Chapter 33

Darkness was all Ryder cold see. Left, right, back, front - all black. It was eerie, it especially didn't help the fact that his hearing sounded muffled, like he was underwater. Ryder hated it. He felt vulnerable. Just like what happened that day.

He shook his head, trying to erase the memory from his mind but it still came. The same scene he remembered, from that day, suddenly appeared in front of him. He watched in both horror and pain his parents being crushed by a fallen support beam in his house while they tried to save him and his pup. Ryder despised that day.

He saw his little self and tiny pup run away from the scene to an empty hill that was attached to the large bridge, isolated from the rest of the town. Before he went to follow the two, Ryder looked back to the burning house and saw the arriving firefighters and policemen. What he also saw was the growing amount of people who had stopped in their tracks and watched the authorities control the situation.

Before he could do anything else, the scene changed. It was when he and his two pups were confronting the boy from earlier. Ryder wanted to call them by their names but, he didn't quite know who they were. He just felt connected with the animals and disgusted with the boy. He watched himself and the two attack the boy and were about to win but… it was different. He watched in a short distance the two pups being overpowered and killed, making his eyes go wide.

CHASE! ZUMA! He tried to shout, but nothing happened - he couldn't even move! He didn't get it, he remembers the name of the pups, but still felt detached. Once Ryder saw the bodies of the two pups drop, crimson liquid coating their fur, he felt anger. Overpowering rage for the two men that did it to them. Especially to the boy that was fighting with his other-self. It didn't make sense! It-It wasn't supposed to happen! He knows that he's the good guy, the pups and him are the heroes! Then why did that happen?

Ryder cried at the sight. The other pups, even though he couldn't hear anything, exclaimed at their fallen friends, he was sure of it. He didn't know them, but he felt responsible for them too. Unfortunately, the people that guarded them were given a silent order, and one by one, they stabbed the pups, killing them instantly. Ryder felt his body drop to the ground and the free-thinking tears continue to fall down his cheeks. How? That wasn't supposed to happen! What he didn't notice that the other boy that looked just like him was in the same position as him and the boy that he was fighting towering over him with a knife. With an evil smirk, the boy immediately jabbed the knife in his shoulder, and, for some reason, Ryder felt the most painful thing in his shoulder.

Ryder snapped his eyes open with a gasp as he clutched his wounded shoulder. He groaned in pain and screwed his eyes shut. 'Ouch,' he thought. 'What happened? Why does my shoulder-' He stopped midthought at the occurring memory that passed through his mind. He opened his eyes that showed pure confusion. Did that really happen? They won? But… how? If what really happened was true then what did his mind play him? Even more dumfounded than ever and eager to get some answers, Ryder carefully sat up and scanned the room, wincing at the sudden movement.

He was alone in a white room. If Ryder had to take a guess, it was the Lookout infirmary. He could recognize the decor anywhere plus what surprised him was that he could actually remember it. In all honesty, he rarely entered the room much less even remembering he had a room he was in. Nonetheless, he swung his legs to the side and stood up, but wobbled a little by the sudden rush. When he was steady, he walked out but stopped at the mirror that was in there. He looked so bad he snorted to himself. He was pale, bags under his eyes, and shirtless with a very obvious bandage near his shoulder, making him frown a little. 'First things first, I need a shirt' he thought humorlessly. He walked over to a drawer that was in the corner and pulled out a short-T, very different from his usual long but it was the best he had in the room. Smiling at the now covered area, the boy left the room. His main mission; find anyone that might enlighten him on the events that occurred when he was awake. He started moving a little slower, his footsteps light, when he heard faint voices coming from the living room.

"...it doesn't matter…," a voice said, causing Ryder to stop completely, he was both curious and nervous.

"What do you mean? We have to do something-!" Another voice rose his voice.

"Shh! Not so loud…," another voice scolded in a quieter voice. "We can't be like that remember?"

"Sorry."

"Like I said, we make no further actions until Ryder is back up and running. Plus, we can't tell him yet, he's stressed out as it is, same goes with Zuma and Chase," the first voice decided. Ryder could make out that it was Marshall that spoke.

"But why? Don't you think it will make matters worse if we won't tell them?" A fourth voice questioned. Ryder thinks it was Rocky.

"We will tell them, but not now. We still have to take care of what happened to Danny and his minions," Skye answered. "We have to prepare for a meeting at the town hall to explain what happened."

"...Do you think Mayor Goodway will even care what happened to Ryder?" Rubble whispered, making Ryder lean closer and strain his ears to even hear it, but when he did he was confused. The pup was answered for a while, concerning the boy.

"...I don't know," Marshall finally admitted. "But it doesn't matter, she was mean to us and him so I honestly don't care if she does."

Ryder literally had to hold himself back from turning the corner and demanding answers as to why it was but he didn't. 'What do they mean that Goodway was mean to them? What did I miss?' he thought in concern. Shaking his head, he put on a fake smile and turned the corner. Immediately, the four pups in the room heard him and looked over, grins appearing on their faces when the four ran up to him and tackled him to the ground.

"Ryder!" They exclaimed simultaneously, licking his face. The boy giggled at the greeting.

"Hey pups, how have you been?" He grinned back when the pups pulled away and sat there in a circle.

"Good, but we should be asking you that question," Marshall laughed.

"Yeah, are you okay?" Rubbled whimpered, bringing down the mood. This caused Ryder to let out a long sigh.

"Um… well, honestly, it still hurts and it's mostly sore but I'm going to live. Plus, I don't have to worry about me right now," he said, confusing the pups. His expression turned serious. "What's bothering you pups? And don't lie to me."

The pups squirmed under his stare. The boy sighed again and softened his expression. "Pups. Please, I won't get any better if you keep me out of this. I'm here to help, you all know that right?"

They nodded solemnly and lowered their heads. Marshall cleared his throat. "Um… it's about Mayor Goodway."

"What about her?"

"She, um, she was being really mean to us after she slapped you," he admitted, eyes downcast. Ryder furrowed his eyebrows, going unnoticed by the pups. "At first, we were being a little, um, angry after what she did so she did the same to us. The mayor started getting the way of our missions, interfering them I mean, and bragging about how she could take over the Paw Patrol and lead better than you could. Even when we disagreed, we never acted violently to her. She, on the other hand, did. One time, Skye and I had to rescue her from the bridge, and we managed to safely rescue her, but she didn't thank us. When Skye wanted to ask if she was okay, the mayor… Mayor Goodway pushed Skye to the ground. We know it wasn't accidental, especially how she looked and did it."

Ryder wore a blank face but his blood was boiling.

"She didn't stop there, even before she was insulting us and you," he continued, a few tears escaping his eyes. "I'm sorry Ryder, I should have done something but… I didn't know what to do. I hope you're not mad."

"Pups, listen, you shouldn't be sorry, at all. Goodway is supposed to be sorry for doing those things since that issue only concerned her and I, not you pups," he spoke, petting the dalmatian's head and looked at all of them. "I'm not mad either.. Well, not at you. But I am a little upset. I'm upset by not only what she did but how it happened. You pups shouldn't have been so rude to her in the first place by what she did. You can't act on anger… Do you want to know what I learned in Foggy Bottom?"

They looked at him in interest.

"I've learned that you shouldn't be angry at those who can't or won't change. Not to let your senses of good intentions be clouded by what you really see, as anger doesn't solve anything, build anything, but it does destroy everything," he wisely told. "I'm upset by what happened and how it escalated, but I am also proud - I'm proud of you all. Even when she was throwing you down, you still stood back up and continued your duty to save the people of Adventure Bay and especially yourselves. That's what a true hero does."

"What do we do now?" Skye questioned. The boy stood up from his position and put his hands on his hips.

"Where are Chase and Zuma?" He asked.

"They're at Katie's," Rocky answered. "They know about what happened, including Katie and Jake."

"Okay. How long have I been out?"

"Two days so Danny and the other guys were taken away already," Marshall enlightened.

"I'll head over there then head to the town hall, I have to have a little chat with the mayor," Ryder sighed. "You can stay here or come with me but I'm going to the mayor alone."

"We'll come," Rubbled nodded. The group exited the Lookout and went to their vehicles. Ryder, instead, had to hitch a ride from Marhsall since his PMV was taken in by the authorities (since he gave it to them for the help that they needed) and hos ATV was gone. When he asked about it, the pups laughed at him but didn't answer, making his anxiety grow. No one touches his precious ATV. Soon enough, they reached the pet parlor, where the missing vehicle was parked in its driveway. Ryder and the pups hopped off and entered the building but only the boy was thrown to the ground by two wet fur balls and licks coating his face, making him laugh and trying not to groan by the added pressure on his shoulder.

"I'm glad you're okay!" Chase exclaimed, stepping off.

"We had been so wowwied," Zuma nodded in agreement, their tails wagging profusely. Ryder pet them and stood back up.

"Well, I'm glad I'm back and seeing two okay," he smiled, 'and not dead' his mind added subconsciously, making him shudder at the dream he had. The pups frowned at this.

"Are you okay, Ryder sir?" The german shepherd asked, his expression mixed between seriousness and concern.

"Yeah, I'm great," he nodded. A familiar girl and young man walked in from the back door and they both grinned when they saw the boy. Walking up, the three hugged and pulled away. Before they could say anything, the ten-year-old tech boy beat them to it. "Before you ask, I'm okay and feel great, or as great you would feel when you were stabbed."

They rolled their eyes in amusement.

"But, I have a question for you, actually a few but this one is my top priority," he continued, crossing his arms. "Which one of you two took my ATV?"

The pups and Jake all stared at the girl, who sheepishly grinned. Ryder narrowed his eyes. "What? It was the first time around so I just decided to use it. The pups let me," she defended.

"You-she- you-," he sputtered, looking incredulously at the pups and girl. "Okay, you know what? I don't have time for this. I have to go to the town hall, stay here."

"Wait, we'll go with you," Jake spoke up. "We know what happened to the pups, it will be better if we come along-"

"I appreciate it, but I need to ask Mayor Goodway a lot more things than that," the boy shot down. With a final goodbye, he left the parlor and walked over to the building. He didn't see the woman anywhere in her garden so he entered the town hall and walked to her office. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see her typing away at her computer. He didn't really think she actually did her job. The Mayor looked at him when he entered, keeping up a blank look.

"Ryder," was all she said. Nonetheless, he sat down at the chair across from her and leaned back. It was silent for a while, the tension in the air was indescribable.

"I know what you did to my pups when I was gone," Ryder began, his face blank but his voice filled with a tone she couldn't pin-point. "I know what you said to them. I know how you treated them. I know you interfered with their missions. I especially know how you pushed my pup and I do not approve of that behavior."

"You should know Ryder that I am the Mayor, more than that, I'm an adult. You and your pups shouldn't have been treating me the way that you've had," she sternly spoke, moving from her computer and fully focusing on the child in front of her. "Know your place, Ryder. You are the cause and reason as to why they were treated that way. You set them to that fate. In fact, since you obviously failed to show them discipline, I took matters in my own hands."

"Are you serious Mayor? They're just pups! More than that, you have no right to be acting the way you were to them, especially when you are the mayor," he raised his voice and straightened himself. "That situation that happened a few weeks before was only between you and me, so you shouldn't have dragged them into it."

She rolled her eyes, obviously not bothered by that which ticked him off more.

"Mayor, although I am very displeased by what you did, I have more questions to ask you," he continued in a more polite matter. "Two days ago, Danny had left a note about what happened a few years ago, about the fire that occurred at my home when I was younger. Not only did I learn that the fire was intentional and caused by Danny's father but I also know that you had some part of it. So, would you care to enlighten me?"

"Um, I don't know what you are talking about," she lied, it is clear by how much more nervous she became. Having enough of being nice, Ryder abruptly stood up and slammed his hands on the table.

"Mayor Goodway, if you want to continue your term as being mayor, I suggest you start telling the truth," he warned, glaring at the woman who shrunk back. When she sighed, he slowly got back to his seat.

"It-It was a mistake at the time," she began. "I had been going through a tuff time being the new mayor of Adventure Bay and didn't know how to run it. Your parents, they both helped me when no one else did. We were friends, close friends, so we shared our problems with each other and tried to help one another. At one point, your mother, she told me that they were helping a man, she didn't say who, in Foggy Bottom. They were helping them building systems for their drug trade but the only reason why they were helping was to protect Adventure Bay from any robbery. I was so thankful. But then, when you were born and started taking up their time more, the man started asking for them. He was pretty upset when they didn't want to help them anymore. The man, he came to me one day in my office. He offered me a deal. He said that he could keep Adventure Bay safe and keep my precious Chickeletta alive if he was allowed to do one thing first. Not knowing any better, I agreed. A few days later, nothing happened until the fire at your home occurred. He met with me after and said that Adventure Bay will never suffer under his wrath as long as he was around."

Ryder, not being able to control his emotions, launched himself at the woman, sending them both to the ground. "YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! YOU ARE THE WORST MAYOR!" He roared, starting to choke the lady without realizing it. "You did nothing to help! Not today or that day! You made me live my life alone! You took my family away! And for what reason? To help a town that barely had had any crime in the first place and to save a STUPID CHICKEN!"

"Let. Me. Go!" She strained. Using her strength, she threw the boy off to the wall. Ryder yelped at the action and groaned when his head hit the wall. His pain only increased when he felt immense pressure on his knife wound. Opening his eyes, he saw Goodway grabbing his shoulder and squeezing it right on the wound. "You have no right to do that to me, Ryder. This was your last chance. By the power that I hold, I have control over the Paw Patrol. So, by my new orders, I hereby discharge you from your position from the Paw Patrol. You are no longer the leader and owner of that group and building that has now fallen under my name. You are also banished from Adventure Bay, if I ever see you here again you will be arrested on sight."

Ryder's eyes widened more as she said this. He now realized what he has done and how much he had messed up. When he heard that he was discharged and expelled from both Adventure Bay and the Paw Patrol, his eyes started to water and a few tears escaped. By then, the mayor let the boy go and watched him on the ground. "P-Please, I have nowhere to go. The Lookout, the Paw Patrol, is my only home," he whimpered. "I-I-I'm sorry."

"You should have thought about that before you came in here," she glared, returning to her desk and started typing away. "You leave tomorrow morning. That should give you enough time to say your goodbyes."

"What about my pups?" He questioned quietly, getting up from the floor.

"They stay here. Their adoption papers also are with me," she answered. Ryder, getting a final spike of anger, glared at the mayor.

"Go to hell," he sneered, throwing the mayor a little off guard. With that, he stomped out of the building. Not knowing where to go, Ryder walked to the park and sat down on a bench. Not even a minute since he sat, his head fell on top of his hands that were propped on his knees and cried.

He cried in the cold. He wept loudly. He sobbed alone.

At least, he thought he was alone until he felt a tap on his shoulder. Stopping his tears, the boy snapped his head up to see a boy and his grandfather looking at him with concern. He sighed, wiped his tears away, and forced a smile. "Yes?" His voice broke.

"Ryder, are you okay?" Alex asked, his eyes searching past the facade.

"Yeah, I'm… uh, fine," he whispered with a nod. "No need to worry."

"Hey, Alex, why don't you go play?" Mr. Porter suggested, sitting beside the former team leader. When the boy nodded in hesitation and left, the older man looked at the boy next to him seriously, who was staring off into space. "What's the real problem Ryder?"

"...There's no problem," he tonelessly answered, eyes unfocused but tears still managed to blur his vision. Mr. Porter, obviously not believing it, raised his eyebrow. Ryder saw it from the corner of his eye, making him sigh and look down. "I… was just fired from my job at the Paw Patrol and exiled out of Adventure Bay."

The man widened his eyes as he gasped. "What? How? Why?"

"Mayor Goodway had been acting unprofessional and abusive to my pups so I confronted her about it. While I was there I, um, learned some things that happened in the past," he squeaked, trying hard not to start crying again.

"I heard from Jake that it was happening but I had a hard time believing it," he admitted. "But, if you don't mind me asking, what did you find out?"

"She… Mayor Goodway gave up the lives of my parents for the protection of Adventure Bay and her chicken," he spat with venom, but broke down again in the end. Though heartbroken, he continued through sobs. "D-Danny's father… he-he bargained with her when my-my parents d-didn't want to w-w-work with him anymore… she just gave them up… i-it was all I had… but I messed up. I messed up bad. I-I didn't know w-w-what I was thinking! I sh-shouldn't have d-d-done t-that. I started ch-choking her! I did that, Mr. P-P-Porter! I did. I-I-I was just so angry… She hurt my pups. She was the reason why my parents died! Now, she took the one place I call home and now I have to leave here and my family!"

Mr. Porter was shocked at the new information. He was shocked by what the mayor did. Shocked by what Ryder did. Shocked by everything, but nonetheless, he comforted the boy with a hug. Five minutes passed and the sobs ended, so he pulled away. "Listen to me, Ryder, what Mayor Goodway did was unacceptable. She is no fit to be a mayor and especially in the wrong after what she did to you and the pups. Did she do anything else?" He spoke seriously.

"Well, after I attacked her, she threw me off to the wall where I banged my head and she pressed down on my wound," he admitted softly, his hand instinctively touching his shoulder. "But I don't know anything else."

He nodded. "What we need to do is report this to the authorities. I'm sure there are a remaining officers out there, like the correctional officers at the prison or security guards nearby. We could also report this to the courthouse in Foggy Bottom too. Don't worry Ryder, you'll get your position back in the Paw Patrol and everything we'll be taken care of. The other people of the city were already informed of what Goodway did to your pups by Jake so they should be on our side. When do you have to leave?"

"Tomorrow morning and if I don't I'll be arrested onsight," he answered, getting hopefully and relieved knowing that the people were with him. Mr. Porter rolled his eyes when he said that.

"Well don't. If she does check at the Lookout to see if your gone, you'll stay in my restaurant until we get her arrested," he decided. Ryder's eyebrows shot up.

"Wow, thanks Mr. Porter," he smiled.

"It's nothing compared to what you and the pups do for us," he waved off.

"Well, it's more than something to me." They turned to rushing footsteps and saw the pups, Katie, and Jake running toward them, faces full of worry. They all skidded to a stop when they were in front of them. "What's wrong?"

"We heard what happened!" Katie began.

"What mayor did was so uncool and messed up," Jake and Zuma shook their heads. The boy was confused.

"Wait, how do you know? It only happened about an hour ago," he raised his eyebrow.

"She was standing in front of a crowd with a blowhorn in hand saying that you were fired from the Paw Patrol and how you attacked her," Chase answered. The two on the bench widened their eyes in disbelief.

"Of course she would," he groaned, massaging his temples and closing his eyes.

"I can't believe she did that!" Marshall growled. "What a b-"

"Woah!" Ryder cut him off and stared at the pup. "Where did you learn that?!"

"Mayor Goodway called us that a couple of times but we don't really know what it means. Same with other things," Skye answered. Ryder shook his head and stood up from his position.

"Mr. Porter and Jake, call any police and report this then with the courthouse so we could schedule a meeting. Katie, help them out. Me and the pups will confront the mayor," he planned, to which they nodded. Everest went with Jake while the rest went with their owner. It wasn't long until they reached the town hall, especially with their vehicles. Ryder widened his eyes at the crowd but they narrowed when his vision landed on the preaching woman standing above them, chicken clutched in her purse, and speaking over the megaphone. Some people were looking at him but he didn't care, he just leaned against the gold chicken statue and stared at the woman, his pups sat around him and they too stared with blank expressions.

"Ryder has broken laws and has even insulted precious Chickeltta," she faked being sad, causing them all to roll their eyes. "He has brought danger to our town and has disobeyed my orders including to help Foggy Bottom. He and some part of the Paw Patrol has left our town for theirs. Due to this, the other pups revealed unacceptable behavior-"

Ryder, who was now grinning at the nonsense the woman was blabbering about, cut her off by dramatically laughing. The people and mayor were caught off guard as they watched the boy stagger over to them. "That… haha that was a good one! Oh man, haven't laughed like that in a while."

"I thought I told you to stay away," she growled so only they could hear. But the boy ignored her and casually stood next to her.

"You know, Mayor Goodway, it was good that you brought the people here. Well, not like I care that you bad talk me but what I'm upset about is what you had said to my pups!" He smiled, saying it so loud that everyone heard it clearly. "Yeah, why don't you say what you really said and did to my pups with that little megaphone of yours?"

"Stand down Ryder, know your place," she warned.

"What place? Remember, you fired me from the Paw Patrol and banished me from the town. You have no control over me," he sang the last part, which really started getting on her nerves. "So, since I have freedom of speech, I would like to share with the whole town what a dirty demon of a mayor you are!"

"I'm warning you. If you continue this I'll-"

"You'll do what?" He provoked, leaning closer to her face. "What will you do? Will you insular my pups more? Physically hurt them? Or will you take away my only home? Oh! Maybe you'll make another deal with a gang in Foggy Bottom to protect your little chicken which will cause them to brutally murder my parents? Well, news flash! You already did that!"

The crowd was stunned. Mayor Goodway was seething as she glared at the smirking boy who stared right back at her.

"There's no way you could win Mayor, they're all with me," he whispered. Just at that moment, a police cruiser arrived and two officers stepped out. "Oh, look at that. The calvary has arrived. Can't wait to see you in court."

Just before she could jump on him, Goodway was grabbed hold of and arrested then dragged to the back of the car all the while she cursed him off, clearly not helping her case. Nonchalantly and secretly shaking on the inside, he stepped down the stairs and headed to the pups. "We have a busy day tomorrow. Do you still have the number of the lawyer you had used for our case?"

"Yup!" Rocky nodded, barking out his claw arm that carried a small paper with a number on it. He nodded and took the paper.

"Let's head to the Lookout or rather, you pups head there while I get my ATV back," he instructed, getting giggles when the pups saw his eye twitch at the mention of the borrowed vehicle. With that said, the group split up, leaving the crowd to gather the new information.

To be continued...