After the unfortunate fiasco at the wolves' base, CatClaw had returned to his home with one half of the plans that he had obtained. He and Barbara had the plan spread out over the table trying to figure out what they could based on what CatClaw had found out. By now, Bill had changed out of his outfit and had hidden it away. Barbara had ensured that nobody could gain access while they were studying the plans. Bill was also thinking about his encounter with OxHorn. Another masked fighter was the last thing he was expecting. He had thought that he, FoxFang and Cub were the only masked figures around, but this encounter had proved otherwise. This added another complication that he didn't want. He had no idea of what OxHorn wanted with the plans. He suspected that he was trying to stop whatever they were making because of what OxHorn had said to him. The half of the plan that he had didn't have the mixing rooms that they wanted, but it had the location of the cell where Runt was being held. Neither of them knew that the cell was occupied and there was no note on the plan to show that it was occupied. They weren't concerned with any threats to the city population; they were more concerned with finding out what they were making and seeing whether it posed a threat to the native life in the surrounding forest. Because of this, they were both oblivious and ignorant of the danger that was threatening the city. They were more concerned with their own agenda than what was going on in the city.
"So, what actually happened to the plans for it to be torn in half?" Barbara asked.
"I got into some fight with another masked fighter." Bill replied.
"FoxFang?"
"Not FoxFang or Cub. This one looked like an Ox. This Ox said that people's lives were in danger if he didn't have the plans. The plans tore during the struggle."
"Then what happened?"
"Soon after the plans tore, we were both found by guards. That's when I made my escape."
"I suspect that Ox will make another attempt. Perhaps you could swap plans." Bill stepped backwards and had a think. He didn't like the idea of having to work with the Ox, but the Ox has something that he wanted. On the other hand, he had something that the Ox wanted. He could also see the Ox becoming a rival in the future, not realising what the Ox was fighting for. He thought that OxHorn was like him, a criminal with a strong feeling deep down.
"I'll think about it for the next time I meet him." Bill finally replied.
"Bill, I want you to go to that facility again tomorrow night. I have a strong hunch that that Ox will be there again, trying to do what he's doing. That's when you will be able to make a trade, his half of the plan for your half of the plan."
"Then I can find out what the wolves are doing and if it's a threat to the wildlife."
"If it is a threat, you know what to do don't you, right?"
"Yep, destroy that base from the inside and destroy the chemicals."
"And after that, you can go back to annoying the Fox if you wish."
"That will be fun for me." Bill smiled at the thought. He liked battling FoxFang, just based on his encounters' so far. He figured that he could cause chaos by flirting with the Fox whenever he had the chance, but he figured that that chance wouldn't come too often, since there was also Cub to contend with. He was also curious as to find out who they were, just so he could torment them a little more. There was another reason that he wanted to do the things that he was doing, a reason that he hadn't told his mother. He wanted to see if he could win Jessica Bunny's heart. He wasn't sure whether she was taken or not, since it wasn't mentioned in the conversation with her parents. That was slowly becoming his mission in his public life, but he had no idea that she was already taken.
There was a similar situation going on at Furball's house. He and Rita were looking at the plans that Furball was able to get away from the base. Rita was quietly sobbing that Runt was still a captive, so Furball had an arm around her to sooth her nerves. The main feature on the plans that Furball had obtained was the mixing facilities where the dip was being made. This would be slightly useful for when he would come round to destroying the dip but it was useless for finding Runt. That was his big concern, as if he tried to destroy the dip without rescuing Runt, he could be killed in the resulting fire. In that sense, rescuing Runt would take priority. But in order to do that, he needed the location of the cell where he was being held, and the Cat he met at the base had that information. He didn't know whether he should go out and find the cat now or wait for the cat to make a move and ambush the cat. But right now, that wasn't the most important thing on his mind. He was more concerned for Runt's safety than with finding a pesky feline. To him, it seemed rather ironic that he had to deal with an annoying cat, since he was a cat himself. But right now, there were more pressing matters than trying to figure out his new adversary.
"So, what actually happened at the base?" Rita asked.
"When I found the plans, I also found a cat. He or she challenged me for the plans and it tore during the struggle." Furball replied.
"Is that why you were unable to save Runt?"
"Partly. After the plans tore, we were both found by guards and I had to escape."
"The location of Runt's cell isn't on this half of the plan though."
"Then that cat has to have it. Without that, I can't find Runt at all." In frustration, Furball smashed his fist on the table. He wanted to save Runt but until he had the right piece of the puzzle, he was unable to. He quickly calmed down though, and then he had a thought of something.
"Rita, does anything on this half of the plan look familiar to you?" Furball asked. Rita started studying the plan in front of her. She was also trying to remember the route she took while trying to get out and trying to find those locations on the plan. She was eventually able to get a rough ides of where she went but was unable to see the locations on the plan they had.
"Sorry Furball. I can't see the route I took on the plan."
"Rita, can you try and jot down the route you took? It will help me in finding Runt for tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow?"
"I am not leaving Runt with those wolves. I'm going back to the base tomorrow and that time, I will save him." Furball then turned and gave Rita a tight hug. Rita was a little surprised but gave in and hugged him back. "I promise you that." Furball added before giving Rita a kiss on the forehead. Rita snuggled closer to Furball and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you Furball." Rita said before giving Furball another kiss, this time on the lips. Furball receded and returned the kiss that Rita was giving him. It didn't last very long though. Rita broke apart but still kept hold of Furball.
"Come on. Let's head for bed. You can't fight for peace without a good rest." Rita said seductively.
All the way back at the Foxcave, there had been a momentous event. Egghead Jr's anti-dip formula was now devised. The formula for it was on the computer and all he needed to do was mix it up in enough quantity and they were set. The formula was designed so that as soon as it made contact the dip, it would be neutralised and become as harmless as pure water. But even with that news, there was still a slight feeling of dread in the air. Even with the anti-dip, the mission was still going to be dangerous. If they made even a slight mistake, Jessica and Zach would be killed by the dip. Egghead Jr. was mixing up the appropriate chemicals to make the anti-dip in tome for tomorrow night. The group had made their decision about whether they wanted back up or not. They had decided that because of the serious of the situation, they would use the back up that was offered. They were going to call the mayor later on and tell him about the decision. Jessica and Zach were sitting together at a distance away from the computer. Plucky and Shirley were sitting away from the computer. They were trying to contemplate the upcoming battle and what they would say to Jessica and Zach's parents should they not make it out of the battle alive. King was right next to them, being stroked gently by Shirley while he was having a snooze. Jessica was scribbling out a note that she was going to leave instructions with. She was basically preparing for the possibility that she would not make it back from the fight. The letter was addressed to her parents. All Zach was doing was giving Jessica a cuddle while she wrote the letter. He wanted to write a similar note for his parents but wasn't sure as to whether he should or not. If he did write a note, it would force him to reveal the truth to his adoptive parents if the worst happened, but they did deserve to be given a chance to escape the impending calamity if the worst should happen. But watching Jessica write the note to her parents gave him the chills. It was almost as if his dread fear of loosing Jessica was going to come true. He prayed that it would not but something kept on telling him that it would. It was probably because his sense of danger had proven to be as accurate as Jessica's. He didn't even realise that Jessica had finished writing the note. Once she had finished, she picked it up and read it back to herself.
"Dear Mum and Dad,
If you are reading this note, then the worst has happened. I left this note to be given to you in the event of my death so that I can give you instructions for your safety. The person behind this Dip fiasco is Caesar Feralo, the person who was holding you hostage one year ago. He stole the formula for the Dip and has been creating it secretly. I died while trying to prevent him from unleashing it onto the city. This is what I want you to do. As per request, the entrances to the Foxcave have been sealed. I want you to leave the city quietly and go to our secret vacation house. There, I want you to live the rest of your lives in peace. I leave all of my possessions to my sibling, whenever he or she is born. Just explain to it why I am not there and that I will love him or her. I will do my best to watch over you in the afterlife. Thank you so much for your support in what I have been doing. I am really lucky to have been the child of you. I shall always love you as my parents.
Farewell, your daughter Jessica."
"That almost sounds like a will." Zach commented. He was listening to the note being read out while Jessica was reading it. Jessica looked up at him while still holding the note.
"I suppose that's because it is. I just hope that Shirley doesn't have to deliver it." Jessica replied. She put the note into a nearby envelope and wrote upon it, "To be delivered in the event of Jessica Bunny's Death". She then sealed the envelope and put it on the floor. She then turned around to Zach and gave him a big hug.
"Zach, this may be our last night together." Jessica said. Before Zach could reply, she began crying into his chest. Zach rubbed Jessica's back to calm her down.
"Jess, I don't want to lose you, but…" Zach began.
"But what?" Jessica asked in between sobs.
"But… I have a dread feeling that I will. I have done for a while now." Zach also began crying into Jessica's arms. Jessica stopped crying for a bit and gave Zach a tight hug.
"Zach, I'll be honest. I don't want to go to the final battle." Zach stopped crying briefly and looked at Jessica in surprise.
"It's not like you to say something like that."
"Zach, last night… I had a terrible dream."
"What kind of dream?"
"I was laying by myself on a peaceful field sunbathing when suddenly somebody blocked the sun."
"Who?"
"The grim reaper. He said that somebody I trust wasn't going to make it out of the battle, and then I woke up." Jessica began sobbing again. She didn't want to think that she would lose somebody that she trusted but everything inside was pointing in that direction. Zach hugged her even tighter to try and calm her down, but now he wasn't having much success with just hugging. He eventually managed to calm her down by kissing her on the forehead. She looked back up at him with sorrow and fear in her eyes.
"Jess, if tonight is going to be our last night together, let's make the most of it." Jessica hugged Zach tightly. She didn't want it to be their last night together but, as everything was pointing, it might be. Zach gave Jessica the tightest hug that she he had given her. Jessica then hugged back just as tightly.
"Ok, let's make it the best that we can then." After Jessica finished speaking, she gave Zach a kiss on the lips. She didn't let up and kept on kissing. It didn't take long for Zach to kiss her back just as hard. They both closed their eyes and tightened their embrace. Jessica toppled backwards and pulled Zach on top of her, not even noticing what had happened. They just kept up their kiss for as long as possible. By the time they had finished, they were nearly asleep. Zach was still on top of Jessica and their lips were still together. Jessica opened her eyes and realised what was going on but didn't push Zach off of her. She just rolled so he wasn't on top of her but they were side by side. She then tightened the hug and closed her eyes again. The whole kiss lasted for about an hour before they finished. They both opened their eyes and looked at each other.
"If we make it out of tomorrow's battle, we should have another moment like this." Jessica said.
"We should Jess, we should." Zach replied.
"But right now, we have to call the mayor about our decision regarding whether we want back up or not."