No One Else Was in the Room Where It Happened

{Date is March 11th, early evening, near the watering hole. Open to all pridelanders who are NOT generals or members of the royal family. This is a meeting of the common members of the army.}

"Okay, QUIET!"

Mooch groaned as the gathering took place, animals and humans of all shapes and sizes gathered around. His yellow eyes narrowed in the dark, a torch dug into the ground next to him as he stood atop a high rock. He may have been a young, brash, bully but he wasn't stupid and he wasn't about to let his fellow soldiers get trampled on any longer. He gripped the rock, head lowered to the crowd. "Okay, I know I'm just a kid, but I'll be runnin' this meeting since I called it. So everybody shut up!"

He cleared his throat. "Look, I called this meeting because our damn generals are being too secretive with what they're chatting about up in pride rock. The numbers of lions are doubling here, no offense to any here, but that means the food's getting short for all predators. I don't like it. Not the lions...the...y'know what I mean!" He waved a thick paw.

"Not to mention that but they're letting a murderer run free!" He sighed. "Look, I'm not trying to start a riot. But I think we need to form some kind of committee. Or voice our issues to the king. Or the queen. Kula's willing to listen...I think..." He shook his head.

"Well? Anyone else got something to say? It ain't just me, is it?"

Having been out of commission for an extended length of time had put Elsa at a remarkable disadvantage when it came to what was going on in the camp. Sure she would hear a couple of things every now and again from the medics, but that was about it. So when Mooch had called this meeting, she had gone in essentially blind. The young queen was seated on a rock some distance from where Mooch was perched, and she listened intently to the canine as he spoke. He was right to have his complaints about what was going on. After all, she did kind of have to agree. The Generals did seem to be keeping their fair share of secrets when it came to what was going on in the Pridelands and with the army. Even when she had briefly spoken with Simba once before, she herself was clueless too. It was disconcerting to say the very least.

Some might have thought that the mark of a good leader was how many secrets they could keep from the people they had to protect, but Elsa thought otherwise. She knew from experience that keeping secrets didn't always lead to good things. If the Generals didn't tell them what was going on, then there very well could have been trouble for the army in the future. The icy queen was certain of that much. So, when Mooch finished speaking, Elsa decided to voice her own thoughts.

"It isn't just you," Elsa confirmed as she rose to her feet. "I, too, agree that we should voice our concerns to King Simba, the Generals, and this queen you've mentioned. We have a right to make our voices known, and we have a right to know what's going on just as much as anyone else." She glanced around at the others that were present and hoped they were in agreement with her. For her own purposes, she didn't have the slightest clue about what was going on anymore and wanted to get as much information as she could. Not only for her sake, but also for the sake of potentially passing along information to Arendelle.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one would like to know about whatever it is they have planned for us. Some might say it makes a great leader if they keep secrets to protect us, but how good of a decision can that be if all of us are in the dark?" Elsa asked. She brought her hands together and thread her fingers together. Hopefully this wasn't sounding too hard to agree with.

"I propose we try go about this calmly, though. If we go at this by trying to demand that they tell us what's going on, they might not be willing to do what we ask."

(FINALLY!!! The perfect place to add Cadpig.I was just about to start up a thread to get her involved again)

Cadpig sat not far away from Elsa. Mooch was right, "You're absolutely right, They are being way to secretive and won't tell us anything. We have to band together to make sure,we are heard. We have been kept in the dark for much to long" Cadpig said nodding to Mooch's words. She casts a small smile over to Elsa.

Elsa was right, it would be much better if they had gone about this calmly. And Cadpig was trying really hard to not let her emotions take control of her. A murderer was a general without any punishments for her actions. But, it would be kind of hard to convince Simba that his wife was a murderer.

"Something has to be done, before it's to late to do anything about this" Cadpig said. She had faith that the group could think of something to get their message across to the generals.

Cassie sat next to Cadpig, having agreed to acompany her tent-mate to this gathering. She was one of the few who didn't fully grasp what was going on, having only been with the army for about a month, but she'd still support her friends, and maybe try to find a way to help.
She listened intently at those who were speaking up, first the grey dog who'd assembled the meeting, who brought up the generals and how they were keeping the rest of the army in the dark. She couldn't speak for most of the generals, but General Clopin seemed nice and willing to bring better changes to the army, maybe she could mention this to him.
Her eyes widened when the murderer was brought up.
"A murderer? Who... why is someone dangerous being allowed to walk free?" she asked, not really directing the question at anyone in particular.

She listened again as more people voiced their opinions, Cadpig included. They all seemed to agree that something needed to be done, they needed to have their voices heard somehow.
"Um. I know one of the generals... General Clopin. He's really nice and seems to listen to other's opinions. Maybe I could talk to him about this? Or someone else could?"
It was hard to offer help when you don't fully grasp the severity of the situation, but she had to try right?

"I could say somethin'!"
The pink haired unicorn trotted over to the others, with a bounce to his step. It seemed that no matter what, the unicorn always wore a jovial expression. Some thought he was just dumb. But the unicorn was keen. He knew that there had to be some sort of happiness in a world swallowed by war and darkness.

He was a protector by heart! He had to be, it was his birthright. Although Bob had missed most of what was said, he had come in just as Cassie had mentioned General Clopin.

"If there's anyone I know, y'all, it's him. He really cares 'bout this army, 'specially since he's come back and all. At least, accordin' to Pegasus." Bob said, as he sat down next to Cassie. His unusually long tail curled around him, as it rested on his pink hooves.

"And what's this I've been hearin' about a murderer?"

What a pathetic little gathering. Mooch groaned, face-palming with his massive paw. Maybe more would show up later. His yellow orbs narrowed as the group spoke up. Elsa, the snow queen and one of the dal's owners was there. A small pup, Cadpig and...was that a unicorn? Not the weirdest thing he'd seen but still. He gripped the rock, digging his dull claws into it. He turned to Cassie. "Where've YOU been?" He snapped down to her, "Nala murdered Pepper and tossed her body to the wind. And yet she roams free. I get being in love but this is just stupid."

Listening to the others back up their general Clopin Mooch rolled his eyes. "So why is he up there with the lions being all secretive and stuff? He's one of them! This isn't about your friendship with the gypsy general, dudes! This is about us, our safety, our well being, OUR RIGHTS." He gave a scowl. He was in charge, so speaking his internal thoughts out loud was fine by him.

"We'll get nothing if we just wait for them to organize everything! They've done a piss poor job as of now, haven't they!? Kids die, more and more strange lions enter the pridelands and nobody seems to care about the rest of us! I get it's their land but we're fighting for them! The least they could do is show the dogs, the humans, the deer, some damn respect!"

"Pepper was one of my sisters. A while back when I was on the villains, Nala apparently killed her." Cadpig whispers over to Cassie, knowing she would have no idea who "Pepper" was, I mean how could she know. Cadpig nods at Mooch's words. "If there is anyone who wants to be treated as equals here, and wants a change it's you and me. I have lost so many of my brother's and sisters, first it was Pepper, Fidget, Patches, Penny. the list goes on, and it's over this war. I have been here for a while, and it seems like we don't even matter anymore. But, these are some very dark waters and as of now there seems to be more of them , then, us. How can we get more followers to join us, and demand that we are treated as equals? " Cadpig said.

Mooch was absolutely right, something had to be done. But, the small one eared pup, was sort of out of ideas. This was a very tricky situation, and the next move they made, had to be a good one.

    “Clopin is a douche,” The mongrel hissed as he padded up behind Cassie. “And so are all the rest. If he cared so much about us, why did he vanish for so long? They are all just a bunch of hot headed slick tonged assholes who will smooth down your fur and speak kind words while preparing to cast you to the wolves.”

    To say that Scamp was a bitter canine was an understatement. He was a battered, cold, angry shell of his former self. Having only just survived his battle with the Junkyard King and escaping Agrabah right before the change in management, only to receive another stint in the infirmary and a “good dog” his faith in the leadership of their army was at an all time low. He had stood in the very back of the group, remaining just out of reach of the light of the lanterns. However, listening to his best friend stand up and preach he found he couldn't stand idly by.

    The situation regarding Nala only reinforced a growing belief in the mongrel that the war was raging out of control. A situation that had only been strengthened by the ineptitude that Simba and his officers had shown. Hearing some of their number stand up for Clopin was the final straw. Scamp pushed his way past Cassie and whipped around to face the crowd, standing legs taught in front of Mooch's rock.

    “Mooch is right. This isn't just about the murder queen. We've given lives...whole families have been ripped apart because of this. Mothers, daughters, sons, and brothers. This is about us! We're pawns! That's how they see us,” He cast his gaze before the gathered, eyes narrowed and muzzle wrinkled. His gaze landing on Cassie and Bob. “Trust me, I've dealt with the officers. They may seem like you best buddies. But look at what they have accomplished. They have tossed the lives of so many away, and for what?”

    The mutt gave a sharp snort of indignation. Out of all those gathered, he had seen outside the Pridelands. Seen the streets of Agrabah, seen the result of the war's progress or lack thereof. The truth was that Simba and his officers were just as much to blame as Jafar, Scar, Frollo, or Maleficent.

    “And don't think Kula would be any different!” He spat. “She is even worse then Simba. If there is one thing I have learned, it's that family is all you have. If she is willing to push her own family over, then whose to say she has no problem sending you and I out to die without a second thought!”

    Scamp turned his back to the group, before craning his head back to peer up at Mooch. Mooch, his best friend. The dog who had been there from day one. No doubt they had their differences, and with the ghost of Vitani looming large, would have more to come. However, in that moment, Scamp stood by his best friend one hundred percent.

    “It's time for a change! And I for one stand behind you dude! No more useless deaths!”

"Hold up, Scamp," Geno quickly interposed. "Family is important, but a good leader must refrain from granting family members special privileges. Everybody must be held accountable for their actions in order for the army to flourish." The queen consort being granted amnesty was unjust. Had Nala been anybody else, the king would have had her sorry hide thrown in jail, exiled or worse. The princess promised them justice. 

Geno stole a glance at Pride Rock and imagined seeing a big red lioness posing on its ledge instead of the king. Then a dozen or so burly lions materialized: the Mbala pride. A conspicuous shadow passed over the tawny stag's countenance as something terrible occurred to him. "That being said, you do have a point," he conceded. "I do not know Princess Kula well enough to accurately judge her character, let alone her claim to the throne. But I do know the king's predecessor was thrown off a cliff for the same reason." To draw such a comparison was distasteful, but Geno felt that was something they all needed to think about before backing Kula. "Either the princess genuinely believes ousting our king is in our best interest, or she's just as powerhungry as Scar. Whatever happens, we must be prepared to take matters into our own hooves. I want to trust whoever's in charge, but it's where we're at."

If only the former queen regent was not long past her prime.

"Count me in."

Cassie merely sat and listened as her questions and thoughts were shot down, rather aggressively at that. It wasn't in her nature to whine, but she couldn't help but let out a small whimper. How was she supposed to know? She'd only been here a few weeks. Most everyone she'd met had seemed so nice, it was hard to think that anyone could treat their allies that way. Silently she dipped her head, her ears flopping in front of her face as she muttered a small
"sorry, I didn't know...."

It was almost un-fathomable to the pup that things could be this bad, but then, she hadn't seen what the others had. From the sounds of what the other's were saying, they'd lost more family and friends than Cassie could imagine.
When the conversation moved onto the lions, Cassie lifted her head up a bit, brown eyes flickering between the ones who were speaking.
In the end however, what they were saying did make sense. They want a leader they can trust and takes their lives into consideration, and that was something Cassie could believe in as well.
"I'm kind of out of the loop, but I guess you can count me in too."

"So why is he up there with the lions being all secretive and stuff? He's one of them! This isn't about your friendship with the gypsy general, dudes! This is about us, our safety, our well being, OUR RIGHTS."


Bob opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, he was joined by a familiar emerald-eyed canine. The unicorn sat patiently as Dante joined his side, listening quietly as the others spoke ill of the generals themselves, of how they never seemed to do anything. Bob knew Mooch was right for the most part, even if he didn't say it in the right way. He knew it wasn't a lie when the grey dog mentioned that perhaps the higher-ups could show a little more respect to their soldiers. Dante's emerald gaze locked onto Mooch, watching him speak as well. A low growl rumbled from deep inside his chest, and he couldn't help but scowl. Perhaps it was because he was so close to his king that he felt like snapping at anyone who spoke ill of him. But being the stoic canine that he always was, Dante kept his thoughts to himself. He raised his muzzle slightly, as if he were going to speak. Cadpig joined the group, as she explained that Nala had somehow gone insane, and had killed one of the Dalmatian pups.

A pity, Dante thought. But then again, perhaps puppies shouldn't have been fighting in the war in the first place. Both he and Bob listened, and although they were unaware of it, both of them were thinking the same thing. What if the problem wasn't the generals? What if it was their leader himself? Simba? If Simba was absent, how could the generals be expected to help run the army without his guidance? Sure, there was Clopin, Shang, a few others attempting to right all the wrongs, but there was only so much a couple people could do. Mooch couldn't sit there and blame all of them.

And then, the mongrel spoke.

“Clopin is a douche,”

“And so are all the rest. If he cared so much about us, why did he vanish for so long? They are all just a bunch of hot headed slick tonged assholes who will smooth down your fur and speak kind words while preparing to cast you to the wolves.”

Dante's ears went flat against his skull, as he narrowed his emerald eyes. His muzzle was pulled back in a snarl, as he padded up behind Scamp, with Bob watching the scene unfold. Oh, if Scamp wanted to see a wolf, he would be looking at one right in front of him. The unicorn shifted closer to Cassie, in an attempt to shield her should things escalate. 

"Mon ami, it would be wise for you to watch your tongue. Clopin may have vanished, but so have others. The important part is that he has returned, and he is doing everything in his power to assist us, along with Shang and those who remain. Perhaps you cannot see it, but some of us can. Why else would they be holding a meeting without Simba? Perhaps the problem here isn't our generals. The only problem I see here is Simba's absence, and your willingness to accuse others for his mistakes." Dante growled. He turned to face the others, as he locked his gaze onto Mooch once more.

"All of you. Willing to accuse the only ones who wish to help us. What, do you all think they are sitting around up there reading books while we sit here and fight? Of course not! We are not pawns! We are soldiers! A team! I would much rather have Kula up there on that throne, instead of her brother. At least she would be present." Dante said. The snarl on his face seemed to have faded somewhat, as he turned to face Bob. The pink-maned unicorn nodded in agreement with the gypsy king's dog. Dante was right. They needed someone who wasn't Simba, who was present. It didn't matter if it was Kula or not.

As if to echo his thoughts, Geno spoke.

"Either the princess genuinely believes ousting our king is in our best interest, or she's just as powerhungry as Scar. Whatever happens, we must be prepared to take matters into our own hooves. I want to trust whoever's in charge, but it's where we're at."
 

"I agree with Geno. We can't be jumpin' to conclusions, y'all. I stand for no more useless deaths just as much as anyone here, but we can't go 'round pointin' fingers. What we need to do is work together." Bob said, turning his head to look at each and every soldier present. If there was anything his father and mother had taught him and Sophia, family was important, but comrades were just as important as any family ties. Dante listened as the unicorn spoke, nodding his head slowly in agreement. 

"No more useless deaths. Let us work together as a team, and work on presenting our concerns to our generals. How are they to help us if they don't know what we need?" Dante asked.

"Excuse me?"

Fuli felt herself whip her tail back and fourth for a few moments, green eyes narrowed as she watched the arguments fly back and fourth between animal and animal. She had been here for only a few days, and already she was seeing fights break out between these 'Heroes'. What was wrong with them? Did they not know how to agree with each other? Or did they simply think that hashing out was going to fix it.

Finally, the four legged creature with the horn finally make some sense. Fuli nodded her head at his last words, before getting off her paws. "I agree with you," Fuli said, head held high as she stared at Bob right in the eyes, tail lashing out from behind her, before she turned around, to face the crowd, raking them with her green eyes. "Working together is the only way to fix this mess that the lions started."

Fuli turned to Dante, thinking over what he had said earlier, before choosing her own words carefully. "You're right that Simba shouldn't be on that throne." She said after a moment, lowering her head slightly at the thought. While she did despise him for the way things were run, it didn't mean she wanted him killed. Just replaced with someone better. "But I don't know if I want Kula on that throne either. Not until I know what she means. I don't want the lesser of two evils because we didn't think this through." Fuli said, frowning as she thought about it. "My home is the Pridelands. I was born here, and I don't plan on giving my homeland to someone else who might screw it up even further. None of us who live here that aren't part of the war had a saying in what would be happening to our land. I find nothing right in that. I want a voice, a voice for the various animals of the Pridelands."

Thinking about her, Fuli looked around the group, eyes settling over the group. "We need to bring up all the issues we have a problem with - and consider them all, instead of arguing about it." Fuli said, her voice falling flat at the last part as she waited for someone to respond to her.

Raine had finally arrived on scene just in time to listen to the scruffy mutt give his small speech about what he thought on all of this.

“Mooch is right. This isn't just about the murder of the Queen! We've given lives… Whole families have been ripped apart because of this; fathers, mothers, daughters and sons! This is about us! We're pawns! That's how they see us. Trust me, I've dealt with the officers. They may seem like your best buddies, but look at what they have accomplished! They have tossed the lives of so many away, and for what?”

"Scamp has a point. For as long as I've been here I've seen that the Generals have done nothing. Hell, look what happened to those POW's the human villains captured!" Raine growled out, "The Generals, even King Simba did nothing! Yes, I will state the fact that Stitch did go, but I guess that was only because his er- pet? Yeah, pet, was going on the mission herself. SHE was the one who started the whole thing. None of the others even put thought into it!" Raine stepped forward slightly into the circle looking up at Mooch.

"General Hood died because of them," His teeth were bared now. His ears twitched as the young buck, Geno, began speaking. Raine took a step back, moving from the center of the circle to stand beside Cassie.

"Family is important, but a good leader must refrain from granting special privileges. Everyone must be treated equally which means everybody must be held accountable for their actions in order for the army to flourish."

"If that's true, why don't we bring up the fact that your father just about killed me in a blind-rage the night of the Human villain raid!" Raine's brown eyes were locked on the young bucks. He would love to hear what Geno's answer to this would be. He turned showing off the small jagged scar on his shoulder that had come from Bambi's razor sharp hooves the night he had trampled over him.

"All of you. Willing to accuse the only ones who wish to help us. What, do you all think they are sitting around up there reading books while we sit here and fight? Of course not! We are not pawns! We are soldiers! A team! I would much rather have Kula up there on that throne, instead of her brother. At least she would be present."

The dog may have been bigger than Mooch but that didn't stop him from offering an air slicing bark to Dante, backed up by a sickening growl. "Your BIAS isn't helping this meeting, pal," he snapped, pointing a paw at him, "If we're not pawns then why aren't they telling us what's going on? Where's our meeting with them?" His fur prickled upwards, letting the group know what was happening. He'd had enough. He nodded down to Fuli. She was making sense. Her sass reminded him of Vitani slightly, which he liked...plus...it seemed she was anti-new lions as well. That he liked even more.

"They disappear, their meetings die and we hear nothing of them! The general is friends with you. THAT'S where your mind gets clouded. See it clearly! We're not here to bicker about leaders and such. We're here to get involved and make sure they know that we aren't just pawns. That we aren't just things they can send to battle! When the war first started we got to train. My father...my...my father..." He looked over at Geno, swallowed and continued. "My father gave his life to save us...Simba wouldn't do that...Kula would only do that for her pride...We give our lives for them...but they don't do anything like that for us..."

He shook his head. "This has to stop," he whispered, "This HAS GOT to stop..."

"Perhaps I may be of assistance...?"

From the darkness emerged another figure, the first leonine member of this little party. A gentle smile rested upon a creamy maw, though it did not quite reach the male's eyes as he allowed his green gaze to glide over the gathered soldiers. As the lieutenant of Mbala pride Rashidi took great pleasure in gathering information, and this... This particular well of facts seemed very much within the realm of his interests. "After all, I am one of the interloper lions am I not?" A light chuckle punctuated the words as he allowed himself to take a leisurely seat within the circle directly across from Mooch.

The corners of the male's mouth twitched into a wider smile as he tilted his head. "I will answer as many questions about my pride and our esteemed queen as I am able, if you will have me. I take a great deal of pride in my knowledge of others, and I find queen Kula and her motivations to be particularly fascinating. Thus, if I feel that I am not endangering her or our 'family' then I shall give you whatever information I have at my disposal." There was a brief pause from the male. Rashidi slowly blinked as though considering a new thought. "When we have finished speaking, if you wish it I can also take whatever complaints or questions you may have to the queen myself... Unless, of course you would rather accompany me and ask her yourself."

Ever-so-helpful Rashidi allowed himself to lapse into silence as he awaited an answer.