(The Enemy)
After a while, the trio make it to the barge. When the rest of the gang saw the banged up Fagin, they rushed up to greet them. "What happened, amigo?!" Tito barked.
"It's nothin', Tito. It was just two teenagers who got the jump on Fagin. But Rose and I put them in their place," Dodger answered proudly.
Tito bounded up and down, excitement lit up in his eyes. He couldn't believe he missed out on all of the fun. Fagin groaned as he collapsed in his living chair. Francis, Einstein, and Rita gather around him worriedly.
"Good dogs," he sighed, laughing as they licked him frantically. He didn't mind being licked to death by his canine companions. They cared for him more than words could say.
Dodger and Rose retired to their own beds, finding their places here in this creaking old boat. Not only did the two dogs have an inseparable bond, they had a great connection with Fagin. Rose smiled warmly, coming to terms with what had happened before.
Rita walked over to Rose after Fagin was settled in. "Hiya, Rose. You and Dodgie aren't hurt, are you?" Rita asked, concern on her face. Rose let her tail thump against the pile of blankets and she smiled half-heartedly.
"What's with the bandanas you guys are wearing?" Rita asked, noticing Rose and Dodger's bandanas. Rose looked down at her blue bandana that was still tied around her neck then looked over at Dodger's red bandana.
"Oh, these? Guess you can say they're our souvenirs for saving Fagin. He put these on us," Rose replied, not wanting Rita to think that they were pets wearing collars. These bandanas gave them meaning.
"I gotta say, they suit you guys," Rita said with a grin and walked back over to her own bed, but not without giving Dodger a comforting nuzzle.
Rose glanced down at her new bandana, then smiled again. They had something worthwhile.
Unbeknownst to Rose and Dodger, the same dog that fought Rose and Dodger earlier had seen them take on those humans. They knew that their leader would be pleased to have them in their gang.
"Brutus will be pleased with this," he chuckled. He turned around and ran towards his gang's hideout.
The hideout was in an abandoned warehouse that was just outside of the city that no human goes to anymore. He trotted inside the warehouse and saw Brutus with Dasher at his side. There was another dog, Samson, who was an american bulldog mix on his other side.
"Ah, Jasper. You have finally returned. Do you have information for me?" Brutus asked, not even having to turn around to know who was behind him. "My leader, I found those same mutts that attacked Dasher. I watched them take down two humans. They're great fighters; Especially the female," Jasper said.
Dasher turned around to face the mixed breed. "Should we go get them and bring them here? Under your command, my liege," Jasper asked, dropping down to a play bow position.
"You may rise, my dear advisor," Brutus commanded. Jasper did what his leader commanded. "Why bring them here? So the female can whoop Dasher's tail like the last time?" Samson said with a laugh.
Dasher glared at him and bared his teeth at him. "Silence, both of you. *Looks at Jasper* Here's my plan. Dasher, you go with Jasper and track down this female and male. Bring them to me," Brutus instructed.
Dasher and Jasper trot out of the warehouse, leaving Brutus and Samson alone.
"My liege, will your plan work? What will you do with that female?" Samson asked, cocking his ears back.
"I am positive, my friend. And as for that female, she has reached maturity. If she's what Jasper said, she'll make a suitable mate for me," Brutus said with a grin.
After he gathers his new mate, he could be the true ruler of New York City. Anybody who heard his name would cower in fear. Nobody would stop him now.