"That day..."
"I lost my best friend"
"I didn't know what to do"
Afua left the pridelands as a rogue lion when he came of age, seeking a different path in life.
Kopa is on a journey to gather more allies for his cause. With one goal in mind: Find an old friend that would most likely help him, as he found the location that Asante mentioned where he was last seen... An empty cave.
"Afua?" Kopa called out. "Anyone here?"
There was only silence in response.
"Afua?" Kopa called again.
Suddenly, a large figure attacked him, pinning him to the ground and growling.
"Who are you? Why are you in my territory?" Afua demanded.
"Afua... It's me, Kopa," Kopa replied.
"That's impossible! Kopa's dead!" Afua insisted.
"I know you won't believe me, but I'm alive... I lost my memory after Zira attacked me, and I've recently regained it all," Kopa explained.
Afua, closely examining him, recognized the brown mane and yellowish fur it was indeed his old friend.
"You stupid idiot," Afua said as he hugged his old friend. "I mourned for you."
Kopa chuckled. "Nice to see you too."
"Why did you leave the pridelands?" Kopa inquired.
"I wanted a new life far away," Afua said. "Maybe join a new pride? But for now, I'm still a rogue."
"I was a rogue too, after all those years," Kopa replied.
"Are you here to ask me to come back? I assume you've recently returned to the pridelands?" Afua guessed.
"Yes, you're right," Kopa confirmed. "But things have changed, and I need your help."
"Why? What happened?" Afua asked.
"Since my father died, Kovu now rules the pridelands," Kopa explained.
"Kovu?! Scar's heir?! How?" Afua exclaimed.
"He married my sister, leaving him as king," Kopa replied. "I need to reclaim my birthright."
"Your sister? Kiara?" Afua questioned.
"Yes, Kiara," Kopa confirmed. "She married that mongrel, and it led to this. I need to fix my homeland."
"To do that, you know you'll have to kill her if she resists?" Afua pointed out.
"Yes, you're right," Kopa admitted with a chuckle. "We'll have to do what's necessary."
"Kopa, wouldn't that be going too far?" Afua questioned.
"Sometimes, you have to cross the lines, Afua," Kopa said firmly. "It's for the better. Don't say you'd rather side with outsider mongrels over me!"
Afua chuckled. "I wasn't opposing you, just surprised you've changed so much. You were such a snowflake back then"
"A lot has changed, Afua," Kopa remarked. "So, are you coming with me or not?"
"Of course, I will!" Afua replied. "Fighting outsider mongrels? I'm all in."
Kopa smiled. "Then let's go."
Vitani's conviction grew stronger; this had to be the truth. If it wasn't, then Kopa was deceiving them all, and everything would fall into place.
"Kovu!" Vitani called urgently as she hurried towards Priderock. "I need to talk to you!"
Kovu, visibly concerned, asked, "What's going on?"
"I've done it! I've figured it out! Simba's death and Amini's disappearance!" Vitani explained, her voice filled with urgency. "We need to be prepared! The one responsible is..."
"Vitani, calm down," Kovu interrupted, trying to steady the situation. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
"I am!" Vitani asserted firmly. "It's Kopa! He's the one responsible!"
"That's a huge accusation, Vitani," Kovu countered. "He was the one who helped me search for Amini."
"I understand it's hard to accept," Vitani replied, her determination unwavering. "But you have to believe me... Please, as your sister..."
"I don't know, Vitani," Kovu sighed, torn between trust and doubt.
Kovu then called out, "Zazu?"
"Yes, Sire?" Zazu replied promptly.
"Find Kopa and inform him to come here. We need to discuss something concerning him," Kovu instructed.
"As you wish," Zazu affirmed, taking to the skies to relay the message to Kopa.
"Kopa! You haven't reached out to me. I wonder what's happening?" Scar's voice echoed as he appeared in Kopa's den, Formerly his...
"Everything is going according to plan," Kopa responded coolly. "I don't require your assistance anymore; I've got this under control."
"Are you certain?" Scar grinned. "Seems like someone has recently unraveled your scheme. Someone's onto your game."
"Who?" Kopa exclaimed, his expression twisting with concern.
"The one and only... Vitani," Scar revealed with a sly smile. "The leader of the Lion Guard... intrigued?"
"Vitani... Of course, she'd figure it out. Zira's daughter will be a problem. I need her out," Kopa declared. "The Lion Guard will bend to my will, whether they like it or not!"
"So, it's a clash with the Lion Guard now," Scar mused. "This promises to be interesting."
"I just have to eliminate Vitani, and the rest will fall in line," Kopa explained confidently. "Then the throne will be mine."
Zazu flew into Kopa's den, appearing with a message, "Kopa, King Kovu and Vitani request your presence. You're to discuss urgent matters."
Kopa smirked. "Lead the way."
Kopa strode towards Pride Rock, announcing his presence infront of a very large crowd, with lions and other animals alike. "What's the matter? Why summon me?"
"Stop feigning ignorance! You're not fooling anyone!" Vitani hissed, her frustration evident.
"What's going on?" Kopa questioned, puzzled by the tense atmosphere.
"Vitani, calm down," Kovu intervened. "What's the issue here?"
"Kopa is responsible for Simba's death and Amini's disappearance," Vitani accused, her words sharp and direct.
"That's an immense accusation," Kopa replied, his tone tinged with disbelief. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play innocent! The circumstances suit you perfectly! You desired Simba and Amini gone for your own revenge and power grab!" Vitani accused fiercely. "You've always coveted the throne!"
"What proof do you have?" Kopa challenged. "Are these accusations based on mere assumptions?"
"You've always yearned for the throne! You were furious when Kovu was declared King!" Vitani pressed on. "And there's likely a traitor among us, most likely you."
"Miss, are you jumping to conclusions without evidence?" Kopa interjected, trying to defuse the situation.
"No, I'm certain!" Vitani insisted adamantly.
"I deeply regret my past actions," Kopa admitted. "I was distraught when Kovu was chosen as King, but I've worked tirelessly to find my nephew and seek justice for my father's death."
"Vitani, these accusations lack evidence! You're making baseless claims!" Kovu exclaimed, turning to Kopa. "I apologize for this misunderstanding. You can now take your time."
"Kovu, I know what I'm saying is true!" Vitani argued vehemently. "It all adds up!"
"Amidst all this turmoil and tragedy," Afua addressed the crowd, "are we certain our rulers are competent?"
"What do you mean?" Kovu inquired, puzzled.
"Under Kiara and Kovu's reign, chaos has prevailed. Our royal family failed to protect their son, and now they accuse the prince of their own incompetence!" Afua exclaimed. "Are these two truly fit to rule? An outsider and a queen who cannot hunt!"
The crowd pondered this statement. Afua's words struck a chord; since Kiara and Kovu took over, circumstances had deteriorated, Afua was making sense.
"You snake!" Vitani snapped as she tried to attack Kopa.
"I have no hand in this!" Kopa claimed "The crowd is just expressing their opinions"
"See what I mean?" Afua exclaimed. "Such uncivilized behavior! They attack the prince for speaking the truth!"
"Vitani, enough!" Kovu intervened "We are trying our best as king and who are you to question our authority?"
"He speaks the truth!" A lioness spoke up. "Are we letting outsiders and a queen who can't hunt ruin our pride?"
"We're doing our best!" Kiara defended herself. "We didn't intend for this to happen."
"You were never fit to be queen!" The lioness countered, echoing the sentiments of others.
"Overthrow this incompetent rule!" Afua rallied the crowd "Down with outsider rule! Such mongrels shall never rule the Pridelands!"
"Well if you insist..." Kopa announced "I will gladly be the king"
"Kopa, this isn't what our father wanted!" Kiara argued.
"But it's what the pride desires!" Kopa retorted. "I'm simply doing what the majority wants"
"Kopa is the true heir of the Pridelands!" Afua and the crowd declared "He is the firstborn son! The legitimate heir!" as he ignited support from the lionesses while the outlanders sided with Kovu, indicating a division among the pride.
"We want Kopa to be king!" The chant echoed among the pridelander lionesses.
"As you wish!" Kiara declared, stunning everyone with her decision. "I hereby announce my abdication. I never desired to rule, especially after all this pain... I can't bear it anymore."
"Kiara..." Kovu murmured, his expression reflecting surprise.
"My brother Kopa will assume the throne as king... Effective immediately," Kiara announced, leaving the others shocked by her sudden decision.
A faint chuckle escaped Kopa as he whispered, "I never expected it to be this straightforward."
"I respect your difficult decision," Kopa said aloud, addressing Kiara directly. "Thank you, my sister."
However, his smile faded as he continued, "But your actions of allowing these outsider mongrels in... that's an act of treachery. For this, I must announce your exile, along with your family."
"Kopa, you can't do this!" Kiara protested, aghast at his announcement.
"Oh, Kiara, I wish I didn't have to, but it's a decree embedded in our royal laws," Kopa replied before calling out, "Zazu!"
"You are correct," Zazu reluctantly confirmed. "According to royal protocols, one who abdicates while in power faces exile, no exceptions."
"This reign proves that outsiders shall never be accepted!" Afua declared. "Allowing such uncivilized creatures into the Pridelands is causing havoc within our kingdom..."
"I've had enough!" Vitani exclaimed, launching an attack on Kopa.
In response, Kopa defended himself, swiftly subduing Vitani. "Is this the behavior expected from the leader of the Lion Guard? Attacking a King?"
"You won't get away with this!" Vitani retorted defiantly.
"Effective immediately, the Royal Family and the Outsiders will be exiled," Kopa announced, backed by the majority of the Lionesses.
The Royal Family and The Lion Guard had no choice but to leave leaving Kopa as the new King of the Pridelands as a new reign of terror has started...
That's it for now, Sorry for the long wait.