The Lion Guard: Hidden Secrets
Chapter 4: The lost prince
"Kopa?" Kiara said with a mix of hope and dread. "We have a brother, an older brother?"
"Had." Nala corrected bitterly but quickly softened her tone. "I'm sorry Kiara, this is not your fault, it's ours. We should have told you. We should have told both of you."
Tears were streaming down Nala's face. Kion couldn't bare seeing his mom like this. She had always been so strong. He walked over to her and put his head under her own, lifting it a little. "It's ok mom. Just tell us what happened."
But it was Simba who spoke first. "All of this happened before either of you were born. Kopa was such a little fur ball of energy much like you were, Kion, when you were younger. He looked a lot like you too, though he had a brown tuft of mane that fell forward onto his forehead. I still don't understand how both my sons had their manes growing in at such a young age while mine took forever to come in."
"Simba!" Nala scolded.
"Right, sorry, not important. Like I was saying, he had so much energy and he would run all over the kingdom with me on my patrols. Back then I still had much of the care free spirit I had when I was living with Timon and Pumba. I was nowhere near as protective as I was with you both. But then it was because of what happened that I became such a protective father. I would not allow what happened to Kopa happen to either of you."
It seemed as if Simba was reminiscing instead of giving them details as to why Kopa hadn't existed in their lives and it was making Kiara nervous. "Daddy, please. What happened?" She urged. Kovu could hear the concern and now fear in Kiara's voice and came near to her, brushing against her side. Rani did the same with Kion. Even though he kept a calm demeanor she could tell he was anything but calm on the inside.
Simba saw his children's concern and continued, more serious this time. "When the kingdom was getting back on its feet all the lions were helping me restore order to the land and bringing the herds back. All except for Zira and a few of her friends. She was one, among a few others, that joined the pride while under Scars rule."
"Scar found them wandering and adopted them into the pride." Nala explained. "Though, Scar never did anything out of kindness. I believe he did it because our existing pride knew the kind of monster he was, where these new lions would only see him as a noble king who took them in when they were at their weakest. Zira became his favorite because shortly after they joined she gave birth to a new cub." She looked at Kovu as she said this. "Scar saw you and your mother as an opportunity to finally have a queen and an heir since Sarabi refused to be his queen."
"So it was understandable that they wouldn't want to trust the lion who dethroned the king who took them in." Simba said. "Zira and her friend's would never do anything to help. She claimed having three cubs to take care required her and her friend's full attention. This was true so I gave her the benefit of the doubt, but there was no hiding that she was not happy with me as king. You were too young to probably remember any of this, Kovu, and I don't know what your mother might have told you."
"She never actually talked about her time while under your rule." Kovu replied. "She only ever spoke about her hate of you for killing Scar."
Simba just nodded. "And your sister Vitani, has she ever talked about this time?"
"No, why?" Kovu asked.
"Because, Vitani loved Kopa." Kovu looked stunned at Simba's words but he went on. "Despite Vitani being a bit older than Kopa, he was the only other cub in the kingdom at the time besides you and Nuka. She was the first to approach when he was born and as he got older they became friends fast. I thought that as their relationship grew Zira would see the joy from her daughter and begin to come out of her depressed state. Though instead of moving on and seeing what the future could hold, she held onto the past. Looking back on it, I think Zira saw what Vitani had with Kopa and probably made her think of what she believed she had lost with Scar. I tried to be patient with her. I think she really did love Scar, though I doubt she knew what kind of lion he really was. Whenever we would go out to hunt or to perform duties within the land she would remain behind in the den. When Kopa was about the age you were, Kion, when you took lead of the lion guard, Nala became pregnant with Kiara. That's when it all went wrong. I made the comment to Zira one day that now with our new cub on the way, maybe Kovu would have someone to play with. She never said anything but the look she gave me still haunts me to this day. It was a warning, but I didn't take it serious."
Simba looked away, but Nala spoke up. "This is not your fault Simba. I saw Zira's hate growing just like you did, but we both held onto hope that she'd change."
Nala continued where her mate had left off. "One evening Kopa approached us and asked if he could bring Vitani out to star gaze with her, just the two of them. It was one of his favorite things to do, and one of the few times he would actually remain still, and he wanted to share that with her. We both agreed as long as they stayed within roaring distance of pride rock. Kopa ran off to find Vitani. It was… It was the last time I saw him alive." She began to break down again.
This time it was Rafiki who came to give comfort. "Hush dear one. Nala, your son knows you love him and you did everything you could to give him a good life."
"But I wasn't there when he needed me the most." She sobbed
"Nala." Simba said gently, nuzzling her. "We couldn't have known."
The room was silent as the king and queen of the pridelands wept for their son.
Kovu had a growing dread in the pit of his stomach and after a time he had to ask. "So it was my mother wasn't it? She was responsible for Kopa…" He couldn't finish his question, but Simba answered.
"Yes." Simba said grievously. "I'm sorry Kovu. You shouldn't have to hear this so soon after…"
"No!" Kovu said sternly. "No! Do not apologize. I need to hear this just like the rest of us."
Simba gave a small nod and went on. "I couldn't sleep that night so I stood out at pride rock and looked out over the land. I could see Kopa and Vitani in the distance, and then I saw him lean in next to her and kiss her. It made me smile and I was happy for them. I knew Vitani loved my son, I could see it in her eyes, but I wasn't sure Kopa even knew what love was. I know he cared for her, but the stars know it took me until I was almost full grown to realize my love for Nala. I continued to watch until Vitani got up to leave, though giving Kopa a peck on the cheek before she left. I had supposed she was turning in for the night but Kopa just wanted to continue gazing at the stars like he always did. I almost turned to head into the den myself when I saw something out of the corner of my eye that turned my blood cold. Looking back I saw Zira stalking in the tall grass and she was heading towards Kopa. Vitani was already more than half way back to pride rock when I raced past her to get to where Kopa was and that's when I heard him cry out. He screamed for us. It woke the entire kingdom. I couldn't even feel my paws touching the ground I was running so fast, but it wasn't enough. I came to where Kopa had been and there he was with Zira standing over him. She was covered in his blood. I didn't even think, I just attacked her. Even in my fight with Scar I had never been so blinded by rage. I had her pinned and I almost killed her, but then I saw Vitani. She was draped over Kopa's body in tears, but she was looking straight at me in horror. Horror at what her mother had done, or what I was about to do I didn't know, but I couldn't kill Zira in front of her daughter. I wouldn't be the kind of monster she was and I got myself under control but I did not let her up."
Nala now spoke. "I came running up at that point with the rest of the pride behind me and I froze. There on the ground in front of me was my beautiful boy, my Kopa, covered in blood. I swept Vitani aside and took him in my arm crying out his name over and over, but it was no good, he was already gone."
"I can't believe she did this. I know her heart was darkened, but a cub. He was just a cub!" Kovu roared in anger and frustration at what his mother had done. Zira had killed Kiara's brother, and what's worse is she had manipulated him to try to kill Simba for her. "That's why we were banished to the outlands and why you didn't want me near Kiara." He said to Simba feeling ashamed.
"Yes, but it was unfair for me to judge you because of your mother's actions. I shouldn't have."
"You don't need to explain, Simba, I am just thankful you gave me a chance in the end. In fact if it wasn't for you and your family I may have become just like my mother… or Scar." Kovu shuddered at the thought but Kiara put a paw on his and looked at him with her beautiful, wet eyes. This wasn't right, she should not be the one comforting him during this time. He should be comforting her. "I'm sorry, I'm making this about me, please continue, Simba."
"Before I do I want you to know, I am proud to have you a part of this family, Kovu." Despite the gloom he was feeling Kovu smiled a bit feeling how genuine Simba's statement was. "Now I do regret what I did next, though not for Zira's sake, but for you and your siblings. I was so enraged and hurt by what she had done, but I couldn't kill her, so I did the next worse thing. I banished her, her family, and any lions who followed her to the outlands. A lion being banished to the outlands was the ultimate mark of shame, but I should have never sent you and your siblings with her. It would have meant a better life for you, and a worse punishment for her, but I wasn't thinking of her cubs at the time. After a few of the lionesses had retrieved you, your siblings, and her followers the pride and many of the animals who had awoken to this tragedy forced you all out and we were left to mourn for Kopa."
Nala spoke again. "Simba and I took Kopa back to the den. We had sent Zazu to retrieve Rafiki holding onto one last hope that he might be able to do something for him, but…"
"There was nothing I could do." Rafiki said mournfully. "His wounds were too great and his spirit had already left his body. I took the young prince and cleaned him up and laid him to rest alongside Mufasa's burial spot, behind pride rock. The queen's wails for Kopa could be heard across the kingdom. It was from that day forward that the animals of the pridelands held an unspoken agreement to never speak the name of Kopa again to keep from remembering the pain of that tragic day."
"So you all just forgot about him! He was your son, our brother, and you just forgot about him!" Kiara shouted bitterly at her parents.
"Don't you dare say we forgot about him!" Her mother scolded sharply, Kiara didn't back down though.
"Then why didn't you tell us. We had a right to know!"
"Kiara!" Kion warned, stepping between his mother and sister. "Stop it. You're not helping." Kion wanted to shout and blame someone too. He wanted to blame Kovu. His mother had killed his brother and now Kovu wanted to be part of his family and call him a brother. Though after witnessing Kovu being just as upset, if not more so, at hearing how Kopa had died Kion knew his feelings towards him were unjustified and held his tongue. If there was one thing the roar had taught him, it was how to control his emotions. Kiara on the other hand wasn't doing the best job at controlling hers.
"Kion, Kiara." Simba said apologetically. "Your mother and I both know we should have told you sooner, but we didn't want you to bear the weight of knowing you had a brother who was murdered. We didn't want you to feel this pain."
"A burden shared by many makes the load lighter to bear." Umren advised.
Nala nodded and calmed, turning back to her children. "We never forgot him. I remember Kopa every day, and every night before I go lay down I whisper his name to the stars in hopes that I will hear his spirit whisper back but I never have."
Kion was confused. "Why can't you talk with his spirit like we can with grandfather Mufasa?"
"It's because he was so young when he died." Umren gently pointed out. "He hadn't made a strong enough connection in the world yet for his spirit to be able to reappear."
"Yes." Simba agreed sadly. "We did ask my father why we could not hear from Kopa and he told us something similar, but assured us Kopa was at peace. We asked if he could give Kopa a message from us, to tell him that we loved and missed him. Father reassured us that Kopa knew and that he loved and missed us too. It helped a little hearing this from my father but we wish we could speak with Kopa ourselves for at least one more time."
Rafiki gave Umren a look that said; "I know there must be something you can do." Umren pondered this for a moment and then spoke up. "What if I told you that there was a way to speak to him again." he said with a small smile.
Simba sat there stunned but Nala just about toppled Umren over as she ran up to him and put her paws on his shoulders. "You know how to speak with Kopa? We can see him? How? Where?"
"Mom, easy, you're hurting him." Kion said seeing blood start to fall from Umren's shoulders where Nala's claws were starting to dig in.
"Oh! I am so sorry Umren!" she yelped jumping back off him.
"It's okay, nothing but a scratch." He said examining his shoulder. "Please, come back into the moyo chamber and I will show you." They all quickly followed Umren back into the large room and he brought them before the bright blue pool. He then turned to touch one of the sigils on the wall to his left and the large stone at the entrance slammed shut, causing another loud rumble.
"I really do need to fix that." He remarked. "Way too much noise."
"Why'd you do that? Why did you lock us all in here?" Makini said, worried.
"Because what I'm about to share with you must remain secret and before I continue I must have you all swear an oath upon a binding sigil."
"Is this really necessary." Simba said with some annoyance.
"If it means we can speak with Kopa we'll do whatever it takes, right." Nala growled giving her mate a fierce look.
"Yes of course, I was just curious that's all." He said a bit sheepishly.
"I will explain after the oath. Now each of you must place your hand, or paw, here" Umren told them pointing to one of the symbols on the ground near the pool. "This sigil will bind any words you say to your spirit so it will be impossible for you to go against what you say. Just make sure you only repeat the words I tell you while touching the sigil or you will bind more than you would like to yourself. Simba, would you…"
"Queen Rani! King Kion!" a muffled voice shouted. "Are you in there? Is everyone alright?" It was Surak shouting from behind the stone. Rani rushed up to her side of the stone and answered back.
"Everything is alright, Surak, Umren just sealed us in here so we could have more privacy. No need to worry."
"I'm thankful everything is alright, we were weren't sure what to think when the ground shook again. I will reassure everyone outside, but you should know it is getting late and the night pride must begin our patrol."
"Please do so. I will join you when I can."
"No need. Finish your business with your family and then rest. You and they have had a long day. We will see you in the morning."
"Thank you Surak. Stay safe. With strength and respect…"
"Night pride protect!" Surak finished and then left.
"Sorry about that, now where were we." Rani said coming back to the group.
"I figured someone would come check in on us thanks to that noisy stone." Umren muttered. "Thank you Rani for not speaking in detail of anything."
"Well you haven't really told us much yet." She remarked.
"Right, now Simba, would like to go first?" Umren asked him.
"I will." Simba stepped forward to place his paw on the binding sigil.
"Repeat my words and only my words then step off the sigil." Umren instructed and Simba nodded.
"I, Simba, will never speak of the secrets shared with me here or of any conversation held while sealed in the moyo chamber unless given permission from Mlezi Umren or any mlezi after him."
Simba repeated Umren's exact words and stepped off the sigil. As he did so his eyes flashed green momentarily and then went back to his normal red. He shook his head. "What was that?"
"That was the binding sigil taking affect." Umren answered. "You will now be unable to speak of what I'm about to show you or about anything you will experience here unless I give you permission to do so. Nothing said in here while sealed by the stone shall be repeated once the stone is rolled back, not even to each other. Now each of you must do the same."
Nala was next and then the rest followed. Each, with their own name, gave their oath.
"So how can we see Kopa if his spirit doesn't have a strong enough connection to the world to reappear?" Kion asked, but Umren asked him a question in return.
"Think back on our earlier conversations about spirits. Only the great spirits who've made impacts on the world of life can appear to us right?"
"Yeah." He agreed.
"What appears every time you see them?"
"Um… clouds?" Kion didn't know where Umren was going with this.
"And what are clouds made of?"
"Water. Why are you asking me all this?"
"You wanted to know how seeing Kopa is possible, I'm helping you understand." Umren retorted. "Now remember when I told you the tree gave me everything I needed to become a mlezi?" They all nodded. "Well it wasn't the tree directly. I needed to learn more from my parents, but I needed a way to talk with them for longer periods of time. All these questions I've been asking are the same ones I asked myself when trying to figure out a way to prolong my interactions with my parents spirits. You all know that spirits can appear to us in the sky because that's where their world exists. Though the sky is a vast space and in order for a spirit to find our world to reappear here they need a strong enough link which is formed by the impact they make here when they were alive. You might be wondering since the tree of life links all spirits then all spirits should at least be able to appear in the sky in this kingdom, right? However, the spirits need one other thing in order to appear to us. At first I believed it was the clouds themselves. Though, clouds are a very fine form of water, and it got me thinking, what if it's not the clouds they need, but the water the clouds are made up of. Clouds shift a great deal, which I realized, must be why only great spirits could use the clouds to reappear. They were the only ones with the strength to hold the clouds for those brief interactions. But what if there was a place with a great spiritual link and a more stable form of water?" He gestured to the clear blue pool beside him. "All the mlezi before me thought this pool was simply the water source for the tree of life when it was so much more. This pool of water is the spirit well. I came here and meditated, hoping I was right and the tree didn't disappoint. It showed me that all I had to do was say the name of the spirit to the tree's heart and touch it to the water and they would appear here for as long as I wished to speak with them. Not just the great spirits either, because any spirit whether young or old, weak or strong have a powerful connection to the tree. And the water, unlike the clouds, is concentrated and stable so a spirit doesn't need fight to hold their image."
"Does that mean evil spirits can appear here too?" Makini asked nervously.
"Yes it does." Umren agreed. "Which is why, among other reasons, this pool is also very dangerous and must be kept secret. You should know though, any spirit who appears here, even if they were evil, cannot lie. This can be good and bad I've discovered, since there are somethings that are better left not knowing." He shuddered trying to shake away some unpleasant thoughts.
"So can we see him now? Can we see Kopa?" Nala asked eagerly.
Umren smiled warmly. "Look to the spirit well."
They all gathered around the edge of the pool and stared down into the clear blue water. Umren held the staff to his lips and whispered; "Kopa, son of Simba and Nala." He then reached out and touched the tip of the staff to the water causing a ripple and the hearts green light flashed. As the water settled the image of a young, golden lion cub with a tuft of brown mane now appeared among the reflections of the others.
"Kopa!" Nala cried.
"Kopa." Simba repeated in disbelief.
"Mom, Dad! I've missed you so much!" The young cub's imaged spoke as clear as if he were standing there with them.
Nala was crying again but this time tears of joy and longing. For years she had called his name, and now here he was, just the way she remembered him, but now without his wounds. Seeing him and hearing his voice again filled a void in her heart that she believed would have remained empty until the day she left this life. "Oh Kopa, how I wish that I could pick you up out of that water and lick you."
He chuckled "Well, if there's one thing I don't mind about being a spirit is that we don't need tongue baths." Kopa said with a grin. Nala just laughed.
"There's that playful attitude I remember. It really is you." Simba said gazing lovingly at the son he thought he had lost forever.
"It's really me dad." Kopa's attention shifted to where Kion and Kiara sat with their mates. "and you must be my brother and sister, grandfather Mufasa has told me a lot about you both, but I'm so glad to finally see you face to face."
"It's nice to meet you Kopa." Kion said smiling and turned to introduce his mate. "This is Queen Rani."
"I'm pleased to meet you Kopa." Rani said.
"A queen huh. That must make you a king, Kion." Kopa pointed out excitedly.
"Yep, as of today." Kion remarked feeling the weight of all that had happened start to sink in. He couldn't believe how this day had gone. First he becomes king, then the ground shakes and they find Umren. Now talking to his long lost brother, whom he just learned of moments ago. It was almost too much, but he shook it off. There would be time to absorb it all later… he hoped.
"And this is Kovu." Kiara said, introducing him.
Kovu was bit confused. "If your Kiara's older brother, why are you still a cub?"
"Hey, I'm not a cub!" Kopa argued.
"Actually you are young prince, or you appear to be."Rafiki laughed.
"We see your spirit in the stage of life your body was in before your spirit departed, though a spirit does not show the scars of this life." Umren explained.
"So you guys really still see me as a cub?" Kopa asked, and the group nodded. "Huh, well I guess I don't really know what I look like anymore, there aren't really any places in the spirit world where I can see my reflection. Oops." Kopa said putting a paw over his mouth when he saw Umren's stern look.
"What?" Kiara asked confused.
"I'm not supposed to talk about the spirit world."
"Why not?"
"For the same reason we don't tell others about their future." Umren said. "The spirit world is a place we will all go eventually, but it is a place we must learn about once we get there. It is something we must experience without prior knowledge."
"Okay, but we can tell Kopa about our experience's right?" Kiara asked Umren.
"Of course. Kopa was, after-all, once a part of this world."
"Yeah!" Kopa said excitedly. "I want to hear all about your lives. Grandfather has told me some of what's happened, but there has been so much I have missed out on."
The group sat and talked with Kopa, sharing some brief stories and adventures of the past. Though it was already quite late, and many yawns broke out amongst the story telling.
"I think it's time you guys get some rest." Kopa stated seeing three of the group yawn in unison.
"But I don't want you to go." Nala said, blinking tiredly.
"I can call Kopa again after we have all rested." Umren assured her and Nala visibly relaxed.
"Good night Kopa. We love you so much." Simba said feeling more warmth in his heart than he thought possible.
"Good night everyone, I love you all too and can't wait to see you again." Umren blew on the staff like blowing out a candle and Kopa's image faded until it was once again just the reflections of all those gathered around the spirit well.
Kion turned to face Umren. "What you just gave us is something we will never be able to repay. You gave my parents their son back and allowed Kiara and I to meet our brother, who without you, we never would have truly gotten to know. We are forever in your debt, and if Rani agrees we will allow you to leave and return with a mate."
"Yes." Rani agreed without hesitation. "You could have easily kept this spirit well a secret but instead you decided to share it with us and brought this family closer together because of it. I don't know what other humans are like, but I trust you to find someone who will treat you and this kingdom well."
"Thank you your majesties." Umren said with a bow. "I guess the tree was right, not that I really had any doubt. You were the one's worth waiting for. Though, I think I'd like to stay a while before I begin my journey. I'm sure much has changed since I set foot outside this tree. Plus, I'd like the chance to speak more with Nirmala. There are things I can teach her, and who knows, she might even be able to teach me a thing or two."
"I'm sure she would love that." Rani replied. "I can arrange a tour for you tomorrow, but for now let's all get some rest."
Umren placed his palm back on the sigil that had moved the stone and with another rumble the entrance was once again opened up. As the group started to depart Simba and Nala approached Umren. Simba spoke first. "You have no idea the hope and joy you have restored to us, we can't thank you enough."
"You don't know how much that meant to us." Nala added.
"I couldn't bear to see your pain when I knew there was something I could do to help. It's what mlezi are for."
"The world will be a better place with you back in it." Simba stated.
"We will see." Umren said, feeling those troubling thoughts start to creep back in. "Rest well your majesties." He said bowing again.
"Thanks to you I finally will." Nala said with a warm smile.
Kiara and Kovu were the last to leave but Kovu paused at the entrance to the chamber.
"Kovu, what's wrong?" Kiara asked turning back.
"There's something that's been bugging me I want to ask Umren, you go on ahead, I'll catch up."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I need to ask him myself."
Kiara looked concerned, but she trusted Kovu and nodded. "Okay, don't be too long." She turned and playfully swished her tail in his face as she left.
Kovu let out a short laugh and then turned back into the chamber. Umren had turned to sit by the spirit well with his legs crossed over one another and the moyo staff laid across his lap.
"Umren?"
"Yes?" he asked turning his head to face the brown lion.
"Can I ask you something about the…" Kovu's mouth clamped shut, not of his own will and was not able to finish his question.
Umren made sure no one was near the chamber then turned back to Kovu. "I give you permission to speak of the well while we are alone." He tapped the butt of his staff to the floor and a small flash of green rippled out from under it and Kovu moved his jaw around to make sure it was working.
"I was wondering, do you… do you think you could call my dad to the well?" Kovu asked with uncertainty.
"Of course, what's his name?"
"That's the thing, I don't know his name. I never met him." Kovu looked away loosing hope.
"Hmm." Umren pondered using one hand to scratch at his chin. "I don't believe I can call a spirit without a name. There might be a way we can find out his name, though you might not like it."
"How?"
"By calling your mother…"
Kovu was a bit stunned. After hearing what she had done to Kopa she was the last lion he wanted to talk to. But she had know who his father was right? She never talked about him. All he knew is his father had apparently died just after Kovu was conceived. Vitani was a new born and Nuka was too young at the time to really remember anything about him. "You said spirits here have to tell the truth right?"
"Yes, I can even activate a sigil that will only allow her to speak when asked a question of you."
Kovu was silent for a moment then nodded. "Okay, lets do it. Only to find out the name of my father."
Umren whispered to the heart;" Zira, mother of Kovu." And touched the staff to the water, but this time there was no green flash. Kovu looked expectantly at the water as it cleared, but no other image appeared.
"What happened? Why didn't she appear?"
Umren looked grim as he turned to answer. "Because she's not dead."
Authors note:
Phew! That was a lot to put into a chapter but I really want to get this story moving and get them out of the tree. I never really believed Zira died in that river. Seeing her paw surface above the waves always made me think there could have been a chance she survived. Next chapter we will find out how. And here's a little teaser, she won't be the only evil lion who cheated death, and I'm not talking about Scar. Until then please continue to review and comment. Thanks for reading!