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

7. Life in the Outlands

As time went on Kopa grew into a stronger pre-teen lion. He was what he considered a capable hunter. But he wasn't looking for food. By leaning in on conversations with Outlanders he began to learn things. And things he didn't fully know he later pieced together. From hyenas, jackals and even from birds flying above. He had basically mastered eavesdropping.

But the things he heard in the Outlands made him feel things. Things that made him question his father. But he couldn't remember what his father looked like. It had been many, many years since he saw him. He couldn't even remember what happened to him before he washed up on that shore. That was another thing that plagued him. How could he remember where he came from but not what happened? And why was he feeling this way towards someone he couldn't even remembered what he looked like.

He had heard from many creatures in the Outlands that Simba was perfectly content with having all these hyenas, jackals, and even other lions left out here with no food or water. But is that true? Is his father just fine with leaving them out here to suffer?

Kopa had even witness a mother hyena crying over her cub. The poor ball of fluff wasn't moving. Kopa wanted desperately to help, but if he made his presence known she would just run. One time he attempted to share his food with a group of hyenas. At first it seemed that they would share with him, but they jumped him and ran with the catch. But it was a lesson that was necessary to learn. Tension was high and nobody helped or accepted help from anybody.

There were times that Kopa stumbled upon scenes of perished hyenas and even he once witnessed the horror of two hyenas eating a corpse, one of their own.

The Outlands was truly a place of suffering and death. And the more time Kopa tried to find his way out of it the more hate began to grow for his father. How could he allow this to happen? All this death and suffering and he's just sitting blissfully on his throne. All the things he felt for his father he also put on himself.

Since he was the son of the King he felt partially responsible for all of this. He wanted to make things better for here.

.........

One day while walking a lone trail he hear the squawk of birds chatting. He decided to duck low and take a listen.

"It's an event unlike any other", one of the avians squawked.

"I can hardly believe it myself. The Pride Lands just gets bigger and bigger", a single crested bird chirped. Now the lion's interest was peeked.

"I can't tell you exactly what's going on, but we're due north to find out", the main avain spoke up. And with that the flock of birds flapped their wings and took off together.

South. The Pride Lands is south. Kopa found a new excitement and passion ignite within him. He can go back. I bet they missed me. They've probably wondered what happened to me. Kopa turned around and began what would be quite a journey south to the place of his birth.