AN: I actually expect more reactions from the last chapter. I mean the ones I got were what I expected, but eh, thought there would be more. So yeah, we're around the half way point of the story by the way. I think I successfully made Damian Stone the best villain in our fanfiction community for Paw Patrol. Sorry if I sound a bit prideful in saying that but I think it's kinda true.

Anyway, sorry to all Chase x Skye fans about not getting them together. I hope I make it up with the Zuma x Rocky romance.

Disclaimer: I don't own Paw Patrol.

For the first time in history, Adventure Bay was quiet. Even for a small town such as this one, there was always some bustling activity going on. But there was nothing. Even a graveyard was more cheerful then this. The only activity going on was a funeral for a deceased woman and her unborn child that was attended by only a small margin. Even those close to this woman were too scared to go out.

A new wave of emotion had taken over Adventure Bay. An emotion that scared all the tourists, frightened children in their sleep, and even made husbands and wives go out to buy stocks of supplies and guns before locking their doors.

Fear.

Utter fear of one man who walks with the reaper himself.

It had been three days since the "TV Horror Show" as some called it. Every TV in Adventure Bay had played it while others from outside of the town saw it from a video on the internet that had made itself a global wide hit. Now all of the world knew of the monster that was Damian Stone.

As for Marshall, he had been found alive but critical injured in a warehouse in Foggy Bottom. Mayor Humdinger didn't even put up a fight when the Paw Patrol strolled in. He may have disliked Paw Patrol and Adventure Bay, but he wasn't a monster. The doctors did their best to fix Marshall up, most of it would take time to recover such as healing scars, regrown his fur, and other such aspects. Thankfully, his toes were able to be saved as well and were stitched back in.

Mentally… was a different case.

The first thing Marshall did when he woke up was scream. Even after his friends and owner tried to calm him down, he just screamed and cried until they sedated him. This kept going for a full day until he just stopped and stared blankly with something Shaw called "The Thousand Yard Stare". A psychologist was called in and, after a long session, he concluded that Marshall was traumatized by what he went through, but was also feeling guilty for not being able to save the mother and her baby. In his mind, he should be dead. Not her.

He rarely ate or spoke to anyone. The only thing he ever asked from Ryder was Mr. Snuggles, who he refused to let go of once he got him.

Chase, holding flowers, gave them to a nurse who quietly went into Marshall's room and placed them in a vase. The German Shepherd whimpered as he saw his best friend zoning out with lifeless eyes at the wall. The TV was on, even showing Apollo The Super Pup, but he ignored it. All he did was hold on to his teddy bear and mumble to himself occasionally. It was like looking at a shell of the once happy and joyful dalmatian he loved like a brother.

"How is he?" asked Skye who had come with him to visit with him.

"The same…" growled Chase as he punched the wall. "I swear I will kill him… I'll find Stone and make him pay."

"Save some for me," whispered Skye, equally growling which somewhat shocked Chase but he hid it.

"Never seen you for the violent type," said Chase.

"Everybody has a limit," said Skye as she turned and walked away. "Do you think he'll be okay."

"Marshall's stronger then you think," said Chase as he followed her. "He'll come back… one day he will…"

Exiting the hospital, the two pups walked through the empty streets feeling a cold shiver down their spines. The only thing around were seagulls and trash. "It's so empty," said Skye, whimpering. "It's like Adventure Bay became a ghost town."

"People are scared, not that I blame them," said Chase with a heavy sigh. "I can't help but feel we're failures, Skye. We're supposed to protect these people and yet here we are with one member traumatized for God knows how long. And… well... then there is Zuma…" Both Skye and Chase lowered their heads as their ears went all the way back. "I wish I never said that I blamed him."

Skye shook his head. "Hasn't he suffered enough? To lose his family, and now all this? I guess I can't blame him for locking himself up…"

"I'm actually more worried about him then Marshall to be honest," said Chase, biting his lip. "All of this can't be good for his mental health… I'm worried he'll try something…"

Skye gasped and turned pale. "You think he'll… try to kill himself?"

"… I honestly don't know, Skye. I pray he doesn't… but I think that's what Damian's trying to do," said Chase, shaking his head. "You heard what he said. He's not going to stop until Zuma has lost everything." Face darkening, he turned to Skye with a worried tone. "And that means we're all on his hit list."

Skye was quiet and thought to herself silently for awhile before she took a deep breath. "Rocky will save him."

"Look, I trust Rocky since he's close but-"

"Chase, he's in love with him."

Chase's mouth dropped as his brain had to temporary shut down and boot up again upon hearing this. It took him a full minute to finally say something. "WHAT?!" shouted Chase which echoed for miles due to the silence.

Giggling for the first time since… forever. Skye nodded. "Trust me. I know. It was easy to see your feelings for me, it's not that hard to see Rocky's."

Chase blushed upon hearing Skye mention his feelings. While the pain of rejection had faded he still wished that there was a chance for them. Maybe one day she'll change her mind, but anyway…

"I know Rocky cares about Zuma that much, but isn't it more like a brotherhood thing like me and Marshall have?" pointed out Chase. "I mean, with that whole issue with his little brother… you would think…"

"Maybe it was like that at first, but its evolved," said Skye, continuing her walk. "Trust me. A girl knows when someone's heart is smitten by another. Even if they don't know it yet."

"Rocky and Zuma, huh," said Chase, scratching the back of his head before he caught up with his friend. "I mean I'm not against the idea, but… just would seem so weird."

"Why? Because Rocky's older?" asked Skye.

"No, because Zuma loves water and Rocky always writes a will every time he's going to take a bath."

He still didn't come out. It had been three days and Zuma refused to come out. He didn't come out to eat or anything. And so Rocky stayed there, right outside his pup house. He had his meals delivered and slept just outside with only a blanket. The only time he ever left to use the bathroom or when Ryder needed him for an update. Nothing else matter. Not the rest of the pups or even Marshall.

All he cared about was Zuma.

Every second he didn't see him or have him in his paws was a second too much for him. He knew the chocolate labrador was suffering. More so then ever. Stone had finally done it, he had broken Zuma. What happened to Marshall, that civilian, to all of them. Zuma had blamed himself for everything. That scared Rocky more than anything.

He knew what it was like to be there. He knew what it was like to go down that route. It happened to him when Ryan died and it was happening again with Zuma. When he went to the orphanage that took him, Rocky had been just like Zuma. Alone. Guilt ridden. Lost in despair.

And Rocky was prepared to kill himself the day just as Ryder saw him and picked him up. He had it all planned out. Just a simple toaster in the bath and that was it. A fitting end for him who let his brother drown by that bastard of an owner.

But the very day he was going to do it he met Ryder. Through Ryder he found a purpose to live again. He found friends. A new family. He found Zuma.

Rocky believed that someone was looking after him that day. A sign to say that no matter how dark life gets, light will shine a way through it. Zuma was drowning in darkness, and Rocky was determined to save him best friend by being that light.

Not just because he's my best friend… but because I love him, thought Rocky as he closed his eyes and felt his heart beat. He put his paw on his chest and smiled softly. Rocky wasn't stupid. He knew what he was feeling for Zuma and felt no shame from it. He was in love with his best friend. He didn't know if the events of today had made him fall in love with him so quickly or if this always existed and he misread them as brotherly instincts. Does it matter? He makes me feel something I never felt before. Like I want to be with him and hold him forever. If this isn't love, I don't know what is.

He didn't know what the other pups were going to think upon hearing he was into the same sex, but as far as he cared it didn't matter. Whether they accepted him or not, whether Zuma loved him or not, all that mattered was keeping the most important pup in his life safe.

"Rocky?" asked a voice that made the mixed breed turn around and spot Rubble heading over. "Ryder wants to speak with you."

"Okay, watch over Zuma for me, will you Rubble?" asked Rocky.

After getting confirmation from Rubble, Rocky made his way into the Lookout, ignoring the joint task group that was hard at work. Damian Stone was off the grid and the more he was missing, the more worried everyone was.

When he made it to the elevator, he took it up until he was up on the top of the tower. Rocky walked over to Ryder who was looking at his pup pad. When Rocky came in, he put it away and asked, "How are you doing?"

"Fine."

"And Zuma?"

"…"

Ryder sighed and crossed his arms. "I've talked it over with Detective Shaw and the others. There isn't a point sending you pups off to different owners. We need to be together now. More than ever." He then narrowed his eyes and turned to the computer, activating a few windows that popped up some schematics. It didn't take Rocky long to read them and have his eyes widened. "Is that…"

"Yeah, this was originally going to be something I build for you pups when you got older… but due to the circumstances I can't take a risk," said Ryder as he turned and faced Rocky. "Chase and Marshall are the only ones who know this, but Paw Patrol wasn't originally my idea. It was my parents. The government hired them to build an all dog task force to counter attack terrorism. My parents started on the project, but it was shut down due to the funding being sent to drone development."

Ryder pointed it out the initials. "Hound Assaults of Various Organized Combats. Aka H.A.V.O.C."

"So these schematics are the original blueprints for the pup packs," said Rocky, noting the seminaries.

"Yes, but they were incomplete," said Ryder. "I want you to help me make these, Rocky. Six of them for you six to use. If Damian Stone is going to go this far… then we need to go just as far to stop him."

Rocky nodded. "I understand, but…" Rocky bit his lip and sighed. "Zuma… I'm worried about him…"

Ryder nodded and handed over his pup pad to Rocky. "Here. Use the unlocking feature. I think its time all of us had a long talk. Zuma can't do this alone. So he need us more then ever."

Rocky barked in agreement and happily took the pup pad, racing down to the elevator and taking it down. When he go to the pup house, he ignored the confused look on Rubble and found the setting to open up the pup houses. Pressing the button, the door slide open and Rocky went in, itending to hug Zuma or even be prepared for some back lash. What he got was worse.

He got nothing.

As in Zuma wasn't there.

Terror began to grip into Rocky's heart as he looked around Zuma's house for any sort of sign of where he was. He stopped when he saw something that made him freeze up. It was a note

Goodbye.

Rocky rushed out as fast as he could, past Rubble, past others, right to the front of the yard where he tried to find any sign of his love. But there was nothing. He... was gone.

"ZUUUUMMMAAAA!"