Chewa

Chewa is a male vulture. He is the leader of a flock of vultures in the desert.
Simba's young son, Kopa, wandered into the desert and was found by Chewa's flock. Recognizing him as the king's son, the vultures held him ransom and demanded a bounty of prey animals from Simba. However, the Buzzard Boyz betrayed their flock and led Simba to where Kopa was being held prisoner. Chewa reluctantly gave up his prey due to the might of the Pride Landers, and Simba ordered the flock to attend a Buzzard Boyz concert every week as punishment for their misdeeds.
==Biography==
===Early life===
Chewa lived in the desert. At some point in his life, he became the leader of a flock of vultures. During Scar's reign, he and his flock picked off the starved and dying Pride Landers who strayed into their territory. However, when Scar was defeated and replaced by his nephew Simba, the herds returned to the Pride Lands, thus depleting the vultures of their prey.
===Kidnapping Kopa===
Chewa asked his friend, Choyo, what he wanted to eat. The two asked each other the question several times before Chewa gave up in frustration. Choyo commented that animals were no longer migrating the way they used to, and Chewa pointed out that this meant fewer animals were dropping dead in the desert. Choyo praised his friend for his insight and leadership of their flock. Chewa, however, despaired over the fact that he could not provide his flock with food.
The two vultures began reminiscing about Scar's reign, when animals had been passing through the desert every day. As they were dancing and shouting about all the wonderful foods they had once had, Chewa noticed Kopa passed out underneath a tree. The two vultures grew excited and eagerly rushed over to devour the helpless cub. As they got closer, Choyo exclaimed that they could not eat him while he was still alive. Chewa pointed out that they were not creatures of habit, and Choyo eagerly complied. But as Choyo rushed in for the meat, Chewa held him back and reminded him of the flock's biggest rule: always share. At his words, the rest of the flock arrived, eager to finish off Kopa. The cub did not wake from his exhausted slumber and failed to notice the vultures gathering around him.
Before the meal could begin, Chewa decided to make a toast to his flock. The vultures cheered at his words, and Kopa flipped onto his side among the din. The vultures eyed him suspiciously, and Wali asked Chewa what to do next. The flock leader looked at Kopa closely and asked his followers if they had ever seen the cub before. None of the other vultures recognized Kopa, but Chewa soon saw the cub for who he really was: the prince of the Pride Lands. The other vultures did not follow Chewa's thinking and were still intent on eating Kopa, but Chewa ordered the other vultures to keep away. He then looked down at the cub and commented that with a father like Simba, Kopa was worth a lot more than just one measly meal.
Under Chewa's orders, the flock put Kopa in a high spiky nest, where he had no chance of escape. After he woke up, Kopa begged the vultures to let him free, but they just jeered and cackled at him before flapping away. Upon gathering with his flock far from Kopa's prison, Chewa announced that Simba would do anything to get his precious son back. Choyo suggested asking for "dik-diks," but this just angered Chewa, who demanded to know why he wanted the tiniest antelope in Africa over anything he could possibly wish for. Choyo suggested asking for "big antelope," but Chewa was again disgusted.
He asked the other vultures for suggestions, and they told him to ask for a waterbuck or a wildebeest. Chewa was again disappointed, and his followers asked him what he wanted to eat. Chewa then announced that he wanted an elephant, hippopotamus, or rhinoceros, which was met with much cheering and enthusiasm. He then proclaimed that instead of asking for one animal, they should give Simba a whole menu of animals to ask for. Choyo thought it was a bit much, but Chewa brushed him aside. Meanwhile, the Buzzard Boyz were shocked by Chewa's behavior and intent on not following his orders.
They came before Chewa and asked him if they could deliver the message to Simba. Chewa was shocked and told them that Choyo was going to deliver the message. The Buzzard Boyz were disappointed and told Chewa that they had wanted to sing their new song for the Lion King. They then decided to sing it to Chewa instead. As they broke into song, Chewa stopped them and snappishly agreed to let them take the message. Choyo tried to protest, but Chewa shrieked at him to be quiet. He then turned back to the Buzzard Boyz and told them to listen closely to everything he wanted them to relay to Simba. He then commanded them not to tell the king where Kopa was. After the Buzzard Boyz agreed to this demand, Choyo asked Chewa why he was sending the Buzzard Boyz over him. Chewa growled that Simba would agree to anything such pesky birds asked of him. He then saluted the Buzzard Boyz and sent them off on their mission.
The next day, Chewa and his flock anxiously awaited the return of the Buzzard Boyz. The flock pestered Chewa with pointless questions as they waited, and his patience began to slip. As they were arguing, Choyo picked up elephant scent, and the vultures looked up to see the Buzzard Boyz leading a mass of animals toward Kopa's tree. Chewa announced that dinner was served, and the vultures erupted into cheering. When the Buzzard Boyz presented the meal to Chewa, the other vultures erupted into happy cheers. But Chewa was displeased and commented that they had brought everything but dessert. Tatu told Chewa that they had replaced the flamingos with something different.
Chewa found Kiboko in place of the flamingos and peered at him suspiciously. As Kiboko was explaining himself, Simba and Nala leaped out of the group and snarled at Chewa and his followers. Chewa started in surprise and attempted an escape, but Simba grappled him by his wing and forced him back. Nala demanded to know where her son was, and Chewa claimed to know nothing about a certain "Kopa." But, to his dismay, the cub called down to his parents from his tree, and Simba let go of Chewa, who quickly scurried away. Simba glared at the vultures in anger, and Chewa told the king that he could have his son back. He then asked if they could at least have a little something to eat. Simba asked what they wanted, and Chewa pointed at Zazu. Simba roared that Zazu was his trusted friend and steward. Chewa backed down and proclaimed that anything would do.
In answer, the Pride Landers surrounded Chewa and proclaimed that vultures were delicious. As Chewa began to panic, Choyo told Simba that he could not just come and disrupt their wasteland. Nala quickly dispatched of Choyo, and Simba asked the vultures if they would return to their normal eating habits. They shakily agreed, and Simba turned back to Chewa. The flock leader begged the king not to kill him, and Simba told him that he had a different punishment in mind. He then proclaimed that the flock was sentenced to listen to the Buzzard Boyz perform a solo every week. Chewa grew frantic and begged for a different punishment, but Simba's mind was set. Choyo turned on Chewa and accused him of having caused this. As the Pride Landers left, Nala called over her shoulder that they would be checking up on them to make sure that they continued to follow the laws of nature.
==Physical appearance==
Unlike most of the vultures in his flock, Chewa has a very mangy and ragged appearance. His feathers are black, and he has black eyes with pink sclerae. He has a small white mane around his neck, a cream and red beak, bushy eyebrows, and scraggly feathers on top of his head.
==Personality and traits==
Like Choyo, Chewa is greedy and selfish. He is slick and conniving, and uses his sharp intellect to lead his flock. He and his flock love food and so adored Scar for how he drove so many animals into the desert. As a leader, Chewa takes an interest in keeping his flock well-fed, even if it means depriving himself. He strongly dislikes the Buzzard Boyz's music.
==Appearances==
* The Lion King: Six New Adventures
** Vulture Shock
==Trivia==
* Chewa's name means "cod" or "he who has a very large mouth" in Swahili.
==References==
Category:Antagonists
Category:Characters
Category:Leaders
Category:Males
Category:Vultures