After a quiet, and unusually peaceful night, dawn had finally set on Mewni. The spring morning dew had overtaken most of the plant life around the kingdom, covering it like a light, moist blanket. The sky showcased a mix of orange and blue, mimicking an abstract painting. At face value alone, you would not be able to tell the Mewmans were in a crisis.
Morning arrived, and word quickly spread around that the Mewman army was quickly losing ground. Although better equipped, their tactics could not hold against the swift and lethal methods the monsters possessed. Leadership was looking scarce, as public opinions started to shift against Royalty. The Butterflies were losing not only against the monsters, but on the home front as well.
Although the Mewmans did not know it, the monsters were right at their doorstep.
They made their closest base only about 10 miles out from the Butterfly kingdom. By their dominating victories, you never would have guessed that they were the underdogs, the rebels, the villains, the monsters. The abandoned monster temple in which they called their current home was ugly from the outside. Cracking concrete foundation painted by dull, fading shades of orange and green. Torches strung around it was the only light source that they had outside.
Step inside, however, and it was teeming with life. Monsters of all shapes, colors, and sizes. Working together under a single cause. Most of them at this moment were packed into the huge assembly hall, seated, anxiously waiting. Most were excitedly telling the others their own war stories, filled to the brim with glory, blood, and violence. Even through the ear splitting noises of all the bodies in one giant room, one voice echoed over the others.
"Quiet!" A pale blue, buff beast yelled, standing on the stage above the crowd. The noise did not de escalate. "Quiet before I rip all yer guts out myself!" He slurred. That did get their attention. The room fell silent as the attention shifted over to the stage. "General Slackjaw demands a word with ye!" The room somehow got even more quiet. Everyone looked at the person next to them, nervously.
Out from the side of the stage, a tall, huge
monster appeared, approaching the center. His dark red, hairless skin was intimidating. His dark green vest was covered in assorted medals. An army cap of the same color topped his head, and saggy pants covered his huge legs. He had large, yellow eyes that pierced the audience. Each step he took was taken slowly, as if each one had a specific purpose. He stomped his way to center stage, and faced the crowd. He scanned their faces, then began speaking
"Good morning gentlemen." His voice bellowed. His mere appearance induced fear, but his deep voice commanded respect. "I'm sure most of you heard about our dominating victory at the corn fields yesterday." He paused for a moment, the room staying deathly silent. His voice projects again, "You may applaud."
The room exploded with applause. Every being in the room was making some sort of celebratory gesture, whether it was clapping, hollering, or both. All except Slackjaw, who stood as solid as a rock. The noise began to die down, and the General continued.
"Now, before I set you loose to our other speaker, I want each and every one of you to know. If you're satisfied with our past achievements, you can turn, walk right out that door, and never come back. Because, gentlemen, this is just the beginning. Today, a field. Tomorrow, the castle! Soon, all of Mewni!"
The crowd can't help but burst into excitement. There wasn't one monster who could get his men more prepared to die in battle than Slackjaw himself.
As the men ecstatically cheered on, Slackjaw walked over to the side of the stage. He stepped over to where a Septarsis had been watching the whole time. His big frame leaned over and whispered in the lizard's ear.
"These monsters expect the best from their Chief Strategist. Don't let them down." Slackjaw tapped his shoulder, and stomped out of the room, out of sight. The monsters, who had just now calmed down, noticed the lizard was now at the center of the stage, patiently waiting.
The reptilian's hair was slicked back, and hung off the back of his head. His pale skin contrasted his clean suit. He looked poised, calculating, secretive. After all, the Chief Strategist had to look his best for his men.
The room was frozen. If Slackjaw's presence commanded silence, Toffee's acquired attention. He straightened up, and looked upon one of the monsters in the group. He pointed a finger at him.
"You." Toffee spoke. The monster flinched.
"Me?" The monster responded, his voice shaky, clearly uncomfortable.
"Can you tell me," Toffee stepped closer "In what way has Queen Butterfly mistreated you?"
"Well… she forcefully took away muh' farm. I wake up one day and her people are all ova' my house. I was powerless, nothin' I could've done." Toffee looked back over him
"Thank you." He starts to walk further away from him when he sees a purple, hairy hand shoot up amongst the crowd. Toffee points at him.
"Ok. How about you?" The monster stands up, allowing his voice to project across the crowd
"I ain't never done anything wrong my whole life. Me and my family lived happily in our little cottage by the riva'. Everything was all good until we got kicked out for no good reason. My family is now hungry. My children are dirty. There's not much I can.." The monster starts to ramble, but soon realizes he has nothing else to say. He sits back down silently. Toffee nods a sign of sympathy towards him.
"Seems like we've all been victimized by the Royal Family in some way. Treated unfairly from her own words. Her new decrees have branded us as the villains. The bad guys. The monsters. But, when I stand here right now, I don't see monsters. I, see people." Murmurs start gathering around the room.
"Her new laws have made us out to be the thieves, when really, they are the ones that are directly stealing from us, forcefully taking away our way of life. Our homes. Our possessions. Our families. And for what? Because we look different?"
The crowd has begun to become restless. Outcry spawns from the communities. Toffee has them where he wants them..
"When I stand here I only see people who are fighting for what is theirs. I see a group of individuals fighting together for one single outcome. I see unity. Strength. Power! I see a collective, fighting for what. Is. Theirs."
The room filled with electricity.
"Now join in with me my brothers! Are we going to stand and watch as She commits these atrocities?!"
"NO!"
"Are we going to let our peers, families, children, live out their lives as if they should be ashamed for what they are!?"
"NO!"
"Are we going to take back what is rightfully ours!?"
"N- YES!"
"Gentlemen! It's been a pleasure!" Toffee shouts into the crowd. And with that, they go off. Chants of Toffee's name ring through the temple. The monsters have never felt more alive, more dedicated to a cause. They are truly motivated. Unstoppable.
Toffee looks over his side to see General Slackjaw motioning for him, a grin across his face. He swiftly steps off the stage to join his superior. The General rests his hand on Toffee's shoulder.
"That's some fine speech skills you have. Come, I must show you something."
Slackjaw leads him into a room, filled with various maps, books, and resources. In the center of the room lies a black, round table, with chairs placed around its perimeter. General Slackjaw shuts the door, making sure it's locked.
"Boys just now finished setting her up," Slackjaw tells Toffee. "Please, sit." He motions Toffee to a chair, while he finds his own at the opposite side.
"Is there something you need from me?" Toffee asks politely. Slackjaw reaches for a map atop a stack of papers, and slides it over to Toffee.
"See that red dot, near the corner of the map?" Slackjaw asks. Toffee nods back in reply. "That's about our exact position as of this moment. And do you see the crown, only a few paces off? That's Butterfly Castle."
Toffee's eyes widen. "I didn't even realize we were that close." He places the map down on the table. "So, you brought me here-"
"To plan out our next move. You see," Slackjaw stands up, and puts his hands behind his back. He starts pacing around the room. "I've had scouts scanning this area for about a week now. Marking crucial points, spying on enemy troops. And I can confidently say, if we do this right, if it's done correctly." He takes a quick pause to organize his thoughts. "We could have the castle under our control by sundown tomorrow."
Toffee's heart sinks. "Are you sure?"
"Oh yes. It's big time now." He steps closer to Toffee. "Our momentum cannot be matched. We've won battle after battle. Our troops are as strong as ever. This is the best time, Toffee. We can't lose this opportunity."
"Sir, pardon me, but this is a whole lot to take in."
"I know it is. But, if you take this dive with me, we can win the war in a clean sweep." Slackjaw reaches his hand out. "What do you say?" Toffee looks at it suspiciously, several thoughts flowing through his brain.
What if the men aren't prepared? What if coordinates get mixed? What if the Mewmans have one last trick up their sleeve? Toffee thinks of all the possible ways this plan could falter.
He forcefully pushes them to the back of his mind. They couldn't possibly back down now. Not now. They might not get a better moment. There's too much at stake. He starts imagining all the little monster children. The families that have been harmed from Queen Moon. They swirl through his head. He can't help himself.
He reaches his hand out, and grabs on.
"Let's get it done."