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

22. A Brother's Resent

The center of the battlefield was the most chaotic and alive with the sounds of fighting and the most stained with love. It was there the lions of both sides fought with everything they had. One side determined to free themselves and the other side determined to banish them back to the place of endless punishment and torture. The very idea of losing and having to go back to the barren Outlands was reason enough for each Outland lion and lioness to fight with everything they had some even put their lives on the line. Both sides had already met casualties. But the there was no time to mourn over the fallen friends for the fight for either side's survival was truly on the line. 

Kovu felt a stinging pain in his ear from the nick a lioness who managed to inflict when catching him off guard. But there was no time to dwell on injuries. For every foe he fought back another one was ready to finish what the other had started. It was something he expected, after he was a traitor to the Outlands and everyone he had ever known. It made perfect sense to him that so many were after his throat specifically. But they would have to do better than the basic combat tactics. While it was something new to most of the lioness he from the Outlands, he was taught those tired old moves as a cub. As the child of Zira and the one 'destined' to avenge Scar he was taught the  true skills and etiquette of combat. Zira make sure to hone his agility, reflexes and strength to ensure that he would be able to outmatch Simba in every way. At least that was what he was told. From the results he was seeing for himself he was beating back those who rushed at him, but it was in no way as impressive as Simba who was beating back lions with just a wipe sweep of his paw. Nala was right ut eside her mate quickly taking care those he missed or managed to sneak up on them. But Kovu could not enjoy the view of synergy between the king and queen of the Pride Lands, just a soon as he had taken his eyes off of the main battle he was tackled harshly to the ground. Dust flew into his eyes, causing a stinging pain. He shook his head and blinked rapidly to clear out his vision. He was still pinned down and heard a familiar chuckle. 

"I finally have you!", his foe cackled.

"Nuka...", Kovu said softly. His older brother's voice was all too familiar to him. Kovu rolled on his back, but Nuka caught him once again. Kovu gasped when he saw Nuka's face. The older lion had always had a jittery and crazed look, but the look in his eyes actually scared Kovu. He couldn't exactly explain it, but it looked like Nuka had no control over himself anymore. 

"You're mine now, you traitor! And now I can end you right now, and mother I will have mother's love again!", Nuka laughed wickedly extending the claws of his raised paw. Kovu braced himself for what was about to come. He saw Nuka swipe and closed his eyes waiting for the pain, but instead he heard a yelp and the weight pressed on him was lifted. Kovu opened his eyes only to see Kiara wrestling with Nuka. He watched as both lions, one he loves and the other his own brother, were now hurting one another. He jumped in between them and managed to split them up. 

"Nuka! Stop this! We don't have to fight each other. We're brothers!", Kovu pleaded. In response Nuka just laughed. Harder and harder. Both Kovu and Kiara looked on at the unstable lion with concern and fear. 

"I just don't get it, Kovu. I was supposed to be the chosen one. I was supposed to be the one who loved by everyone. But no you were born and everyone loved you", Nuka growled. He swiped at Kovu who dodged out of the way. "I hate you, you know that? I hate that you can just up and leave us to have some perfect fairy tale life in the Pride Lands. Do you have any idea how much you've pain your betrayal brought mother. And how much pain she's given me because of you. Even now Vitani's her new favorite. And where does that leave me? But don't worry, little brother. As soon as I kill you and show mother...I'll have all the love I could ever want!"

"Nuka...", Kovu took a look at his broken brother. "I'm sorry. I guess I was so focused on being the lion everyone wanted me to be, I never noticed your pain, I never tried to help you. You're right it isn't fair that I can just run away and leave you to be the one who endures mother's abuse. I'm sorry", Kovu admitted, looking upon the tragic state of the lion he grew up with and even looked up to. 

Nuka listened to Kovu's words. Once Kovu was finished talking he was silent.  

"Nuka...", Kovu walked up to his older brother.

"Kovu....You really are the worst. You bring me all this pain, pain that still hurts. And all you give me....Is a shallow apology!?", Nuka roared, throwing himself at Kovu. The younger lion was completely unprepared for the attack. Nuka toppled Kovu on his side, sinking his sharp, jagged claws into Kovu's side. Kovu let out a roar of pain, feeling the claws piercing his skin and digging into his flesh. 

"Kovu!", Kiara was prepared to jump in and save Kovu. As soon as she lept she was pushed down into dirt beneath them. 

"Where do you think you're going?", Vitani challenged. She jumped off Kiara and took an attack stance. Kiara prepared herself for a fight. "You really think you can steal Kovu from us and get away with it?", Vitani continued to taunt. 

Kiara ignored the other lioness' words. "Vitani! Get out of my way! Can't you see that I gotta help Kovu!"

"Yeah, if it hasn't become apparent to you: Kovu's betrayed us. Far as I'm concerned he's getting what's coming to him. So if you want him that bad, you gotta go through me!", Vitani challenged once again, swiping a Kiara. Kiara jumped clear from the attack and gave a swipe of her own. Vitani laughed and turned, stopping Kiara's paw with her hindleg. 

"Ha! You'll have to do better than those tired old moves", Vitani snickered. 

Kiara huffed in frustration and charged at Vitani.