I don't own anything other than OCs

CH4

Chase's eyes gradually opened to reveal his dark pup house. He couldn't rest when he got back, only when he received a bath and took a pain pill with his food could he close his eyes. He groggily pulled himself up and yawned.

He left his pup house to the cool night air, there was still a faint glow in the distance as the sun had just set below the horizon. Lights were still on in the Lookout Lobby where he could see flashing of the television. He moved his paw around, still sore but better than it was.

He decided to go in the Lookout to get some water and maybe hang out for a little while. The door opened to Apollo The Super Pup playing on the t.v. Of course, what else would they be watching?

"Chase you're up! I saved you a seat man!" Marshall exclaimed as he patted a spot on the sofa next to him.

"I'll be right there dude, just need to get some water." Chase said.

When he went into the kitchen, Ryder was staring out of the window. He glanced over his shoulder to see Chase and was surprised by his entry.

"Chase how's that Paw?" He asked.

"Better, still aches a little." Chase answered as he went over to his water bowl, taking a few laps.

Ryder stood in silence for a minute before walking over to the kitchen entrance and sealing the door. Alarmed, Chase looked up at him. Ryder had his arms crossed, staring at the ceiling. He eventually took a breath and started to speak.

"About what happened earlier today, I suppose I need to tell you something about it… or you'd probably keep wondering."

Chase blinked.

"There are certain places around Adventure Bay that you CANNOT go into no matter what happens or if someone or something is in distress in one of these locations." Ryder explained.

Chase only listened with perked ears.

"Think of it like this." Ryder prepared himself. "Being in the PAW Patrol is a job right? Well you have the workers, foreman, workplace manager, and the regional supervisor. I'm just the foreman and Mayor Goodway is the manager, the supervisor is the one that controls everything and never visits the workplace." Ryder kneeled down and his tone grew in seriousness. "If they were to find out if one of us entered one of these areas, not only will you be replaced but me too. Let's just say the replacement won't be as nice as I am."

Chase lowered his gaze, feeling mixed emotions. "But our job is to protect the people of Adventure Bay, how can we do that if one of our people get trapped in that cave?"

Ryder didn't know how to respond to that without offending the police pup, but he managed an answer. "It… just is what it is, you can't help them."

The scowl on the pup's muzzle showed he wasn't pleased with the answer. He decided to prod Ryder more. "And just why can't we go into that place?"

"Because it's dangerous, even for me, and I'm sure not jeopardizing the rest of the PAW Patrol." Ryder answered.

"But you are the one who says no job is too big and no pup is too small!" Chase countered.

"Yeah if the supervisor says so!" Ryder countered but mentally hit himself for how dumb that sounded.

"And who is this 'supervisor'? It's not like they're out here with us on these missions!" Chase barked.

"Enough Chase!" Ryder raised his voice over him which silenced the pup. "I'll tell you this much, rather then a single person the higher ups are more of a group. They just want to make sure we're keeping the town safe as well as ourselves, one slip up like a failed mission or going into one of these areas and they'll replace us." He explained cryptically.

Chase could sense deception in his tone. Bullshit, he thought.

"Look Chase." Ryder started in a grim tone. "These people aren't like you, me, or Mayor Goodway. They aren't nice and they don't care, the punishment they can give you is far worse than grounding you to your pup house or unplugging the t.v. We can't talk about it again." He warned.

Chase could tell he was serious, so he decided not to prod anymore. But it confirmed he wasn't getting any straight answers from him.

"One last thing, I shouldn't have snapped like I did back there. You didn't know and it happened by pure accident, I'm sorry." Ryder apologized genuinely.

All Chase could manage was a nod. He made his way out of the kitchen which was now open. He took his spot beside Marshall and watched the show, though he wasn't really giving it any attention.

His mind was too preoccupied with the conversation he just had with Ryder. Who the hell were these higher ups and why do they care so much about this place when he'd never seen them around? It wasn't like Ryder to be spooked like that, and that spooked Chase. Though his determination strengthened.

He thought back to the cave, those tunnels, that smell, and those eyes. What the hell could be so dangerous down there that the PAW Patrol can't handle. He didn't want to think too much like a nut case but he'd be lying to himself if he didn't think something was being hidden away. It only spiked his interest.

"Hey Chase, you okay?" Marshall mumbled to Chase.

Chase came back to reality and glanced over at his friend. "Oh yeah, I'm good." He answered simply.

Marshall gave him a concerned look before returning to the t.v. Before looking away, Chase caught a glimpse of Skye looking at him from the far end of the sofa. She had that same concerned look before she averted her gaze when they made eye contact. He knew one thing; he couldn't let any of them get involved, couldn't risk their lives for his own curiosity and sense of duty. For him, it was decided now.

Later tonight, when everyone is out, I'm going in those tunnels.