One Kingdom Against the Stars

[Scar]

Few hours after the vision, the King had the hyenas gather the sleepy lionesses at Priderock's base. Crazy ideas had been brewing in the Scar's head. Incapable of recognizing a greater power than himself, he had decided to go all out in a war against the stars. Information was the same as technology, it could be used for good or for bad; Scar had decided to go backwards, instead of heeding Queen Uru's message of conversion and penance.

"Our hearts have been struck by yet another tragedy. Prince Shujaa. He was so young." Scar's voice began to fail, he had to pause and take a deep breath.

"The Kings of the Past have turned their backs on us. If not by the hard effort of Shenzi and her hyenas, we would be dead." Scar continued.

"I know not why has their wrath descended upon us." He lied. "But we can't just sit there and do nothing."

"The Ancient Kings have brought us nothing but misery in a long time. We have no reason for which to honor their memories anymore. Anyone caught telling their legends or seeking their wisdom shall be punished -- for we should not mingle with the enemy." The King sentenced.

[mistwolf]

((ooc: Can I say the party of hyenas + Tojo came back, just so I can have him in here for this?))

bic:
Ila sat upright, staring at her king. His words echoed off the rocks of the Priderock. Such strong, powerful words.
"Kayani, stand up and honor your king," she whispered to the heap of tawny at her side. The cub hadn't moved since Ila ha forcably carried her back to Priderock that afternoon. And just as she feared, the cub did not respond to her nudges or words. She stayed were she was, curled into a ball, paws hiding her face. Ila could barely even tell that she was breathing. The dark lioness sighed and turned to look back towards Scar. She was enraptured by his words. She knew that she'd do anything that the lion told her to. Even fighting these stars that he spoke of/ The Great Kings. Ila came from a pride far away where when lions died, they simply died. There was nothing else. She wasn't sure what all this Great King stuff was about, but she knew that she'd help her king in his rule.

Tojo stood on a ledge away from where Scar spoke to the lionesses. Many tried to ignore him in vain attempt to not hear his speach about the Great Kings. Despite himself, Tojo had listened to every word the false king had said. He had seen Shujaa's body burried, and seen the pain in Scar's face, a pain he hadn't seen before. He sighed and looked up at the stars.
"Maybe Scar has a right to fight you," he hissed at them. "You sure haven't been doing much help for us, either. Why punish a whole pride, when he's the one you want?"
Tojo scowled at the stars, anger rising in his heart. It had been a long time ago when he had denounced the Great Kings. And now he remembered why. His blue eyes glowing in teh darkness, he turned his back on Scar and the stars and walked away.

[Scar]

((Ideas: Nala watches Tojo wander off and goes to follow him, but she sees him all angry and decides not to reveal her presence. Zira leaps at Tojo and she interferes just like Kiara to save Simba in SP?))

Zira had heard about Scar's change of mind. She was no longer in danger, but she had not wanted to return to him. Not yet.

Anger was eating her inside, and her eyes were mad with revenge. Clearly, her mate didn't share her point of view when it came to whose's fault Shujaa's death was, for the Kilimanjaro team members still were on the Pridelands. He did not share her view, and if she asked him to do what she wanted, he would refuse. She would avenge her son by herself. Scar would forgive her quickly.

None of her efforts would bring Shujaa from the dead, it would do no good. To the contrary, they would only bring more death and suffering to this poor Pride. But Zira did not care. She was as stubborn as her mate when it came to this. They wanted to be gods, decide everything that happened in their lives, but they couldn't.

Tojo had left the rest of the Pride, wandering on his own. He was unaware of the skillful huntress hiding in the shadows.

[wumpwumpus]

Sarafina gathered with her fellow lionesses to hear Scar's harrowing words. It was bad enough that poor young Shujaa had died, and to hear Scar denouncing the great kings was enough to convince Sarafina that her pride was falling to its demise.

She felt her anger and desperation towards the current situation turn to decisiveness. Something had to be done. Scar had fallen even deeper into anger and pained madness, and Sarafina knew that if he continued to enforce his aimless ideals upon the pride, they would all die, either from starvation or each other. Scar was too plagued by his inner turmoil that he was blind to what was happening to his kingdom. She also realized that from this moment on, the pride was certain to be even more polarized between those loyal to Scar and those opposed to him. This was sure to complicate things and create tension in day to day interactions.

She looked around for her daughter Nala, wanting to talk to her about this and try to figure out a plan to do something, anything. For she knew that Nala cared deeply for Simba and respected Mufasa's reign, and despite their deaths, felt certain that she could trust Nala to want the pride to return to the way it was when she was a cub.

Skimming over the land, she couldn't find her. She did spot what she thought was Tojo in the far distance walking away from the group, and decided to keep an eye on him, as it was possible Nala was nearby. She stayed relatively close to Pride rock, but kept a watchful eye from a distance.

[mistwolf]

Tojo scraped his claws along the ground, desperate to find something, anything, that would eleviate this anger that he felt. He thought of his life, how he'd been so happy as a cub. When Mufasa was king, and Simba was still alive. He rememebered running and playing with his childhood friends- Prince Simba, Chumvi, Tama, Kula, Nala....
And then it had all changed. Tojo remembered that horrible day when Scar had come and told them that Simba, Mufasa, were gone. Had told them that he would become king. Then everything had changed. Tojo's mother, greived, had left the pride, not even thinking of her son. Tojo had stayed behind, determined to change things. But things had gone so wrong! Great Kings? Who were they kidding? He had denounced the Great Kings many years ago. And now his anger towards them was rekindled.
He raised a paw and slashed the rocks beside him, yelled at them as if they were the king themselves. He heard Scar's voice far away and hissed.
"I'll get you," he said. "This is it. I'll take you down. And I don't need the Great Kings' help."
He thought he heard something away from him, and whipped his head over to see, but he didn't see anything. Just shadow. Tail lashing, Tojo sat and glared at the rocks, plotting.

[Scar]

Meanwhile, Bakari was telling her heroic version of the events at Kilimanjaro. Many Clanlanders were gathered in a circle around Leopard Spots, listening to the tale intently.

- - -

Dotty and Spotty, the twins, were watching Mheetu fiercely attack Ila's tail as the lioness heard King Scar's speech, mesmerized.

They quickly became bored with this, and moved on to Kayani. The other cubs had always shunned the "rogue" away and refused to play with her for being an outsider. However, seeing her in such a sorry state...

"You should stop thinking only of yourself!" One of the cubs reprehended the golden furball.

"You have to get up and do interesting things. Just imagine Prince Shujaa's boredom if all there is to watch down here is his father's speech!" The other cub finished, in a low voice so that hopefully Ila didn't hear her.

- - -

Scar continued with his speech about stars. But it seemed as if the Kings of the Past had taken the challenge, for a great lightning bolt suddenly descended and struck Priderock. It struck not where Scar was standing, not in the flat rock that extended from the monument, but at the top of the tall monolith that loomed behind the false King.

Its white flash lit the savanna as day, and its deafening roar caused the ground to shake. Scar was so surprised by this, he almost fell from the rock; yet his claws saved him from certain death. A great wave of murmuring immediately swept across the gathered Pride. The Kings were responding to Scar's challenge! Who could endure their wrath?

Realizing what had just happened, Scar clenched his teeth. He climbed back to his former position and assumed the most dignified, kingly pose he had. Rain had begun to pour from the blackened heavens, cascading like it hadn't in a long time.

"There is nothing to fear, it's just the rains. They're finally here." Scar tried to tranquilize the crowd.

- - -

Zira's lips pulled back into a soundless snarl as she heard Tojo spill the beans about his true loyalties. She crouched, then leaped down from her hideout, landing with the faintest sound behind the youth.

Lightning then flashed through the night, illuminating the terrible lioness with the tattered ear and the stripe that ran from head to shoulder.

[wumpwumpus]

Scar's speech continued, but Sarafina was only half listening at this point. She didn't need any more convincing, plus it looked like Tojo was having some issues with Scar's words too. She noticed a quick swiping motion in the distance as she kept watch, drawing her attention towards him. Suddenly, lighting struck from the skies illuminating their surroundings, and that's when she noticed that Tojo was not alone... Zira was most definitely crouched in a threatening stance looking to pounce on the unsuspecting lion.

She was getting a bad feeling about this. Nala was fond of Tojo, which gave Sarafina more reason to watch out for him. She made the utmost attempt to sneak around and away from Pride rock without being noticed, slinking closer to what she feared was about to be a fight. And knowing Zira, it could very well be a fight to the death...

[mistwolf]

The lightning blinded Tojo for a second, but out of it leaped Zira. The young lion gasped, before falling under the lioness's weight. He fell onto his back, trying to fight his way back up. Panic washed over him, and he struggled to keep himself under control. He knew Zira would kill him. But he had to take down Scar first. He couldn't let this happen.
Stay calm, he told himself. Struggling to get the upper hand, he kicked her in the stomach, scraping his claws down her soft underbelly. He wasn't going to die. Not tonight.

Kayani tried to ingore the two twins. They had always ignored her, anyways. Her unknown origins had always been the turn-off for many, and these two had always let her know that she wasn't welcome. She tried to ignore them, but she coudn't.
"What do you care?" she murmered, not looking at them. "You never cared. Why start now?"

[Scar]

The hyenas exploded into laughter after seeing Scar's reaction to the lightning bolt, but they were quickly silenced by a killer glare from Vangr (who, comically, seemed as if he was to burst into laughter any moment, himself).

- - -

"We weren't worried about you!" One of the twins lied, "We were talking about Prince Shujaa, getting bored to death up there."

Dotty blinked at Spotty's words. "Is it possible to die twice?" She asked her sister with concern.

"I don't know!" She replied, "But if you really were his friend, you have to have some more consideration." The cub finished, lifting her muzzle like a grown-up.

((Sarafina feel free to save Tojo now.))

[wumpwumpus]

Sneaking quickly turned into a sprint when Sarafina saw Zira leap towards Tojo and pin him to the ground.

She knew Zira was tough, but was confident in herself to help Tojo stay alive.

"Queen Zira! What's the meaning of this!" she exclaimed as she approached. It was more of a formality, seeing as she was about to run into her "queen" at top speed she at least wanted to give Zira a head's up.

Sarafina ducked her head down as she continued to run towards the dueling pair, and braced herself as she slammed her shoulder into Zira's side, whacking her with all of her body weight and the momentum of her sprint. Both lionesses went tumbling to the ground.

'Between myself and Tojo, we should be able to survive if she decides to take us on,' she thought after landing in a heap. Her senses were on high alert, and for the first time in a while, she felt like she was doing something meaningful. She was ready to fight for her home.

[mistwolf]

Tojo rolled onto his side as he watched Sarafina knock ZIra off. He wished Sarafina hadn't gotten herself into this. Now she was in trouble. Zira would kill her. She should have left him to do this himself.
He leaped onto his feet.
"Sarafina!" he said anxiously. "Get out of here! She'll kill you!:
Tojo crouched, ready for the next onslaught of Zira's attack.

Kayani looked up towards the stars. She squinted, forgetting the words of the two cubs. She stared at the sky. Wasn't that star up there new? No, not that one. That really bright, shiny one. Up there...
"Shujaa?" Kayani whispered. Slowly, she stood an walked away from the two cubs, staring at the star above her head. Was that her friend up there?

[Scar]

Zira growled bitterly as she was hit by a flying Sarafina. Both lionesses rolled a great distance before they separated. Zira quickly rolled on her feet, hissing like a snake to warn the two lions not to get near.

The rain was cascading from the skies, and the resulting fog made it very difficult for the three battlers to see each other.

"Tojo is a traitor! I heard him plotting against us!" Zira snarled. Sarafina, what side are you on? Will you finally betray your King and your Kingdom? Although she could not be entirely certain, Zira doubted Sarafina would formally rebel against her tonight. For Nala's safety, she couldn't.

[mistwolf]

Tojo's mind raced. He wans't sure what to do.Did he tell Zira that she was right? Did he confess that he was plotting to overthrow the king? Or did he try and cover it up? If he admitted it all, Scar might not just stop with kiling him. He'd kill the others, as well. Sarafina, Sarabi....Nala. Maybe even Kayani. But what would he say if he tried to cover it up?
But wait...he hadn't actually said Scar's name, had he? He hadn't! He'd just said that he get him, not the king. Maybe, just maybe he could talk his way out of this. His mind fished for a new idea.
"N-no, Queen Zira," he said, trying to act confused, like he had no idea what she was tlaking about. "I wasn't planning on doing anything to King Scar. I was talking about...Ni. That rogue that came in the Pridelands a while back? He attacked me. I just want to get him back for it! I...." he trailed off and looked sheepishly at Sarafina, as if he was embaressed about confessing his love for Nala. "I just want to make sure Nala's safe."
He hoped this would work.

[Scar]

Upon hearing the teenager's words, Zira let loose a low pitched growl. It was a lie, she knew! She had seen the exact same hate in the lionesses's mouths many times in the past and knew this hatred was much deeper than just a border skirmish with a stranger. Why would anyone need the Kings help for that, also? That indicated it was a desperate maneuver.

You knew Zira, once she took a dislike for someone, she would not let go. Tojo's save might have toppled her plans by leaving her without proofs (she knew she had lost Scar's support by now, but then again, she never had it because she never had any proof), but that did not mean the evil lioness was out of combat. The scratches on her stomach burned; seeing how irritable the King had become after the death of his son, she only had to say his name. Scar wouldn't care if it was in self defense, if she showed him that, the hyenas would be after him. It was over. Zira had decided the young make had overspent his time in this Pride.

But she was still worried. If his right paw lion was plotting to kill him, how deeply rooted was this threat? She had to try and find out as much as possible. Sarafina's reaction was of particular relevance now. It was a pity that through the rolling fog she could not see her. Oh well, forget her, let's see if Tojo slips any further.

The Queen approached him with head low and eyes narrowed.

"Tojo, you don't believe that lie yourself." The lioness stated with alarming determination that made it seem as if Tojo's lie couldn't have been less effective.

[- lauren]

Sarabi couldn't take one more word from Scar. It had saddened her that Shujaa had died, even if he was the son of Scar. But when the false king had started on his anti-former-king speech, Sarabi had felt the familiar anger and resentment rising. Her heart was struck by a confusing mix of emotions, and she couldn't take it anymore. She turned from the crowd that sat at Scar's feet and wandered towards a ledge a little ways away. On her way, the lioness caught voices, angry words on the wind. She looked up and saw her friend crash into the queen in what looked like an attack. Both lioness' rolled away from each other, and jumped up hissing. Zira growled something about Tojo and Sarabi's gaze drifted, finally spotting the young lion. Oh, no..."

Sarabi's stomach felt wrong, empty and filled with fear and dread. How had Zira found out? She jumped up to one rock and then another, reaching the spot where the others were and stood a few feet away from the fight. "What's going on?" she demanded in a voice suited for a leader. She couldn't let either of her friends be hurt, but she knew there would be trouble even with two on one; if that one was Zira. Maybe her presence would remind Zira she was outnumbered, and help calm things down. If nothing else, maybe Sarabi could find out what happened.