Six Months Earlier...

"Would you just listen to me for once Max?!" Duke barked, a furious tone in his voice. Following the smaller canine around the apartment, the Newfoundland mix berated his brother, "All of our friends are suffering because of your actions! You've made the city almost uninhabitable now to the point where everyone is getting ready to leave."

"Oh please, you're simply exaggerating. No one is leaving the city, not with all these factories supporting them and their families," Max remarked coolly. He didn't even bother looking back at the bigger dog as he continued, "And our friends are fine."

"They're not Max. You don't talk to Chloe or the boys anymore, you've broken Gidget's heart cuz you essentially abandoned her, Snowball is worrying himself sick. I don't even know where Pops is cuz he hasn't paid us a visit in weeks!" Panting heavily, the mutt added, "And I'm starving. Ever since you became famous, all of the attention has been on you and I've been stuck eating scraps!"

"Then go find something to eat. This is New York, there's food everywhere," Max declared. Finally turning around to face Duke, the terrier raised one eyebrow as he questioned, "Now, are you done talking to me?" Meeting his brother's gaze evenly, Duke growled through clenched teeth, "Yes, we're done. Goodbye Max." He turned and walked away with an irritated huff.

Some time later, Duke was still wandering down the once grand streets of New York. Said streets now lay in disarray and looked nothing like what they once were. The large dog didn't even know where he was until he found himself at the gates of the Brooklyn Bridge. Drawing a shaky breath, he forced himself to cross. Unlike Manhattan which was now a dump, Brooklyn was still mostly clean. Perhaps there would be food and shelter.

Yes, Duke was not planning on going back. Not with the kind of treatment he had been receiving the past few months. No, the humans hadn't become abusive towards him and they still gave him attention so he wasn't completely neglected. But Max was always in the spotlight and was clearly the favorite. The mutt had simply faded into the background.

There was a low growl. Duke jumped, fearing he was about to be ambushed. But no attack came. It wasn't until a moment later that Duke realized his stomach was growling. He needed to find food, and fast. Looking around at his surroundings, the Newfoundland mix noticed he was conveniently in front of an abandoned candy store. Tail wagging, he entered the quaint little shop.

Sniffing the air, Duke's mouth watered. He could smell wonderful things in the candy shop, like strawberries and lollipops and caramel apples. Unfortunately, there was also a hint of mold. Duke groaned, he was so hungry but there was a chance nothing was good anymore except for the chocolate. And he couldn't eat chocolate. Turning around, he was about to leave when he spotted some licorice in a jar. They still seemed to be alright minus some weird gold dust on them. Ignoring the dust, Duke happily gobbled up the licorice.

Almost instantly, Duke found himself on a devastated battlefield with blackened earth. The sun was blotted out by huge dark clouds of smoke coming from the many factories. Standing tall was the apartment building but with Max's face plastered outside on a huge billboard. Then a huge shadow with multiple arms rose up somewhere behind Duke. Whirling around, the mutt found what he first thought was a tree but instead it was a hulking piece of twisted licorice looming over him, as if waiting for his command.

His eyes glimmering in awe, Duke snapped out of the trance. He was back in the candy shop. His mind still reeling from the vision he had received, the Newfoundland mix realized what it meant. He had to stop Max, he had to save the city. Glancing over at the remaining sticks of licorice, Duke gently picked them up in his mouth and carried them out of the candy shop. If his vision was correct, then he knew exactly what to do with these.

———

Present Day...

"Hello brother," Duke growled, stepping into the apartment. Needless to say, everyone in the room was shocked to see him. The girls looked like they had seen a ghost and Snowball, who had been dropped onto the floor, seemed confused. Max was shaking like a leaf as he stuttered, "Duke! Oh Duke, it's so good to see you." Stalking forward on stiff legs, the mutt snarled, "Save it Max."

"Duke, whatever you're planning to do, don't do it. It'll just make things worse for everyone," Snowball gasped, rubbing his neck with one paw. Baring his teeth, Duke barked, "No! I'm gonna make things better!" Turning back towards Max as tendrils of licorice rose behind him, the Newfoundland mix sneered, "Now Max, how do you choose to die?"

"Max, run!" Gidget howled. The Pomeranian suddenly launched herself at Duke's face and threw punches. Racing to aid their friend, Chloe and Daisy attacked the large canine's paws with swiping claws and snapping teeth. Max stood where he was, too petrified to move. Scrambling to his feet, Snowball grabbed the terrier and dragged him out of the apartment. Dodging bricks and other building materials as they ran down the fire escape, Max yipped, "Where are you taking me? We have to help them!"

"We are going to help them, we have to find Pops!" Snowball shouted as he continued pulling Max behind him. Making it down to the street, they hopped over a licorice tree root before racing away to find the elderly basset hound. All the while, the city of factories was slowly being consumed by humongous sentient licorice...