Wait no longer! The moment has arrived!
Ladies and gentlemen, DragonsFire Entertainment proudly presents you the triumphed return of the most anticipated story going on today!
Welcome to Lost and Found!
Folks, we left off on a critical situation for the Paw Patrol!
On the Paw Patrol's arrival to the troubled city of Sticksburg in search of Chase and Marshall, the entire team was arrested on the spot for accomplices in Skylar's murder!
However, this turned put to be a misunderstanding made by Sheriff Rosco's deputy, Enos, as they were supposed to be in protective custody instead!
After getting it all sorted out, Ryder finds out that Chase and Marshall unintentionally boarded a cargo plane owned by Bubba, a ruthless crimeboss who has a long standing grudge with Chase's family.
Upon the revelation, Ryder convinces Rosco to help gain an audience with Bubba, to find out from the boss himself what happened to the plane!
Bubba agrees to this, but only if Ryder's pups are present during the confrontation, sending Ryder on edge!
What will happen in this intense confrontation? Find out down below!
Confrontation
There had better be a good reason for this.
If it's one thing that puts Ryder on edge, it's his pups being in any sort of danger. There have been many close calls including what happened to Marshall two years ago, literally losing a pup just last night, and may have lost two along with her.
The last thing he wanted to do was put the rest of his pups in more danger than they ever needed to be, and this was beyond necessary.
When the sheriff said Ryder had to bring his pups along if he ever wanted to talk to Bubba, Ryder was naturally furious. To the point where he was seriously about to change his mind, not wanting any of his pups harmed, even when Sheriff Rosco assured him that Bubba wouldn't hurt them.
Naturally, Ryder didn't believe him and still refused, until his pups strongly reminded him who they were going for and after a lengthy period of convincing, Ryder finally subsided and agreed to so meet Bubba with his pups in tow.
With the sheriff leading them on, the Paw Patrol trekked through the Bone District to Bubba's Nightclub on the sidewalk. The sheriff assured them that the nightclub was only a few blocks away and suggested them to walk. Although it was mostly because the sheriff didn't have a big enough car to fit an entire group of pups along with a human.
As they walked the streets of Sticksburg, the pups barely said anything at all. They all felt overwhelmed at the mere size of the building they were walking by. They were not in the most corporate and popular district, as most of the buildings were apartments, mid-tier restaurants, and small businesses, but some of them were still quite tall to where even Skye had to be higher than usual to even brush the top of them.
The sheriff also stated that since they were travelling at night, they wouldn't get as many stares from ongoing lookers seeing a human with a line of pups. The ones they did see, the sheriff strongly urged them not to pay them any attention for most of them had dabbled in a crime or two, so the pups and Ryder mostly kept to themselves. Even when they heard a jeer from whoever they passed.
Rubble was the first one behind Ryder keeping his eyes focused on the task at hand. It was very surreal to him that they were about to meet the dog who took his Skylar away.
Before they went, Ryder pulled his pups aside and gave them a strict briefing on how it was going to work out. He told them that he would do all the talking and that no pup is to give Bubba any reason to lash out at them and if something does happen, run.
Rubble didn't know if he could honor his owner's wishes as his hatred for Bubba stretched far past of what he did to Skylar. Thanks to the stories he heard of how Bubba was a heartless crime boss who ruined so many lives, to include one of his best friends, Chase. He has to really, really try not to rush at him and rip his throat out for his misdeeds and considering Rubble is usually the lovable and happy go lucky dog that he is, it may not be pretty when he finally meets Bubba.
Behind them were Skye and Everest who were keeping calm and collected from what lies before them. At least Skye was, but a look over Everest gave a different vibe.
Ever since Chase and Marshall had been dubbed missing, Skye noticed Everest has been very vulnerable. Even though everyone else was on edge along with her, Skye noted that Everest was gloomier than she'd thought she be. Almost like her heart was lost and the husky was on autopilot.
She looked at her with a little concern. "Everest?"
The husky perked, forming the fakest smile the cockapoo had ever seen. "Hey Skye. You good?"
Skye put up a fake smile of her own. "As good as I can be."
Everest then straightened her smile, lifting Skye's spirit up, but then, Everest shifts her head forward.
"Everest? Are you okay?"
Everest tensed like an embarrassed student in class. She didn't answer for a good bit. "F-Fine."
"Are you sure Ev? You know you can talk to me."
A minute went by this time before Everest responded in a bitter voice. "I said I'm fine Skye."
Getting the hint, Skye backed off, she couldn't imagine what was going through her head right now. She just hopes her best friend hasn't fallen too far.
Rocky and Zuma brought up the rear with Zuma practically dragging his paws across the pavement. Shaking in fear. Rocky stayed behind him to keep pace with him.
"It's soooooo scawry at n-n-night du-dude. Zuma shivered.
"It's okay pal, I'm right here." Rocky charmed. "Unless there's a ghost, then I'd high tail it out of here."
"N-No! Do-Don't do that! I'm scawed of gh-ghosts!" Zuma cried out.
Rocky let out a joyful laugh. "Take it easy Zuma. I'm just kidding. I would never leave you high and dry."
"N-Not funny Wocky." Zuma whines.
"I just wanted to get a laugh out of you." Rocky replied.
"Then tell me a knock knock joke ow something."
"Okay, Knock Knock."
Wh-Whose thewe?"
"Me."
"M-Me who?"
"Boo!" Rocky jumped, causing the poor lab to yelp, cringing down into a shuttering pile of bones, hiding his eyes with his paws.
"Stop it Rocky." Ryder let out in a stern. "You're not helping."
Rocky whimpers. "I know." He then brushes up next to the scared lab. "Sorry pal."
Zuma yelps out and shoots towards the group.
"What'd I say this time?" Rocky asks.
"Will ya'll hush? Bubba does not like surprises." Rosco urged.
"I thought Bubba knows we are coming." Rubble points out.
"He does, but all these blurt outs will give him the wrong idea. Now keep quiet, were almost there."
"Really?" Everest asked.
"I said hush now." Rosco demanded. "Not a single word until we see Bubba."
"Well, we don't have to wait long, because isn't that him right there?" Ryder pointed.
True to Ryder's word, standing in front of the night club was the boxer lab mix. Standing squarely in front of the doors with a notable scowl on his face, as if he'd been standing there for hours. Along with two others who were flanking him, of course armed with rifles which instantly made the pup's fur stand on end.
Rosco stopped and stared down Bubba, with Ryder doing the same. His pups stand side by side with him. Skye and Everest and Rubble giving glares of their own. Their nerves took a backseat as they were reminded why they were here. Rocky and Zuma had glares themselves, although they weren't as intense as everyone else's as Zuma was shaking a little and Rocky intimidated with a twitch.
Rosco cleared his throat. "Well….here they are Bubba, brought them here just like I said. I hope this is enough to prove my faith in you."
Ryder and his pups' eyes grew in response. It seemed as if Rosco swindled them into seeing Bubba.
Bubba however, didn't change his expression. Walking closer to the gawking group. They held their breaths as Bubba got up close to Rosco. The tension tightened when he pulled out a dog's revolver and checked its status, rolling the barrel to see that it was fully loaded.
When Bubba closes the revolver with a click and pulled the hammer back, Ryder stood ready to prevent any harm to his pups, as Bubba could do any…..
BANG!
The pups all yelp, their ears ringing like sleigh bells. Ryder retracted before he looked down, expecting to see a bloody hole on his chest but didn't find one. He panics and snaps his head around at every pup, but other than them being scared out of their paws, they were all fine.
Sheriff Rosco on the other hand, was a different story. He was now laying down on his side in a pool of a flowing pool of crimson. His eyes wide open and still.
Fearful whimpers sound from the pups as Ryder stares at the sheriff's body. In complete shock as this was the first time he'd seen a horrible crime happen right in front of him.
"Sorry you all had to see that." Bubba finally speaks. "You pups should never be exposed to dirty business like this." He then clucks his teeth and nods, signaling the two dogs beside him to grab Rosco's body and drags him in the shadows.
Ryder looks up with a scowl. "That dog had a family."
Bubba scowls back. "Yeah and so did I. But that swiftly changed because of your pup. I apologize if I'm a little on edge tonight. Besides….he was going to betray me, So I did it first."
Ryder and the pups stayed silent as Bubba put his revolver away. "Now enough of that, I understand that you want to talk to me?"
"Not so fast Bubba." Ryder denies. "I wanna know why you were so insistent on my pups being here."
"Because I know you didn't want them to be here." Bubba slightly chuckles.
Ryder narrows his eyes and crunches his lips in obvious suspicion, while his pups who were still trying to get over the murder committed right in front of them, still shaking.
Bubba sees this and grins. "Despite what you all think of me, I am by no means, a pup killer. As long as no one here wants to be a hero, you and your pups will be fine."
Rubble was close to growling to him for that blatant lie, otherwise why were they here in the first place?
"Now, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty hungry right now, and I can't talk on an empty stomach. Why don't all of you come in. I have some dinner prepared for you all."
Before anyone could accept his offer, Bubba started walking into his nightclub. Leaving them behind.
The pups nervously look to Ryder wondering if they should continue with this. Every part of Ryder's being is telling him to just turn around to lead his pups away from danger, but his heart kept beating for Chase and Marshall and only Bubba knew where their plane went. Like it or not, he's going to have to trust Bubba's word that he at least wouldn't hurt his pups.
With a big gulp, slowly followed Bubba inside, tailed by an incredibly shaking Paw Patrol. Into the lion's den.
The nightclub was far from presentable. Everywhere the pups looked were bullet holes on the stage, the band gallery, and the tables and seats that were either standing or knocked over. There is also police tape around the stage, band gallery, and various tables while a massive gong was lying face down next to a shattered window at the far left of the club.
"As you can probably see, your pup made quite a mess of things in here." Bubba jeered. "So I apologize if my club is not….formal right now."
Ryder eyes a particular booth dead center of the club. Along with the police tape around it, they were evidence tags on the table, chairs and floor, and a chalk outline on the floor that sent an eerie chill down his spine.
"That's my usual spot." Bubba points out. "We're obviously not gonna sit there today thanks to poor Skylar's murder. So tragic."
In response of this, Rubble growls lowly at Bubba's ply to act innocent having set in his mind that Bubba killed her.
Bubba leads them to a booth nearby with a surprisingly big enough roundtable and enough chairs for them. Bubba gets seated on one side in the booth, while Ryder and the pups stand on the other side, noticing the plates that had various sizes of steak for all the pups and even Ryder.
The pups were very skeptical at first before one by one, they got on the chairs and stared at the food in front of them. All except for Ryder who unfortunately didn't have a chair.
Bubba looks up from his plate. "You'll have to forgive me Ryder. Humans don't really come to my nightclub very often."
Ryder didn't show any emotion, but his mom and dad taught him manners. "It's alright Bubba, I'm not really hungry anyway."
Bubba crunches his lips and then notices that neither of the pups have started eating. "What? Are you all not hungry too?"
Rocky, Zuma, Skye, and Everest bow their heads in response, while Rubble continued to give a dirty look to the crime boss.
Bubba sighs. "Such a shame. I figured you'd all be hungry after your travels. Well, I guess these beautiful stakes will have to be tossed."
The pups all look at Ryder scarcely for what they can do. He could tell from the look in their eyes that they were very hungry, but he knew that the pups wouldn't act on themselves for Ryder's judgment. If Ryder wasn't eating, there was no way they would eat. However, Ryder didn't think that Bubba would do anything to poison their food or anything, so he figures that it's better than his pups starving.
He gives a nod to them. "It's okay pups, you can eat if you want to."
The pups all look at their dinner. They were perfect looking steaks and mouthwatering. Rocky breaks the line, shrugging before he digs in. Skye and Everest scoffed at him a little until Zuma himself couldn't resist. Strangely, the only one not eating was Rubble, who was too busy staring a hole through Bubba.
It was then that Ryder noticed that the entire club, including the second-floor balcony, was littered with various dogs. Armed with dog rifles and pistols. Easily putting him on edge.
"Don't pay any attention to them Ryder," Bubba suddenly says. "They're just here for my protection. Like I said, as long as no one here has any bright ideas, there will be no reason for any gun to fire."
Reluctantly, Ryder shifts his attention to Bubba. Though keeping Bubba's cronies in the back of his mind. Knowing he'll have to be careful of what he or his pups do. Which was the reason he didn't want them here in the first place, but that had already been foiled.
"I'm guessing you know why I'm here." Ryder starts off.
"A little bit to be honest." Bubba answers. "You're here to talk about RyderTech and tell me how I can utilize it?"
Ryder shakes his head stiffly. "No Bubba. I'm not here for that." He slumps over the table and glares at the dog. "I'm here for Chase and Marshall."
Bubba narrows his eyes. "What's so special about them?"
Ryder kept his stern. "Last night they boarded a plane. As you can see, they never made it back, so I figured you of all dogs would know where they are, seems how the plane they boarded turned out to be yours."
Bubba glares back before he slumps back in his chair. Looking to be comp templating on what to say.
"Don't play games with me Bubba. It's quite a coincidence considering what happened here last night. So I'm going to ask this once, where is that plane?"
The pups look at Ryder with worry. No matter how bad they wanted to save Chase and Marshall, they knew that Ryder was essentially poking the hornets' nest.
Rubble was oddly the only one not deterred though. Hanging on to Bubba's words like a detective.
Bubba nods. "Yes, I know that it was my plane that they boarded. The cargo plane that was set to make its delivery to Foggy Bottom to be exact. But I'm afraid that's all I know about it."
Ryder obviously knows that wasn't the case. There was no way that Chase and Marshall would willingly get on one of his planes unless there were some arrangements made. "Bubba. I'm not stupid. I know for sure you know more than you're letting on."
The lab chow pops a suspicious eyebrow at the boy. "What makes you say that?"
"Because I know your history with Chase. You couldn't resist the opportunity to get some sort of revenge on the pup. Am I right or am I wrong?"
Bubba snorts while taking a big gulp of his drink. The pups stop eating to pay more attention.
"So you've done your homework on me. I admire that Ryder." Bubba snickers. "Makes me wonder why you sent Chase in the first place based on our history."
"You mean when you killed his father?" Skye suddenly jeers out of nowhere, immediately regretting it when Bubba gives her a nasty look.
"Yes, cock, I did kill his father, but the thing about that is, when I did, it was a favor for Ozzie." Bubba shifts his eyes back to Ryder. "In that sense, you would say that he would want his revenge on me." Bubba takes another bite of his stake. "I have nothing on the shepherd. I couldn't care less if he ended up dying an old dog or dropping dead on the street."
Ryder clenches his fists, starting to get frustrated with the crime boss. "You expect me to believe that Bubba?"
"I expect you to be the smarter one here." Bubba bounces back. "You're saying that I would personally sabotage a flight of mine that was set to make a very important delivery just to get petty revenge on a pup? Honestly Ryder, that would make me a comic book villain."
Bubba finishes his steak and glares daggers at Ryder. "If you haven't noticed, this is no comic book, and I don't just throw away business like that. Whatever happened to my plane was out of my influence."
Ryder slumps down on the table. "You're lying straight through your teeth."
"Believe what you want to believe Ryder." Bubba grins as he finishes his drink. "But I can't tell you anything I don't know, and all I know is that my plane to Foggy Bottom left the airstrip, both your pups were on it, and it apparently didn't make it's destination. Which means that I lost a buttload of money on that plane last night. That is all I know and all your getting from me."
Ryder of course didn't want to give up. Bubba was straight up lying, and he knew that, but he can't think of any other way to pry it out of him.
Bubba's obviously knows how to seal his mouth. He is a crime boss after all and a successful one at that. He's gotten away with countless crimes including murdering Tracer on the lawn of his own home, and here is Ryder, this ten-year-old kid thinking he could tear down this powerful criminal that even the city couldn't take down.
He should've never even tried to go after him. He doesn't even remember how he came up with this stupid plan. All he knew was that it cost him his most precious pups.
He stayed still silent like a misbehaved kid at the dinner table. Looking to have exhausted his efforts. The pups noticed this and was unpleasantly shocked. Seeing their owner completely give up on not just taking it to Bubba, but on Chase and Marshall made her feel cold as ice. If he gives up, what does that say for Chase and Marshall's fate?
Bubba grins at the disheartened group. "I wish I can help you more, but I can't. Now, if there is nothing more, then I'm gonna have to ask you to…"
"Wait just one second Bubba."
A collective gasp fills the air. Everyone's eyes shoot to Rocky, who was the one who entered the conversation. Standing on his chair with his forepaws on the table, straight at Bubba like an arrow.
Bubba cocks his head almost sideways before suddenly slumping over the table, meeting the mixed breed's eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
The pups around him were now shaking profusely while Ryder was having multiple heart attacks. But Rocky kept his cocky firm, as if he had nothing to lose. "My name is Rocky, and I'm going to be the most important pup in the world in a second."
"And why is that?" Bubba sneers, getting ready to give the order in case Rocky did anything to hurt him.
"Because I have a confession to make." Rocky answers.
Bubba cocks his head again with a dirty scowl. "What is that?"
"It's about your copy of RyderTech. Have you loaded it on your computer network yet?" Rocky asks.
"Yeah. Why? What did you do?" Bubba growls.
The pups looked to be in a horror movie, too scared to even try to stop Rocky, however Rocky grows a smug grin like the one Bubba had on earlier. "What I did was infect it with Spyware. A little tiny program that takes everything about you and broadcasts it on the internet. Meaning that if anyone is willing to, they won't have to do much digging to find all your dirty little secrets and crumble your empire faster than you can fetch a ball."
Another gasp echoes out of everyone to include Bubba.
"Y-You're bluffing." Bubba stutters.
"I most certainly am not Bubba. If you thought that we were going to just give you Ryder's prize-winning software to one such as you, then you must be the dumbest dog on the planet."
Zuma clings on to Rocky and tries to get him to sit back down. "Wocky, stop! You've gonna get huwt dude!"
Rocky shakes Zuma off and still stands up to Bubba, no matter how nervous he actually was. "Now that it's on your computer, even if you do delete RyderTech, it stays on there until someone can properly take it off, and that someone is its creator. Me. I will gladly take it off for you, but only if you open nice and wide on what happened to our friends. I promise you that."
Bubba narrows on Rocky. "Oh really? What if I did this?" He lets out a loud whistle, signaling his dogs to cock their guns and aim them straight at the challenger. Ryder and the pups froze stiff, terrified that any move they make could end Rocky's valiant life. "What do you think now pup? I'd think twice before you shoot your mouth again."
Rocky starts to shutter a little, however despite all guns aimed at him, he knew he had the upper paw here, and he was willing to die for his friends. He matches Bubba's gaze, his jaw jittering a little. "Go ahead…Shoot me."
Another gasp exits everyone as Skye screams. "Rocky! No!"
"I mean it Bubba. Shoot me. It an't going to solve anything for you. Because only I can get rid of the spyware right now. There may be a chance for you to get rid of it, but by the time you do, it will be far too late, and your empire will collapse regardless, and you know what? To go down and take your freedom with me? I'd say that's worth it."
Bubba stares silently as Zuma hugs Rocky tight and whimpers. "Wocky, please….don't."
Rocky just stands absolutely still and continues to glare at the chow, although was starting to shake a little. As it turns out, he was bluffing a little. Ryder of course knows how to get rid of the spyware because he developed it alongside Rocky. He trusts Ryder to play along knowing that this was their last gasp to save Chase and Marshall.
"Or…you can cooperate, and just tell us where Chase and Marshall are." Rocky lays down with confidence. "Only then will I delete the software and your criminal empire will remain intact, and we can go on our separate ways, never to bother you again. What do you say to that? Tell us what happened to our friends, or kiss everything you worked for goodbye."
The two dogs have the longest staring contest in the world while it's spectators hung on by the skin of their teeth. Hoping to God Bubba falls for Rocky's ruse.
Then, Bubba finally acts, by growing an evil grin until he suddenly burst onto full on laughter, slamming his paws on the table, jittering It's contents across it. Rocky's ears droops. Everyone is now looking at Bubba completely confused as he somehow laughs harder.
"Wh-What's so funny?" Rocky asks.
While still laughing, Bubba sways his head, giving a signal to his dogs stand down as they pull their guns away from Rocky.
"Boy Ryder, I tried. I really did." Bubba reeled his laughter finally died down. "I didn't want to tell you what happened to your precious pups because I knew you weren't going to like it. I wanted you to find out for yourself, but thanks you're your pup's "heroic sacrifice", I'm forced to crack wide open."
A freezing shiver shot down Ryder's spine. In fear of what Bubba was about to say.
Bubba chuckles more. "The truth is that I of course knew that Chase got on my plane, in fact, I made arrangements myself, for him to get on it so that halfway through the trip, the pilots can bail and take all the parachutes with them. So both your pups would be left on it when it crashes."
The gasps from everyone was so deep that it nearly propelled the pups off their chairs, as it got worse.
"And that is what they did. I know this because I received contact from them just last night and gave them instructions. Their plane crashed into a mountain according to them, they were fast asleep when they left. So I guess you can put two and two together."
Ryder nearly collapses in shock, slamming his hands down on the table and eying the plate under him. He seriously thought about chucking it to Bubba's head, but one look at his horrid pups, made him think otherwise.
Skye shakes profusely, almost going down herself. Tears escape her eyes as she suddenly feels anger inside her and screams at the crime boss. "You are a monster Bubba! You told us you weren't a pup killer knowing full well what you did last night!"
Bubba slams his paws on the table. So hard that the pups' side shoots up, almost flipping. "I know I did Cock! I'm not as proud of it as you think! But when it comes to Chase, it's different. That pup's family has always been a blister on mine and Ozzie's tail for years. But even with that, I wasn't really going to, but then…..last night. Before he left."
To the surprise of everyone, Bubba clenches his eyes and lowers his head. One swearing that they actually saw tears oozing out of the crime boss.
"He took the two things I treasured more than anything. My beautiful daughter and my strong son. Chozo and Smut were my only good things I did to this world, and he killed them right in front of me."
Skye was rendered speechless. Still angry, but surprised to see this out of the ruthless crime boss.
"Because of that, I had to do it. I had to do something to avenge them."
"What about Marshall?!"
Everyone looks at Everest who was the next one to pipe off. Frothing in rage. "He had nothing to do with your little thing with Chase! He's never harmed a mere fly in his life, and you just attached him to your revenge like he himself killed your pups! He didn't deserve to die!"
Bubba didn't lash out at her. He bows his head and lowly growls. "You're right. But he was an unfortunate sacrifice for my payback with Chase. I am ashamed but that's how it is."
Ryder slowly raises his head to Bubba and is fighting the urge to come across the table. Only the safety of his pups prevented him from doing so. However, it didn't stop Rubble.
With a hostile bark, Rubble launches across the table and into Bubba's face. Ryder barley had enough time to grab and restrain him from making a cruel mistake.
"You are a cold-blooded KILLER BUBBA! I outa rip your limbs one by one and eat them for dinner!" Rubble snarls in his face, putting everybody off, having never seen Rubble this angry in their lives.
Bubba just sits there though. Glaring the same hole in the bulldog that he was. Not once making any motion to order his dogs to fire, despite being threatened by an enraged bulldog.
"It is what it is and that's all I've got to say about that." Bubba snarls in distaste. "No more questions. Get out. All of you."
On that note, Ryder was finally able to pull Rubble back from Bubba. The other pups all look to him disheartened. Wondering what to do.
Ryder tilts his head to the exit. "Let's go pups. We got everything we came for."
A chorus of sad whimpers sounded from the pups as they get up from the table following Ryder's lead as he drags his feet away from Bubba's table and towards the club's door. Their heads swimming in despair for Chase and Marshall.
"Hold it!" Bubba calls out, making the team turn to him. "I almost forgot; you need to hold your end of the bargain! Get back over here!"
Rocky gulps before he trots back over to Bubba. The rest just stand there, waiting patiently.
Bubba gives then a dirty look. "That does not mean you all can stay. Out with you!"
"You kidding me? No!" Ryder bats. "There's no way I'm…"
Bubba jumps to his haunches with a bark. "For heaven's sake Ryder, I'm not going to hurt him! Now fuck off before I have you shot where you stand!"
Ryder wasn't going to give in at all. There was no way he would leave one of his precious pups alone with a crime boss. However, the guns that he knows are pointed at him and his pups were a powerful negotiator.
He slowly turns away from them and walks out of the nightclub, his pups right behind him not knowing if they'll see Rocky walk out.
The wait for Rocky to come out was agonizing for the Paw Patrol. Ryder and Zuma stare at the door, waiting for it to move.
Skye and Everest were on another planet. Their mind dwelling on Chase and Marshall. Bubba pretty much confirmed it right in front of them. Chase and Marshall were boned the instant they got on that plane.
Everest wanted to lay and cry forever. She has now lost three friends in the matter of a single night. Friends that she treasured above others. Skye, however, didn't want to believe it. Chase is a smart pup and could think on his feet. There is still a possibility that he somehow survived along with Marshall. That was the only thing keeping her from losing all hope.
Rubble was standing away from them. Eying the group very nervously. His anger converting to full guilt ridden as he thinks about the wish he made. Bubba and his cronies might have actively killed Chase and Marshall, but the wish he made had come true. He will never see Chase again and Marshall was the cruel sacrifice for it. He now wished that he could take his own life for his heinous deed.
Finally, the door opens and out comes Rocky with a traumatized look on his face, but is safe as a home run. Upon his exit, the team huddles around him with Ryder squeezing him with a tight hug.
"Are you alright Rocky?!" Ryder blurts out.
"Ye-Yeah I-I'm okay, and ….the software's gone." Rocky answers in a low tone.
Ryder let go and Rocky was suddenly hit by a furious Zuma. "Wocky you bone head! I thought fow suwe they'd shoot you fow standing up to Bubba like that! What wewe you thinking?!"
"I was thinking about Chase and Marshall." Rocky responded with dread. "I just…w-wanted to do something."
"That you did Rocky, and it was really stupid of you." Ryder sternly cut, looking down on him.
Rocky droops his head a little. "I know it was Ryder, and I'm sorry."
Ryder kneels to Rocky. "It's okay Rocky." He pets the mixed breed soothingly and smirks. "You were still a very brave pup, and you got him to crack."
Rocky gives him a grateful grin back and slightly wags his tail.
"Yes but that doesn't change anything!" Everest whines. "Chase and Marshall's plane still crashed with no parachutes. I-I don't want to lose hope or anything but….I'm starting to think that were too late…"
The pups all whimper at Everest's reminder of the situation but Ryder keeps his head straight and rises to his feet. Eying the pups around. "I know, but still, we can't give up now. I still have faith in them and it is our duty to find them."
Zuma raises to Ryder's thighs. "But how Wydew? They didn't even make it to Foggy Bottom. They could be anywhere fwom hewe to Adventuwe Bay!"
Ryder looks at Zuma with sudden uncertainty. "I…..d-don't know, but I'll come up with something. Even if we have to search for months, we'll find them."
The pups all look at each other. Unsatisfied with Ryder's half confidence. Wondering just how long it will take for them to find their friends.
However, Rocky suddenly perks like a light bulb. "Wait! We may not have to search so blindly!"
Ryder and the other pups look at him.
"What is it boy?"
Rocky's tail wags more as he thinks about it. "The spyware may be gone from Bubba's system, but it may have had enough time to send his data to your network server Ryder!"
"Yeah so?" Ryder replies, trying to get what Rocky was saying.
Rocky was about to launch straight to the moon in excitement. "Sooooo that means you have copies of his documents, innerworkings, and his call transcripts!"
Ryder finally caught on. "Oh! That's right! Bubba said it himself that he received contact from his pilots just before they bailed out! If I could get to the pup computer in the air patroller, I can pull up that call, and find out where they were when it was made! Great thinking Rocky!"
Rocky stands proudly. "Thank you Ryder!"
Ryder then cups his chin. "The only thing is, the AirPatroller is impounded now, so I'll have to talk to deputy Enos about when we can access it. So I guess it's off to the police station with us."
The pups all nod with a little excitement. However, one pup was shaking in his paws. Rubble steps in front of Ryder looking as guilty as a criminal on death row. "Wait Ryder. I….have a confession to make."
The pups all look at Rubble as the bulldog stares straight into Ryder's eyes. Ryder looks into his with confusion.
"What is it bud? What's wrong?"
Rubble hangs his head in shame. "The night you told us about Skylar I…I was angry. Angry at Chase. So much that I….s-saw a falling star and…" Rubble nearly cracks under pressure with the pups suddenly hanging on his next words. He suddenly jolts his head up. "I wished that I'd never see Chase ever again!"
One big gasp emitted from everyone. Zuma's jaw hit the floor, Rocky clenched his teeth and cringed, and Everest was frozen solid. Skye was beyond shock. Never has any of them ever heard Rubble wish death upon anyone aside from Bubba a few minutes ago.
Skye had stopped believing in stuff like wishing upon stars. She didn't think that Chase and Marshall's doom was caused by Rubble's wish, but the coincidence must be damning to the bulldog. Especially at the mindset he was in right now.
"Oh….no….Rubble." She murmurs with a shake of her head.
"I…..I didn't really mean it, but…..I s-still made it and now Chase and Marshall are gone and it's my fault."
Rubble's whimpers turn into sobs as he droops his head back down in shame. Ryder kneels to him and hugs his crying construction pup. "Rubble, Rubble. It's okay, It's okay. I don't blame you for having such a nasty thought."
Rubble sniffs. "You don't?"
Ryder ends the hug and looks into his eyes gently grasping his shoulders. "No. Not at all. You were going off of what happened to Skylar and probably wasn't thinking straight. Plus, to be honest, I don't think your wish did anything to Chase and Marshall."
Rubble creeks his head. "Wha? So…it's not my fault?"
"Not as much as you think. Don't forget who the real bad guys are here. Your wish was just a coincidence."
Rubble sniffs some more before he slowly nods to Ryder in understanding.
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Both Ryder and Rubble snap their heads at Everest after her sudden outburst from the dark. "He just doomed Chase and Marshall, and you're just gonna let him get away with that!" Everest hollers in anger.
Skye looks to her best friend in complete confusion. "Everest! Lay off him! It's not a big deal!"
"It is a big deal Skye!" Everest roars back, making Skye back up a few steps. "Chase and Marshall could be out there lost, cold, and hungry if not dead because Rubble could control his anger with his wish!"
Rubble cringed. "I'm sorry Everest! Sorry sorry sorry!"
"It's not me you need to say sorry to!" Everest barks coldly. "The ones you need to say sorry to will never hear you say it!"
"Everest, you need to cool it. Now." Ryder retorts with authority. "Yelling at him will do us no good."
Everest grits her teeth and shutters her eyes in frustration. "No. But he needs to understand. All of you do. Wishes can be so dangerous if you throw them around like that. You should know that as much as I do Rubble, but you didn't think about that didn't you?!" Everest then opens her eyes, leaking hot tears. "You should be ashamed of yourself!"
Rubble starts to shake profusely like an erupting volcano. "I am…I am….I AM!"
Rubble bawls to the floor with Ryder, Rocky, and Zuma huddling him for comfort. Skye slowly turns to Everest in disbelief.
The husky just turns away from sight. Not baring to look at the unforgivable Rubble.
Oh man! What a blowout!
It clearly seems that the pups being pushed over the edge here! Especially Everest!
Just what has gotten into the snow pup, And will Ryder be able to locate Chase and Marshall's downed plane?
Find out next week when part 4 releases!
Question of the Chapter: Do you feel any animosity towards Rubble for his wish?
Leave your answer in your review!
Bonus Question: What are Chase and Marshall doing right now?
Please review and tell me your favorite parts! If you have any questions, leave them in your review or PM me and I'll get to them as soon as I can!
This is Sean Thames of DragonsFire Entertainment signing off!