Planning Subterfuge

Tojo listened intently to Tanglemanes advice never for a moment even dropping his guard." Right so pretty much do whatever it takes to win.. mind you I was taught never to cheat in a fair fight but I don't think Scar or his little soldiers will fight fair either so I suppose I don't have much choice now do I." He stated as he surveyed his surroundings.

The old lion was pleased to note the younger lion's guarded posture. He had taken the lesson to heart. As quick a learner as he could have hoped for. He nodded slightly in affirmation. "Yes, whatever it takes. And remember this. If you find yourself in a fair fight, you're doing something wrong. Fighting fair is just asking to get killed."

Tanglemane rose to his feet once again, slowly and smoothly as his aging body would allow. If he couldn't overcome an enemy through sheer strength and size, he'd scratch at eyes, rip noses, throw dirt, whatever it took to win. Even when he'd been overthrown by a pair of lions in their prime, they'd been left with the marks of his fangs and claws. And if there hadn't been two of them, he'd have triumphed.

"Remember, you're already not fighting 'fair' since you're going to be living a lie. If you get through this, the Outlanders will view you as a traitor. They may even go out of their way to get even," he said. Then he frowned for a moment as a sudden thought came to him. "Have you figured out what you're going to say to convince the Outlanders that you're really defecting?"

Tojo stopped for a moment thinking." I've been thinking about this for a little bit of time.. and to be honest my plan isn't completely legit yet.." He explained not wanting to admit he had forgotten to look over a few flaws in his plan." The training between you and I might fit into it some how perhaps if any wounds are inflicted upon me I will have to make a lie saying that I was betrayed so far I wish to convince Scar that I have a growing hatred for his nephew.. after all Scar will do anything to get stronger warriors on his team and if he thinks I harbor a grudge against Simba he'll play it in his favor which means a small possibility of him taking me under his wing if I can gain Scar's trust I won't need anything else.. gaining Zira's will be a lot harder.." He stated before sitting down.

" Zira isn't a fool and neither is Scar but if I can make them believe I have a hatred for the pride landers then gaining they're trust shouldn't be a problem.. but it's everyone else I will have to watch.. I've heard things that some of our lions have went to they're side but it could just be rumors however if it is true I could be in far more trouble then I'm putting myself in now.." He explained." But never the less as much as Simba hates to admit it he needs Kula and the others without them we are weaker and if Scar finds out he will launch an attack with as much force as possible, I've lost far to many friends now and I refuse to lose any more in the process." He stated firmly." I don't know if Kula even remembers me as a cub I don't know if any one does its been a long time since I've been here but I wont let them down I refuse to die until I am sure they're all safe." He said as he stood back up." How I wish things could be like before where we would play all day and go on all sorts of adventures like old times.. but those times are over and I have to accept it." He muttered though his heart refused to believe such a story.

Tanglemane listened quietly as Tojo spoke, weighing his words carefully. What he said was true. Neither Scar nor Zira were fools. Not when it came to sheer cunning, at least. So, they would have to plan carefully. But, again, Tojo's plan had a sound foundation. Simba would be the catalyst for the deception.

"Here's my thought. You tell Scar that you have been growing dissatisfied with Simba's reign. And I'm certain that anyone who knows her will believe you if you say you aren't pleased with Afu Almazi's increasing authority within the pride. Tell Scar you believe he is the only one you are willing to see as King of the Pridelands," he said, tail lashing back and forth as he spoke. He slowly paced back and forth as he thought. A sudden thought occurred to him.

"What's more, you can tell Scar and Zira that you were foolish enough to voice your doubts around some of Simba's more loyal followers, and got roughed up over it. That way, they may have cause to doubt your intelligence. If they think you're impetuous, or young and foolish, they will have less reason to think of you as a threat, or are harboring a hidden agenda."

He paused in place for a moment, eying Tojo almost coldly for a moment. It would make the younger lion's story more believable of he looked beaten and sullen when he went to infiltrate the Pridelands. In fact, if done right, the Pridelanders, and by extension, the Heroes, might be convinced Tojo was a traitor.

"Yes, time has a way of slipping away. The young grow, and the old fade, and die. Well, most of them do," the ancient lion stated, a wry smile forming on his face. Already, he had outlived everyone he had known when he was a cub. And he doubted any of his old pride were even still alive. Not the ones he had known, anyways.

Tojo nodded at this." Your correct and that idea would fool even the smartest of lions Tanglemane.. I thank you for your help and your faith in me.. I highly doubt I would have gotten even this far had not been for you.. I have a question though." He said as he turned to face Tanglemane." Why haven't you asked for the position Afu has been trying to get for so long.. you'd make a far better Majordomo then Almazi ever would.. your not only strong for your age but you are also very wise.. if anyone could be a majordomo it is you why don't you go for it.. or do you think you'd be better off as a guard for the pride lands..?" He questioned as he looked off into the distance.

"I do not fear death Tanglemane I've met it once or twice before and now he no longer scares me for I know now that the great kings are watching over me especially great King Mufasa." He stated proudly." I wish to go within the next full moon but I need your help to make it look convincing we can't have them thinking I'm going on a rescue mission.. sadly my friends must think I am abandoning them.. it's best if they think this way for they will not expect me to return or have high hopes of me returning back to pride rock with them for if I fail I die and that is that." He stated firmly.

Tanglemane chuckled lightly at Tojo's suggestion. He could hardly argue with the younger lion's claim. Anyone would make a better Majordomo than Afu Almazi. Perhaps if he'd been about half his age, he might have sought after the position. But now, years had passed since he had reached old age.

"Look at me, Tojo. I'm old. I was old when you were just a cub. I knew Ahadi, when he was still a king in his prime. I came here to offer what advice I could, to whoever would listen. Or, if need and opportunity arose, to sped what life I have left claiming one last foe as a companion to the afterlife. I don't expect to see the end of this war," he said, a soft smile on his face. After all, how much longer could he honestly expect his life to last? For a lion to live to his age was unheard of. It was as if death was running from him.

"Spoken like a brave, if young, lion. You still have the greater part of your life ahead of you, should you succeed. Keep that in mind," he said, seating himself heavily on the ground with a sigh. "When the time has come, I will drive you from the Pridelands with fang and claw, condemning you as a traitor. Return with the lionesses, and the truth will be revealed. But, if you fall, the Great Kings will surely welcome you."

Tojo smiled a little as he listened to him speak." If things go well Tanglemane I will bring them back all of them.. I refuse to return unless they are all with me." he stated again." Shall I fail then at least I know I have tried and will be more then welcomed in the great kings skies." He said as he looked up." I will prepare myself for the time." He said before snorting." Old or not Tanglemane you still stand a good running chance for Majordomo your wise and will offer great advice and as much as I hate to speak ill of my pride members Almazi is only doing this for her own personal gain.. she cares not as much for the pride as I had hoped she would.. I've tried appealing to her side of things but I think she just finds me to be an annoying kiss up trying to make nice nice with everyone." He said but merely laughed it off.

Tanglemane gave a single, satisfied nod. Tojo was braver than many lions he had met. He could only hope the young lion lived to father a line of his own. Then he grinned a bit as Tojo persisted in trying to convince him to seek the position of Majordomo. He slowly stretched out to his full length, and flopped over onto his side before looking up at the younger lion.

"Perhaps you're right. But, consider this. I was once a king, and if I were to take on the responsibilities of Majordomo, it might very well look like Simba is too inept to rule the pride. Especially with Kula's evident ambition to replace him," he explained. At least that's what Kula's supporters might claim. Despite her many faults, Afu Almazi was at least completely devoted to Simba. And, there was the very real possibility that Tanglemane might take over ruling the pride in all but name, if given the position.

"No, far better if I remain an unofficial adviser. That way, I can keep an eye on the pride without undermining the king," he said. Or queen, he added mentally. He still wasn't certain if Kula would make a better ruler than Simba or not.

Tojo listened with a silent question on his mind." You make a good point Tanglemane.. I guess part of me just wonders when this war will be over and if so how many more lives will be ruined in the process of it all." He asked as he looked over to the outlands." Why is being king so important to them or queen why is ruling over land such a big deal.. it's one little part of land it won't make any difference if every one dies trying to obtain it." He stated firmly." not everyone will be able to get what they want and dying won't solve any more problems it will only cause more.." he said firmly as he sighed." But talking about this won't get us any where now will it ..?" he asked.

Tanglemane just closed his eyes and sighed, slightly shaking his head. Tojo's question didn't have an easy answer. There were many reasons for somebody to want to be a king, or a queen. Ambition, a sense of entitlement, a sense of duty, a belief that they were the only one who could do the job...and many more reasons, beside.

"Might as well ask why some animals migrate, and others don't. Now, though, I doubt it's about the land anymore. That's the problem with war. Someone dies on the battlefield, and suddenly they must be avenged, never mind they made their own choice to risk their life. And it just goes on and on, anger and hatred builds up, and before you know it, everyone would fight over a patch of worthless sand," he huffed in irritation. He grumpily tore at the grass in front of him with his claws. Of course, the fact that whoever was in charge of planning strategy, in all of the armies, were a bunch of fools. Many battles had been fought, but they were inconclusive. Stupid.

"Hmph. Well, no sense in talking about what can't be changed. Right now, your focus should be on figuring out how you're going to get the lionesses away from Scar," he said, dismissing his irritation with the way the war was going. For the time being, anyways.

Tojo frowned a little." I suppose your right Tanglemane.. I can't stop it any more then anyone can stop greed or hatred or vengence.." He said before shaking his head." Well I was talking to Shujaa and he was telling me a little about the land about the outlands.. if I can get more information out of him I might even be able to find an easy way for them to escape." He explained.

(Oc: I got permission from both Tojo and Tanglemane to post here)





"Did I hear someone say my name?" Shujaa appeared from behind a large rock, with a cynical expression on his face as he walked towards Tojo.



“I have been reluctant to give you information since I think your idea is dangers and foolish, however since you seem to instate on your goal I guess might as well make sure you are well equipped.”


Shujaa then made some very crude draws of a lioness, a leopard, a tiger and hyena with his claws. “OK listen Scar’s inner cycle includes Sabor, Shenzi, Zira and Rajah. Sabor and Rajah are too strong and attempt to get information from then will only resolute in death.”Shujaa crossed out the leopard and tiger.


“Trying get information from Scar himself is also pointless since he rarely comes out in the open and is under constant guard that leaves Zira and Shenzi. Zira is franticly loyal to Scar and getting her to revel any secrets is almost impossible.” He crossed out the lioness drawing.


“I highly recommend you target Shenzi you can beat her in a one on one fight, she is out open and alone enough that you will be able to get at her. Most importantly her loyalty for both herself and The Clan is greater than any she has towers Scar. Sure she will try to stall and be difficult but when forced to choose between her dying or revealing Scar’s secrets she would tell you whatever wanted to know.” Shujaa finished his speech cycling the hyena drawing.