Chapter 24- Vecna's song

Meanwhile, back in Rio

The activities in the city of Rio continued with the roads filled with cars and other vehicles travelling and people going about their daily business in the streets. City animals such as feral pigeons also continued their activities but there was one group of animals continuing their seemingly aimless journey through the streets and under the noses of the citizens and tourists. Brutus and his dog pack and Nigel and their new recruit Vecna the savage swan had managed to enter the city from the sanctuary and were now hugging the shadows and the alleys to avoid being spotted by passing humans. They had recently eaten another meal with the dogs raiding another meat shop, this time a butcher's stall to the OUTRAGE of the butcher and his assistants but Nigel and Vecna had had a more disturbing and abnormal meal. While the dogs had eaten their loot in the form of fresh meat, the cockatoo and the swan had preyed on some feral pigeons and had caught and killed some of them. Then what they did next triggered the welling of nausea and the killing of the appetite within some of the dogs including Brutus: they gorged themselves on the pigeons in the VILEST way possible and had tried to outdo each other in how disgusting they devoured their prey. Then as soon as the VILE cockatoo and swan had eaten their fill, they deliberately tossed aside the remains of their prey into the streets, triggering a REPULSED reaction from passing humans and city animals with the stomachs of some of them writhing so much that those individuals rushed off as they felt the inevitable, to the UTMOST delight of Nigel and Vecna and HORROR of Brutus and his pack. After this, they moved on but not before Brutus and his pack forcefully washed Nigel and Vecna of the remains of their prey to their UTMOST outrage for the pair, especially Nigel, LOVED being filthy.

The group had taken temporary refuge in an alley, amongst the piles of rubbish and overflowing trash cans or bins. Scavengers such as feral cats, seagulls and rats often visited places like this to look for scraps to eat and some were doing just that right now in this rubbish dump of an alley. However, due to the presence of a pack of natural enemies to the feline scavengers, those cats fled or displayed hostility but the dogs just chased them off. In the middle of a crater bordered by a mountain range of trash piles, Brutus and his dog pack had called a meeting to discuss their revenge plan against Milo and his family. However, two certain birds who SHOULD be here as well were missing. Brutus, irritated, began to shout for them.

"Nigel, Vecna, why are you two rummaging through those trash piles. Come an' join us will ya!?" the Doberman yelled, the other dogs glaring at the swan and the cockatoo as they continued digging in the pile, their heads buried with their rears up. Then after a few moments, the two disgusting birds responded and removed their heads from the trash, turned round and joined them. However, one of them had something in his beak.

"Drop that rat, Nigel, you are NOT a cat," growled Brutus.

"Nor are you a bird of prey," put in Otis. The other dogs looked on in irritation. Nigel, the live rat writhing and squeaking desperately in his beak then formed an evil smile.

"Sorry, doggies, I just fancied a little snack while I'm here," crooned the sickening cockatoo. Revulsion tore through the dogs including Brutus as they predicted accurately what the VILE parrot with a crest was about to do.

"Oh, no, no, no, don't tell us you're GONNA..." grunted Paws the brown retriever. The dogs including Brutus then looked away and/or covered their faces with their front paws as Nigel disgustingly and gruesomely devoured the rat in a way that even a CAT would find repulsive. Vecna, the only one who was not repulsed by Nigel's eating habits, looked on jealously. Then after Nigel had finished his repulsive snack, Brutus barked at him to join the meeting.

"You certainly are one VILE, PSYCHOTIC and DISGUSTING cockatoo with a SCREWED UP MIND, aren't ya, Nigel?" growled Bryony the black and white Border collie.

"Always have been even during our smugglers' pet days," put in Otis the black and white spaniel.

"Thank you," crooned Nigel in a sickening voice as he accepted these honest statements as compliments. He absolutely LOVED being called disgusting, screwed up and the like. Then rage flared within the cockatoo.

"If I had those two DISGUSTING BLUE WORMS RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW..." he bellowed but Brutus interrupted him.

"SHUT UP NIGEL!" the Doberman barked. He flinched as his voice echoed off the walls of the alley and flashed a glance at the entrance, hoping that no human had heard his bark. Thankfully, there was no one at the entrance right now to Brutus' relief. Brutus turned back to Nigel who glared back at him sourly, like a chick that can't get its own way.

"Now you will PAY attention to OUR plans and FORGET those blue macaws," he continued in a calmer, lower voice, "ANY mentioning of those macaws again an' you will be OUTA our pack. UNDERSTOOD?"

Nigel's wings tangled into a stubborn fold and his face acidified even more to show that he was unwilling to yield. Brutus rolled his eyes and resumed the main objective of the meeting.

"Right, back to our main focus, and that is, seeking revenge on Milo and his family for his ruining of our future," the intimidating and hulking Doberman continued, "And I was thinking of targeting his mate and any puppies he has and taking them hostage which will make him submit to us. However, the first thing we gotta do is find out where he lives and travel to his place. Any ideas on how we can do that?" he glared at his underlings and Nigel and Vecna expectantly. However, none of them responded at first until finally, Tom the Dachshund put forth one idea.

"We can send Vecna the swan on a scout flight out into the city to search for where Milo lives from the air," the sausage dog said, before his face morphed into one of condescension and he turned it in the direction of a certain other bird, "At least we have a replacement bird able to fly after the old one's flight mechanisms have become irreversibly damaged and useless for flight."

Nigel shot the Dachshund an EXTREMELY offensive and OUTRAGED glare for he knew he was talking about him and insulting his inability to fly again. He was about to lunge at Tom with a flared talon but Bryony appeared and blocked his way.

"Knock it OFF, Nigel," hissed the Border collie sternly. Nigel then stomped off in a huff and began to mutter under his breath about avenging Blu and his family for the loss of his ability to fly once again.

"I hope you're not talking about those macaws again, Nigel," said Brutus but Nigel flashed him a SOUR look. Vecna then formed a wicked, sadistic smile at Tom's idea while Nigel allowed his mind to drift off into a sickening fantasy about getting back at the family of his Spix macaw nemesis. Brutus rolled his eyes and decided to let the cockatoo go on this HIDEOUS mind travel. He was sick and tired of telling Nigel to stop thinking about the macaws and to forget them but the Doberman soon came to terms with the fact that it would be useless. He turned his attention on Vecna as he spoke.

"I would LOVE to fly an' hunt down that former Dalmatian friend o' yours," crooned the ugly and hulking swan evilly, before his face morphed into one of caustic demand, "But on ONE condition."

"And what's that?" asked Brutus.

"I would like you dogs to help me get my revenge on that flyin' RAT Orion for his part in displacin' me from my place on that lake in Peru," Vecna replied. Eye rolls occurred within the dog pack.

"For the last time, those FLYING FOXES are in the AMAZON RAINFOREST," snarled Brutus in irritation.

"Well, maybe he might come 'ere for a visit," replied Vecna.

"Why do you want revenge on that flying fox for the loss of some place in some lake so much anyway?" asked Otis. Suddenly, large white wing seized the spaniel and lifted him off the ground. Otis released a bark of surprise as he was then yanked to the face of the vicious swan.

"You WANNA know WHY, DOG?" snarled Vecna in a jaguar growl. He then released Otis who then dived behind Brutus in fright to the Doberman leader's annoyance and ascended a nearby discarded plastic box to elevate himself and begin his explanation.

"As I've said, I used to dominate a lake but I'll explain it in song, so GATHER AROUND AND LISTEN, DOGS!" growled the swan, before he turned his glare at a certain dog, "YOU TOO, CHICKEN PARROT!"

Nigel shot the large swan a sour glare and refused to join while the dogs gathered round as the swan then burst into song.

The massive waterbird's wings spread out and began to take on an air guitar pose as a rock song began. The dogs looked on in wonder as Vecna continued to dance and do the air guitar. They didn't know Vecna was such a talented air guitarist but the swan wanted to sing a rock song to get his point across and with SUCH severity.

(Metallica's Sad But True song starts: long and intense intro. Vecna continues to do the air guitar on top of the box and dance fiercely. The dogs look on with some of them also dancing to the beat, Brutus reluctantly. Nigel soon joins the audience and dances to the song as well. Vecna then opens his orange snake-like eyes and a glint evilly sparkles in them).

Vecna (snarling voice): I, I... used to rule... a lake in a park in Pe-ru...

No-one would dare chall'nge me; ducks an' geese an' other swans too

They, they... called me th' Tyrant of th' Pond ya heard...

Ever'yone in th' park would fear this BAD WATERBIRD!

Vecna (Jumps from the overturned box and onto floor, creeps towards dogs and Nigel with vicious glare. Several alley cats flee with frightful meows escaping from their mouths as the swan struts by): I am a super savage swan... my evilness is number one... no-one is ev-il-ler than me... VECNA THE SWAN!

(Seizes a fleeing rat by the tail) I am violent, mal-licious... (picks frightened rat up and holds it) jus' like a rabid dog, I'm vicious... no-one but NO-ONE IS BRUTAL'R THAN ME... THAN ME, VECNA THE SWAN! (instrumental section; gives the rat a VICIOUS stare and it flees with a frightened squeak, hitting Nigel in face as it scurries off to Nigel's annoyance)

VECNA THE SWAAAAAN

(Vecna fiercely dances to instrumental rock section and frightens more cats. Dogs look on in awe and Nigel jealously. Vecnma lashes at some cats with a MASSIVE hiss and chases them off before beginning next verse)

Vecna: I, I... had a blast... dominatin' tha' lake like a king...

Att-ackin'... other birds an'... treatin' 'em like vile things...

Till along... came this winged... furball called a ba-at...

Named Orion... he an' th' others expelled me like a rat (seizes another rat with his foot and kicks it to prove the point)

Vecna (head in the air and wings spread wide): I am a super savage swan... my evilness is number one... no-one is ev-il-ler than me (Nigel smirks at this sarcastically and Vecna glares at him and the dogs with his snake-like eyes)... VECNA THE SWAN!

(paces towards them) I am violent, mal-licious... jus' like a rabid dog, I'm vicious... no-one but NO-ONE IS BRUTAL'R THAN ME... THAN ME, VECNA THE SWAN!

(Some dogs back away in the swan's shadow) VECNA THE SWAAAAAN

(Rock riff continues as instrumental section and following words spoken)

Nigel: 'no-one is eviller than me'? That's MY line, you overgrown snake-necked SEAGULL!

Vecna: you wanna be CRUSHED under me BODY, cockatoo!? I ain't hesitant in pouncin' onto my offenders and flattenin' 'em, y'know.

Nigel flees in slight fright.

Paws: If you don't mind me asking, Vecna, how did Orion and the others expel you from that pond?

Vecna: I got into a fight with him and the other inhabitants includin' those ducks and geese but they overpowered me and drove me away. I was forced to flee but came under attack from some crows and ravens and was struck by lightning along the way, hence my scarred appearance (music stop before restart).

Otis: struck by lightning!? NO bird can surely survive THAT! (He winces at Vecna's menacing glare and flees)

Vecna (VOLCANIC rage in his snake-like eyes): BUT NOW I AM BACK, BACK FOR REVENGE! AN' WHEN I FIND HIM, I AM GONNA CATCH AN' KILL HIM AND ANY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HE HAAAAAAAAS! (Dances violently and aggressively as he sings these. Spreads wings wide and throws head back to howl last word. Dogs cringe and back away as Vecna enters modified chorus)

Vecna: I am BAAAAACK for REVEEEEEENGE for th' LOOOOOOSS... of my PLAAAAAACE on the POOOOND, so ORIOOOOOON BE PREPAAAAARED to taste th' WRAAAAAAATH, yes the WRAAAAATH... of your foe VECNA THE SWAAAAN

(Rock Instrumental section and Vecna does the air guitar again)

Vecna: (spoken) An' Orion, this is addressed to YOU, my NEMESIS... (singing) and, and... if you HAVE... any friends an' fam'ly...

Be, be... be prepared t' have their lives ON TH' LINE!

You, you, will SURELY suffer... th' AGONY you put me through

You and THEM... will be slain... by me like a BUNCH O' SWIIIIINE! (some dogs cover their ears as he roars the last word)

Vecna: An' it WON'T matter if they are your... mate or pups or avian friends... ALL of you will suffer at the BRUTAL BEAK of... VECNA THE SWAN!

What you TOOK from ME I'll TAKE FROM YOU... make ya feel the AG'NY YA PUT ME THROUGH... be PREPARED TO FACE THE WRATH OF... YOUR NEMESIIIIIIIIIS (jumps into the air and hurtles towards dogs. Tey including Brutus flee but Nigel ends up flattened by massive swan to his ANGER)... VECNA THE SWAAAAAAN

(Vecna continues doing air guitar and gives a dramatic finish, Nigel still under him)

After Vecna had finished his wrathful song about his desire for revenge against Orion, the dogs slowly crept towards him.

"Ah, that sure felt GOOD in ventin' my fury an' tellin 'ya WHY I wanna find that flying fox and get my revenge," the swan spoke in his normal voice to the dogs. Under his bulk, Nigel squirmed angrily.

"Join th' PERCH wi' ME and those SPIX RATS, SWAN, NOW GET YA BAG OF FAT AN' WHITE FEATHERS OFF OF ME THIS MINUTE!" snarled the cockatoo. Vecna immediately stepped off the flightless parrot, seized him by his new vest and flung him into a trash pile. Pieces of trash flew everywhere and several startled rats, squeaks exploding from their mouths, fled as the cockatoo splashed into the pile. Then Nigel struggled out of the pile and glared at the swan caustically.

"That sure was a dramatic method in explaining your backstory, Vecna," said Otis, his nerves jounced by the dramatic musical number.

"Did you have a family, Vecna?" asked Paws. At this question, Brutus shot the retriever a glare.

"No, I did NOT," retorted Vecna as Nigel continued struggling out of the pile of trash, "Families are an inconvenient burden anyway. Why waste time care for some insignificant mate and burdensome chicks?"

"That's the path Milo chose when he became a housedog," grumbled Brutus as Nigel, though his plumage festooned with a banana skin, several pieces of rotting paper and a few flies buzzing around him, joined the group once again. Then the Doberman moved on, "Anyway, back to our revenge plan discussion..." however, before Brutus could continue, the sounds of footsteps began. Brutus barked at his group to hide and they did and dove behind a mountain of trash. Nigel was seized by a paw and pulled behind the pile as three humans, all men, walked into the alley, suspicious looks on their faces. They spoke to each other in Spanish and discussed that they must have heard something here. As they continued their search, Brutus led the pack including Nigel and Vecna behind more trash mountains and bins, their eyes fixed on the three men as they continued to investigate the alley only to find some rats and cats. Then as soon as they were out of the alley, the group moved on, being careful of the passers-by, both human and animal, as they went. They will discuss their revenge plans somewhere else where there weren't as many humans and where they would be more hidden. The last thing Brutus wanted was his pack getting spotted and captured and certainly not Nigel and Vecna.