Chapter 17: Lightning Disaster

Snowflake and Marshall kept talking as they walked, unaware of the storm clouds approaching. It didn't seem to bother them since they were having a good time.

Back at The Lookout, the other pups kept playing with the rainbow parachute. Zuma had gotten stuck under the parachute, and was flailing, about trying to get free. The others laughed at the struggling water pup who looked like a rainbow ghost. Eventually, the chocolate lab pup got out.

"Phew! Finally out. Huh?" Zuma said after getting out. However, he noticed the temperature had dropped and it felt odd.

"Pups, thewe might be a stowm appwoaching! Let's go see whewe it's heading!" Zuma told the others.

"Agreed. Let's go pups!" Chase said before all the pups howled in agreement. They first put the rainbow parachute way, then drove in their vehicles around town. As they drove, Chase contacted Ryder through his pup tag.

"Ryder! There's a storm nearby. We're going to see where it's heading so we can get everyone to safety," Chase said through his pup tag.

"Good job. Just be safe," Ryder replied through his pup pad. He ended the call then went to the periscope to look. It took a while, but he did see the storm.

"I just hope everyone stays safe," Ryder said before going to the pole and sliding down it. It was best if he helped the pups.

Zuma drove his hovercraft around town, but there was no sign of a storm; though he could feel one in the air. Just the drop in temperature and pressure was proof of that.

"Better check the water," the chocolate lab said as he drove onto the water. He went around to tell Captain Turbot and others to get indoors before looking around the land. Nothing so far.

"So far so good. But where - Ahhh!" Zuma exclaimed just as a flash of lightning zapped across the sky.

"Thewe it is! It's slow, but that's odd. I don't see any wain! It's slow, but it looks like it's heading towards the woods. Wait - The woods?! Mawshall and Snowflake are hiking in thewe! I got to wawn the othews!" Zuma exclaimed upon realizing where the storm was going.

"PAW Patwol! Pups! I found the stowm! It's heading wight fow the woods! Snowflake! Mawshall! You've got to get out now!" Zuma said into his pup tag as he zoomed out of the water and back onto the grass.

Back in the woods, Snowflake and Marshall stopped when they heard Zuma through their pup tags. They looked at each other in confusion.

CRACK! A roar of thunder and lightning flashes caught their attention.

"Zuma's right! I'm sorry Snowflake, but we can't hike in a storm!" Marshall commented.

"I know. Let's go!" Snowflake replied before she and Marshall ran. The two pups ran as fast as they could in the opposite direction of the storm, but it was still moving towards them, slowly.

CCRRRRRRAAAAACCCKKK! came a lightning bolt as it flashed right in between Snowflake and Marshall, hitting a tree next to them.

"Ahhhhhh!" Marshall and Snowflake exclaimed as they jumped out of the way of the lightning bolt.

CRRRAAACCCKKK! BOOM! The tree fell down in between the two pups.

"Marshall? Are you okay?" Snowflake asked her friend.

"I'm okay. Are you?" Marshall replied.

"Yes, I'm good" Snowflake responded.

CRRRAAACCKKK! FFWOOOSHHH! Another bolt of lightning struck the fallen tree, setting it on fire. The flames zoomed across the trunk.

"Ahhhh! Marshall! Get out of there! The fire's burning the tree!" Snowflake warned.

"I know. I'll have to come around the tree to - Oh no!" Marshall said before seeing the fire spread. The flames engulfed the tree and were spreading on the sides, going in all directions. It didn't help either that more lightning strikes were causing more fires. This was bad.

"Marshall! What do you do?" Snowflake asked through the flames and smoke.

"Go get the PAW Patrol! We can't use our pup tag with all this smoke! You go! I'll stay here!" Marshall replied.

"No! Marshall, you'll be here alone! I'm not leaving you!" Snowflake responded, her eyes watering. The smoke and fire was bad, but there was no way she would leave her best friend alone in this forest fire.

"You HAVE TO TELL RYDER! I don't have any of my fire fighting gear! You're the only one who knows where I'll be! If you don't tell the others, we're both goners!" Marshall reasoned with her.

"YOU'LL BE ALONE! Don't you remember the buddy system?! I'M NOT LEAVING MY BEST BUDDY TO SUFFER IN THIS BURNING BLAZE! I WON'T LET YOU!" Snowflake responded.

"YOU HAVE TO GO, SNOWFLAKE! I DON'T WANT MY BEST BUDDY TO SUFFER WITH ME! Besides, there's nothing either of us can do! YOU HAVE TO GO! I know you want to help, but the best help is to get the others and put this fire out! PLEASE SNOWFLAKE! IT'S OUR ONLY CHANCE!" Marshall replied.

Snowflake whined with tears in her eyes; as hard as it was, Marshall was right. She HAD to get help! If not, both of them would be in serious danger..

"Okay! But PLEASE stay safe! BE CAREFUL! I'll be back soon! I love you buddy!" Snowflake said before running off as fast as she could.

"God, PLEASE keep Marshall safe!" Snowflake said desperately as she ran.

The fire roared and grew around her, but she managed to get out, and into a clear area. Slowing down for nothing, she ran towards The Lookout, and pressed her pup tag.

"RYDER! PUPS! FIRE! Marshall's trapped in the forest fire and we have to help in NOW!" Snowflake practically shouted into her pup tag. It was hard to stay calm when her best friend was in serious danger.

"We saw the smoke. Snowflake, PAW Patrol, to The Lookout! Serious emergency!" Ryder replied through the pup tags.

As Snowflake ran, she just hoped they would get to Marshall in time.