Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Marching Orders. Enjoy the 3000-word chapter. I do not own Patrol; Nick and a few others do.
Duke felt cold metal around him. He was curious, he was very curious… Why? Simple. He knew more and more something was odd.
This was not a pound; it was a prison. It looked more like a prison anyway. He was curious… Much more curious as to how it would become.
Duke for no reason small looked to his side, Otis was freaking out, eyes wide and pupils darting around the room… If Duke did not know better? He suspected that Otis had been in a pound before.
Despite being a bit thrown off? He knew his friend had his sympathy. Duke was tired and he was cranky… He was still worried about Otis.
"Otis… Relax." Duke stated in a tone that was thrown off now. "You are safe. if you were not? We would both be scared." Duke stated before he shook his head.
Otis looked at him. Both? He was scared… Terrified more than Duke wanted to admit. He knew that both were all too much for now.
"You are scared?" Otis asked as Duke shrugged, body slumping a bit off the ground.
"Little. Unfamiliar environment, unknown people. I just do not dwell on it… If I did? We would be in trouble because I would be terrified." Duke stated.
It did not calm Otis down the entire way but it did make him relax which brought the inklings of a smirk to his face.
He had been too unused to the familiar happiness that came from helping someone, he knew more and more with each little second would come hope.
"You said that guy who took us isn't a dogcatcher?" Duke heard as he nodded and then looked to the side.
"Correct, what about it? That intel is not useful for now… Unless you think it can help with the plan to escape? Well, one I am attempting to make." Duke stated to which Otis blinked.
"You were planning? Why didn't you tell me? I was worrying Paw Patrol would come after us." Otis heard as he looked towards the ground.
"Tell me something to someone out of town…." Duke stated before leaning close to the bars. "What is the Paw Patrol?" Duke asked, crossing his front paws over his face… He would not be able to try and think of it all before he looked downwards.
Duke hummed, guessing it would be some time at least before both escaped. Might as well inquire about the superhero team he had seen on a shirt around here.
(With Paw Patrol)
It was clear something bad had gone on. A mailbox was broken which Rocky fixed easily there were skid marks over the ground.
"So, the others have been dognapped," Liberty stated before she seemed to frown for now…
She seemed to be tired at the end of it… Then again? Liberty was more confused than shocked for now. Liberty hummed as Skye watched as Chase scanned the tracks, looking up at the flying Skye who was too thrown off as well to deal with.
Both were to say something but it would have been harder and harder to expand on details.
"Why would Humdinger pupnap anyone?" Skye stated to which there was no real answer.
The answer was obvious even before it left her mouth. Humdinger had been up to no good the entire time he had escaped jail… Neither had that scientist lady who helped him.
Granted, both were villains but they still needed a motive for doing such a thing.
"Oh, I see where the tracks lead!" Chase stated as the group waited for Ryder before following said lead.
It would be short before they freed these two lost pups… But why they were captured was an odd thing.
(With Otis and Duke)
Duke hummed… There was something that needed to be dealt with and dealt with properly.
"So, they are special forces," Duke stated, tapping his paw on the ground.
"What do you mean special? Like soldier people?" Otis asked to which Duke nodded.
"Yes… Soldier people… Why?" Duke asked, raising an eyebrow at this.
"You were a soldier, yeah?" Otis asked as Duke hummed.
"I was trained to be a soldier dog… But there was… Issues, Otis." Duke said as he paused before slamming into the cage as hard as possible. "Try knocking the cages over, they don't look very sturdy if I am right," Duke said before he looked at Otis.
"You've been to the pound?" Otis asked before Duke shrugged.
"Once… C'mon… I told you not to worry, we are getting out now." Duke said before the door opened.
"These are the wrong pups! I told you to take the Paw Patrol, not some strays!" They heard as Duke growled.
The man wore a top hat and a suit… He looked more like that man from the board game than anyone Duke knew… Though it was not the first time Duke had been too interested in appearance.
The man seemed shrew, far more on edge and considering their outfit? Duke guessed they either believed themselves a fancy man or they were a politician.
Did he know who they were? No, because he did not know much about the leadership of this town. The only thing he needed to know was what was going on. He knew they were dangerous which meant he should pretend to be helpless.
Duke looked at Otis as both were too easily pacified. He because he knew fighting would not improve their odds of escaping… And Otis because he knew that Duke was trying to help at the end.
Duke said nothing, too afraid of worrying Otis if he was still in trouble. He knew Otis was not on the same train as him and if anything? Duke's military training made him far more suited for this than anything.
He did not understand how well it would have been for now… It was a part of Otis Duke intended to work on if they escaped… Provided they were able to relax long enough for Duke to.
The top hat-wearing man who could only glare at them was then joined by felines… Cats, domestic Duke assumed given their size and behavior.
'Great. We have been kidnapped by someone with a cat adoration… We are not going to get out of here.' Duke stated before he almost slammed his head against the bars.
Otis quivered in fear which Duke took as another idea crossed Duke's mind.
They were bait. It seemed he had been looking for the Paw Patrol which made his assault against the pair of canines make sense.
What did not make sense? That was why he seemed angered at the prospect of having bait.
"Hmm… The small guy, take him… Take the small guy." Duke heard as he went to defend Otis only to be kicked back by one of the cats.
"Duke!" Duke heard as he grunted and rubbed his skull as this went on.
Both were disturbed… Beaten down, he could not understand what was going on as he sighed.
All his body felt like he had been too beaten down. He felt like he had been thrown into the wall… Something like this was harder to deal with.
He laid in the back, however… All of him was curious as to how it would be… The man departed with Otis as Duke growled but he could barely get up.
Did they hit him with something like a Taser or something when he was not used to it?
He did not know… He did know his body was hurting… It was hurting far more than he should have felt.
He had been too tired to notice the sounds of the man yelling and rushing away with Otis as Duke whimpered in pain.
(With the Paw Patrol)
Skye and the others had followed the van as if it had been ice cream or another delectable treat.
Humdinger being himself… Pretended to flee, holding a box which they guessed also had the missing pup… But the cage was too small for more than one puppy.
"Duke! Duke! Help!" The cage yelped which made Skye blink.
Ok… One was named Duke which made 2 puppies to find. She watched Chase follow Humdinger who was busy using the cage as a makeshift shield.
Guess that left her and the others to find this 'Duke' and save him before something else occurred.
She flew downwards, her crystal letting her tear the old doors down as she blinked. This place was old, why didn't someone clean it or tear it down?
The sound of a whimper drew her attention towards part of the factory as she heard the others trying to catch Humdinger… She knew leaving a pup behind also was not good.
"Duke? Duke, I am here to help." Duke heard as he blinked.
"K… Ow… They did shock me." She heard as she flew to the room where the noise was heard.
She blinked for a moment but she said nothing. She did not know what to say at the time as he looked downwards at the ground.
Skye seemed to be dealt with for now… She walked into the room with the cage she guessed held Duke to which he groaned.
"Ow… Yep, shocked me in the face." Duke stated before he rubbed at his head. "Otis? Otis? Ok, that man is going down when I find him." Duke muttered, getting up and then crashing downwards.
Skye leaped up onto the crate the cage was on, looking over at the Great Dane as both seemed to look at each other before Duke blinked.
"You are not Otis… Why is there 3 of you?" Duke said, grunting as he blinked.
"I'm Skye, your friend Otis is being helped," Skye said as Duke hummed.
"Not friends, just met him… You are part of that group that was on that shirt… And my head hurts." Duke said as the Great Dane blinked.
The room honestly felt like it spun. Granted? Duke knew he was lucky being shocked in the face did not do more damage considering how much a Taser could have done to him.
The problem? He could not even stand up well. Duke felt like he was ready to collapse the second a small breeze hit him and pushed him even a few feet.
"I'm going to help you, ok?" Skye asked as Duke hummed.
"Ok… I am going to lie here and wait till the 6 of you do that… Oh, that cat is getting it when I find him and that man… Wait, hat man took Otis." Duke muttered as he climbed to his paws despite himself.
Skye was almost thrown to the floor as Duke charged into the cage door shoulder first, sending it crashing to the ground. Part of it broke off as Skye grabbed part of the cage and tore it free.
"Are you ok?" Skye asked as Duke rose.
"Yep, now to get that man…" Duke said charging forwards only to skid into the wall. "Ok… No, I am not… Seriously, I got shocked in the face by a cat? Major is not going to let me live that down." Duke muttered.
The sound of tires squealing cut them off as a car fled. Duke's eyes widened.
"Otis!" Duke said before he grunted as whatever energy he had left fled him. "Dang it, I can't let someone down again!" Duke yelled as he tried to get up only to fall over.
"Please stay there… We are helping Otis. Paw Patrol NEVER leaves a pup behind." Skye stated as Duke sighed.
"I think staying put is all I can do right now… Wait, why are you floating?" Duke asked as the cockapoo floated a few feet off the ground.
"Long story?" Skye asked with a shy smile as Duke rolled his eyes.
"This is going to be a long day," Duke muttered to himself more than her.
(2 minutes later)
Chase frowned as he realized the truck that carried Otis had fled… They could not have taken down Humdinger without hurting Otis which meant there was no way to get him back safely… Now.
He was about to ask Ryder what to do before the doors opened and Skye helped a tired Great Dane out who grunted.
"World is still spinning… Stupid hat-wearing man." Duke muttered before collapsing as he grunted.
"Skye, is he ok?" Duke heard as Duke grunted.
"The Great Dane is ok… About to barf, but ok… Where is Otis? Beagle puppy, shorter than me? Asks about everything?" Duke asked, tugging himself up.
"Uh…" Marshal said as Duke sighed.
"Ok… I will go find him, he cannot have run far, his truck was almost out of fuel from the scent, and if I just… Ok, I can smell him." Duke said.
"Um… Are you ok?" Marshal asked as Duke grunted.
"No… One of the cats got me in the nose… Face hurts, there are three of your friends. Why? I can still walk, that means I can still find Otis." Duke said, not noticing his eyes looked far away.
If one was to look at Duke? It was clear he had something of a concussion… But it wasn't clear to him, being a soldier dog? He had learned to turn pain into just more fuel.
Problem? His body was not the same as his body so he was still busy collapsing even as he tried to will his body to try and stand.
"Hey, you are ok. We will get your friend back." Rocky said as Duke hummed.
"Not friend, acquaintance. Friend is more personal… You are the dogs on the shirt." Duke said before he sighed. "And fine, I can't stand up, I cannot go anywhere until that stops," Duke muttered as he sighed.
As much as he did not know Otis? He still felt a responsibility to help Otis. He had done something for Duke and as a comrade. He would repay it.
"He's hurt…" Skye said as Duke grunted.
"I can still…" Duke muttered as he sighed, knowing he would be entirely at the mercy of his relaxed body. "Yes… I am hurt, dang it… Otis." Duke muttered as he sighed to himself, rubbing at his temples before he thought of it all.
He seemed to close his eyes before he looked downwards and looked around for now… Both times he had done so? He saw several puppies around his age… Then came the human.
He did not at all wish to relax for now… But the human brought comfort which he could explain at the time being as he looked at the human.
The human could barely be older than the dogs but it was clear they followed him. dogs were pack animals and he had a lot more work left to deal with for now.
He sighed and was finally surrounded by the fact he was not in any condition to move. if he had any regrets over it? They did not leave his mouth.
"So, what is your name? I am Rubble." Duke heard from the Bulldog.
"Duke. Military dog of the US Army, Sergeant Class… The Beagle was Otis, a civilian. I believe he is being… No, I know he is being used as bait against you. He told me." Duke muttered.
"Army dog!?" Chase asked as Duke hummed.
"In training… Former training." Duke muttered as he rubbed at his head. "I need to get Otis, and protect the innocent," Duke stated before he hummed.
He knew very well he was in no shape to do so. Even if he wished to get up to his feet? His body would not respond to the commands.
Duke looked at Skye as they surrounded him. The cockapoo looked too nice, too sweet to be a soldier of peace… But then again? He looked too large and strong to be a nice guy.
Duke wanted to yell, to demand they stop focusing on him and go get Otis… But all he would later learn Skye and they saw was a pleading look for help in his eyes.
He did not hear what the human said, his body was too tired to get up so? Instead, he surrendered himself to their comfort.
"Are you ok?" Skye asked as most of the group left, knowing some of them should stay behind to help Duke.
"No…" Duke said as he sighed. "I am having a really bad day… And I am just tired of bad days." Duke muttered, his eyes almost closed shut.
"I know what that's like," Liberty stated as Duke nodded.
"Otis might be weird but he does not deserve being held by that man… If I could? I would go after him." Duke muttered.
"Because he's your friend?" Zuma asked as Duke shrugged.
"I prefer acquaintance since I have only known him for the better part of 2 hours … But I am sure Otis would disagree," Duke responded as he hummed. "Considering I think we were… Moving? I do not think I have any friends here." Duke added a few moments later.
Skye looked at Liberty and frowned. She knew very well Duke was nice. Why? Because he was trying to force himself to get back up after Otis. She did not see a manipulator but someone who was attempting to help.
It made sense that he could have relaxed… But he tried to push through it, to fight pain off simply to help. It reminded her a lot of their adventures in Adventure City.
Duke looked at her more than Liberty, not because he did not wish to speak to her but because she assumed he was too tired to turn his head. Instead? He simply glanced at her for being unable to deal with picking his head up.
Duke hummed, trying his best not to get up but to force himself to a sitting position so he could better talk.
Author Notes
Phew. Another chapter is done! A few things.
This is after the film. I am aware of Skye's origins and her problems.
I do not plan for Humdinger to be the main villain.
I expect a slow burn.
The next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show more of Duke bonding with the Paw Patrol, Otis's plight, and Duke trying to help save him. Until the 900-6500 words? Lighting Wolf out!