Ryder got to Mr. Porter's, and he saw Rubble with Mr. Porter. " Thanks for the snack, Mr. Porter.", Ryder heard Rubble say. " No Problem.", Mr. Porter replied. Rubble then
spotted Ryder, " Oh, hey Ryder. I was just having a piece of Mr. Porter's delicious pie. Can't become your favorite pup on an empty stomach." Before Ryder could say
anything, Rubble had left. So, he went to talk to Mr. Porter, who was cleaning a table. " Hey, Mr. Porter. Can I ask you something?" " Sure Ryder, what is it?", Mr. Porter
said. " Well, the pups said they're going to fight at town hall to see which one of them is my favorite, but they know I love them the same. Do you know anything about
it?" Ryder asked. " Really? I don't know what that's about. Those pups are supposed to be friends. Maybe its just one of their little games." Mr. Porter said, in a
re-assuring voice. " I don't know. They sounded very serious." Ryder replied. " Well, I don't know how I can help you." Mr. Porter said, sadly. Just then, Mayor Goodway
walked up and saw Ryder. " Ryder, I'm so glad I found you, guess who came to Adventure Bay for a surprise visit." She exclaimed. Behind her, was the Earl of
Barkingburg, the Princess of Barkingburg, and the Royal pup, Sweetie. " Greetings, Ryder." The Princess said. " Wow, this is cool." Ryder responded in surprise. " Indeed,
we decided to pay you, and the pups, a surprise visit. I can't wait to see them." The Earl said, taking away Ryder's smile. " Ryder, you have such a lovely, lovely town."
Sweetie said, dreamily. Ryder had to find the courage to tell the visitors what was going on. " Oh no. What do we do? What do we do?" Mayor Goodway asked, in a
panic. " Oh dear. That sounds serious." The Princess said, in a worried tone. Then, Marshall came up to them. He had his pup pack on. " Oh, hello your highness. What a
surprise. You must've come to see the show.", he paused, then he looked at Sweetie, " Hey Sweetie, when I win, what do you say we go on a celebration dinner, just
you and me?" Sweetie giggled. " Why, yes." She answered, and then Marshall walked toward town hall. Everyone, except Sweetie, stood there in shock. " You're right,
Ryder, something has changed. Well, at least with Marshall." The Earl whispered to Ryder. " I think he likes me." Sweetie said, still motionless. " Wait, that's it. What
if we go into town hall and check up on the pup's past? Maybe that'll give us a clue as to what's going on." Mayor Goodway suggested. " Great idea, Mayor.", Ryder
said, " Lets go." Just then, the town hall bell struck 12 times. It was noon.