The sun rose, marking the beginning of the presentation of the twins: Amini and Chaka.
Animals gathered round, signifying a new chapter in King Kovu and Queen Kiara's reign. It had been decided that Chaka would be the new heir, while Amini would take up the mantle of leading the Lion Guard.
But beneath the shadows, Prince Kopa, the former heir, continued to hatch his revenge against the new regime, with plans to overthrow Kovu and Kiara once and for all However, he knew that the time wasn't right just yet.
"It turns out they had twins," Kopa revealed. "That's more than we expected,
"So what is your plan?" Scar asked.
"What I'm going to do is... Let the second cub fall into darkness," Kopa explained with a sinister grin. "He will be on our side"
"How are you going to do that?" Scar queried.
"Venemous bite from a Cobra, You all of lions should know that," Kopa smirked.
"Oh, I see," Scar chuckled, understanding Kopa's scheme.
Both lions shared a malevolent laugh, but their mirth was interrupted by an incoming presence."Hello there, Kopa." Zazu said, announcing himself.
"Ah! Don't startle me like that!" Kopa warned.
"Who were you talking to, and why were you laughing?" Zazu inquired.
"None of your business, Zazu! I just wanted a moment of solitude," Kopa replied.
"Enjoy your moment as King Kovu wants an explanation from you," Zazu teased. "Last time I witnessed someone miss their nephew's presentation... Oh it didn't end well."
"Oh, tell me about it," Kopa smirked, reminiscing.
"You may have grown up, but you haven't changed a bit since you were a cub!" Zazu observed.
"Glad you mentioned it," Kopa chuckled, "because I still enjoy hunting birds!"
"No, Kopa... Don't even think about it!" Zazu protested as he tried to flee, with Kopa chasing after him. "Help!"
Kovu arrived just in time to intervene. "Kopa, let him go."
"Glad you weren't too late, Your Majesty," Zazu said, relieved, as Kopa finally released him.
Kopa continued to mock, "What do you want your majesty?"
"What you just did is unacceptable!" Kovu snapped. "You missed your nephew's presentation."
"Oh... I may have overslept," Kopa replied dismissively. "Alright, your majesty, I'm about to go."
"It's over!" Kovu said, blocking Kopa's path. "You need to have a better explanation than just that."
"What the hell do you want? I already explained it!" Kopa argued. "I overslept!"
"Yeah, right, especially since you were talking to someone," Zazu chimed in.
"Who were you talking to?!" Kovu demanded.
"None of your business," Kopa said defiantly. "Now stand aside!"
"I don't care about your antics or who you were talking to. Have your moment every time, and I couldn't care less," Kovu argued. "But you just missed your nephew's presentation, and it seems like you're lying. Keep in mind that your brother, Kion, woke up early just to attend it."
"So what? Why do you make it seem so important?" Kopa argued. "You stole my throne, your mother ruined my life, after that I lost everything! You took everything from me!"
"Don't say that; you're still not over it," Kovu replied. "What matters here is that the Pride Lands are in good hands!"
"Good hands?!" Kopa chuckled. "I won't consider the Pride Lands being run by outsider mongrels and with Zira's son being king to be in good hands!"
Out of anger, Kovu pounced on him, pinning him to the ground. "Watch your mouth!"
"And then what? What are you going to do with me? Kill me?" Kopa chuckled. "Then do it, Kovu! Finish what your mother started!"
Kovu released him, realizing he couldn't go through with it. Despite Kopa's provocations and annoyance, he couldn't harm Kiara's brother.
"Just as I expected," Kopa chuckled as he finally left.
"What am I going to do with him?" Kovu wondered aloud.
"Don't think too much about it," Zazu advised. "So far, we've dodged a bullet. He was so insufferable as a cub; I can't imagine him being king."
"Really?" Kovu questioned
"Yes, I still remember that one day when he got kidnapped by vultures and cried like hell for it!" Zazu recounted, adding a touch of humor to the situation.
The cubs grew up to be very healthy and energetic, with Chaka most likely inheriting the eyes of his father, a striking black mane tuft, and a brownish golden fur.
Amini, on the other hand, had the eyes of his mother, a similar black mane tuft, and an earthly brown fur.
Vitani was entrusted with the task of teaching Amini the ways of The Lion Guard, as it would soon be his time to step into this important role. However, Amini never showed any enthusiasm about being part of The Lion Guard.
"Aunt Vitani... So basically, I'm going to have a powerful roar?" Amini asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Vitani affirmed with a gentle smile, "you would get it soon."
Amini sighed, his doubts still lingering. "I don't know about this, Aunt Vitani. Being the new leader of the Lion Guard sounds... lame."
Vitani raised an eyebrow, concerned by his lack of enthusiasm. "What do you mean Amini?"
"Chaka gets to be king!" Amini said with a hint of frustration. "And he won't stop bragging about it. Meanwhile, I get a pretty lame role as the Lion Guard leader."
Vitani tried explaining the importance of the role. "Amini, being part of The Lion Guard is also very important. Especially if your brother becomes king, you will play a crucial role in protecting the Pridelands and upholding the Circle of Life."
"I know, Aunt Vitani," Amini admitted, "I just... don't want to."
Vitani sighed. "Amini, you're still just a cub. Someday, you will understand the significance of your role and how vital it is to maintain the balance in the Pridelands."
Amini pondered her words for a moment before reluctantly nodding. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I do have a lot of time to think about it."
Just then, Chaka's voice echoed through the Pride Lands. "Hey, Amini, guess what?!"
Amini turned to his brother, his curiosity piqued. "What is it, Chaka?"
"Shani and I discovered this amazing place," Chaka excitedly shared. "Do you want to come along, Amini?"
Amini turned his hopeful gaze toward Vitani, seeking her approval. "Can I, Aunt Vitani?"
"Go ahead," Vitani replied with a reassuring smile.
"Thanks a lot, Aunt Vitani!" Amini exclaimed as he dashed off to join his brother on this new adventure.
The trio of cubs ventured further into the Elephant Graveyard, their youthful curiosity pushing them forward despite the eerie surroundings. Skulls and bones lay scattered all around them, a stark reminder of the dangers of this desolate place.
Amini couldn't help but shiver as they moved deeper into the graveyard. He cast a nervous glance at Chaka and Shani, who seemed excited by the eerie atmosphere, oblivious to the potential risks.
"Chaka, are you sure this is a good idea?" Amini asked tentatively.
Chaka, always eager for an adventure, didn't seem concerned. "Relax, Amini. It's just old bones and stuff. What could go wrong?"
Little did they know Kicha, the lioness who had started the Stampede earlier, was watching and observing the situation.
"These tiny little cubs are about to have fun!" Kicha chuckled.
"Chaka... I think we should leave by now," Amini suggested.
"Oh, Amini, we are just getting started!" Shani replied, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
As the cubs ventured deeper into the graveyard, the setting sun cast long shadows, adding to the eerie ambiance.
"Oh hello there, little cubs," Kicha said, her voice dripping with amusement as she emerged from the shadows. "You're trespassing into my territory."
"Uhh... We were about to leave just now," Chaka gulped, glancing nervously at the lioness.
"Oh, why are we leaving so early?" Kicha said with a sly grin. "I would like to satisfy my guests."
"What?" Chaka stammered, exchanging worried glances with his friends.
"Well, the sun seems to be going down, so we have to go now," Amini chuckled, trying to sound brave. "Right?"
"RUN!" Shani exclaimed, her fear now undeniable as they turned and fled, the lioness hot on their heels.
Meanwhile, the keenest of sight Tazama spotted the danger while patrolling with the rest of The Lion Guard.
"Vitani!" Tazama said urgently, "The cubs are in danger! That crazy lioness is chasing them in the elephant graveyard!"
Vitani's eyes widened with concern. "Then we have to go now!" She didn't waste a moment, and the rest of The Lion Guard followed her in a rush.
The rest of the Lion Guard arrived at the Elephant Graveyard, where Vitani confronted the lioness Kicha.
"You again!" Vitani called out, her voice laced with both irritation and determination.
"Oh... I'm glad we met again, Vitani," Kicha chuckled, her tail swaying lazily behind her as she regarded them with a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"Aunt Vitani... You know her?" Amini asked, puzzled.
Vitani sighed, a hint of weariness in her voice. "Yes, Amini. She's known for causing trouble around here."
Kicha chuckled again, unfazed by the Lion Guard's presence. "Oh, just trying to have a little fun. Can't blame a lioness for that."
"Get off the cubs now!" Vitani's tone was stern, and she took a step forward, her mane bristling with determination.
Kicha growled defiantly. "You won't be so lucky next time, Vitani," before leaving, disappearing into the shadows with a sly grin.
As the cubs and The Lion Guard finally left the scene, Chaka, Shani, and Amini breathed sighs of relief.
"What were you three doing?!" Vitani scolded, her voice firm.
"We-We just wanted to have fun," Chaka replied sheepishly, glancing at his friends.
"Oh, don't explain it to me. Tell it to your father," Vitani chuckled, knowing how her brother would punish them
As they began to leave the graveyard behind, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows from the ancient bones that littered the eerie landscape. In the distance, unnoticed by all, Kopa watched from the shadows, his eyes filled with an enigmatic sense of intrigue.
"Pity," he muttered to himself.
"What the?!?" Janja's voice echoed with surprise as he entered his den and found an unfamiliar lion standing there.
Kopa, with a confident yet mysterious demeanor, responded, "Hello Janja, I suppose you don't know me?"
Janja's eyes narrowed as he demanded, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
"Your sister would be proud that you're still alive, living in healthy conditions," Kopa stated, catching Janja off guard. "Have you ever thought about her?"
"My sister died years ago!" Janja snapped, his anger palpable.
"That's what you know," Kopa continued, "Ever since then, Asante has been living in miserable conditions. How do you deal with that?"
Janja hesitated, skepticism and curiosity warring within him. "I don't know how I could trust you! My sister died!"
Kopa, undeterred, simply responded with a sly smile, "Oh, really?"
To Janja's shock, Asante appeared behind Kopa, exclaiming, "Janja... You're alive!"
Janja could hardly believe his eyes. "What?!"
"It really is me, Janja," Asante said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Kopa seized the opportunity to reveal the painful truth. "So, Janja, do you know the reason why your parents suddenly disappeared?"
"Why?!" Janja demanded, his voice trembling.
"Oh, that's easy," Kopa explained coldly. "Because the Pridelander king accused them of my death, which was wrong. After that, he and the whole pride killed your family in cold blood while you were still a cub."
Janja's eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you know that's true?!"
"Because it is true, Janja," Asante confirmed, her voice filled with anguish. "Simba... He attacked us."
Kopa didn't hide the satisfaction in his voice as he continued, "So, what do you say, Janja? I heard that you are friends with The Lion Guard now, specifically my brother."
Janja's heart raced as he grappled with his emotions. "I... They will pay for this."
"Yes, Janja, they stole everything from you and killed your family," Kopa said, his tone dark. "So what do you say? Do you still consider The Lion Guard as your friend?"
Janja's resolve solidified, and he declared, "I... Can't go back to that life again! I put it behind me."
Asante couldn't hide her disappointment, uttering, "Janja, if that's the case, then you have betrayed us all."
Kopa chimed in, his voice filled with scorn, "Such tragedy... Picking The Lion Guard over your own family."
Janja, however, felt a surge of anger and defiance. "You are... the lost prince, I heard about you. What do you want?"
Kopa leaned in, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Well, I just want what's rightfully mine, the Throne."
Janja couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. "You... You are plotting."
Kopa didn't deny it; instead, he wore a sinister smile. "Yes, Janja, you heard that right, and I would need your help."
Janja couldn't help but think of the consequences. "Wait until Vitani and Kiara hears about this!"
Kopa chuckled, amused by Janja's predicament. "Oh... So now you're snitching? Is this really the fate you want, Janja? Betraying your own kind?"
Janja's thoughts raced, memories of his family and the injustices committed against them flooding his mind. "You're reminding me of Scar!"
Kopa's grin widened. "No, I'm not Scar... I'm better."
Asante made a heartfelt plea, "Please, Janja, reconsider. We can have a way better life under him"
Janja contemplated his decision deeply. He couldn't ignore the truth any longer – his loyalty to The Lion Guard had cost him too much. "I will join you, but only for my sister."
Kopa's smile became triumphant as he replied, "Very well."
In the African starry night, Kopa stood in his den, his plot to reclaim his birthright, the throne of the Pridelands is slowly progressing.
However, a swirling gust of wind puzzled him, coalescing into a familiar lion—his father.
"Kopa..." Simba's spectral voice murmured. "What path have you chosen?"
"Father?" Kopa smirked. "No hard feelings, but I had no other option."
"Kopa, you're straying into darkness! This is not the way!" Simba pleaded.
"You had the chance to prevent this, yet you chose him over me!" Kopa argued.
"Son, it's not too late to find redemption. I don't want you to become like Scar... Please, reconsider," Simba implored.
"I won't be like Scar! Scar was weak; I won't repeat his mistakes," Kopa declared.
"You've chosen a dark path, Kopa. What I did was for the greater good of the pride; you must understand," Simba responded.
"After you coldly murdered my friend's family? What more, Father? Admit it, your so-called circle of life has its flaws," Kopa argued. "You favored a random outsider over your own flesh and blood; you should have seen this coming."
"Yes Kopa... All of this is my fault," Simba sighed. "But all I can say is... I'm sorry I couldn't be a better father to you. I failed."
"Tread carefully, Kopa. It's not too late to stray away from darkness," Simba said as he vanished into the night sky.