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

17. Expected Betrayal

Zira paced back and forth along the cave floor. What was taking her son so long? She tired to keep her calm by reminding herself that going into enemy territory is a delicate thing. But another part of her wondered if he was captured. If so then that would certainly drive a shiv in her plans.

"Oh, Mother. I...Hmmm. Is Kovu not back yet?", Nuka asked prancing back from training.

"No my darling Nuka. He has no yet returned", Zira frowned.

While usually she would converse with her son and use this as a means to distract herself and pass time. But this was something she just could not shake. Where was Kovu? Is he on is way back now? Zira decided that this was the time to swallow her pride and go see Kopa.

Kopa and Changa were overseeing the training of the jackals. Kopa watched as they were being trained in more advanced combat tactics.

"It all seems to be going well", Changa gave input to Kopa. The lion nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for joining our cause", Kopa said to Reirei. "You're jackals see to be very well versed in combat".

"Of course", Reirei huffed with pride. "You'll find us more than capable on the battlefield".

"Excuse me. I do hate to interrupt, but may I speak with you, Kopa?", Zira asked in her most polite tone. It surprised Reirei, from what she heard from Janja she was the most volatile and dangerous creature in any land. But then again. Janja is a complete incompetent fool. And to take any advice from him would make her a fool's fool. Something she simply could not allow for herself.

"Why yes. What is it? You look concerned, Zira", Kopa said with a hint of softness in his voice.

"It's about my darling Kovu. It's been out there quite awhile. I know something like this is not easy to do, but I still worry for my cub. Why I've already lost my dear Scar if I lost Kovu as well to those Pride Land savages I don't know what I would do", Zira whimpered with genuine concern in her voice but more for her jeopardized plan than for her son.

"Oh, Zira. I'm sure he's alright", Reirei soothed. As a mother of many herself she felt Zira's pain of one of her cubs.

"Please come with me", Kopa said to Zira. The lioness nodded followed behind him. Changa and Reirie stayed behind to continue the jackal's regimen.

Kopa led Zira back to cave entrance where he had first talked with Kovu and given him the assignment. Even he had begun to wonder what of the lion he had sent out there all alone. But the vultures tasked with watching him had not come back to report anything so it assured Kopa that everything was fine. For now.

"Was there something you wanted to say?", Zira asked looking up at the lion. He didn't respond immediately, watching the clouds floating gently in the sky. He remembered as a cub when he would count and chase after them often. He pushed those memories away; after all he was now talking to the one who took that all away from him.

"Yes. Kovu is safe. I am sure of it", Kopa said, turning to Zira.

The lioness let out a huff of apprehension. How could this lion be so sure that her son, all the way in the Pride Lands is safe and sound?

"I hope you do not mind me asking how you are so sure?", Zira asked.

"Zira, anyone born in the Outlands knows that going into the Pride Lands, especially on one's lonesome is not an easy or wise thing to do", he even clicked his teeth at his own words. It was truly a thing of irony for Kopa to talk of one's location of birth. "No for this. I had take precautions. I have not told anyone that shortly after Kovu was on his path I sent 'agents' to make sure things go exactly to plan", he felt a warmth of superiority radiate through him. Zira continued to look at him, not picking up his hint. At this point he was taunting her in subtle ways. He knew that she had some kind of plan of her own. That was just the kind of lioness she was, but Kopa had a plans of his own and unlike hers they were already in action.