PPX: Zuma's First Month
Episode twenty: And After Dawn, Nicky Was Gone
On the night of Zuma's twenty ninth day of life in Adventure Bay, he was getting ready to go to bed after putting his dish in the sink. He couldn't help staying angry about what happened to Rocky at Nicky's paws. Chase took note of this and walked over to him when he entered the kitchen. "You still angry buddy?"
Zuma opened up the dishwasher as he looked at Chase and answered his question. "As angwy as I could ever be." He put his dish in the dishwasher before opening up to Chase about what Nicky did. "I almost can't believe he would go that far! All because he couldn't move on from Wocky!" Chase closed the dishwasher for Zuma, who then expressed another thing he was angry about. "I guess... I'm also angwy at myself for not seeing it coming. He's been towmenting us for weeks, and I somehow thought he'd give up after I fawted him thwough that shack wall."
Chase felt bad about failing to predict this too. He was glad he could let Zuma know that he wasn't alone. "I get that Zuma." Zuma looked at Chase, who admitted to how often he blamed himself for stuff like this. "You remember how I reacted after Nicky gave you those cookies with peanut butter in them?" Zuma nodded his head yes with Chase then telling him that wasn't a one time thing. "That kind of reaction stems from whenever I feel like I've let someone down."
Zuma looked back on the other events he had in Adventure Bay. One in particular stood out in his mind. "Wocky said you were beating yourself up pwetty hard duwing the camping twip." Chase listened closely as Zuma asked something that was on his mind. "Is that also a wesult of your fear?"
"Yes. And sometimes, I wish it wasn't." Chase sighed, being vague about why that was, but still letting Zuma know the gist of it. "I wasn't in the best spot when Ryder took me in. To this day, I still don't know if that's my fault or not." Chase then surprised Zuma with what he said next. "But I know this isn't your fault. It's not any of our faults. The only ones who have any blame in this, are Nicky, and Humdinger."
Zuma appreciated Chase's support, but wasn't fully sure if he'd be ready for tomorrow. "Do you think Wocky sees it that way?"
Chase put a paw on Rocky's shoulder, assuring him that Rocky would be okay. "I don't see why he wouldn't. He knows we'd do everything we can for him." Chase giggled a bit as he realized the irony in that statement. "I also wish it was easier for me to follow my own advice." Zuma smiled after Chase reminded of that before the German Shepherd guided him to the couch. "Come on Zuma. Let's get you to bed. Tomorrow is gonna be an eventful day for sure."
"No need to tell me twice." Zuma assured Chase, and the two smiled to each other before Zuma hopped up onto the couch. He hugged Chase before letting him walk off to his own bed. "Goodnight Chase."
"Goodnight Zuma." Chase replied, and then he moved forward to his room. Zuma turned the light next to him off before going to sleep, hoping Rocky would be better by tomorrow. The fact that Nicky was finally going to get what he deserved would definitely help with that.
At Rocky and Richie's place, Richie was tucking in a scared Rocky so he could be comfortable as he slept. Richie saw that he was still shaken from what happened, and decided to sit with him a little longer. After today, Rocky needed all the help possible. "Don't worry Rocky. I won't leave your side until you're fast asleep."
"And safe from Nicky, right?" Richie nodded his head yes, assuring Rocky that he was safe. "Okay good. Thank you."
Richie smiled as he then started singing a lullaby called Tomorrow is a New Day which helped Rocky go to sleep on nights like this. "You're such a strong pup. Every time I look at you. I see a strong pup. And a kind hearted one too." Rocky started to calm down thanks to the lullaby, which Richie took notice to as he kept singing. "Today was a hard one. But you survived. The day was very tough. But in the worst of it, you thrived."
Rocky stopped trembling as Richie continued singing, finding his voice almost as soothing as Zuma's. "I can't say I know. What happens tomorrow. But I know for sure. I won't let it be filled with sorrow." Rocky smiled with Richie finishing the lullaby after making sure Rocky was fully tucked in. "I love seeing you happy. No matter where in Adventure Bay. On days like this it reminds me. Tomorrow is a new day." And with that, Rocky fell asleep, holding onto his blanket as he did so.
After Richie made sure that Rocky was fast asleep, he kissed his forehead and went over to his bed to get some sleep himself. He went into his bed carefully and grabbed his blanket, pulling it over himself as he started to get comfortable. He also started thinking about how tomorrow would go when looking up at the ceiling. He knew his mom wouldn't allow Nicky to get away with this. Nor would he, or any of his friends. Knowing this, he was able to fall asleep peacefully himself. Nicky would have nothing to stop him from paying for what he did to Rocky.
The next day, day thirty of Zuma's life in Adventure Bay to be exact, Zuma and the others were heading to Mayor Goodway mansion, spotting a crowd of residents there already. Zuma started looking for Rocky, quickly finding him on stage. Good thing he was set to go up there with the others anyway. That made it much easier for him to run through the crowd after yelling his name. "Wocky!"
Rocky was happy to see Zuma, despite his fear regarding what was going to happen next. "Zuma!" Zuma hopped up on stage with Rocky expressing how relieved he was to see him. "You couldn't have gotten here sooner. I don't feel safe around Nicky, even with him strapped up like that."
Zuma looked at Nicky, who was in a straight jacket and laughing crazy as he glared at Zuma. "HAVE FUN WITH THE WIMP YOU BOYFRIEND STEALER!"
Nicky continued to laugh crazily as Rocky hid behind Zuma, since Richie was standing beside Diane at the front of the stage. The rest of the Paw Patrol soon joined them with Zuma reassuring Rocky that he would be safe. "You'll be okay Wocky. He'll have to get past me to get to you."
"Don't forget about the rest of us." Chase reminded Rocky, putting a paw on his shoulder for comfort. "And not to brag, but since he never went after me when he thought the two of us were in love, I think he'll be avoiding that this time too."
Rocky looked back at Nicky, knowing that he was more insane now than he was before. "I hope you're right about that Chase."
Ryder rubbed Rocky's head for comfort as Skye tried to comfort him in her own way. "They'll be taking him away from here once we're done Rocky. He won't hurt you, or any of us ever again." Rocky nodded in response, keeping that in mind the best he could as he then paid attention to Diane and Richie.
Diane had a speech prepared for this occasion, which everyone in the crowd was ready to listen to. "Many of you have gotten to know Rocky as a friendly, creative, thoughtful, and loving young pup." Diane looked to Rocky once more, and he nodded in response, giving her the go-ahead for the next part of her speech. Richie put some tape over Nicky's mouth, knowing that his psychotic laughing could distract some of the people. "What you may not know however, is that for almost four months, he's been the victim of a pup who he used to date for three."
Diane then started listing off everything Nicky did to Rocky, or to his friends, after the audience gasped in shock. "Emotional abuse, verbal assaults, physical violence, gaslighting, and heavy mistrust were all things Nicky was the culprit of when dating Rocky. After they broke up, he not only assaulted him again, but manipulated Zuma into stealing Chase's car, tried to kill Zuma multiple times, spiked Chase's camping beverage, spiked Zuma's party drink, and last but not least... sexually, assaulted, Rocky."
The crowd all looked at Nicky with disgust, but he didn't care. He simply blew them a raspberry under the tape as Diane continued. "I understand that events like these aren't normally made public outside of a courtroom. But we don't have one, and even if we did, I'm not waiting three months to get rocky justice." Diane then handed Richie a list as she stated what they would do with Nicky. "So, before we send Nicky as far away, we have a list of consequences he will have to endure for the behavior he's shown. His behavior now alone should show you why."
Diane also cleared up one more thing that Rocky's friends would probably want to know. "And yes, we'll be holding Humdinger accountable, even though he didn't know Nicky's true plan until Rocky was captured." The others were glad to hear that, knowing that Humdinger couldn't get away with this either.
Richie started looking over the list with Zuma asking Ryder something with a whisper after signaling him to come down. "How long does it take for a couwt case to happen?"
"I think it's usually three months." Ryder answered, and Zuma quickly figured out why Diane didn't want to wait. Granted, he didn't either, but still.
Nicky was tied up to a tree for his first punishment, which Richie was about to announce himself. "And for Nicky's first punishment, we will be..." That is... until he realized how ridiculous it was and looked down to Rocky, who was right next to him. "You sure about this?" Rocky nodded his head yes, knowing that Chase and Zuma would love it. "Okay." He then announced it for real to avoid keeping everyone waiting. "Chase and Zuma will be fart sandwiching Nicky, whatever that is, as he's tied up to that tree."
Chase and Zuma were standing on opposite ends of Nicky, and he had to admit that he wasn't sure what to do either. Good thing he was doing this with Chase. "Chase, you're the fawt King, wight? What am I supposed to do?"
"We're gonna put his face in between both of our butts, and fart on him at the same time." Chase explained, and Zuma laughed a bit at the sound of that. "I've never actually done it before, but it's definitely up my alley, as you must know by now."
Zuma nodded his head yes in response before a question popped into his head about the punishment. "But... Nicky gwabbed Wocky's butt duwing his pupnapping. Doesn't using OUR butts to punish him seem hypocwitical?"
Chase thought about that for a moment before coming to a fitting conclusion. "Nah. This is more about showing Nicky what it's like to face consequences for his actions. And he needs a lot of that after this past month."
Zuma completely agreed, especially with that last part. He got ready as Katie walked over to them in a gas proof suit and started recording. "Alright you two. We're rolling. Don't hold back!" Nicky gave Chase and Zuma crazy stares as they walked up to him before realizing what was happening. The moment he did was when Chase and Zuma stood up on their hind legs and pressed their butts against his face. Chase's butt was pressing against the left side of his face, and Zuma's was pressing against the right side. Nicky growled before biting Chase right on the butt.
Chase yelped in response before giving a sly grin and looking back at Nicky. "I'm flattered Nicky, but I don't date criminals." Nicky let go of Chase's butt, leading to him getting a face full of what both his, and Zuma's butts, had to offer him...
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT
PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHT
...Chase and Zuma hit Nicky with two ripe and bassy farts that reeked of rotten eggs, leaving Nicky to gag and cough as the yellow clouds from their vibrating butts suffocated him. He gasped for air with Chase and Zuma stepping forward. Chase grinned proudly as Zuma laughed at how fun that was. "We've gotta do that to more bad guys dude."
"I'll let you know if that can be arranged." Chase assured Zuma, and then he decided to mess with Nicky a bit, knowing that bringing him more fear would bring him quite the satisfying feeling. "Ya know Nicky, this is one of the many things I'm known for. And if this is the start, then I can only imagine what the rest of your punishments will be just to top it."
Nicky flinched and tried to wriggle his way out of the rope, and Skye then came in to remind Chase not to go too far. "Let's leave it there for now Chase." Chase saw why Skye was suggesting that and nodded in response. However, Skye then giggled a bit as she thought about what the next punishment was. "Although, I'm pretty excited about my involvement in what's happening next." Nicky gave a confused bark, wondering what a sissy like Skye could possibly do to mess with him.
Nicky's next punishment was having Skye give him a makeover that made him look completely different. She was having a surprising amount of fun with this, and Nicky's look showed that he wasn't enjoying it one bit. "Oh, don't be so bitter Nicky. You're looking great." Nicky only wished he could flip Skye off. When she was done, she pulled up a mirror she brought on stage with her and showed Nicky what he looked like. "Finished!" Nicky was horrified to find that he looked like Zuma. Skye's smile proved that she knew Nicky would hate that.
Zuma loved seeing Nicky's reaction, but had to question why Skye chose him of all pups. "Any weason you chose to make him look like me?"
"Sure is. It's because I know the only thing he hates as much as losing Rocky, as you." Skye answered, leaving Zuma to simply continue watching as Nicky tried to find a way to get the makeup off of him. He laughed some more after Nicky fell to the ground while still tied to his chair.
As Nicky started wiggling on stage like a maniac, Rocky splashed him with water to get the makeup off. It was cold, and Nicky growled at Rocky after calling him out. "Hey!"
Rocky ignored the growls, refusing to let Nicky scare him anymore. "That's for all the time you took pleasure in mocking my fear of swimming!"
After the makeup started to dry off more, Ryder and Richie walked up to Rocky, the former of whom told him some good news. "Good timing there Rocky. The next punishment is for you to perform." Rocky couldn't wait to see what that punishment was. Whatever it was, he'd do it no questions asked.
The town was waiting in anticipation for what Rocky's punishment for Nicky, which he was preparing for by cracking his knuckles. Nicky gulped, knowing exactly what was coming, and Rocky was more than happy to deliver it. "And this, is for the first time you gave me a black eye, and forced me to lie to my friends about it!" Rocky punched Nicky in the right eye as hard as he could, making him wince. His eye was revealed to be black, and Rocky then got ready for his second punch. "And this, is for attacking my friends at my eighth birthday party!"
Rocky punched Nicky again, making his jaw sore with a powerful left hook. Rocky then readied himself for the last punch, leaving Nicky to flinch while bracing himself for the blow. "And this, is for attacking me after we broke up!" Rocky punched Nicky right in the stomach, and then he looked him right in the eyes as Nicky was shown to be shivering with fear. "Be honest with me Nicky. Do you really think we'll ever get back together?" Nicky nodded his head no, much to Rocky's delight. "Good."
Rocky walked off, leaving Richie to announce who would be giving the next punishment as everyone watched in glee at Nicky's punishment. "Glad to see none of you have been turned off yet. I was kind of worried about that after Rocky landed the first punch." Zuma offered Rocky a fist bump, which he accepted as Richie announced the next punisher. "The next one to punish Nicky is someone you may not be familiar with. Please welcome, longtime friend of Zuma's, Paleclaw!"
Paleclaw was shown to be walking up to the stage as everyone looked at them in awe. Their smile showed that they didn't mind however. They were here for Rocky and Zuma. Not themself. And their smile showed that they were ready "It's a pleasure to help Richie. Fill me in."
Paleclaw's punishment for Nicky involved them seemingly holding the Doberman over a ledge while admiring the work they did on their knife. Nicky was freaking out with Paleclaw being right next to him as he screamed. "Please Paleclaw! Don't drop me! I beg of you!"
"I don't know Nicky." Paleclaw responded, smirking to Nicky as they admitted to a certain feeling they had in that moment. "It's pretty tempting."
Paleclaw descended Nicky by just a bit, making him shout again out of desperation. "If you kill me, you'll most likely go to jail!"
"After you attempted to rape Rocky?" Paleclaw asked with a deadpan expression and eyebrow raise. "I doubt anyone would care if you died. Cruel since you're still a puppy, I know. But you've already lost what makes you a child." Paleclaw looked back at their knife with Nicky still fearing what was going to happen to him. "You could've had a decent life Nicky. All you had to do was let Rocky help you. Your relationship probably would've faltered anyway, but at least it could've been mutual. Instead, your refusal to move on could very well lead to your death."
Paleclaw's calm tone didn't help, and instead made Nicky even more scared. That's what led to him giving in and shouting once again "OKAY OKAY; I GET IT! I'LL LEAVE ROCKY AND ZUMA ALONE FOREVER! JUST PLEASE LET ME LIVE!" Paleclaw was then revealed to only be holding Nicky an inch above the grass on top of a small hill. They dropped him and let him fall to his back, leading to Nicky calling them out after he sat back up. "That wasn't even a real cliff!?"
Paleclaw picked Nicky back up when responding to his angry reaction. "Of course not. Killing you isn't worth my time." Paleclaw then walked right back into Adventure Bay, which was right next to the hill they were at, and went back for Nicky's fifth and final punishment.
Once Paleclaw and Nicky came back, Ryder was revealed to have set up a video call with a police chief in another town. Nicky was confused about what exactly Ryder was planning with this. It's not like the cop had anything to do with this. "Why is there a cop on the screen? Chase is right here."
"This is Officer Samuel, the police chief of Calm-Ten." Ryder revealed, explaining more so Nicky could get the full picture. "Chase isn't an official chief yet, so we felt he would be the best at explaining what's going to happen next. Go ahead chief Samuel."
"Thank you Ryder." Chief Samuel replied, and then he looked right at Nicky, who feared what the officer was going to do. And what he said wasn't exactly in his favor either. "Nicky, yesterday, you sexually assaulted, and planned on raping, a Canine known as Rocky Goodway. Correct?" Nicky nodded his head yes fearfully, which led to Chief Samuel stating exactly what was going to happen. "That's what Ryder told me. And because of this, you are legally required to register as a sex offender; because what you did could make you a danger to be around."
"What!? But I'm only eight!" Nicky shouted, as if age alone was going to cover up what he publicly admitted. "There's no way I'm signing up for something like that this early!"
Chief Samuel hated doing this to a puppy, but he knew he couldn't let Nicky get away with this. "That's not up to us Nicky. This is a process everyone in your paws has to go through. Your actions could've traumatized Rocky. If his friends didn't find him when they did..." Nicky looked at Rocky, becoming furious when he saw Zuma comforting him. "he would've been scarred for life."
Nicky was getting tired of all of these consequences. Why couldn't they just stop holding him accountable already? "Fine! If it gets me away from that sentient poop stain faster, I'll do it!"
"Like I said. Neither of us have a choice." Chief Samuel reminded Nicky, who blew a raspberry at him before hanging up.
Chase then started driving Nicky over to his car, Showing that he would be the one taking him to Calm-Ten. Ryder knelt down to Chase and made absolute sure he was okay with this before letting him head off. "Now Chase. Are you absolutely certain you're okay with driving with a pup like Nicky in your car?"
"I think I'll be fine Ryder. He's wearing a straight jacket after all." Chase pointed out, and then he opened up the driver's seat of his car and smirked to him before making sure his face was right there. "Just so you don't try anything that could mess up my car." Chase sat down right on Nicky's face and closed the front door, making Nicky freak out as the German Shepherd proudly grinned to everyone as they cheered. "Hold your applause everyone. Nicky hasn't been fully dealt with yet." Chase rolled his window up and started farting on Nicky before driving off...
PFFFFFFFFFF...
The fart continued as Chase drove off with Nicky screaming underneath the proudly grinning German Shepherd. Zuma looked at Rocky, hoping he was okay after all that's happened lately. "How are you feeling Wocky?"
Rocky took a bit to check his current feelings before responding. He wanted to make sure he gave Zuma an honest answer. "I'm still pretty shaken up, but you guys have helped a lot with that. And I'm still excited for the last day of the carnival."
Zuma smiled when Rocky said that, but Paleclaw then put a paw on Zuma's shoulder, catching his attention. "Before that... I need to talk to all of you." Zuma noticed that Paleclaw looked regretful and despondent as they said that. He only hoped they were okay.
After Chase returned from the Calm-Ten police station, Paleclaw was talking to the others at the edge of Adventure Bay about their plans. Zuma was sad to see his friend leave, wishing he could've had one more day to spend with them before then. "Do you weally have to go?"
"Yeah. I do. Sorry Zuma." Paleclaw apologized, being as sad about leaving the district as Zuma was. "If I stay in one place for too long, Charm could track me down. I'm not ready to face him yet."
Zuma and the others understood with Ryder assuring Paleclaw that this didn't have to be the last time they came to Adventure Bay. "Just know that you can come back at any time Paleclaw. Whenever you're in trouble, just yelp for help!"
Paleclaw couldn't help snickering a bit at that catchphrase. "Will do. But I'm never repeating that catchphrase." Paleclaw then looked down at Zuma, having a request for him that they hoped wouldn't be asking for too much. "Zuma. You've been the only pup I can trust for the longest time. And even after meeting your friends, you're the dog I trust the most if anything bad happens to me."
Zuma was concerned about that, hoping this didn't mean what he thought it did. "You'we not sick, are you Paleclaw?"
"Oh no, nothing like that; I'd be at Katie's if I were." Paleclaw assured Zuma, explaining what they meant after the clarification. "When I do find a place to settle down, one that could be near Charm, or one that I can protect, I know it's gonna be hard. And there may be a point where I'll need help protecting it." Paleclaw placed a paw on Zuma's shoulder for the next part of what they had to say. "I want you to promise me Zuma. Make me a solid promise, that if I come to Adventure Bay, seeking your help, you'll be right there to lend a paw."
Zuma was unsure of how long that'd be, but he didn't want to let Paleclaw down. He put on a confident smile and decided to honor Paleclaw's promise. "Okay. I pwomise. Just one condition." Paleclaw was all ears, allowing Zuma to say what he wanted in return. "When you find a place to settle down, make sure it's a place you love. A place that makes you happy." Zuma took Paleclaw's paw upon finishing his part of the promise. "A place where you feel you belong."
Paleclaw could tell Zuma was speaking from his time in Adventure Bay. And even if they didn't, they couldn't deny Zuma this request. "A promise for a promise. Sounds like a fair deal to me." Paleclaw wrapped his arms around Zuma, who did the same as the two embraced in a hug.
Chase sniffled a bit, catching Skye's attention, and when she smiled at him during it, he smiled back when explaining why. "I get emotional during goodbyes."
Zuma pulled Paleclaw away and asked one more thing in regards to their departure. "You sure you don't want a sweet wide? Wyder could build you something in like, a day."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't wanna attract too much attention." Paleclaw then bid the rest of the pups farewell as they pressed onward. "See you guys around! Thanks for everything!"
"Bye Paleclaw! Best wishes in finding a happy life!" Paleclaw gave one final wave without turning back, knowing they couldn't make themselves anymore emotional than they already were. As much as they wanted to stay, their quest for vengeance would only make things harder for him if Charm came up. Zuma smiled, but still shed a tear as he watched Paleclaw leave. Rocky put a paw on his shoulder for comfort, making Zuma smile as he looked at him. He only hoped that Paleclaw would one day find a home that made him as happy as Adventure Bay did for him.
Back at the Lookout, Rocky and Zuma were going over the finalized version of the song Zuma wrote for the Pride Month carnival. Rocky was absolutely in love with it, and Zuma could tell just by looking at him. "This is amzaing Zuma! Adventure Bay is going to love it!"
"You weally think so!?" Zuma asked happily, and Rocky nodded his head yes excitedly to confirm it. And Rocky loving the song made Zuma all the more excited. "Yes; yes; yes! Tomowwow is going to be the best day of my life!"
Rocky and Zuma hugged with immense joy before Ryder came into the room from the garage. "Rocky! Zuma!" Rocky and Zuma looked over the couch and at Ryder, who quickly informed them of the danger. "There's a mission involving Charm far out into the sea! Can I trust you guys to look after yourselves?"
"Is that fwidge weady to be waided?" Zuma asked, leading to a smiling eyebrow raise from Ryder in regards to that joke. Zuma then gave a worried look before clarifying what the joke meant. "That means yes."
"I thought so." Ryder assured Zuma, letting him and Rocky know what to do when he went over to them and rubbed their heads. "You two can stay here, or go back to Mayor Goodway's place if you feel you have to. I don't care which one you do so long as you're both safe." Ryder then rushed off when waving to the two pups. "We'll be back soon!"
"Later Wyder!" Zuma called back as he and Rocky waved to Ryder before the teenage human closed the door. Rocky and Zuma then started to wonder what they should do. "So. Pwide day Cawnival doesn't open back up for another hour after the Nicky thing. And now are fwiends are busy in an all membews mission. What should we do?" Rocky shrugged, not really having any specific ideas in mind for this occasion.
Meanwhile, Nicky was laying down on a bed in his cell at Calm-Ten prison, sulking about how the situation led to him being there. He was still under the impression that he didn't do anything wrong, as if that was going to help him at all. He couldn't complain about it vocally however. All he could do was lay on his bed and try to get by. During this, his cellmate, two Chocolate Labradors, one male and one female, went over to him as the female spoke up. "What could a kid like you be in here for?"
Nicky looked at the Chocolate Labradors, sensing a familiar vibe from them when he did. He looked away after that and told them exactly what he was in there for. "I tried to rape my ex boyfriend after hitting him and insulting him."
The couple were concerned after hearing about that. The female was quick to show that she didn't know what to say. "Ooooookaaaaay..."
The male did have some stuff to say however, particularly about Nicky's knowledge. "How do you know what rape is? You look like you're not even double digit age yet."
"I think the answer to that is the same one my ex boyfriend and his friends would give. I don't know." Nicky answered, staying bitter as he tried to make an attempt to make himself seem sympathetic. "I don't even know why they had to ruin my life anyway. All I did was attack my ex boyfriend, verbally, or physically, and then attack him and his friends constantly after he broke up with me, and then try to take it a step further after kidnapping him; I did nothing wrong!"
The Chocolate Labradors saw this conversation as over. As they walked away from Nicky, the female was the first to speak up. "As soon as we get out of here, let's make sure our son doesn't have any friends like that."
"Agreed." The male Chocolate Labrador replied, knowing that anyone who was that delusional was a bad influence to have around anyone. Nicky continued to stare at the ceiling, still confident that he was a victim ever since Rocky broke up with him.
Back at the Lookout, Rocky and Zuma were still waiting for Ryder and the others to come back. It'd been at least half an hour since they left, and they were starting to get worried. Especially Rocky, who knew a lot more about Charm than Zuma did. "What if Charm has already killed them? He can fight like a one pup army. He could've already taken them all out."
"Is he weally that talented?" Zuma asked, and Rocky nodded his head yes in response. Zuma started to get worried himself, and then he got an idea. "Hey. Captain Tuwbot has that jet-ski he never uses, wight?"
"Yeah. What about it?" Rocky asked, and then he quickly figured out what Zuma was planning. "Hold on. You're not saying we should-"
Zuma hopped off the couch as soon as he confirmed this to Rocky. "We should bowwow his jet-ski, take it to that base Wyder and the others found, and help evewyone get out of there with a successful mission!"
Rocky got off the couch as he objected to this, knowing that there were several things to take into consideration. "I'm not so sure about that Zuma. Like I said, Charm could probably take down an army all on his own. And we'd have to trek on a lot of water too. You know I can't swim."
"That's why you'll hold onto me until we get there." Zuma assured Rocky, confident that he'd be able to handle this mission. "Come on Wocky. With your bwains and my bwawn, we've got no chance of failing."
Rocky laughed a bit as he considered their odds, and also the terminology Zuma used. "That's not how the parallel works, but I guess we'd better at least try."
"That's the spiwit! Let's go!" Rocky and Zuma rushed off as fast as they could to get to Ryder and the others as fast as possible. They didn't know how much time they had, so it was important that they didn't waste a second.
Rocky and Zuma were getting on Captain Turbot's jet-ski with Zuma thanking him for the both of them before they took off. "Thanks Captain Tuwbot. We'll wetuwn this puppy as soon as we can!"
"You're welcome Zuma, Rocky." Captain Turbot responded, being happy to lend a helping hand to the Paw Patrol, or their friends. "I prefer using my boat for my patrols out on the sea anyway."
Captain Turbot headed off with Rocky holding tightly onto Zuma. Zuma didn't mind, loving Rocky's touch more than just about anything. And they both loved the feel of each other's fur. Zuma got the engine started, making sure Rocky was ready before they headed out. "You weady for this Wocky?" Rocky nodded his head yes nervously, showing that he was still a little reluctant to try this. Still, he wasn't about to sit back and risk his friends dying, despite his skepticism. "Then let's dive in!"
Zuma drove off as fast as he could, making Rocky more concerned as he tried to avoid falling into the water. "Hey Zuma!? Is there any chance we can avoid touching any rough currents on the way to Charm's base!?"
"Alweady planned on it dude!" Zuma assured Rocky, smiling back at him as he kept driving. "No need to wisk our lives just to look awesome!" Rocky smiled with relief, glad that Zuma took his fear of water into account much more than Nicky did. It made him more hopeful they would get together one day. The two of them drove off together as fast as they could, knowing that they had very little time to lose to save Chase, Skye, Ryder, and Richie.
The moment Rocky and Zuma joined the team can be seen in chapter ten of the main story: Zuma's Light Of Hope.
