R E G I C I D E

[Flynn Rider]

Flynn stopped, glancing down at the wolf with eyes of suspicion. "Yes I have, and I'm not planning on fighting another anytime soon." Why would this wolf, Grey Brother, ask such an interesting question? Was he... No, there's no way. The Lions seem to have things under control, plus there's this Mulan lady who seems to be handling things fairly well for being told their beloved leader has turned out to be a murderer. Maybe this guy was making sure Flynn was ready to fight Rogues or Blackblood, but Flynn felt the tension in the air.

Then he saw Rapunzel.

"Hey, I've got to go, something important just showed up." Immediately, Eugene began to push his way through the crowd, seeing her look distraught and confused. Stress all around was high, and Eugene was pushed and shoved roughly by some of the others leaving. In more time than he would have liked to have taken he reached the young woman, continuing to push his way.

"Sunshine! You OK? I didn't see you before this massive crowd gathered, and now with this..." Flynn looked on as others seemed to leave with bared teeth and angry emotions. "...To think, we joined this fight because we thought we were on the right side. Makes you wonder what the hell possesses people to do crazy stuff like this."

Makes me wonder who else can we not trust to tell us the whole truth...

[Grey Brother]

"Yes I have, and I'm not planning on fighting another anytime soon."

In normal circumstances Grey's question would be harmless, the last thing he wanted was to fight against his fellow freedom fighters. "Oh, i'm not saying that you would have to fight me one day, far from it. i'm just asking in general, just bad timing i suppose" he quickly clarified to the man before he seemed distracted by someone.

"Hey, I've got to go, something important just showed up."

"Of course, i'll catch you later hopefully" a friendly smiles was given as the wolf vanishes into the dispersing crowd.

(Grey has left the thread)

[Hikaru]

Boso's explanation was no surprise to Hikaru. She had been the person there when Jasper had finally broken under the weight of his sin. So, the truth had finally been aired out... It had been bound to happen sooner or later.

"Please. You have to come with me, Hikaru. We need you."

Boso's eyes were practically pleading with Hikaru. He seemed so scared and confused. Hikaru moved with out realizing it, her hand coming out to rest on top of his head in a gesture that was almost comforting. Hikaru rarely touched others beyond necessity. It wasn't something she did purposefully. She just simply wasn't a physical person. But something had urged her to move forward now.

"Everything will be alright, Boso," she pulled back and slung her rifle over her shoulder again, tightening the strap to make sure it wouldn't bounce around too much on the trip back to the camp, "Let's go."

[Rapunzel]

Rapunzel blinked out of her fugue state when she heard Eugene's familiar voice. She turned to him and felt the world click just a little bit back into place again.

"I don't know," she mumbled quietly, "It's just so much, Eugene. I almost can't believe whats happening. I don't know what to do."

She shook her head hopelessly. Jasper, a murderer? How could that be? Her mind couldn't mentally assign the two together. Murderers were terrible people. It was war and people needed to fight. To even kill, as terrible as it was. Murder was a different thing from killing. Wasn't it? Mot- Gothel would have known. Would have explained to her. Would have told her what to think

Sometimes it had been easier to just listen to her.

No.

Rapunzel closed her eyes tight and gave her self a little shake. She dislodged those thoughts from her mind, and then focused on Eugene. Maybe she didn't know what to do next, but at least she could count on him helping her through it.

Rapunzel gave him a small, sheepish smile, "Guess we'll see, huh?"

Yes, they would just have to wait and see.

[Boso]

Boso's whole body went stiff as Hikaru's palm laid on the top of his head. Remarkably, he felt a tad more calm than he had been before.

"Okay," he said wretchedly though he was not at all convinced it was going to be alright. He wanted to believe Hikaru, but he was afraid to. What was going to happen to Jasper? What was Rafael's plan? Did he even have one?

"Let's go."

"Right," Boso concluded miserably.

He turned and led the way back to camp, running the whole way.

[Crow]

  Well, today had certainly been quite the show.

  A single crow had tucked itself away into one of the Serengeti's sparse trees, taking a front row seat to this spring performance. Cold blue eyes watched eagerly, tensions rising to near breaking points and unrest bubbling quickly within the crowd. Oh, if the bird could smile, it would have been grinning. This was only all too perfect. Nothing quite like a little drama to make things more entertaining, after all. Even now, it was clear that sides were being chosen. Lines in the sand were being drawn. This betrayal could very well tear the Freedom Fighters apart from the inside.

  And to think, Crow had almost decided sending a scout wouldn't have been worth the risk.

  The bird flitted from one branch to the next, adjusting itself to see better as soldiers were escorting the Freedom Fighters' leader away. Could he even still be called that? Who knows what was to become of him at this point. In any case, this dissension in the ranks could prove invaluable, and once the corvid was satisfied it had seen enough, it turned and took wing, heading for the distant horizon. There was some good news to deliver, and then there would be much work to be done. It was hard to say how things were going to turn out for this war as a whole, but as the crow lifted higher into the air, one thought stood out amongst the rest of his musings.

  The Freedom Fighters wouldn't know what hit them.