Wiping the Clock

Tramp smiled at his former mate--she'd truly come out of her shell since the war, something he'd been longing for her to do since day one.

A shame they were no longer together....

"Quick trip or not, Pidge, I'm proud of you." He said. "Those human villains are a rowdy bunch. I'm glad to see you can take care of yourself."

Since you won't let me anymore.... he added silently. He wasn't allowed to protect her....wasn't allowed to be with her....

But he'd be damned if he'd ever stop loving her. It was true what they said: absence made the heart grow fonder....

"Say, uh, Pidge...." Tramp started suddenly, looking from her, to Cash, then back to her again "....I know it's kinda early since we uh....you know. But sometime, maybe....when you arent eh, 'entertaining company'....I'd love to accompany you on that train of yours. See how you run things and all that."

Lady nodded slowly, thinking it over. she didn't like the idea of being alone with him. But, she polity nodded her head.

"Of course." she finally said. "Maybe on a quick run."

she felt very uncomfortable with the idea of him alone out there with her. She knew how much of a charming Casanova he was, and feared that she would brake in if he pushed their past on her. She did like the dog, without a doubt. She had spent a lot of her adult life with him...but..those memories where really a lie to her, she couldn't trust him. She couldn't love him anymore. No matter how much she longed too.

She looked up at Cash. His strong muzzle and body, kindly eyes watching over her as if he was some guardian, protecting her from whatever troubles where out there.

she looked back to Tramp, and gave a reassuring, genuine, smile.

"Well, I have to say that I fear the human villains more then the animals." She chuckled. "But, there are so many heroes, like Cash here, working to protect and fight for us, I guess I feel more comfortable."

she looked at Tramp, hoping he wouldn't see too far into her ruse. She still didn't know how she felt about Cash. She knew she liked the hound, and in the way she looked at him, there was no doubt she was budding feelings for the singing stray. She just hoped Tramp wouldn't catch it....or maybe...she hoped he would.

"So...what have you been up too?"

Cash snorted inwardly upon Tramps comment 'entertaining company' although he were just a trivial thing. Cash was aware of Lady's particular liking towards him, though he was just uncertain about encouraging it. It seemed so natural to respond as the charming hound he was. Upon Lady looking up at him he'd merely looking down, delivering a quick smile, encouraging perhaps, but... almost worried. When looking back up at the grey dog however, passive facials would return, almost unamused.

"Seem's to me he's stuck up higher than a light-pole." Cash finally said casually, releasing a short almost bitter laugh, as hind leg leaning up and scratching the side of his neck. The comment was rude- and rather blatant, but presented in such a way that it may cause confusion.

((ooc: Uhhm.. Cash is pretty much saying the Tramp isn't worth Lady's time. XD ))

First Lady....now Cash....why was it so many assumed he missed subtle undertones?

Deliberately ignoring Cash, Tramp plastered on a casual smile and addressed his ex-mate's previous question. "Not much, Pidge, I'll be honest. I've uh....been working on...." he cringed, a little embarrassed "....puttin' myself back in an emotionally healthy place, you know? Hasn't been easy, but I'm getting there." True, the subtle ache in his heart still lingered, but the Tramp was well on his way to a--somewhat reluctant--acceptance that things would never be the same.

Clearing his throat, he continued==almost hastily--onward. "Met a few new folks: hopin' to make some more friends in this camp. Part of buildin' up relationships and all that."

By "Friends" Trmap was reffering to anyone EXCEPT the hound dude. He had NO plans of getting all buddy-buddy with the other dog. Not when he still held feelings for his Pidgeon.

Jan 2, 2011 23:07:22 GMT -5 General Li Shang said:

His sword was on his belt. As soon as he heard the words 'Shan-Yu's Second in Command' the sword flew from his belt with pristine accuracy and in a matter of seconds was pointed at Copper's throat. His eyes blazed with anger and fury, a frown curled on his lips.

"Nice try," he growled, "But if you were Shan-Yu's second in command there is no way you are stepping another foot closer unless I take the breath from you." Holding the sword tightly, his voice was directed at Clopin. "How could you bring him here? Do you know who Shan-Yu is? What he did to my father? What he almost did to me and Mulan?! And then you bring this-this-creature here?" Shang was furious. He hadn't even heard that the man wanted to help. All he heard was Shan-Yu and he snapped.

"Now wait just a second, General. Your emotion is what ails you. I did not take this boy hostage, until I found him as a stowaway on the train. And I'm sure you know me well enough to know that I would have hung him immediately." Clopin said, pulling out yet another noose.

"I wouldn't have hesitated to kill him. Don't you think I would know better? Don't you think that I would kill whomever worked under Judge Claude Frollo? Shang, you seem to forget that you're not the only one whose life was ruined by a certain villain!" Clopin shouted. He then regained his somewhat calm composure with a deep sigh, stepping in front of Copper protectively.

"The point is, I KNOW who Shan-Yu is. I KNOW what he did to your father! But I promised our prisoner that he could tell his story before we kill him. Understand?" Clopin asked. Of course he knew that bringing a prisoner would further strain his relations with Shang. But at the moment, there were more important things to deal with than that.

"Audrey is doing fine; they are treating her well, and they have not killed her." Clopin said coolly.

The cocker giggled nievaly at Cash's remark. Not noticing the discomfort it may have given the Tramp. She listened intently as Tramp spoke. Still, uncomfortable with his company.

Lady nodded her head appreciatively. She understood the hardships of their situation. She never thought she could live without the Tramp, and yet, here she was, doing more with her life then she ever had before, learning new things everyday. She partially had Cash to thank for that. In fact, she had moved on from a stage of grief, and into a fiery passion.

"Perhaps, it would do you some good to apply yourself to a project." Lady suggested. "Like I did with the railroad. I'm sure you're talents can help us greatly!"

she gave a truly genuine smile. She didn't want Tramp as a mate yes, but she didn't like to see him unhappy.

Shang lowered his sword respectably but a scowl stayed stuck on his face. He hated the gypsy's judgment sometimes but he was right. Killing the by now would make him just as bad or worse than Shan--Yu. He sheathed his sword and glared at the young man.

"Fine," he said, harshly, "But if this is a trick, the damage this...man...causes will be on your shoulders general. I hope you can live with yourself." Without waiting for a reply, Shang walked up to the man, glaring down at him, eyes narrowed evilly. "You say they haven't killed the girl? She is doing well? That's good." He sneered, walking back from the man, the man Clopin had brought with him. "So? The girl is safe. EXPLAIN yourself."

Copper licked his dry lips and launched right into his story. "My name is Copper. I'm the childhood friend of the fox Tod...I believe that he is a member of this side. For the past few months I've been under the spell of the green witch, Maleficent. The spell suppressed my good memories and enhanced my darker, angrier side.....I remember it like....looking through a foggy glass. I could see what was happening....but I couldn't STOP it all....I was so ANGRY all the time. My mentor Chief ran off and joined the war before I did. He didn't tell us anything, he just....left. She told me that- that it was MY fault. That I must have been bad for him to have left me. She used her magic to show me things- thing that never happened but...s-seemed so real!"

watching Chief walk away from him. The old dog called back. "Ya never were good enough for me, kid!"
Tod sneering at him as he cuddled with Vixey, "I'd choose her over you ANYTIME."
he was fighting against several heroes in the sting that was made against them. the outnumbered him and threatened to bring him down. Standing behind them he saw Yensid, "Help me!" He howled. Then watched in horror as he walked away.
once again he held the little rat in his mouth. This time it pleaded with him, "let me live! Please, Let me live!"
a river of blood poured down his throat. it felt like he was drowning.

He shuddered slightly. "She twisted my memories. Fired up my rage and bloodlust. Then she sent me to Notra Dame. I was to scout them out for her. To learn all I could and remain loyal only to her..... What she didn't count was the horrors of war weakening her spell. Unconsciously, I fought back. I joined the villains....but created alliances under my OWN terms. I was taken under the wing of Shan Yu when he joined us. He wanted to train me up in his image. Teach me to be just like him. But...something inside me was fighting. I wanted that, but I....DIDN'T at the same time."

He stopped and prepared himself. time for the bombshell ......"What finally freed me was the fact that I....I-I fell in love. Her name is Meg. Her care for me freed me from the spell. Maleficent tried to bind me again but I wouldn't let her....she grew angry and cast another spell at me....one that turned me human...

A bolt of lightning erupted from the witch's finger and traveled across the room, quick- too quick to evade- to strike Copper square in the chest and throw him back, filling him with rampant dark magics.

Sudden agony coursed through him causing his back to arch and a howl to be ripped from his throat. He tried to fight it. Tried stifle his show of weakness but the pain would have none of it. It was almost like he was outside of his own body watching.... but also feeling as every nerve ending was set on fire. He had become an unwilling puppet, with Agony as his master.

Dark lights exploded out from his chest where the spell had entered him. They danced and looped around his legs, played down his tail, and breezed through his fur. Everywhere they touched caused new waves of agony and brought fresh screams to his lips. Unseen by Copper but evident to the others in the room, everywhere the light was touching his fur was slowly disappearing and fresh pink skin was showing through.

he caught sight of his front paw. He watched horrified as the skin moved, undulated, and changed before his eyes. The rough pads became smooth. The fur sucked into his skin and became a part of it. The bones moved underneath it all, rearranging, becoming longer and thinner. This time the howl that escaped his lips was not from Agony.....but pure terror.

He shuddered at the memory of his transformation. He turned sorrowful eyes toward Clopin, "I was the dog that attacked you that night of the ambush. I tormented and tried to kill your golden dog...your friend. I have done so much evil. I have spilled so much blood......"

He gritted his teeth as nausea filled him for his next confession and tears swam in his vision...

SNAP the little body convulsed in pain. tiny hands clawed at his muzzle trying in vain to free itself. it opened its mouth in a wordless cry of agony.

"And I am the one that recently killed the hero rat."

Yes, it shall all be on my shoulders....if he causes trouble, I'll take care of him... Clopin thought bitterly.

However, as the prisoner explained his story, Clopin's eyes involuntarily widened, as he realized that what Angel had said was right. The human's scent was familiar to the dogs who had fought him before....and now, he confessed that it was he who killed the chivalrous little Jake.

Without any warning, the gypsy king pulled the noose taut between his gloved hands, with a look of rage and confusion. No, his rage was not directed towards the fact that Copper was the one who almost killed Garnar; Clopin could care less about that at the moment. What really stirred him up was the fact that this was Jake's murderer.

Clopin moved next to Shang, leaving the prisoner out in the open, as he looked to Copper warily. Besides the many things running through his mind at the moment; fear, loyalty, and many other feelings, some little voice inside his head was telling him to forgive the dog-turned-human. That it was the fault of some witch. Clopin looked to his fellow general, before turning back to face Copper.
"Do you know what happens with murderers like you?" he asked, waving the noose in front of Copper's face.

Copper gagged involuntarily....the memories of that brave little rat caused the taste of blood to reappear in his mouth....Oh how he HATED that acrid, coppery taste. Clopin's words barely pierced his guilt fogged brain...

Do you know what happens with murderers like you?

"Death," He answered hopelessly. "I deserve to die for what I've done. After It happened...after I-I...." His throat spasmed in disgust.

He finally looked up and met the gypsy kings eyes, pleading, "Please, I know I don't DESERVE to live but.... please let me live. I can't leave Meg... I can't...."His voiced trailed off helplessly, "I promised to free her."

Cash saw an opening for a rather impolite comment. And where he knew he should just keep it to himself, leave the two to their short conversation, or he assumed it would be, he couldn't help himself. He felt irritated with this grey dog, stepping in on Cash's only link to stability. Though, he felt somewhat awkward with those thoughts, considering he himself was stepping in on the Tramp's former mate. It was a sticky situation to be honest, but his maw had opened before he could fully think it through.

"Ain't that an idea," he remarked to the Lady's project suggestion, "Y'all can go help 'em cook up some grub, an' leave the hard work to us." he interjected outwardly; a result of disliking being ignored earlier. Furthermore, the hound sent a charming wink at Lady. Suggestive indeed, though perhaps meant to infuriate the Tramp. No doubt Cash had no intentions to make friends with Tramp as Tramp did to him.

Lady bubbly giggled at Cash, she found the idea of the Tramp cooking up meals very amusing. Not understanding or neivly missing its demeaning nature. At his wink she felt the skin under her tan cheek fur heat up and turn red. Her face beamed under the hound's attention. She looked as happy as a young female could. Even leaning back into Cash's forelegs warmly, as he stood over her.

"Oh, I bet he could really be a good cook! Oh my,he would even be a good candidate as the camp's janitor!" she said laughingly, not realizing how hurtful it sounded.

Eyes narrowing, Shang took in what the former dog had said. Angered by the fact that this villain had been let into his camp, Shang placed his hand on his sword hilt. He had killed Jake. Shang wasn't furious but perhaps his anger was masked by his concern for another member of his army, Megera, dying at the hands of the human villains. He lifted his chin thoughtfully and turned to Clopin. He was numb. Unsure of how he felt. But he knew one thing.

"She has taken care of herself so far," he said, "I'll bet she can continue doing so. You on the other hand must get out of my camp. You are NOT welcome here. Be lucky I'm not turning Clopin loose on you." He gave the gypsy a nod as his eyes blazed with fury. Say the wrong thing, dog, he thought, and my anger will cause you to fall from this rock.

Copper's head snapped up, eyes blazing. "You would leave her there? A defenseless woman? You have no idea what they have done to her, The things they force her to do!" He turned his accusing gaze to Clopin, "She bound herself to that death god to save YOUR life! And this is how you repay her?" He turned back to Shang, "If this is the way the heroes treat their fellows then I. WANT. NO. PART. OF IT!

He pushed himself back to his feet and glared at them both. "I was told that the heroes were "honorable." That they believe in 2nd chances. I want to create a life with Meg...once the war is over. I don't want that life to be laced with guilt or fear. I am standing here before you....as a MAN, to pay penance for the wrong that I have done. I cannot bring back the hero I have killed....and taking MY life won't either."

He sneered openly at both of them, "If you both are the best the heroes have to offer then I say no thanks. I will find a way free Meg on my own!"

"HOW dare you," Shang said, "Second chances are only given to the worthy. We fight for justice, for honor, to protect our family from the likes of your colleagues. YOU are a murderer. Don't throw stones when you live in a glass house my friend. You are the most confused, self centered man I've ever met. You don't have the RIGHT to call yourself one of us. Each of us earned that right to call ourselves heroes. Meg has earned the right to call herself a hero. She is brave. You are selfish and a killer. And yet you show up here expecting the title just because you now walk on two legs instead of four and grew a conscience?"

Disgusted and angered, Shang moved his hand from his sword hilt, quickly up, folded into a fist and moved his hand aiming for Coppers' face.