Planning Subterfuge

[October 8-Open to Tanglemane and Tojo]

Despite Sarabi's apparent confidence in her plan, Tanglemane wasn't so certain Scar could be convinced to let the captured lionesses go. They were the foundation of the pride, after all. The hunters. The mothers. The very life of a pride. Lions could hunt, it was true, but not nearly so well as a lioness. And certainly not for a whole pride.

The ancient lion scowled as he gazed out towards the Outlands. He had wandered some distance from the camp to be alone with his thoughts. It seemed Simba wasn't up to being a king. Not in this situation. A good number of his lionesses had been captured, practically from under his very nose, and he had yet to respond in any way. If he'd been younger, he'd have challenged Simba for the throne, himself.

But that option was long behind him. How much longer could his life really last? He'd outlived most of his children, and even some of his grandchildren. But he could still do what he could to ensure the lionesses were safely returned to the Pridelands. His mind was still sharp, and his body was still strong.

Tojo sighed as he made his way through the grasses seeing Tanglemane not too far off. Perhaps he would understand there was no way he could possibly sit here and do nothing while a major group of the hunting party had been taken. He approached the old lion with caution even though it was not needed he was well aware Tanglemane would bring no harm to him." Tanglemane may we speak please." He asked. He soon came with in a few meters of the lion and sat down." I know Sarabi asked me to keep this idea out of my head but I cannot we have no chance of negotiating with Scar to get not even one of our pride sisters back let alone all of them.. he will pull some back stabbing scheme I just know it." He stated." I know Sarabi told me not too try it but I feel like I'm not helping anyone here I have to go out there.." He said as he looked out to the outlands.

"Scar does not remember me or if he does he probably thinks I'm dead too I have a better chance then anyone right now to sneak into the outlands.. Shujaa gave me some information about the outlanders I could be very helpful to them at least let them think so.." he suggested." What is your opinion on this give me your opinion because everyone else keeps telling me it's a bad idea and I'm well aware but they're not looking at me for what I can do.. heck the only thing they see when they look at me is that clumsy little cub I need to prove myself and save my pride and I can only do that from the inside" He admited.

Tanglemane grimaced in irritation when his silent reverie was interrupted, and he scowled back at the younger lion approaching him. But, as Tojo spoke, the look of irritation faded, replaced by a look of cold calculation as he listened to what the younger lion had to say. While it was true Sarabi had told Tojo to forget planning to infiltrate the Outlanders, but Tanglemane was going to act on his own initiative on this.

He slowly nodded in agreement as he thought over what it would take for Tojo to infiltrate. What would he tell Scar? What reason would he have for turning against a childhood friend? A small, sardonic grin formed on the old lion's maw.

"Oh, it's a horrible idea. Extremely dangerous. You stand a very good chance of getting yourself killed," he said, stretching as he slowly rose to his feet, flexing heavy muscles as he did. "But you stand a far better chance of infiltrating Scar's forces than anyone else here. And you're quite right. Back-stabber or not, Scar would be a fool to release our lionesses so easily."

The old lion looked Tojo over with a critical eye, taking in the lean, strong build of the younger lion's body. Then, the smile faded from Tanglemane's face, and old yellow eyes bored into clear blue orbs. "You understand what you are suggesting? How dangerous this is? Aside from myself, and perhaps Sarabi, nobody in our ranks will know what you are planning. You will be considered a traitor, and you may have to bare your fangs and claws against us, to prove your loyalty to Scar."

His tail lashed the tall gras behind him as he spoke, his eyes as hard as stone. If they should happen to cross paths during battle, he wouldn't hesitate to fight Tojo. For a moment, he fell silent, allowing the younger lion time to think about what he had just heard. Then, he added softly, "You may have to kill to prove yourself loyal."

Tojo frowned before going silent. He never killed anything before and having to do it to gain someone else's trust and someone he hated for hat matter." I'm a lot smarter then I look Tanglemane maybe I'm not smart enough to know better and yeah maybe I could die in trying this or be exiled from the pride lands for going against the pride and betraying the outlanders in advance but if I don't do something who will.. Afu will eventually convince Simba to forget them and we both know she's good at that and Sarabi won't be able to convince Scar to hand over the only thing he has to use against her.. it's the only choice I have is to try if I fail at least I know it was for a good cause." He stated firmly.

He was afraid to say the least but he wasn't going to back down." it's the only chance we have all I have to do is gain enough trust to find out where Kula and the others are being hidden then I can get them out of there and face my punishment head on with Sarabi and the others." He said as he looked to the outlands." I'm sorry to bother you during your time alone but you are one of the strongest lions I've seen your battle scars say it all for you so I was wondering if you could train me and prepare me for what's out there no one knows the life of a rogue better then you." He stated.

Tojo's resolve impressed the old lion. And he feared the young male was right about Afu and Simba. That irritating lioness was far more vocal than the king was these days. In fact, Tanglemane had yet to have much interaction with Simba at all. No, he couldn't place his trust in Simba, or his generals. After all, most of the generals seemed to care little for any of the animals fighting along side them.

"There's no need to apologize. I've spent more years alone than you've been alive," he said as the small smile reappeared on his face. He took a moment to ponder the vagaries of fate, or whatever force might drive destiny. Why couldn't any of his sons been like Tojo? Or Mega, for that matter? His smile vanished for a moment. Instead I get landed with a worthless meat-bag of a lion who isn't fit to eat carrion!

"Well, just as long as you know what you're getting yourself into," he said, walking a short distance before turning to face Tojo head-on. "Since we don't have a lot of time, training can start now. Come at me!"

HE crouched down, tail lashing behind him as he watched Tojo closely. What the younger lion had said was true. Tanglemane was the biggest lion in the Pridelands, and his strength had yet to slip away from him. Not completely. But strength alone wasn't a guarantee of victory.

Tojo was reluctant attacking right in public but he didn't have a choice if anything this fight would help him in the future. He crouched himself down as well and snarled a little. It was not in his nature to attack without reason but if he didn't at least try he would always fail." All right then." He said as he launched himself at the lion though still wasn't sure of himself so his claws didn't really sheath out completely which he knew was going to be his downfall.

Fighting where the rest of the camp might see them could very well help. After all, Tojo would seem to be a traitor, so seeing him in an apparent severe confrontation with another member of the Hero Army might very well convince them that the young lion was dissatisfied.

But, even though Tojo did move to attack him, the younger lion's half-hearted attack left something to be desired. The massive old male simply braced himself, took the full force of Tojo's attack, and responded by swinging a big paw at the younger lion's head, claws sheathed, a look of irritation on his face.

"You'll have to do better. Getting the lionesses out might mean you'll have to fight," he growled. "Lesson one. When attacking, hold nothing back. Lesson two, never play to your opponent's strengths. I am bigger, heavier, and stronger than you. Attacking me straight on can only end one way."

Tojo winced forcing himself back up on his feet. Of course he hadn't been thinking he was well aware of Tanglemane's size and should have predicted him to launch a head on attack. He forced himself up straight and analyzed his opponent. He was bigger and heavier and Tojo was slightly more sleek so he had speed on his side and Tanglemane strong as he was still was growing old and possibly had aching joints which meant he would not be able to keep up given time.

Tojo made quick move to strike but just as quickly bolted back trying to confuse Tanglemane and hopefully with some effort he would be able to get an opening for attack.

Tanglemane watched silently as Tojo got back on his feet, showing determination if nothing else. But that was a good start. Once he got to the Outlands, he would have to endure many hardships. There was the chance he would have to fight his allies, he would have to go without the bounty the Pridelands had to offer, and he would have to live with the constant knowledge he might be found out.

After a moment though, Tojo made another attack, again fairly straightforward, and Tanglemane once again countered with a heavy swipe...only for his paw to pass through empty air. While far from confused, he was completely open to another attack, just as the younger lion had planned.

Tojo smirked at this the speed strategy seemed to work. Once Tanglemane struck down Tojo made his move and used all his body weight tackling Tanglemane hard with all the force in his body.

Off balance as he was, the elderly lion was rocked back on his haunches, joints popping in protest, as the younger lion slammed into him. If he hadn't been around twice Tojo's weight, he'd have been toppled to the ground for certain. As it was, he was forced to grapple with Tojo for a moment to keep, and regain, his balance, before pushing the younger lion back with a paw.

"You learn fast," he wheezed, rolling his shoulders slowly, easing the ache from them carefully. "But be careful. Tricks like that don't often work more than once. Not against a seasoned opponent. Do something different every time you have an opening. Keep them guessing."

Returning to his previous crouched posture, Tanglemane got ready to continue. Tojo had proven he was the faster, and the young lion was certainly more agile than his elder. He'd just have to see how cunning Tojo was, in the face of Tanglemane's vast experience.

Tojo nodded at this." Right don't use the same routine got it." He said as he crouched down keeping an eye on Tanglemanes every movement. Using the same trick again would be expected so he would have to think of something else finding another weakness on Tanglemane would be a bit of a task but if he stood still too long he'd be a sitting duck. So he began to circle Tanglemane trying to find an opening for him to strike at.

Tanglemane watched in interest as Tojo took his words to heart, and crouched before starting to circle. In response, the elderly lion circled slowly as well, his movements even and deliberate, a small smile crossing his maw as memories from the past surfaced. This reminded him of the times he had trained the young members of his own pride, judging the strengths and prowess of lion and lioness alike.

But he didn't let his memories distract him from the task at hand. Suddenly, he lunged forward swiftly, aiming another powerful swipe, this time with claws slightly bared, at Tojo's head, testing him.

Tojo quickly backed up jumping back almost getting caught off guard again. He let his guard down even if it was just for a second he still did it." Okay so don't let your guard down not even for a moment but what happens if you can't find the right opening..?" He asked." If there is no opening how must one strike..?" He questioned.

Tanglemane's eyes glittered as his paw swiped through the air just shy of his target. He was starting to believe Tojo might just have a real chance, if his quick learning was anything to go by. When Tojo asked his question, the elderly lion took the chance to stretch.

"Simple. You're young enough to toy with an opponent long enough for them to lose patience, and make a mistake. Or, a safer bet would be to wear them out," he stated, wincing briefly as his shoulder gave a loud pop, then sighing in relief. "Or, if you don't have time for that, make an opening."

With a languid motion, the old lion sifted his claws through the soil, gathering a small paw-full of dirt. He lifted it in front of Tojo, and let it run from his paw. "Toss this at your enemy's eyes, and they'll be forced to shut them, or turn away to protect their vision, leaving them open. It's especially effective if your enemy thinks it's a 'fair' fight."

He paused for a moment, and raised his paw, tapping Tojo's nose lightly before letting his paw back down. "That's a good target. With blood running into their nostrils, they won't be able to seize you with their jaws without choking. And, every chance you get, try for an eye."

Tanglemane sat back on his haunches, pausing a moment before continuing, giving the younger lion a chance to absorb what he was saying. "Anything you can think of that will put your enemy off guard. Pretend to be injured, or more injured than you really are. Pretend to be weaker than you really are. Use the terrain to your advantage as much as you can."