Disclaimer: This is an arc I was really excited to write. I hope you all enjoy it!

Also, I don't own Paw Patrol.

Paw Patrol X

New Recruits arc Episode ten: Zuma's Light of Hope

Zuma was currently sleeping in his room, all curdled up in his bed and cuddling his blanket. As he was sleeping however, his alarm went off, causing him to turn over and open his eyes in annoyance. As he sat up, he punched his alarm and knocked it to the ground. He then sighed as he realized what a stupid move that was. "Guess I'm going alawm shopping again." Zuma wished he could sleep in for at least five minutes for. He loved sleeping in when he didn't have any missions. Then again, his sleep schedule would probably be messed up if that happened.

Zuma looked around his room and was incredibly happy with the life he'd sustained for himself. Heck, he even had to admit that if Ryder called him, he would've jumped out of bed in instant to help! But he wasn't always like that. He simply adapted to the Paw Patrol's life style and changed his personality because everyone there showed him kindness, and he wanted to show that to them too. Despite the smile Zuma had on his face as he looked around his room, it wasn't an easy ride before he got there three years ago.

Fire blazed over the screen as moments from the season one were shown and rock music started playing and the one who was playing the guitar started singing Help The World. The first scene that was shown involved Flare watching Chase and Marshall in action during the fire. "There's a team of dogs who never back down from any danger." The scene then changed to Richie shooting at Charm's minions to disarm them, killing one who gets too close to a human. "Their mission is to help people, no matter how minor or major."

The scene then changed to Ryder standing tall as he leads some of the members through what looks like a forest they were sent to for a mission. "The leader Ryder takes these dogs in so they can help in any way they can." The scene then changed to Flare putting the daisy in his flower, just like he did in the third part of the pilot. "A means to prove yourself, or saving them from a bad life, it's all part of his plan!"

Chase comes on screen and is shown bragging proudly about himself as he arrested someone."Chase!" A two second riff played before showing Skye performing a triple backflip and barking to turn on her wings and fly up. "Skye!" A two second riff played before showing Zuma surfing and looking to see if the others were watching him. "Zuma!" A two second riff played before showing Rocky inventing some kind of defense weapon while paying the maximum attention to every detail. "Rocky!" A two second riff played before showing Snow snatching a gun from one of Charm's soldiers as soon as they aim it at her and aiming it back at theim. "Snow!"

A two second riff played before showing Marshall climbing up a ladder to save someone as he breathed to himself while trying desperately to keep his cool. "Marshall!"

"My, bro-ther!"

Flare was then shown to be training in the Paw Patrol lair as he blocked a robot's kicks and punches before kicking his head off. "I may not be a member but I'll be useful however I can!" The scene then changed to Flare holding Snow's paw as the two of them are seemingly running away from something dangerous. "Even if it's a side mission I'll help the world as long as I stand!" The scene then changed to Flare meeting Charm as the Golden Retriever walks over to him with a cold glare and menacing scowl, making Flare back away slowly. "The Paw Patrol is on a roll, no matter how badly the danger's swirled!"

The scene then changed to Flare standing with the Paw Patrol, as Marshall rubs Flare's head, Snow smiles to Flare, Rocky blushes when Zuma gives him a sly grin, Chase gives a wink to Skye, who giggles about the gesture, Richie puts his guns away and looks on with determination, and Ryder crosses his arms and gives a confident smile. "My brother is a member of their team now...(The riff continues for three seconds uninterrupted) and I'm always ready to (Flare gives a cheerful smile and gives a peace sign to the audience with his eyes closed and his eyes giving a teeth smile) help the world."

The riff continued for about five more seconds before slowing down and giving one final riff with the title Paw Patrol X being shown on screen with Paw Patrol in white and the X in red. As soon as the riff slowed down, Flare was shown hanging up a picture that showed exactly what everyone was doing before the song ended, revealing it to have been a group photo.

Age 4: The Orphanage.

Zuma was eating lunch in the cafeteria of the local orphanage from the town he used to live in. He'd just been through a tough time in the past month. Both of his parents were arrested for finally getting caught for all of their past robberies. The police made them think they would be left alone after they changed their ways, but that seemed to only be a delay of the inevitable. Zuma found it hard to find joy in this time. The only thing that brought him joy was his guitar, which was the last thing his parents gave to him before they were taken away. He loved this thing.

While Zuma was trying to eat his pizza slice, which had bacon and mushrooms on it, someone snatched his guitar case, which was sitting next to him. This instantly alerted him, and he soon turned to the Rottweiler who took it. "Give it back Mawley! Don't fowget what happened last time!"

"Awwww, did the little retard get mad about his thing being taken?" Zuma always loathed being referred to as that slur, especially my Marley. Then again, he was the only one who ever called him that to begin with. It brought Zuma's anger to a boil and caused him to clench his fists. But what Marley said next set him off even further. "What're you gonna do about it? Whine to your parents again? Oh, right; they're low-life hacks!"

Marley started laughing as Zuma snapped and instantly lunged at Marley, hitting him hard in the stomach and then pinning him to the ground. That caught the attention of everyone else in the room, but Zuma didn't care. He was to mad to care. He just started punching Marley in the face and kept going at it without hesitation. "My pawents are saints compawed to you! They twied to go stwaight but the cops in this town lied to them and wuined my life!"

Zuma was about to lay one final punch on the now bloodied up Marley, but he was stopped by a Doberman, who seemed to be an acquaintance of Zuma's. "Stop it Zuma! It's not worth it!"

Zuma was about to respond, thankfully calming down enough to not stop the Doberman behind him. Before he could however, one of the instructors tried to grab his ear, which he stopped, and the instructor then glared at him. "You will come with me to the Headmaster's office. He will sort you out. Again." It was clear that Zuma had something of a reputation in his short time here.

Zuma flipped the instructor off and she grabbed his arm before walking off with him. Zuma was then able to whisper to the Doberman with genuine gratitude. "Thanks Claw." Claw nodded in response, but he had to feel bad for Zuma. He knew no one deserved this kind of treatment. He then noticed and picked up his guitar case, deciding to take it back to Zuma's room to put it on his bed. While this happened, Zuma thought to himself about what was going to happen. 'Gweat. Watch them suck up to Mawley and his ugly face again and treat me like worthless twash."

Age 7: Adventure Bay's Beach On Zuma's First Day

Zuma was suddenly shoved to the ground and when he looked up, seemingly losing a battle of some kind. When he looked up, it was the same Rottweiler who picked on him in the orphanage, this time packed with two Chow Chow standing beside him. A familiar looking Terrier Mix was walking along the sidewalk of Adventure Bay when he overheard Marley taunting Zuma. "Bet you wish your friend Claw was here to save your retarded butt!"

"Huh?" The Terrier Mix ran over to the beach and hid when he saw the action. He knew he couldn't go in without a plan. Based on what he saw, the Chocolate Labrador was being bullied, and then he fought back by throwing sand at the Rottweiler's eyes. As he was inspecting for a plan, he overheard his owner nearby. This was a familiar white haired half human wearing white shorts and a red Paw Patrol T-shirt.

"Rocky, what's going-" Rocky signaled the now revealed to be currently eleven year old Richie on the situation, and Richie became as made as Rocky did when he saw it. Luckily, Richie was doing a better job at keeping his cool. "Ah, now I get it. You act, I'll follow."

Marley was currently shoving Zuma's face into the sand and while Zuma was doing a good job at keeping himself up, he was shown to be visibly close to crying. He tried to suck it up, but Marley couldn't help but taunt him about it. "Oh no! Zuma the Retard is about to cry to his parents again! Tell me; is is just you who talks like a toddler, or is it genetic?"

Zuma was about to be kneed in the face by both Chow Chow, only for something to stun Marley and make him get off of Rocky. As the Chow Chow ran to him in concern, Richie dashed past them at mach speed and was revealed to have his sword out. He was able to avoid slicing them, but all of their fur fell off, making them gasp in shock. The half human then stood up and looked at the Chow Chow with a calm expression. The fact that he did that made them even more scared, since they couldn't tell what he was thinking of doing next.

"It was smart of the Rottweiler to recruit a small breed for his bruiting size, but it still can't compared to demon speed." Richie then put his sword away and made a demand for the Chow Chow. "You will take the Rottweiler and leave the Chocolate Labrador alone. (One of the Chow Chow starts peeing) Your only other choice is to be turned into the authorities by my and my own dog. (The Chow Chow flinch) And we know them closely, so the response time will be pretty fast."

The Chow Chow ran off with Marley and Zuma was left in shock. When he sat up, he couldn't help but look in awe at Richie about what happened. Then he heard Rocky from behind, "Those wounds won't last long.", and looked back to see the smiling Mix holding a controller and offering him his paw with a smile.

Zuma couldn't help but give a slightly annoyed grin by this. "I doubt you're wight about that. But thanks." When Zuma accepted Rocky's paw, something sparked in him. He felt... safe with Rocky there. It was almost as if he had another dog backing him up, just like Claw did before he escaped from the orphanage. But this time it was different, in a way. The connection felt stronger. Something that was meant to last. The three words that left his mouth next were proof that he was grateful. "I mean it."

Rocky felt what Zuma felt too, but thankfully, Zuma was able to keep his cool a lot better. "Um... wanna go see our friend Ryder? If not that's okay; we can't force you. We're just offering." Zuma laughed a bit and couldn't help but give a genuine smile of gratitude. He knew that he was gonna be good friends with Rocky and Richie for a long time.

Age 5: An Unknown Town

Zuma was currently running down a dangerous looking alley with what looked like a diamond in his paw. He looked desperate to escape, and looked back once more quickly to make sure no one followed him. He calmed down a little when he saw he was alone. As he made his way to the end of the alley, he knocked on the wall. It was then revealed that he'd knocked on a door, as a Border Collie opened some kind of shaft that showed only his eyes. Zuma was then quick to get to the point. "It's Zuma. I got what you asked fow. Can I join now?"

Zuma was allowed in, and when he entered, the Border Collie closed the door shut and inspected the diamond after turning a light on. A bunch of other dogs of different breeds were revealed as the Border Collie then revealed a smile as he showed proudness for Zuma's work. "Nice work Lispy! (Zuma flinches upon that nickname) That's the Museum diamond a'ight!"

Zuma chuckled a bit, glad that he could at least say he was accepted in the group with a male Husky then speaking up. "Hey Lispy!" Zuma looked to where the Husky was and saw that he was sitting on his guitar case. "Kept your case warm for ya! Consider it a personal bodyguard experience!"

Zuma was skeptical upon hearing that, especially since he had an idea on what the Husky meant by 'kept it warm'. He took it back after walking over to him though, and despite sniffing it and getting the odor of rotten fish, he knew he couldn't complain. After all, he didn't wanna be known as the whiny new kid of the gang. "Yeah; thanks."

Age 7: The Paw Patrol Lookout

Zuma arrived at the Lookout with Richie and Rocky, but when he got there, he started to get worried about a variety of things. First there was the constant names he was called by previous living environments, and then there was the fact that this home couldn't last. He also didn't want to be told that his family didn't mean anything. Rocky noticed this and took the chance to comfort him. The last thing he wanted was for him to feel unwanted. "Don't worry. Ryder is all about helping dogs who've been through hard times. That's how he met Chase actually."

Zuma was glad to see Rocky comforting him, but he was still nervous. He breathed in through his nose and out from his mouth as he went in with Richie and Rocky. There, a fourteen year old Ryder was in there waiting for him, and he gave him the most friendly, but still sophisticated, greeting that he could. "Hi there. You must be Zuma." Zuma was surprised to get a friendly greeting. He was even more surprised to see him kneel down and offer him a paw shake. "Ryder Maxor."

Zuma happily accepted Ryder's paw shake as he grabbed his hand and introduced himself. "Zuma Thowne."

"I thought you sounded familiar." Zuma flinched upon hearing that and started to fear for the worst, but Ryder just rubbed his head and let him know that he was welcome here. "It must've been a hard life for you. I've heard about a lot of the stuff you went through, and I think your skillset could be useful to the team." Zuma was glad to get a warm welcome. Still, he wasn't sure if he could stay here. No matter where he looked, he never found a place he could settle down and just... live life.

Zuma was waiting patiently in the living room, or, impatiently as you would call it, flicking through the tv remote while trying to find something to watch. Ryder wanted to introduce his current members to him, but it was taking some time. He was starting to wonder if he should've left. Rocky and Richie were there to keep him company, but still. Luckily, in that moment, Zuma heard Ryder's voice. "We're back!"

Zuma saw Ryder walking with a currently eight year old Chase on his right, and eight year old Skye on his left. He smiled with Richie encouraging him to go say hi. "They won't bite. They'd have muzzles if they did."

Zuma snickered a bit at Richie's joke and went over to Chase and Skye to say hi as Chsae spoke up. "Sorry for the wait. Skye has this weird habit of trying to mimic bird calls. Don't ask me why; I never figured out the appeal." Skye rolled his eyes while smiling, but the smile was genuine. She was glad that Chase was honest about hoe he felt regarding her hobbies. She hated being lied to. "Anyway, I'm Chase Armitage. You must be Zuma."

"And I'm Skye Bartlam." Skye introduced herself happily. While Chase professional and blunt, yet friendly with his approach, she was quirky and warm. "And the bird calls are to have my bird friends help me keep evil from attacking Adventure Bay. (Zips over to Zuma and whispers into his ear) They're always watching, even whent hey aren't."

Chase casually pulled Skye back while laughing at her quirky nature with Zuma chuckling a bit before introducing himself. "Good to know. I'm Zuma. Zuma Thowne." Chase and Skye instantly took notice to Zuma's speech impediment with Zuma explaining it when they looked confused. "I... have twouble pwonouncing most of my R's." Zuma then snapped and got in Chase and Skye's faces, which caught everyone in the room off guard. "And it's just a speech impediment! I'm not wetarded!"

Zuma had a bit of heartbreak in those last three words of his. This was something Rocky took notice of instantly. Zuma then felt bad for snapping however, and sighed as he stepped back and apologized for his outburst. "Sowwy, I... the dogs awound me always-"

"You don't have to worry about them anymore." Rocky assured Zuma, jumping down to him and putting a paw on his shoulder. "You won't face anything like that here." Zuma instantly felt secure when Rocky was near him. He knew that if there was one pup he could trust, it was him."

Age 6: Zuma's Former Gang's Hideout

Zuma was currently in his bed when it was nighttime as he tried playing his guitar to a male White Shepherd. When he looked at him with a smile, he saw that the White Shepherd was smiling back, and he instantly started playing, which lasted for about ten seconds. When he was about to start singing however, someone banged on his door loudly and startled them both as the Border Collie who allowed him into the gang shouted into the room. "Can it Lispy! It's bedtime!"

"Dude, the audio's bawely on!" Zuma scoffed and picked up his guitar case and put his guitar away. He never did like their leader. "Jewk."

The White Shepherd always felt bad for Zuma. He didn't deserve to take this, but it's not like he had many options. All he could do was put a paw on his friend's shoulder and try to support him. "Don't let Bloodfreak get to you Zuma. This past year and a half has just been him trying to look too tough for you to handle."

Zuma sighed upon heairng that and simply lied down while starting to contemplate life. "I guess. Sowwy I couldn't play for you Paleclaw." Paleclaw lied down next to Zuma and sighed while looking at the ceiling with him. He knew Zuma had it rough before, and this wasn't making it any easier.

Age 7: Paw Patrol Lookout One Week After Moving In

Zuma was in the Paw Patrol lookout at about eight at night, and he couldn't stop thinking about how the others felt about him after seven days. He hadn't exactly made it easy for them to like him. He was very bratty and defiant due to how often he was abused and mistreated over the past three years. He didn't want to use that as an excuse when they said it was okay. He just wanted a home. To vent, he pulled his guitar case out from under his bed and pulled the guitar out. As he started playing his acoustic guitar, after about ten seconds, he began singing 'My Light of Hope'.

"I wish I knew what it meant, when my pawents were taken, and I couldn't help them." Unknown to Zuma, Ryder was walking near the living room, which is where Zuma currently slept since he liked the feel of the couch, and overheard him singing, stopping to listen further. "Is that even something somoene young can recovew fwom?" Ryder was already aware of Zuma's behavior, but now he was getting it in a more vocal form. "I wish I could've helped them, wather than being fowced to stand there, and watch my life fall down. The fact that they took them both fwom me is so dumb."

Chase and Skye were coming in as they overheard Zuma's singing and hid so they wouldn't spot him. "It's not that I'm ungwateful... for all that I have now." Luckily, Zuma was so absorbed in his song that he didn't notice the door open. "I just wish my life... didn't become a disastew in the way it did. It may sound like whining, but it was so unfaiw, that I had to watch my pawents be taken fwom me. And then my life just went downhill fwom there, and I can't tell what my life is set to be. (Zuma starts to tear up) Do I even desewve a home?"

Zuma continued to play, and Ryder, Chase, and Skye felt awful after hearing what he'd been through. "That owphanage didn't have my best intewests at heawt, they just sucked up to those who picked on my lisp. That gang I was with wasn't at all an impwovement, almost evewyone was mean and cwisp. (Zuma wipes his eyes while playing) I wish I knew why I lived thwough this, and if I can evew cope. Just please God, give me some kind of hope."

Zuma continued to sing as he played his guitar and continued to vent about his struggles. "My past always stood in my way; my life began to decay. Befowe I met this team I was weady to give up. Even though I'm not a membew, they still took me in. And I feel like I'm about to thwow that, in the bin." Zuma tried to hold back his tears to finish his song without disturbing anyone else. "I wish I knew what it meant, when my pawents were taken, and I couldn't help them. Is that even something someone young can recovew fwom?"

Chase started to be hit home by Zuma's song. He knew he was in a similar place to him at one point. Skye took notice of this and put a paw on his shoulder and the two continued listening to Zuma sing. "I wish I could've helped them, wather than being fowced to stand there, and watch my life fall down. The fact that they took them both fwom me is so dumb. Can I even bounce back fwom that? Or will it haunt me for the west of my life?"

Zuma finished his song and continued to try and hold back his tears to risk him being caught crying. "The bully and teachews at the owphanage, didn't even bothew twying to help me. And the gang I joined after I escaped, couldn't cawe less about me to see. I don't even know anymowe if I, deserve a true home or to cope. Please God, just help me and give me, my light of hope." After about ten more seconds of playing, Zuma couldn't take it anymore. "Please God, just give me, my light... of..." Zuma then started to break down and started crying as the last word left his mouth.

"Hope."

Zuma started bawling as he lied down on the couch. He couldn't hold in anymore of his sadness and despair. He had to legit out. As Ryder, Chase, and Skye glanced at each other, they started to feel awful for what Zuma had been through. Ryder already did, but now Chase and Skye had a clear picture of what he'd been through, and felt awful about it themselves. Zuma was still crying his lungs out on the couch, and he then felt a warm hand on his head. It was Ryder, who gave him a sincere, heartfelt look towards him that he wiped his tears to see more clearly.

Chase and Skye hopped onto Zuma's right, since Ryder was on his left, and Skye helped Zuma wipe his tears before Chase held out his arms to Zuma. The action told Zuma to bring it in, and he did. He started hugging Chase and continued to cry about what'd happened to him. Chase didn't mind the tears rolling down his chest. He just wanted Zuma to know he would never give up on him. Then, Zuma started crying tears of joy. He started to feel as if he'd finally found a place to call home.

Age six: Zuma's Former Gang's Hideout

Zuma was currently arguing with Bloodfreak in his office, and the Border Collie was furious about him disobeying orders during a mission. The reason he disobeyed him however, was anything but worth punishing him over. "Let me get this stwaight! I saved Paleclaw's life and you're punishing me fow it just because you told me to wun!?"

"You know our motto Zuma! It's every canine for themself!" Bloodfreak shouted back, but Zuma wasn't fazed by this. He refused to let Bloodfreak intimidate him anymore. Telling him to sacrifice his friend was the final straw for him. "I don't care how many of these members support you. You're done!"

Zuma held back his heartbreak from being kicked out of the group. It was pretty easy, since he couldn't stand most of the canines there. That said, he was quick to show just how much he hated Bloodfreak in particular. "FINE!" Zuma grabbed Bloodfreak's coffee and threw it at his face, causing him to scream in pain as Zuma jumped over his desk and reached into the top right drawer. There, he pulled out a bill of ten thousand dollars that he then hid away. "I nevew liked this gang anyway."

"You little brat!" Bloodfreak snapped as Zuma ran off, just in time before Bloodfreak could wipe his eyes in time to see him escape and run to his room to get his guitar case. "You'll never find a home after this place! You'll be alone forever!" Zuma had to hold in his pain from hearing those words. He had to hold onto his hope that he'd find a new place to call home one day.

Age seven: The day Rocky and Zuma joined the Paw Patrol

Along the ocean that the beach of Adventure Bay resided by, while it looked relaxing at first, it then cut to Zuma and Rocky speeding across the water on a jet-ski. It had been at least an hour since Zuma had heard from any of the Paw Patrol members, so he knew something was up. Rocky showed concern for what they were doing however. He didn't know if Zuma's plan was such a good one. "I don't know about this Zuma. Ryder wouldn't want you running into his mission blind."

"That's why I bwought you." Zuma revealed, and then he sped up as he gave the basic gist of why he convinced Zuma to come. "You have the gadgets, and I have the ability to kick total butt! Togethew we'll be unstoppable!" Rocky had to admit that he liked the sound of that. He and Zuma were already incredibly close. He couldn't help hugging him and holding on tight after he got splashed by the water however, due to his fear of water. This made Zuma laugh as he then saw the base up ahead. "Funny. This feels like it should be the other way awound."

Zuma and Rocky stopped at an island that was at least one kilometer away from Adventure Bay. The two of them hopped off with Zuma grabbing Rocky's paw to help him keep up, and the two of them ran off to find the base Ryder and the others found. When they got to said base, which was thankfully close due to it being almost as big as the small island itself, Zuma peeked in. It looked as if it was only one room, but the fight going on in there was intense. Ryder was currently holding a magical card holding Kishu back, while Chase, Skye, and Richie were fighting a Golden Retriever.

Zuma was as focused on helping the others as he could get, an when he looked in, he saw a computer that seemed to be running the place; and when he looked down, he saw a vent that would be perfect for one of them to sneak through. "Pewfect."

Rocky saw the vent and caught onto Zuma's plan instantly. He felt it wouldn't hurt to state it himself. "You want me to go through this vent and use one of my gadgets to short out the computer while you help the others stop whoever they're fighting." Zuma was impressed by Rocky's observation skills, since he didn't give any hints on his plan outside of inspecting the area. He then offered him a fist bump, which he accepted, and the plan commenced. "I won't let you down!" Zuma knew he could belive Rocky in that regard. Now he just needed to stall.

Zuma burst in through the door just as Ryder kicked the Kishu into the wall, much to the surprise of everyone in there as Zuma shouted to the Golden Retriever and Kishu. "Back off dudes or you'll be sowwy!"

The Golden Retriever couldn't help but chuckle devilishly as Chase signaled Zuma to run, knowing this foe would be too much for him. Zuma thankfully knew what he was doing however, and saw that the Golden Retriever couldn't resist taunting him. "And how exactly do you plan to stop me? I doubt you're even qualified to fight back!"

"Fight back? No." Zuma admitted, but then he gave a confident grin when short circuiting was heard. This made the Golden Retriever flinch, and he then looked back to find his computer being messed with. "Distwact you long enough to mess with your computew? Looks like it."

Rocky just had to taunt the the Golden Retriever, who he then revealed the name of, on his lackluster monitor skills. The opportunity was just too good for him not to take it up. "You're clearly starting out on your evil monitors Charm. It's just a shame you couldn't work to get the same skills I got."

"I refuse to let my brother mock me!" Charm shouted as he charged at Rocky, only for Richie to throw a smoke bomb down just in time. This one was big enough to cover the entire room, and wwith that, he grabbed Richie before running out, followed by everyone else. Charm shouted in anger at how he was stopped by two non-members as the group got into the boat they took, and Zuma and Rocky hopped onto the jet-ski, before they drove away from the island.

Everyone was grateful for what Zuma and Rocky did, but Chase had to ask if Zuma knew what he was doing. After all, even though Charm was new, he still wasn't one to be underestimated "Thanks for the help Zuma, but did you have a backup plan in case Charm called your bluff?"

Zuma thought for a moment and brought up the only backup plan he could think of. "Does fawting in his face count?"

"Yeah, but that's more Chase's thing." Skye chimed in, leaving Chase to give a proud grin in regards to that as everyone else laughed. By that point, Zuma was all too familiar with Chase's gassiness not to join in. He only hoped his time with the Paw Patrol wouldn't end like last time.

Zuma was on the top floor with everyone else awaiting his punishment, since he knew Ryder was focused on him attending the mission when he wasn't supposed to. Chase and Skye were behind him with smiles, and Ryder was standing in front of him with a blank expression. The waiting for what Ryder was about to do was too much for him to handle. His heart beating, and his fear rising, he could barely contain it. He didn't want to lose the first group in years where everyone there cared about him. To his surprise however, Ryder simply kneeled down and handed him a pup tag. He then smiled and spoke up as he stated why. "Welcome to the team Zuma. Officially."

Zuma accepted the pup tag and put it on, and when Ryder signaled Rocky to come over to him, he did, and got a green pup tag, while Zuma's was orange. They put them on, and when they did, their pup suits formed. Zuma's was an orange water suit with water jets on the back and goggles for going underwater. Rocky's was a green economic suit with a claw for grabbing things, as well as storing stuff into his pup pack. They were both amazed by this, but Zuma had to ask why out of confusion. "I don't undewstand. How come I wasn't sent away?"

"For saving a life?" Ryder laughed as he backed up his question. "I could never do that." Zuma was astonished by what he heard as Ryder elaborated on this. "Three weeks ago, you sang something that showed me, Chase, and Skye, just how serious your struggles were. The fact that you survived all of that proved to me that you were worthy of being a member. I just needed to see one more thing from you: Your selflessness. That's what leads your desire to help others in need."

Zuma started wagging his tail with immense joy as Ryder then looked to Richie, who was standing right next to him when this happened, and Richie laughed a bit when he did. "And I finally agreed to let Rocky join, so long as I could join too. Ryder's been bothering me about it at least once a month for the past two years." Ryder laughed as he scratched his head with Zuma not caring about the context. He started crying tears of joy and hugged Ryder instantly, surprising him, but Ryder still wrapped his arms around him with a smile as Zuma muttered two words with genuine joy.

"Thank you."

And that was all Ryder needed to hear. He knew Zuma would be a valuable member to the team for a long time to come. Even if his combat skills needed some work.

Soft piano music started playing as the night sky was shown with the scene then descending to the cliff at the edge of the Paw Patrol lookout's standing as Flare walked over to it. Flare then sat down and looked at the stars as he thought about the pups in the Paw Patrol with a female voice singing Risks Worth Taking. He first thought about Snow. "This world has so much in it, that I have yet to see. And I have to be ready for how to act upon it, whatever it may be. (Flare starts thinking about Chase) I've made so many great friends, since I came to Adventure Bay. And when I start to help with missions, that will certainly be my day."

The song continued as Flare started to think about Rocky. "When things get good, and when they get bad, I hope they know that I have their back. There will be times where I make mistakes, but I'll work to get back on track. (Flare starts thinking about Zuma) There's no such thing as a chosen one, or any of that destiny stuff. I have to work to help this world, and that doesn't mean I get all buff."

Flare then started thinking about Skye as the song continued. "If I fall down, I'll just get right back up, and I'll prove to them that I'm a strong pup; and that I won't let the danger I face make me freeze and start shaking." Marshall then came up to Flare as the song continued and sat down next to him and rubbed his head. "And even if there are times when I struggle, I knooow..." Flare then yawned with Marshall smiling as he went back home with him to get him ready for bed. "that there are risks worth taking."

The title Paw Patrol X was shown with Paw Patrol being in all white and the X being in red as the last notes played and the daisy in Flare's right ear is shown laying on the X.

Present day.

Charm was revealed to be reading the documents that stated exactly what was shown for Zuma's past. As he looked at these with his paws cupped and his expression cold and vicious, Trickery walked next to him and set him a drink, which he accepted. "Thank you Trickery." Charm swirled the drink for a bit before gaining a sadistic grin and giving Trickery a new order. His new goal at the moment, was to break Zuma, to increase his chances of breaking the Paw Patrol and ruling everything "Find me the location of Bloodfreak." And with that, the screen went pitch black.

Suspenseful music played as Zuma started talking about what was going to happen in the next part as certain moments from the next episode were shown playing. "It's my biwthday pawty people! Let's do this! Wait; Bloodfweak!? What the heck are you doing hewe!? Hey! Let me go! If you want me to rejoin youw gang then it's a big fat no!"

Chase then started talking, as he was nearby when Zuma saw Bloodfreak. "Zuma!? Let go of my friend you freak! In the name of the law!"

Zuma then cried out to Chase, hoping that he could get help in time. "Chase! Get Wyder and the others! Help!"

"Okay! We'll save you!" Chase called back, even though the fear in his voice proved that he was desperate to save his friend and not screw this up.

Chase then finished the announcement as the title of the chapter was shown in all white with Flare on one end, and Marshall on the other. "Next time, Zuma's Birthday Disaster! (Zuma is shown to be shocked when he sees Charm and Bloodfreak in front of him, with the latter holding a weapon) How could I have let this happen!? If only I was faster! More efficient!"