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

13. Pawns in Place

Vitani walked back to the entrance of the cave. As she walked by the other  lionesses and even other species made their way for her. Apparently word of her status has already buzzed around the ranks. Jackals were bowing to her as they walked by and hyenas gave her goofy yet respectful smiles. Vitani just continued to keep her head up and go back to where she and Kopa talked. Luckily for her, she could see him still standing at the entrance of the cave. 

"Um...Hey!", Vitani greeted a bit louder than she meant. 

"Oh. Hello again, Vitani", Kopa responded, turning around to greet her.

"Sorry, I just wanted...to meet you properly", Vitani explained. She felt so foolish in those moments.

"Well it is good to build bonds between comrades", Kopa agreed, trying to bury the fluttery feeling in his stomach.

"Yes, but I mean in a sense outside of battle. You know. In a more casual kind of way?", Vitani pressed on, now feeling absolutely ridiculous. She stood there hoping that Kopa would not see her blushing through her fur.

"Well then... For the sake of asking? What do you like to do?", Kopa asked.

"Heh. Fighting of course!", Vitani grinned, flexing her claws.

Kopa nodded but felt the answer was a bit lacking, "Well, I meant what you do in between all the training and fighting?"

Vitani was a bit caught off guard. "Well... I... I'm kind of training all the time. Really, I've trained my whole life for this. Literally. W-what about you?", Vitani asked, now trying to take the 'spotlight' off of her.

"Hmm. Don't worry. As the 'organizer' of all this...I don't really have time for anything else, either", Kopa shrugged. He gave her a slight smile, causing Vitani to shift her gaze away for a second.

"Is something wrong?", Kopa asked.

"No....I--", she let out a sigh. "I'm not one for all the buddy-buddy talk. Fighting's my thing. It's all I know. You need help on the battlefield, you can count on me", the young lioness said. Her voice was that of a soldier talking with a commander, but Kopa could sense an undertone of an unconscious casualness.

"Thank you, Vitani. With you leading the charge, I have nothing to worry about. I hope I can....engage with you in more friendly settings", Kopa responded, choosing his words carefully. Vitani bowed her head in respect and turned to leave.

Kopa watched the lioness walk away from him. He wanted to say more to her, but how could he?

She doesn't even remember me?, Kopa sighed to himself.  His heart ached for the love of his life. What happened to her? What did she do to you? The last time he saw her, what felt like a lifetime ago, she was a joyful cub. They played fought and made up all kinds of games with one another. She had a smile that could cheer him up no matter what. Now she has grown into a stunning lioness that made his heart soar. But her personality.... She used to be so cocky, so full of energy. 

Immediately Kopa began to place the reason for this change on Zira. It was clear to him that something happened to her. Training hardens your body and spirit, but it does not do something like that to you. She seemed more like a living weapon now. 

When she spoke. It was like she was about to faint right then and there. That's not the Vitani I know.... I guess Zira made her into a fighter and nothing else, Kopa analysed. He began to take deeper breaths. Must this wicked lioness destroy everything I care about?

Now all that left for him to do was wait for Kovu to return. He thought about what he said to him. Truly he did not care what ever was done to his father after the war. Kidnapped, enslaved, murdered, it was no concern of his. He considered it to all work in his favor. They get rid of Simba  and he can get rid of Zira. He only was the two of them as evil in their own ways. His father was a villain who turned a blind eye to the suffering of the defenseless. Zira...he found that her wickedness outclassed his father's. Her actions done to him and the ones her cares for made his blood boil every time he laid eyes upon her. 

"Kopa? I have a report", the lion was snapped from his racing mind from Changamoto. 

"Ah, yes. What is it?", Kopa cleared his throat and composed himself.

"Janja has reported that both the hyenas and jackals are all in formation", Changa said. 

"Good. It will all be ready soon. As soon as Kopa returns we shall begin?", Kopa stood tall as he prasied her. 

"Kovu? Are you sure that was a good idea? Sending him to the Pride Lands alone?", Changamoto asked in worry. 

"Oh, I trust everything will go to plan", Kopa smiled to himself. "But perhaps you are right. We need to make sure Kovu remains safe. Changa, gather some vultures for me. We are going to need them for support", Kopa requested.

"It shall be done, Kopa", Changamoto bowed to him and made her way off. 

Kopa sighed and looked out the distance of the Outlands. He must have spaced out looking at the sky, before he knew it the hyena had returned with 3 vultures. 

"Thank you, Changa. You are dismissed", Kopa said to her. As she walked off he acknowledge the group.

"You 3. I have an mission of the upmost importance. Kopa should not be too far along ahead. You are to follow a distance behind him. Do not be seen by him. You shall report to me if anything happens", Kopa instructed. 

The vultures nodded and took off. He watched them fly off into the distance. At least if things went the way he planned he would know sooner. He had no doubt that Kovu would play into the plan of his own. 

"Everyone is ready. It's all up to Kovu. It's all up to you", Changamoto said, returning to Kopa. She sat beside him and rested her head on him. "It's almost over. All the suffering, the injustice. We're really going to do this".

"Yes. And this would only be possible because of you. Thank you so much, Changamoto", Kopa said genuinely, dropping his authoritative tone. It was the calm before the storm, a moment to relax and revel in the air of excitement. "We're going to do this together. We're going to save everyone. At the end of the day, you and I both know I can only trust fully in you. My greatest ally and best friend. Again, thank you". 

"It's no problem. This is what I want, too. It's a shame we have to fight but....It must be done", Changamoto sighed. But her somber tone was not for her words, but her thoughts. While overseeing the formation of the jackals, she noticed Kopa and Vitani talking. He saw the way he was looking at her. Never had she seen that look when talking to him. 

Her mind was telling her she was being ridiculous and selfish, but the feelings were still there all the same.These feelings were not new, either. When she met Kupotea again after all those years....The things she felt for him were now gone and placed upon the lion that saved her all those years ago, protected her and saw going to make her shared dream come true.

Ignoring the increasing intensity of her heart, the hyena nuzzled herself into Kopa's fur. Soon would be a war between two territories. Though confident of both Kopa and her abilities she could not help but feel a gnawing pit of worry in her stomach. 

"It's okay. We're going to be fine, I promise you that", Kopa said gently, resting his paw over her. He could feel her shaking slightly against him. There was nothing for them to worry about, but he still wanted to reassure the one he cared about most. Everything was going to be fine. Everything will go to plan.