Chapter Nine is here! Enjoy!
SEQ. 6 (SIMBA & DAD)
EXT. PRIDELANDS - SUNSET
Mufasa walks ahead, leading Simba, Zazu and Nala hone. Simba has a dejected look as he tries to keep up.
"Hopefully he won't get too harsh of a punishment." Ma looked worried. "Indeed. He was very brave protecting Nala from the hyenas." Janna mused.
MUFASA (O.S.)
sternly
Zazu!
Zazu flapsforward to the king.
WITH MUFASAAND ZAZU
ZAZU:
Sire, I feel simplyawfulabout this -
a beat
Although I must point out that babysitting -
MUFASA:
interrupting
It wasn't your fault.
"Yeah, they ditched you under a rhino's butt." Kiburi pointed out.
ZAZU:
- is not part of my - I beg pardon?
MUFASA:
I said, it wasn't your fault.
"Even if it was, I wouldn't blame him too much. His family and our pride have been friends for many years, since the time of King Mohatu, Simba's great-grandfather." Rafiki explained. "We're the same way with Ullu's family." Rani added.
ZAZU:
taken aback
Oh. Well. Yes. Of course.
MUFASA:
Zazu! Take Nala home. I have to teach my son a lesson.
SIMBA hears this and sinks into the grass.
"That doesn't sound good." Zuri said.
WITH ZAZUAND MUFASA
ZAZU:
Very good, Sire.
Zazu nods and flies to the cubs.
WITH ZAZUANDTHE CUBS
ZAZU:
Come, Nala.
to Simba
Simba -
Very stiff-upper-lip:
ZAZU:
RAF Commander
Good luck.
"He'll need it." Anga quipped.
Zazu and Nala take off. Simba doesn't move.
MUFASA:
calling
Simba!
SIMBA edgingcloser to his father. His little paw lands in one of the enormous paw printsMufasa left. His is dwarfed by Mufasa's immense print.
"That's a pretty big paw print." Pumbaa said. "Ya think, Pumbaa?" Timon replied.
WITH SIMBAAND MUFASA
Simba sits beside his dad.
MUFASA:
Simba, I'm very disappointed in you.
SIMBA:
I know.
MUFASA:
sternly
You could have been killed! You deliberately disobeyed me! And what's worse, you put Nala in danger!
"Way to sum that up, big guy." Makucha sneered.
Mufasa turns to see the little cub cowering in fear. Simbastarts to cry as he speaks:
SIMBA:
I was just trying to be brave, like you.
MUFASA:
I'm only brave when I have to be. Simba -
softening
being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble.
SIMBA:
But you're not scared of anything.
MUFASA:
I was today.
SIMBA:
You were?
MUFASA:
Yes. I thought I might lose you.
"I think every kid has probably scared the crap out of their parents at least once in their lives." Dusty commented. "Especially you." Spirit smirked. "Hey! You've scared our parents, too!" "Point made."
SIMBA:
Oh. I guess even kings get scared, huh?
MUFASA:
Mhm-hmm.
SIMBA:
But you know what?
MUFASA:
What?
SIMBA:
I bet those hyenas were even scareder.
"Heck yeah they were!" Bunga cheered.
MUFASA:
Chuckles
Because nobody messes with your dad.
"I don't think anyone in their right mind would want to mess with a lion that big." Janja shuddered. "Scared of him, Janja?" Jasiri raised an eyebrow. "No! Maybe.." He admitted.
pulls Simba close.
C'mere, you.
Then he starts to tickle his cub. Both romp, LAUGHING and GROWLING playfully.
MUFASA/SIMBA
Ha-ha-ha - grfff - ha-ha -
They stop. There is a moment:
Simba teared up a bit as he remembered that happy night.
SIMBA:
Dad?
MUFASA:
Hmm?
SIMBA:
We're pals, right.
MUFASA:
Right.
SIMBA:
And we'll always be together. Right?
MUFASA:
Simba, let me tell you something my father told me: Look at the stars.
Simba looks up.
MUFASA:
The greatkings of the past look down on us from those stars.
"Are there great queens up there, too?" Makini asked. "Yes, there are." Sarabi confirmed.
SIMBA:
Really?
MUFASA:
Yes. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that thosekings will always be there to guide you.
a beat
And so will I.
"And that will never change." Mufasa smiled at his son.
They stare at the stars in silence, dwarfed by the infinity that surrounds them.
"Ugh, I've had enough of thisss." Ushari grabbed Rafiki's stick with his tail and aimed it at the screen, ready to fire. "Let'sss make this less cheesy." Before he could do anything, Dusty football-tackled him and pinned him to the ground, sending the staff flying. It hit the ceiling, opening a medium-size portal. "WOOAAAHH! Oof." With a yell, a strange figure fell out and hit the ground. "Ow. Ugh, that hurt. Uh, where am I?" He groaned and looked around. "You're in our caverns. Sorry about the landing." Spirit told him after she shut the portal as Dusty helped him up.
He was a young lion, a bit older than Kiara with pale brownish tawny fur, a scruffy mane, and the exact same eye color as Nala. He had some scars on his body, mostly on his back and shoulders with some on his legs and three small diagonal ones across the bridge of his nose. "Who is this guy?" Bunga asked. "You! It can't be! I killed you myself!" Zira hissed. "Nope, sorry. I survived." The lion smirked. Nala gasped. "Kopa? Is that you?" "Yeah. I'm back." Kopa smiled. She and Simba rushed forward and nuzzled him. "We thought you were dead!" The king said. "Dad, what's going on?' Kion asked. "Kion, Kiara, this is your older brother Kopa." Nala introduced him. "Wait, what?!" Everyone exclaimed except the night pride and deceased lions.
"Kion has a brother?" Fuli asked. "Yes. We thought he had been killed by Zira." Zazu explained. "Why was he attacked? How did he survive?" Bashte wondered."Short version: Zira was mad because she thinks that dad killed Scar and I was friends with Vitani. I was badly wounded and knocked out cold. I fell into the river where some rogues found me and took me to the tree of life. Got healed by Janna and stayed for a while since I'd lost my memory. Got it back after a while and tried to get home, but got lost. I was trying to find my way when I ended up here." Kopa explained. "Not very short. Wait a tick, does that mean he'll be king after Simba?" Ono inquired. "No, Kiara can have the throne, I don't mind. She's had more training anyway." He replied.
Then Vitani pushed through the crowd. "Kopa?'" She asked and ran towards him, nuzzling him. ;"I-I thought she'd killed you!' She cried. "It's ok, Tani. I'm here now." he comforted her. "Wait, if he's been alive, why didn't the great lions of the past say anything?" Timon asked. "Believe me, Mufasa and I wanted to, but the other great lions forbade us from interfering." Sarabi answered. "Oh. Well, he's back now." Pumbaa cheered. "Why didn't we know about him?" Kion asked. "You hadn't been born yet when he was attacked and Kiara was only a few months old. We were going to tell you, but all the trouble with Scar and the outsiders and then being transported here made it slip our minds." Simba regretfully replied. "Well, that explains why you were so protective of me. You didn't want to lose another cub." Kiara realized. "That, and you're the only girl." Kion added. "I'm just going to say this is turning into one weird family reunion." Kovu deadpanned.
"It's good to see you again, Kopa. We are glad you have found your family." Nirmala spoke. "Agreed." Surak smiled. "I heard about Queen Janna. I'm sorry." Kopa breathed. "Thank you. I'm queen now, and Kion became my king just before we ended up here." Rani told him. "Wow. Who knew that the lioness I regard as a surrogate little sister would fall in love with my actual little brother? Small savannah." Kopa chuckled. "Alright, everyone settle down. You guys can talk more next break. Let's get back to the show." Dusty butted in as everyone sat back down. Kopa settled himself next to Vitani as Spirit pressed the play button on her remote. "I knew they'd like the surprise." Her brother whispered. Spirit just shook her head.
As most of you guessed, the mystery lion is(drumroll please)..Kopa! Please tell me who you think should voice him! Be Prepared for Chapter 10 coming soon!