[Open] The King's Return

[Applejack]

Kopa looked down and sighed. He'd known this time was going to come, but he diddn't think it would be so soon. He sat down on his haunches and closed his eyes, his face turned in a small screw of thought. "You most likely never went far enough," he said slowly. "A five day travel from the Pridelands is a far distance for a patrol though, I guess." He opened his eyes, and they were streaked across with tears as he poined a paw towards the west.

"Past the Outlands, a long way, there is a Jungle. It seemed like paradise, but I was chased from there, further, to an area that was much alike a desert." He looked at Kovu and sighed. "When you're mother took me off and tried to kill me, I was so scared. She threw me in a river after she thought she'd killed me and walked away. If not from shock, then I dont know what else, but I let myself float down, down, down until I'd actually lost conciousness. I awoke in a dense jungle on a riverbank, and I found trace, stale scents that smelled like Father, Timon, and Puumba, and I thought Mother as well."

He shook his head. "I thought it was a dream. My mind, making things up so I wouldn't feel so alone. Eventually, I was overrun by a small pride of lions that had taken over the jungle. Wounded even worse, I wandered past, and eventually came across sand, sand, and more sand. A desert of types. I lived there for years, fending myself off from Rogues. I learned how to kill, not to play. Thats what I am. I'm a killer... nothing will ever come good from me." He finished and flopped down on the ground with a shakey sigh. "I'm sorry, Kiara. I never meant to hurt you. I just... dont know anything."

[DGFone]

Simba looked at Nala for help before slowly approaching Kopa. "That doesn't make you evil, Kopa," he said, trying to help his son, "Just becasue you had to survive doesn't mean that you can't be a bad lion. We all make mistakes, sometimes great ones, yes, but it doesn't mean that they make us who we are. The past cannot be changed, Kopa, but you can change yourself." Simba smiled a little. "Someone once told me that the past can hurt. But you can either run from it, or learn from it."

He nuzzled Kopa. "You're still our son, and you will always be so. You can't change that, Kopa, and I happen like that. We thought you were dead, but you are not. Now is a time to start a new."


Kovu let Simba talk to Kopa, but he felt bad for the lion. He at least was aware of what Zira made him do, and he actively made sure not to follow her wishes. He used Simba as an example of what to do, and his own training as what not to. But for Kopa, he didn't have a solid definition of right and wrong, and Kovu could see that figuring that out would be painful for all of them. But inside he knew that Neither Simba, Nala, nor Kiara would hesitate to give time for Kopa to learn to become the lion he is supposed to be, and not the lion he grew up as.

[Applejack]

Kopa looked at his father as he nuzzled him and sighed, nuzzling him back slowly. "What about all of the choices that I'm going to make? The choices you and I both know are going to hurt the pride?" His words mimicked Kovu's thoughts.

"I dont know right, or wrong. I dont know good or evil. I only know survival, hardship. I know how to kill to protect myself. I've got more battle scars than I do good memories, but thats not that hard. I had my cubhood, but it was cut short.." He looked down, then looked away from his father.

"If you with, I can leave. It wouldn't be the first time I was made to leave, but, if it puts the pride, and everone here at risk, I can do it to protect my family and pride." Kopa slowly stood and took a few steps away to illustrate his point.

[Kopalover]

Vitani gasped, "Don't leave, please. You left me once and I don't want you gone again." Tears started filling her eyes, and her lip trembled. "Please, Kopa. Don't leave." Gazing into his eyes, seeing the innocent cub she fell in love with. The innocent cub with a brown-ish hair tuft and glowing eyes. For a fact, she didn't care that the entire pride saw her crying. Though she's never cried in front of anyone before.

[Applejack]

Kopa stopped dead in his tracks as Vitani's voice reached his ears instantly and his head whipped around. He slowly padded up to her and pressed against her, nuzzling her. He gently placed a claw to her eyes and wiped away her tears. "'Tani," he said softly, nuzzling her again, "You know, you're fluff of hair is still cute." He chuckled and tenatively leaned forward, placing his nose against hers. "I won't go anywhere," he said gently. Completing the kiss, he pressed his lips against hers briefly before pulling back, turning his head away. "I won't leave because I can't bear to leave you, or my family again. Mostly..." he looked down, blushing softly. "You."

[Kopalover]

Vitani stumbled back, "Me?" Blushing in response, then licking his cheek. The kiss still lingered on her lips, her heart beat faster than anything ever has. "Hmm, erm. T-thanks." Smiling, up at Kopa. Again, he was the innocent cub ready to do anything she wanted too. She imagined them, sitting at the tip of Priderock watching two cubs play in the grass below.

[Applejack]

Kopa nodded as he looked at her, a blush tinting his cheeks, and he smiled softly. "I'd told you I missed you, and I meant it." He looked away, his mind wandering to the accidental kiss they'd shared way back then. Then he looked at her now and smiled, looking at her closer, and leaned forward, pressing his nose softly to hers again, this time not moving it. He wanted to share kinghood with her. He wanted her to be his queen, but he didn't know if she'd say yes.

[DGFone]

Kovu was stunned. "Uh, Kopa, you don't need to do that..." He stammered. The last thing he expected was Kopa declining his position as future king. "We can teach you how to to become a great king. I still think that the two of us will be better than just me. And you're Simba's son! You're supposed to be the king."


Simba slowly approached Kopa. "We don't want you to leave, son," he finally said, "I'm not even mad at you. Saddened, yes, but I am not mad. I want you to be happy, just as I am sure that Nala does as well. Do what you wish, but we still want you to be here with us." He gave off a small smile. "I had to learn a lot after I came back. And then, the Pridelands were ruined and I didn't have an existing king to help me. I know that you can learn again, Kopa. Just believe in yourself, and believe in everyone else."

[Kopalover]

Vitani smiled, "S-so you aren't going to leave?" Whipping the lingering tear away from her eyes. Inching closer to his ear, she sighed. "Who's your Queen, King Kopa." Slightly smirking, then nuzzling his brown-red mane. Looking at Kiara and Kovu through his mane. They're together, now I have love, she thought with a wide smile.

[Applejack]

Kopa shook his head softly and smiled, nuzzling Vitani in return. "I think you know the answer to that by now, 'Tani," he whispered back. he turned his muzzle slightly and licked her cheek again. Happily, I can have her. I will make her my queen if she'll want it. He smiled and tilted his head to look at Simba. "Dad," he said, "As long as my family is willing to help me, and I have my queen next to me, I can do anything. I'm ready to learn."