7:30 pm

Terror gripped Chloe's heart. She and the boys were ambushed. The Flushed Pets had them completely surrounded. There was no escape. Standing at the front of the small group, the fat tabby glanced over her shoulder. Mel and Buddy were huddled together. Tiberius was growling at the Alley Cats who had snuck up behind the group. Facing the mangy strays in front of her, Chloe saw no way out... unless...

"You know what?" Chloe murmured, getting everyone's attention. Meeting Derick's gaze, the tabby cat took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she said what was on her mind, "I quit."

"Huh?" Derick grunted.

"I quit!" Chloe shouted louder. Her tail lashing around angrily, the feline lectured the strays, "Yes, I quit! I'm quitting! This was a stupid game that I never wanted to play in the first place! You all had to drag me into this mess! But you know what, I quit! I don't care about winning, I want out! I QUIT!"

"Geez, why did it take you this long to say something?" Tattoo asked. He and Bearded Dragon just arrived out of nowhere. Everyone stared at the pig like he had two heads. "What now?" Chloe questioned. It was her turn to be confused. Then it was Tattoo's turn. "Wait a minute," the pig quipped, "Snowball didn't tell you guys?"

Crickets.

"Figures," Tattoo groaned. Sighing heavily, the pig explained, "Okay, look. I don't know why Snowball didn't tell you guys any of this. But you could quit at any time. If you no longer wanted to participate in the game, all you had to do was announce that you quit. Then either we could give you a ride home or you could find another means of transport. Oh, and anything that was considered to be cheating, such as flying, would be revoked so you could technically fly again."

"Boys, follow my lead," Tiberius whispered to Mel and Buddy. Clearing his throat, the red tailed hawk stated wisely, "I too would like to quit."

"NONONONONONONO ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Ozone spat furiously. Marching straight up to Tiberius, the Sphynx cat continued berating his nemesis, "I still have to kill you ya stupid mangy cannibalistic murdering son of a gun pigeon-" Unfazed by the verbal assault against him, Tiberius swiftly silenced Ozone with a slap across the face.

"We also quit!" Mel and Buddy declared after taking note of everything. Then the pair trotted over and smacked Ozone on his head. Trying to keep a chuckle suppressed, Tiberius wheezed, "Good enough boys."

"Ugh! You're telling me we could have quit ages ago?!" Chloe hissed. Also looking disappointed, Derick rumbled, "Tell me about it. I've been chasing you guys all day and we've only caught Snowball, then we lost him again when animal control caught him."

"Enjoy your safe flight back home guys," Tattoo declared as he led the Flushed Pets away. Nitro had to drag Ozone out of the alley. The pets found themselves alone. Huffing, Chloe turned to the boys and muttered, "Well, that's that I guess. Come on birdbrain, you're our ride home." His eyes widening in horror, Tiberius cried, "Wait, I have to carry ALL of you?!" Facewinging, he grumbled, "I should have let the alien kill me."

"Don't worry," Mel piped up reassuringly, "It's gonna be like a magical carpet ride!"