R E N E G A D E

[Deleted]

March 13th-14th, Year 1

Late Night to Early Morning, Dark

The heat of the day had just started to die down when those who sided with Jasper were summoned by Rafael to gather far from Pride Rock. Nervousness and tension were high through each person who showed up, as if the edge of a fight was to break out at any moment. Not that Rafael could blame them, he felt it in his bones as well. Despite this he tried to keep himself grounded. His gaze glanced between the growing members, there were surprisingly not as many as he thought there would be, but it didn't matter. Those that had heeded the call were strong, in one sense or another.

He cleared his throat, almost nervously though he kept his voice low as if in fear of being caught. If this went wrong Jasper would stand no chance of getting out of the Pridelands alive and that simply could not happen.

"I think we can all agree that what happened today was bullshit." He growled lightly. "This shit does not fly, Jasper has bled for us, fought for us in ways we didn't even know and now those hyped up pricks are talking about executing him?" He shook his head and snarled deeply. "Not happening, we need to get him out of here. So," He huffed in an attempt to calm his rage. "Any suggestions?"

[Shani]

Shani sat between Rafael's paws, listening as members of the army who stood with them showed up. She still felt sick, and angry, and guilty, but all that was pushed aside with feelings of determination and hope. They could... no, they would save her papa. There was no way they were going to let him die.

She tilted her head slightly when Rafael cleared his throat, listening to him address the gathered group. She felt a cold shiver run through her body at the mention of execution, and had to fight to keep her body from shaking with fear and anger.
As he asked for suggestions, the cub turned her attention to the group, listening for anyone to speak up, to offer any idea, any sign of hope for them. They couldn't back down now.

[The Gourmand]

“Hmn hm hm hm hm..”

The deep laughter from overhead was stifled, but nevertheless dripped with malice.

The Gourmand began to lower himself, though very little but the red of his eyes was clearly visible in the night. Tendrils writhed, hanging down below the bottom of the pod as it began to hover inches above the ground. He was leaned back, casual even; not for ignorance of danger, but because he was very much in his element. The merman was, after all, a warlord. He had not been present earlier, having just manifested from the dark suddenly. In fact, he never even formally gave away whose side he was on.

Until now.

“Gentlemen. Gentlewomen,” he hissed, a grin of white teeth stretching across his face.

In an instant, the smile disappeared. The Gourmand’s face was stony. His brows furrowed. Tiny pupils began to bore into the resistance present, clearly intent to pick out even the slightest hint of weakness. These were the eyes of a hardened warrior and he would not accept failure from his new… “allies”?

“It’s unwise to fight an enemy we do not know,” the Gourmand growled, blinking and resting his gaze upon the smilodon, “What do we have to fear? If we know that, then we may begin to know our priorities. An enemy is not to be underestimated.”

He tilted his head somewhat to address everyone.

“Speak now. All information is valuable. What do we know? Then, we may begin to plan.”

[Dhall]

Smoke rolls lazily from magma lips, the scent of incense seeping from the stone creature. Akin to humans and smoking, this was something she did to keep calm. Without internal organs, however, the medical concern was null and void.

When the Gourmand’s eyes passed over her, the Forge Queen’s gaze snaps to meet him. Despite her lethargic, sedate movements, there’s something wild in that look. There’s fury, there’s fire, and there’s drive. As a Queen, this corruption and favoritism among the patriarchy, from the father to the children...

It was just as insulting as it was infuriating.

“They most likely have more knowledge of the surrounding area. Between that, and the high ground, and their numbers, they carry some advantage. But.”

Fingers slow their work, grinding some assortment of ingredients into a paste in a bowl. She reaches over to Rafael, giving a soft noise before simply.. plucking a hair off of him.

“I mean this in the least cruel way to those in company, but they’d be torn asunder to any sort of prepared team. They have teeth and claws, and that’s about it. No magic. No tools. No weapons beyond what the gods have given them. A highly brazen and entitled lot, for those that could be bested by a simple padlock.”

As she speaks, she presses the fur she’s stolen against her lip, causing it to ignite. It seems, however, that this was the plan, as she lets it burn above the bowl, allowing the ashes to fall into the paste.

“We have among us weaponmasters, at least one technology specialist, and a magic Forge Queen. Not counting an impressive amount of thumbs. I do not believe we need the cover of night, but I suggest we utilize it. This corruption runs deep.”

Gaze once again snaps to The Gourmand, expression plain.

“Without us, I’m certain our leader will not see the next sunrise.”

[Boso]

Boso stood among the group, ears at full pitch of attention.

"-and now those hyped up pricks are talking about executing him?"

He could not believe Rafael just said that. "Whoa! Hold up!" he bleated. The cadet seemed to suffer a moment of indecision. Suddenly everything seemed so big and very still. Did he really just interrupt a six-foot tall lion? Boso had been so shocked by what the smilodon had said that he had forgotten his manners. Jasper would have told Boso to leave if he could not behave himself. Boso should know better.

However, a point still needed to be made. So Boso continued, albeit hesitatingly, "You don't really think they're going to kill him, do you?" The fawn's voice quavered. His round eyes shone with terror, as if he were already witnessing that grim outcome for himself. "We don't kill in the Pride Lands - we exile. That's how we've always done things. That was what I was told when I joined."

But when Boso looked into Rafael's eyes, he knew intuitively that this was not only a real possibility but a likely one. Rafael was so completely sure of himself that he could not be making it up. It would seem that the young buck had grossly underestimated the gravity of the situation. Jasper's life may very well depend on what they decide tonight.

Boso glanced at Shani. He had heard about what happened to her mother. If Jasper were executed, she would lose a father too. So much was at stake.

"It's unwise to fight an enemy we do not know."

Of course, what the Gourmand said made sense, but they were not talking about the treacherous Rogues or the dreaded Blackblood Legion this time. "But we do know them," Boso pointed out. "I've only been here for a few months, and I know the land like the back of my hoof. And a lot of you have been Freedom Fighters before I was even born. I think we know plenty!"

"Without us, I’m certain our leader will not see the next sunrise."

Boso shuddered. Again, they were bringing up that awful end result. But Dhall did bring up something interesting. "Back in my forest, there was a thing He - humans used to kill from a distance: the third hand. My herd called it the thunder-stick, but Hikaru said it was a 'gun.'"

"Gun" did not sound as intense as "thunder-stick," but it did not make Boso feel less rotten. He almost felt like he was betraying his own kind by proposing they use the thunder-stick. It was not his herd they were after, but Boso knew full well his mother would disown him if she heard him talking like that and rightfully so. Every deer in Boso's herd knew someone whose life had been cut short by the thunder-stick. All animals - deer, rabbits, birds and even their common enemies the foxes and the wolves - were at the mercy of the unseen hunter and their third hand.

But if it could save Jasper...

"We can make..." Words failed him.

[Flynn Rider]

"Whoa whoa whoa, can I interject before we start drawing battle lines and gun schematics?"

Flynn Rider stepped forward, frying pan hanging on his left side, face a hot mixture of confusion, slight anger, and a dash of worry. The former rogue held his ground, despite all eyes seeming to turn on him. Even the fact there was a Fishman in front of him floating off the freaking ground wasn't enough to make Flynn pause or even fear.

Barely anyone had spoken and he knew he heard enough.

(Flynn this is stupid they’re going to rip you to shreds just stop now while you have the cha-)

He knew where this group could head, and he knew what he needed to do.

(FLYNN RIDER IF WE DIE AGAIN BECAUSE OF A INSURRECTION I’LL KILL YOU MYSELF)

Stepping forward, Flynn- No, Eugene seemed to loosen, though his right hand was curled into a fist. He faced Rafael and nodded respectfully. "Name's Flynn Rider, and I think I would know an insurrection when I see it. I... Huh, guess the only time I've spoken to large crowds now was a jury. Ironic."

He steadied his feet and continued, "I think everyone is overreacting. Murder him? Who in the hell do you all think we are, the goddamn Blackblood Legion? Or the 'C'est la vie' Rogues over in France? No, when the Kingdom of Corona sent Rapunzel and me here, I'm pretty sure we pledged allegiance to the Freedom Fighter cause. You know, the group that, like the deer kid said, never resorts to murder? I don't care who he killed, Jasper is going to face a fair trial first before any judgment or punishment is administered. Some of us may literally be animals, but I'd bet my last coin before I'd call this group of people savages. Well, I would have before... all of this."

His right fist was shaking. If anyone knew Eugene well, they’d see he was absolutely livid. His face might have been calm, but his voice betrayed the emotion he felt. “Right now, you’re proposing a sneak attack on people who have invited us into their lands, basically on the foothills of their home and extract Jasper, who hasn’t even been put on trial yet, by force. And now you’re threatening to fight, wound and possibly kill off the Pride Lands’ ruling class? You know where this road leads? It leads to death, heartbreak, and you running on your own for a long time."

The fist tightened even more.

"And guess what? I've done this, guys. I've lived 24 years of my life on the run from the law, because I felt wronged and set to right it. And speaking from experience, there’s no glamor when you’re on the run from an entire army. Did it for 24 years of my life, folks, and it’s awful and rough, and you watch over your shoulders for weeks, hoping you finally shake them off your tail. But they never stop looking.”

It’s like Patchy Stabbington told me before our partnership ended… You never kill them all. SOMEONE always survives and is out for blood.

Eugene shook his head, feeling a sense of despair; it wasn’t likely anyone would even listen. “Listen, guys, you’ve all got one thing on your minds, and I don’t think anything I say will calm you all down. All I'm saying is to wait for a fair trial, see if they overstep their boundaries and the laws they set. If they do, go right ahead, I won’t even try to stop you. But if you're planning to go tonight, I can’t let you. Not in good conscience. ”

Despite the tension in the room, despite the position he placed himself in, Flynn smiled. “I've already died once, I’m not afraid of it anymore.”

I’m only afraid of leaving Rapunzel behind.

[Shani]

Shani's ears pinned back as people started speaking up. The large fishman asked them what advantages they had, and Dhall had responded quickly, listing off several things they knew about the pride lands and it's inhabitants. 

Then Boso spoke up. Sounding very worried, and Shani felt a pang of sympathy for her adopted brother. She was just as scared. She wished he was right. She wished the freedom fighters didn't resort to killing.
But that all went out the window when Simba had sent his soldiers to die.

Then Flynn spoke. 
So far, the only one to speak against what they were doing entirely. Boso had argued, but ultimately agreed, Flynn however, it seemed did not agree with what they were planning to do. Letting out an annoyed growl, the cub stepped forward, and though she wasn't full grown yet, she was much bigger than when she first became a medic, and anyone with a brain would be at least a little worried about an angry lioness, blind or not.

"Listen, I was, until a few hours ago, a part of Nala's pride. I grew up with them, I know them better than probably anyone else here. You say the freedom fighters won't resort to murder, but that doesn't mean the pride wouldn't. They have become corrupt. The royal family is corrupt. When you're at the top of the food chain for as long as we have been, you get used to not having anyone oppose you. That can lead to bigotry, to feeling like you're above everyone else, which can lead to very toxic ways of thinking."
She took a breath, holding her head high,
"Afua himself said that Papa probably won't live to see the sunrise. You all saw how angry they were. When you're that angry, any logical thinking or moral code goes out the window. You may not agree with us Flynn, but you would do well not to stand in our way."

She turned her gaze to the entire group, 
"I know pride rock like the back of my paw. I had to learn from a young age where everything was, how to get around it. I know where all the crevices and tunnels are. Some places even have weak spots in the walls. We can use this to our advantages."

[Marahute]

Crimson hues blinked as Marahute silently listened to the discussion going on amongst those gathered. The great golden bird flicked her attention between those that were talking, listening intently to the suggestions put forward. Flynn's objection to the proposed plan of a sneak attack came as a small surprise though as he stated his reasons for being against it Marahute could understand why he'd be against it.

As Shani spoke up, Marahute focused her gaze upon the small cub and listened as she spoke of weaknesses in the structure of Pride Rock. The blind cub's knowledge would certainly come in useful later on but she kept that thought to herself.

~~~~~~~~~~

Nevada paced restlessly behind Rafael as the others that had gathered discussed what was the best course of action to take. He was barely keeping himself from charging into Pride Rock with no plan whatsoever; he couldn't stand the thought of possibly losing his soulmate again. The only things keeping him from foolishly charging in were Zamora and Shani; he didn't want to leave Zamora alone in this world and he'd come to consider the blind young cub as his daughter. No, charging in without thinking ahead wasn't an option and so he resigned himself to waiting. That was until Flynn spoke up against planning to break Jasper out.

The former Mafia Leader almost snarled at the other for even suggesting they wait but managed not to, instead settling for fixing an ice-cold glare on Flynn as his lips curled back slightly to show gleaming fangs.

"You really think that group of self-righteous powderpuffs is going to give him a fair trial now they know he was behind Simba's assassination? They'd sooner start eating grass than give him a fair trial. If you're not going to help then leave."

Almost immediately after the words had left Nevada's mouth he regretted them. Flynn had done nothing to deserve his rage save for share his opinion which was a reasonable one. Bright green hues slid closed as a heavy sigh left the shifter.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean that."

[Zamora]

Zamora is silent.

Not just quiet. Silent. Deathly, still, and silent. It’s taking every fiber of her being to obey Jasper’s request. Just like Nevada, she’s fighting the urge to storm that ‘castle’ of theirs and paint Pride Rock red. Between the three of them, it seems it’s simply Shani that’s keeping them tied down. Zamora was almost positive she could take care of most of them... but maybe not all. And to die now...

When Nevada snaps and apologizes, one arm gently reaches out to grab him, tugging him into a firm hug. From here, Nevada can feel just how tense his alien companion is. And of all things, she’s shaking. She’s not just angry.

She’s afraid.

[Huela]

“Gh— wait, waitwaitwaitwaitwait. We don’t— we don’t have to kill anyone!”

A small, very stressed voice pulls from the shadow of The Gourmand’s pod, and the little Geck presses forward through the cascade of tentacles from above.

“I-I mean, don’t get me wrong, we probably should! This sort of thing nevergoesoverwellwithcorruptleadersandthenthey’lljusthuntusdownonebyoneandmurderusalland—“

The creature has the break her anxious trailing by tugging sharply on her own horn, but it’s obvious her fear still stands. Little spikes along her spine keep tugging her skin with every word, and where there is usually pride in her stance, Huela seems almost... curled in on herself.

“B-but we don’t have to kill. Give me some time, I can make a gun— a-a thunderstick — that incapacitates large creatures for a decided amount of time. We could use that to get Jasper out? Maybe flee? There’s a port town not horribly far from here. I don’t know if lions can take boats on their own. I don’t know, I-I just—“

The Geck has been pacing while she talks, only adding to her nervous behavior. By the time she’s stopped, she’s scaled the side of The Gourmand’s pod, as if trying to reach him— and some place safe from predators. She stops part way up, however, before pressing her face against the side. Her body seems to flatten, as if attempting to hide.

“... Would he want us to kill them?”