The Lion King 3: The Lost King

Chapter Four

"I, Kopa, leader of the Kopapride, accept this challenge to duel for my leadership of my Pride."

"Kopa! Kopa!" The lionesses of Kopapride cheered. Before him stood a huge lion with a black mane. Close behind him were two lions with manes streaked with black, and a smug-looking lioness.

"Kopa, that's Mabaya." Nailah murmured. Kopa stared at Nailah in disbelief. "The one on the right of him is Mfuasi, and on the left is Dhaifu. The lioness is Fikiria."

Kopa looked at Mabaya. "I hear that you cheat. If anyone but you attacks me, my entire Pride is ordered to fight back."

Mabaya let a cruel smirk creep onto his face. "Ah, so that is Nailah. Well, I doubt lionesses could ever beat me, let alone three males."

Fikiria laughed. "Except me, right, love?"

"You're a lioness, aren't you?"

"Well, yes, but-"

"Let's fight!" Mabaya leaped at Kopa, slashing straight at his throat. Kopa pulled back, resulting in only a bit of blood. Mabaya continued to slash, giving Kopa no time to react. Soon, Kopa was full of scratches and scars, his gaze clouded. Pain filled him. "Not surprised that you're with Nailah. She's just as weak as you. Weak, and pathetic, and worthless..."

Anger filled Kopa. Kopa leaped at Mabaya, pushing him down and biting deep into his throat. Mabaya snarled, letting out a huge roar. Large, black-maned lions leaped from the grass, surrounding Kopapride. Mabaya let out a loud cackle.

"I, Mabaya of Mabayapride, claim Kopapride as my own!" He roared. Kopa gasped. Nailah leaped to his side.

"We must go, Kopa. We have to!"

Kopa looked around. He saw the young cub that he had decided to spare the life of, and leaped to him. Kopa scooped up the lion cub and leaped over the surrounding lions. Nailah joined him, and they watched in horror as the lions brutally murdered each lioness who didn't agree to become their toy. Nailah and Kopa ran to the lionesses that were hiding in the grass, scars covering their skinny, underfed bodies.

"Nailah? Could it be?" A dull-russet lioness looked up. "I can't believe it. We thought you had died."

"No, of course not, Niran." Nailah murmured softly, pressing her muzzle against the lioness. Kopa stared at the thorn branches surrounding the lionesses. 

"We need to get them out." Kopa stated. Nailah nodded. She grabbed a branch from under a nearby tree and pushed the thorns away from the lionesses so they could stand. She helped each of them out, ignoring the terrible, terrible pain of thorns digging into her skin.

Kopa helped them to a bunch of bent trees that made a sort of den. When they all were settled down, Nailah returned with a zebra corpse and gave it to them to share. When they were done eating, they fell asleep. When they woke up, they introduced themselves to Kopa.

"I'm Niran." The russet lioness from before greeted.

"I'm Kudhoofisha." A tiny cub squeaked. "I was born during Mabaya's rule, and I was kept alive by accepting the name of a weakling."

"I'm Abikanile."

"I'm Bahati."

"I'm Falzah."

"Kakra."

"Kamaria."

"Kokumo."

"Omorose."

"Zahara."

"Zakiya."

"Zawadi."

"Salma."

"And I'm Kopa." Kopa listened to their backstories, each one more tragic than the last. Then Kopa told them his story, and Nailah caught more prey for them to enjoy.

Finally, each lioness was stuffed, and fell asleep. Kopa soon fell asleep as well, letting the day catch up to him.

TWO MONTHS LATER

"Akila! Amadi! Amina! Mandisa! Mashika!" Niran called, looking around for her cubs. "Come on, children!"

Zawadi chuckled. "You're lucky, Niran. Masud, Munyiga, and Sefu may not run around like foolish children, but Munyiga lives up to his name. Sefu is too rough with his brothers, and Masud just suckles and sleeps. All. Day."

Zakiya purred. "Jela, Jaja, and Jumoke are perfect gentlemen."

Kopa watched the debating queens as he dug into his prey. As much as he tried to join in with their happiness, he couldn't help but notice the scars they wore. Just two months before, they had been starved, tortured, and slaves. Now they were healthy queens, raising their young happily. Many cubs had been born in the last two months. Just about thirty-eight.

Kopa lowered his head in mourning. Some of the queens that gave birth had given birth so many times that they could no longer give birth. Ten of the cubs were stillborn. Later, elephants had come and killed seven of the cubs. Seven more disappeared.

Kamaria trotted over. "Kopa, you good?"

Kopa nodded. "Fine. How are Funsani, Fola, and Urbi?"

"They're fine, Kopa. Don't worry."

"That's my job, Kamaria." Kopa nuzzled Kamaria affectionately. Kamaria purred.

"Kopa." Nailah padded up, settling next to him. "I have news."

"I'm expecting your cubs."