Ranger's vision had returned.
His cheeks were burning with shame and embarrassment. How could a stun grenade, a weapon so commonly used by the forces he one day was to join, have fooled his hardened judgment and led to the escape of the mutts' escape?
The handgun laid nearby. Its silencer was missing. Now whenever the firearm would be fired, everything in this town would know. Nevertheless, his instinct won over logic as he found himself reaching for it.
Ranger wrapped his worn hands around the cool metal, sending multiple wave of cold-blooded joy to every nerve in his body. It was an addictive experience he would kill for.
Unfortunately, the sensation suddenly ceased. A red and blue sneaker with white laces clamped down on his hand, hindering any movement. Ranger casually looked up.
"You're going nowhere, Ranger."
Ryder grabbed his twin brother's head and smashed his knee into his jaw. It was a devastating MMA move he had learned a long time ago and at this moment, it couldn't have been done any better.
Ranger's head cracked back and he was thrown down. A purplish abrasion remained on his left cheek, an injury common in the Army. Soothing it carefully, he arched his legs and lower back and kicked powerfully, bringing himself up as if he was being revived by a celestial being.
"I see you've escaped," Ranger chuckled casually, "Nice move, though. Now let's see what else you have learned."
The PAW Patrol leader charged, causing Ranger to scoot to safety and stuck out his foot. It met Ryder's ankle and made him trip. Nevertheless, Ryder absorbed the fall with an acrobatic dive.
"Keep impressing me, Zack."
"Like I said Ranger. You're. Going. Nowhere."
Ignoring the threat, Ranger sprinted at Ryder, arms slicing through the air like a marathoner. Expecting his brother to copy his actions, he was correct. As he watched Ryder start up to run, Ranger imagined a mirror image of himself.
Only stupider.
Just as they were about to collide, Ranger stuck out his right arm, caught Ryder in the neck and forced him onto the ground. And this time, Ranger wasn't going to be nice.
Ranger darted forwards and clamped his hands shut Ryder's throat, suddenly cutting off oxygen. The PAW Patrol leader started to scratch the suffocating hands. He kicked, he trashed and he spitted, but it was all of no use. Soon, Ryder's face had turned a light purple.
"Let...GO!" sputtered Ryder, sweat running down his forehead, "I'm your...BROTHER!"
"I know, Zack." replied Ranger calmly, "That's why I'm doing this to you -"
A leg smashed into his neck. Throwing down his choking brother, Ranger howled in pain. Ryder, on the other hand, gasped for a breath and laid in a babyish position, garbling and gurgling without stop.
"YOU BRAT!" shrieked Katie, "TAKE THIS!"
The blade of her hand guillotined his shoulder, forcing Ranger to recuperate on his left knee. With rage, he swung his fist at the Katie's stomach, hitting spot-on and causing her to stumble back dizzily.
"Fight me, Katie." sneered Ranger.
Whooping, Katie launched a hook, only to have it countered by Ranger's crossed arms. The attack deflected off uselessly, and just allowed enough hesitation for Ranger to snap a kick to her jaw. Katie instantly collapsed head-over-heels, unknowingly becoming an inviting target. Drawing out his handgun, Ranger trained it on the unconscious girl's blonde head.
And for the second time that night, the firearm was knocked out of his tight grip. Ryder body-slammed him like a professional wrestler, then started to pummel him with jabs and punches. Kicking as if he was a bronco bull, Ranger launched his brother off of him.
Ranger retrieved out his handgun and aimed down-sight. Before him was the PAW Patrol leader, still recovering from the sharp blow to his chest. The iron sights hovered around his abdomen and a finger slowly tightened around the trigger.
"Bye, bye, Zack." Ranger smiled.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ryder froze. A pained expression took over his face, and remained there. His stomach now had three dark red splotches. Blood was gushing from the gaping holes like a leaky faucet. He crashed down, moaning heavily and clutching his guts.
The PAW Patrol leader had been shot. Not once, not twice but thrice.
Holstering his weapon, Ranger knelt down beside Ryder and produced a tissue from his pocket. He dabbed the blood coming out of his brother's mouth and then gently ruffled his hair with the affection of siblings. Ryder was still holding onto his stomach. Blood was forming a small pool around him.
"You will forever be my dear brother, Zack. You must understand why I have to do this to you." said Ranger as he got back up.
"Don't...leave...me...Ranger..." whispered Ryder, a tear rolling down his cheek.
Sighing, Ranger walked away into the shadows of the night. Pushing aside the plead of his brother, a new and more sinister thought prevailed. His original plans to kidnap Ryder had failed, but it wasn't the end of the world for him. What did matter was how he would escape.