Name: Zuberi

Meaning: Strong

Age: Varies

Gender: Male

Mother: Nabii

Father: Chimalsi

Siblings: Bakari and Jabari

Mate: None

Cubs: None

Likes: Amani, ruling the Pridelands and fighting

Dislikes: Peace, loneliness and losing

Pelt: Light brown

Eyes: Red

Mane/tail: Brown

Distinguishing Features: 3 scars on his muzzle, ear tufts and uncoloured paws

Personality: Vicious, cunning, intelligent and violent.

Relation to the Lion King: Kovu and Kiara’s grandson

Zuberi was born at the same time as his brothers. He loved his brothers a lot and they would play fight together – Zuberi’s favourite game.

When they were a bit older, the cubs brought up the topic of who was going to be King.

“So, which one of you is going to be King?” Sakina asked the male cubs.

“I am .” They all answered at the same time, then looked at each other questioningly.

“I thought I would be King because I was born first.” Answered Zuberi.

“I thought I would be King because I’m the strongest.” Answered Jabari.

Bakari didn’t answer at all. He just shook his head as his eyes filled with tears. He had no claim to the throne that he could think of. Amani saw that Bakari was upset so went over and nuzzled him, giving him no verbal support.

“Hang on Sakina! Who says it had to be one of them! If they die, the throne goes to the girls!” Shouted Halima.

Then everyone started talking at once, the girls arguing with the boys and the boys arguing with each other. Amani decided to sneak off with Bakari.

This went on for a while until Zuberi started to get angry. He and Jabari decided to fight it out. Zuberi was powerful and strong, but Jabari knew all his moves and managed to scar Zuberi across the muzzle.

“I’ll get you back one day!” Zuberi roared.

A short while later, Amani and Bakari returned. Amani ran over to Zuberi and started licking his wound. Bakari felt a pang of jealousy as he saw Zuberi staring into Amani’s eyes as she helped him.

“What happened?” Bakari asked.

“Jabari gave Zuberi a scar! He’s so brave!” Said Halima.

“And now, Zuberi had sworn revenge!” Said Sakina. “That’s so stupid! He can’t beat Jabari!”

Then Zuberi started growling and Jabari joined in. The brothers glared at each other, wishing they could have another fight. Jabari started to walk towards Zuberi again when suddenly, the cubs froze as they heard a roar.

Chimalsi had entered the scene and was furious with what he saw.

“Jabari, Zuberi, come with me.”

The two cubs dropped their heads in shame and walked slowly after their father. The rest of the cubs were soon taken away by their parents who were shocked something like that happened.

Chimalsi spoke to each cub individually. Zuberi walked up to his father and said he was sorry. Chimalsi forgave Zuberi, but deep down, Zuberi knew he could never forgive Jabari.

Zuberi and Jabari grew further and further apart in the years that passed. Zuberi was always alone, Hulima and Sakina staying with Jabari and Bakari staying with Amani. It was at this time when Hulima killed Sakina and ran away with Jabari.

Meanwhile, Zuberi was plotting. He only had one more obstacle before he was the one true heir to the throne. But how was he going to get rid of him…

“Bakari.” Zuberi called to his brother.

“Yes…” He replied, suspiciously.

“Amani wanted me to tell you that she’s waiting for you in the story cave.”

“Why couldn’t she tell me herself?”

“Because she needed to get ready.”

Bakari still wasn’t sure whether what his brother said was true, but he decided to go along with it. He walked quickly to the story cave and wasn’t surprised when Amani wasn’t there. He had already decided what to say to his brother when he met him in the entrance.

“Where’s Amani?” He asked.

Zuberi told him that he saw her going to the waterhole in tears. That made Bakari worried. Why was his mate crying and keeping secret from him?

“Okay.” He said. “We’ll go together.”

Zuberi was pleased. His plan was working so far. Bakari took the bait as he knew he would – his brother was so predictable!

Halfway there, Zuberi stopped Bakari. He told him that he had wanted him to come down here alone.

“Why?” Asked Bakari nervously.

“To eliminate the threat to my throne.” Said Zuberi as he launched into his attack.

Bakari was an awful fighter, not wanting to practise often as his heart was too pure for violence. Therefore, Zuberi easily won. When Bakari lay dying on the floor, Zuberi turned and ran back up to Pride Rock.

“Amani!” he cried. “It’s Bakari! He was attacked by leopards!”

Amani gasped and ran after Zuberi as he took her to the site of the fight. Zuberi was clever. Leopards were similar to lions in the way of paws so he wouldn’t be caught like Halima did. Also, the fact he washed his claws in a stream near Pride Rock meant there was no signs of violence on him.

When they reached the site, Bakari’s body was gone. Zuberi was confused, but then noticed the trail of blood and the scratch marks in the dirt and realised a large animal had carried the body away.

“Where is he?” Cried Amani.

“The leopards must’ve carried him off.”

Amani started crying loudly and fell into Zuberi’s side. Zuberi liked the feeling and leaned into her, offering comfort. He needed her on his side.

He wanted her as his Queen.

A few years later, the Pride had only just recovered from the loss of four of the cubs. Amani spent most of the time with her parents and away from Zuberi, who followed Chimalsi around, learning to be King.

However, Zuberi was getting impatient. His father felt like he could still rule the Pridelands without help, so he knew he had to go. He planned another plan, similar to Bakari’s death, and soon, he was to be King.

One evening, Zuberi approached his father on the top of Pride Rock. Chimalsi looked grey and tired after all that had happened to his Pride. Creeping silently towards Chimalsi, Zuberi gave his father an almighty shove. Chimalsi fell, but managed to catch a glimpse of his son, grinning evilly before the ground rushed up to meet him.

Amani saw Chimalsi fell and rushed out to his body. He wasn’t moving and she scented Zuberi on his fur.

“Zuberi!” She roared.

Zuberi ran down to meet her, teeth bared, but Wema intercepted.

“Don’t you dare go near my daughter, you murderer.” She whispered, whilst preparing for an attack.

Zuberi leapt at Wema and they began to fight. Wema hadn’t improved much since the day she got attacked by hyenas and soon, Zuberi overpowered her, but not before she managed to add several scars to the one that was caused all those years ago.

“Mother!” Amani cried as she saw her take her final breath, exhausted on the grass.

Zuberi walked purposely towards Amani.

“Join me.”

“NEVER!”

Zuberi roared and Amani ran into Pride Rock.

Zuberi loved Amani. He had never thought about the way he felt for her before because love was an emotion best left for the weak, but now, love was making him strong. He knew he would protect Amani and care for her like a mate should and nothing would stop him from making her his.

A few months after Zuberi became King, he was pacing up and down Pride Rock when a voice called out from below.

“King Zuberi! I come in peace!”

Zuberi stopped pacing and turned towards the ground. He was sure he knew that voice, and he was right. Standing below him was none other than his brother Jabari and his mate Halima.

“What made you return?” He snarled.

Halima stepped aside and showed Zuberi a young cub.

“We have a family now and we need protection.”

Zuberi nodded at his brother and agreed he could come up, but deep down in his soul, Zuberi felt like it was a trap and that his brother would take control of the Pridelands. Therefore, he had to go.

“Jabari, I would like to speak with you alone.”

Jabari nodded and told Halima to go inside the cave with Amani before proceeding to the place Zuberi was standing.

There was no need for words. Both brothers looked into each other’s eyes and knew what was going to happen. Zuberi swiped at Jabari who went to bite his brother’s legs. On and on the fight went, each brother perfectly matched until they were both exhausted and weak from loss of blood. As they panting on the floor, catching their finals breaths, Zuberi asked Jabari for forgiveness. Jabari gave it and asked for forgiveness in return. As Zuberi nodded, both brothers closed their eyes and lay still.

Credits: Base and head drawing – me