Chapter 7: Dangerous

"WHAT?!" screeched Kopa, but Vitani was already gone. He felt like screaming, crying, and attacking Vitani all at the same time. "Kopa?" Simba's voice sounded behind him. "Are you okay?" Kopa nodded. He knew what this meeting was going to be about. The mere thought cheered him up a little.

"This may come as a shock to you... follow me." Simba sprinted off. Kopa followed him. Soon they arrived in at the edge of a ravine. "Kopa... this is where my father died." Pain flicker in his red eyes. "I was supposed to become a king, but I ran away, too scared to face the facts. That was a dark time for the Pride..."

"Its only fair to Pride Rock that I chose I fitting king, unlike the old regent, Scar, so the past will not be repeated. The other royals and I have decided... Kovu and Kiara will rule the PrideLands."

Kopa stared in shock. They was the eldest, he and Vitani! They should rule! Was it because he hadn't found a mate in time? Had he realized he would probably never find someone as special as Vitani? Vitani. The very name made his blood boil. Stupid, stuck-up Vitani!

"Kopa, I know you're upset, but you have to understand its for the good of the Pride."

"What?" Kopa was caught off guard, still ranting silently about how unfair his situation was. "Upset? UPSET?! You denied my childhood dream, put an OUTSIDER in charge, while im CLEARLY already have too much on my paws!" He slashed his father's chest, blind with rage. "Kopa, listen to reaso-"

"YOU LISTEN TO REASON! YOU'VE ALWAYS LIKED MY SISTER BETTER THAN ME!"

"You know thats not true, Kop-"

"LIE, LIE, LIE, THATS ALL YOU DO!" roared Kopa. He pushed the old lion with both front paws. Rocks crumbled beneath Simba's paws as he flew onto the very edge. Kopa's eyes widened. He lunged to grab his father. His outstretched claws missed his scruff. Simba began to fall, pure terror reflected in his eyes. "Simba!" Then, surprisingly, his eyes softened as he accepted the gentle slumber of death. "No, DAD!" But it was finished. His father had befallen the same fate the king before him had.

Eyes still wet from tears, Kopa solemnly turned around and began the trek back to Pride Rock. The Pride needed to learn of Simba's demise as soon as possible. Then, something caught his attention. It was a lion- a 6-month old cub, by the looks of it. The cub was bad at concealing herself. Her pale brown fur was easily seen in the contrasting green stalks. The cub slowly lifted her head, revealing large, lavender eyes, both streaked with panic and horror. He recognized the lioness at once.

"Melka!" he yelped. He began to race towards her. Kopa didn't know himself what he hoped to accomplish in this. Before he was even a tails-length away he abruptly stopped. "Murderer,... Kopa is a murderer!" She darted in the other direction, towards Pride Rock. He sped up, trying to catch up to her. The cub was small, but quick. She deftly outran him. Kopa sat, catching his breath. He would have to face his crimes. Solemnly he crept into the gorge, going to retrieve his father's body.

Stiriki swatted at a butterfly flying overhead. He smiled to himself. He had been practicing, and today he would finally beat Frilka at her own game. Stiriki excitedly bounced towards the tree where she lived. "Where are you going?" mewed Kiara from behind him. "Frilka's place," he replied. Kovu shook his head. "No. Simba still hasn't come back yet. Its too dangerous, and theres been a few hyena sightings around." Stiriki flicked his tail in acknowledgement. Usually he would protest and insist on going out, but he heard the tales about hyenas- they ate a lion alive!- and he doubted Frilka's folks wouldn't let her outside either.

"Okay," he said, disappointed. Just as he was just about to enter the cavern he heard an earsplitting yowl. His mother's eyes widened and she pushed Stiriki behind her. Kina was staring at Stiriki, her eyes saying,'What's going on?' as if he knew the answer. "Kopa... push Simba... gorge!" Melka panted as she suddenly leaped onto the Pride Rock. "H-hes dead!" she yowled. She collapsed, her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

Then, suddenly, Kopa arrived.

With Simba in his jaws.