The Pridelands Route

(oc: Set October 6th, early morning open to anyone, intro for Shujaa. Guys please responded I know most of you don't care but this really to  important me and I won't be able move forward with new character if this thread does not get going.)     



Shujaa stood outside of the Pridelands border, he would never admit it but he was more than little scared. After all the moment he crossed the invisible line he would be open gain to anyone who wanted to rip him shreds and given foal stigma attached to hyenas list of those that would, was ridiculously high. The urge to turn back was strong, to walk back to Outlands and act like nothing happened, but Shujaa ignored it. This was something he had to do, it was what his mother would had done, it was what needed to be done and the hyena would never forgive himself if backed out now! Taking one mass gulp Shujaa put one paw over border line, took a moment to fully compose himself then started heading towards the Hero camp.

The Pridelands were very quite but that was to expedited since it was the early morning most of the animals were still fast asleep, which was good for Shujaa since it allowed him to travel around with the chances of being attacked reduced. Of course The Pridelands were in the middle of war so Simba probably had some portal parties scouting for any trespasser trying sneak into his lands, so Shujaa still had to be careful. In the event he was spotted Shujaa hoped that that who ever it was it wasn't a lion, sure most heroes would suspicious of him but they would normal take him prisoner which he turn his advantage, but most lions on the over hand would gut him without a second thought. Oh well, those were the risk and it was far too late for Shujaa to take back his choice. So pushing last of his doubted away Shujaa smiled pridefully and pushed forward. 

[OOC: Might get a little rough on Shujaa here, if it's alright with you. But no injuries.]

Despite it being early morning, one old lion was wide awake, and watchful. Still concerned for the missing lionesses, Tanglemane was keeping a watchful eye on the horizon, concealed in the thick grass. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a lone hyena approaching the camp, apparently alone. And not even trying to be stealthy. The ancient lion's snout lifted, and he took a good sniff, thanking the Great Spirit he was downwind of the hyena. There was indeed only one. A group would have been cause for immediate alarm, and swift attack. A lone hyena, brazenly approaching, was cause for thought, and further investigation.

"That's close enough," he growled, rising out of the grass directly in the hyena's path, crouched and ready to pounce. "What business does a hyena have in the Pridelands?"

His golden eyes narrowed as he glared at the hyena, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

(oc: That is fine with me.)

Well that didn't take long, well at least this lion was reasonable enough to let Shujaa speak. The hyena took a deep breath to calm his nerves so he would't stutter and make an idiot of himself. "Firstly I came here on no ones behalf but my own, secondly I wish make trade, I have some information your higher-ups might want to hear, first I know some of your lioness have gone missing and I know were to find them, second I have an important update on the conflict between Nuka and Scar, finally in exchange for this information I want join The Hero army." Shujaa hoped that the information along would be enough other wise his plan was screwed, true the lion seemed old enough that Shujaa could in theory fight him off, or at least escape but the problem with that was if he did fight back he would marked as a hostile which make it almost impossible to getting The Hero's army. So if Shuijaa was attacked he would have no chose but allow the attack to do whatever they wanted to do to him.             

      

Tanglemane's eyes widened slightly when the hyena mentioned the lionesses, then narrowed in sudden fury as he launched his massive body into the hyena, slamming him onto his back. He pressed his claws down on the hyena's throat as he lowered his head, fangs inches from the hyena's face.

"What do you know of our lionesses? Where is my granddaughter? Is she alive, and unharmed?" he demanded, growling slightly. If she was, the others would likely be unharmed, as well. But they were all in worse danger than he'd thought. Simba and his generals would have to know, if this hyena was telling the truth.

Before he had time to react Shujaa found old lion on top off him with a claw to his throat. So it turned out one of the kidnapped lioness was the old lion's granddaughter, just great. Shujaa would have to chose his words very carefully otherwise the lion would slit his throat not that he didn't understand, after all Shujaa would probably feel same way in a similar situation. "A group of Scar's scouts captured them while were out hunting, but don't worry they are still alive."

Tanglemane didn't respond for a moment. He kept his claws pressed against the hyena's throat as he carefully thought over what the hyena had said, and how much he could believe. For Scar to form a plan to capture the lionesses wasn't too hard to believe. But it would've taken far more than a mere scouting force to take them captive. It would likely have been easier to just kill them. Guarding that many lionesses wouldn't be easy. Just what did Scar want with them?

He retracted his claws, and removed his large paw from the hyena's chest. "Get up. You can make your case to the first general we find, then your fate will be decided," he growled, fangs still showing. He didn't know why the hyena would want to join their army. There weren't any other hyenas here, and he had yet to meet one who didn't serve a clan.

"That's fine with me, lead the way," Shujaa replied blandly while getting to his feet, using the voice tone to hide fact he was nerves as hell. After all he still need to convince the generals with nothing more few scraps of information to bargain with. If he failed three paths would open, one the heroes would kick him out of the Pridelands in which case the hyena would just have to come up with a new plan, in the next one he would be taken as prisoner not an ideal situation but one that could be still worked towards his advantage and in path number three the heroes would just out-right him kill.

"Oh no, you'll go first. You'll stay where I can keep an eye on you," Tanglemane retorted. It wasn't like the camp wasn't in plain view, and he wasn't about to turn his back on a hyena. Not when so many of them were a part of Scar's army.

As he waited of for the hyena to get moving, he let out loud roar, signalling the approach of a potential enemy. If that didn't get someone's attention, he didn't know what would. But then, the old lion's faith in the competency of the army's leadership had been waning as of late.

Where was Ni all this time?

General Shang needed someone strong to scout Shanghai Pass because of an anonymous tip. Someone supposedly rigged the pass with bombs. Ni volunteered, so he nuzzled his mate goodbye and journeyed to the snow-covered mountains on the other side of the world. Ni spent weeks marching through inches of snow to interview residents and look for clues. Turns out, it was all just a hoax. Annoyed he wasted a month, but relieved there were no bombs, Ni went home only to find Kula and several other lionesses missing. Ni didn't think anything was out of the ordinary; Kula and her Pridesisters went on hunting trips all the time. Though, she had never been gone this long before. Was something wrong?

Ni heard Tanglemane's roar loud and clear. Speak of the devil. "Tanglemane!" Ni gasped. Kula's consort eyed the hyena Tanglemane appeared to be escorting. Though Ni was tempted to bombard Tanglemane with a bunch of questions, he held his tongue, knowing Tanglemane can explain himself later. He simply nodded to Tanglemane and walked alongside the older lion while keeping his eyes on the hyena's rear.

Shujaa slammed his head against one of his front paws, 'great Shujaa now you've just made yourself look more suspicious.' The hyena took the lead grumbling to himself about his stupidity all the way, then another lion a showed up this one younger than the last, Shujaa was quite surprised that the new lion didn't say anything just nodded to older lion and moved to help his fellow solder escort the hyena. It was pretty odd behaviour but it wasn't something worth wasting time thinking about, so Shujaa kept walking towars The Heroes Camp remain completely silent.                 

Tanglemane watched impassively as the hyena began heading towards the camp, then fell into step behind him, watching him warily, keeping the creature within reach of his claws. He glanced up as Ni approached, and returned the smaller lion's nod. Once he got the chance, he would ask where the younger lion had been. But for now, he kept silent, and looked back at the hyena, glad to have Ni beside him. If the hyena caused trouble, Tanglemane was more than strong enough to crush the creature, but he doubted he'd be able to chase him down if he needed to.

For the next ten minutes there was nothing but an extremely awkward slight as Shujaa and lions walked towards the camp. It was only broken when they finally reached the camp, to put it simple Shujaa found that the hero camp was much better set up than the dry waste land that Scar’s army dwelled in, there was a vast see tents that housed solders from elements and stored weapons, food other important resources. Off to one side there was construction site some sort but Shujaa was unable to identify what was being made. “OK, I guess were here so, now what?”

Afu Almazi spotted Tanglemane and Ni trotting toward camp. Abandoning their posts? Can't have that. How could they just leave the Pridelands unguarded? Oh, they were so busted. Yet, that wasn't the most remarkable thing. Afu almost had a heart attack when she noticed the hyena walking alongside them. What were they thinking? Ditching their posts was one thing, but escorting a hyena of all things into their camp was a whole another ballgame. Oh no. There would be plenty of time to inform Simba of this monstrosity. For now, Afu was going to give these lunatics a piece of her mind.

"Tanglemane," Afu said curtly, ignoring Ni. Ni, being Kula's mate, was not worth addressing. Plus, he smelled. "You're supposed to be keeping watch. Instead, I find you lollygagging," she scolded. "What if the Outlanders decided to invade this morning, hm? Everyone would be slaughtered like warthogs, and you'll have no one to blame but yourself...assuming you survive, anyway. So unless you want to spend a weekend in the brig, get back to your post. I don't want to fetch Simba, but I'm sure he'll understand that I'm only trying to protect the Pridelands. But first, the hyena. We need to put it down at once."

Tanglemane had ignored the hyena's query as he looked around, hoping to catch sight of a general, or someone who could be sent to fetch one. His eyes narrowed slightly as Afu Almazi made an appearance, and saw fit to address him in a high-handed manner. A slight scowl formed on his face. He was not one to be addressed in such a manner.

"Oh no, Afu Almazi, you do want to fetch Simba," he said, contradicting her as he casually drew himself up to his full height. "I'm sure the king would want to hear what has become of his sister, and the rest of the hunting party. This hyena claims to know what has become of them, and is under my protection, for the time being."

He let his scowl deepen, almost snarling as he flexed his right forepaw, extending his claws as he idly scratched at his chest. "And since my granddaughter is with them, I have a very keen interest in hearing what he has to say."

"Huh?" Afu blinked, surprised. Well, that was unexpected. She was sort of looking forward to Tanglemane's groveling. Not that the old lion would ever put on an obsequious show since he carried himself with undeserved pride, but it was a nice thought. 

"Something happened to Kula, you say?" Afu couldn't resist displaying a smug smile. "How nice. I look forward to hearing all about it." Scar's bastard was finally getting what she deserved. "Granddaughter? Hmph. Let's not jump to conclusions, Tanglemane. Simba's a busy lion. Your granddaughter should be the least of his concerns. Anyway, it's about time that freak got herself-er, um, I mean-oh no!" Afu wailed dramatically, realizing that maybe expressing such joy was inappropriate. "What a tragedy! Oh! Oh! King Simba must hear about this right away! Come, Tanglemane! You too, carcass-eater! We must fetch his majesty immediately! There's no time to lose! Run! Run! Run!"

Afu ran to Priderock as fast her short, stubby legs could carry her.

"SIMBA!!!" she screeched obnoxiously on the top of her lungs. "SIMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"