Give a Dog a Bone

[Copper]

Copper had just started to move to push Lucky in the direction the rabbit had disappeared to when Dobson broke through the underbrush with the small animal’s broken form dangling from his jowls. Copper couldn’t help the chill that ran through him at the sight. He’d killed his fair share of varmints in the past, but he’d never mutilated one quite as badly as the massive Doberman had done to that rabbit. As the Doberman dropped the rabbit down in front of Lucky, Copper moved to push the pup behind him, making himself a physical barrier between Dobson and the younger Freedom Fighter. Copper’s muzzle wrinkled in warning, but no sound left his throat. It was just a visual display and nothing more.

Brown eyes followed the larger canine as he turned toward the other two dogs, a smirk that was impossibly wide stretching across his maw. Copper felt his hackles raise, something about this dog was a little more than unnerving and it wasn’t just his strange grin. A few moments later and three more dogs joined the ever-growing group, all of them Rogues, if Copper’s nose was to be trusted. Copper had known vaguely where the Rogue’s territory was, but not its exact location. He’d only chosen this area to hunt in because it was closer than America and because it was closer to America’s environment than Africa was. He hadn’t meant to wander so closely to Rogue territory and possibly cause trouble.

Keeping himself between Lucky and the rest of the group, Copper stood straight, hoping to give the impression of looking a lot more confident than he felt. “Look, we’re sorry for coming so close to Rogue territory, we didn’t mean any harm. I should have been paying more attention to the scent markers. We didn’t come to cause any trouble, I was just giving him a few hunting lessons and didn’t notice we had wandered so far into your territory. We can just go. Leave with no harm done.”

[Tucker]

Tucker sniffed the air, ears flicked back as he catches the familiar scent of the rotty cross. There he was, next to Dobson all smiles

"Showing mercy to the enemy, Tramp?"

“Enemy?” Tucker repeated, brown orbs flicking to the Tramp as the other dog denies it. Tucker’s lips pull into a thin line. Was Tramp with the rouges? But why? Surely he didn’t return to the streets, give up his cozy home on Snob Hill. The police dog never had time to think it over as two new canines joined the growing group.

“Tucker, was it?” the wolf dog approached him, Tucker nods in greeting.

“Yes?” Tucker’s gaze matches the others firmly. His hackles lower slightly as the wolf mix introduces himself, explaining they- he was  apparently on their territory and should move off it.

“With all due respect. I hadn’t a clue that I had stumbled into your territory. I was hunting a rabbit” he glances over at Copper and Lucky who, if he had to guess had been tracking the now deceased rabbit that lay in front of the spotted boy.

“So, what will your choice be?”

“You wouldn’t really hurt a child, would you?” He questions a frown slowly forming. Listening as Copper spoke now explaining the same situation to them involving the rabbit. “I don’t want to get involved in anything so I’ll leave” he says, glancing towards Tramp now wondering if his newly found acquaintance will back him up somehow.

[Lucky]

Lucky was rather annoyed at Copper's behavior. Acting as if he was some whelp that needed protecting! Hastily he dashed in front of the hound. "Hey I can take care of myself! I don't need help!" He stood tall, staring defiantly at the group of adult dogs standing around him, although his resolve weakened a tad at the sight of the gigantic Doberman. This guy gave off demon-in-disguise vibes and he smelled otherworldly and it was a bit unnerving. Still, heroes didn't buckle in front of the bad guys, right? Thunderbolt sure as heck wouldn't, so Lucky wouldn't either. His eyebrows twitched and so did his mouth, but he fixed them back into a firm frown.

"This is neutral territory. We don't need your permission to hunt here! And you killed my rabbit!" How annoying was that? This stupid monster doberman just swooped right in when he was about to make the kill! Granted it was ... badly mutilated and ... that was kind of scary but still! The pup foolishly stood his ground, seeming oblivious to the danger he had placed himself in.

[Deleted]

Dobson's 'pleasant' mood was quick to fade at Tramp's response. Pink hues narrowed and lips pulled back into an angered snarl. This idiot would have just let these damn mongrels stroll right into their turf? What kinda Rogue was he?! A damn traitor if anything. Strong muscles rolled under Dobson's slick fur before he moved to turn his attention to Tramp. Completely ignoring Tucker's presence if only for a moment. "King Clopin would have you fucking behead you little rat." He snarled darkly. The presence of a body against his suddenly had Dobson's form turn rigid before he relaxed at the smooth voice of Buster.

His angered mood lightened if only a small degree, feigning a small smile towards his boyfriend then addressing Tucker. His jaws parted to speak but just as he was about to Virgil and Dante arrived. Dobson shut his eyes tightly. A smokey breath exhaled in irritation as he was interrupted. Though he was thankful Dante was just as 'pissed' as him.

He shook his head before his attention was gripped by Copper who stepped between him and Lucky. A bold move, but-

Lucky butted in front.

"This is neutral territory. We don't need your permission to hunt here! And you killed my rabbit!"

A wide sadistic grin wrapped across the doberman's maw. Eyes wide with malicious intent. "What did you just say you little shit?" His voice was a quiet hush, nose pressed close to the pup's own ebony colored one. He turned his gaze to Dante for a moment, as if looking for a sign before he lunged forward without warning.

[Buster]

Tramp's response drew another growl from Buster. The Doberman Cross glared across at his 'comrade' before perking at the arrival of Dante and Virgil. A smug smirk crossed his features as he glanced back to Tramp, daring the other to continue his insolent behaviour.

Lucky's bravery drew Buster's attention from Tramp, Tucker, Virgil and Dante however; a brow raising as the Dalmatian pup foolishly confronted Dobson. His boyfriend's response wasn't surprising in the least and as Dobson lunged for the small pup Buster wasted no time in lunging for Copper. The hound dog was almost certain to try to intercept Dobson if his attempt to keep Lucky out of trouble initially was anything to go by. 

A small part of Buster almost hoped that Tramp would try to intercept him in his attack; if only for the simple pleasure of being able to punish the former stray for breaking the rules. 

[Tramp]

Tramp leaped forward, hoping to intercept Dobson. He threw his paws forward in a pushing motion. He couldn't understand completely why he was intercepting Dobson, but something made him and he followed it. He growled escaped his throat.

[Lucky]

"What did you just say you little shit?"

Big nose was quickly thrust against his own and Lucky's robin egg blue eyes suddenly grew as large as dinner plates. Finally getting the message he might have royally screwed up.

"Um, I said uh... um, I said-" Before coherent words could be formed however, any excuse to get the brute out of his face and from potentially attacking him...said attack happened. "OH shit!!" The swear was out of his mouth before he thought twice and just before he turned tail, trying to run from the over-sized doberman monster but it was too late. Pup yelped as teeth sank into his flesh, just moments before the Tramp leapt to try to intervene.

[Copper]

For a moment, all Copper could do was stare after Lucky in disbelief. Could this pup really not sense the hostility that just poured from that dog? Copper could tell from the moment he’d seen him that Dobson was out for blood and the hound doubted that the Doberman would care where it came from, puppy or not.

‘Oh Lucky, you idiot!’

Copper was mentally cursing the pup’s name when he saw Dobson lunge, and Copper was moving just a second later.

“No!-”

Or he was supposed to be.

A large mass barreled into Copper and almost knocked him clean off his feet. He wasn’t entirely sure who it was that was attacking him, all he could see was a wall of black and brown fur, but if he had to guess it was that other Doberman. And if he could take a moment to focus on his scent, he’d know he was right. But, at that exact moment Copper was more focused on getting this dog off of him than giving him a whiff.

Almost as soon as Buster had hit him, Copper had gone on the defensive, snapping at any flesh he could get at and trying to shove the larger canine away. As soon as he could get a firm enough grip, he was shaking his head trying to make as much damage as possible. Buster was a lot bigger than Copper though, and definitely a lot stronger, the possibility of him being able to do too much damage to the other dog was slim, but he had to get him off. He had to save Lucky and get him out of there as quickly as possible.

If that Doberman hadn’t already killed him, that was.

[Dante]

Dante’s emerald eyes widened at the blatant disrespect of the Dalmatian pup. But before he could even respond, he saw a tan blur dash past him, and the loud yelp of the puppy.

That would have been enough to prompt the wolf dog to action, if it hadn’t been for Tramp, rushing to protect the enemy.

Dante had a soft spot for puppies yes, but not for ones that showed zero respect for their superiors. This one deserved a little roughing up by the demon Doberman.

But to have TRAMP protect the enemy? A Rogue?!

”Vous putain de traître! Chien bâtard!Comment osez-vous manquer de notre Roi!” Dante barked at Tramp.

Dante leapt forward, his muzzle wrinkled, lips pulled back into a snarl, making him look more like a wolf than a dog. He intercepted Tramp, wrapping his jaws around the mutt’s thin neck, hoping to drag him with the momentum of his own leap.

Virgil, meanwhile, poised himself to fight against Tucker, since it seemed that the Dobermans and Dante had the others occupied. The golden dog pushed himself in front of Tucker, haunches poised to leap at the other dog in attack. 

[Cerberus]

If any of them had been paying attention to their surroundings, the dogs present would have noticed the loud, thudding pawsteps, the crunch of foliage that grew ever louder, signaling the approach of something much larger than any of them.
Out of the shadows of the trees, three pairs of glowing red eyes blinked at the small gathered group, watching the unfolding fight between the rouges and the would-be intruders.

Cerberus stepped out into full view of the dogs below, three heads each taking in the scene in front of them. He noticed Dobson, easily picking out the other demon dog, with a small spotted pup in his mouth, then there was Dante and Virgil, and Tramp, who seemed to be in trouble with Dante.
As for the others, Cerberus could tell they weren't part of the Rouges.
And Cerberus didn't like trespassers on "his" territory.

All three heads let out low, meaning growls, teeth bared in a threatening display, teeth that could easily snatch up any of the dogs present and swallow them in an instant.