This entire thing is from Rocky's POV. I was planning on going back but I sorta forgot. Anyways hope y'all enjoy.
Rocky's POV
The past three months have been whoreshit. We've been lost for so long and it feels like we've gotten nowhere. Belgium was the easy part, finding the tunnel is the part we've been in for 3 months.
We sat up on a tall building look over the places we've crossed. Chase has started to speak up more than he did 3 months ago. I guess the loss of Everest really hit him. Not only her but Ryder too. He seems to be getting slightly over it.
As we're looking for a sign of tunnel I see a small figure below us looting trash bags. "Look!" I point out to Chase.
Chase smiled and pats my back as we rush down for answers. Our journey wasn't just walking. We've also started doing small jobs for valuables. A new currency started to take place and its bottle caps from any glass or plastic bottles. It's pretty odd but it does the job and we have relatively a bunch. As much as we can carry at most.
We hit the bottom and the looter was still there. I got up to chase them but Marshall pulled me back. I rolled my eyes and sat. The caps weren't easy to come by. Some of them could be considered blood money since we've had to hunt some people. Being a dog has its perks in the apocalypse.
The small figure was maybe 5'5 and wore a brown cloak over her head. I think it's a her, no man could be 5'5 here.
She turns to leave and we follow instinctively.
The next 30 minutes are pretty boring until she walks up to a dumpster. She easily pushed it to the side revealing a door and walking in. "Could that be it?" Marshall asked as he rested his head on a cinder block.
Chase huffed. "I hope so." He replied getting up and walking over to the dumpster. He pushed it aside and we step in.
It was lowly lit and silent. In front of us is a door. I go to open it and another door appeared. 10 doors later we enter a long trading place. "We've found it." Marshall exhaled flabbergasted by the sight.
For as long as I could see hundreds of people sat in little stands buying, selling, and trading. "Excuse me, how long does it take to reach England?" Marshall asked.
"About 12 hours but you can cut that in half with 450 caps or you have a good reason." A man replied.
We had nowhere near 450 caps. 120 at most. We have space issues.
In the middle was a designated walking lane for people to travel through.
"Just follow me and don't piss anyone off." Chase ordered. We nod and follow him as he weaves through legs and people. We didn't have 12 hours left in the day so we'd have to stop eventually.
We stop so Marshall could eat a squill snack from one of the sellers.
After that we continue our annoying walk, I look to Marshall who is slowing down a little bit. "Chase! Hold up!" I called out.
I turn to Marshall. "You good buddy?"
Marshall groaned. "I think it was the food..." He said as he took a seat.
I look to Chase for any ideas. Chase drops his mouth. "Are you s-sick?" Marshall shrugs.
I look at an old mans wagon. "Little bit of theft never hurt anyone." I mumbled. I look to Chase as I walk to and give a weak smile. I look back at the man and wait for him to leave the wagon.
After a bit of waiting he goes to buy some food from a nearby shop.
I step to the side and grab it by the handle and take off past Chase and Marshall so he doesn't see.
Chase and Marshall catch up. "Did you just steal that?!?" Marshall yelled.
"Shh!" Chase hushed as he pushed Marshall towards the wagon.
"Get in and we'll pull you." I ordered. Marshall happily through out everything and jumped in. I picked up a rope and tied it to the wagon. Chase and I grabbed a different loose end and start to quick pull.
About 30 minutes in we make a quick stop to check on Marshall and some food. Little bit of beef never hurt but boy was it expensive.
We continue fine through the tunnel. Marshall took more and more naps which was a bit worrying. Me and Chase picked up the pace to hopefully reach the castle by next week. There is no chance we are finding medication this late into the apocalypse and I've already used mine after someone sustained some injuries.
Me and Chase start panting like mad dogs. The air got very humid and the heat was unbearable for our thick fur. There was no ventilation at all which made this living hell.
After a couple more hours we passed a 100 meter mark. We rushed to past all kinds of people just for fresh air.
The exit here was very similar to the one from the one in France. We pushed aside a trash can and took heavy breaths of fresh air. Marshall was dead asleep even though it was mid day.
"Maybe he'll sleep it off." I suggest.
Chase hesitantly agreed. "M-maybe he will." He quickly turned back around and started to walk towards the castle. I could tell it bugged him that Marshall was sick. Luckily we know where we're headed this this time. Ryder wouldn't send us unprepared into a foreign country without showing us the layout. "Chase, this is a one day walk. Let's get some rest so we can leave tomorrow easy peasy. Rochester isn't to far from here." I inform.
Surprisingly Chase agreed without any hesitation. We walk into an abandoned house for now. I watch Marshall pant then suddenly shiver and start panting again. "Poor Marshall." I mumble as his body struggles to regulate his temperature
"The princess should be able to help us." Chase said with certainty in his voice.
I didn't respond but I really hope that the princess can help. What if she's not even here anymore.
A days walk later.
We could see the castle from a ways away. Luckily we just have to cross the bridge towards the castle.
We stopped at a water fountain in the middle of the stone bridge to get a drink of water.
Chase looked at me then looked down and spit out his water. He dragged the cart into the open. I gulp down my water. "What are we're doing?!?" I coughed.
"Sit and put your paws up! Someone is aiming at you!" Chase ordered.
I slowly look as my chest and saw 5 green dots on it. I do as Chase said and waited for them to do something. "Come closer!" A speaker on our right said.
Me and Chase drag the wagon to the front of the gate. "State your business!" A man yelled down to us.
"We were supposed to come here but our plane crashed. Let us speak to the princess! She'll know who we are. On behalf of Ryder!"
We waited for a response but got none. 2 minutes go by and still nothing. 10 minutes go by and not even a peep. I turn to Marshall who looks like he's only getting worse. Our packs are useless at this point.
A TV screen in front of us turned on. It was the princess we were gonna visit but much older. "How is she that much older?!?" Chase exclaimed.
"Who are you three? I can see your friend is sick. I can help if you have a good reason." She asked.
Chase grunted in frustration. "Look time is lost in the apocalypse. Who knows how long ago it was but the paw patrol was supposed to come over for a visit. Chase, which is me, Rocky and Marshall."
The princess had a blank face. "You three are lying. There was video footage of you three dying in the plane after it crashed. It blew up. It's sick how you try to use dead pups for your benefit. You don't even look like them."
"I wonder why! We've stepped through blood! Slept under cars! Crawled in dirt! and not one hair cut!" Chase shouted with anger in his voice.
I nervously tap my paws. "Look! I know something only Rocky and Sweetie would know!" I said.
"I'm right here!" Sweetie called out. I couldn't see her but that was good enough.
"Look! Remember when someone managed to hack your stuff? I sorta had to because...well I couldn't contact you in any other way. I know it seems odd but I had a crush on you. That was me Rocky. How would anyone else know that?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
I quickly drop it and looked somewhere else in embarrassment.
I looked to Chase who's anxiously bobbing back a forth. "I think it might actually be them." Sweetie said.
The princess rolled her eyes. "Let them in but have a hard watch on them at all times and check the wagon for any weapons." The princess said.
We watch in excitement as the gates open. We slowly walk in where we were quickly intercepted by guard blocking our view of anything else. They lead us into the main ballroom where the princess stood. "Give me the full story. You have replica gear to do this better be good."
I look at sweetie. I attempt to speak but nothing comes out. Maybe a greeting first. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I've read your inventions before all this went to shit." I smile and hold out my dirty blood stained paw.
She hesitantly smiles and just nodded her head. "Please help Marshall. You can kick us out but just help him. The trip here has been very rough and tedious." Chase asked pushing the wagon towards the princess.
"Take this supposed Marshall. You two need to come with me for a bath and haircut." The princess ordered.
We followed her into a separate room with other dogs and groomers. "These are other rescued dogs from royalty. I said there would be no more but if you three are who you say you are then...I'll have to think about it." She said as she left the room.
4 groomers walk up to us and discuss what they'll do first. "Bath, haircut, bath." She smiled.
Me and Chase nodded and hesitantly took off our gear. "Don't touch our stuff. Please." Chase asked.
"We respect everyone's items. You'll be safe." Another girl said.
We both got in separate tubs and let them do their thing. The princess and sweetie walk back in to see us transform into the paw patrol members that were pronounced dead. I look to Chase who was in deep thought. "We actually have one of the plane members here. He's head of security here." The princess said.
Me and Chase half jump out of the tubs spilling water everywhere. "Princess you need to trust us. You're in grave danger. Who is it?" Chase instantly asks.
"It's Rubble...why?"
"Look, the plane wasn't an accident. It was a setup. They crashed the plane, dragged us into the middle of nowhere. That's why we had to walk so far to get here. If there is ever a time to trust someone it's now. We haven't lied at all so why now!" I inform.
The princess looked at sweetie with worried eyes. "Fine, what should we do."
"Call him down here with no guards. Does your ruling oversee his?" Chase asked.
The princess nodded.
"Call him into the ball room. He won't recognize us." Chase said again.
I turn around to see the room behind scared shitless.
"Can I see Rubble down in the ball room."
3 minutes later Rubble walks in with tactical gear and a bright smile on his face. "Who are you two?" He asks with a concerning tone.
"You'll know very soon." Chase replied.
Rubbles eyes went wide. I rush him as he reached for his gun. Chase quickly unarmed him and we pinned him.
Guards rushed in and got ready to shoot us dead. "Halt!" The princess called out.
We removed Rubble gear and looked at the much less fit Rubble. "Being a rat didn't help you." Chase said as he punched Rubble.
"Chase? Rocky? Where's Marshall? How did you survive? We made sure you thr-
"Made sure what?" The princess asked with suspicion in her voice.
I didn't give him time to finish. I punched him in the face as well. "That felt amazing!" I yelled and did it again.
Rubble was in tears but did I care? Not at all. Chase stood over him. "Why? What did leaving us stranded do for your benefit? Rocky's head was bleeding, Marshall's leg had a gash and I can't even remember how many times I got punched." Chase asked with a shaky and raspy voice.
Rubble didn't do anything but stare at the ground.
Out of nowhere he suddenly makes a move to grab a walkie talkie. I guess Chase still had more in his system as he gave Rubble another series of anger punches. After 1 minutes of it he stopped and huffed. Rubble was beat to a pulp and barely breathing.
I walk over to the walkie talkie labeled syndicate.
"Hello?" I said in a deep voice.
"Rubble, it's been awhile. How it's going?" A static voice said.
"Oh, Rubble is gone and guess who's next." I said and turned it off.
"How was that?" I asked in my normal voice.
The princess gave me a thumbs up. "Put him in the dungeon and get the torture master. You two can explain what happened in the baths." The princess said as she held her nose because of our smell.
We walked back into the rooms and went back into our baths. "I already know the plane crash part. But you walked from Germany to here?" She asked with her mouth wide open.
We nodded. "H-how long as it been? We haven't gotten a good nights sleep in forever."
The princess rubbed her chin. "It's beennnnnn 2 years and 10 months. That's the lowest amount of time. There's no calendar so we'll have to wait and see." She replied.
"What!?!" Chase said in complete disbelief.
I simply didn't say anything. Basically three years...
Like last time the queen and sweetie watched as they cut our hair. I look to Chase and you can actually see his color palette and patterns.
I look down at my paws. I've never seen them so white in my life.
After the second bath me and Chase look at each other. "Looking good." He says.
"Not as good as you." I reply. We both look at the selves we saw in adventure bay just much older. Chase just had darker fur now with his age. I'm still the usual grey and white. We put on our cleaned gear, courtesy of the chef and walked out.
After a tour of the palace we sat to eat. "I can't believe you three are actually alive after these years. I can't explain how devastated they were. Especially the Husky and Ash. Real heartbroken. They probably had special connections with you two." It was actually Chase and Marshall. I was busy hacking some things." I nervously smile and look to sweetie who had a smile on her face.
The princess huffed. "What are you plans now?"
"Head back to adventure bay. See if there's anything left of our old lives." Chase simply replied.
"I can help you three. We've been trying to make a helicopter that can fly around the world without a refuel. I know Ryder has done it but our minds simply can't catch up to his." The princess said.
I basically jumped out of my chair. "I can help!" I calm myself down "...if you want me to of course"
The princess clicked her mouth. "I don't think you'd be much help." She said with a huff.
I could impress Sweetie if I play the cards right which shouldn't be hard at all. "Well guess who designed his plane."
"You did?" The princess said with hope in her voice.
"No...but! It's the fuel. Guess who designed the fuel."
"Ryder." The princess blankly said.
"Nope, me. I made the fuel but there's an issue. Chase, remember that green stuff?" I ask.
He nodded.
"I didn't find it in the backyard, it was an experimental fuel. You already knew about Robo dog but I couldn't let you know about the plane until it was ready. I found out how to liquify it and make it work like gas. Of course the engine has to a little modified but it'll work out. I can do more than just hack. Im also a scientist. Sadly Rubble helped create the thing he destroyed." I said.
The Air Patroller was one beastly machine anyone has ever seen...I wonder if Freya hacked Robo dog...that would be a relief to know. Robo dog never malfunctioned it was a hack.
Chase huffed. "I'm gonna go check on Marshall."
"I'll come with!" The princess chimed in getting up and leaving the two alone.
"So, you're more like Ryder in the sense that you're good at building things. I'm not so great at...not at all. Yet I can make modifications with my eyes closed." I assumed.
"I'm also good with codes and such." She informed.
We spent the next 30 minutes getting to know each other. Favorite inventions to who was the smartest person ever. "So...how did you and your friends manage to get across Belgium, Germany, the tunnel and here?" Sweetie asked as she leaned into listen.
"Fun fact I have a photographic memory." I added for no reason. "Wow, that's cool." She said still waiting for the story.
I recalled all the important parts. "We crashed, found a sled dog team, ran from a bear and got split up from them forever. Then we walked." I replied.
She slowly nodded and sat back and huffed. "I mean finally someone lands here with an actual brain." Sweetie smiles as she uses her claw to make circles on the table. They were very mesmerizing and perfect.
That is Chapter 12! I wasn't sure how to end it really. An abrupt ending is good enough for me. There are only about 8 more Chapters left!