The Storm

[mistwolf]

The Pridelands soil was wet and soft, but the foliage, strangely enough, had still not grown back. It was like the entire land was under some sort of a curse, which forbid plant life to return, no matter how much rain fell on the barren, once dry and cracked ground.

Tojo arrived back at the Pridelands around sunset. The sun was just dissapearing over the distant horizon, shrowding the dark land in even heavier darkness. And, to make matters worse, thick, black-green clouds were gathering above the towering Priderock. Lighitng flashed purple-white in the distance. Thunder rolled like a far-off warning. Rain had not begun to fall, but with the look of the clouds, it soon would.

Tojo's paws sank into the squelchy soil. He raised his nose to the air and sniffed deeply. It smelled terrible. Of a king who needed to be overthrown.

By me, Tojo thought. He was certain he had arrived here before Simba. He had to. He had to confront Scar, take him down, before Simba got here. Then he could run Simba out, and tkae back Nala, his dream queen. It was all a perfect plan.

Tojo made his way quickly towards the Priderock, head low, ears erect, listening for danger. He slunk up the base of the massive structure, careful not to be seen. Lighting flashed again, and the roll of thunder was like a soundtrack to his coup. It was a perfect night for a battle.

He hid behind a series of boulders, and looked around them to see some of the lionessesd lounging around. He would have to be careful of them. Ila was out for his blood, for some reason. He had realized that when she'd attacked him when he'd run away. He couldn't let her see him.

Scar's den was near. The false king would most likely be in there. He had to take him now. Paws quiet, he made his way away from the lionesses, and towards Scar's cave. Darkness fell over the lion as he slunk inside. Lighting flashed behind him, and the rian began to fall. Now inside, Tojo pulled himself up to his full size. Wind from outside blew his full mane around his head. He did look a little like Simba.

"Scar."

[Nala]

Nala's pace slowed to a cautious trot the moment she entered her destroyed home. The sight appalled the now mature lioness and although sadness threatened to overwhelm her, she had to reach past that. She needed the anger and hatred for when she faced Scar. Unknown to her that Tojo had beaten her there and that Simba was on his way back as well. All she knew was that someone needed to make a stand before there was nothing left to save.

Knowing the place was guarded by hyenas as well as Scar's few loyal lionesses, her huntress instincts kicked in. Being a good huntress meant being virtually undetectable until you were ready to strike and until it was too late for your prey. So it was those skills that she relied on now, keeping her body and ears lowered as she made her way towards Pride Rock, thus ultimately towards Scar...and Tojo.

[andy]

The russet had been fitfully sleeping in the cool of the den when the one word roused him from his sleep. His sharp green eyes narrowed as his lanky body heaved upwards and his claws dug into the dirt. He stepped towards the light and his eyes widened when the figure showed up infront of him. His mind scrambled as the thought of Mufasa, then Simba flashed in his mind and the guilt that he had buried deep sprang to the surface. His mouth opened to form words when the lightening flashed and a Scar got a true glimpse of the being before him. It was the traitorous Tojo, the lion he would have named hier if Zira hadn't brought the truth to light. Scar's facade flashed to an angry snarl as his cunning eyes snapped towards the opening. His mind was already thinking of ways to escape, or alert his faithful minions to tear this piece of filth apart. "Tojo" His words were sarcastic and cocky. " I'm surprised you came back, you must be sick of your pathetic life" He sneered at the youth.

Scar was in no way scared of the large lion atleast thats what Scar liked to think and he displayed this 'braveness' by letting out a rumbling roar. Perhaps one of his heyna's would hear, they always kept close, and perhaps Zira was lurking by. Scar had confidence that he could worm his way into having the upperhand. He smirked at Tojo before grinding his claws into the ground, carefully inching his way closer to the exit.

[mistwolf]

Tojo snarled at Scar, and moved to block his path. He wasn't going to let him get away that/i] easily.

"I came here to tell you something," he snarled at the false king. "Listen carefully. Someone from your past is coming. And I think you know who I'm talking about. You are going to die, Scar. Step down now, and maybe you'll see pity for your pathetic condition. I'm warning you, Scar. You're time is up."

Tojo was going to try to make this simple. If Scar just gave the crown to him, Tojo could run SImba out of the Pridelands before the overgrown cub got any ideas in his immature brain. Tojo didn't want to see Simba become king. Oh, no. It wasn't his place anymore. Tojo had fought for this kingdom, and he was going to fight Scar to the end and take the throne. Simba wasn't going to be king. He was.

Ila paced the top of Priderock, thoughts swirling in her mind. She knew that neither Scar nor Zira trusted her anymore since Prince Shujaa's death. How she hated it. All she had wanted to do was take Tojo's place. But she couldn't do that now.

Tojo would pay for that.

Lighting flashed, and thunder rumbled through the Pridelands as it started to rain. But behind the pounding of the rain was another sound, a sound that quickly overpowered even the sound of the thunder. She knew what it was immediatly.

It was Scar.

Ila snarled, her already unsheathed claws digging into the rock of the Priderock. Leaping into action, she ran down the steep slope to her Alpha's cave, ready to defend him, no matter how much he rejected her.

[Nala]

Something was up. She could sense it in the air and was not ignorant to nature's reaction to the imbalance as well. It all seemed to imply the same thing: The end begins.

The closer she got to Scar's den the more her resolve was strengthened. She wasn't afraid of him or any of his servants and was ready to take a stand against him alone. Simba needed needed to face whatever demons there were keeping him from his destiny, but until he did she needed to make sure that something would be there for him to come back to. After all, she loved him. With her ears erect and alert, not one, but two familiar voices were heard. Scar and...Tojo? He came back?

Scar's roar had Nala snarling as she sacrificed her stealth approach and went on the attack; she was ready to aid her friend and remained oblivious to his true intentions. Seconds away from entering the familiar cave both she and Simba spent so much time in when they were younger, the image of another lioness making her way towards the cave as well forced Nala to jump. Landing in Scar's lioness' path just before the entrance to the cave a loud roar erupted from Nala's throat, while her narrowed blue eyes all implied the same thing. No one was going to be allowed in to go to Scar's aid; not if she had anything to say about it.

"If I were you I'd turn around right now because this is as far as you're going to get." Even with those words through clenched teeth a low growl could still be heard.

[mistwolf]

Ila heard a voice behind her. Slowly she turned to see who was speaking such strong, foolish words to her. Lightning flashed, but it faded to show young Nala, standng behind her, teeth bared, those blue-green eyes of hers filled with foolish determination. Ila smirked.

"Well, well, well," she purred. "If it isn't Nala. I thought we'd finally gotten rid of you. Decided that dying in the desert wasn't good enough for you, hmm? Decided to come back here and let us kill you instead?"

She laughed harshly and slowly started to circle the lioness.

"Still clinging to some strange idea that Scar will fall? Well, I hate to break the news to you, but the plans stop here!"

She leaped forward at the young lioness, aiming for her side with claws extended and sharp, strong teeth ready to plunge into flesh.

[Mheetu]

Being a good King… and he was a good – no, a great and majestic King. Better than Mufasa was, better than Simba will always be. This was his place. He gained it, in a river of blood. And kill again to defend his territory was no problem at all. The real problem was… everyone. Who was he supposed to trust? A wave hit the priderock, spreading a rebellious attitude. But HE was the KING. How could they forgot about that? They simply cannot. Scar will never let that happen. There was Tojo. At first, he didn’t expect to saw him, but he then realized that this wasn’t true: he was waiting for him, knew he had come to take his throne. But this lion had no right for the throne! No, not since he had betrayed him. Yet, he was standing in front of him. Scar was clearly resisting his rage. Step down? There was no way he was going to step down. But that mean, there’s going to have a fight… and Tojo was clearly maybe stronger that he was.

He had to talk, to gain time, because he will need help. « Oh, Tojo, what a way to talk to me! Is it the throne you want? Yeah, it is. That is what you always wanted, don’t you? ». He snarled: « And you betrayed me for that? » And where were the hyenas, when he needed them? He heard sound from the entrance. Nala and Ila… He could tell that he wasn’t so happy to saw them right now. Scar turned his head to Tojo, and yet seemed more easygoing. « I’d like to step down, really. But this isn’t easy like that. For every one here, I’m the real king and most of them won’t like your idea. » He still was carefully walking toward the entrance when he saw the two lionesses fighting each other. Oh, that was quite interesting.

[/blockquote]

[mistwolf]

Tojo snarled, turned as Scar moved. His ears went back, his head went down in a defensive position. He could beat Scar any day.

He hoped.

"Don't turn away from me, Scar," he snarled. "Yes, it's the throne I want. Your time as ruler is done. You've put this pride through enough pain. Surrender, and I won't kill you. Choose to fight, and I won't be responsible for what happens."

Outside, he heard the sounds of a scuffle, and caught the breif flash of tawny fur.

Nala?

His eyes widened breifly, as he worried for her. But he couldn't let his guard down around Scar. A much as he wanted to make sure that the love of his life was going to be safe, he knew he had to deal with Scar first. This was more important.

He just hoped that later he wouldn't regret his choice.

[Nala]

Her words were no doubt intended to unhinge her, but from Nala's gaze and her posture it was quite clear that the young lioness was in huntress mode. Her prey? Ila and soon Scar if Tojo didn't dispose of him fast enough. Knowing her friend's strength however, she was certain he could take care of Scar. If the hyenas or any of his loyal minions decided to intervene they would have both of them to deal with.

Ila was first.

"The only thing anyone is clinging to at the moment, is you and that hope to one day be his Queen or anyone's for that matter. Don't worry, I can put an end to that foolish dream right now!"

When Ila attacked, Nala's roar erupted as she attacked as well, aiming to meet her half way and ultimately minimize any damage the attack was intended to cause. At least that was her intention until she felt an impact against her side that knocked her to the ground.

A few hyenas were now surrounding the two lionesses and although she knew that the odds had been tipped in Ila's favor, she was on her feet almost immediately with all canines bared while bracing herself for the attack that would surely follow.

[mistwolf]

Ila rose above Nala, looming over the light colored lioness, as the rain fell on them both. A wicked smile pulled the her lips up, and her green eyes flashed as she reveled in this. Her ear flicked back as the hyenas approached, but she was used to the sound of their heavy breathing and their heavier paw steps. Not only did she pull down this female, but she now had reinforcement. She was going to love watching her die.

Nala had jumped up again, though, and was baring her teeth at her. Ila laughed sharply. It was a fool's last stand.

"Give it up, Nala," she mocked. "You can't defeat us. One lioness against hyenas plus another lioness? Please. You are begging for defeat. But, if you wish, we can continue this."

She crouched, and the hyenas behind her crouched, too. Ila flashed her own white teeth at the lioness, then lunged at her again, aiming for her soft fur.

Lighting flashed, and before Ila's eyes could focus, she felt something rocket into her side, and she landed hard on the ground. She struck out blindly and her paw hit something that grunted and fell back. She sprang up to see the lioness she had once cub-sitted. She snarled.

"Kayani," she hissed. She glanced over her shoulder at Nala, and smiled to both of them.

"Two now? Even better," she said, waiting for their next move.

[Mheetu]

What a complicated way to pass the night. But if Scar did not think fast enough, this would be is last night as a ruler. Not only as the king, but as an alive being. He knew Tojo, knew he wasn’t lying, knew he would did as he said. Scar too wouldn’t be responsible for what will happen when he will fight back… And he will do so, because he had no other real choice. After what he have done to took the throne, surrender was not even possible. And let this traitor rule… just the thought made him snarled back at Tojo.

« Well… I guess I have to » he then had a nasty smile «… choose the option C, if you let me. » The hyenas were finally coming, and it was good to hear their laugh. At least, Scar wasn’t alone in this. « See ? »

His green eyes flashed with a vicious halo and his claws scratched the ground. « Are you stupid or so self-confident that you come here all alone? Oh, no that’s right, you have Nala. Nala that you bring into this, and then you let her fight alone... Do you think she understand that you are not responsible for what will happen to her and her friends? » And that was sort of right; he can say from his position that she was in trouble. Scar was waiting for Tojo to let his guard down; knew it will happen – how could he be insensitive to what happen to his love? A few milliseconds would be enough to strike.

[/blockquote]

[mistwolf]

Tojo glanced over his shoulder breifly, having heard the hyena's laughter nearing. But he turned back to Scar when he mentioned Nala. A snarl escaped his throat/

"Leave Nala out of this," he growled. "No one is going to hurt her. Especially not you."

He couldn't wait for this any longer. It was now or never. Taking a breath, Tojo charged, claws extended, teeth bared, right towards Scar. He was going to take this false king down.

And he was going to do it without Simba. He was going to take the throne and leave SImba in the dust. He was going to take Nala as his queen and banish Simba and Scar for good (unless he killed Scar, of course).

But first....

He leaped, paws extended before him, sailing towards his enemy. But he knew very well that he left himself open for the hyenas as well. He only hoped he could get to Scar before they got to him.

Tojo vs. Scar- Round One
For: The throne.
Defense: Claws unsheathed, teeth bared.
Attack: Leaping with claws.
Injuries: None

((ooc: The above is an interesting little add-in that I saw on another forum once. The fighting characters use a chart like this one to keep up with their attacks/defenses/injuries, ect. I just wanted to see how it would work here. Just for ha-ha's sake. No one else has to do it, if they don't want to.))

[Mheetu]

No one was going to hurt Nala, unless maybe the lioness who was attacking her. And if Scar could get a paw on Nala, then maybe… Oh, that would be so great. A sweet revenge. But to do so, he needed to survive; he needed to win this.

Scar saw three hyenas entered the cave. He then took a defensive position. He had no other option but to fought Tojo, and with the help of the hyenas, he knew he could would win (if these cowards don't run away). Time to escape was gone.

Tojo leaped in his direction, as the hyenas did so in his direction. Two of them hit the traitor before he could get to him. That was the moment Scar chooses to hit back. He leaped in his direction, landed on the ground with claws extended and aimed the traitor.

[/blockquote]

Tojo vs. Scar- Round two (?)
For: The throne.
Defense: Claws unsheathed, teeth bared.
Reinforcement : Three hyenas
Attack: Claws.
Injuries: None

(OOC: don't know if it's ok!)

[mistwolf]

Tojo had to admit, he hadn't expected Scar to fight. After all, he didn't seem like a fighter. Scar was planner, a strateger, not a warrior.

So he was slightly shocked when the male leaped on top of him. Tojo had already been knocked down by Scar's hyena minions. He wasn't much surprised that the false king had had them do his dirty work, so he could leap in when the job was easier.

Of course, Tojo wasn't going to let it be that easy.

Snarling, Tojo dodged the king's claws breifly, bringing his own paw, with claws extended, up to swing at the King's face. If he could slice his forehead, he could make blood drip into his eyes and blind him.

Tojo vs. Scar- Round Three
For:The Throne
Defense:Teeth, paws up to protect stomach.
Attack: Lashing out with paw and unsheathed claws.
Injuries:None

[Simba]

A booming roar pierced the air like thunder. The lost prince had finally made up his mind. The Pridelands were rightfully his for the taking, and Simba had run the entire way back to the home he had tried so hard to avoid. Unbeknownst to him, the battle had already begun, even without his presence. He had returned to Pride Rock in time to see Scar, his demonic uncle, fighting with his old friend Tojo. In his mind, he was unable to grasp the full meaning of the scene before him, storming towards the gathering without a second thought to join the fray.

He roared again to gain their attention, glaring spitefully at the lion who had destroyed his home. The Pridelands were not as Simba remembered. It seemed everyone and everything had been affected by the passing of time, the golden brown lion included. His auburn mane had grown in thick, and he resembled his father now more than ever as he stepped closer to the brawl, eyes blazing.

"What's happening here?" He demanded, voice strong and compelling despite the nervousness that swept through him. It was the day he had feared for so long, but it could no longer be avoided. He could never guess how many of the Pridelanders would not be so thrilled by his return, instead expecting everyone to be overjoyed by the sight of him. He had come to rescue them all!