[Open] The King's Return

[Applejack]

Kiara and Nala ran side by side, speeding past the crest to Pride rock, and came to a skidding halt behind Kopa. "Daddy," Kiara said, taking a tentative step forward. "Who-"

"Is this who I think it is?" Nala interrupted, her whole body shaking. "Simba, please... Is this... can it be... my son?" Kiara looked on, eyes averted to hide the hurt she felt inside. She had a brother, and no one had ever told her? Was this lion that so resembled her father her brother? She stepped back slowly, backing away. Without another word, she turned away and flew off into the grasslands, tears streaming down her face.

Kopa looked on with his face showing no emotion and turned back around to Nala with a small nod. "Mother, its me. Its your son, Kopa. I've returned home to take my place in The Circle." He stepped back to allow Nala to take her place next to Simba. Nala leaned onto Simba for support. She felt like she was about to fall over. First Simba, and now Kopa... both back from the dead... I dont know how many more of these I can take. She sighed and straightened up, trying to keep presentable for her mate and son.

Kopa stepped forward and sat down on his haunches, his head bowed. "Do you remember me, Mother? Father?" He took a step forward, a worried look on his face. "And, why don't I remember that lioness? Who is she? She called you Daddy... that can't be my sister. I dont have a sister!"

[DGFone]

Kovu didn't know what to do. When he caught up to them, all he noticed that Kiara turned and ran. "What's going on?" He demanded. But he didn't wait for an answer, instead, he turned after Kiara and ran after her. "Kiara! Wait! Don't go!"

But even if Kiara did hear him, she didn't act like she did, so Kovu simply ran on after her. Something's not right! This conclusion was painfully obvious, but he couldn't come up with anything better. "Kiara! What's wrong?"


Simba turned his head to Nala. Unable to answer, he simply nodded. After a while, he found some of his voice, if only some of it. "It is, Nala. It's Kopa."

He barely heard Kopa's question. Turning his head, he stared a little, still in sock. "That was your sister, Kopa." He whispered. "Her name is Kiara." He shook his head, questions and answers fighting each other for dominance. "Where were you? Wh-why did you leave?"

[Applejack]

Kiara slowed down, skidding to a slow halt, and stopped, laying down under a large tree, the tears now flowing freely. "Kovu... Kopa... Kopa... back..." She could barely speak, she was crying so hard. She shook her head and curled up, trying to squeeze herself into a tiny ball. Truth be told, she hadn't even heard Kovu calling after her. My brother is back,, she thought, shaking. He's back, and I diddnt recognize him...nor did he me. I feel so terrible!

"K..Kiara," Kopa echoed, sounding lost. "Why does that name sound so familiar... I could swear I'd known her..." He sighed and looked at Simba and Nala with another small, shaky sigh. "I diddnt run away, Mother, Father. I was forced to. I was run out after I was almost killed. I'm sorry. I figured that everyone had forgotten about me... that I was just a memory. I diddn't want to return. I thought that I would be fine, hiding out in the wilderness, away from all of my pain and troubles, but I was wrong." He took a deep breath and stepped towards Simba and Nala, nuzzling them each, one at a time. "I'm home... I'm done running."

[DGFone]

Kovu was confused. "Who's Kopa?" He asked. "That lion is Kopa? But if he is, well, who's Kopa?" He lay down next to Kiara, trying to calm Kiara down. "I want to help you, but I don't know anything. Please, Kiara, tell me everything."


Simba leaned forward and embraced his son in a deep hug. "We've really missed you, Kopa," he whispered, trying not to break down. He remembered that the reason that the outsiders were exiled was becasue of Kopa's 'murder'. "But why didn't you come back sooner?"

[Applejack]

"Kopa," she said after a few minutes, "is my brother, but he can't be here now. He was killed soon after I was born. It's the reason you were exiled. Your mother killed my brother. But, it doesnt make sense. How is he here now? He's dead. He's alive. I dont know what to think!" she finished with an unintended whimper. She turned her head to rest on Kovu's flank and surrendered to her confused tears, refusing to speak.

Nala leaned forward slowly and put a paw around her son as well, her words and thoughts taken out of her mouth by Simba. She simply nodded and stood there, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Kopa leaned into his parents with a small sigh, his eyes reflecting his appologies. "I'm sorry I diddnt come back sooner," He finally said with a soft tone. "I was afraid that... they were still here. That I'd be killed if I came back. It was... safer if you thought I was dead. Honestly, I felt dead. I couldn't believe myself for running like I did, but I had to in order to live and survive. I knew that some day I would be able to come back safely. I just diddnt know when." It felt like his whole life that had been split down the middle was suddenly coming together all at once, but there was still one thing that was eating him. "Father," he said slowly, "why do I smell her followers here still? I thought you would have had them exiled or, or, executed, or something!"

[DGFone]

Kovu let Kiara rest on him. "I was never told that before," he admitted, "Mother always said that Simba banished us because he was evil and didn't want Scar's followers to challenge him and take the rightful throne." He paused a little, thinking. "Now I know that most of it is not true, but, Simba never told me the real reason why we were exiled. I tried asking him a few times, but he never answered." Whenever he tried asking Simba the reasons behind the exile, Simba always seemed to get upset. Now Kovu knew why.

"But Kopa's still alive," he told Kiara. "I think you should go and meet your long lost brother." He gently helped Kiara get to her feet. "Just as I am sure that he would love to meet you." She didn't seem to move. "Come on, Kiara," Kovu suggested, "It will be good for both of you."

Simba felt tears forming in his eyes, and he blinked them back. "So much has changed after you died," he told Kopa. But then he pulled away from his son, horrified by the disgust in Kopa's voice. "They changed, my son." He said. "Zira's gone, but the rest. They learned. I allowed them back into the pride."

[Applejack]

"Daddy was always very... uneager to answer that question to anyone... most of the pride forgot about Kopa after a few moon-cycles. I even forgot him... I feel so terrible about it. But, you know, you're right, as you always are." She slowly pulled herself upright and nuzzled Kovu, licking his cheak. "Can we go back? I would like to see my brother... I need to see him."

Nala looked at Simba as he pulled away from his son with hurt eyes. "Simba!" she exclaimed, motioning back to Kopa. "Your son has every right to be upset about what Zira did to him. Zira and her followers most definitly were the reason we lost our son for how long we did." She sighed and looked back to Kopa, licking him once. "But now, our son is back, and the Pride is complete again. What do we have to be upset about? This is a time for rejoice, not pain." Even as she said this, her tears started to fall, warm and large. Kopa looked at his mother with open eyes, astounded at how she talked to Simba. "

"Father," he said softly, "I had no idea that so much had changed. I... I simply went by my first instinct. The smell of the one who almost killed me litters the Pridelands still, so I was worried is all. I am sorry." He sighed, the venom gone from his voice as quickly as it had come. "If I would have known so much would have happened... I would have come back sooner, I swear it!"

[DGFone]

Kovu smiled a little. "Alright, Kiara, let's go." He gave her a quick lick and turned, heading back to Priderock, Kiara by his side. "We're going to find out how your brother is like," he said, grinning, "and what he did all this time."


Simba faltered, knowing that he said the wrong words. But he already said them and there was no taking them back. "But none of that matters anymore." He gave Kopa another hug. "I'm so glad that you are back. We thought you were dead for such a long time that it... that was easier to forget about you" He sighed. "I'm so sorry, Kopa." He reached out and pulled Nala into the embrace as well. "But now we are back together again. And you have yet to meet Kiara properly." Simba smiled. "I believe that once she gets over the shock, she will love to meet you."

((Just realized: What about Timon and Pumbaa?))

[Applejack]

Kiara nodded and moved next to Kovu, her mind running wild with all of the questions she had for Kopa. Her tail aimlessly twined around Kovu's as she walked with him. "He seemed so kind, but, so shy at the same time. I wonder if he'll even remember me."

Nala nodded, squeezing in with Simba, close to both Kopa and Simba. A small purr caught in her throat at the thought of her family finally being together and the circle closing. "I always wanted to believe that you were alive, Kopa. Call it mothers' intuition. I always had faith that you had somehow lived." She purred a little louder and slid closer to the two of them. Kopa felt like a cub again, inbetween his parents, and he sighed, content for the moment being. "When do you think she'll be back?" He asked, wanting to see his sister.

[DGFone]

Kovu smiled at Kiara. "He might not remember you, but I am certain that it doesn't mean that he won't like you," he replied, "and besides, either way, you two have a lot of catching up to do."


Simba smiled and pulled back. "I am sure that there are others that will want to know that you're back," he said, "If I remember correctly, I am certain that Vitani will be most eager to find out that you're here again." He looked up, searching the skies for his majordomo. "Where's Zazu when you need him?" He asked.