[static]
Wy-r!
He's in trouble Ryder!
Zuma, come in! You're breaking up.
[…]
Come in Zuma!
[…]
Skye do you have a visual on him?
[…]
Skye! Do you copy?
...I-I...lost him, Ryder. I can't see anything. The waves are just too big. The wind and rain are making it hard for me to even see past my paws. I'm getting thrown all over the place!
Do you need to land?
Negative Ryder, I can handle this.
Zuma, do you copy?...Come in, Zuma.
[….]
Where are you? Come on buddy….
Earlier that day:
Cool gusts of air swept over the waves in the distant sea, carrying with it to land the smell of brine and uncertainty as it whisked its way over the cliff. Zuma sat, staring at the increasingly choppy waves that were beginning to tear apart the shore as they rolled in, each one seems stronger than the last. Tied off at one of the docks in the distance, The Flounder looked more like a pendulum than a boat, swaying back and forth, narrowly avoiding impact with the dock itself with each rise and fall. The lab's fur swayed softly in the breeze. He closed his eyes, inhaling the fresh, yet ominous, air when all of a sudden, a different scent overpowered the oceans and his tail began wagging uncontrollably.
"Hey Zuma," called Ryder cheerfully, smiling from ear to ear as he strutted closer.
"Wyder! Hey dude, what's up?" replied Zuma with excitement.
Ryder shrugged as he sat down in the grass next to him. "It's starting to pick up out there, huh?" He asked with slight concern in his voice.
A weak smile formed on Zuma's face, "Yeah...can't lie, I sorta have a bad feeling about this one."
"Me too. Capt'n Turbot said the hurricane will probably only be a category 2 now by the time it makes landfall."
"Woah, dude…" There was a brief pause, "Well at least it's weakened some, that's a good sign. You know, three years ago Corwal City was hit with that Cat 4 that came up the coast. They've been rebuilding ever since."
"Actually, Zuma, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about," Ryder said hesitantly while looking over his shoulder to see if anyone else was around. Zuma followed his gaze, noticing Ryder seemed unlike his usual self.
"Is evewthing okay?" Interrupted the pup, inching closer towards Ryder sensing something was definitely off.
Ryder paused as they made eye contact. He sighed, "For now, yes. I already spoke to Skye about this earlier this morning. I just wanted you both to know that if anything should happen, you two will most likely be the ones I need to call out."
"Well, sure Wyder, but what's so secretive about that?" Asked Zuma. Suddenly, a switch turned on in Zuma's mind when he saw the worry taking over on Ryder's face which spoke all the words he needed to hear. "Oh. I see what you're getting at."
"I didn't want to say anything to the other pups because I don't need them to be concerned or worried right now. I need them to focus on getting Adventure Bay ready for this storm that's coming."
"I understand. I won't say anything."
Ryder wrapped his arm around the lab, scratching underneath his chin, "Thanks, Zuma."
"Hey, Wyder?"
"Yeah, buddy?"
"You remember the day I took my oath?" Asked Zuma optimistically.
A reminiscent smiled formed on Ryder's mouth, "Of course I do. I was so proud of you that day."
"I thought I was gonna faint," replied Zuma as they shared a laugh.
"Yeah, you looked like it!"
"I swore to protect Adventure Bay."
"I know you did and -"
"Even if my life depends on it - and that's a pwomise I won't break."
Ryder's smile faded, "I never want to ask any of you pups to risk your life."
"We all know that Wyder, it's just part of the job. It's not even a job. It's what we've chosen to do - as a family - to help those in twouble."
"You're such a good pup, Zuma." Ryder looked at Zuma, finding comfort in the pup who was always beaming with positivity even in times such as these. "You know, I think about the day we met all the time."
"Weally?"
Ryder smirked, "Yeah. You and your cave."
Zuma playfully nudged Ryder's shoulder with his paw, "Dude…low blow."
"Oh please…" rolling his eyes at the overdramatic.
"I need a belly rub now to mend my hurt feelings."
"I'm just kidding," laughed Ryder giving into Zuma's puppy eyes. "You know, you're more than just a member of Paw Patrol to me, Zuma. You truly saved more than just Marshall that day. I know we haven't really talked about it much." Ryder looked down at Zuma, noticing his tail suddenly stopped wagging and he was growing tense. "I still can't find enough words to thank you for doing what you did. If you hadn't agreed to come here, I don't know what I'd be doing. I guess as cliche as it may be, what I'm trying to say is that I don't know what I would do without you."
"Aw, dude," said Zuma, tears threatening to break free. "You gave me a home Wyder. You gave me a family again - one that I would do anything for."
"Also…" began Ryder whose eyes grew narrow on his smug face, "I've never seen Rocky so happy."
Stunned, Zuma could hardly form words, "W-Wait, you know about that?"
"Really? Who doesn't?" Answered Ryder. "I know more than you think, Zuma."
"Oh...yeah...well...ya know..." he stammered as Ryder stood up and brushed the stray grass from his pants.
Ryder knelt down, "It's okay, Zuma. I felt it from the first day you two met each other and honestly, if anyone deserves happiness, it's you."
"Uh, thank you," Zuma said faintly under his breath as Ryder made his way towards the lookout.
"Hey Rocky," Ryder said in a teasing tone, waving along with his brightest smile as he passed him on the lawn. "Bye Rocky."
"Huh?" Rocky asked himself, rubbing his head with confusion until something else quickly caught his attention in the distance. "What was that all about?"
A flirtatious smile formed on Zuma's face, "Well, if it isn't the nosiest pup I know."
"Curious, over-analytical, sarcastic, skeptical - yes. Nosey? Nah," argued Rocky earning a laugh from Zuma.
"Yeah, I'd say that about sums you up," he replied, gently nuzzling his face into Rocky's shoulder. Even after two weeks time, everything still felt so surreal to him. Rocky blushed as he rested his head on top of Zuma's.
"I saw Ryder talking to Skye all weirdly earlier too but she kept avoiding the subject for some reason. Kind of ironic cause that girl loves to talk..."
Zuma let out a small laugh at the accuracy of Rocky's statement. "That's all it was. Just talk. Nothing special."
"Okay, okay, I get it. I'm smart enough to realize when somethings none of my business."
"He knows about us you know," whispered Zuma, as Rocky took his paw into his own.
Rocky's face now had a surprised expression, "What? Is that what that was all about? I figured he knew by now. I mean, we haven't exactly been hiding it."
"No, that wasn't it." Zuma lifted his head to face Rocky. He gently placed his paw over Rocky's heart as his gaze slowly met his bright, amber eyes. "You know I'll always be in there right?"
Rocky's paw held Zuma's firmly against his chest, "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
Zuma took a deep breath. He couldn't help but think of the talk he just had with Ryder as the severity of it all began to sink in. "Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I'll always love you, Wocky. You loved me even when I didn't love myself."
"Look, when I tell you that I love you, Zuma, it's not because I want you to hear it. I want you to feel it and know that it's true." He smiled, "You wonderfully-weird little lab." Rocky grabbed Zuma's paw off his chest, spinning him around before pinning him to the ground. He looked deep into Zuma's eyes which ignited in the sunshine. A silent argument ensued between them over whose love was stronger. Zuma placed his paws on Rocky's burning cheeks, pulling him in gently before pressing his lips tightly against his. Their kiss slow and passionate while their hearts ran wild.
"GET A ROOM!" shouted Marshall through Chase's megaphone atop the slide across the lawn.
Rocky and Zuma's lips smiled against each one another before reluctantly breaking their kiss. "Aren't you supposed to be at Mayor Goodways?" Rocky asked as he tried to steady his weak legs.
Chase cocked his head and raised a questioning eyebrow, "Aren't you?"
"Yeah, well...I had something to take care of," laughed Rocky.
"I see that," replied Marshall with a smirk. "Well then, we see that you're busy so, whenever you're done studying the anatomy of Zuma's mouth over there, do you think you can bring us your truck and some more boards? We kinda ran out when Rubble decided to use some to build a skate ramp for Alex to keep him busy and out of our way."
Rocky rolled his eyes, "Cause everyone needs a skate ramp in a hurricane right?" They all looked at each other and shrugged in agreeance. "Sure, I'll be right there." Rocky turned his attention back to Zuma who seemed to be concentrating on something else. "I guess I have to go."
As Zuma was about to speak Ryder's voice came through on their pup tags, "Zuma? Skye? Can you meet me in the control room?"
"Looks like I do too," smiled Zuma softly.
"I love you."
"Love you more."
Hours went by as if they were only mere minutes that passed. The Paw Patrol and the locals of Adventure Bay who chose to stay behind had been busy preparing their town for the inevitable hurricane that would fully hit landfall by tomorrow morning. Hurricanes and tropical storms weren't anything new to the area but as it was previously listed as a category 4 in the days leading up to now, no one was taking their chances. Windows were being boarded up, sandbags were in place, and everyone tied down whatever else they could. Back at the lookout, Ryder privately briefed Zuma and Skye on what to do in these types of situations, one which he was still inexperienced in himself.
"Thanks pups," Ryder said, petting Skye and Zuma on their heads.
"Don't worry so much, everything will be okay. We always get through it," said Skye reassuringly.
"She's wight."
"I figure all we can do now is expect the worst and hope for the best," shrugged Ryder, taking out his pup pad. "I bet you're all starving by now, huh pups?" Skye and Zuma looked at each other and nodded although deep down their stomachs were in knots.
Chase's voice broke through the silence, "Yes sir, Ryder, sir."
"I never deny food," added Rubble, laughing at himself as the others joined him.
"We know Rubble," added Rocky.
"Okay pups, head back to the lookout."
The inevitable was near and the sun had gone down. Adventure Bay was as ready as it would be. Although the hurricane looked beautiful on the radar, the images were misleading as it angrily spun itself around in an ominous spiral over the ocean. As the outer bands made landfall, the wind was howling - or rather screaming. The rain was falling so thick and heavy that you could hardly see but inches in front of you. The windows rattled and the lookout was being tested, creaking much like the trees were in the distance as they struggled to stay rooted. Their parked pup houses acted as a barrier around the base, collecting limbs as they broke free. The hurricane was showing no signs of quitting but rather it had only just begun.
"Alex!" Shouted Mr. Porter as he finished resecuring his fruit stand. He covered his eyes as the brutal rain pummeled his face, "Alex? Where are you kid?"
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" cried out a voice. The young boy struggled to keep his footing as he ran towards Mr. Porters.
"Alex what were you thinking?! I told you to be back here two hours ago!" Mr. Porter responded angrily after worrying himself to death.
"I know - " Alex began out of breath, "Daring Danny X. Stunt. Ramp. Hurricane. Now!"
"What? What are you trying to say? Calm down, catch your breath."
"Daring Danny X stole that new ramp that Rubble made for me earlier and used it to jump over the sand barriers to ride out to Capt'n Turbot's Island. He said something about it being The Greatest Stunt Ever for his channel."
"What!? That's not great! It's suicide!"
"We have to call the Paw Patrol, Grandpa. What if something bad happens to him? He's out there right now!"
"It's not what if, it's when. That boy is going to kill someone one day if not himself first."
Ryder sat quietly, fidgeting with his phone. Turning his attention from the pups and the glitching episode of Apollo that was playing before getting back to his game. His false trust in people that they would remain safe was soon brought to light when a familiar face popped up.
"Ryder here," he said as his breathing quickened, hoping it was just a quick "hello."
"Ryder, this is the last thing I want to do right now," said Mr. Porter with apprehension.
"What is it, Mr. Porter? Is everything okay?"
"Daring Danny X is on a suicide stunt right now and I don't know who else to call."
"What do you mean?" snapped Ryder, torn between concern and anger.
"Alex said he stole that ramp that Rubble had made to jump over the sandbags and he's riding out to Turbot's Island for that dumb stunt channel of his. I can't get ahold of him or Capt'n Turbot and I can't just ignore it."
"It's okay Mr. Porter, we'll take care of it."
"Ryder, please, be careful. I don't want you going out there. Can't you call in the Coast Guard for this?"
"Doesn't work that way, Sir," replied Ryder. "But, no hurricanes too big, no pup is too small."
"Ryd- " The call disconnected.
Although Ryder's voice exuded confidence, his chest told a different story as his heart pounded with fear for the first time since Marshall's accident. He walked quietly away from the pups. Rocky, Chase, Skye, and Rubble had all fallen asleep with Marshall and Zuma close behind them. Ryder stood quietly in the elevator, alone with his thoughts catching Chase's attention from his slumber. "Sir?" asked Chase groggily to which he got no response.
Ryder glanced around the room at all of his pups before he pulled his pup pad apart. His hands shook violently as his thumb fumbled with the call button. It was his job to be brave but deep down even he knew this was reckless. "P-Paw Patrol…" he froze for a minute, snapping out of it when the elevator door rang as it opened to the control room floor. "To the lookout."
The room was silent as the pups gathered quickly in their respective order in front of Ryder who was trying to hold it all together. "We're going on a mission? Now?" asked Marshall with disbelief. Skye and Zuma looked at one another expressionless while the rest of the pups scanned each other before turning their attention back towards Ryder.
"I'm afraid so Marshall," answered Ryder. "I feared something like this would happen which is exactly why earlier today, I briefed Skye and Zuma for obvious reasons."
"So that's what that was about," concluded Rocky in his thoughts who suddenly felt his stomach drop to the floor. His attention instantly shot towards Zuma who sat quietly facing Ryder with no emotion. "No…," he said hardly louder than a whisper but it was just enough for all to hear.
Ryder wanted nothing more than to comfort Rocky who he could tell was beginning to panic. "Rocky, I don't have a choice." At that moment Rocky had forgotten who they were. Holding back a panic attack, adrenaline pumped and beaten through him threatening to escape through his skin. He knew why Zuma and Skye had been briefed now as this was a life or death rescue for all involved. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to rush to Zuma's side and protect him but he remained where he was. Rocky knew that there would come a day where their strengths would be tested he just wasn't ready to accept that time had come.
"What's the mission, Ryder?" asked Chase, equally concerned for the one he cared about.
"Daring Danny X," replied Ryder as everyone grumbled. "He stole Alex's ramp for his stunt channel thinking it would be a good idea to use it to jump into the ocean and ride out to Turbot's Island."
"This is all my fault," Whimpered Rubble.
"We don't have time to worry about that right now, we need to find Danny before something bad happens if it hasn't already," said Ryder. "Zuma," he continued as Rocky began to feel nauseous. "I need you and your hovercraft to help me search from the sea and dive in if necessary."
Although Zuma portrayed a lack of fear and full confidence, his claws were digging into the floor in angst realizing he had forgotten to breathe as he spoke, "Ready, set, get wet." He glanced towards Rocky before quickly returning his attention to Ryder.
"And Skye, I need you to help us search from the air. We'll need your basket, harness, and Marshall's spinal board just in case."
"Let's take to the Sky," she said without her usual backflip. Her attention was on Chase before looking at Zuma.
"Pups, we can do this just remember what we went over and stay alert. It won't be easy and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous too but we can't let that hinder our judgment. We have to stay together and in constant contact. The rest of you pups will be on standby. Skye's camera will feed back into the lookout just in case something were to happen. Oh, and Marshall?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Stand by for medical attention."
"I'm ready for a Ruff Ruff rescue!"
"All right pups! Paw Patrol is on a Roll!" Shouted Ryder as he ran towards the pole.
"Zuma!" Shouted Rocky before he had a chance to disappear down the slide. Skye quickly nuzzled Chase before going down in front of Zuma. "Zuma…" he continued as he pulled him in tight.
"Wocky, I'll be fine," he whispered into his ear. "I promise I'll come back to you."
"Zuma," called Ryder through his tag "We have to go."
"I love you," said Rocky before kissing Zuma's forehead.
"You say it like it's goodbye," said Zuma. "I'll see you later." Zuma's innocent smile beamed brightly, the very same one that Rocky had fallen in love with the day they met. Without another word, he disappeared out into the brutal storm that's raging on relentlessly outside.
"I'm already worried about them you guys," confessed Marshall.
"What was that Danny X thinking!" Added Chase mockingly at his name. He began pacing back and forth in front of the big screen. Stopping before each round to read the wind meter and radar, he grew more and more heated with anger at such stupidity. Skye's helicopter camera suddenly switched on and all they could do now was watch and wait.
"It'll be okay Chase," encouraged Rubble even though his stomach was in knots with guilt and worry. "Ryder wouldn't let anything happen to them. Skye is an amazing flyer and Zuma's at home in the ocean. Look," he continued, pointing to the screen as the footage showed them that they had already made it off the docks and on the waves which seemed to be cooperating for now considering the weather conditions.
"Not in over 100 mph winds and look at those waves, they're bigger than a house! No one's safe out in that' I don't care who you are!" Chase's voice was cold as he snarled at the young pup. He had to step back and take a deep breath, realizing that voicing his internal concerns wasn't helping anything.
"Rubble's right Chase. They know what they're doing. We're all worried about them but we have to try to calm down and remain focused in case Ryder needs us," replied an equally angry Marshall who wasn't used to being the one having to hold them all together.
"You're right. I'm sorry guys," replied Chase with a weak smile. "Now's not the time."
"I'm more worried about Rocky right now," continued Marshall. "He doesn't look so good." They all turned to face Rocky who was staring blankly at his reflection in the window against the dark, midnight sky.
"Rocky? Are you okay?" Rubble asked softly, sitting next to him.
"They shouldn't be out there," he mumbled back, reminiscing of all the nights he and Zuma had shared underneath the gleaming stars. There were no sapphires, or any stars for that matter, just a wasteland of distant memories as the torrential, moonless sky swallowed their brilliance.
Chase walked closer to comfort his friend who he knew needed it the most. "Rocky we all -"
"Chase there's a difference between a rescue mission and suicide," Rocky snapped as he shoved Chase's paw away, "Which is exactly what this is."
"I care about them too, Rocky, and her," Chase countered, almost angry that Rocky might've thought otherwise.
Rocky glared, "Then why didn't you say anything to stop them?"
"Why didn't you?" Growled Chase, softening his tone when he looked at the defeat on Rocky's face. "You know as well as I do that there was always a chance this day would come, we just never knew when."
"You guys enough!" Shouted Marshall who was trying to listen in on the radio transmissions.
"I'm sorry, Chase," said Rocky still on edge.
"Rocky, don't apologize," began Chase. "I'm sorry too. I feel the same way you do and it makes it worse knowing that there's nothing we can do but taking it out on each other isn't helping."
"Chase..."
Suddenly, Mr. Porter's face interrupted their live footage. His voice harboring panic, "Ryder? Are you there?"
"Mr. Porter, Ryder left about 20 minutes ago," explained the German Shepherd while the man on the other end looked like he had just seen a ghost. "Is everything okay?"
"It's, it's Danny. He never went out on his stunt."
Chase's heart began to pound heavily, "W-What are you trying to say, sir?"
"He never went out there! It was all a misunderstanding. I guess even he has enough sense to know right from wrong. I tried getting ahold of Ryder but I kept getting a busy signal."
"That means...Ryder has no idea they're out there searching and risking their lives for nothing," growled Rocky in anger who had to take himself to the other side of the room.
"Sorry Mr. Porter, I have to try and get ahold of Ryder, bye," replied Chase, hardly able to form words as adrenaline took over. Marshall and Rubble went to Rocky's aid, trying to calm him down the best they could. They were all understandably furious now and felt helpless when they also got a busy signal from Ryder's pup pad. Chase studied the big screen watching for any movement from Ryder that might indicate their call getting through to him.
Marshall tried another option, "Zuma, come in. Can you hear me? Zuma?...Nothing."
"Try Skye's tag," demanded Chase.
"Skye!"
"Go ahead Marshall," she responded all though it was beginning to break up.
"Abort the mission! Danny's safe I can't get ahold of Ryder."
There was a pause, one which the four of them could feel was stemming from anger as well, "10-4."
The tension in the room was starting to ease up and Rocky felt like he could breathe again knowing Zuma was almost back safely in his arms. All of a sudden, at the top of the screen, Chase's stomach sank when a rogue wave came from the side, flipping Zuma's hovercraft. "Get over here quick pups!" Chase shouted from across the room sending panic through the others.
"What's going on?" asked Rubble visibly concerned.
"I-I think...Zuma's...down." Hesitantly, Chase turned his attention towards Rocky whose face turned from angry to terror.
"What? What do you mean? What happened! No…no! No!" A helpless feeling came over Rocky, tensing as tears wallowed in his eyes as he desperately searched the screen for any sign of him. Panicking, his paws fumbled with the controls, searching mercilessly for the volume button. "Someone help me turn this up!" He demanded through a cracking voice.
[Radio static] "Wyder!" Shouted Zuma through his pup tag just before his hovercraft capsized into the unforgiving sea.
"Ryder! Zuma's down and he's in trouble!" Skye shouted with panic, losing sight of him.
"Zuma, are you okay? Come in!" Ryder's heart began to beat faster as he tried navigating through the relentless waves. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zuma's empty hovercraft riding a towering wave that was barreling straight towards him. He quickly pushed the gas and narrowly dodged a head-on collision.
[W...d...]
"Come in Zuma! You're breaking up!"
[…] Nothing but static. Ryder's hands gripped the handlebars with all his strength as the waves threatened to claim him as their next victim. "Skye do you have a visual on Zuma?"
[…]
"Skye! Do you copy?"
"I lost him, Ryder! I can't see anything, the waves are just too big. The wind and rain are making it hard for me to see past my paws and I'm getting thrown all over the place." The strong winds and relentless rain blew her all over the sky.
"Skye, do you need to head back and land?"
"I can handle this Ryder," she replied as she continued desperately searching the waters below.
"Zuma, do you copy? Come in Zuma."
[….]
"Where are you, Zuma? Come on buddy answer me…"
Zuma's body was being thrashed around like a rag doll while the waves crashed overtop of him, sending him underwater as if they owned him. For now, he wasn't worried - he had never been afraid of the water. The closer he swam towards the surface though, the harder it was to remain stabilized - the current was proving to be too strong. "Ruff, scuba!" He commanded before his bone regulator made its way forward to supply him with oxygen. Unexpectedly, the strong current snapped it in half off from his pup pack and his only air supply was now rapidly depleting. "Uh-Oh. Not cool." He thrashed and swam as hard as he could, trying to climb through the water in hopes to find Skye or Ryder. With all the strength he could muster up, he managed to finally break for air, "Help, Wyder!" he shouted into his tag just in time before another wave took him captive again below the surface. Zuma was swimming as hard as he could but the undercurrent was strong and his legs were weakening.
Through the panic consuming his mind, Ryder felt a sudden relief hearing Zuma's voice as it tried to break through indicating that he was at least still alive. "Skye, did you copy that? Can you get a location from his signal? The storms interfering with my locator."
"Negative. There's too much static. My gauges are starting to go crazy too."
"Skye the hurricane is getting stronger, it's not safe anymore. You need to land so I don't lose you in this too!"
[...]
"Skye, do you copy?"
Skye wiped her eyes from the heavy rain that was hitting her face like thousands of tiny knives. Her helicopter was being thrown around like leaves in the wind, trying to keep steady as she struggled against the gale. Beneath her, the sea was creating mountains - unforgiving rage in the form of water. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, regaining composure, "...Negative, I can do this."
"Skye, you need to land!" He demanded with frustration.
"I can't do that Ryder. I made a promise to you earlier and I knew the risks before taking off. I won't give up on him! This is the second time Zuma has risked his life for us, no questions asked and now - it's my turn to do the same for him."
A grateful smile managed to form on Ryder's face, the last emotion he was expecting to feel at a time like this. "I'm so proud of you." Distracted, he failed to realize how strong the waves were becoming with each passing second. "The waves are too big for me down here, I can't control my Jetski much longer. See if you can get close enough to lower your harness and I can search from the air with you."
"10-4, hang on!" Skye did her best to concentrate but the wind was proving too strong. One wrong move and she and her helicopter would meet the ocean floor. "I'm trying."
"Gauge the winds speed and direction. Steady. Concentrate," shouted Ryder watching her struggle as she hovered above him. "On my count Skye, ready?"
"Ready!"
"One - Two - Three."
"Yes!" They shouted in excitement together as she managed to get him on the first try, pulling him into the air.
"I knew you could do it! Jetski on autopilot." As soon as he clasped the harness shut, something caught his attention just as quick as it was to disappear before him. "Hang on a second, Skye, it's Zuma's collar!"
The dark indigo water swirled around Zuma, keeping him from the oxygen at the surface that his burning lungs so desperately needed. The sounds of the thunder crackling above were muffled by the pounding waves that crashed relentlessly with great strength at the surface above him. His legs were growing more tired from struggling. Zuma continued to hold his breath the best that he could. His heart pounded in his chest as fear and panic began to flood his mind. While his head felt like it was going to explode from the pressure, he was determined not to take a breath but his body begged for air. His mouth opened and cold water rushed inside his lungs. "This is it..." he thought to himself as all illusion of survival began to vanish.
Their hearts sank. Without his collar and no way to track his location, Zuma was lost in the vast sea beneath them. "Oh no, this is bad Ryder, really bad!" shouted Skye as fearful tears threatened to fall from her eyes amongst the rain. Suddenly, the waves broke apart just long enough as if they were guiding them straight to Zuma. "RYDER! THERE!" Skye lowered her helicopter against the gale force winds, lowering Ryder to where she saw Zuma thrashing and struggling for an escape from the ocean's grasp.
"Standby Skye and watch for me. I'm diving in."
"Ryder you can't, the fall alone might kill you," shouted Skye although she knew her words would fall on deaf ears.
"Remember what you just said?" Asked Ryder as he reached for the buckle. "It's our turn to save him." Ryder plunged towards the sea in his scuba gear desperately in search for his friend with only Skye's spotlight to guide him.
Drowning was quiet - except for the sound that every cell in his body made as it screamed for oxygen. His legs moved slower and slower, still struggling to reach the surface that was fading further away from his reach.
"It doesn't hurt like I thought it would..." Blackness crept on the edge of Zuma's vision.
"...I'm not scared anymore…" His body swayed in the current, motionless, as it fell towards the bottom of the ocean.
"...It's almost - peaceful - actually..."
His consciousness began to falter. Cold water rushed up his nostrils, burning as it ran down the back of his throat. All sound faded into a harmonic hum as his dizziness subsided and his vision was nearly gone. "Luna...Wyder…" Suddenly, he was smashed against a sea rock. Sharp coral impaling his side. He gasped in sheer agony and more water invaded his lungs. The blood pouring from his side engulfed him with its warmth. Zuma was numb and became still.
"Wocky…I guess...it was goodbye..."
A/N & Review Responses:
Hey guys! Did you think I was gone? I may be slow at uploading sometimes but I'll never leave a story hanging. Promise. I had this whole chapter played out in my head it was just trying to find the time and focus to make sure I got it just the way I envisioned it. I hope you liked it and look forward to the next one, which is almost complete, so it won't be months again between chapters.
As far as the story, I know Ryder is meant to be the fearless leader as well as Chase, but I chose to make them more vulnerable here. We all have fears, especially when it comes to those we love, family or romantically, and I thought by making even the invulnerable, vulnerable that the story more seem more honest and real.
Also, I have some good, or bad, news depending on how you look at it...Like I said the next chapter is almost done and with that, it may or may not be the last chapter. It'll depend on how long it ends up being when I'm finished whether or not I split it and make a chapter 16. All things come to an end. The Water Pup's an origin story about Zuma's history and how he came to be a member and, well, I've told the story so to speak and don't want to drag it on unnecessarily if you know what I mean?
Soooo…..see ya guys next chapter! XO
-Taurus-
WarriorPup28: Thank you so much!
MsWicked99: I'm so glad! I was so worried about screwing it up honestly so I'm so happy you loved it! P.S. I know right ;) haha.
PupPupGo: I was nervous about that one! I kind of wanted the reader to question whether or not it would actually happen this chapter (maybe a little evil) that way at the end when it finally happened, that it would be something exciting for you guys. Thank you for the amazing compliment and the endless support of the story. It means a lot to me!
Matt P: Thank you! I know the typical "friendship" is between Chase and Marshall but I've always viewed Marshall and Rocky to be close also and really like the dynamic of the two. Glad you think it's fun as well!
Guest 1: I tried to build a relatively strong relationship even though they haven't really known each other that long so I'm happy that you said that! Thank you so much!
Guest 2: I apologize for taking so long to get another chapter out. Not sure why, even though I knew how this chapter was going to play out, I just had a hard time focusing long enough to make any progress. Plus, it's a two part so I wanted to finish the second part enough so that it wouldn't take me as long to get it out as this one did.