Chapter Six

For the next few weeks, everything was bliss. The whole of the PrideLands were in a nice, steady, routine. Kopa had begun to grow a tuft of dark fur on his head, and all of the lionesses were talking about what a strong lion he would become.

“I can just see it,” Sarafina started, “He's going to be exactly like Mufasa.” The others nodded in agreement. The only one who didn't seem thrilled was Zira. Indigo peered over at her. She had a huge scowl on her face. She wondered what was up, and decided to go to Nuka about it.

Nuka was gnawing on an old zebra bone when she found him. It suddenly struck her how scrawny and unkept he was. Indigo remembered hearing rumours about him being the product of incest, but she never gave it too much thought. She slowly went up to him. They hadn't talked much since the death of Scar...she wondered if he would still like her.

“Hey Nuka.” she greeted him, smiling. Nuka looked up, frowned, and went back to working on his bone. Indigo breathed in, preparing for what she was about to say. 

“Nuka...I have to wonder something...why is it that Zira has never liked Kopa? I mean, he's just a cub after all.” Nuka leaped up, which almost made Indigo fall over.

“You don't get it do you?” he said, his voice raspy. “Big changes are happening...things will no longer be the same.” Indigo was confused, what was Nuka talking about? Indigo was going to say something, but had second thoughts about it. Instead, she turned around, and walked back towards Pride Rock. What had happened to him? What did Zira do?


One morning as Indigo was looking after Kopa, Simba, Nala, and a few of the other lionesses had decided to go to one of the neighbouring lands in order to talk about a treaty that was being developed. Usually they were held in the PrideLands but this year the one king had gotten severely ill, so everyone thought it would be best to meet him there instead. Only Indigo, Zira and a group of seven others stayed behind in order to watch over the PrideLands. Indigo was slightly disappointed, she thought it would be a great experience to oversee a conference between the prides.

“Can I come too?” she asked Nala the night before. Nala shook her head.

“Sorry sis, but I need you to look after Kopa.” she said. Indigo sighed. She loved her nephew, but she wished that her sister would take her seriously at times. 

So Indigo got stuck looking after Kopa, who was being his usual rambunctious self. She was laying by the waterhole, watching him trying to catch a lizard. She yawned, wondering how the meeting was going. 

She noticed from afar a lioness walking towards her and Kopa. Indigo shot up, wondering if it was Nala coming back. As her eyes focused she noticed that instead of Nala, it was Zira coming up. Indigo was puzzled, usually Zira tried to stay away from everyone, only a select few lionesses she would ever bother talking to. She came up to Indigo, and gave her a friendly smile.

“Hello Indigo, how are you doing today?” she asked. Indigo was at a loss for words. Then she wondered if Nuka talked to her, and that she was wanting to start fresh. This made Indigo brighten up a bit, and she thought that if Zira was willing to be friendly, than she should as well.

“I'm okay, just looking after Kopa.” she said. Zira looked over at Kopa, and gave a nod.

“I see. Say, wouldn't you rather be with your sister and Simba? I know that you were looking forward to going.” Indigo stared down at her paws. She would love to go, to prove herself, but at the same time she knew that her sister would be disappointed if she left Kopa alone.

“I dunno, someone has to watch over Kopa...” Indigo said softly. Zira sat down beside her, grinning.

“Tell you what, you can go to that meeting, and I'll look after Kopa.” Indigo couldn't help but  grin widely in excitement.

“You'd do that?” she asked, “Wow, thanks Zira!” Indigo started to go off, and Kopa ran up behind her.

“Where are you goin' auntie Indie?” he asked, huffing as his little legs tried to carry his pudgy body.

“I'm going to the treaty conference.” she said, looking down at him and slowing her pace so that he could catch up.

“Oh. But who'll look after me then?” he asked.

“Zira will, it's okay Kopa, I'll be back soon with your mommy and daddy.” she said, scruffing the top of his head. Kopa laughed.

“Alright! I'll see you later!” he ran back to Zira, who was still sitting by the waterhole. 

Indigo ran ahead, not believing her luck. Maybe she could say something that would make a difference, something that would change how everyone thought of her, instead of the resident baby sitter.

As she crossed into the other territory, she could see Simba, Nala and everyone else coming back. Indigo's ears pressed against her head. Damn. She missed it. Simba and Nala were muttering to themselves, and when Simba glanced up and noticed Indigo, Nala looked over as well and ran up to her.

“Indie! What are you doing here? Where's Kopa?” she asked, panicking.
“Don't worry, Zira's looking after him.” Indigo said. “I just wanted to come along.” Nala peered over at Simba, both exchanging worried expressions. They all walked back to the PrideLands together, Indigo wondering what got everyone so flustered. She did the right thing didn't she? It wasn't like she left Kopa all by himself. 

When they got back to the PrideLands, Nala and Simba immediately started calling for Kopa. When he didn't answer or come running up to them, that's when everyone panicked. 

“Zazu! Go find Kopa, or Zira.” Simba said sternly. Zazu nodded and took off into the distance. Indigo slowly walked up behind Simba.

“Is there anything I can do Simba?” she asked. He looked at her, at first he looked angry, but his expression softened. 

“Of course. You can come with me, we'll head in the opposite direction of Zazu and everyone else.” Indigo gave a nod. She really hoped that Kopa was alright, she'd be devastated if he was hurt in any way.

Simba and Indigo went to search for Kopa, but it didn't take them long before they heard Zazu start shouting at them.

“Sire! Sire!” he yelled, almost out of breath.

“Zazu, what is it?” Simba demanded, looking at Zazu as he landed.

“I...I found Kopa.” Zazu said quietly, looking down at the ground. Simba cocked his head to one side.

“Is he alright?” Simba asked. Zazu didn't respond. “Zazu! Is he okay? Is my son okay?” Simba asked again, impatiently. Zazu was about to say something, but before he could get a word out, Simba bolted in the direction where Zazu came from. Zazu took off after him, and Indigo started to run after Zazu. She started to feel sick to her stomach. Poor Kopa...what could have happened?

Indigo saw Simba coming to a complete halt, he stood there for a moment, then gave out a cry mixed with a roar. Indigo slowly came up behind him, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw the bloody mess before her. She gasped, turning her head to one side. The other lionesses, including Nala, came running up behind them. When Nala saw Kopa's lifeless body, all torn up almost beyond recognition, she cried.  The lionesses tried to comfort her, but she was in hysterics.

Simba didn't say anything, but he was gritting his teeth. Indigo wanted to say something, however she had no idea what would be the right thing to say.

“Zazu,” Simba started “Find Zira. Find any lioness that was a part of this. And ban them from the PrideLands! I never want to see her or her kind here again!” Simba shouted, slashing the dead tree that was by him. Zazu didn't say anything and just flew off, the sun setting in front of him.

“Simba...I'm – I'm sorry.” Indigo said. Simba looked down at her, tears welling up in his eyes.

“No, it's not your fault Indie. I should have banned Zira long ago...I knew where her loyalties lie.” Indigo looked down at her paws. Where did her loyalties lie?