Zuka Zama Part II: The Scourge of Kopa | The Lion Guard

5. Ashore

There a stream that used to run throughout the Pride Lands, Outlands and Beyond. It was the central water source for miles providing water to the animals and life to nature. But something was floating down the river, being carried by the gentle current. It washed up on the shore and lay there almost lifeless.

You have to get up

"What?"

This is not the end. You have to get up

"Where am I?"

You are lost and away from home. You have to get up

"I can't...It hurts too much"

The pain will help you grow strong to make things right. You have a strong heart and will. Now open your eyes

Slowly his eyes began to open. The sky was dark. He couldn't see clearly, his vision was blurry and unfocused. Even though he couldn't see where he was his senses were telling him that he was indeed in a separate place. Slowly he could feel sensation returning to his body. He wasn't laying on the soft grasses that he was before. Slowly he tried to lift himself up. A bolt of raw pain shot through his neck, causing him to sink back down. "I can't...It still hurts"

Trust me young cub, it was much worse. I have healed you best I can. But you have to get up. Your strength will make the pain go away

Despite everything in his body telling him to stay put, he rose his shoulders. Ignoring the stinging pain he put pressure on his front paws and then his hind paws. Even through he was now standing his legs were shaking, his vision was still blurry. Tapping gingerly he pressed one foot forward, feeling that there was more earth in front of him. Blinded and shaking fiercely he began to crawl forward. Wherever he was had grass also, but not as soft as from where he came from.

There now try to look around. Close your eyes and open them again

Doing as he was told, the young lion cub closed his eyes and counted to three in his head. He opened his eyes and gasped. Looking around he was on some kind of small shore. Looking back there was a thick piece of bark washed up on the soil. His swiveled his head back to look ahead of him. There, against a wide expanse of not-as-soft grass was the dark shadow of a forest.

"Is that what I was on? How did I get here?", Kopa asked, hoping whatever voice he was hearing would answer his question.

But there was no response.

Gathering all the strength he had, Kopa put pressure on his paws and stood up. Despite his thoughts, he managed to stay upright. With shaking legs he proceeded to limp heavily towards the forest.