Alright! This is the chapter you've all been waiting for! First of all, I apologize for submitting it so late but I hope after you read this last chapter it's worth the wait...So READ! Read like your lives depend on it!! X-D

Flushed Away is owned by (c)Dreamworks & (c)Aardman

Chapter 14: Just the Beginning

There was no escape. No place to hide. The frogs surrounded the terrified rats preparing to attack them. The amphibians moved closer, while the rodents just froze in fear putting an idea on their heads that they should give in and face the end. Roddy on the other hand didn't. He looked at the crowd feeling the need to give them confidence to fight back.

"Everyone listen" Roddy called their attention "We shouldn't give up and let the Toad win. Let's fight back!" he was sure that his speech was convincing but it wasn't what he thought it would be. All the rats panicked and screamed. But they stopped when their ears were irritated by a loud screeching sound. It was Pegleg, a pirate-like rat with a hook as his hand and a pegleg as his foot, who made that sound by scratching his metal hook against the glass window.

"I don't know about you but I'm taking Milicent's word and fight to the end" he said, "Who's with me?"

"Constable Collin reporting for duty!" yelled Officer Collin

"We're with you lad" shouted Mr. Malone and the rest of the Malone family were willing to join him.

"Don't forget us!" shouted Tex in a Texas accent and jumped up and down to call the crowd's attention "Finally some action!" he added.

"Don't forget to smile Honey" said Edna, Tex's wife carrying a digital camera. Soon the crowd changed their minds.

Roddy was happy to see that little by little each of them decided to join the fight and take back their city. When they are all ready, Mr. Malone gave out the word to start.

"Charge!" he shouted then they all ran towards the enemies. The frogs did the same. As they fight, the frogs used their kung-fu fighting moves, while the rats used their resourcefulness. Some of them dodged the attacks and fought back. The Toad's henchrats were helping the frogs but the slugs that were on the rat's side managed to distract them. As the battle continues, Roddy saw Fromage and the Toad got on the boat. He thought if he went with them he might find his friend Rita. Just when the boat was about to leave, Roddy snuck in and hid under the covers at the back of the deck. The boat left and moments later they arrived at the floodgate control tower. The Toad went in the tower first but Fromage stayed behind when he heard someone ran while dragging his feet and hid behind the crates. He suspected it was Roddy who was following them.

"You can stop hiding mon ami I know you're in there" said Fromage then Roddy came out from behind the crates.

"Where's Rita?" asked Roddy in an almost angry tone.

"Why should I?" sneered Fromage. Roddy was furious. He rushed towards him and pinned him against the brick wall.

"Where is she?" Roddy asked him again only louder and sounded angrier as if he was threatening him. Fromage could see the wild fire of anger in Roddy's eyes, but he was calm and poised even though he was threatened.

"Forget about her, she's dead anyway" That was the straw. Roddy grew furious and punched him on the eye. Fromage too was furious when he was punched. His eyes were cold as ice, showing no emotion but anger. "You're going to regret for that" Fromage gave out a harsh punch that made Roddy fell on the ground. The two were fighting on the ground. They rolled trying to get the upper hand and scratched each other on the face. The fight was about to end when Fromage threw Roddy against the wall. Roddy was badly hurt. He tried to get up but the French rat kicked him on the stomach and fell back down the ground in pain. Fromage was holding a piece of shard that he picked up a while ago. He raised it above his head about to stab him in the heart. "Don't worry, you'll join her soon enough" But he stopped. Someone hit him on the head using a baseball bat! He dropped the shard from his hand and fainted. Roddy's pain has settled down and when he looked up he saw a familiar female rat holding the wooden bat.

"Duchess?" Roddy couldn't believe his eyes. He shook his head but it was her "What are you doing here?"

"Keeping you out of trouble of course" said Duchess "And don't get any ideas of me saving your sewer friend, I still hate her"

Then something caught Roddy's attention poking out on the sleeve of Fromage. He took a closer look and took a vial. Then he recalled the trick Fromage used that he wasn't poisoned when he ate the cheese.

"This must be the antidote" Roddy was happy that he found the cure, but he frowned when he knew it was now useless. "But it's too late" he muttered. Then a paper ball fell down from above and landed on Duchess' head.

"Hey! Do these people ever heard of trash cans?" she was about to throw it in the water but when Roddy glanced at it, he immediately recognized the paper.

"Wait Duchess" Roddy grabbed her arm and took the paper ball. He opened it and it was his letter that he gave to Rita. "Rita, she's still alive" he almost jumped for joy but there's no time. He has to move quickly if he's going to save her.

"Great" Duchess was being sarcastic at first but she has no choice but to help him. That's the reason she came back after all. "Go, I'm right behind you" the both ran to the entrance of the tower but the fainted rat quickly gained consciousness and blocked Duchess' way.

"You think I'll go down that easily?--Think again" said Fromage

"Bring it on French fries" mocked Duchess "there's more where that came from"

Roddy ran up the stairs to look for Rita. Since the paper ball fell down from above, he suspected that it came from the upper floor with an open window. He searched at every floor but no sign of her, but when he reached the highest floor he found an open window and below it was Rita lying on the ground.

"Rita" he yelled as he ran towards her. Rita opened her eyes when her name was called and it wasn't a very good sign for her when Roddy ran to her. Even though she was weak, she used her little strength just to warn him.

"Roddy, it's a trap!" she shouted. Then a long, elastic tongue shot out the dark corner and bind Roddy's neck. It made him choke and could hardly breathe. The source of the tongue came out from the shadows and broke out an evil laugh. The Toad grabbed Roddy's neck with his hand and returned his tongue back in his mouth.

"You two have been a thorn on my side ever since the World Cup, but I'm finally going to get rid of you for good" said the Toad bringing Roddy to the open window. Rita tried to stop him by grabbing the amphibian's legs, but he kicked her aside. "So rat, any last words?" he asked. Roddy was struggling to broke free, but the Toad's grip was too strong "No?--Goodbye" he threw him out the window but didn't bother to look down and then he cackled now that he was victorious. Rita shuddered and tears flow through her face when she no longer heard her friend's voice, only the cackling of the evil Toad. He took out a mini radio to help him communicate with his cousin. "How are things doing there Le Frog?" he asked

"It's a disaster! We have to retreat!" said Le Frog

"What?! But that's impossible, they're just rats"

"That we underestimate. They almost took out all of my henchfrogs"

"Fine, meet me back at the boat. Let's retreat for now and come back another time" the Toad hanged up and turned to Rita. "You're lucky your city is save for now and these are my last words for you--Goodbye vermin" he left the room and Rita continued crying until she was unconscious, about to die. There was no hope for her. But wait! A hand just grabbed the windowpane. Since the Toad didn't look to see Roddy's falling death, Roddy was lucky to grab a rope that was tied to the window. He got in the room unharmed and rushed to Rita to give her the antidote.

"Rita" Roddy put her head in his lap "Rita it's me, I'm alright" but she didn't reply. She laid still like there was no soul in her but he could still feel a weak pulse in her body. Roddy quickly pulled out the vial from his pocket and let her drank the antidote, but it slipped right through her lips. He didn't give up. His goal in mind was to let Rita drink the antidote, and so he will. Without any other choice Roddy drank the antidote but didn't swallowed it and brought her head closer and their lips met. He pressed his lips against hers and she finally drank the antidote. Now all he can do is wait and hope that she will get better. Moments later, Rita took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Roddy grinned widely and tears of joy almost flow on his face. Rita smiled when she saw his goofy yet charming face. They put their arms around each other and hugged tightly, wishing that time would stop and keep this feeling forever.

Roddy stayed by Rita's side until she was completely cured and it only took a few minutes. The crowd cheered as the two stepped out the tower. They were speechless and they just smiled feeling appreciated.

"Well we certainly been through a lot today" Rita whispered to Roddy "What should we do now?"

"Here's an idea" said Duchess who popped out from behind "Take me back home as a reward for saving your life"

"For what?!" Rita snapped then Roddy spoke for her

"I'm sure Rita would be happy to take you back home as soon as possible, right Rita?" said Roddy. Then Rita had second thoughts.

"Right" Rita said in a pleasant voice "As soon as possible" Duchess turned to Roddy.

"Are you sure you don't want to come back with me darling?" she asked

"Sorry Duchess I'm still staying" said Roddy

"Oh well, there's always next year" Duchess went ahead to the Dodger first.

"Hey Rod I forgot to tell you something" Rita said to Roddy

"What is it?" he asked. Then she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered on his ear.

"Thank you" she said. Roddy smiled embarrassingly and took the necklace from his pocket.

"You read the letter?" asked Roddy

"Yeah and if you're going for romance ask my mum for help" the both chuckled and continued walking until they got in the boat. So they left the city again to take Duchess back to the surface. Nothing happened much during the trip. The city is save and the rats continued on with their normal lives and such. But they never knew while the Toad is hiding in the deepest parts of the sewer, he's plotting another diabolical plan, which is worse—Much worse.

Well, that's the end of the story. But the adventure still continues...