Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10 'There's nowhere for him to run to,' shouted Silver. The thunder storm was raging around the cats as they ran towards the stern of the boat in pursuit of the Archduke. 'Don't underestimate him; this guy is one of the greatest ninjas ever, Toto yelled back. 'Then what chance do we have? You've only just graduated and I... well, I'm not even a ninja!' 'We've got to do something. If he gets

away then he'll just come back with another evil plan.' Although Toto relied on her brother for his sight, with the lightning illuminating the sky, she could just about make out the shapes of the seemingly endless line of barges being towed behind the ship. Beyond, the coastline was disappearing fast. 'Where is he?' said Toto. Silver trained his eyes against the rain and whooped, 'he's trying to get to the end of the line of barges- I can see his black cape flapping in the wind!' Toto acted on pure INSTINCT. Effortlessly, she jumped over the rails onto the first barge, then began sprinting over the mounds of cheese after the Archduke.

'Show off,' Silver smiled to himself, and took off in a not-so-high-speed chase after the ninjas. Unfortunately, his first leap landed him straight into a barge full of gooey ricotta.

'Oh blast, it'll take me ages to get out here... but it is rather TASTY...' said Silver as he began to eat himself free. The barges were being tossed about by the waves so violently that Toto and the

Archduke were struggling the stay upright. But Toto was smaller and more agile, and she was gaining on the master ninja. 'Give up, she cried. 'We've captured all your gang, and there's nowhere left to run to- it's hopeless. 'Quite the contrary, my little teacher's pet, I merely have to get rid of you, and the advantage swings in my favour once again, MMMEEEO0OWWWHAHAHA!' That laugh is so annoying, Toto thought to herself, as she stepped up her pursuit.

By now they had reached the second- to-last barge (full to the brim of bouncy mozzarella). The older cat turned and drew his sword. As he did so, the ship slowly began to turn back to shore. 'Catface, you've done it!' Toto whispered gleefully. His success filled her with more confidence for the fight ahead. The cats began to circle each other, as the rain and wind swirled about them. 'It's a pity, my little ninja, that you are so obedient to your master Larry. You would have been a very useful ally in my quest to create a world where cats reign supreme. 'No, replied Toto, 'Silver and I like the world as it is. The humans aren't perfect, (and I believe it's a scientific fact that they