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

24. Nuka's Grudge

The war for the Pride Lands waged on, both sides fighting as hard as they could to either take over or defend the land. While that was taking place another battle was being fought. A long-time-coming fight between two brothers.

Kovu fought for breath as he broke away from Nuka's hold on him. Nuka stood on his paws and grinned once again. "Is that really all you got? I thought you were supposed to be the chosen one!", he challenged.

"Nuka. I don't want to fight you..", Kovu pleaded.

"Heh. You keep saying that and yet here we are...", Nuka shook his head. "I'd fight back if I were you cause I'm in this to kill..." He charged at his younger brother once again. The lions were once again wrestling on the ground. Kovu used his hindlegs to pummel Nuka's ribs. The thinner lion winced in pain, but continued his assault. Nuka bared his fangs and attempted to land a hard bite on Kovu's neck. Kovu twisted himself free and lifted up, flinging the mangy lion onto the ground. Nuka shook himself and stood up. He was prepared to do this as many times as he needed to, until Kovu was dead by his paws. He leaped at the unprepared Kovu and grasped at him with his claws, but Kovu reacted quickly and managed to shake him off. But as he was tumbling the thinner lion off of him, Nuka took advantage, twisting his body and scoring a slash down Kovu's face. He could feel the tip of one of his claws tear especially deep. Kovu snarled in pain, batting Nuka away with his powerful paws. Both Nuka and Kovu stood still as Kovu tenderly felt the region that Nuka clawed. It was right over his eye. His actual eye seemed fine, he could still clearly see out of it, but the pain stung relentlessly.

Nuka's breath caught in him throat as he saw the new wound for himself. It was a scar directly over Kovu's eye, much like the lion he was groomed to be the successor of. Nuka felt his blood boil at the sight.

"Urg! All you do is mock me!", Nuka hissed in fury, recklessly swiping blindly at his brother. Kovu was able to avoid the wide swipe, hopping out of it's range. But Nuka continued, swiping his claws again and again and again. "It should have been me! I used to be in your place. Everyone used to love me! But then you came along and took it all away!"

Kovu didn't know how much longer he could keep jumping back and forth, left and right. He was the pain and fury in his brother's eyes and wished he could just make this all stop.

Nuka withdrew his claws and pounced on Kovu, pinning him down on his back. Kovu began to panic as Nuka was sinking his claws into the fur around his throat.

"Are you listening, ya little termite?", Nuka hissed. "I'm gonna kill you and be the chosen one once again."

Suddenly Nuka cried out in pain, his hindlegs being slashed at by thorn-sharp claws. Nuka released his grip and Kovu wriggled free. Who can come to his aid, but that badger!

"We saw you needed help!", Bunga grinned.

"Thank you. You really came in the nick of time", Kovu thanked. Kion came running in and joined alongside Bunga in holding a protective stance over Kovu.

Nuka struggled to stay standing as Bunga's claws cut deep and the pressure put on them only resulted in searing stings.

"Figures that you someone would come to save you. Everyone loooves you, Kovu even as a traitor!", Nuka spat. Even with his injuries he braced himself to attack Kion and Bunga for getting in his way. But Kion swiped his claws in warning, causing Nuka to jump back and yelp in pain He tripped and crashed roughly onto the ground. He heard the approaching footsteps of them. With all the strength he had left he stood up and fought through the pain. He turned tail and retreated.

"You got lucky, Kovu, that's all. You and both know you should be a be a lifeless lump of fur right now. And that's what you're gonna be. Just you wait!", and with those words, Nuka took off.

Kovu said nothing in response, only getting up and giving a deep sigh.

"Hey, Kovu. You're not too hurt are you?", Kion asked the bigger lion.

"No, I can still fight. Wait--Kiara!", Kovu gasped, looking around for her.

"She's fine. Fuli stepped in and they got better of her. But she was very strong", Kion explained.

Kovu nodded, glad that she was okay.

"Thank you for helping me. Like Nuka said, if you two hadn't have come in I wouldn't be here right now", Kovu bowed in gratitude.

"It was no trouble for someone like me, really", Bunga humble-bragged.

"We gotta get back into the fight, Bunga. I'm glad your alright, Kovu but don't be afraid to retreat if it gets too much", Kion advised as Bunga climbed on his back, he knew well that Kovu was going to get back on the frontlines as soon as he could.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything risky", Kovu nodded and with that exchange the three parted ways.

"What are we gonna do now, Kion?", Bunga asked.

"I think we should find the source of all this. That lion: Kopa. If we stop him the rest of the Outlands should retreat", Kion explained.

"And of they don't?", Bunga dared to ask.

"Then it will still be easier to clear them out", Kion concluded.

The two now set on a goal to stop this war charged for the front lines to first find Simba.