101 Dalmatians II

I - Introduction

Six months it has been since the Radcliff's and the 101 have departed from their old home and unto their new one in Devon. And they have prospered and lived in peace ever since.

Rightfully so, the 101 had hoped that the worst of all their troubles were behind them, that there would be no more surprises and no more wicked men to disrupt their lives.

Little did they know that their life was about to take a drastic turn, one of which if they should return in one piece, they'd never be the same.

"Rather peculiar isn't it?"

"Whatever do you mean Caddy?"

"I mean those buildings in the distance, just across the field and past that patch of forest."

"You mean the abandoned steel mill?"

"Exactly that Jewel."

Jewel shrugged her shoulders. "What about it?"

Cadpig regarded her sister with a grim demeanor. "Something doesn't seem right about it."

Jewel eyed her sister with interest. "How's that?"

"Just a hunch, I just hope I'm wrong."

"Caddy darling," Jewel said placing a paw on her sister's shoulder. "It's just some empty buildings. Nothing more. They have not been used in years."

Cadpig look skeptical. "I know, but still…"

Then the girls' ears perked up when they picked up the sound of someone approaching from behind. They both turned to see a familiar sight.

"Tripod?" Jewel said.

The three-legged Dalmatian pup was running towards the two girls, who was doing so very effortlessly, despite missing a leg.

"Mum says it's almost supper time," he said. "You'd better come back now, it's gonna get dark soon."

"We'll be right there Tri'," Jewel said.

Tripod nodded and went back the way he came.

Before following, Jewel gave Cadpig a look which seemed to say don't take too long.

Cadpig seemed to understand. "I won't be long Jewel, just need a moment."

Jewel nodded in understanding, albeit sadly, and she followed Tripod.

Watching her sister go, Cadpig turned back to observe the abandoned steel mill.

There was something foreboding about that place. She couldn't put her paw on it but somehow, it just seemed off to her. Not because of the deteriorating substructure of the building and its foundation. Not because of the clear sign of decay. Just because it felt off to her.

It was the same feeling she had when she first laid eyes on Hell Hall, the ancestral home of Cruella de Vil. The same feeling she had on the night just before she and her 14 brothers and sisters were abducted.

It was a sixth sense if you will, a little more diverse than simply detecting a coming storm.

And yet, despite her foresight, it was not full proof. Evidence of such was about to manifest itself in a most horrific manner.

A white rabbit was fleeing for its life. It was fast but its predator was cunning and relentless. The critter was running out of ground and its pursuer had almost reached it.

Until it took cover beneath a bush and scurried into its hole.

Knowing that he lost his kill, the Rottweiler growled in frustration and rage. He wasn't particularly hungry, not really. He just wanted to tear something to shreds, something alive and squirming.

Just before the angry dog abandoned its purpose, he caught the scent of something, something new and strange.

Turning his head a fraction to the right, the Rottweiler caught sight of something, small, white and with black spots.

A girl. She was just sitting there on the hill, as though she had nothing better to do than stare at nothing.

The Rottweiler's mouth stretched into a cruel smile, revealing jagged but sharp teeth.

Easy prey.

Cadpig took one last gander at the steel mill and she managed to shake off its allure.

She was about to stand up until-

Her nose twitched for a foreign scent had reached it.

It came from below the hill to her right.

She tried to listen for any sign of an interloper but there was none.

That was not a good sign, which means whatever might be stalking her was trying not to be seen. But the scent was there.

Dad always said if something doesn't smell right, run.

And so she did.

Cadpig turned and ran like her life depended on it.

And it did.

Cadpig did not dare turn but judging by the new sound of a larger four-legged creature running fast and that new scent - odor really - getting closer, she understood that she was right to run.

It was getting closer.

Her sense of foreboding turned to desperation as the word suddenly left her lips as though it were choked out of her.

She screamed it at the top of her lungs.

"HELP!"

Jewel and Tripod turned their heads to hear the sound of their youngest sister crying out.

Given her attention to detail, Jewel noticed a black and brown shape moving fast. It was another dog, a bigger one. And it was chasing-

Jewel's eyes opened in horror. "CADDY!"

Before she could run to her, Tripod stepped in front of her. "Get Mum and Dad, I'll help Caddy!"

Tripod shot like a bullet in the direction Cadpig was running in an attempt to cut off whatever predator was pursuing her. Jewel wasn't given enough time to answer him but all the same, she ran towards the farm, faster than she ever thought possible.

"Alright children," Perdita said. "Everyone to the barn now."

As the remaining 101 scurried towards the barn house of the Radcliff farm for supper time, Perdita was making sure all of the puppies were accounted for. Her mate Pongo was sitting on the porch, keeping track of the puppies leaving the farm house which served as the home for their own pets, Roger and Anita, as well as their housekeeper, Nanny Cook.

It was just a usual day at the Radcliff farm. No surprises, just the usual routine: seeing to 99 Dalmatian puppies, nurturing them, raising them, loving them. It was no picnic but it was never dull.

But today would be different.

"Mum! Dad!"

Pongo's ears perked up.

Jewel?

Pongo's eyes immediately caught one of his daughters - one of the original 15 - running towards the farm as though her tail was on fire. Pongo rushes towards her, his previous task forgotten. But Perdita had already reached her.

Pongo could not hear what Jewel was saying but the look on her face said it all. Something was wrong.

It was made all the more clear by how rigid Perdita became before she ran towards where Jewel had come from as though it were a matter of life and death.

Oh no.

"Jewel!" Pongo cried as he finally reached her. "What is it?! What's wrong?!"

"It's Caddy father, she is in big trouble!"

No! Not again!

Pongo's mind was blank, his body rigid. That is not possible. The farm was supposed to be a safe place for his children. Would there always be danger? Would they ever be safe?

Pongo said nothing more as he ran after Perdita as fast as she could.

Cadpig could barely breathe. She hadn't run this hard since...since…

Hell Hall. Has it only been eight months since we escaped Cruella?

She heard him now and the foul odor her pursuer emitted was nauseating, as though this fiend had been rolling around in his own filth. She could hear him panting, salivating as though he were about to eat his favorite meal.

The predator was getting closer.

She was already out of breath, but she took one in to deliver one last call for help.

And then a familiar scent reached her nose. But she did not dare turn to see who it was.

That is until she heard the familiar sound of someone crashing into another.

She heard the voice of her pursuer cry out in minor pain and another voice groaning in discomfort.

Cadpig stopped in her tracks and turned to get a good look at whoever it was that was hunting her.

She recognized this breed of dog as a Rottweiler, one notorious for its aggressive nature. This one appeared dizzy as he was picking himself up from the ground.

Cadpig turned to look at the newcomer and gasped when she saw that it was Tripod.

He must've tripped this one with his own body!

She rushed to her brother's side - adopted yes, but her brother all the same.

"Tripod, are you okay?"

He groaned. He was muttering something. Cadpig leaned in to listen. "...un now…"

"What?"

Tripod looked at her, alarm in his eyes. "Run! Run!"

And then she heard the sound of snarling from behind her. It was savage and bloodthirsty, filled with rage.

She turned and saw that the Rottweiler had already gotten to his feet. His eyes were the blood red of madness.

Cadpig did not move. It was not just fear but also love, which drove her not to leave Tripod at the mercy of this beast.

"Caddy run!" he cried.

"No, I won't!"

The Rottweiler strode forward, limping slightly, his teeth bared, spittle dripping from them.

Cadpig was trembling like a leaf but she stood her ground.

But before this predator could break into his full stride, something else crashed into him.

Cadpig's eyes widened as she recognized who it was as she pounced on to the Rottweiler, looking as furious as she was when she and dad arrived at Hell Hall and attacked the Badun's.

"Mom!" Cadpig cried in terror.

Tumbling due to the force of her pounce, Perdita clasped her teeth onto the Rottweiler's left ear, not letting go.

The Rottweiler cried out in pain.

Tripod, with his one foreleg, grabbed Cadpig and forced her head down, preventing her from seeing the scuffle.

Cadpig was startled by this sudden action. "Tri?! What are you-?!"

"You don't need to see this."

A yelp of even greater pain was heard along with the sound of something being torn off.

Cadpig cringed at the sound.

"Caddy!"

Daddy?

Cadpig looked up and she indeed saw her father approaching. She tore away from Tripod to run to him.

"Daddy!" Cadpig cried.

"Caddy!" Pongo rushed to his youngest daughter and held her close as she sobbed with terrified abandon.

"Are you alright?" Pongo asked.

Cadpig sniffled. "I think so."

Pongo observing the grisly scene of his mate facing down the assailant, pushed his daughter behind him. Seeing Tripod get to his feet, Pongo said, "Tripod, are you hurt?"

Tripod shook his head. "No, I'm fine."

"Stay with your sister."

Tripod nodded and Pongo dashed to aid his beloved.

The Rottweiler was writhing in agony but only for a moment. Blood was running down the left side of his head, right from where his ear used to be.

Angrier than ever, the Rottweiler looked up at the one who dared to interrupt his fun. He inhaled sharply as he observed quite possibly the most beautiful creature on four legs he has ever seen. He had almost smiled seductively at her, at least until he noticed that there was blood around her mouth.

And noticing something out of place in the grass, the Rottweiler saw what appeared to be a severed ear.

And judging by the empty space on the left side of his head and the terrible ringing where his left ear should be...

This spotted wretch bit my ear off.

The Rottweiler bared his teeth once more in malicious rage.

Before he could approach his assailant however, the sound of angry barking filled the air.

Instinctively recoiling at the sound, the Rottweiler looked back at his assailant and realized that the sound did not come from her. Without turning his head, h blooked to see another spotted dog, clearly a male, running towards him.

The Rottweiler chuckled. This one wants to play too does he?

However, his chuckle died in his throat the moment he saw the look on this one's face. This one's teeth were also bared, nothing unusual. And he was running faster than any dog of such stature he had ever seen. But his eyes however, were what got to him. They shone as though they were in flames, the same look he saw from dogs much more ferocious than he, dogs that made this one look like a toothpick.

What...what is this?

The Rottweiler could not explain it, but a great fear came over him, so great that he almost couldn't move. Almost.

He ran.

Perdita watched in grim anticipation as Pongo ran down the intruder.

Be careful my love.

Perdita turned her head to see her dear, little Cadpig, in the distance, shaking like a leaf and being held by her adopted brother Tripod (one of many adopted brothers and sisters). Perdita also saw that several of her children were coming their way and were clearly wasting no time doing so.

She recognized some of them but not all due to the distance. Jewel was in the front. Lucky and Patch were right behind her. Many others were on the way.

And then she realized something. Perdita licked her lips and almost gagged when she tasted the foul but familiar taste of blood.

I can't let them see me like this, especially Cadpig, not after what she has now been through. She's frightened enough as it is.

Perdita looked down to study the severed ear of her daughter's assailant.

Can't let them see that either.

The Rottweiler had never known such indignity in his life.

But he had never known fear, not quite like this.

He might not have minded if this were a dog of greater size, strength, and ferocity, who was pursuing him.

But it wasn't. This was a Dalmatian, not a German Shepherd or a Bullmastiff. This was an insult.

And what's worse, by some un-miracle, terror overcame his senses and now he was fleeing from this...this...pup.

All this, over some pint sized little pipsqueak.

I will escape. And I will return and have my revenge. On this upstart. On that wretch. And on that three-legged whelp. And then I will have that runt.

But he had to escape first. Even with an injured paw, he was still making good ground.

The Rottweiler turned his head to study his pursuer. He was getting closer.

The Rottweiler's heart began to thump as he quickened his pace, thus aggravating his injury, making the pain worse. He grit his teeth in an attempt to quell the pain. It did little to help.

He reached the forest. The escape will be all the more complicated for the thick terrain will make it difficult to run, but that means it will be difficult for his pursuer as well.

Leaping over a protruding tree root, the Rottweiler turned to see that the Dalmatian was nowhere to be seen.

Have I lost him?

The Rottweiler turned back and was about to make a turn around a large tree.

Until something crashed into him from behind.

The wind was knocked out of him.

The Rottweiler tumbled to the ground before landing on his back.

Pongo jumped onto the Rottweiler and pressed his paw against his throat to keep him pinned.

He snarled and let out a vicious bark.

The Rottweiler looked up at him, his eyes filled with terror.

"Please…" he choked. "I don't...want to...die."

Pongo sneered. "Neither does my daughter."

The Rottweiler trembled. "She's your...your…?"

Pongo pressed his paw harder. "Be quiet," he growled.

The Rottweiler coughed, trying to catch a breath. His vision was starting to go grey at the edges.

Pongo eased up on his chokehold. "Look at me."

The Rottweiler, proud as he was, refused to meet the Dalmatian's gaze.

His eyes blazing with fury, Pongo barked, "LOOK AT ME!"

The Rottweiler looked him in the eye with a whimper.

"You will never set foot on this farm again," Pongo said with tranquil fury. "You will stay away from this farm. You will never come near my family again. You will stay away from my children and you will stay away from me."

Pongo got in the Rottweiler's face, until their noses' almost touched. "If you ever threaten my family again, I will hunt you down."

The Rottweiler said nothing. He just trembled and whimpered pathetically.

"Do you understand?!" Pongo said, almost shouting.

The Rottweiler nodded.

Pongo got off of him and the Rottweiler got to his feet. He sat on his haunches and looked at his pursuer nervously.

"Now scram."

The Rottweiler turned tail and ran like the devil.

Cadpig trembled beneath the blanket she was nestled under, whimpering every now and then.

Perdita, nestled by her daughter, continued to nurture her with kisses and consoling words, trying her best to comfort the near-hysterical pup.

Lucky nuzzled her gently, trying to settle her down. Roly was right beside her as well, trying to do much the same.

"It's going to be alright my love," Perdita whispered.

"Where's dad?" Cadpig croaked.

"He's with Roger right now dear, they're sorting this mess out and will see to it that that awful dog, wherever he is, is put away where he can do no more harm."

"And Tripod?"

"I'm right here Caddy."

Cadpig looked up to see Tripod among the other puppies in the barn. Most of them were up and about, watching her with looks of worry, anxiety and even fear.

At least he's not hurt on my account.

There was someone hanging in the back of the barn, slumped on the floor. Cadpig recognized this one to be Jewel. She'd know that well-kept coat anywhere, except this time it was not so well kept. And the way she was curled up in the corner was unsettling.

Does she feel guilty for what happened today?

Cadpig said nothing more, too tired to talk, too tired to think. She just continued to nestle into her mother, drawing warmth from her, trying very desperately to get comfortable, trying very hard to shake off the shock. It was very difficult to do so as she could not shake it from her mind the terrible misfortune that had transpired today.

"Perdy."

Perdita looked up to see Pongo entering the barn house.

"Well?" Perdita said anticipated.

Pongo studied Cadpig with love and concern. "How is she?"

Perdita regarded her mate sadly. "She's terribly shaken."

"Oh Caddy," Pongo said as he nuzzled his youngest daughter. "My little girl."

Perdita inhaled through her nose before she spoke again. "Any news Pongo?"

"Roger just got off the phone with the local authorities, they'll be sending some people to investigate the area. If they find him, they'll capture him and put him away. And the vet will be here momentarily to have a look at Caddy and yourself."

Perdita sighed in relief. "Thank Heaven." She felt Cadpig's body relax against her.

"There's something else."

"What's that?" Perdita asked.

"Roger will be assigning some guard dogs for the farm."

Perdita looked at her mate bewildered. Several of the puppies did much the same. Cadpig did not show any signs of reaction, she just continued to lay where she is.

"Guard dogs Pongo?" Perdita said.

Pongo nodded. "Yes."

"But...is that really necessary?"

"I'm afraid it is Perdy, we can't be everywhere at once. We need to make this precaution until we are certain that the danger has passed. For them Perdy, for all 99 of them."

Perdita looked at Pongo for a long moment. Frowning, she nodded.

"How many?" she asked.

"How many guard dogs? Two or three I think."

Perdita gave Pongo a severe look and whispered to him. "Are any of them Rottweilers?"

"I don't know but Roger has assured me that they're very well trained."

Perdita looked concerned. She continued to whisper, "I just don't want Caddy to be more frightened than she already is. If any of them are Rottweilers, seeing one might cause her to panic."

"Don't worry, if they are any among the guard dogs, I'll see to it that they understand her situation should they ever come across her."

Perdita was still worried but she nodded in understanding.

"When will they be here?" Perdita asked.

"Tonight."

To be continued...