As with the previous chapter, review responses will be found at the bottom. I think it works better like that.
I'm sorry to say, but this story is reaching an end soon. Maybe another two or three, maybe four chapters left if I push it as far as I can. I've really enjoyed writing it so far, and part of me is going to be glad its done, because it has been a thing at the back of my mind every day saying I should go finish it. It's ended up much longer than I expected it to, it already has a total word count of over 37'000 words which is much more than I was expecting, and I expect it to finish with probably 60k words-ish. Certainly not the longest story on this site, not at all. I believe Paw Patrol Origins is the longest, and that wasn't even finished. (If you haven't, go read that. s/11306476/1/PAW-Patrol-Origins its a fantastic story, a lot grittier than what the characters would usually expect, and I have seen lots of references to it in other stories on here, so it almost feels like a necessity. Plus, it'll fill the gaps between my uploads).
Anyways, I hope I'm uploading fast enough for you guys, but after this chapter, I will probably take a little break to plan the next few chapters, as this is now the end of my current plan. By now, my original plan had Ryder and Chase rescued. (I also had an alternative story that I'll explain in greater detail at the end of this chapter, and I might write that next, sorta as a bonus perhaps? Because it was an initial idea, it's not really fleshed out or ready to become a full story, so there would be a good length of time before that showed up).
Anyways, reviews are at the bottom, along with a suggested sequel? Idk..
Chapter 9: Intercept and Extinguish
15:35pm - 1 Day after crash
Everest and Zuma sat panting after sprinting after Rocky down to the Beach Tower. "Huh, I've never actually seen the tower without the Sea Patroller docked. It looks.. weird", Marshall said, stood at the side of the lifted wooden pier, noticing multiple things underneath that would usually be covered by the large ship. Connectors for power, fuel, some kind of water line? Lots of pipes with closed off ends that he assumed connected to the underside of the ship when docked.
"Over here guys, I've almost got it", Rocky said from a distance, calling the two over. For now Marshall, I've only been able to undock your boat. It's just a bit faster than Chase's, so it's the best option to use to catch up", Rocky said as his pincer arm folded back into his pack and Marshall's fire-boat clicked from it's holder.
"How'd you do that?" Marshall said, impressed at his friends ingenuity. Rocky just shrugged,
"Sometimes, it makes more sense to know how to take things apart than to try and build more", he answered.
"Sorta cryptic Rocky", Everest said,
"I mean, they're only locked in by two bolts.. it's not actually that difficult", Rocky said, gesturing to two holes at the front of the carousel. Marshall jumped into his boat and started it. The powerful engine roaring to life.
"So.. what am I meant to do when I get close enough? It's not like they're just gonna stop for me like I missed the bus", Marshall asked. Honestly, Rocky and Everest weren't sure.
"Just.. you'll probably figure it out. Now go, if they reach the open sea before you, your boat won't be able to handle the waves". Rocky said, urging Marshall to leave. "I'll unlock my boat and Chase's, Everest and I will catch up". Marshall slammed his paw down on the accelerator, speeding off across the sand and flying into the water at a great speed, leaving a trail of dust and ocean spray behind him as he quickly skimmed across the water.
"Why do you need Chase's boat?" Everest asked.
"Well, you need something to drive too.." Rocky said, before taking his tool arm back out from its pack and began to work on the next boat.
The sound of the rain, finally slowing down mixed with the sound of the waves hitting the beach. Both pups sat in silence listening to it, just working on their own thoughts.
"This storms caused too many problems. I wish it would just go away already", Rocky said, breaking the uneasy silence. "If it weren't for this storm, Ryder and Chase would be back by now, and we wouldn't be having to do all this. Something as simple as this has quite literally torn the team apart". Everest watched Rocky speak but didn't respond, listening intently. "I'm meant to be the smart one here, and I never even considered looking at the weather radar before they headed off?" Smack.
Rocky looked up, his cap fell from his head. He rubbed his ear. "What the heck was that for?" He said, teary-eyed.
"Don't you go blaming yourself for this, because it makes literally no sense whatsoever. You don't control the weather. Ryder probably knew about the storm, and yet he went anyways. You didn't make them do it",
"so it's Ryder's fault?" Rocky interjected,
"No! Maybe... sort of?" Everest responded. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm saying no one could have seen this happening. That's why we're all reacting differently. No one was prepared for it to happen, so no one knows what to do. That's why Zuma, Skye and Rubble have basically gone AWOL. Marshall feels incompetent because he doesn't know what to do at the moment either, but no one does, and it's tearing me apart seeing him doubt himself like that, I'm not going to watch another one of my friends do the same".
Rain continued to fall, wind pushing branches and leaves over the smooth surface of wet sand. "Would you have done it?" Everest asked.
"Done what?" Rocky responded, removing another bolt from the rig anchor.
"What Zuma and the others are doing. If you knew what they were doing, would you have joined them?" Rocky thought about his answer for a long time, making Everest somewhat uncomfortable. "Sorry, you don't need to answer it".
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes. I would have done it. Just as Marshall is doing it right now. And how we're doing it too. Zuma doesn't want anyone else to rescue Ryder and Chase because he believes there isn't anyone better suited for this than us. We have all the skills, all the gear, but he lacked the permission. He knew he was going to have to break rules, lots of them. Heck, I don't know if Marshall was lying about consequences. I hope he is, because taking the Sea Patroller and Marshall's badge, disobeying direct orders.. it's probably an expulsion-worthy act.."
"You think Marshall will kick them off the team?"
"No. I know he wouldn't. First of all, it's not in his nature. Marshall cares too much for everyone else to do something like that. Plus, we'd lose literally half of our team, and no one else can do their jobs in the team. Zuma, I mean, sure we're all lifeguard trained, but he saves boats, scuba dives.. no one can do it as well as he can. Skye is probably the best pilot on this half of the planet. She flies pretty much anything like she was born to, and Rubble? What other dog have you seen completely reconstruct a street of houses in less than a month. They are irreplaceable as team members, but even more so as family". Everest watched as Rocky's demeanour softened slightly, his guard settling down. "Skye is like the group's sister, and obviously before you joined, she was the only female member. Not to mention Chase has a really.. Really obvious crush on her. Plus, she's the only voice of reason amongst us. She always steps in when we're about to do something stupid. And Rubble, I mean.. it's Rubble. He's the best person to be around when you need to talk to someone. Despite his age, he can actually give some really mature advice". Everest noticed how happy Rocky looked talking about his friends, or the way he was talking about them, his family. "And Zuma, I mean, he's just brilliant to be around. He's always got something to do when you're bored. He taught me to swim when I was a pup, or at least, a younger pup at least. Plus he's smart, kind, kinda cute.." Everest smirked hearing the last word,
"Cute?"
"Shut up. He's a friend, more of a brother.. I- shut up". Rocky pulled the final boat from Chase's rig. "What about you? Would you do it too?"
"Absolutely".
"You're not even gonna think about it?"
"No".
"Oh, um well ok then".
"Ryder and Chase would do the same for us if it were us in their position, so why wouldn't we?"
Rocky moved to his rig and began to take the bolts out from the anchor. "So.. you and Zuma eh?" Everest asked, looking at the mixed breed who completely stiffened at her question. He was obviously blushing.
"Um.. well what about you and Marshall?" He quickly responded, successfully shifting the focus to her as she too heavily blushed.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on Ev, look at him. Think about it. He chose to have Jake's mountain on his patrol route. Really, it would make more sense having Skye run that route as she could cover more ground. He clearly just wants to spend more time with you". Everest blushed realising it.
"How long until your boat is ready?"
"Oh, it's been ready for a few minutes, I just wanted to get back at you". He said, laughing as his boat rolled out from its lock.
"They work the same as our rigs, more or less. Go easy on the steering, a little goes a long way", Rocky said, before speeding his rig off into the water. He looked back at the beach, seeing Everest reversing into the beach tower. He turned his focus forwards, trying to spot Marshall. In the distance, he could see a fast moving object, too small to make out but it was Marshall for sure, sailing right towards the sea patroller. He could easily make that out, big, red, blue, white, moving very fast too. Rocky pushed his paw down on the accelerator, pushing his boat to its limit. A big spray of water covered him and his rig, followed by intense laughter.
"TRY TO KEEP UP!" Everest yelled back as she sped into the distance in a blue boat. He shook his head, flinging water everywhere, "Ugh", Rocky knew his rig wouldn't be able to catch up to Marshall and Everest. He brought it for a different reason.
"Marshall. It's Rocky, Everest is on her way now, I am too, but a lot slower. I have a plan, but I need you and Everest to distract Zuma, slow the boat down enough for me to get close".
"On it Rocky" Marshall responded.
"Sure thing!" Everest turned off her communicator and sailed in close next to Marshall. "So, what's the plan?"
"Chase's boat functions the same as his pack, more or less. There must be something we can use to slow it down".
"-bark- Grappling hook. A rope launched from Chase's boat and attached itself to the back of the Sea Patroller. Everest slammed her paw into the brakes and reversed, only for the hook to easily detach and retract. "The Sea Patroller is much stronger than any of our rigs, even Rubble's would be overpowered, we aren't gonna do this with brute force. We need to be smart. I know we're faster than the Sea Patroller.. so maybe we could try something... sorta stupid", Marshall explained.
"Stupid? Wait what do y-" Everest asked as Marshall sped off into the distance in front of the Sea Patroller. Everest watched as he floored the brakes and drifted around on the surface of the water to face the oncoming ship.
Marshall sat, staring through the window of the Sea Patroller in the distance, looking right at Zuma, who had a worried expression on his face.
"Marshall! They won't be able to stop in time even if they wanted to! Get out of the way!"
"We don't need them to stop!" Marshall responded, seeing Rocky's ship getting closer, "we just need them to slow down".
"Mawshall!" Zuma's voice boomed across the water, "Mawshall move, we can't stop in time! Get out of the way!" Marshall held fast,
"Rocky, if you're doing something, get on with it!"
"Just a little longer Marshall! I'm almost there!"
"Where!? I can't see you Rocky!" Everest yelled.
"That's the idea!" Rocky responded.
"Please Mawshall! Move! I can't stop it!" Zuma's voice carried worry and terror. He had no idea of what Marshall was doing. "Move!" Marshall didn't. Everest sped forward, sailing right towards Marshall.
"Jump!"
"No! Rocky needs more time!"
"You don't have any more to give. Now jump!" Marshall still didn't move. Everest panicked. She looked to her left and saw the bow of the Sea Patroller only a couple of seconds away. She grabbed Marshall by his collar and dragged him into her boat.
"Everest! No!" She sped out of the way, and turned, seeing Marshall's boat crumple and snap under the immense weight of the Sea Patroller. Splinters of red fibre glass flew out from underneath, with Marshall's fire emblem floating to the surface as the ship passed them by.
"DID YOU WANT THAT TO BE YOU? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" She said, tears dampening her already soaked face.
"Everest, there wasn't another way to slow them down! I was gonna move before it hit me!"
"What kind of a leader would you have been as fish bait?" Everest said, holding him close to her.
"Everest. I-"
"Shut up. Sit down." Marshall did as he was told and sat behind Everest. "You do something like that again.. and it won't be the boat you'll have to worry about", she said with a low growl. Marshall gulped.
"Rocky, that better have been slow enough", he said, changing the subject.
"Sure was, I'm onboard".
"How?" Everest asked. "I couldn't even see you!"
"I wasn't on the surface. My rig goes underwater. Ironic, I know. Of course the pup who hates water gets to be completely submerged in it".
"Ok, but how would you get in underwater?" She asked. Marshall answered.
"The Sub Patroller bay! You got in through the underside of the ship! Rocky, that was genius!"
"The what?"
"Sub Patroller. A submarine housed in the hull of the ship. Rocky got in by going through the launch bay!"
"Cool. But what about us?"
"Rocky said he had a plan. If he has a plan, we just wait for our part".
15:40pm - 1 Day after crash
"By now, they've found a way to follow us. We need to get out of the range of our boats" Skye said.
"We can't go any faster Skye. They won't be able to get onboard if we're moving anyways". Zuma answered.
"Um, guys, this thing's beeping", Rubble said, pointing at a screen in front of him.
"That's the Wadar Wubble. It shows when things are near",
"So this beeping means someone is near?"
"Um... yeah it does, Skye go check it out!"
"On it".
Skye walked out onto the deck, the harsh wind and salty air blasting her in the face, coupled with spray from the ocean and the rain. She walked to the back of the ship and looked behind them. She squinted, and then pulled her goggles down onto her face and zoomed in. She saw a boat, red and yellow, skimming across the waves at great speed towards them. "Zuma, it's Marshall, he's got his boat from the beach tower".
"Like I said, he can't get onboard when we're moving. Don't wowwy". She then looked further back and saw Everest speeding towards them too.
"Everest is coming too. She has Chase's boat".
"What about Wocky?"
"I don't see him. I think he stayed at shore". She walked back into the bridge and sat back down near Rubble. The three of them sat and watched out of the front window at the endless stretch of sea before them.
Rubble watched out of the side of the window, seeing Everest fire a rope at the back of the Sea Patroller. Nothing happened, the rope simply detached and reeled back in. "It's too strong for them to attach too".
"Wubble, we're like the size of a building and our boats are tiny. Of course we're too big. They can't do anything to make us- wait, what's happening?"
"What?" Skye sat up, walking to the front. "Marshall? What's he doing?" All three pups looked out of the window as Marshall sped past the Sea Patroller, before drifting and turning a complete 180 and facing towards them. "He's stopped". Zuma pressed a button on the console and spoke.
"Mawshall. Mawshall, move we can't stop in time!" Skye and Rubble looked at each other, and then at Marshall who sat staring right at them. They all suddenly felt very, very uneasy. Marshall's expression was blank. No emotions shown at all. What was he doing? Zuma turned the engines to reverse in an attempt to slow the ship down, turning the wheel as far as it would go, but the ship still continued to lurch towards the dalmatian. "Get out of the way!" He still did nothing.
Skye ran out of the bridge, her wings extending as she sprinted to the bow. "Please Mawshall! Move! I can't stop it!" Skye dove from the front of the ship, but saw Everest snatch Marshall from his boat and sail out of the way. Skye flew upwards and watched in horror as Marshall's boat crumpled up underneath the bow of the ship, folding like tinfoil under the powerful boat.
Zuma and Rubble yelled in horror, hearing the sound of something hitting the underside of their ship. "Marshall!" Rubble yelled, before the door opened and Skye walked back in.
"He's fine. Everest moved him".
"What on Earth was he thinking?" Rubble asked. "How badly does he want us to stop? He'd throw himself under a boat for it?"
"Mawshall's not that stupid. He knows if he wanted us to stop, he'd move further away and give us time to stop"
"So, what? He did that for what reason then?" Skye asked.
Suddenly, the room fell dark. The ship fell silent. The engines turned off altogether, the controls were blank. "What happened?"
"Hey guys".
3 Minutes Earlier
Rocky quietly stepped out his boat, turning his tag off. He walked around the small room, looking at the panels on the walls, holding various bits of equipment for each of the pups. He looked up and saw the Sub Patroller ready for launch. He knew what he was looking for, and began to search. He opened various panels on the walls and floor, each opening with a sci-fi esque hiss. Most just held supplies; food, water, medicines, bandages. Some had their emblems on. Rocky opened his, inside was all of his gear he'd usually have at the lookout. It had everything inside it, his normal gear, his sea patrol gear, winter gear, even his jungle gear. "Jeez, Ryder really overpacks", he said, closing his panel. Finally, he found the panel he was looking for. He pressed a paw against it, but it simply showed a keypad.
"Dang". Rocky began typing various codes. Each pup's birthday, the opening of the lookout. Ryder's first rescue, their address. Anything he could think of. Then it hit him, the most important numbers to Ryder. A date he'd never forget. So much happened that day, and as bad as it was, if it didn't happen, the paw patrol wouldn't exist the way it did. Rocky entered the day of Ryder's house fire. The day his parents died. The day he and Chase founded the paw patrol.
With a reassuring beep, the panel opened, revealing an array of fuses. Rocky pulled a large lever at the bottom, and the heavy hum of the engine stopped completely. The lights turned off, and red light filled the room in its place. He heard the pups above asking questions in confusion. "Marshall, Everest. I've cut the power. It'll slow down, you get on through the front". Rocky pushed another button on the control panel, and the front of the Sea Patroller opened up. He then headed upstairs.
Once outside, he felt the harsh wind and sea rain spray against him, he squinted his eyes through the storm and headed to the door. He heaved it open manually, without power, it was difficult. His eyes adjusted to the low light on the bridge, and he saw three pups sat discussing things amongst themselves.
"Hey guys".
"Wocky? Did you do this?" Zuma was surprised to see him, and Rocky simply nodded in response. "Look, dude. We didn't have a choice. None of us want to leave Wyder and Chase's wescue to a team of total strangers. We're more than capable. Skye and I knew that Mawshall would disapprove, he wouldn't let us go. And just because you're here doesn't mean you can convince us. We've already broken so many rules, whats the point of stopping now?"
Rocky listened, his face remaining blank. He looked at Rubble.
"What about you? Why are you doing this? Why did you guys get him involved?" Rocky asked, looking a little angry.
"I chose to join them. I found them in your puphouse reading through a book. They said they could save Ryder, I didn't care about anything else.. I.. I just want my family back", Rubble said, tearing up slightly.
"Look, Wocky, if you've come here to convince us, it's not gonna happen dude", Zuma began to turn back towards the control point before stopping at the sound of a new voice.
"We're not here to convince you Zuma. We're not here to convince any of you". He turned around and saw Marshall and Everest stand next to Rocky.
"You! Are you out of your mind? That wasn't stupid, it was deadly!" Skye said, walking over to Marshall. Rocky stopped her. Everest held Rubble back also. Marshall stepped between the two towards Zuma.
"Mawshall, I'm not coming with you. You can't do anything to make me", Zuma said, backing up slightly. "I'm not kidding Mawshall. We're going no matter what". A low growl began to form in his words. "If you're here to fight, I won't hold back", he warned, lowering himself to the ground. Zuma noticed Marshall's unchanged expression. He did just stare down a boat, it's not like a pup half his size was anything intimidating to him, but on the other hand, Zuma felt something he had never expected from Marshall; he was actually scared of him. He hadn't really noticed before, but Marshall was big, perhaps not as big as Chase, but he was tall, and undoubtedly strong. He continued to back away, his growling becoming slowly more intense.
"Zuma, stop, just talk it out". Skye said, only for Rocky to push her back again.
"Mawshall, please, I don't want this". A white paw extended out to Zuma, he bared his teeth, ready to fight back, but instead of it colliding with him, instead of pain, he felt, warm. He opened his eyes only to find that Marshall had pulled him into a hug.
"I'm so sorry Zuma. I've been a terrible leader and a worse friend. You're right. If you told me of your plan, I never would have let it happen. There was too much to risk. Us, Ryder and Chase, Adventure Bay. Who knows what's going to happen when we're away?" Marshall said, still holding Zuma in a hug. Zuma simply sat, stunned, and then, began to cry quietly.
"Mawshall. I bwoke so many rules. I stole your tag, I stole the entire Sea Patwoller! I.." Zuma kept crying, his tears falling onto Marshall's fur. The others watched on from the side, Skye and Rubble both shocked at the outcome, even Everest and Rocky didn't expect this to happen. "Whatever I get, I deserve". Zuma said.
"Nothing. You aren't going to get anything. Well, actually, I'll tell you what you are going to get; your tail back in that seat, and WE are going to get Ryder and Chase". Zuma heard the authority in his voice. "Rocky, go get Robodog from your sub, and turn the power back on".
"Green means go Marshall".
"Rubble, Everest. Monitor that signal. If it changes, I am the first to hear it".
"Yes Marshall!" The two wandered off to various positions around the boat, Rocky headed back outside and into the launch bay.
"Skye, you keep an eye on our map", Skye gave a joke salute and headed over to her position. Zuma began to walk back to the controls, before stopping and turning.
"Mawshall, you're gonna need this", Zuma said, taking Marshall's command tag from his collar and handing it back. "You're in charge again, like it should be". Marshall smiled at Zuma before jumping up onto Ryder's captain chair.
The ship hummed back to life as Rocky pulled the lever back into place. The engines roared loudly under the ship, blasting water back as the Sea Patroller sped fowards through the water. The screens in the bridge turned on one by one, lights blinded the relatively dark room. The Sea Patroller was back alive. "Right pups, we're going to get Ryder and Chase, we're going to bring them back to Adventure Bay. Let's fix this team. Paw Patrol is on a Roll!" With that, Zuma hit the accelerator, pushing the Sea Patroller to its limits. "We're on our way guys".
Oof, that felt a little cliche/cheesy at the end there, but I had to have it in. It just seems to fit perfectly for that moment.
Review Responses:
Chase: Glad to hear it. I genuinely love interacting with you guys. Makes all my work seem like it's worth something. And I'm glad it makes you feel that way, it means I must be doing something right haha :)
So, as I said at the start of the chapter, I did have an alternative version of this story that I was toying with for some time prior to beginning this one. The reason why I didn't use it, is because it meant Ryder and Chase would crash elsewhere, and I'd probably have to introduce some OCs which I am no good at using at all. That, or have them crash into Barkingburg instead and end up stranded. It would be much grittier and darker than this one, and would likely have the rest of the Paw Patrol think Ryder and Chase died in the crash, which, whilst would make for a good story, it is a narrative I have seen a few times. For example, the brilliant story, Terror's Peak, where the pups who were at the Lookout thought the ones who were taken away by the tsunami died, and made statues and stuff, only for a heartwarming reveal at the end. (Trying not to spoil the story for those who haven't read it yet, but I think I just did). Marshall gone Missing is another good example of this. Both do the whole "pups think the others are dead" trope really well and I just don't want to overdo it. Hence why I thought it would be much more interesting seeing Chase and Ryder survive on an island (which will become more hostile over time).
I didn't follow it because of the idea of either having to write OCs or write for the Earl, Sweetie and the Princess of Barkingburg, whilst they are actual characters, you see so little of them, I don't think it would be enough for me to write a story off of.
Alternatively,
I was thinking of just writing a completely different story. I don't know what on yet, but either way, it would take me a long time for either of these choices as I like to have a basic plan of how the story will unfold. (At this point, I have the entire plan for Burning Responsibility laid out in a notepad document). I am moving to Uni in less than a month now, so I'm afraid that is going to take ALL priority over these stories, but I fully intend to have this finished before then anyways.
Happy to hear thoughts and ideas from you guys. You know how much I love reading messages and reviews.
Also, I've wrote 3 chapters over the past few days and uploaded them, and I'm kind of in the mood for a break. Plus I need to work out what direction to take this story now. Expect the next chapter within a week at most.
Until next time,
PupPupGo xx
