The Lion King 3: The Lost King

Chapter One

"All hail King Kopa!"

Kopa let out a loud roar, laughing excitedly. "Asha, c'mon!" Kopa turned back, staring at Asha. "Catch up!"

"Fo'ge' i', Kopa. You 'on't kno' 'ow 'a pla' righ'." Asha turned and trotted off. Kopa groaned, slumping down and letting out a disappointed grunt. Why would nobody play with him?

"Roar!"

Kopa turned to see a skinny lioness standing behind him, a challenge on her face. "Who are you, pridelander?" The lioness growled, thrusting her face forward. 

"Eww, crocodile-breath." Kopa swatted the air in front of his nose with his paw. "Can you back up or something?"

"Or something." The lioness mocked, stepping forward. "I'll give you three seconds to run."

"No." Kopa replied, studying his claws.

"Why you little-"

"Tani! Who's this little Pridelander?"

Tani turned to a mangy lion that stank. "Oh. It's you. Nuka."

"That's me, Tani."

"Call. Me. Vitani."

"Vitani. Got it kiddo. C'mon, Zira's starting to wonder where we are."

"Coming, Nuka."

Vitani glanced back at Kopa. "Who're you?"

"I'm Kopa."

Vitani swallowed hard. "K-Kopa? As in-in Simba's...son?"

Kopa nodded. "Technically. But he's more interested in my little sister, Kiara. She was born three days ago, and she's all he can see."

"I'm sorry. I know what it feels like." Vitani murmured, looking at her paws. Suddenly, she looked up. "Do you want to meet again? Maybe...I dunno, tomorrow, same time, same place?"

"Sure." Kopa smiled happily. He had finally found a friend that didn't treat him differently just because he was king.

TWO MONTHS LATER

Kopa rolled his eyes. "Fine, Kiara. You can come."

Kiara hopped excitedly. "YAY!"

Kopa sighed. "C'mon. It's time to go."

Kopa led Kiara out, nodding to Maha as he passed. Maha narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Where're ya goin', Kopa?"

Kopa glared at Kiara as she opened her mouth to speak. She closed her mouth, deflated.

"Just on a royal stroll, Maha. Nothin' else."

"So you wouldn't mind if I went with you?" Maha asked. "Since you're not doing anything?"

"Maha! Grooming time!"

Kopa stifled a sigh of relief as Maha stomped off. Phew.

Kopa led Kiara throughout the Pride Lands until they arrived at the Dead Tree, the meeting place for Kopa and Vitani.

"Tani!" Kopa called out. The beautiful cub hopped from the small ravine separating the two territories.

"Kopa!" She smiled. Suddenly, she froze. "That. What's that."

Kopa sighed. He had forgotten. "This is Kiara, my younger sister. She threatened to tell. I had to take her with." Kopa sighed sadly.

Vitani rolled her eyes. "Ugh. You Pridelanders." She stepped forward. Suddenly, Kiara shoved Kopa towards Vitani, ending in a fairly awkward-romantic muzzle-touch.

Kopa pulled away quickly, his head down. "Um...sorry...."

"It's fine, Kopa. Really." Vitani murmured. "Really...."

"Vitani! Who is this?"

Vitani's eyes widened in fear as she spun around. "Mother!"

"That's right, Vitani." An ugly, underfed lioness stepped forward, her eyes narrowed and her muzzle wrinkled. "Who's this...this....Pridelander?!?"

"Mother, I can explain..." Vitani gasped. The lioness roared.

"There's nothing to explain! You disobeyed my law greatly. Your little friend will be punished for your actions. You, intruder, run. Run away and never return."

Kopa gasped. Kiara whimpered. Kopa turned behind him.

"Listen Kiara, go back to Pride Rock. Never speak of me again. Never."

Without another word, Kopa ran away. Away from Pride Rock. Away from the Outlands. Away from the Pride Lands.

Away from Vitani.