. Oh yes I also would like to report that because of renovations of both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon starting October 23rd, I am moving to a new place of work in Disney World. I will now be working at the Magic Kingdom. I will be working at one of the stands that sell popcorn and ice cream bars on the east side of the kingdom. That means I will either be in Tommorrowland or Toontown. I hope this will be a lot of fun but I bet my hours will be long so if I don't update very much any more it's because of my schedule. Any way please review and have a great day.