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

11. Forgotten Royalty

Changamoto was now alone in the jungle. It had been about 3 days of aimlessly wandering. At first she was terrified being by herself. She actually hoped Kupotea would return and find her, but either he really has gone or he just couldn't find her. But she figured that staying put would only result in something finding her. But life for her in the jungle wasn't so bad. As she traveled there was often freshly killed prey just laying there. Eventually she figured that there was some kind of guardian looking after her.

During that time Kopa had been following closely behind Changa, making sure that she would be just fine. When she would find a place to sleep, he would find prey and leave it for her. Watching her actions he found that she was a very cautious hyena, always checking her surroundings and taking forever to find a place to sleep.

This hyena is different from the rest. The hyena's from the Outlands would be ripping this place apart, Kopa thought curiously. What kind of hyena is she?

Changamoto was just walking along a path, looking back, forth, up and down for anything that could possibly be a threat. Just ahead of her was a body of water. She looked back and forth, making sure that there was nothing around. She leaned down to take a drink.

Kopa figured that there was no risk around and was about to go find some food for himself, when he heard a shriek. He quickly pushed the undergrowth out of his way to see Changa face-to-face with a crocodile. She backed slowly away in fear while the crocodile growled and made his way closer to her.

Without thinking twice, Kopa jumped out of the foliage and let out a threatening roar, getting both the croc and the hyena's attention.

Changa stood frozen as the crocodiles attention was now on the aggressive feline. She watched as both were standing their ground, growling and glaring at one another. Quick as a flick of her whiskers, the croc darted forward with wide jaws full of giant thorn-shaped teeth. Kopa quickly hopped to the side, just barely keeping his back leg from getting bit. He had to focus on the fight, not the hyena.

If I can chase it away, she'll be safe, the lion assured himself.

Spinning around quickly Kopa was once again facing the reptilian. The croc let out a deep guttural growl and snapped his jaws. Kopa knew this was not the situation where he could just rush in with claw and fang. His opponent jaws had a lot of power behind them.

One good bite could ruin me, Kopa warned himself.

Slowly stalking to the left, he attempted to trick the croc into lunging at him once again. He came a bit closer as even swiped his paw for good measure. The "attack" worked, the crocodile sprung in a quick motion. Kopa snarled and hopped to the right, wasting no time to rake his claws on the reptile's face, catching his eye. The croc snarled in pain and drew back. Kopa didn't let up, swiping his claws and snarling at the croc. His attempts were working as the croc, now realizing that this fight was no longer worth it. The vision in his left eye was completely gone, feeling the hot blood run down his snout.

Changamoto watched as the lion was basically herding the now wounded crocodile back towards the body of water it came from. The croc let out another growl and backed into the water.

She let out a sigh of relief. It was gone. But she let out a gasp, hackles rising as she realized that there was now a lion staring right at her. What if he wasn't here to save her, but to ward off competition in order to have her as a meal to all himself. She lowered herself to the floor, quivering in fear. The lion drew closer to her. She closed her eyes hoping that it would all be over quick.

"What are you doing?", Kopa asked her. He just saved her from being crocodile food and now she's cowering like a mouse. "Seriously, stand up"

Changa opened her eyes, seeing the lion with an amused look on his face.

"It's amazing you managed to stay alive this long", he shook his head, taking a step back.

Changa stood up and faced the lion. "Y-you mean. You don't want to eat me?"

"I know you're not from around here, I saw that little conflict you had before with that jackal. Not something you see everyday", Kopa sneered. He knew it wasn't the right thing to do, especially at a time like this, but he couldn't help but see her get flustered. Plus he hardly got to talk to anyone.

"What? The nerve! Listening on others conversations!", Changamoto stood up and bared her teeth at the lion.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. I mean it's hard not to when you're practically yelling at each other", Kopa pointed out.

"Are you always such a scoundrel?", Changa turned her nose.

"Well, no. I'm just really bored. There's no one to talk to around here. Look, maybe we should start over. Hey, I'm the lion that saved your hide", Kopa smiled awkwardly.

"Well...I'm Changamoto", she introduce herself. Now she was considering her chances with the crocodile.

"Hey, don't be like that. I'm done with the jokes. I promise", Kopa smiled.

"Ugh, alright fine. I'll give you one more chance", Changa offered.

"Thank you. Now, we should probably get out of here. That croc might come back with a vengeance", Kopa reminded, already walking off. The hyena followed closely behind, realizing he has a point.

"So what are you doing all the way out here. Aren't you from the mountains?", Kopa brought up as they walked side by side.

"Well, I'm sure you already know the answer to that. Where do you come from?", Changa countered.

"The place I came from....Well, it's not home. I don't have a home", Kopa sighed, letting his shoulders relax.

"Well, at this point mine is way back there, so I suppose I don't have a home either", Changa shrugged.

"Hey, what is this? You were pretty hostile a little while ago. What changed?", Kopa sniffed.

"I figure you're not that bad....Okay, I'm scared. Walking alongside a lion makes it a bit safer, alright?", Changa admitted.

"What is it with you and safety?", Kopa asked, "It's like all you ever talk about. With that jackal and now. What's the deal?"

"Well...before I was born...Apparently my parents did some bad things and others were constantly searching for them. For us. For me. They warned me that because of the mistakes they made when they were young, there were creatures of all kinds who wanted see us hurt, or even dead", Changa admitted. She didn't know what it was, but she felt like she could confide in this feline for the time being. He did save her life after all.

"Hmmm. I get it. There are some out there who just want to see others get the punishment they deserve. But to threaten their lives and yours as well..?", Kopa winced at the idea of others wishing death upon an innocent cub.

"Well, they weren't entirely innocent. Yeah, they changed for the better. But some actions are so bad, that it doesn't matter how much time has passed", Changa sighed. "Can I tell you something? Something I really need to get off my chest"

"Um, yeah", Kopa and Changa stopped and sat down to continue their conversation.

About a week had gone by since the pair had met. Changamoto shared her story of being the child of the hyena trio who were partly responsible for the downfall of the Pride Lands. An action they were regretful of. But the pain and suffering they caused led many to desire revenge. With Scar gone, all the blame and malice fell on them. Moving up to the far mountains seemed to end the problem, but eventually they wee discovered yet again. And now with the life of Changamoto, the princess of the hyenas, in danger they made the choice to lead all their aggressors away from her. While she stayed on the mountain, the three of them ran away and never returned. And no one ever came back up to the mountain. Till this day she has no idea where they are or what happened.

Kopa had yet to admit that he was the lost prince of the Pride Lands. But he had no decided that the task of protecting Changamoto now fell on him. He promised to find her a place where she could live in safety and peace.