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

10. Hyena And Jackal

Kopa trekked his way through the jungle. It had been about a month since he had sworn a away from the Pride Lands, each day he never looked back. As he had braved his way farther from the Pride Lands and Outlands he hardened himself to survive in this foreign habitat. He had to learn how to hunt new prey, find shelter under pouring rains, and taking on new competitors; such as crocodiles and jaguars.

The dense umbrella of trees clustered together cast everything below in shadow. Keeping his senses sharp, Kopa prowled his way through the undergrowth, He had yet to find himself a territory, let alone an actual home to return to, so he traveled around the jungle by day and found a secluded place to sleep by night. He stalked the ground looking for prey by a shallow stream.

"What do you mean?", Kopa froze as he heard a voice from across the stream.

"I...I might be having second thoughts"

Acting on instinct, Kopa crouched low to the ground, slowly walking backwards into a wide crown of ferns. He was sure he could see them, but not the other way around.

"That doesn't sound so sure to me. We came this far and you just want to call it quits?", Kopa looked through the fern leaves to see a young jackal and hyena facing each other in what looked like what was a heated argument.

Well, this is something new, Kopa chuckled to himself. Perhaps I could go and help them...but then again an angry hyena and jackal? Maybe I should just let them work it out.

"Come on. I know things haven't exactly gone to plan, but I'm sure the Pride Lands can't be that far", the jackal pointed out, not getting Kopa's attention.

"I know...But what if we're making a mistake? We've been traveling for days, what if we never find it?", the hyena argued her point. "Maybe we should just go back to the Outlands"

"Go back? No way! Changa, trust me. The Outlands is no place for anyone, especially us", the jackal huffed.

"And the Pride Lands is? You heard the rumors going around. You really think they would allow a hyena and jackal on their land?", the hyena known as Changa whined.

"The Outlands is out o the question. I was born and raised there. It's a place of suffering. It messes with your head and makes you crazy. Makes you a killer. I had the chance to get out of there and when I did.....I never looked back. Besides, even if we went there they wouldn't allow our union or you in general", the hyena explained.

Changa let out a growl and stepped back, "Kupo, What do you mean 'you in general'?"

"I mean...I-I mean you weren't born there. The Outland hyenas are apparently feuding with those rogue lions, but there's not much they can do against them. But a Changa. They would kill you for even stepping foot in their Outlands. And me as well. They would just see us as more mouths to compete against", Kupo growled at Changa trying to get her to really understand.

"So that's it, then? We either pray we find the Pride Lands or wander around lost till we starve, dehydrate or even be killed by something bigger than us?", Changa growled in defiance.

Changamoto found herself reliving those lonely days of being in those mountains all by herself . Then as if by chance, a handsome jackal made his way up to her den. Their eyes locked and it was an instant connection. Kupo impressed her with tales of his adventures trying to find a home for himself. Changamoto shared her story of isolation and fear of leaving because of all the conflict in the world below her; which, unknown to her, he completely understood. Each day he returned to her bringing things back. Leaves, stones, fruits, and even sometimes the few flowers that managed to flourish in the desolate plains. Changa found herself eventually growing found of this persistent jackal and his gifts. Kupo was set on showing her that the world they live in doesn't have to be hopeless.

"What are you even doing sitting in this boulder all by yourself? You should tag along with me. I know we can find a place where we could live our lives in Hakuna Matata", Kupotea tried to convince her. At first she was unsure. It was true that she was all alone on this rock, but there were so many things in the world that could hurt her.

"I don't know, Kupo. I don't wanna spend my whole life here, but out there is..is dangerous. All kinds of creatures that could be bigger than us or..."

"I know. But look at it this way. If anything tries to hurt you it'll have to go through me", Kupo growled, puffing out his chest and taking a heroic stance. He smiled when he heard the mountain hyenas giggles.

"Okay, I guess...I'll tag along", Changamoto nodded her head and stood up. "So where are we going?"

She was brought back to reality staring Kupotea down.

"I promise you, Changa. I'll be here to protect you", Kupo insisted.

"Well, I don't need protecting. What we both need is somewhere to live where there's not the constant threat of death around us!", Changa growled, now getting fed up with these empty promises.

"We're just fine. As soon as we get our bearings we're set on the path", Kupo tried to convince her.

Changa stared at Kupotea and sighed, "I don't this is going to work out anymore. I can't keep running around in circles hoping that we might get lucky. Kupo just admit it we're lost and I'm not going to keep this up. Look, you can find you're little fantasy world, but I'm gonna find a place, a real place to live"

"So that's it then? After all this, you're just gonna leave like this?....I thought"

"Admit it, Kupo! We're in over our heads! If we keep this us we're gonna wind up dead. Look...Look you can go where you want, but I'm staying here. I've done just fine in the mountains and I'll be fine here now", Changa huffed, turning her back to him. "It's...done."

"Well, fine then! If being alone is what'll make you happy then fine! All this time I've been trying to find a place for us to live together, but everywhere we traveled but every place is 'too dangerous'. Whatever! Stay here, then! I'm sure you'll be perfectly fine here by yourself", Kupo snarled, turning away from Changa.

"It will. Now go! I should have never listened to you in the first place! Go!", Changa growled.

Without saying anything, Kupotea got up and walked forward.

"And don't expect me to come looking for you later, either!", Changa yelled at him.

He froze in his tracks. So she really is gone....

"Well!....Goodbye", with that Kupotea sprinted south, the direction of the Pride Lands.

Kopa watched on from his seclusion. What he thought was going to be a bit of entertainment escalated to this big breakup. Even worse now this rather small hyena was just left alone in the jungle.