The Lion King: Born Under The Rising Sun

Chapter 14

Back in the underground cave Kalamba, Arty, and Zimbwea were thinking out loud to each other. "He is remembering!" Zimbwea blurted out. "Did you see the way he knew the Savannah! It's obvious he knew where he was!" Arty said with excitement. Kalamba was still staring into space after being chased by a rhino. Zimbwea smacked him up the side of his head. Coming back to reality, Kalamba sat up straight and said "Sir, yes sir!" As if he was a warrior. "Kalamba." Arty gave him a stubborn look. "Guys did you see the way he looked at the savannah. He knew EXACTLY where he was." Zimbwea stated.

The group fell asleep and then woke up the next day ready for phase 2, the oasis.
"We need Kopa to follow us to the oasis. So let's cover ourselves in mud and make Kopa think its a different person." Zimbwea said.
"Than we can wash our pelts off there and Kopa will realize it's just us!" Kalamba finished the thought.
"Yep and he will be right where we wanted 'em!" Arty said.
"Wait what if he asks why we are muddy?" Kalamba added.
"Oh right!" Zimbwea said.
"We will just say that we pulled each other into the mud pit by that tree with the hanging leaves.".

The group cover them selves in mud and walked past Kopa's den. He came out of his den yawing. As soon as they saw him they all ran out of the forest. At first Kopa was no where in sight,but then all of the sudden he sprouted out the forest. His paws were pounding.
"Run faster!" Kalamba hissed. They all ran faster than a flowing gorge current. The oasis was in sight! Kalamba sprouted past them and leaped into the water, mud and all coming off. Kalamba sighed with relief. Arty and Zimbwea splashed into the pool making the water wash up over the sides. Kopa stopped at the edge of the pool and his eyes darkened. He looked up at the group. "Arty!? Kalamba?!" He said in confusion. Zimbwea popped her head out of the water. Kopa stared at her angry than sorrow. "I thought you guys were those rouges that went home to bring back the Cubs!" Kopa said. "what?" Kalamba said.
"You guys made me think they actually came back!" Kopa said.
He was lying. I can hear it in his stutters. Kopa is scared here.
The group emptied the oasis and followed Kopa to the jungle. Never once did he question the mud. Or running.
Zimbwea had her ears flat. Had she done something wrong. Her belly was queasy and she had a lump in her throat.
"I know what you guys are trying to do" Kopa managed to choke up.
"You want me to return to pride lands" He stopped and looked back "Follow me". He dashed into a different part of the forest dodging roots and vines. The group followed and copied his movements. They stopped in front of a empty plat form. A small blood stain wear away on the stone. "This is where I came to heal." Kopa stared deeply at the rock. "It wasn't fun being alone. I met a couple friends and soon we created a huge club. Soon enough we all became just a big dance place." he stopped and looked into nothing like he was reliving it.

"I had a friend named Toyu. She had a cub. Than.. than Zira came. The one who tried to kill me!" Kopa pounded the platform. "She stole the cub!" A tear ran down his face. "She stole little Kovu!" He said crying.
Zimbwea's heart pounded like a drum. It was so loud she could have swore everyone heard it. "I never went back to save Kovu because I knew she would kill me for sure. And I feel like a coward!" Kopa said. "And I still am a coward!" His voice became a whimper "Toyu killed herself after she lost her cub." He breathed out.

"And I feel even more of a coward for leaving Vitani behind." He whispered.
Kalamba's jaw swung open and and stared blankly.
"Kopa you can go back Zi-" Zimbwea was cut off.
"She ruined to many lives and I can't face her!" Kopa roared.
"Leave." He whispered.
"Wait what?!"
"I said leave!" He cried.

Arty dashed away with Kalamba and Zimbwea following. They dashed for home. Something grabbed them by scruff. They all the sudden were in pride rock. Simba stared at them blankly. "Father. They have come" He whispered.