Prologue: The exile

The sun arched over Pride Rock until it reached midday. The herds of pride rock grazed through the savannah. Elephants and Buffalo feasted on the grass and small plants while several nearby hippos splashed around in the river.

As the sunlight glistened off the water, a few of the hippos noticed a zeal of zebra approach the river. The striped beasts slowly began to take their turns drinking. The hippos minding their own business, until a terrible bark.

A pair of large zebra began to violently push their way to the front.

"We drink first!" One barked as he and his companion snapped their teeth and kicked at younger Zebras who tried to drink. The foals whimpered in front and backed up.

A few of the hippos watched in concern.

"They're at it again." A female hippo grunted.

"They're going to hurt someone very soon, I just know it. Someone really ought to get the king to put them in their place." A male hippo added.

When the two stallions finished their drinks one noticed a female with two foals beside her approach the water. The other noticed a much younger stallion approach a young mare. The two older stallions began to violently bark.

The first began to bite and kick at the foals while the other did the same to the younger stallion.

The other zebras backed up in terror at the sight of the violent stallions.

The mare tried desperately to protect her children and the younger stallion tried to get away but the older stallions were relentless.

"Oh my, what's this insanity!" A stiff voice squawked.

A few of the hippos saw a toucan bird and on the head of the lead hippo as he watched the fight unfold.

"Zazu they're going to kill someone. You have to get the king!"

"Right, don't worry I'll catch him at once! Hold on down there!" The bird official squawked as he flew as fast as his wings would allow.

"You think you come near one of my mares!" The second stallion barked at the younger male.

"Please, I-" The younger stallion took a hard kick to his side and tumbled over. The mare dirtily tried to intervene but the stallion snapped his jaws at her to get away.

Similarly, the first stallion kept at the two foals. His back legs knocked their mother away.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you have two new foals before long." He barked. The foals had reached the water and cowered in fear.

Just as the stallions prepared their finishing blows, the rest of the zeal cleared the way.

The hippos retreated underwater and for a brief moment. The two stallions noticed how quiet the pride lands had become.

The stallions looked around and nearly jumped away as three lionesses slowly approached them.

The lionesses bared their large fangs and claws with feral growls. They slowly encircled the two stallions. Both Zebras brought their back legs to face the lionesses but realized too late where the real threat came from.

Before either could respond two male lions leaped from the brush and completed their ambush. Each lion took a stallion to the ground. Their claws sheared through the hides of the stallions and their fangs clamped down into their necks.

Both stallions desperately attempted to shake the lions off but to no avail. Within a minute or two both had died.

The first lion was slightly larger than the second. His male was thick and red like his irises. The second lion had a darker-brown mane and similarly brownish eyes.

The lions and lionesses roared in victory while the hippos resurfaced. Each had a relieved expression on their face.

The zeal of zebras slowly returned with relieved expressions. The same toucan landed beside the red-maned lion and bowed his head.

"You see, king Simba is quite expedient in his duties." Zazu proudly boasted.

The zebra mare nuzzled her two foals and bowed her head.

"Thank you, your majesty, thank you." She said with sincere relief.

Simba slowly approached the two frightened foals.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you, king Simba." One said as he still trembled.

The other male checked on the younger stallion who tried to get back up.

"Can you stand?"

"I, I think so." He grunted. The younger mare helped him up.

"Jealousy can be quite dangerous. Keep that in mind." The Zebra nodded.

Simba and the other lions dragged the dead zebras back to Pride Rock.

Over a dozen other lionesses waited there with a few cubs among them.

"We're back, with justice and dinner!" One of the lionesses roared. Simba and the others in their party laughed a little. Two other lionesses dragged the zebras into the center of the cave where the meat was distributed.

"I thought a king ate first?" The brown maned lion asked.

Simba chuckled a little at his friend.

"Some kings maybe."

"Tut-tut, you need to keep your strength up, my king. Maintaining the circle of life isn't an easy task." Simba shook his head playfully.

"I'm well aware of that Kopa. I appreciate your concern but I'm doing fine."

"Dad! Dad, you're back!" A softer voice cried out. Simba's face turned more compassionate as a lioness cub ran towards him. The cub had the same eye colors as Simba but her fur was a lighter shade of tan.

"Dad, you said you were going to take me with you." She almost pouted with disappointment across her face.

Simba shook his head with a playful smile and gently nuzzled the cub's face.

"I don't remember saying that Kiara. You're only four months old young lady."

"Uncle Timon said you would…..Eventually."

"Exactly, eventually. Now go get some dinner and bring some to your mother."

"Yes, dad." Simba nudged his daughter forward as she ran to the center.

"It seems like yesterday you presented her in front of the pride lands." Simba sighed.

"It really does."

"Now, here you are, king with a little princess and a prince." Simba stared across the cave to another lioness. This lioness had blueish eyes and laid on her side as a newborn cub nursed from her.

"Have you decided on a name yet?" Simba nodded.

"Kion." Kopa nodded.

"A nice and strong name. I like it."

"What about you and Afia. Do you have a name for your new cub?" Kopa smiled proudly.

"Yes, Zuri. She's just as lovely as her mother." Kopa was about to get his portion of the zebras when he looked back at the pride lands. The savannah so lush and vibrant in life. The various herds grazing and living in the harmony that was the circle of life.

"It's hard to believe this place was a wasteland only a year ago." Simba slowly sighed.

"Scar and his leadership broke the circle of life."

"And you restored it. You're a true king Simba, I want you to know that. Everyone here owes that to you."

Simba shook his head.

"I didn't do it alone."

"Maybe not. But that doesn't mean you aren't responsible for it either." Simba noticed an almost reluctant expression on Kopa's face. Like he wanted to say something but kept it locked away.

"Kopa, is everything alright? Do you want to tell me something." Kopa took a deep breath.

"Simba, I have, friends, or perhaps acquaintances I should say. Acquaintances who live in other kingdoms beyond the pride lands."

Simba wasn't quite sure where Kopa was going. He tilted his head slightly in confusion.

"Ok?"

"Many of these acquaintances live under kings and queens who don't measure up to your example. Kings and queens who aren't very different from Scar."

Simba's confused expression turned to a more serious one.

"And?"

"Simba, you've restored the circle of life here. You're a dutiful and just king but there are places beyond pride rock that don't have rulers who are like you. But what if they did, what if you could restore the circle of life to all lands in Africa."

"Kopa, I'm king of the Pride Lands that's it. Everything the light touches is my kingdom, no more. It's not my duty to intervene beyond my borders." Simba's words turned harsher with each word.

"It would be if they were within your borders. If you were the ruler of all these lands. You could restore the circle of life to all lands in need. Make everywhere like the Pride Lands. You'd be more than just a king, you'd be something great, a Jungle Emperor." Zumba shook his head with a firm gaze.

"No Kopa."

"Simba, at least take a moment to." Simba stepped closer and stared intensely into Kopa's eyes.

"I said no. I'm the king of Pride Rock that's it. I'll hear no more of this."

"But my king-"

"I said no more." Simba growled. The king turned and approached the dead zebra. He didn't notice the growing resentment in Kopa's eyes.

Simba tore off a sizable piece of meat and brought it over to the nursing lioness whom Kiara now ate beside.

Simba placed the meat beside the lioness's face before he nuzzled her.

"Dispensing justice went well I see." The lioness said in a playful manner.

"Always Nala. Sorry, you couldn't be there." Nala turned to the cub nursing on her and gave a loving smile.

"There are more important things." She gave the cub a few licked before Simba joined in.

"Now that I have a little brother, does that mean I have to share being queen?" Kiara asked.

Simba chuckled slightly again.

"No Kiara." The lioness cub gave a relieved expression and wiped her face using her paw.

Simba began to think about what Kiara said. He looked back at the cub and Nala didn't notice the subtle concern in her mate's eyes.

Kopa ran through the tall grass. His fur coated in sweat as the lion panted heavily. Beside him were five others, a Buffalo, a lioness, Rino, and a wild dog, a Tsavo lion male, and a lioness. The Tsavo male lion was larger than Kopa and lacked a mane.

The six stopped as they crossed a river. Each desperately attempted to catch their breath.

"That was a close one. Are they still following us?" The lioness asked.

The Buffalo peered back through the long grass and shook his head.

"I don't think so, Imani." Each let out a relieved breath.

"I can't believe we actually did it. That was exhilarating." The Tsavo lion growled in an excited fashion.

Kopa nodded.

"Hopefully it will turn out like we hoped. I'm going to head home, you should do the same."

Each nodded.

"We'll see you soon Kopa." The rhino said before he departed with the others.

Hope took another deep breath before he started his walk back to Pride Rock. However, it was only a few yards until he saw his path blocked.

Kopa's eyes widened when he saw Simba and four lionesses growling at him.

"Simba! What are you doing here?" Kopa frantically asked.

"I could ask you the same thing, Kopa." Simba snarled.

"I uh, there's good game out here. Real troublemakers too. Care to join me?" Kopa desperately attempted to justify himself.

"I know what you did Kopa. I know you murdered the king of Rock mountain!"

Kopa began to sweat nervously.

"I, I did no such, where's your proof!"

"Kopa!" The fear in Kopa's eyes turned to ruthlessness. He began to ebb his own fangs now.

"Yes, I did. I killed the fool, he was no better than Scar. Have you seen those pride lands Simba? The circle of life there was on the verge of collapse! Their king was incompetent like Scar. He was going to lead everyone there to death. So I stopped it, I hoped in time you'd step up and take the responsibility of ruling both lands. But it seems I put too much faith in you, my king." Simba slowly moved closer to Kopa.

The ferocity in his eyes only grew stronger.

"Kopa, as king of Pride Rock I banish you from the pride lands, forever!" Simba's roar shook the pride lands. So much that it was as if Simba's ancestors roared with him from the heavens above.

"What? Banished, what about my Afia and Zuri!?" Kopa frantically shouted.

Simba's gaze remained steel.

"They can stay but you can never return." Kopa's eyes widened and he shook his head.

"You're taking my mate and child away from me, you can't do that!" Simba snapped his jaws at Kopa and was backed up by the lionesses.

Kopa retreated but soon snarled back. Hatred and fury ravaged his face.

"You're going to regret this Simba, do you hear me! One day you're going to suffer, and I'm going to be there to savor it! If you're not strong enough to protect the circle of life, I'll find someone who can! Mark my words, the Jungle Emperor will rise!" Kopa gave one final roar and retreated.

Simba took a deep breath and turned back to the lionesses. Pain ran across the king's face as he lowered his head.

"It wasn't an easy decision, my king." One said trying to console him.

"No, it wasn't."

"You had no choice." Another added.

No, he didn't have a choice. Kopa murdered another king, banishment was the only option. Even if it meant taking a father from his mate and daughter. Taking a friend away from himself.

Simba and his lionesses returned to Pride Rock where Simba stared closely at Kion and Nala. His mate still nursed the cub while Kiara rested herself up against Simba.

The more the king watched his two cubs, the more Kopa's words haunted his mind.

Not the Kopa you were expecting, huh

Hello, this is new territory for me writing-wise. First Disney story, after they sold their souls to 'live action' reboots I felt compelled to do this

Let me know what you guys think, what you like, don't like, suggestions, questions. But bottom line, this is Kion's story

So until next time,

Please review, comment, suggest, or ask(VIA PM)