Vitani has been investigating the scene ever since and yet she still haven't found any clues yet not even one.
She sat there hopeless even if it's true that someone did have a paw in Simba's demise she doesn't have the proof to prove it, she thought about Mufasa's warning but she still doesn't get it, who could it be? Kovu? He will never do that Kopa? He does act weird but he will not kill his own father Kiara? Now that just doesn't make any sense.
connected to our history ever since
"What could it be?" she thought
"Hey, Tani," Kovu called out.
"Hello Kovu," Vitani replied with a weary smile.
"It's been months, Vitani," Kovu said, his voice tinged with sadness. "Let's just accept the reality – Simba died in an accident."
As difficult as it was to admit, it seemed like the only plausible explanation for now, even though something still felt wrong.
Vitani sighed and stood up, looking at Kovu with a mixture of frustration and resignation. "You're probably right, Kovu," she conceded, her voice heavy with disappointment. "I've been chasing ghosts for months, and I've got nothing to show for it."
Kovu said sympathetically. "I know how much this has been weighing on you, Vitani. Simba's death was tragic, but sometimes accidents happen."
Deep down, Vitani still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the whole situation. She glanced back at the scene one more time, then turned to Kovu. "I just wish I could put my doubts to rest. It's like there's a puzzle piece missing, and I can't find it."
"If there's ever any real evidence, we'll address it together. But for now, let's try to move forward." Kovu noted
Vitani nodded, though her doubts still lingered in the back of her mind. As they walked away from the scene, she couldn't help but wonder if there was more to Simba's death than met the eye.
Trouble suddenly erupted out of nowhere as a zebra stampede thundered through the Pride Lands.
"What's happening? Tazama, I need your eyes," Vitani urgently exclaimed.
"Understood. It appears the zebras are being pursued by a... lioness in the outlands?" Tazama responded.
"What? That can't be right," Vitani retorted. "Since we joined the pride, there haven't been any outlanders in the Outlands!"
"Well we're about to find out!" Kasi declared as she sprinted towards the stampede, the Lion Guard trailing closely behind her.
The Lion Guard arrived at the scene, confirming that Tazama's information was correct – it was indeed a random lioness causing trouble, an outlander no less.
"Hey!" Vitani confronted the intruder. "Who do you think you are, trespassing in this territory?"
"Ah, Vitani," the lioness smirked. "You've grown."
"Who are you, and how do you know her name?" Kasi questioned.
"Oh, you guys really forgot about me," the lioness chuckled. "I am her arch-nemesis."
"What?" Imara exclaimed.
"You see, I was the one who molded you into the strong, fierce warrior Zira and Scar wanted, A weapon of war" the lioness named Kicha explained. "I found you, Vitani, helpless and abandoned, and I gave you a chance."
"But in return, you all treated me like garbage!" Kicha hissed. "Zira became so obsessed with Scar after his death and wouldn't listen to me, I was seen as a fool a joke! Vitani, after all I've done, you also treated me like trash. You threw rocks at me, you hit me with a bone!"
Vitani remembered the incident – it was just a playful cub game, and she hadn't realized who she had hit. "I've hit a lot of lions with a lot of stuff; don't feel so special."
"You joined in and added to my suffering," Kicha continued. "You even betrayed the cause your mother wanted by joining the other side. After that, I left and created my own cause..."
"Which is?" Imara asked.
"Revenge!" Kicha hissed, glaring at Vitani. "I made you, and you made me."
"I still don't get it," Vitani admitted.
"It doesn't matter!" Kicha hissed. "It's time for us to fight."
Before the battle could begin, Kicha was struck by the stampede she had caused, sending her flying far away.
"That's... it?" Kasi remarked
The Lion Guard managed to calm the zebras once again, seemingly saving the day. But Vitani couldn't shake the feeling that this lioness they encountered wasn't the one Mufasa had warned her about. She appeared to have some issues, particularly in her head.
Alone on a cliff, Vitani gazed at the skies and demanded answers, frustration in her voice. "Who is it?! Just tell me, don't make this hard!"
She lamented, her voice filled with longing, "I just want to do the right thing..."
In an unexpected turn of events, the sky responded, illuminating the presence of Mufasa.
"Can you tell me who it is?" Vitani asked the legendary figure.
"It is a task you must undertake yourself," Mufasa replied. "What I provided you is a hint."
"I just want the truth!" Vitani pleaded. "I don't know what is true... Just give me another hint..."
Mufasa hesitated, sensing Vitani's earnestness. "You may not be fully ready for the truth..."
"I am! Please, just tell me!" Vitani begged.
"Since you are asking for it... I cannot lie any longer" Mufasa sighed
Mufasa appeared to transform into a whole different lion he seemed to changed his form and took the shape of a Lion that is familiar to her past.
"Nuka?!" Vitani hissed in disbelief.
"Look, I know it sounds bad, but it is the truth," Nuka admitted.
"It was you?! Were you the one who gave me the message earlier?!" Vitani exclaimed.
"...Yes," Nuka confessed.
Vitani slumped onto her paws, realizing that it had all been a game orchestrated by her brother. She should have known that some random legendary lion wouldn't just appear out of nowhere.
"It's all fake, isn't it?!" Vitani asked.
"No, it isn't!" Nuka defended himself. "What I'm saying is true. There is a threat. I only pretended to be whoever that guy is everyone loves so much so you would believe me!"
"What's next? Elephants will fly?" Vitani quipped.
"Vitani, listen to me. What I'm saying is the truth," Nuka urged. "The Pridelands is in danger Vitani... It would result in a lot of death and destruction! A repeat of history! You have to take action before it's too late..."
"Then what is the danger may I ask?!" Vitani demanded. "Answer me!"
"I can't just reveal him! I'll be punished!" Nuka defended himself. "Vitani, listen... Spirits can visit the people who loved them, and the only person I could visit is you... That means a lot to me."
Vitani couldn't help but chuckle at her brother's antics. "You're such a fool."
"What?" Nuka said, puzzled.
"You've already given me something without even realizing it. Even though you're up there, you still haven't changed," Vitani chuckled. "A 'him'? Nuka, thanks a lot."
"Well, I..." Nuka started.
"Good luck, Vitani," Nuka said as the spirit disappeared, leaving Vitani with a genuine lead this time.
Kopa is on his way, to his friend the one that he trusts the most... He knew there is no coming back now, this might be it.
"Hello?" Kopa greeted as his voice echoed "I know you're here!"
"Oh Hello there Kopa" Asante greeted "About time"
"Asante! It has been awhi-"
Before he could finish his word Kopa found himself in a dire situation as his friend Asante pinned him to the ground, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and anger.
"Where have you been?!?" Asante demanded, her voice trembling with emotion. "We searched for you, Simba blamed us for your supposed death, and my clan had to run away! And now you're here?"
Kopa struggled to breathe under her weight but managed to get out, "Look... I was attacked by that psycho, Zira! I lost my memory."
Asante's grip loosened slightly, and her expression softened as she processed his words. "Zira? That's... that's terrible, Kopa. But why didn't you come back sooner? We thought you were gone for good."
Kopa sighed, feeling the weight of his absence. "I wish I could have. It's all a blur. I just got my memories back and found my way back home."
Asante helped him up, her anger turning into concern. "I'm sorry for jumping at you like that. It's just been so hard for all of us without you."
Kopa smiled, appreciating her understanding. "I understand, Asante. I missed you and everyone. But now that I've found my way back we could set things right"
"I'm just glad you're back, Afua and the others... They would be happy to see you," Asante said with a warm smile.
Kopa's expression darkened. "No, they don't need to know," he spat. "I was told that Afua's dead."
"Well, you were also supposed to be dead. Things aren't just the way they seem," Asante replied, trying to ease the tension.
"Fair enough," Kopa conceded. "Asante... We need to set things right. I came back to the Pride Lands, and everything is wrong."
"What's wrong?" Asante asked, concerned.
"I'm not the heir anymore," Kopa replied, his voice heavy with surrow
"That's horrible... You wanted to be king, right?" Asante said, empathizing with his predicament.
"It's not just that... The current king is Kovu," Kopa continued, his frustration evident. "The son of Zira, he succeeded my father after his death."
"What?!? How?!" Asante was shocked. "That means... Zira won. She always wanted Kovu to be king."
"He married my sister, Kiara, and therefore he was named the heir. My dad didn't want me to be king and chose him instead. After that, I was convinced that he had gone insane," Kopa explained.
"Yeah, that is... wrong," Asante agreed.
"Will you help me, Asante?" Kopa asked.
"Help you with what?" Asante inquired.
"I need to retake the throne and remove Kovu from power. It's my birthright," Kopa stated firmly.
"Of course, I will help you. You are my friend," Asante said, determination in her eyes. "And it sounds like a horrible situation. We need to remove Kovu before things get worse!"
"Thank you, Asante," Kopa said with a warm smile. "I knew I could count on you."
As Kopa entered the cave where Asante's clan lived, he couldn't help but be appalled by the dismal living conditions. How could his friend endure such a life?
"Asante... Do you live here, or is this just where you stay?" Kopa asked, genuine concern in his voice.
"We... We live here," Asante replied with a touch of sadness.
Kopa's heart sank. Did his father really allow his best friend to live like this? "I... This is horrible."
"We've been here for years. We kind of got used to it," Asante said
"Asante... If I become king," Kopa began, "Do you want your clan to enter the Pride Lands?"
"That wouldn't be necessary," Asante replied. "I just want you to succeed."
"That wasn't a question, Asante. I'll give you and your clan a better life," Kopa declared. "If I become king, you will have access to the prey of the Pride Lands. You will never go hungry again."
"I... Thank you, Kopa," Asante replied
"Friends help each other, right?" Kopa said with a warm smile.
"Yes, they do," Asante replied, her smile mirroring his.
"I will come back, I promise," Kopa assured her as he finally departed, determined to fulfill his pledge.
Kopa returned to his den, which had once belonged to Scar, with a multitude of questions swirling in his mind. He needed answers...
"Scar!" Kopa called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. "I know you can hear me! I need you now!"
Scar materialized, his flames illuminating the dark den. "What is it, my grandnephew?"
Kopa didn't waste any time. "I went to Asante's place, and... What happened to her?"
Scar smiled, the shadows dancing across his face as he spoke. "Oh, Kopa, when you died, your father accused Shenzi's clan of killing you, given your friendship with her daughter, which wasn't the case. With your father being who he is that accusation led to a tragic turn of events. Shenzi and the others were dealt with, and the remaining members of their clan had to flee to a safer location."
Kopa's eyes widened with shock. "She had a brother... What happened to him?"
Scar's chuckle sent shivers down Kopa's spine. "Oh, Janja? Surprisingly, he's still alive and even allied with the Lion Guard."
"What?!" Kopa exclaimed, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
"Well, you might have a chance to knock some sense into him," Scar suggested with a twisted grin.
"This just doesn't make any sense," Kopa muttered, frustration simmering in his voice. "Father... I didn't regret it, not a single bit, especially after finding out what you just did!"
"Oh he will definitely hear that" Scar chuckled "Kopa, I have some news to deliver."
"What is it?" Kopa asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Kiara is expecting... A new heir will be born," Scar revealed, watching Kopa's reaction closely.
"What?! Great, as if things couldn't get any harder!" Kopa exclaimed, his mind racing.
Scar's grin returned. "No, Kopa, this is an opportunity."
"How exactly?!" Kopa demanded.
"You need to take care of the cub, take it from her. It's the one thing the royal couple will hold so dearly, and it will be your first strike!" Scar explained, his tone laced with sinister intent.
"I'm not taking care of some cub! Especially not Kovu's cub!" Kopa argued vehemently.
Scar leaned closer, his eyes narrowing. "Kopa, consider this – it could also be your cub. We both know you'll never sire an heir, if you become king you will be needing one! This could be your chance to secure your legacy."
Kopa's resolve wavered as he considered Scar's words. Scar was right; his chances of having an heir of his own were virtually nonexistent. "I'll wait for the presentation," Kopa finally conceded.
"Very well," Scar said with a knowing smile, his plans falling into place.
As the sun rose, heralding the start of a new day, a new generation began in the Pride Lands. Queen Kiara, had given birth to twin brothers, and Rafiki couldn't hide his joy as he witnessed the arrival of another generation.
However, unknown to the kingdom, these joyous beginnings marked the onset of difficult challenges. In the shadows, Kopa had just embarked on his dark agenda and ambitious goals. He was determined to strike, and the Pride Lands would soon find itself facing another enemy...