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Chapter Text

Rubble POV:

Adventure Bay

It was a sunny afternoon, in adventure bay. At the lookout, Rubble lay in his pup house. The bulldog was on his back, looking at the ceiling. He was a member of a rescue team of dogs, called the Paw patrol. Rubble stared at a photo that was taped to the ceiling. It was his team. In the centre of the photo, was a boy, named Ryder. Ryder had started the Paw patrol, built all their pup packs, and vehicles, and led them on all their missions.

A German shepherd pup, sat at Ryder’s feet. This was the police dog, Chase. The German shepherd was Ryder’s second in command, and the team’s first member. Resting her head on Chase’s shoulder, was Skye. She flew a helicopter, and was a cockapoo. Skye and Chase were very close, but Rubble didn’t think much of it.

Rubble saw himself in the photo, on the other side of Ryder. Beside himself, was Marshall, the clumsy Dalmatian, who was the fire pup. He was always kind towards Rubble, and often joined him in pranks. Then, there was Rocky, the recycling pup. The mixed breed was very smart, and could fix pretty much anything. Zuma sat with Rocky. The brown lab was Rocky’s best friend, and was the water pup.

Together, they were the Paw Patrol, an unstoppable rescue squad. No one could break them. Rubble was the construction pup. He couldn’t help but feel like he was alone.

Suddenly, he heard a knock behind him. “Rubble,” the voice called, “Come on, everyone’s waiting!” The bulldog turned right side up, to see Rocky, standing outside his pup house. “Rocky, what is it?” Rubble asked. The mixed breed responded, “Come with me, we have something for you”.

Rubble followed his friend, curiously. Rocky led him to the field, outside of the lookout. There, Rubble saw his friends standing by a large banner, which read: Happy Birthday, Rubble! “Happy birthday!”, Marshall yelled, as everyone ran up to him.

Ryder got there first, and petted Rubble’s head. “Hey, Rubble, we thought we’d give you a super party”!” Chase playfully tackled him, and Skye and Zuma came around him. “Guys! Get off!”, Rubble groaned, “Chase, no offence, but you’re really heavy!” The shepherd grinned, and smiled at Skye, asking, “am I?” Skye simply sighed, stifling a laugh.

Rubble gazed at Rocky, once he recovered. Rocky seemed downcast, but shook it off, and walked over to a cake, at the table. Since Rocky was in his green uniform, and pup pack, he barked, “Ruff! Tray!”, and carried the treat covered cake, over to him.

For their rescues, the pups wore coloured uniforms, and pup pack. These were invented by Ryder. The packs were voice activated, and used something that Rocky said was called: Nano-tech, to create whatever too needed. Rubble wasn’t on the same technological par, as Ryder, or Rocky.

The mixed breed laid it in front of Rubble, and barked out a cake cutter. The pups all ate the cake, and soon after, Ryder called the pups over. “Pups, I have an announcement to make. Chase and I have been working on this for a while. We have gotten authorisation to raid Humdinger’s hideout, and bring him to justice!”

Rubble was excited. Mayor Humdinger was the biggest cause of trouble in adventure bay. Ryder had been told that since he was a mayor, you had to go through several precautions to arrest him. The team cheered, as Ryder told them, “we strike tonight. Head to the lookout in 10 minutes for a briefing”. “Yes sir, Ryder, sir!”, Chase called out, instructing the pups, “Rocky, can you clean up from the party?” The mixed breed nodded, and headed off.

Soon, Rubble, Zuma and Rocky were the only pups left. Rubble wondered what it would be like without humdinger. “Rubble,” Rocky said, “Isn’t it a bit odd, how it took this long to arrest Humdinger?” The bulldog shrugged, “What do you mean?” “Well, it’s just weird that after all he did, we had to go Thea legal process, to arrest someone who has committed theft, sabotage, and vandalism. Rank has nothing to do with it. We are adventure bay’s law enforcement. This falls under our jurisdiction!” Rubble paused. This was a good point. He didn’t think much of it. “Guys!”Chase called, “Ryder needs us!”

*****

The three pups ran into the lookout elevator, and came up. As nano-tech put their suits on, Rubble couldn’t shake the thought that something was wrong. The pups jumped out of the elevator, as it reached the command deck. They lined up, before Ryder as Chase announced, “Paw patrol, ready for action, Ryder sir!” As soon as they reached the command deck, they became serious, and ready for duty.

“Thanks, Pups. Now, you all know why we’re here. Our assault on the lair, is to capture humdinger, and lock down his tech. This is all pups on deck. I’ve called in Everest and Tracker to help. They will meet us on the road. Tracker will be with me, and monitor comms.” Everest and Tracker were some of the paw patrol’s other members. They were stationed at the mountains, and Jungle. Ryder clearly was taking no chances of Humdinger escaping.

“I’ve confirmed that Humdinger will be here. Skye will scout from her copter, making sure he doesn’t run. Zuma will patrol coastal waters, to make sure he can’t escape via the sea”, Ryder explained. The boy continued his briefing, “Chase, you lead Everest, and Rocky, to infiltrate the base. You will sneak in through a hole that Rubble will drill. Rocky, once in, you have to hack the system, and shut down all exit. Marshall will stay with me, on the beach, guarding the main door”.

Skye cocked her head, and asked, “Chase’s group could be stopped by Humdinger’s minions. We need countermeasures.” Ryder nodded, and answered, “I’ve upgraded everyone’s pup packs, with extra abilities. Everyone has a grappling hook, a tranquilliser dart, and various tools to help on these special operations.”
This felt strange to Rubble. Usually they rescued people, but now they were hunting criminals. Rubble stood up, and asked, “Ryder, Isn’t the paw patrol supposed to be a RESCUE team?” “When did we become a black ops unit?!”, Rocky criticised. Zuma murmured with Marshall, and Skye looked at Rocky with concern.

Ryder’s face grew slightly irritated. Before he could respond to this, Chase spoke up. “We are adventure bay’s search and rescue team. We are also law enforcement. Solving problems is what we do. If you have a problem, Rocky, then feel free to register a complaint, in private.” The shepherd’s tone indicated that he was rather mad at them questioning Ryder, who seemed to calm down at Chase’s support.

“Since that’s out of the way, Paw Patrol is on a roll!” Ryder called, and the pups slid down the slide of the lookout, and launched into their pup houses that transformed into vehicles. As Rubble rolled out to foggy bottom, he couldn’t help but not trust the direction that the team was going. He shook these thoughts to the back of his mind. He had to focus.

Chapter Text

Rocky POV:

Foggy Bottom:

Rocky had always been a smart pup. Since he was a little pup, he could dismantle and improve complex machinery. The grey mixed breed was born in a junkyard. His mother provided for him and his litter, as best as he could. One day, his mother accidentally ate a bit of a plastic bag and suffocated. His siblings cried, and the junkyard owner arrived to take the pups. Rocky hid and ran off in the night.

Eventually, Ryder found Rocky and was inducted into the young Paw Patrol. His position on the team was the engineer and recycling pup. This was mainly because he wanted to save others from his mother’s fate. From the moment he saw Skye, he found her to be beautiful. The problem was that Chase and Skye had liked each other for a while.

“I’m just an engineer who likes recycling. He’s a bigger and braver cop. Who am I, stacked up against him?” Rocky thought to himself. As the team drove to Foggy Bottom to apprehend Humdinger, he thought about how Chase was the only one who seemed to outright support Ryder. The shepherd had always been very loyal and followed orders without question.

Lately, Rocky had become increasingly concerned with the direction of the paw patrol. In their early days, they were helping the city with jobs. As time flew by, they stopped villains and started stopping Dragons, thieves, and Kidnappers. It was very drastic, and he wondered if they had gone too far. Though something bugged him, he wasn’t sure what.

The pups screeched to a halt as two vehicles stopped in front of them. In them were a chihuahua and a husky. It was Tracker and Everest. “Hola, amigos!”, Tracker greeted his teammates. Ryder motioned for them to fall behind them. After a bit of driving, they arrived at a beach. Zuma launched his hovercraft into the water and swept the perimeter. Skye broke off and headed to the skies above.

Rocky, Chase, and Everest stopped their vehicles by the entrance and positioned them so that they could block anyone going in or out. Tracker and Marshall stopped their vehicles outside the door, and Ryder came up to them.
Rubble moved his vehicle up to the top of the ledge that had the mayor’s lair. Chase led the rest of his team behind them. Rubble circled in on the proper digging spot and drilled into the rock. After a bit of time, the hole was ready. The three pups jumped into the hole, leaving Rubble topside.

Rocky landed with a thud on some sort of data room. “Perfect”, he told his friends, “now I have to hack into the system to download the data. I’ll be a few minutes.” Ever glanced over her shoulder, “Make it quick, Rocky, we don’t have much time.” The pup used his nanotech hands to bypass the firewall, which was relatively easy.

After this, he stuck a jump stick in, and waited for it to download. While this happened, he browsed Humdinger’s files. There was a locked file that he didn’t get immediate access to. “Hm”, he grunted. Everest moved over to him, “What is it, Rocky?” “There’s an incredibly encrypted file. I should download it.”

Chase looked over to him, “No time, humdinger’s minions will be here any moment now!” Before Rocky could try to eject the jump stick, he saw the file name: Paw Patrol Tech. He couldn’t stop now. This could be important, so the pup continued his download.

Suddenly, purring could be heard. Everest shouted, “It’s the kittens!” Humdinger kept a crew of kittens with packs that were very similar to the paw patrol’s, except smaller. All six of the kittens jumped on the surrounding Rocks. Chase barked out his net, which pinned the kitten wearing green to the wall.

As his friends fought the kittens, Rocky snatched up the kitten’s pack and realized it was nearly identical to his own. The mixed breed used one of his gadgets to miniaturize it, into his pup pack. Soon, Rocky finished downloading and told Chase he was ready.

“Everybody, search for Humdinger.” Everest and Chase Rocky looked around, and the. Heard a yell. Chase saw Rocky turning to the outside, “Rocky! Search the caverns! That’s an order!” Ignoring Chase, Rocky ran outside and opened the doors to see the pups looking up at the cliff in horror.

Rubble POV:

As Rubble scanned the area, his friends dove into Humdinger’s base. Suddenly, a figure emerged from another hole. He wore a top hat and a suit. “Humdinger,” Rubble whispered. The bulldog charged after the Mayor, who turned tail and ran, with a yelp. “Stop!”, Rubble called out after the purple-clothed mayor, “I won’t hurt you!”

“You don’t fool me! You’re trying to trick me! He just wants to tie up loose ends!” Rubble frowned. "Who wanted to tie up loose ends? “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please stop. I’m only trying to arrest you.” The mayor scowled as he edged closer to the ledge, “Rubble, you have to believe me! I was tricked into paying for them, and I’ve outlived my usefulness. He’s deceiving all of you! Trust no one.” “Who?” Rubble asked, “who sold you what?”

Suddenly, someone came up behind Rubble and tackled Humdinger. “No! Get away from me!” Humdinger screeched. It was Ryder. The boy pinned down Humdinger, “Out of the way, Rubble!” Rubble backed up a bit, yet didn’t run away. Humdinger shook him off and stumbled back. Ryder locked onto Humdinger and struggled. “Let go!” Ryder yelled as they fought. The two moved closer to the edge. Rubble ran up behind them. Tracker and Marshall watched in shock.

Just then, Rocky darted out of the cavern doors and called to the bulldog, “Stay back, Rubble. That’s Ryder’s fight!” Then, Humdinger reached into a coat pocket and pulled out a small handgun. Ryder saw it and whacked it down. Humdinger lost his footing and fell off the large cliff and landed with a crack! Rubble gasped. The man’s broken body made it apparent that Mayor Humdinger was dead.

Chapter Text

Rocky POV:

Lookout:

No one slept that night. Chase and Ryder were busy with press, and filing a postmortem. Rocky remembered the crack, and how Humdinger’s neck broke. What bothered him even more, was the fact that, Humdinger seemed to be trying to get away. Nothing felt right, and Rocky couldn’t figure out what.

The next morning, Rocky walked out, to see that Zuma was waiting for him. “Hey, dude,” his friend told him, “How’re you doing?” “Okay. Where’s everyone else?”, Rocky responded. Zuma motioned over to the other pups, gathered by a tree. “We’re talking about what happened. Ryder’s busy, so we can talk on our own.” Rocky nodded, pleased at the fact.

As he walked over, he noticed Marshall seemed in a state of shock. Rubble sat by the Dalmatian, comforting him. Skye was by Chase, conversing. “Good,” Chase said, “I want to tell you all what I know. Humdinger attacked Ryder, and lost his footing. We will proceed as usual.” Rocky looked at the second in command in disbelief. He wasn’t going to look further into things? “I don’t know,” Rubble said, “Humdinger said some things that didn’t make sense. He seemed afraid, of someone.” Chase shrugged, “He was probably trying to trick you”.

Rocky moved closer to Chase, “You weren’t even there. I think this deserves a bit more investigation!” Chase grumbled at the mixed breed, “You disobeyed a direct order, from me, and don’t seem very trusting of Ryder. Your loyalty should be investigated.” Chase shoulder checked Rocky, as he brushed past him.
Angry at this, Rocky moved closer, “Like you investigated Digger?!” Chase turned his head, rage in his eyes. “Is Ryder’s boy too scared to question orders? Perhaps Ryder does make mistakes. Mistakes like sending Digger in there alone!” Rocky taunted the shepherd. “Shut up, shut up,” Chase growled, but Rocky didn’t stop. “I guess Ryder always makes the best decisions”, Rocky said with mock sincerity, “I mean, just ask Digger. Oh, I forgot. HE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY”.

“Aaaagggghhhh!!!”Chase Roared as he leapt at his teammate. Rocky was knocked back by the bigger and stronger pup. Rocky whacked Chase with his paw. The others circled around them. Zuma was shouting advice to Rocky, and Marshall was unsuccessfully trying to break up the fight.

Chase pinned Rocky to the ground, and began to smack him. Rocky began to taunt him between punches, saying things like, “Hit me! Come on! Do it! More!” The pups wrestled, as Rocky grabbed Chase’s collar with his teeth. “Traitor!”, the shepherd snarled, trying to break free. Rocky shot back with, “Suck up!” Chase began to choke Rocky, who cracked out, “That all you got, tough pup?”

Suddenly a voice split the noise. “Stop it! Both of you!” It was Skye. Both pups immediately stopped fighting, and stood up, growling at the other. “We are a team! Petty grudges have no place here! Divided we fall. Chase, if you cannot hold your temper, then I may need to replace you until you can control yourself!” Chase nodded, embarrassed at his outburst. The two began to leave, but Skye said, “Rocky!”, and whispered harshly, “You know better than to bring that up!”
The mixed breed nodded, going off to his pup house. There had always been a difference in beliefs between Chase and Rocky, but it had never gone this far. Still, this shook his faith in the integrity of the team. He’d have to hold his tongue, until he was sure he could trust someone. In the meantime, Rocky decided to go to his lab, and look at the cat pack that he had hidden. The mixed breed had told Ryder it was destroyed, and kept it to study.

Rubble POV:
It was strange seeing Rocky and Chase fight. It was three days later, and tensions were still high. There had been fewer rescues than normal, which allowed them more time to think. What was strange was when Rocky mentioned someone called Digger. The name wasn’t familiar. It seemed that everyone was aware of this, “Digger”, except him.

He didn’t see Rocky often, since the mixed breed always wandered off to who knows where. It was afternoon, and Rubble was playing tag with Marshall, and Skye. Then, Rocky walked over. “Hey, guys!”, Rocky called to his friends. The pups stopped, and greeted him. “Hi, Rocky,” Skye said, friendly, but still cautious, because of what happened earlier, “Where have you been?”

The mixed breed thought for a moment, “Oh working on a project. I was hoping Rubble could help me. I could use his expertise.” Rubble was happy to be needed, and told the others, “I’ll be back.” So the two dogs walked down into the nearby forest.

When they reached a large tree, Rocky pulled on a branch, a hole appeared in the tree, and Rocky dove in. Rubble followed. They went down some stairs until they reached a large room. It was filled with computers, paper, and on the table was the green cat pack, which was identical to Rocky’s.

“What is this?”, Rubble asked in awe. The mixed breed smiled, “my lab. I created it, a while back. No one else except Zuma knows.” Rubble looked at his friend, “What do you need me for?” “I need you to tell me what Humdinger told you.” Rubble cocked his head. The words that Humdinger said had confused him, and he didn’t want to dig deeper, but had to. “He was scared of us. He told me that someone was deceiving us. Humdinger said that his usefulness had run out.”
Rocky’s face turned dark. “That’s what I was afraid of. Rubble, have you ever wondered as to why Humdinger’s cats have the same gear as us? Why our villains have pup packs, when only Ryder makes them?” Rubble began to piece together things. “He doesn’t mean that Ryder GAVE them their tech? Or was it stolen?” Rocky walked over to the cat pack. “I analysed the pack, and concluded that it’s functionally, and aesthetically identical to my own, except it’s supposed to be used by cats.” Rubble then questioned, “He must’ve stolen it.” “Not possible. Ryder has impeccable security. If he wanted something locked up, like a failed prototype, he would’ve kept it under lock and key. Even if it was stolen, he would have known, and have gotten it back. He knows how dangerous his tech is. Plus, he puts trackers on his tech, so it wouldn’t be hard. He would’ve told us about missing tech, and there’s more evidence”.

“What if Humdinger saw our tech, and replicated it?”, Rubble asked, trying to avoid the conclusion. Rocky was prepared for that, “That’s what I thought, first. It happens that in the past, Humdinger has been horrible with technology. Every time he has invented something, it backfires, short circuits, or just breaks without much prompting. It makes no sense for him to have reverse engineered or adapted Ryder’s tech. It must’ve been given to him by someone close to us.”

Rocky then activated a large computer screen. It showed pictures of all their villains. “I don’t think this is the case for all our enemies. The Ruff-Ruff pack’s gear was created by Gasket, based on our tech. It’s quite impressive, actually. Moby, built his own tech, but I got coral to search his place, and she found pup pack schematics on his bench. I contacted Arrby, and he told me that he got his gear, from Sid, who stole it for him. Sid got it from some sailor, on a weird boat. Furthermore, Claw, had his pup pack, long before we met him. His doesn’t work well, leading me to believe that it’s an early pup pack design, either given, or stolen. I haven’t talked to him recently, for obvious reasons. Our biggest problem is Sweetie. I need to talk to her. She might be reasonable, and I could get a lot more info.”

Rubble was shocked at the amount of villains that had paw patrol tech. “We need to go to Barkingburg. We can find Sweetie, and maybe claw.”, Rocky said, “I need your help. We need to figure out how they got this tech. For now this is just a theory. We have rough circumstantial evidence at best. We need something solid. For now this is just a theory. If this is true, then it will change everything, but until we know more, we can’t trust anyone. Not even our friends. Do not tell anyone about what told you.” Rubble nodded. This was new territory. He had to be careful. Rocky was more equipped, but the only reason he wanted Rubble was he heard humdinger.

“By the way,” Rubble asked, “Who’s digger”? Rocky froze. “No one important”, he told Rubble. The bulldog knew Rocky was lying. He didn’t peruse the subject. Instead, Rubble headed back up, and headed to his doghouse.

Chapter Text

The next day: Adventure Bay

Rubble POV:

The pups' tags flashed and beeped. Rubble dashed to the lookout, along with his teammates. As they boarded the elevator, he felt scared. The thought of someone being a traitor made Rubble feel uncomfortable. It was like a conspiracy theory that he wished wasn’t true. “What’s Ryder calling us up for? A mission?” he asked Zuma, in the elevator. “Not sure, dude. With how crazy things are getting, no one can expect the normal”, the brown lab responded.

Once up to the main floor, the pups leapt out and saw Ryder with a screen at the top. “Thanks for coming so quickly, pups. We’ve got a problem at the farm. Al is stuck on top of the silo. For this mission, I need… Skye! Your helicopters, I’ll need to keep an eye on him from above.” Skye nodded, instead of her usual backflip. This was odd to Rubble.

Then Ryder said, “Marshall, I need your ladder to reach Al. And I need Chase to put up a net, just in case Marshall’s ladder doesn’t work.” Chase called out, Chase is on the case! Marshall seemed sad at something. Rubble figured it was because Ryder wasn’t confident in his ability to save people. “Any way I can help?”, Zuma asked, hopefully. Ryder shook his head, “Sorry, you aren’t needed for this mission.

As his friends left, Rubble zoned out. Thoughts of a mole in the team scared him. The friends that he had known for years weren’t trustworthy anymore. Suddenly, the lookout was empty, except for Rocky, Rubble, and Zuma. “I’m sorry, Zuma, Rocky said, putting a paw in his friend’s shoulder. The lab shook it off, and replied, “I’m fine.” Rubble could tell this was a lie.

“I just wish I could do more,” Zuma told his friends, “I want to help, but my work is being outsourced. I’m rarely used. When I can help, it’s given to others! I don’t know where my place is, if everybody can do my job”. Rocky responded, “I’m sorry, Zuma. I don’t think everything is perfect either. Do you know anything about our tech being outsourced to others?” Zuma cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

Rubble spoke up, “Rocky and I have been investigating a possible secret in our team. We think someone here is giving villains our tech.” So the two pups explained their theory to Zuma, who listened with awe. “I want to help.”, Zuma concluded. “You sure? We’re not able to trust anyone. We’re taking a risk in telling you,” Rocky told him. Zuma nodded; he understood the risks and wanted to help.

“Guys, Zuma said, I think I have an idea. What if it’s Chase? He didn’t want anybody questioning what’s happening. He also got the permit to attack the base. He’s also been here longer than anyone, so he could be orchestrating everything from the start.” Rubble gasped. He never thought of that and added, “He’s also close to Ryder and could manipulate him into getting pup packs. All we need is proof and a motive.”

Rocky scoffed, “Easy. He wants to create problems so he can be the hero. Chase is the poster boy of the team. He just wants fame, while we go unappreciated.”

“Rocky, I doubt that's the whole story,” Rubble reasoned, “Though it does make sense. Chase is Ryder's right-hand pup. He would know how to get into Ryder’s lab. It’s possible,” Rubble realized how much sense it made. That would explain how sweetie got her gear. Chase was the first to meet her. He could be in league with everyone.“Guys, let’s not jump to conclusions,” Zuma interrupted, “We have zero proof of any of this. We have to talk to a villain in private and get the truth.”

Soon enough the team came back from their mission. Ryder gathered the pups for an announcement. “Everyone. Tomorrow, Everest, Tracker, Arrby, Coral, Liberty, Al, Tuck, Ella, and Rex are joining us for a road trip to Barkingburg. I got us a place there, where we can vacation, after everything crazy is happening.” The pups cheered, but no one as loud as Rubble, Rocky, and Zuma.

Rocky POV:

Inside the paw patroller:

The Paw Patroller was full to the brim with the 15 pups on board. Chase was sitting beside Marshall, while they talked about life, occasionally approaching Everest, Coral, and Skye, who were excited to be able to hang out. Ella, Arrby, and Al hung back with Rocky and Zuma. “I can’t wait to see Barkingburg without having to save it!” Al smiled happily. Arrby nodded, adjusting his pirate attire, “I barely got off for this trip. I promised Sid I’d steal something. I won’t really. I just can’t wait to see Sweetie again.” Rocky smiled at Arrby, who, out of all of them, was closest to Sweetie.

Meanwhile, Liberty and Tracker were discussing recent events with Tuck. Rocky occasionally caught snippets of their conversation. “I don’t know, I think we need evidence. Tracker and I are working on it”, Tuck said, to which Liberty responded, “We’d better get it. I’m tired of being his eyes and ears”.

Rubble was planning with Rex to build a trick ramp for his wheelchair. Rex worked with dinosaurs and was a Saint Bernard. “This could be used to help me get around, Rex said, happy. The pups played and talked about recent events.
After an hour or so, Ryder put on some music, and the pups showed off their dance skills. Rocky marvelled at Skye’s dancing, mixed with backflips. She was always happy, and the only person other than Zuma who really understood Rocky.
His fondest memory was of the three of them being transformed into mer-pups. It was the only time that Rocky ever enjoyed water. Part of the reason he enjoyed it was that Skye was in the water. The mixed breed shook off those thoughts, reminding himself that he wasn’t in her league. She was with Chase, and that’s how it would stay.

“Rocky”, Zuma nudged his friend, “I need to talk to you”. The face on his face was grave. “What?”, Rocky responded, moving them into the back.

“We’re going to Barkingburg. You realize that Chase might have orchestrated this to eliminate Sweetie, so she doesn’t spill anything?”, Zuma asked, “This is what Humdinger said about loose ends! Whoever it is wants to take out villains because we’re close to catching on.”

Rocky’s eyes widened. This made too much sense. They had to get to Sweetie first. Before anyone else could interfere.

Suddenly, Chase came up beside him. “Hey, Chase,” Rocky said, keeping calm, “Hopefully, we don’t have to stop any Sweetie scheme.” Chase scoffed, “Me neither. By the way, you wouldn’t happen to know how Sweetie got her tech? She always hides it. SOMEONE is helping her.”

Chase walked off, but Rocky stopped him. “When did you first see her in the suit?” Chase frowned, “When she trapped me. Why?” “Just curious.” Rocky brushed off. After telling Rubble, the pups continued on their games, while Ryder and his robot invention, Robo-dog, piloted.

Rocky thought of telling Ryder about the situation. He immediately corrected himself. “Even Ryder is a suspect. I’ve told enough people. Rubble out of necessity, and telling Zuma was a risk.”

After a while, the paw patroller stopped outside of a stone building, where a man awaited. As the pups exited the vehicle, they entered the building. It was a large courtyard with sculptures and various decor.

“Settle in, pups”, Ryder instructed, “I’ll check on you in 30 minutes.” Rocky walked over to Zuma and Rubble. “Let’s find Sweetie.” We need her help.” They nodded and snuck off to find Sweetie.

Chapter Text

Rubble POV:

Barkingburg:

The trio successfully evaded detection, as they approached the castle. Rubble padded along, as Rocky led the way. The three pups walked toward the large stone castle. Sweetie was the princess’s pet. “What will we ask her?”Rubble asked Rocky. “I think I’ll convince her that she’s in danger, and she could get pardons, if she helps.

Suddenly, a voice sounded behind them. “Hello, paw patrol.” The pups turned around to see a white pup in a black and pink suit. It was Sweetie. “Hello Sweetie,” Zuma said, cautiously, “We would like to talk.” The pup scoffed, “YOU need MY help? How interesting. What exactly do you require from your future queen?”

Rubble stepped up, “We need to ask you about how you got your gear. We’re taking a big risk talking to you. You’re in danger.” “I can handle myself, you do your thing, and I do my part. The part of Queen,” Sweetie said. “I don’t think you understand. People like you are being eliminated. Your master plan won’t ever come to fruition if you are killed. Come with us, It isn’t safe here. We’ll take you to the mission PAW HQ where we’ll… discuss recent events,” Rocky instructed her.

Sweetie grumbled something and followed the three paw patrol members. Rubble leaned over to Rocky, asking him, “Should we really be taking her to our HQ? We can’t trust her.” The mixed breed furrowed his brow, “No risk, no reward.” Rocky was getting more reckless, but he’d have to trust his friend.

Soon, they came to the dock, under the waters lay a hatch that opened to their secondary HQ. Rocky used a device on his pup pack, to open the hatch. Zuma jumped through it, as well as Rocky, and Sweetie. Then Rubble dove through the hatch. The pups landed on the floor. After a minute of shaking themselves off. Rocky quickly closed the hatch.

Surrounding them were computers. The pups came to their elevator, which applied their mission paw suits, which were black, with their signature colours, with helmets. Once they reached the main level, Rocky went on the computer, analysing all the data. Sweetie began to walk around, and attempted to press a large red button.

Rocky saw her, and quickly barked out a tranquilliser dart, which whizzed into her neck. She collapsed, unconscious. Rubble gasped and turned around. Behind him was one of Chase’s surveillance drones. He was spying on them.

Chapter Text

Rocky POV:

Mission Paw HQ:

“Oh no,” Rocky thought, looking at Chase’s drone. He was spying on them. “Take it down! He’s found us!” The pups scrambled and tossed things at it. “I got it,” Rocky said, using an arm from his pack to chuck his helmet at the drone. It contacted and the drone crashed to the ground. “We have to move”, Rocky told his friends, “It was transmitting live footage. We have to talk to her.”

Rocky grabbed a nearby first aid kit and gave Sweetie a shot of adrenaline to wake her up. Sweetie began to move, and Woozy got to her feet. “Why’d you shoot her?”, Rubble asked. “She was going to press self-destruct. I had no time to tell her to stop.” “You shouldn’t have done that,” Zuma criticized him, “We need her to tell us how she got her tech!” Rocky lowered his head, “Sorry. You’re right.” Sweetie slowly walked over, as Rubble stabilized her. Rocky then remembered what Chase told him.

“Oh no,” Rocky said, “Have you wondered why her suit is similar to ours? She was in her uniform before she saw our Mission Paw uniforms, so she couldn’t have made them. Ryder never saw Sweetie in it, in order to make our uniforms. There’s no other explanation. They had to have come from the same person. Chase couldn’t have made it. He didn’t have the resources or knowledge and was too short on time. So there is only one conclusion.”

Zuma shook his head, “No. It can’t be.” Rocky nodded, “Ryder made her tech. He gave it to her. It makes sense now.” “Why would Ryder do that? Why cause problems?”, Zuma asked.

“I’ve seen our bottom line. We make money from contracts with the government. Think about it. If he wanted to make money from rescues. In the beginning, our rescues were trivial and basic. Now, because of villains making problems, rescues escalate, so he gets more money from rescues and more publicity for it. We’re cogs in an empire. Ryder is keeping the money for himself. Now he’s eliminating loose ends to keep his secret safe.” Zuma’s mouth hung open. Rocky felt stupid for not seeing it earlier.

“Chase may be in on it,” Zuma speculated. “No. He thinks we’re up to something. We can’t trust anyone. I’m happy you and I can trust each other.” Zuma looked around, “Where’s Rubble?”
Rubble POV:

Rubble noticed a door by the computer. The bulldog left his friends. He put his paw to it and hobbled inside with a half-conscious sweetie. Inside were crates and a workbench. On top was a computer. Rubble stumbled and knocked into a filing cabinet. He noticed many things. Cheques and files related to payment for bodyguard services in Barkingburg, as well as several contracts with the government.

Out spilled more files, which Rubble picked up, the one on the top read: Digger. “Who are you?”, he asked the mysterious name. He opened it, and saw a photo of a brown bulldog. It read statistics, but then he saw something stamped on the top edge. “Deceased” Rubble gasped. These were post-mortem reports. Digger was dead. Not only dead, but a member of the PAW Patrol. He was a construction pup. Then something came to mind, “I’m his replacement.”
Rubble wafted through them. A Fire pup named Smokey: Died rescuing a family from a burning building. Aviation pup named Slingshot: Helicopter crashed. Recycling pup named Scrapper: Fell off a hot air balloon while trying to patch it. All marked “Deceased”. Rubble stumbled back, gasping. More and more showed up.

Rubble couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Did everyone know? Why did no one tell him? Rubble read more of Digger's report. It read: “Diggers was a good pup. Reliable and good-hearted, I wish he hadn’t gotten too close to the truth while we fought Claw. He was the last of my original team. Sadly, he discovered that I gave Claw a pup pack prototype, so he had to go. I magnetized the tracks to the metal splints I had implanted in his paws from an injury years ago. Sad. But necessary.”
“Rubble!” Rocky called from the door, “What’s in there?” “WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?!” Rocky and Zuma flinched, as Rubble tossed Digger’s file over to him. Rocky’s face was filled with Rage as he read it. “Ryder got Digger killed!”, Rocky swatted the file aside. “I’m attaching a jump stick to the computer. It should have something.”

Rubble turned to Zuma, “Why?” “Digger was the former construction pup. He died in the line of duty. We silently agreed not to ever talk about him.” Rubble grimaced as he heard a beeping noise. “No”, Rocky called out, “The self-destruct!”

Chapter Text

Rocky POV:

Mission PAW HQ:

“We have to get out of here!”, Rocky told his friends, “In 5 minutes, we’ll be blown to bits!” Rubble slung Sweetie over his back as they ran to the elevator. “We have to get the files!”, Rubble said. “No time. We know the truth. We’ll find another way,” Rocky told him. “Guys,” Zuma said, “we’re not going to be able to get back up!” It was true. The hatch was high up.

Rocky ran to the Mission PAW Patroller, opened the door, hopped into Skye’s vehicle, and carefully flew it over to the elevator as he got in. They rose to the top level and got out. “How’d you learn how to fly?”, Zuma asked him, confused, as Rocky piloted the vehicle directly below the hatch. The mixed breed turned a bit red and quickly replied, “Skye taught me. That’s not important right now. Get on!” Rubble and Zuma got on each side of it. Rocky raised the vehicle a bit and dropped down a harness for Sweetie. It clipped onto her, and Rocky opened the hatch.

Only a minute left on the countdown. They were nearly at the top. Then a bang came from outside the hatch. Rocky jumped a bit, and dropped the remote. It clattered to the ground. “We have to get the remote,” Rocky said, “if the hatch isn’t closed, then the explosion will spread. Half the city could be blown up.” Zuma looked at the countdown, “We can’t get down there in time!”

Suddenly, they heard a clock and a thud on the ground. Sweetie had unclipped her harness. “Get back here!”, Rocky called out to her. “Get out of here!”, Sweetie said, “The world needs the PAW Patrol. It doesn’t need me. I’ll close it. I want to finally do something worth doing. This is it.” Rocky looked down sadly. She was right. 30 seconds left. As Rocky piloted the copter up, Sweetie called out, “Tell Arrby I said hi.” The heavy metal doors closed behind them as the three pups exited the HQ.

Suddenly, an explosion ripped through the water, reaching the copter, which couldn’t get away in time. It crashed into the waves. Rocky panicked. “Water. Wet! Get out! Get out! Get out!” He burst out of the waves and crawled up on a dock, collapsing. He spotted Zuma in the water, who carried Rubble. They got up on the dock and walked back to the house. Heads hung low.

But once they got up to the street, in front of them was Ryder, Chase, Skye, and the rest of the team. “Why are you in uniform?”, Ryder asked, already knowing the answer. Rocky had never seen Ryder so mad. “Just investigating something,” Rocky responded, sheepishly. Chase stepped forward, “Really? I’ve done some investigating of my own. You are under arrest for conspiring with and murdering Sweetie!”

The three pups gasped. “You killed her?!”, Arrby burst out, “You’re walking the plank!” Arrby moved towards the trio, but Skye stopped him. “Hold on! What evidence could you possibly have?”, Zuma asked. Chase used his truck to project his drone’s feed. It showed their entire conversation. “Hello, Sweetie,” the image of Zuma said, cautiously, “We would like to talk.” Sweetie scoffed, “YOU need MY help? How interesting. What exactly do you require from your future queen?” Video Rubble stepped up, “We need to ask you about how you got your gear. We’re taking a big risk talking to you. You’re in danger.” “I can handle myself, you do your thing, and I do my part. The part of Queen,” Sweetie said. “I don’t think you understand. People like you are being eliminated. Your master plan won’t ever come to fruition if you are killed. Come with us, It isn’t safe here. We’ll take you to the mission PAW HQ, where we’ll… discuss recent events,” Rocky said on the video. It cut to Rocky shooting her with a tranquilizer dart, and when the pups destroyed the drone.

Rocky analyzed everyone. Marshall was in shock at what he had seen. Skye looked down, thinking intently, while Everest was by her side, hostile. Tracker’s face remained blank. Coral remained defensive. Tuck was flabbergasted, and Ella was mad. Al snorted, and Liberty’s jaw dropped. “That was a tranquilizer dart!”, Rocky exclaimed. “Then left her as you caused the base to self-destruct!” Chase continued, “You have been helping her, and other villains! You will pay for your crimes.” “Stop putting words into my mouth, Chase”, Rocky snarled.

“Ryder!”, Rubble said, “You’re the one who’s been having pups killed so your secrets can be kept. You gave the villains tech!” Ryder scoffed, “Stop trying to twist the truth, to turn everyone against me. You have enough evidence against you to be charged with life sentences. Or even death. I’d invoke your right to remain silent.”

“They’re our friends! We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Maybe they’re right! I refuse to believe my friends are murderers,” Tracker said defiantly. Ryder turned around, “Who knows, Tracker. Maybe these three had help from the outside? A pup in the chair?” Tracker backed away, understanding what Ryder was implying. As they had their paws cuffed and gear removed, Rocky looked at Skye and asked, “I don’t suppose you have anything to say about this?” The cockapoo turned away.

The three pups were put in the back of the Paw Patroller as the entire team drove back to the lookout. Rocky felt defeated. His curiosity got him and his friends framed for a crime they didn’t commit. They had no allies, no way of getting help.

Chapter Text

Skye POV:

Adventure Bay:

It had been a week since Barkingburg. Skye couldn’t believe what happened. She had never dreamed that Rocky, Zuma, and Rubble would kill sweetie. The evidence against them was overwhelming. Her heart couldn’t help but want to support Rocky. He seemed genuine and truthful. Ryder had been acting differently lately. He was angrier and intense. When Arrby mentioned wanting to go back to Barkingburg to grieve, Ryder immediately shut him down, saying that this is where he needs to be.
Skye wanted to support Chase, but didn’t know what the right thing was. Chase had always liked her, and honestly, she liked him, too. They were thinking of their future when Humdinger died. Rocky had been questioning Ryder’s authority and not obeying orders. He may have become disillusioned with the PAW Patrol and take matters into his own paws.

Skye cleared her head of these thoughts as she flew to a rescue in the morning. Below her were Chase, Tracker, Everest, and Liberty. The extension members were temporarily working with the main team, since they had only half of their members. “Ryder, I see them. I’m going in.” Some people had gotten their car stuck in a tunnel, by a river, which had been shut by a rockslide. Water was rising, so they could drown. The pups screeched to a halt at the rocks. “Skye, and Everest, move the Rocks! Marshall, get Tracker in your truck.”, Ryder ordered.

The pups obeyed. Everest used her snow cat's claw to move some of the boulders. Skye used a harness to move Rocks. It wasn’t going fast enough. The water was rising. From the back of Marshall’s truck, Tracker shot his grapples from his pup pack at the Rocks, and Marshall drove forward. The chihuahua gripped the ladder for a foothold to pull a boulder out. “We could really use Rubble right now!”, Tracker grunted.
The water began to erode the ground underneath the tunnel. Coral and Arrby supported it from the river. The rescue wasn’t going smoothly. Finally, the pups could see the car. Chase took his winch through the hole and attached it to the bumper. Chase leaped out and began to reverse. The car broke through.

Then Skye noticed something. The people weren’t in the car. “I’ve got eyes on them,” Coral called, “I’ll pick them up.” Arrby had the two men climb on his vehicle, and he took them ashore. As the pups drove back to the lookout, Skye noticed that they had never been that sloppy before.

The team felt empty without Rocky, Rubble, and Zuma. Once they arrived at the lookout, Tuck approached Tracker and Liberty, and they went to the lookout. Ella and Rex talked to the others. Ryder, Chase, and Marshall walked to the elevator. Skye joined them.

“Ryder,” She asked, “I don’t think we can operate without the… convicted pups. We need them.” Ryder looked down at her, “We’ll find new pups to fill their roles. It won’t be hard.” “You can’t just replace them! We should investigate more, question them, or something,” Marshall protested. Ryder grimaced, “I’m afraid that isn’t a possibility. I was up all night looking into it. As much as it pains me to say, I’m afraid they’re guilty. The law is clear on the punishment for first-degree murder. Chase, tonight, have them taken out into town to face a firing squad, composed of the team. Use the new weapon packs.” Skye gasped, “You can’t EXECUTE them!” “I can do what I like,” Ryder said, “Anyone who doesn’t comply can join them.”
As Chase and Ryder walked to the top level, Skye and Marshall were left to themselves. “What do we do?” Marshall asked. Skye knew what she had to do, “Marshall, I need you to tell everyone.” The Dalmatian nodded, sadly. “I’m going to Mayor Goodway. Maybe she can stop this”, Skye said, before leaving the elevator.

Skye ran down the street. She wasn’t going to let her friends die. Skye eventually reached the town hall. She burst through the doors and asked, “Where’s Mayor Goodway? I need to talk to her.” A citizen just pointed to her office. Skye walked into the office of a mayor whom they’d helped so many times. She had to be able to do something.

“Oh dear”, Goodway said, once laying eyes upon Skye, “What does Ryder want now? Um, I mean: Why did Ryder send you here”? Skye was confused and said, “Ryder didn’t send me here. Something has gone terribly wrong. I need your-” Before Skye could finish her sentence, Mayor Goodway interrupted, “Of course, Skye, I’d love to help you with preparations.” “I didn’t-”, Skye tried to say before Mayor Goodway urgently whispered, “Quiet”, she motioned to security cameras in her office, and mouthed, ‘He’s listening”.

Mayor Goodway got up from her desk and walked into a closet, and motioned for Skye to come with her, saying, “I think we keep some supplies here”. Once the door was closed, Mayor Goodway spoke, “Skye, what do you want? I’m risking a lot just talking to you. Ryder’s pressuring me a lot”. “That’s why I need your help. Ryder’s going to have Rocky, Rubble and Zuma executed! He’s completely out of control. I need your help to stop him!” Mayor Goodway looked grave and replied, “That’s the problem. Ryder just called me, and told me that he wants to make it public. Everyone has to be there.” Skye burst out, “Aren’t you in charge? Can’t you stop it?”

Mayor Goodway sighed, “It started easy. I was desperate to keep the office. Ryder came and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. So we made a deal. In exchange for unrestricted authority and the title of exclusive law enforcement in Adventure Bay, Ryder would keep the town safe, help me win contests, and keep me in office. As time went on, I lost more authority, and I became more and more indebted to him. I’m just a figurehead now. Before I do anything, it has to be approved by Ryder. He runs the city now”.

Skye sank in despair. She couldn’t even go to Mayor Goodway for help. Skye walked back to the lookout, knowing what she had to do. As she headed for the elevator, Skye noticed Liberty walk into a small corner. She followed the dachshund and listened in on a conversation.

“This is getting out of hand”, Liberty whispered, “He ordered their execution”! Tracker's voice then said, “We can’t act without more intelligence. If Ryder discovers that we know, the entire team could be at risk”. “I know. He’s been controlling me for a while now, I can’t let that happen to anyone else”, Liberty replied. “I can’t even trust my sister. She seems to believe Ryder”, Tuck’s voice said, “Even with my powers, I haven’t been able to find anything substantial on Ryder”.
“I don’t think Marshall wants to do it, but he wants to be there for Chase. We all know someone does. Arrby’s an emotional wreck, Rex seems fairly convinced, but I can’t get a good read on Everest. No one seems to show any signs of resistance”, Tracker sighed, “So what do we do?” Liberty replied, “We might have to go through with it.”

Skye quietly walked away, not wanting to reveal herself to them. It was best that the trio weren’t caught up in her endeavours. Skye went down to the basement and walked to the centre cell, holding one of the three pups. “Skye. I assume we’re to be executed, so we can be silenced,” Rocky said, once he saw her. Skye looked around, seeing that Rubble and Zuma were asleep. “Keep your voice down, I’m not supposed to be here. Yes, you will be with the team with these new pup packs, with weapons. Tonight. I have to ask, what’s your side of the events? I think I can convince the team not to do it”, Skye responded.

So she listened. She was surprised at how much it made sense. Ryder called for their execution so they wouldn’t say what they found. “Now you see why we need your help. Chase is either in league with Ryder or is too loyal,” Rocky said. “I can’t promise anything, but I don’t think everyone will want to do it. Ryder is fully ready to have anyone who defies him executed, too,” Skye said. “Skye, I need you to get into Ryder's hard drives. They should have backups for something.
Skye dashed over to a nearby door. It was locked. She tapped the keypad screen. The words: Enter password: appeared. “Try, 2014E1”, Rocky suggested from his cell. Skye punched it in, and the computer approved it. Inside a cardboard box were several hard drives. Skye grabbed one labeled: Prometheus Protocols. Several files appeared. “Humdinger, Sweetie, Claw, Sid,” Skye read, the files. Then she came across one that said, “Inertius Protocol”.

She opened it, and read the document out loud, “In the event of pups finding my secret, I will give the mighty crystals to someone and have them wreak havoc. The pups will die, and I can start anew.” Skye froze. The crystals originated from a meteor that crashed some time ago. The meteor gave them powers via an energy blast. Later on, Ryder and Rocky channeled their power into crystals, which slightly altered some of their powers. Chase retained his super speed, and Rubble kept his wrecking ball power. Rocky lost his power to create energy tools, but gained magnetism. Zuma could not only control water, but also turn into water. Marshall could create fireballs instead of having fire paws. Skye herself, formerly could create a whirlwind to fly. Now she had super strength and flight. Everyone had a unique power that they could gain by possessing a crystal. The more crystals you had, the more your power was amplified. With all the crystals, you’d be unstoppable.

“We need to stop him,” Rocky said, “You have to tell everyone about Ryder!” Skye hung her head, “Regardless of what you claim he did… THIS is important. However…It isn’t that simple. I have to be careful.” In a quick burst of genius, Skye flew to the ceiling and attached a camera that she found. It would record anything it heard or saw. So Skye went back upstairs, pondering her future.

Chapter Text

Rocky POV:

Town hall:

Rocky, Rubble, and Zuma were in their cells. Skye had left hours ago. It was now evening. “I’m hungry,” Rubble groaned. “We all are. We’re going to be executed,” Zuma said, frustrated, “That’s the least of our problems!” The elevator came down and opened. Ryder stepped out. “You had me for a while, there, but it was pretty obvious”, Ryder smirked.

“We know the truth”, Zuma insisted. Ryder scoffed, “What truth? That I've been selling my tech to villains, to cause problems for us to solve? That I’ve been murdering anyone who I thought would know the truth? That I’ve been selling government contracts and merchandise to live like a king? None of that matters. Besides, the whole world will know that you three have been trying to destroy Adventure Bay and coaching the Villains with new tech and stolen blueprints, just like Digger, and many others. You’ve been pulling all the strings”. “None of that is true”, Rubble insisted. “Oh, trust me, it will be VERY true when you're being executed in front of all of Adventure Bay. Because this is my kingdom. Down here… the truth is what I make it”, Ryder gloated.

Then the elevator came down again, this time containing Chase, Marshall, and Everest. Ryder stood behind them, grinning. They opened the doors to their cells. “You are to be executed for your crimes,” Chase announced. “I hope you can live with yourself, Chase!”, Rocky spat. Chase’s face remained stern. Each pup grabbed a prisoner and led them to the elevator.

As they walked through the doors, they saw the entire team standing outside. Upon seeing Ryder, he then kneeled, as if he were a king. As Skye escorted Rocky to the truck, he whispered in her ear, “Get the camera in the basement.” Skye nodded. The pups were taken into a truck, driven by Al. Arrby sat in the back as a guard, Everest as well. They were escorted to the city hall. The pups followed it in vehicles. Skye stayed behind, under the guise that she had to do something.

Arrby turned to Everest, who sat across from him in the truck, and said, “I just got some news. Sid just died. His ship sank, and I wasn’t there for him.” “I’m so sorry”, Everest comforted him, “It must not be easy for you. I lost my family too. Then Ryder came here, gave me a purpose”.

Rocky looked at Arrby, whose face was mixed with grief and anger. Rocky turned to the dachshund and tried to put his paw on his shoulder. Arrby shook it off and gave Rocky a look of disgust. “Arrby…”, Rocky started to say. Arrby cut him off, “DON'T. Just don’t. Please”, the dachshund said, teary-eyed, “I know exactly what you’re going to say. I don’t care if you’re innocent or not. I just… I don’t know what to think… and… All that matters to me is that my best friends are dead… and I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

Arrby began to cry softly. Rocky couldn’t help but feel sorry for Arrby. “I just wanted to say… Sweetie wanted me to tell you that she was sorry”, Rocky whispered. Arrby turned his head to Rocky and embraced him. Arrby was crying even more now into Rocky’s shoulder. Rocky returned the embrace, “I tried to save her… she ended up saving us”. Arrby gave Rocky a look of understanding and dried his tears. “I never blamed you. I decided the truth for myself a while ago”, Arrby said, “I just wish she were still here”. Rocky mouthed, “Thank you”, to him.

Then, Rocky looked at his three friends, “Guys, if this is the end of the line, I just want to apologize for roping you into this. If I hadn’t been so curious, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” “Don’t be. We passed our discovery to Skye. She can do what we failed to do,” Zuma comforted his best friend. “No matter what, I couldn’t be with better pups, in the end,” Rubble added. This eased the tension of what was about to happen.

Soon they arrived. Skye, Chase, and Everest got out of the front seat and took them to the front of the town hall. A small crowd gathered to watch. The prisoners' cuffs were magnetized to the ground where they stood. Marshall, Tracker, Everest, Arrby, Tuck, Ella, Liberty, and Coral, lined up with their new black pup packs. Rocky’s grey fur bristled nervously.

“Citizens of Adventure Bay!”, Chase called out, with Skye beside him. “Oh great”, Rocky muttered sarcastically, “He’s making it a spectacle!” “These pups have been found guilty of murder, conspiracy, and collaborating with known criminals. Anyone found working with them, will suffer their fate. Now, these pups will be executed,” Chase announced. “Do the prisoners request to be blindfolded?” Rocky, Rubble, and Zuma said nothing, keeping a strong face. “I’ll take that as a no,” Chase continued, “Ready!”

The row of pups barked open their rifles from the pup packs. Rocky inhaled, like it were his last. The mixed breed looked at Skye desperately, for something. Anything. She gave him a sad look. Rocky gave her a final look. “AIM!”

Suddenly, Skye ran between the executioners and her friends, “STOP!” The row of pups lowered their weapons slightly. The audience gasped. “No pup should have to go out this way! I have evidence that they’re not guilty. If this is how pups are rewarded for years of heroic actions, we should all be up there.” “Skye! Don’t do this.”, Chase protested, torn between his friends and orders.

Tracker stepped forward, standing by Skye. “Ryder is making a mistake, and he needs to be called out on it! Being a good pup means doing the right thing, even when the orders given are wrong! I will not murder my friends, and I will not be part of this any longer!”, Tracker said, ejecting his pup pack weapon. “If you want to execute them, you’ll have to shoot both of us,” Skye told him. “Are you prepared to shoot five of your friends?”, Tracker asked the executioners, his words ice cold. The would-be executioners looked at each other. “Make that six pups”, Liberty called out. Liberty ejected her pup pack and stood with the prisoners, preparing to take a bullet for them as well. “No. Seven”, Tuck said, doing the same, seconds later, standing with the mutineers.

Chase looked down, sadly, and said, “Fire”! The pups fired, but did not hit their friends. They intentionally missed. They looked defiantly at Chase. “What happened?”, Chase asked. “We did the right thing. If you want to kill them, you’ll have to get through me”, Marshall called out, ejecting his pup pack and joining Tracker, Tuck, Liberty, and Skye. “Me as well”, Everest nodded, dropping her weapon. One by one, the remaining pups dropped their pup packs, joining the line of pups in front of the prisoners. Rocky couldn’t believe it. Their conscience got the better of them.

Soon enough, Chase was the only pup with a weapon. “We have orders! We have to go through with this!”, The German shepherd yelled, desperately trying to find allies, “We’ll be punished for this! We must punish them for their crimes!” “Good luck finding anyone to do it,” Skye said, “Everest, take off their cuffs.” Chase raised his weapon at them, “Traitors. You’re ALL TRAITORS! I’ll do it myself if I have to!” Tracker shot a grappling cable at Chase’s weapon, tugging it, and causing him to fire into the ground. Skye ran up and jabbed at a spot in his neck, causing Chase to collapse.

The citizens started shouting in anger and began to push towards the pups. Rocky walked over to her and said, “I wanted to do that!” Skye rolled her eyes. She ran to a projector that showed a live video of the execution podium, on a big screen, and tried to put in the video of Ryder taunting the pups in their cell. She looked into it. The screen flashed “Error! Error”! Skye grunted in frustration. Skye turned to her friends, “The video must’ve been corrupted by Ryder. I can’t broadcast it.”
Rocky looked to the crowd, getting increasingly volatile. “We should get moving”, Rocky suggested. Tracker walked up to them. “I heard what Humdinger said that night, so I dug a bit deeper and got Tuck to use his powers to find out more. I contacted Liberty to help find out more. Tuck was shrunken that night. He heard everything that happened with Sweetie”, Tracker told Rocky. He smiled at the chihuahua, but turned to the team. “We have to move fast!”, Rocky told the team, “Ryder is going to use the mighty crystals to create chaos. We have to go to the lookout and confront him!” “We’re with you”, Rubble assured the mixed breed.

Marshall returned the former prisoners' gear to them. “We should get the crystals before him,” Marshall suggested. “Not that easy,” Everest said, “They’re under lock and key.” “True, but I shrink down and hack the system,” Tuck suggested. “In Chase’s absence, Skye is the ranking officer. She’s in charge,” Rocky declared.

Skye inhaled and spoke, “We’ll split into two groups. Rocky will lead a team consisting of Tuck, Rex, Marshall, and Tracker. They will free the mighty meteor, and Al will be waiting outside, with his truck, to take it to the jungle. We’ll have Coral take a fake meteor underwater. I will take Zuma, Rubble, Arrby, Ella, and Liberty to distract Ryder and buy you some time.” The pups nodded, and ran to their vehicles.

Before they left, Rocky pulled Skye aside. “Skye. Thank you for saving my life. You could have just stood aside, but you risked your life for us.” The cockapoo looked into his eyes, “I did what was right. Chase was wrong. He was willing to shoot me. I nearly lost you, and I don’t want that. Please be careful.” Rocky smiled, “I will, if you do.” They shared a passionate embrace. Rocky was happy beyond all reason.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind them. “Ahem”, Zuma grunted, “As much as I’m enjoying this, we need to move.” Rocky and Skye quickly shuffled away from each other and became professional, quickly. It was time to bring the fight to Ryder. As they dashed for their vehicles, Zuma smiled patronizingly at Rocky. “Oh, put a sock in it!” Rocky told his friend, who was making fun of his interaction with Skye. Rocky attached a camera to his hat so he could record what happened next as evidence. The pup drove to the lookout. They didn’t know what was ahead of them, but their hearts were ablaze with courage.

Chapter Text

Rubble POV:

Lookout:

Skye’s team leapt into the elevator. Rubble was squeezed between Liberty and Arrby. Everest and Marshall stood beside Skye, with Ella taking up the rear. The elevator dinged, and the pups went to the top level. Ryder was standing by the screen. It showed a video feed of the own hall. He was watching the entire thing. “Skye,” Ryder asked, “Do you mind telling me why the prisoners are alive?!” He whirled around, pointing at Rubble and Zuma.

Rocky POV:

They had to move fast. Al backed his truck up as Skye’s team got to the elevator. Marshall raised his ladder to the paw symbol, behind which was the meteor. “Tuck!”Rocky called, shrinking onto Rex. Tuck used his powers to shrink onto Rex’s pup pack. The wheelchair bound pup climbed Marshall’s ladder and tossed Tuck into a small gap. “There should be a red wire to pull, " Rocky instructed. A quick pop, and the door opened.

Rubble POV:

The pups spread around the room. slowly surrounding Ryder. “I stopped to think for myself. Ryder, we are arresting you for crimes of first-degree murder and false conviction of the innocent.” The boy just scoffed. “After all I’ve done, this is the thanks I get? When I found you, you were just a runt, lost in the snow! I gave you purpose! I gave you a home! I am repaid, how?! Being betrayed by my friends,” Ryder said. “You betrayed US!” Skye yelled, “You’ve been selling people your tech to create disasters for us to solve. You put lives in danger, including our own, DAILY! And you don’t care. You only care about money. If anyone gets too close to your secret, you stage an accident. Digger trusted you. You killed him.”

Rocky POV:

Rex barked out his claw arm and used it to grab the large meteor. The Saint Bernards put it down on Al’s truck. As Tuck and Rex came down, Rocky took Tracker aside. “What do we do after this? Ryder will hunt us. We have to do something. This is only temporary,” Rocky consulted his friend. “I don’t know,” Tracker responded, “But I know we’ll face it together. As a family.” Rocky smiled, knowing Tracker was right.

Rubble POV:

Ryder simply looked at the pups, barely acknowledging them, “I started this team to combat disasters. Who cares how they start? I’m not just in it for money, I’m in it for the glory. Glory, that I shared with you all! You are nothing without me.” Rubble thought for a moment. Ryder's words struck him like a bolt of lightning. Who was he without the Paw Patrol? Rubble then remembered his friends. He remembered their adventures. The bulldog spoke up, “You’re wrong, Ryder. We’re all something without you. We’re a team. We’re friends. We’re Family. Something you may have created, but are not a part of anymore. You betrayed us, unforgivably! We will stand together, no matter what.”

Rocky POV:

As Al prepared to leave, Tracker’s ears twitched. The chihuahua whispered, “I hear a beeping.” Marshall backed away from the lookout, as Rex and Tuck gathered close to the meteor. “What’s that?”, Tuck wondered aloud. “Must be the crystals,” Rex suggested. “Wait. I don’t think it’s the crystals. The meteor does not glow like that colour,” Rocky speculated.

Rubble POV:

Ryder smiled, “So pathetic”, he reached into his vest and pulled out a plethora of meteor crystals, “You think I don’t know your little plan? I’m afraid that the meteor has no crystals left. Instead, I left them a booming surprise!” Ryder laughed, as his armor flew to him. The crystals attached to the armor, and Ryder glowed with a purple energy. Rubble gasped, “A bomb.” Rubble tried to radio Rocky’s team, but it was jammed. Ryder turned to the computer, “Computer. Active Inertius protocol”.

Rocky POV:

The mixed breed gasped, “Stop! Get away!” The pups looked at him in surprise. Rex froze, and Tuck tried to shrink, but it was too late. The meteor and the lookout exploded in a fiery blaze.

Chapter Text

Rubble POV:

Ruins of the lookout:

Rubble looked around. He was trapped under the piece of metal. The explosion had sent the lookout toppling to the ground. A voice came from outside. Then light flooded the darkness. It was Rocky and Everest. They had managed to move the debris. “Rubble!”, Rocky gasped. “Nice to see you guys. What happened?”, Rubble asked. “It was a trap,” Everest explained, “He set explosives. He has the crystals.”

Rubble looked around. The lookout was in shambles. “Where’s everyone?”, Rubble asked. “Not sure. Probably buried. Or dead,” Rocky grimly answered. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the ground. Rubble looked up. There was a crater where Ryder stood. Rocky, Everest, and Rubble took cover. “It’s over, Ryder! You can’t escape the truth”, Rocky shouted at his former superior. Ryder was amused. “What truth? That I sold gear to lost souls, hoping they’d become problems for us to solve? That I created my company from the blood of former members? That I killed anyone who got close? Took all the profit for myself so I could live like a king?! None of that matters now! Because the truth…IS… WHAT…I… MAKE IT”!!!

Ryder was in the sky. Suited up in armour. The boy had purple energy swirling around him. Ryder slowly descended. He made a thud that shook the pups slightly. “Hello,” Ryder sneered, “Survived just long enough to be snuffed out.” The boy formed a glowing blade from his wrist. The three pups stood their ground, definitely. “We won’t give up.”, Rubble told his former boss, “Today, we stand together! United as one.”

Rocky POV:

Ryder stood in an attacking stance. “I’m taking him," Everest said. “Wait-“, Rocky protested, but the husky launched at him. Ryder easily batted her away. “Help Everest,” Rubble said, “I’ll hold him off”. Rocky ran toward Everest. “Why?”, Rocky asked her. Everest opened her paw to reveal a crystal. Rocky smiled and discreetly grabbed it, putting it on his pup tag. Rocky’s paws glowed green.

The familiar power coursing through his veins. Rocky turned around and magnetized the lookout ruins. He lifted it, revealing the paw patrol. Ryder tumbled to the ground. Skye walked to Rocky’s side, while Marshall carried a limping Tracker. Zuma, Tuck, and Liberty were also relatively fine. Rex, Coral, and Ella, however, were unconscious. “Arrby, Marshall”, Skye told them, “Get them out of here.” “Yes, ma'am”, Arrby said as he began to help up an unconscious Rex. Rocky took a camera from on top of his head and handed it to Arrby. “Get this to a broadcasting station.” Arrby nodded, ready to help.

Arrby POV:

Arrby was running as fast as he could down the road. The dachshund ran downtown, aiming to find the broadcasting tower, to send the evidence against Ryder that Rocky had recorded all across Adventure Bay and beyond. Arrby had to do this. For Sweetie.

It took him a while, but Arrby finally arrived at the radio tower. He ran up the stairs. As Arrby opened the door, he glanced at the controls in the tower. He found some spare cables in a box under a table and managed to connect the camera to the radio with an adaptor. As Arrby began to reformat the file to be broadcast, the pup heard a noise. It was pawsteps. Arrby hastened his work. He was just about to transmit when Chase burst through the door and pounced on him.

“I thought I’d find someone here”, Chase growled, as Arrby tried in vain to free himself from the much larger pup. Arrby spoke in gasps, trying to plead with Chase, “Please…! Chase…! Don’t do this…!” Chase didn’t care. “Whatever you’re doing, I won’t let you do it”, Chase snarled, “I won’t let you hurt Ryder”. Arrby continued trying to reason with the German shepherd, “This isn’t you, Chase! You wouldn’t kill your friends. Do you really think I would be doing this if I wasn’t certain? You’re so caught up in this face that you can’t see three feet in front of you”!

Chase hesitated for a moment. This was all that Arrby needed. He shook himself free from Chase’s grasp and pushed the transmit button. Chase yelled, “NO!!!!” Suddenly, over loudspeakers across the city, words were blasting. “What truth? That I sold gear to lost souls, hoping they’d become problems for us to solve? That I created my company from the blood of former members? That I killed anyone who got close? Took all the profit for myself so I could live like a king?! None of that matters now! Because the truth…IS… WHAT…I… MAKE IT”!!! Chase listened in shock. Arrby stood his ground, definitely against Chase, who spoke, “What did you do”?

The recording played continuously, as Chase seemed to shrink back, in confusion and shock. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no”, Chase mumbled, “This isn’t real… You faked it”! Arrby ran to the outside railing and pointed to what remained of the lookout. “Open your eyes, Chase”, Arrby said, “You’re friends are fighting tooth and claw for their lives, and you’re blind to the evidence! You’re a cop. Look at what we’ve gathered. We have to help them”.

“I… Can’t”, Chase whispered, curling up from the shock and pain of Ryder’s betrayal. “My whole life, I was trying to be the perfect pup. I was a good soldier, always following orders, always loyal”, Chase growled, “Now everything that I struggled so hard to uphold is crashing down. I tried to kill my friends. I don’t know who I am anymore.” Arrby put his paw on Chase’s shoulder, “You’re their friend. It’s up to us to help them. I’m going to give you what you always gave Sweetie: A second chance.” Chase smiled at Arrby and walked towards the door, saying, “Paw Patrol is on a roll”.

Rocky POV:

As the injured were evacuated, Rocky saw Ryder throwing punches at Rubble. Rocky tried to use his power to freeze Ryder’s gauntlet in place. It didn’t work. Ryder used a non-metallic element while building it. Suddenly, a noise sounded across the entire city. “What truth? That I sold gear to lost souls, hoping they’d become problems for us to solve? That I created my company from the blood of former members? That I killed anyone who got close? Took all the profit for myself so I could live like a king?! None of that matters now! Because the truth…IS… WHAT…I… MAKE IT”!!! Ryder turned away from the pups. He was in shock. The noise repeated. “What truth? That I sold gear to lost souls, hoping they’d become problems for us to solve? That I created my company from the blood of former members? That I killed anyone who got close? Took all the profit for myself so I could live like a king?! None of that matters now! Because the truth…IS… WHAT…I… MAKE IT”!!!

Arrby had made it to the broadcast station. Now, a mob was moving towards the lookout. Ryder was in shock as his kingdom came crashing down. “He’s distracted”, Sky said, “Attack!" Rocky threw metal chunks at him. Knocking three crystals free and allowing Rubble to escape. Skye immediately grabbed them, using her newly acquired flight abilities to dodge Ryder’s blasts. She tossed another crystal Zuma. The pups charged at Ryder, with Zuma, drawing from the ocean, to send a tidal wave towards Ryder. The boy used an energy wall to block it. However, it left him open for Skye to attack him from behind. The cockapoo struck his back, and Ryder collapsed.

Then, Everest and Liberty grabbed their own crystals and powered up. Liberty, wrapped around Ryder, with her elastic power, causing the boy to be temporarily immobile. Tuck took this opportunity to shrink into Ryder's suit. Ryder broke free, but pieces of his armour began to fall off or misfire weapons. Ryder sent a shock through his armour, and Tuck fell back out, unconscious. Then Ryder shot an energy bolt at Rocky, knocking him away.

Ryder then grabbed Skye’s crystal, flinging it away. He created a cannon and aimed it at Skye. Rocky created a hammer and hit Ryder with it, who went flying. Rocky ran over to Skye. Rocky lifted her up, and asked, “Are you okay”? Skye nodded. Then a boom came from Ryder. “You think you can tear down everything I built?????!!!!!!”, Ryder yelled, “NEVER!”

Ryder began to use a machine that appeared from his gauntlet, which began to glow and spasm. Rocky gasped. It was some sort of reactor. It glowed and began to float in the sky. “If I can’t stop now, I’ll just start over. I’ll burn this town to the ground, and build up my new world”, Ryder gloated, “No one will ever question me again”. Rocky turned to Skye. “It’s some sort of bomb”, Skye exclaimed, “We have to stop it”.

Rocky looked up in realization. He couldn’t stop the bomb. He could, however, contain it. “Rubble”, Rocky called, “Can you toss me up to Ryder?” Rubble nodded. Rocky knew what he had to do. “If I can get the crystals, my powers might be able to contain the blast. I’ll take it into the ocean”. Rubble looked at him in shock, “That’s suicide! You’ll die…”. Rocky sighed, “I have to do something. He then pulled Skye in, and in the midst of the crackling destruction, he kissed her. Skye just stood there in shock as Rocky pulled away and said, “I love you, Skye. Goodbye.”

He leapt to Rubble and was slingshotted up to Ryder. He caught the boy off guard and ripped the crystals from Ryder’s suit. Rocky then formed a green bubble around the bomb and himself. The pup flew up and dragged the bomb along with him. As Rubble, Skye, Everest, and Zuma looked in shock. Rocky closed his eyes and strained as the reactor became more unstable. He dove into the depths of the ocean and felt calm wash over him as he was engulfed by the very thing he feared the most. Then everything went black.

Skye POV:

A huge explosion threw the pups back. Skye cried out in grief, “ROCKY”!!! She began to cry. Zuma comforted her. The pups began to sob. Behind Skye, Ryder began to raise a laser cannon at Skye. Suddenly, a voice called out, “STOP!”, Chase barreled into Ryder, with the stray blast hitting a tree. “Chase”, Skye whispered. Ryder struggled against Chase and pleaded with him, “Please, Chase. They’re tricking you. Come with me… We’ll rebuild… together”! Chase hesitated, but then replied, “I believed your lies once before. Never again.” Chase held back, put handcuffs on Ryder, and knocked him out. Chase turned to Skye, who refused to look at him. She couldn’t. Not after what he did.