Post by Lucky P. Dearly on Jul 6, 2012 22:26:37 GMT -5
Meanwhile, deep within Downtown Topstown, Cadpig roamed around looking for some trouble to get into as the evil voice in her head continued to guide her. The horrid stench of rotten garbage and dead animals filled the air. Flies were swarming around trashcans and the streets and sidewalks were filled with cracks and pits. Cadpig’s stomach growled. She grunted and shook her head.
“Getting hungry huh? Well you can’t prove you’re a dangerous force on an empty stomach…search through those trash cans up ahead and find a snack.” The voice guided Cadpig as she nodded her head.
“Good idea” Cadpig agreed as she saw four trash cans up ahead and walked up to them. She had never eaten anything from the trash before. She was used to the kibble from home. However this was her new life now, she couldn’t go back to the farm cause she would be put down…it was all about survival. She rammed into one of the trashcans and knocked it down. Rats screeched and scattered away. The smell was putrid, a half-eaten steak covered in balled up tissues and small little brown pellets of dried up rat feces and a few dead flies.
Cadpig’s stomach turned and she swallowed hard and sighed. “Gotta survive…” Cadpig said feeling nauseated at what she was about to do. She scraped off the tissues and as much rat pellets as she could then took a big bite out of the rotten steak and chewed un easily. She swallowed and just as fast as the food went down her throat and hit her stomach, it shot back up with twice the speed. Cadpig vomited and coughed.
“BLECH!” Cadpig gagged coughed and sputtered as tears of pain and disgust left her eyes. “Ugh, I need some water now…” Cadpig gagged and coughed.
“Haven’t been on the streets long have ya runt?” a deep voice said from behind her. Cadpig turned around swiftly with her guard up, hovering over her was a male Doberman, on his left a male Rottweiler, and on his right a female Collie. All three of them had very ruffled and untamed fur. Cadpig growled.
“What’s it to ya?” Cadpig asked while growling, the Doberman looked amused at Cadpig growling at him.
“Well, if you knew anything about the streets you’d know what garbage is good to eat and which you should stay away from. But I guess common sense would tell you not to eat anything covered in rat crap.” said the Doberman. The Collie and the Rottweiler chuckled.
“Shut the hell up!” Cadpig snapped at the three street dogs
“Oooooh a feisty one…I like her…” said the Collie with a smirk. “…cute too…” The Collie continued as she looked over Cadpig, her tail swishing back and forth.
“Another thing you clearly don’t know about the streets. You NEVER cross another crew’s territory! Or back sass their leader! Rex…” The Rottweiler stepped forward and growled menacingly at Cadpig as he spoke to her. She just stared back at him. The voice in her head spoke again.
“Don’t be intimidated by this fool. You are a runt and a lot smaller then them, but just focus that anger into your energy and you’ll be fine. Remember survival is key. You have no home to go to after this…your home is the streets now. This is where your test to prove your dominance begins.”
“Come on Rocky leave the lil runt alone. She’s obviously an adorable Dalmatian of high pedigree who just happened to lose her way home.” the female Collie said condescendingly.
Cadpig growled and looked past Rex and at the Collie with a snarl. “Who you callin a runt you busted up, trashy, mutt?!” Cadpig snarled at the Collie
The Collie raised her eyebrow and laughed. “How cute, the name’s Angela…what a mouth on you…maybe you do need a lesson in manners…I got this one Rex…” Angela stepped forward and Rex backed away. “Time to teach you some manners shortie…” Angela said to Cadpig as she started to growl at her.
Cadpig snarled. “Bring. It!” she taunted Angela
Angela reared her head at Cadpig slamming her into a trashcan. Cadpig grunted and slumped to the ground a bit. She got up on all fours, the hunger was still getting to her but she had to focus. She pulled herself together and watched for Angela’s next move. Angela smiled and looked at Cadpig.
“Hmmm you’re weaker than I thought. This is gonna be fun” Angela smirked as she got ready for Cadpig to attack again. Cadpig leaped at Angela and sent an upward kick to her jaw. Then jumped back against the trashcan.
“Let’s go!” Cadpig told Angela with a twisted smirk.
Angela spit some blood out. “You’re gonna regret that you runt!!!” the Collie growled as she leaped at Cadpig and snapped at her with her sharp jowls but Cadpig evaded and all Angela got was a big chunk of the trash can in her teeth. She spit it out and turned around. Cadpig looked at the trashcan.
“Wow, she’s got some strong teeth.” Cadpig admired as she looked at the large bite mark in the trashcan.
Angela smiled. “Impressed? I must say your speed isn’t bad…you’re fast.” the Collie said to Cadpig before she leaped at Cadpig again and swiped her with her paw and sent her into a wall. “But not fast enough…” Angela told Cadpig
Cadpig groaned and got up again but Angela slammed her down with one paw, planting it firmly on Cadpig’s back. She struggled growled and snarled while Angela laughed. “What a weak little runt!” Angela taunted “You should run on home to mommy for your nap!” She taunted Cadpig some more.
Cadpig growled louder and planted her paws firmly on the ground and used all her energy to push upward. She started to get some leverage and Angela pushed down harder. Cadpig kept lifting up until she was able to roll from under Angela, grab her by the arm and swing her down to the ground. She jumped on top of Angela and smiled in her face. Rocky and Rex stood with looks of astonishment on their faces.
“What were you saying?” Cadpig said menacingly. She growled in Angela’s face then suddenly collapsed on top of her stomach growling.
Rocky laughed. “What happened there Angela? You must be getting weak!!” The Doberman continued to laugh.
“Shut the hell up Rocky.” Angela yelled as she threw Cadpig off of her and got up. The Collie shook herself off once she was up.
Cadpig slowly got up groaning and Rocky approached her. “Not bad runt…let’s get you something to eat.” Rocky lifted Cadpig on his back.
“What are you serious boss?!” Rex said. The Rottweiller looked confused as to why Rocky had a sudden interest in the runt puppy.
“Hey, the runt is worth something…almost took down Angela, she’d be a good edition to the gang, she’s small, fast and clearly strong. We could use her.” Rocky explained to Rex as he looked at Cadpig on his back.
“I hate to admit it…but Rocky’s right, but if I hadn’t underestimated her she wouldn’t have thrown me like that.” Angela told Rex as she agreed with Rocky. Rocky chuckled.
“Riiiiiight, come on, the truck is almost here anyway.” The Doberman told his group as they headed off. Cadpig was fading in and out of consciousness looking at them and listening to their conversation. In seconds she was out like a light. The three dogs took off down the street with the little pup.
“CAAAAAADPIIIIIIIG!” Spot cried out looking around. She sat down for a second and tried to think. She had been searching Stiffle for almost 3 hours and had no sign of Cadpig whatsoever.
“Where could she be? Come on Spot…think…think!” Spot mumbled to herself as she buried her face in her feathers. She heard snarling next to her ear all of a sudden and when she looked up. A huge pitbull was staring her right in the face. Spot screamed and sprinted as far away and as fast as she could. She tripped which caused her to tumble across the sidewalk. She panted and sat up to see an oncoming skateboarder. She leaped out of the way just in time and into a trashcan. She poked her head out and sighed. Unfortunately for her, another skater following the previous one attempted to leap over the trash can and failed knocking it over and causing it to roll down a sidewalk hill towards Downtown Topstown .
“Rolly are you positive this is where Spot came?” Two-Tone asked.
“This is where her scent leads.” Rolly told Two-Tone as he sniffed around for Spot’s whereabouts.
“Ohhhh like, we’ve been wandering here for like over and hour! I totally hate downtown Topstown! It stinks and there are like no good outlet malls or anything!” Jewel complained lagging slightly behind. “And my feet hurt, and I feel sticky, and I’m tired…and…” Before Jewel could finish a rat jumped out of nowhere and landed on Jewel’s back.
“Hey hot stuff, I know some pretty good places round here where you can have a good time…you got a boyfriend?” The rat asked Jewel, the pup’s eyes widened as she looked at her back to see the filthy disgusting rat sitting on it. He smiled and winked at her. “The name’s Marty…how ya doin gorgeous?” Marty asked Jewel
Jewel squealed. “LIKE EWWWWWW OH MY GOOOOOSH!” She screamed as Marty was on her back.
Lucky, Rolly and Two-Tone turned around hearing Jewel’s scream. They rushed over thinking Cadpig grabbed her only to see Jewel and Marty on her back.
“Hey hey hey baby cakes don’t be like that…I’ma pretty cool fella once ya get to know me.” Marty winked again. Lucky pulled Marty off of Jewel’s back.
“Hey! Relax Marty, that’s my girl!” Lucky told Marty, Two-Tone raised an eyebrow at Lucky when he said that.
“My sincerest condolences my man, I didn’t know.” Marty told Lucky with a sheepish grin.
Lucky put Marty down and walked over to Jewel and kissed her on the cheek. “You ok babe?” Lucky said winking. Jewel shocked for a second then catching on giggled a bit smiled and nodded. Marty shook his head seemingly laughing at himself.
“My bad beautiful, shoulda known a princess like you woulda been taken. ” Marty apologized before he looked at Two-Tone and Rolly. “I’m assuming the two chunky ones must be together too.” Marty asked as he looked at Rolly and Two-Tone. both suddenly took on looks of offense.
“I am not fat…” Rolly mumbled to himself under his breath.
Marty then looked Two-Tone up and down. “Hmmmm not my type anyway…too much cushion… ya feel me?” Marty chuckled at his own joke then snapped his fingers. Two-Tone and Rolly looked at Marty in shock, especially Two-Tone who had a half-irritated and half-hurt expression from that comment. “Catch you pups on the flip side.” Just like that Marty disappeared through a hole in the wall. Jewel turned to Lucky.
“Like thank you sooo much for that Lucky.” Jewel told Lucky, tail wagging as she did so.
“Hey no problem…girlfriend” Lucky smiled and winked and he and Jewel shared a small snicker. Two-Tone cleared her throat and Jewel blushed and went over to Rolly. Two-Tone approached Lucky.
“Girlfriend?” Two-Tone asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
Lucky smiled. “Just something to get the rat off her case…you know you’re the only female pup I have eyes for.” Lucky told Two-Tone.
Two-Tone smiled as she felt relieved Lucky was only acting. “Good…do you think…I’m fat? Cause he said I have too much cushion and he called me chunky and personally I don’t think…” Two-Tone started to speak before Lucky silenced her
“Come on Two-Tone.” Lucky said shaking his head and laughing to himself. Two-Tone didn’t follow she just looked at him walking away expecting an answer.
“Lucky! I’m serious! LUCKY!!!! Grrrrr!” Two-Tone chased after her siblings as the four of them continued to walk through Downtown Topstown, Rolly slightly ahead still sniffing for Spot’s scent.
Water was splashed on Cadpig’s face and she started coughing. She immediately stood on all fours and looked around.
“Relax little one.” said Rocky. The Doberman had been watching Cadpig as she slept.
“Where am I?” Cadpig inquired.
“Welcome to the Lair of the Hounds.” Rocky welcomed her.
Cadpig looked around; she was in a sizeable alley, the walls were covered in graffiti, old furniture was laid out nicely on top of a giant beaten up rug. It wasn’t your typical home sweet home look, but it was pretty nice considering.
“Not bad huh?” Rocky said.
“It’s alright.” Cadpig’s stomach growled again and she grunted.
“Sounds like someone could use a snack. Angela, give the little one here one of our steaks.” Rocky barked at Angela.
“Are you kidding me? This is the last one and it’s from MY stash!” Angela said looking annoyed.
“Don’t be so rude to our new recruit Angela…the truck comes again today anyway.” Rocky reminded Angela
Angela growled and took the steak out with her teeth and flung it in front of Cadpig. “Eat up…runt…” The Collie said annoyed still.
Cadpig looked at the steak then looked at Rocky, Rex and Angela skeptically. She wasn’t sure to trust them just as fast as they trusted her, she didn’t hear anything from the voice either, it must be okay.
“No worries kid…we aint pullin a fast one on ya.” Rocky took a bite from the steak and swallowed. “See?” He showed her. “Nothin but the best for me and my gang.” Rocky told Cadpig
Cadpig nibbled at the steak a bit and started devouring it as if she hadn’t eaten in years. When she finished she looked at them. “Th…thanks…” Cadpig said as she wiped her muzzle with her paw.
Rocky smiled. “No problem…what’s ya name kid?” Rocky asked Cadpig
“Cadpig…” Cadpig answered, she hoped her new friends wouldn’t laugh at her.
“That was some fight you put up against Angela back there kid…” Rocky spoke bringing out a bowl of water and putting it in front of Cadpig “...I was impressed…name’s Rocky…over there is Rex…how’d you like to be a part of “The Hounds”?” Rocky asked Cadpig as he extended an invite to her.
Cadpig lapped at the water and looked up.
“You want me in your gang? What do I have to do?” Cadpig asked, she knew there had to be an initiation of some sort.
“Do whatever you have to do to survive, only instead of doing it alone, you have us.” Rocky answered Cadpig as he stared into her blue eyes.
The voice in Cadpig’s head spoke to her again
“Do it.”
Cadpig nodded.
“Yeah I’ll join your gang.” Cadpig told Rocky with a smile.
Rocky smiled. “Perfect…Angela, Rex…meet the new member Cadpig.” Rocky told his fellow gang members, Rex had a smug smile on his muzzle however Angela gave a look of disgust.
“Can we at least give her an alias? No offense kid but Cadpig just isn’t a gang type of name…” Angela told Rocky.
Cadpig smirked. “And Angela is? Shouldn’t you be singing in the choir while running through a field of roses?” Cadpig coldly told Angela.
Angela growled. “WATCH IT!!!” the collie shouted at Cadpig, a glare was in her eyes. Rex and Rocky snickered. “You two shut the hell up!” Angela snapped.
Rocky shook his head while laughing. “I didn’t say anything.” he told Angela.
“How about C.P? Short for Cadpig?” Rex said.
“Fine with me…you good with that Angie Ange?” Cadpig asked.
“That’s it!” Angela leaped at Cadpig but Cadpig took an evasive step to the side.
“You wanna fight?! Let’s go!” Cadpig got ready to rumble with Angela, the two dogs leaped at each other and disappeared in a cloud of smoke as they fought.
“Should we break it up boss?” Rex asked.
“Nah we’ll let em tussle it out.” Rocky answered as the two dogs watched the fight.
“The meat truck comes in 15 minutes though and…” Rex began to remind Rocky.
“Ohhhh trust me Rex we’ll make it in time…now that we’ve got C.P. here….I’ve got bigger plans than a silly old meat truck.” Rocky smiled and laughed to himself as the girls continued to punch, kick, scream, and howl.
“BGWAAAAAAAAAK!” Spot screamed as the trashcan finally slammed into a wall. She crawled wearily out of the trashcan.
“Ohhhh my aching giblets…”Spot said before shaking her head noticing her surroundings. She sat on top of that busted up trashcan and sighed. “Ugh who am I kidding?! I’ll never find Cadpig...” she said sadly, she knew Cadpig was doomed, either by the dangerous dogs in the streets or by Animal Control, she felt like she failed.
“I’m sorry, did you say…Cadpig?” a voice asked Spot, Spot suddenly looked up, then left, then right, then behind her. “Down here.” the voice said. Spot looked down to see a rat.
“What’s happenin chicken? The name’s Marty.” Marty said to Spot.
“Oh hello, I’m Spot…did you say you know where Cadpig is?” Spot asked Marty, the rat thought it over.
“Maybe, she a lil Dalmatian pup with a bad attitude?” Marty asked.
“That’s her! Well not normally her regarding the bad attitude but yes! You’ve seen her?” Spot asked frantically.
“Yeah…Idk chicken maybe you should head home…she runs with “The Hounds” now.” Marty told Spot, the chicken blinked confused
“The…Hounds?” Spot asked Marty
“Yeah, they’re meanest, toughest, cruelest pack of dogs to ever walk Downtown Topstown. They do any and everything it takes to survive. I seen em eat a person once with my own eyes.” Marty warned Spot.
Spot gulped. “E-Eat a person?” She asked as she gulped
“Alive…” Marty said a bit slowly.
Spot started shaking. “Oh…oh my!” the chicken looked ready to panic
Marty nodded.
“Yup their leaders name is Rocky, he’s a Doberman, a street genius…knows how everything down here runs like the back of his paw. Almost as good as yours truly here. He runs with a Rottweiler named Rex and a Collie named Angela. Rex is the power house, he can take out a school bus full a children with just his tailbone alone!”
Spot’s eyes widened. “Just his t-t-t-tail bone?” Spot gulped again.
“…and Angela…let’s just say her bite is worse than her bark…” Marty told Spot
“Gulp…you-you-you mean….” Spot trembled
“Teeth so sharp Jaws would be scared of her.” Marty told Spot
Spot fainted off the trashcan then sat up and shook her head.
“So if ya know what’s best for ya chicken…you stay away from “The Hounds”. Nobody’s gone head to head with them and lived...and if they’ve already pulled their heist…your little friend is long gone.” Marty told Spot
“Heist?” Spot asked.
“Yeah chicken“ Marty explained “…since they formed the gang they always wanted to…
“Clean out the entire meat section of that corner store over there.” Rocky said gesturing toward a store called “Aronld’s Groceries and Goods” .
Cadpig looked at the store then back up at Rocky. She had a chewed up ear and a bit of ruffled fur from the fight.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because they have the best meat in the world known to man and dog alike! Rex exclaimed. “Prime pork and beef rib, ham, kielbasa, roast beef, and every steak under the sun! T-Bone, sirloin, chuck…” The Rottwieller licked his chops in anticipation of the feast he was about to enjoy
“Easy slugger.” Angela interjected watching drool seep from Rex’s mouth. She also had a few noticeable scars on her face from Cadpig.
“What’s that got to do with Cadpig?” Spot asked Marty.
“Every Thursday the truck comes with pounds and pounds of different meat to re-stock the store.” Marty explained.’
“The driver leaves his keys in the car with it on, opens the hatch and takes a 2 minute smoke while the associates from the store take the meat off the truck.” Rex continued “This usually gives us plenty of time for one of us to sneak in the truck and take off. Problem is, one dog has gotta man the pedals while another steers…and the three of us are all too big to get in the small space to hold the pedals down. But…’
“You’re friend Cadpig is the perfect size for them to finally pull it off.” Marty told Spot of what the Hounds had planned. Spot put her feather hands on her head.
“Oh no! I gotta stop her!!! Which way is Arnolds Groceries and Goods?!” Spot asked Marty
Marty pointed Spot in the right direction and she took off running. “Good luck chicken!” Marty shouted.
“If you help us with this C.P. we’ll have plenty of meat to last us for months. So are you in?” Rocky asked Cadpig
Cadpig smiled and nodded. “Definitely…” she answered, her tail wagging with excitement.
The three bigger dogs exclaimed cheers of excitement.
“Alright Angela, Cadpig, you two go down the alley and signal me and Rex when the truck gets here.” Rocky commanded.
Angela and Cadpig glared at each other than proceeded towards Arnold’s Groceries and Goods.
“I thought you said you had bigger plans than the meat truck boss?” Rex asked Rocky, the two identically colored dogs prepared for their roles.
“I do Rex…if the runt can maintain her composure with the pedals then all our troubles will be over.” Rocky told Rex.
Rex titled his head in confusion. “What do you mean boss?” he asked Rocky.
Rocky chuckled. “Let’s just say…the meat isn’t my biggest concern.” Rocky answered Rex with a smirk.
Angela and Cadpig barked. Rocky noticed the truck pulling up. “Alright Rex…let’s move…” Rocky ordered.
Rocky and Rex took off down the alley.
“We’re close!!! We’re close! Ohhhh papa we’re close!!!” Rolly barked happily as he closed in on Spot’s trail. Lucky, Two-Tone, and Jewel followed close behind.
“Like finally! Oooh I so have some words for that chicken!!!’ Jewel said. She was going to have a long chat with Spot after all she had to do tonight all because of Spot believing Cadpig wasn’t rabid.
“There she is!!! Around the corner!!” Rolly barked. All the pups ran; they got around the corner only to find a chicken bucket with half eaten breasts and thighs in it.
Lucky’s face dropped. “Rolly!!!!” he face pawed.
Rolly blushed. “Ooops…” he said as he approached the bucket of chicken. “Least I found us something to eat.” he said.
Two-Tone shook her head. “Why am I not surprised?” she said
Jewel just stared at the chicken in shock.
Rolly laughed nervously. “Hehehehe sorry guys…looks like I followed the wrong chicken scent…” he said as Jewel glared at him for leading them all on a wild goose chase.
Lucky snickered. “Only you Rolly…” he said, Two-Tone giggled.
“Yup…sure you were following your nose and not your stomach?” Two-Tone said before she, Rolly and Lucky started to share in laughter.
“SHUT UP!!!!” They all suddenly stopped laughing and turned to Jewel who was fuming.“ Do you mean to tell me…we’ve spent…all this time…chasing an old half eaten 8-piece dinner?!” Jewel yelled at Rolly, she was outraged.
Two-Tone’s eyes widened. “Jewel? Are you ok?” Two-Tone asked expressing concern never hearing Jewel shout like that before.
“NO!!! I’M COLD, I’M STICKY, MY FEET ARE KILLING ME! I SMELL LIKE OLD GARBAGE! IT STINKS HERE! I GOT HIT ON BY A RAT!!!” Jewel cried out.
Two-Tone tried to console Jewel. “Come on girl, calm down.” she said hoping to soothe her sister’s rage
“I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!!! YOU GUYS ARE ON YOUR OWN! I’M GOING HOME!!! UGH!!!!” Jewel stormed away from them.
“Jewel!” Two-Tone started to go after her but Lucky held her back.
“Just let her go…she needs to cool off.” Lucky told Two-Tone.
“But Lucky…” Two-Tone turned to face Lucky, but she knew Lucky might be right on this.
Lucky turned to Rolly. “Rolly you have her scent locked in your nose right?” he asked Rolly.
Rolly nodded. “Yeah.” he answered Lucky.
Lucky turned back to Two-Tone.
“We’ll keep searching around this area for Spot in case Jewel changes her mind but right now she just needs time to herself.” Lucky told Two-Tone and Rolly.
Two-Tone nodded. “Good idea Lucky.” She said in agreement as the trio continued their search.
“Getting hungry huh? Well you can’t prove you’re a dangerous force on an empty stomach…search through those trash cans up ahead and find a snack.” The voice guided Cadpig as she nodded her head.
“Good idea” Cadpig agreed as she saw four trash cans up ahead and walked up to them. She had never eaten anything from the trash before. She was used to the kibble from home. However this was her new life now, she couldn’t go back to the farm cause she would be put down…it was all about survival. She rammed into one of the trashcans and knocked it down. Rats screeched and scattered away. The smell was putrid, a half-eaten steak covered in balled up tissues and small little brown pellets of dried up rat feces and a few dead flies.
Cadpig’s stomach turned and she swallowed hard and sighed. “Gotta survive…” Cadpig said feeling nauseated at what she was about to do. She scraped off the tissues and as much rat pellets as she could then took a big bite out of the rotten steak and chewed un easily. She swallowed and just as fast as the food went down her throat and hit her stomach, it shot back up with twice the speed. Cadpig vomited and coughed.
“BLECH!” Cadpig gagged coughed and sputtered as tears of pain and disgust left her eyes. “Ugh, I need some water now…” Cadpig gagged and coughed.
“Haven’t been on the streets long have ya runt?” a deep voice said from behind her. Cadpig turned around swiftly with her guard up, hovering over her was a male Doberman, on his left a male Rottweiler, and on his right a female Collie. All three of them had very ruffled and untamed fur. Cadpig growled.
“What’s it to ya?” Cadpig asked while growling, the Doberman looked amused at Cadpig growling at him.
“Well, if you knew anything about the streets you’d know what garbage is good to eat and which you should stay away from. But I guess common sense would tell you not to eat anything covered in rat crap.” said the Doberman. The Collie and the Rottweiler chuckled.
“Shut the hell up!” Cadpig snapped at the three street dogs
“Oooooh a feisty one…I like her…” said the Collie with a smirk. “…cute too…” The Collie continued as she looked over Cadpig, her tail swishing back and forth.
“Another thing you clearly don’t know about the streets. You NEVER cross another crew’s territory! Or back sass their leader! Rex…” The Rottweiler stepped forward and growled menacingly at Cadpig as he spoke to her. She just stared back at him. The voice in her head spoke again.
“Don’t be intimidated by this fool. You are a runt and a lot smaller then them, but just focus that anger into your energy and you’ll be fine. Remember survival is key. You have no home to go to after this…your home is the streets now. This is where your test to prove your dominance begins.”
“Come on Rocky leave the lil runt alone. She’s obviously an adorable Dalmatian of high pedigree who just happened to lose her way home.” the female Collie said condescendingly.
Cadpig growled and looked past Rex and at the Collie with a snarl. “Who you callin a runt you busted up, trashy, mutt?!” Cadpig snarled at the Collie
The Collie raised her eyebrow and laughed. “How cute, the name’s Angela…what a mouth on you…maybe you do need a lesson in manners…I got this one Rex…” Angela stepped forward and Rex backed away. “Time to teach you some manners shortie…” Angela said to Cadpig as she started to growl at her.
Cadpig snarled. “Bring. It!” she taunted Angela
Angela reared her head at Cadpig slamming her into a trashcan. Cadpig grunted and slumped to the ground a bit. She got up on all fours, the hunger was still getting to her but she had to focus. She pulled herself together and watched for Angela’s next move. Angela smiled and looked at Cadpig.
“Hmmm you’re weaker than I thought. This is gonna be fun” Angela smirked as she got ready for Cadpig to attack again. Cadpig leaped at Angela and sent an upward kick to her jaw. Then jumped back against the trashcan.
“Let’s go!” Cadpig told Angela with a twisted smirk.
Angela spit some blood out. “You’re gonna regret that you runt!!!” the Collie growled as she leaped at Cadpig and snapped at her with her sharp jowls but Cadpig evaded and all Angela got was a big chunk of the trash can in her teeth. She spit it out and turned around. Cadpig looked at the trashcan.
“Wow, she’s got some strong teeth.” Cadpig admired as she looked at the large bite mark in the trashcan.
Angela smiled. “Impressed? I must say your speed isn’t bad…you’re fast.” the Collie said to Cadpig before she leaped at Cadpig again and swiped her with her paw and sent her into a wall. “But not fast enough…” Angela told Cadpig
Cadpig groaned and got up again but Angela slammed her down with one paw, planting it firmly on Cadpig’s back. She struggled growled and snarled while Angela laughed. “What a weak little runt!” Angela taunted “You should run on home to mommy for your nap!” She taunted Cadpig some more.
Cadpig growled louder and planted her paws firmly on the ground and used all her energy to push upward. She started to get some leverage and Angela pushed down harder. Cadpig kept lifting up until she was able to roll from under Angela, grab her by the arm and swing her down to the ground. She jumped on top of Angela and smiled in her face. Rocky and Rex stood with looks of astonishment on their faces.
“What were you saying?” Cadpig said menacingly. She growled in Angela’s face then suddenly collapsed on top of her stomach growling.
Rocky laughed. “What happened there Angela? You must be getting weak!!” The Doberman continued to laugh.
“Shut the hell up Rocky.” Angela yelled as she threw Cadpig off of her and got up. The Collie shook herself off once she was up.
Cadpig slowly got up groaning and Rocky approached her. “Not bad runt…let’s get you something to eat.” Rocky lifted Cadpig on his back.
“What are you serious boss?!” Rex said. The Rottweiller looked confused as to why Rocky had a sudden interest in the runt puppy.
“Hey, the runt is worth something…almost took down Angela, she’d be a good edition to the gang, she’s small, fast and clearly strong. We could use her.” Rocky explained to Rex as he looked at Cadpig on his back.
“I hate to admit it…but Rocky’s right, but if I hadn’t underestimated her she wouldn’t have thrown me like that.” Angela told Rex as she agreed with Rocky. Rocky chuckled.
“Riiiiiight, come on, the truck is almost here anyway.” The Doberman told his group as they headed off. Cadpig was fading in and out of consciousness looking at them and listening to their conversation. In seconds she was out like a light. The three dogs took off down the street with the little pup.
“CAAAAAADPIIIIIIIG!” Spot cried out looking around. She sat down for a second and tried to think. She had been searching Stiffle for almost 3 hours and had no sign of Cadpig whatsoever.
“Where could she be? Come on Spot…think…think!” Spot mumbled to herself as she buried her face in her feathers. She heard snarling next to her ear all of a sudden and when she looked up. A huge pitbull was staring her right in the face. Spot screamed and sprinted as far away and as fast as she could. She tripped which caused her to tumble across the sidewalk. She panted and sat up to see an oncoming skateboarder. She leaped out of the way just in time and into a trashcan. She poked her head out and sighed. Unfortunately for her, another skater following the previous one attempted to leap over the trash can and failed knocking it over and causing it to roll down a sidewalk hill towards Downtown Topstown .
“Rolly are you positive this is where Spot came?” Two-Tone asked.
“This is where her scent leads.” Rolly told Two-Tone as he sniffed around for Spot’s whereabouts.
“Ohhhh like, we’ve been wandering here for like over and hour! I totally hate downtown Topstown! It stinks and there are like no good outlet malls or anything!” Jewel complained lagging slightly behind. “And my feet hurt, and I feel sticky, and I’m tired…and…” Before Jewel could finish a rat jumped out of nowhere and landed on Jewel’s back.
“Hey hot stuff, I know some pretty good places round here where you can have a good time…you got a boyfriend?” The rat asked Jewel, the pup’s eyes widened as she looked at her back to see the filthy disgusting rat sitting on it. He smiled and winked at her. “The name’s Marty…how ya doin gorgeous?” Marty asked Jewel
Jewel squealed. “LIKE EWWWWWW OH MY GOOOOOSH!” She screamed as Marty was on her back.
Lucky, Rolly and Two-Tone turned around hearing Jewel’s scream. They rushed over thinking Cadpig grabbed her only to see Jewel and Marty on her back.
“Hey hey hey baby cakes don’t be like that…I’ma pretty cool fella once ya get to know me.” Marty winked again. Lucky pulled Marty off of Jewel’s back.
“Hey! Relax Marty, that’s my girl!” Lucky told Marty, Two-Tone raised an eyebrow at Lucky when he said that.
“My sincerest condolences my man, I didn’t know.” Marty told Lucky with a sheepish grin.
Lucky put Marty down and walked over to Jewel and kissed her on the cheek. “You ok babe?” Lucky said winking. Jewel shocked for a second then catching on giggled a bit smiled and nodded. Marty shook his head seemingly laughing at himself.
“My bad beautiful, shoulda known a princess like you woulda been taken. ” Marty apologized before he looked at Two-Tone and Rolly. “I’m assuming the two chunky ones must be together too.” Marty asked as he looked at Rolly and Two-Tone. both suddenly took on looks of offense.
“I am not fat…” Rolly mumbled to himself under his breath.
Marty then looked Two-Tone up and down. “Hmmmm not my type anyway…too much cushion… ya feel me?” Marty chuckled at his own joke then snapped his fingers. Two-Tone and Rolly looked at Marty in shock, especially Two-Tone who had a half-irritated and half-hurt expression from that comment. “Catch you pups on the flip side.” Just like that Marty disappeared through a hole in the wall. Jewel turned to Lucky.
“Like thank you sooo much for that Lucky.” Jewel told Lucky, tail wagging as she did so.
“Hey no problem…girlfriend” Lucky smiled and winked and he and Jewel shared a small snicker. Two-Tone cleared her throat and Jewel blushed and went over to Rolly. Two-Tone approached Lucky.
“Girlfriend?” Two-Tone asked, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
Lucky smiled. “Just something to get the rat off her case…you know you’re the only female pup I have eyes for.” Lucky told Two-Tone.
Two-Tone smiled as she felt relieved Lucky was only acting. “Good…do you think…I’m fat? Cause he said I have too much cushion and he called me chunky and personally I don’t think…” Two-Tone started to speak before Lucky silenced her
“Come on Two-Tone.” Lucky said shaking his head and laughing to himself. Two-Tone didn’t follow she just looked at him walking away expecting an answer.
“Lucky! I’m serious! LUCKY!!!! Grrrrr!” Two-Tone chased after her siblings as the four of them continued to walk through Downtown Topstown, Rolly slightly ahead still sniffing for Spot’s scent.
Water was splashed on Cadpig’s face and she started coughing. She immediately stood on all fours and looked around.
“Relax little one.” said Rocky. The Doberman had been watching Cadpig as she slept.
“Where am I?” Cadpig inquired.
“Welcome to the Lair of the Hounds.” Rocky welcomed her.
Cadpig looked around; she was in a sizeable alley, the walls were covered in graffiti, old furniture was laid out nicely on top of a giant beaten up rug. It wasn’t your typical home sweet home look, but it was pretty nice considering.
“Not bad huh?” Rocky said.
“It’s alright.” Cadpig’s stomach growled again and she grunted.
“Sounds like someone could use a snack. Angela, give the little one here one of our steaks.” Rocky barked at Angela.
“Are you kidding me? This is the last one and it’s from MY stash!” Angela said looking annoyed.
“Don’t be so rude to our new recruit Angela…the truck comes again today anyway.” Rocky reminded Angela
Angela growled and took the steak out with her teeth and flung it in front of Cadpig. “Eat up…runt…” The Collie said annoyed still.
Cadpig looked at the steak then looked at Rocky, Rex and Angela skeptically. She wasn’t sure to trust them just as fast as they trusted her, she didn’t hear anything from the voice either, it must be okay.
“No worries kid…we aint pullin a fast one on ya.” Rocky took a bite from the steak and swallowed. “See?” He showed her. “Nothin but the best for me and my gang.” Rocky told Cadpig
Cadpig nibbled at the steak a bit and started devouring it as if she hadn’t eaten in years. When she finished she looked at them. “Th…thanks…” Cadpig said as she wiped her muzzle with her paw.
Rocky smiled. “No problem…what’s ya name kid?” Rocky asked Cadpig
“Cadpig…” Cadpig answered, she hoped her new friends wouldn’t laugh at her.
“That was some fight you put up against Angela back there kid…” Rocky spoke bringing out a bowl of water and putting it in front of Cadpig “...I was impressed…name’s Rocky…over there is Rex…how’d you like to be a part of “The Hounds”?” Rocky asked Cadpig as he extended an invite to her.
Cadpig lapped at the water and looked up.
“You want me in your gang? What do I have to do?” Cadpig asked, she knew there had to be an initiation of some sort.
“Do whatever you have to do to survive, only instead of doing it alone, you have us.” Rocky answered Cadpig as he stared into her blue eyes.
The voice in Cadpig’s head spoke to her again
“Do it.”
Cadpig nodded.
“Yeah I’ll join your gang.” Cadpig told Rocky with a smile.
Rocky smiled. “Perfect…Angela, Rex…meet the new member Cadpig.” Rocky told his fellow gang members, Rex had a smug smile on his muzzle however Angela gave a look of disgust.
“Can we at least give her an alias? No offense kid but Cadpig just isn’t a gang type of name…” Angela told Rocky.
Cadpig smirked. “And Angela is? Shouldn’t you be singing in the choir while running through a field of roses?” Cadpig coldly told Angela.
Angela growled. “WATCH IT!!!” the collie shouted at Cadpig, a glare was in her eyes. Rex and Rocky snickered. “You two shut the hell up!” Angela snapped.
Rocky shook his head while laughing. “I didn’t say anything.” he told Angela.
“How about C.P? Short for Cadpig?” Rex said.
“Fine with me…you good with that Angie Ange?” Cadpig asked.
“That’s it!” Angela leaped at Cadpig but Cadpig took an evasive step to the side.
“You wanna fight?! Let’s go!” Cadpig got ready to rumble with Angela, the two dogs leaped at each other and disappeared in a cloud of smoke as they fought.
“Should we break it up boss?” Rex asked.
“Nah we’ll let em tussle it out.” Rocky answered as the two dogs watched the fight.
“The meat truck comes in 15 minutes though and…” Rex began to remind Rocky.
“Ohhhh trust me Rex we’ll make it in time…now that we’ve got C.P. here….I’ve got bigger plans than a silly old meat truck.” Rocky smiled and laughed to himself as the girls continued to punch, kick, scream, and howl.
“BGWAAAAAAAAAK!” Spot screamed as the trashcan finally slammed into a wall. She crawled wearily out of the trashcan.
“Ohhhh my aching giblets…”Spot said before shaking her head noticing her surroundings. She sat on top of that busted up trashcan and sighed. “Ugh who am I kidding?! I’ll never find Cadpig...” she said sadly, she knew Cadpig was doomed, either by the dangerous dogs in the streets or by Animal Control, she felt like she failed.
“I’m sorry, did you say…Cadpig?” a voice asked Spot, Spot suddenly looked up, then left, then right, then behind her. “Down here.” the voice said. Spot looked down to see a rat.
“What’s happenin chicken? The name’s Marty.” Marty said to Spot.
“Oh hello, I’m Spot…did you say you know where Cadpig is?” Spot asked Marty, the rat thought it over.
“Maybe, she a lil Dalmatian pup with a bad attitude?” Marty asked.
“That’s her! Well not normally her regarding the bad attitude but yes! You’ve seen her?” Spot asked frantically.
“Yeah…Idk chicken maybe you should head home…she runs with “The Hounds” now.” Marty told Spot, the chicken blinked confused
“The…Hounds?” Spot asked Marty
“Yeah, they’re meanest, toughest, cruelest pack of dogs to ever walk Downtown Topstown. They do any and everything it takes to survive. I seen em eat a person once with my own eyes.” Marty warned Spot.
Spot gulped. “E-Eat a person?” She asked as she gulped
“Alive…” Marty said a bit slowly.
Spot started shaking. “Oh…oh my!” the chicken looked ready to panic
Marty nodded.
“Yup their leaders name is Rocky, he’s a Doberman, a street genius…knows how everything down here runs like the back of his paw. Almost as good as yours truly here. He runs with a Rottweiler named Rex and a Collie named Angela. Rex is the power house, he can take out a school bus full a children with just his tailbone alone!”
Spot’s eyes widened. “Just his t-t-t-tail bone?” Spot gulped again.
“…and Angela…let’s just say her bite is worse than her bark…” Marty told Spot
“Gulp…you-you-you mean….” Spot trembled
“Teeth so sharp Jaws would be scared of her.” Marty told Spot
Spot fainted off the trashcan then sat up and shook her head.
“So if ya know what’s best for ya chicken…you stay away from “The Hounds”. Nobody’s gone head to head with them and lived...and if they’ve already pulled their heist…your little friend is long gone.” Marty told Spot
“Heist?” Spot asked.
“Yeah chicken“ Marty explained “…since they formed the gang they always wanted to…
“Clean out the entire meat section of that corner store over there.” Rocky said gesturing toward a store called “Aronld’s Groceries and Goods” .
Cadpig looked at the store then back up at Rocky. She had a chewed up ear and a bit of ruffled fur from the fight.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because they have the best meat in the world known to man and dog alike! Rex exclaimed. “Prime pork and beef rib, ham, kielbasa, roast beef, and every steak under the sun! T-Bone, sirloin, chuck…” The Rottwieller licked his chops in anticipation of the feast he was about to enjoy
“Easy slugger.” Angela interjected watching drool seep from Rex’s mouth. She also had a few noticeable scars on her face from Cadpig.
“What’s that got to do with Cadpig?” Spot asked Marty.
“Every Thursday the truck comes with pounds and pounds of different meat to re-stock the store.” Marty explained.’
“The driver leaves his keys in the car with it on, opens the hatch and takes a 2 minute smoke while the associates from the store take the meat off the truck.” Rex continued “This usually gives us plenty of time for one of us to sneak in the truck and take off. Problem is, one dog has gotta man the pedals while another steers…and the three of us are all too big to get in the small space to hold the pedals down. But…’
“You’re friend Cadpig is the perfect size for them to finally pull it off.” Marty told Spot of what the Hounds had planned. Spot put her feather hands on her head.
“Oh no! I gotta stop her!!! Which way is Arnolds Groceries and Goods?!” Spot asked Marty
Marty pointed Spot in the right direction and she took off running. “Good luck chicken!” Marty shouted.
“If you help us with this C.P. we’ll have plenty of meat to last us for months. So are you in?” Rocky asked Cadpig
Cadpig smiled and nodded. “Definitely…” she answered, her tail wagging with excitement.
The three bigger dogs exclaimed cheers of excitement.
“Alright Angela, Cadpig, you two go down the alley and signal me and Rex when the truck gets here.” Rocky commanded.
Angela and Cadpig glared at each other than proceeded towards Arnold’s Groceries and Goods.
“I thought you said you had bigger plans than the meat truck boss?” Rex asked Rocky, the two identically colored dogs prepared for their roles.
“I do Rex…if the runt can maintain her composure with the pedals then all our troubles will be over.” Rocky told Rex.
Rex titled his head in confusion. “What do you mean boss?” he asked Rocky.
Rocky chuckled. “Let’s just say…the meat isn’t my biggest concern.” Rocky answered Rex with a smirk.
Angela and Cadpig barked. Rocky noticed the truck pulling up. “Alright Rex…let’s move…” Rocky ordered.
Rocky and Rex took off down the alley.
“We’re close!!! We’re close! Ohhhh papa we’re close!!!” Rolly barked happily as he closed in on Spot’s trail. Lucky, Two-Tone, and Jewel followed close behind.
“Like finally! Oooh I so have some words for that chicken!!!’ Jewel said. She was going to have a long chat with Spot after all she had to do tonight all because of Spot believing Cadpig wasn’t rabid.
“There she is!!! Around the corner!!” Rolly barked. All the pups ran; they got around the corner only to find a chicken bucket with half eaten breasts and thighs in it.
Lucky’s face dropped. “Rolly!!!!” he face pawed.
Rolly blushed. “Ooops…” he said as he approached the bucket of chicken. “Least I found us something to eat.” he said.
Two-Tone shook her head. “Why am I not surprised?” she said
Jewel just stared at the chicken in shock.
Rolly laughed nervously. “Hehehehe sorry guys…looks like I followed the wrong chicken scent…” he said as Jewel glared at him for leading them all on a wild goose chase.
Lucky snickered. “Only you Rolly…” he said, Two-Tone giggled.
“Yup…sure you were following your nose and not your stomach?” Two-Tone said before she, Rolly and Lucky started to share in laughter.
“SHUT UP!!!!” They all suddenly stopped laughing and turned to Jewel who was fuming.“ Do you mean to tell me…we’ve spent…all this time…chasing an old half eaten 8-piece dinner?!” Jewel yelled at Rolly, she was outraged.
Two-Tone’s eyes widened. “Jewel? Are you ok?” Two-Tone asked expressing concern never hearing Jewel shout like that before.
“NO!!! I’M COLD, I’M STICKY, MY FEET ARE KILLING ME! I SMELL LIKE OLD GARBAGE! IT STINKS HERE! I GOT HIT ON BY A RAT!!!” Jewel cried out.
Two-Tone tried to console Jewel. “Come on girl, calm down.” she said hoping to soothe her sister’s rage
“I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!!! YOU GUYS ARE ON YOUR OWN! I’M GOING HOME!!! UGH!!!!” Jewel stormed away from them.
“Jewel!” Two-Tone started to go after her but Lucky held her back.
“Just let her go…she needs to cool off.” Lucky told Two-Tone.
“But Lucky…” Two-Tone turned to face Lucky, but she knew Lucky might be right on this.
Lucky turned to Rolly. “Rolly you have her scent locked in your nose right?” he asked Rolly.
Rolly nodded. “Yeah.” he answered Lucky.
Lucky turned back to Two-Tone.
“We’ll keep searching around this area for Spot in case Jewel changes her mind but right now she just needs time to herself.” Lucky told Two-Tone and Rolly.
Two-Tone nodded. “Good idea Lucky.” She said in agreement as the trio continued their search.