Chapter 6: Mistletoe and Presents Part Three
Spyro was driving in the purple car with Matthias. Matthias had a smile on his face. "I think that went pretty well," Matthias said with a smile. "Yeah, but we still have one more thing to do," Spyro tells him.
"What?" Matthias asked. "We need to give this back," Spyro said holding up the ring. "Where we are going is a place very few know about, can I trust you to keep a secret?" Spyro asked with a smile.
"If It means I can see Hunter again then I can take that tradeoff," Matthias said with a growing grin. "Then let's do this!" Spyro said as he turned towards a mountain. "Ummm, what're you doing?" Matthias asked with his fear arising.
"We are going into the mountain!" Spyro yelled with a smile as ran sped up, driving straight into the mountain wall. "HOOLLLY SHHHHHIII," Matthias yelled and closed his eyes, terrified. He opens them to see them in some kind of tunnel.
"Where are we?" Matthias asked amazed. "There is a reason this place has never been found, Fritz is really a genius when it comes to technology," Spyro said with a smile. "So this is where Team HOPE operates, you guys are amazing," Matthias said with a wide smile.
"Yeah, I know, I pride myself in my team," Spyro tells him with a big grin. "I hope I can meet some of them," Mattias said. "Well, Raven, Bolt, Kade, and Hunter are in today so that can be arranged," Spyro tells him as they pull up to a building.
"Are we IN the mountain?" Matthias asked stunned. "Yup, it is amazing right," Spyro said. "Yeah, this place is like nothing I have seen before," Matthias tells him with his mouth agape. They get out of the car and walk into the building.
As they walk through the rooms Matthias smile grew wider. They walk into a room labeled "Training Room." They see all the members Spyro mentions in there. Raven was on her phone on the bleachers. Kade was on the bleachers watching. And Bolt was training Hunter with a bamboo sword.
"You have to focus hard if you want to learn my technique," Bolt tells hunter. "I know, I am trying," Hunter tells him. "No, stop trying, just let go, you need a high concentration level to pull this off," Bolt tells him.
Spyro taps Matthias and points to the bleachers. We walk over to them and sit down. "Just close your eyes and feel what's inside you," Bolt tells him. Hunter closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.
"Now try to focus on your muscles, I know you have strong muscles so doing a basic version of this should be too hard," Bolt tells him. "What is he trying to teach him?" Mattias asked Spyro in a whisper.
"Ultra speed, it is a technique that makes your body move faster than the average human eye can see, just watch," Spyro says with a smile. Hunter started to focus on his leg and arm muscles. "Try to slice that Tatami mat over there.
"With this?" Hunter asked holding up a bamboo sword. "Do the thing you can't do it?" Bolt asked with a grin. Hunter matched his grin. "Fine, I'll show you," Hunter said and closed his eyes as his arms and legs started to produce steam.
"What?" Matthias said seeing the anomaly. "Amazing right," Spyro said. Hunter held his sword in a drawing position, getting ready. "Now," Bolt said as Hunter vanished. Matthias looked at the Tatami mat, it was cut clean in half. "How?" Matthias said amazed.
"It works by speeding up your blood flow, it is like a quick burst of energy," Spyro tells him. "But that is one of many techniques we use here," Spyro finishes. "Great job kid but I think you got some company," Bolt tells him with a smile.
Hunter cocked his head. "What, but this place is a secret and I have no friends, who would possibly be here to see me?" Hunter asked confused. "Is my father not a friend of yours? I thought better of you," Matthias said with a smile.
Hunter was shocked, to say the least. "M-Matthias, W-what, W-why, H-how," Hunter said, not knowing what to do but Matthias did. Matthias ran up to him and hugged him. "You idiot," Matthias said with a smile and a few tears.
Hunter fell to the ground and let a few tears drop too. "What are you doing here," Hunter asked with a sob. "You don't have to run off on your own anymore," Matthias tells him. "You know we are here for you, Especially Marshall, Margareth, Me, and Dad," Matthias tells him with a warm smile.
"I-I know, that is why I am working hard here, I want to make it up to you all but I can't yet," Hunter said with tears falling. "Because of trauma right, this should give you a bit of closure," Spyro tells him and tosses him the ring.
Hunter catches it and looks at it, much to his surprise. It was a white ring with an engraving inside. H x C. small but cute. Hunter knew who's this was and started balling. Matthias just watched and gave him comfort as Spyro sat down next to him. "You aren't alone any longer, everyone here has suffered in some kind of way, team HOPE can understand you more than most but you need to let go," Spyro tells him.
"And I think I know how," Spyro tells him with a smile
Gabriel's Birthday
"*BEEP!* *BEEP!* *BEEP!* *BEEP!* *BE-*" Gabriel hit his alarm before groggily getting up.
"Happy Birthday Gabriel'' the chow-chow pup said to himself, a tear falling down his eye. "I hope the pups will at least know it's my birthday.'' Gabriel looked at his clock and it said it was 10 AM. Gabriel made his way outside his puphouse and was about to enter the Lookout when he heard the pups talking.
"So how are we gonna keep him away?" Everest asked.
"Yeah, how? Gabriel isn't dumb… I would know" Marshall said.
"Hmm… how about we do the simple 'somepup takes him out'?" Chase said.
Normally Gabriel would have dismissed that option, but from how his week has been so far and his werepuppy side made him think differently. "What?! What the hell?! They're gonna take me out?! ON MY BIRTHDAY?! WHAT THE HELL DID I DO TO DESERVE SUCH PAIN?! DOES RYDER KNOW?!" Gabriel thought, he couldn't believe this, the Paw Patrol, the owner he loves, the pups he loves, his pack, are plotting to take him out? Gabriel felt hurt… and a feeling that destroyed him to his core… betrayal. His thoughts were interrupted when the pups kept talking
"Yeah, that should do," Rocky said.
"Well, who's gonna do it?" Rubble asked.
"It should be Marshall and Rocky, you two are his best friends after all" Ryder said.
"Ryder's in on this?!" Gabriel thought surprised.
"Alright, but where should we take him for the duration?" Marshall asked.
"Take him around town before you come to the park. Remember, it's at 4 PM and you can't tell Gabriel about this, it'll ruin it" Ryder said.
"Since when did you all become so sick?! First, you're gonna make my week a living nightmare, then on my birthday make it seem like it never happened by spending time with my best… former, best friends, then take me out at the park?" Gabriel thought, in pain as he thought that
"Paw Patrol betrayed Gabriel, Paw Patrol was Gabriel's Pack, what did Gabrial do?" Gabriel's Werepup side said in his thoughts, and he was right. The Paw Patrol is… was… Gabriel's family and his Werepup side made Gabriel see the Paw Patrol as his pack, but with them planning to take Gabriel out, that made all his love that he had hurt more. "What Gabriel do now? Gabriel can't live here anymore"
"I know, I'll… figure it out."
After that thought, his Werepup side stopped talking. Gabriel went to his puphouse and began to write a quick note to the Paw Patrol. When he was finished, he put his pup tag under his pillow and left the note on the floor. When Gabriel took a step out of his puphouse he began to sneak away from The Lookout, not getting the attention of the pups. He took one last look at the tower that he lived in for a while before continuing his journey, but had he stayed a bit longer, he would've heard something else that would've made him regret his thoughts and actions. Little did heanother person was watchingtching his every move.
"Alright, Gabriel's gonna have the best birthday ever!" Skye said doing a backflip.
"Yeah, he is!" Zuma said.
"Alright pups, you know what to do," Ryder said, getting the nod of approval from his team.
"K, let's go Rocky" Marshall said, and the recycling pup followed. The duo knocked on the mechanic's door, only to be given silence in return.
"Huh, he's normally awake at this time," Rocky said as he knocked on the door again.
"Hey Gabriel, we're coming in alright?" Marshall said, still getting silence as his answer. Marshall opened the door only to see that Gabriel wasn't inside, but a piece of paper on the floor.
"A note?" Rocky picked up the paper "What's it say?" Marshall asked as Rocky began to read the note
"Paw Patrol… I know that you're wondering where I am, don't worry, I'm just taking a walk around town for a bit, I needed to get some things out of my mind and it was a nice day for a walk anyway. As rude as it may sound, I would like to be alone on my walk for now. If I'm not back at The Lookout around 11 to 12, you can come and find me. I'll be back soon… Gabriel."
"Well, we got to at least spy on him for 2 hours and keep him away from the park before we can pretend to find him," Rocky said.
"Yeah, let's just get Ryder to figure out-" Marshall began to talk more slowly when something caught his attention, a small object under Gabrial's pillow "Where... he… is, what's this?" Marshall said as he grabbed the object, only to see it's Gabriel pup tag.
"Why would he leave his pup-tag? He knows to keep it on him at all times!" Rocky exclaimed.
"I'm no detective, but like you said, he knows to keep his pup tag with him at all times. I got a feeling that he ran away" Marshall said
"Isn't that a bit much to assume Marshall? Couldn't he have just forgotten it?" Rocky said, dismissing the answer
"Well he always keeps his collar on, and the pup tags are small enough for us to sleep in them. Besides, I always see Gabriel wearing his pup tag whenever we wake up in the morning, today only being different from setting up the party. And even if he did forget his pup tag, why would he put it under his pillow of all places, that would make it more uncomfortable to sleep."
"Well… why do you think Gabriel would run away? It still seems a bit far-fetched" Rocky asked.
"*sigh* Probably because we've been avoiding him all this week, making him wonder if we even care about him," Marshall said.
"No matter the answer, we got to find him. Ryder and the pups, we're gonna need help" Rocky said.
"No don't" This surprised Rocky "We'll ask for help if we can't find Gabriel an hour before his party. If we do find him before then Ryder and the pups will be finished setting up his party" Marshall finished
"Okay Marshall, but that still leaves the question, how are we gonna find Gabriel?" Rocky asked. That… that was a question Marshall didn't know what to give as an answer
After Gabriel had made some distance, he began to run. Run where? Gabriel still didn't know, all he had planned was to leave the note and make the Paw Patrol believe he was gone for a while so he could have a head start. That was all he had planned.
While running, he got a few glances at the citizens of Adventure Bay, waving at him and saying hello, not knowing that Gabriel wasn't going to be back for a long time. Even though he had Werepup blood in him, he had to take a rest and breathe for some time, so he stopped to rest at a nearby bench.
"Where did Gabriel go?" Werepup Gabriel said in thought.
"I don't know," Gabriel said out loud
"Gabriel needs a pack,"
"The Paw Patrol are planning to take me out! I can't go back to them!" Gabriel yelled as he stood up, continuing his walk.
"No, Gabriel can't go back to his old pack, Gabriel needs a new pack."
"The last family I was in, before Paw Patrol, forced me to do so much Pup-fu! Yes, it's good that I have the skills to defend myself, but they never acted as my parents! I can't go to a new family just to be hurt or betrayed by them later down the line."
"Maybe Gabriel try to understand old Pack's motives."
Even though Gabriel was pretty much talking to himself, he still listened to his Werepup side "The pups have been avoiding me all week for some reason that I don't know! They don't tell me the reason why and they still won't tell me!" Gabriel yelled out. After Gabriel had calmed down, he kept talking "They made it clear they don't want me around, so I'll leave them be."
"Where did Gabriel go?"
Gabriel disliked that his Werepup side had to ask him that question again. "That question again?! I don't-" Gabriel cut himself off when he realized he recognized the area he was in. Even though he lived in Adventure Bay, he never came down to this area in years, mainly because he dneede need to.
"Gabriel go back there?"
"*Sigh* Better than here," Gabriel said as he started to walk in the direction of a familiar path.
"You can't run forever," Gabriel heard a voice behind him say. He quickly turned around to see a cloaked man sitting on a tree. "W-who are you," Gabriel said in fear. "I am hearing that question more and more I stick around Adventure Bay, friendly people really, I wish every place was like this," He said with an upbeat tone.
"Who are you," Gabriel said more firmly, letting his Werepup side take over. The man showed no fear to Gabriel's gaze. "Why would you want to leave a place you feel welcome in?" He asked. "I said Who Are You," Gabriel said showing his teeth.
"Why do you show such anger? You are normally so upbeat, Why did you leave the PAW Patrol?" The man said. "That's it," Gabriel said and lunged at him. He effortlessly dodged. "You can't solve your problems by running or fighting, you need to face them headstrong," He tells him.
"And how the hell would you know how to solve my problems?! I have been abandoned twice! And It has happened again!" Gabriel yells as tears run down his cheek. "Because I am just like you, I was abandoned at birth, but I found my family, and now I am leading you back home," The man tells him.
He led up his hood so Gabriel could see his dragon face. "I am not human, and people can't accept that, just like you are a Werepup, but you and you alone have the power to make this right," he tells him.
"I am Spyro, Spyro the Dragon, and you are Gabriel Locksmith, Gabriel the Werepup," Spyro tells him with a smile. "And today is your birthday, right?" he asked with a smile. "H-how do you know all that?" Gabriel said confused.
"Because if I can remember it, the other pups can too, don't overthink things, I am not going to stop you but think about what I said," Spyro said with a smile. Gabriel thought about it before running off again.
"Any luck?" A grey mix-breed asked, looking into a dumpster.
"No, got nothing," Said a Dalmatian who was just checking a corner, only to find garbage and rats
"Still sure you don't want to get at least Chase to help us?" the grey pup said, making his way back to his Dalmatian friend
"Is Gabriel's party in an hour?"
"No, Marshall."
"Then we'll keep searching till his party starts an hour to get help Rocky," Marshall said as he began walking out of the alleyway
"But must you be this stubborn?" Rocky said, making Marshall freeze on the spot, getting a glare in the process "What makes you think you must find Gabriel with only me to help?"
"Why do I think I must find Gabriel without help?" Marshall said, a bit stern "Look Rocky, I do want to have the other pups help us out, but I got 2 reasons why I don't want to ask for help from any of them."
Rocky was surprised, to say the least, Marshall was all in for asking for help when needed "Well what are your reasons firepup?"
"First, I don't wanna get them all worried. Dumb, I know, but that's just the truth." Marshall began, getting an eye roll from Rocky "Second, I feel like it's all my fault" While the response was basic, this still gave the mixed-breed a surprised feeling in him.
"Why is that Marshall? Why do you think this is all your fault?"
"It's just… *sigh* you and the other pups know that I was his bully years ago, not proud of it and I'll never be. That's one reason why I feel like this, but another is our little 'fight' you can say yesterday. I knew I had to keep his party a secret, otherwise, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore and ruin our planning. When Gabriel asked me the reason why I was avoiding him, I couldn't lie because I'm terrible at lying, but I also couldn't tell the truth either. When I saw that he was crying, it tore me up inside. I just wanted to say to him we were planning a surprise party for him and that was the reason why me and the others were avoiding him, but I didn't in the end, breaking his heart. I just feel like I'm responsible for him running away"
"Marshall, it's not your fault," Rocky said, only to be interrupted
"No, you're wrong, I knew he was emotional, I made him feel like he's worthless and our trust is broken."
"Yeah Marshall, it's all our fault, not just you and only you. We all, collectively, avoided Gabriel. And even when we did hang out with the chow-chow, it was only about an hour before we left him alone or someone else hung out with him." Marshall just looked at Rocky, not saying anything. "If you wanna pull the 'it was my responsibility to watch over him' card, it's everyone's job to look after one another. And I can play that card too, right here, right now, because I do feel like I failed at watching over the pup."
"What do you mean Rocky?"
"*sigh* Even though me and Gabriel don't really hang out that much, or for that long whenever we do hang out, but me and him were best friends before Paw Patrol."
"Really?" Marshall said, a bit surprised.
"Yes really, I'll tell you the story of why I feel like I failed watching over him, but let's get out of this dirty alleyway first."
"Don't want a bath?" Marshall said, chuckling.
"You know me," Rocky said as he made his way to a nearby bench, followed by his Dalmatian friend.
Flashback: House of Gabriel
"I'm gonna get ya Rocky!" Gabriel yelled to the mixed breed.
"Good luck Gabriel! You know I'm faster than you!" Rocky yelled back.
"Doesn't mean I won't give up!" Gabriel said, giving himself some of his Werepup speed.
"Wouldn't be you if you gave up anyway!" Rocky said, glancing back at Gabriel.
"One day Rocky, I'll be faster than you!"
"Then till that day comes, you have yet to tag me!"
While running, Gabriel saw Rocky heading towards a corner of the garden, getting an idea. As Rocky ran, Gabriel was still chasing Rocky but making his way towards Rocky's left side. Rocky, seeing this, began to run to the right, not seeing he was getting cornered like a wolf about to catch its prey. When Rocky looked ahead of himself, he saw that he was cornered and tried to get out of his situation, but Gabriel was already too close. Rocky tried going to his left, but Gabriel moved quickly to the right, preventing Rocky from going that way, so Rocky tried going to the right but was stopped again by Gabriel. Rocky tried to figure out how to get out of his situation but was running out of time as Gabriel slowly walked up to Rocky intimidatingly. Before Rocky was able to escape, his hunter pounced on him, tickling the life out of Rocky.
"AAAAHHHHH! HAHAHAHHAAH! GAABRIIAL! SPARE MEEEEEEE! HAHAHAHHAHHAHA! PLEASE!" Rocky pleaded. His hunter didn't seem to care though.
"What was that you said?" Gabriel said, tickling Rocky on his belly "I couldn't quite hear you, so could you please say that again?"
"AHHHHH! SPARE MEEEEEE! GABBRIEL! AHAHAHHAHAHHA! S-STOOOOOOP! HAHAHHAHAHAH!"
Just as Gabriel was about to grant Rocky's wish, he heard a familiar voice
"Gabriel locksmith!" Hearing his name being yelled at like that made Gabriel flinch. Gabriel turned his gaze towards the direction on where his name was being called and immediately got off of Rocky.
"F-Father!" Gabriel said
"When somepup asks you to stop, you stop!" The male Chow-Chow breed said.
"Yeah, like I asked to stop training pup-fu" Gabriel mumbled to himself.
"What was that Gabriel?" The male Chow-Chow said.
"N-nothing father," Gabriel said, hoping his father would drop the subject. Before the Chow-Chow could stop, another voice was heard.
"Samuel!" Said a female dog who had the look and body of a wolf. Hearing his name, the adult Chow-Chow stopped and looked over in the direction his name was called "Not in front of his friend! And besides, they were just playing! You can't expect them to act like adults at such a young age!"
Samuel took a look at his son, before sighing and looking over at Rocky.
"Young one, what's your name?" Samuel said, voice not as stern as before.
"R-Rocky. M-my name is R-Rocky" Rocky said, stuttering from fear.
"Rocky, can I talk with you in private for a moment" Samuel asked, noticing Rocky having trouble speaking.
"Y-Yes sir," Rocky said.
"Alright then, follow me, Rocky"
As the two walked, Samuel's mate followed them back inside the manor, leaving Gabriel behind in the yard. Once inside, Samuel went to the second floor took a right into his office, and sat down on his chair, his mate sitting in a nearby chair, motioning Rocky to sit beside her. Rocky did so and waited for Samuel to speak, noticing a big safe door on the wall. Whether it was a real safe or not Rocky didn't know, but that thought would have to be put on hold for now.
"Alright Rocky, I know you've known me and my mate Carolina for only a week, technically less since we don't communicate often, but there's something I want to ask of you. But before I do, do you have any questions about me?"
"Y-Yes, why are you so mean to Gabriel and so strict when it comes to Pup-Fu?" Rocky asked
"*sigh* I know what it looks like, a father being verbally abusive to his son over the smallest things, but I act like that to him because I love him" This surprised Rocky, this was not at all what he expected "Like I said, I know what it looks like, but I really do love Gabriel. As you know, his breed is mine, a Chow Chow. Our breed tends to be small, even at our adult size we're still small, but I'm strict with Gabriel because it's for his own good."
Rocky scoffed at this answer, getting a glare from Samuel, making Rocky submit instantly. This made Carolina give a glare at Samuel, making him stand down
"Sorry about that Rocky, but as I was saying, I'm this strict on Gabriel because it's for his own good. Since he's still growing, his size is still small, and he gets made fun of because of it. I'm strict on Pup-fu with him because I want him to be able to defend himself from anyone or pup that may try to harm him. I don't know if Gabriel told you this, but he has a bully at his school, a Dalmatian, about a year older than Gabriel with 2 other pups. They continue to bully Gabriel due to his size and he keeps coming home with bruises. I told him many times to defend himself and I won't get mad at him if he does, just as long as he doesn't take it too far, but he responds that he doesn't want to fight. That mindset will get him injured, maybe even killed, but I just can't get that through to him."
"You know Gabriel is a kind pup, Samuel, I still don't understand why you keep trying," Carolina said
"If I give up, then there'll be a day where Gabriel will get injured or killed because of his mindset. If Gabriel gets into a situation like that, I want him to think about all the times where I was…" Samuel stopped in his tracks, closing his eyes before continuing "Scolding… him for not defending himself so he can finally defend himself if placed in that situation. If not, he'll be reminded that the world is a cruel place and won't always accept peace and kindness as an answer. Sometimes you have to be the bad guy in order to help those you love."
Rocky looked at Carolina to see her reaction to this, only to see that she was looking away from Samuel.
"I know it may not seem like it Rocky, but I do love Gabriel. That's why I ask you this" Rocky turned his attention towards Samuel "There will come a day when Gabriel will be separated from us, whether that be us leaving him, him getting adopted, anything, I want you to look after him for us. As much as I want to show Gabriel fatherly love, I can't since it won't seem real to him. Can you do that Rocky?" Samuel asked, eyes filled with worry for once.
"W-why are you asking me?" Rocky asked.
"I can tell you two are gonna be best friends, and you two may get adopted to an owner at the same time, so you'll have each other, but me and Carolina won't be there for him as much anymore. That's why I ask you to watch over him for us when the time comes for him to be separated from us. I ask you again, can you do that Rocky?"
Rocky looked away from Samuel and to the floor and thought about it. It's normal for dogs to eventually be separated from their parents at a certain age, and Gabriel and Rocky were the same age, so he and Gabriel were most likely gonna get adopted by the same owner. Rocky looked back to Samuel and gave his answer.
"Yes sir, I can do that," Rocky said, not stuttering on his words. And for once during this entire conversation, heck, for the first time since Rocky met Samuel, Samuel smiled. A smile that was genuine and not faked.
"Thanks, Rocky, you can go back to playing with Gabriel now"
Rocky just gave a nod to Samuel before leaving his office. Now Rocky was tasked with a very important promise, watch over Gabriel for Samuel and Carolina when they are separated from him. How hard can it be?
Back with Marshall and Rocky
"That day, I made a big promise to his parents, and I failed twice. Once from not being able to find him when he left his school, and twice from today. So, Marshall, it's not all your fault, it's everyone's, so let's find Gabriel and bring him back home."
"Now you're speaking my language, the only problem is where do we go now?"
"Actually, I remember where his old house is, it isn't very far from here"
"You think he's there?"
"Where else would he go? He has minutes maybe? even hours ahead of us, his old house is a good place to at least check."
"Alright, you lead the way, Rocky."
The two pups got into their vehicles and with Rocky leading the Dalmatian to Gabriel's old home.
3 hours ago…
"Now what will Gabriel do?" Gabriels Werepup's side said.
"I… I don't know. Camp out I guess? At least for the night before continuing on."
Gabriel seeing his old house, or at least what remains of it, gets memories of the place. Good and bad. Clearly seeing it abandoned and falling apart isn't pleasant to see at his childhood home, but it was expected to be seen with no care for the house being done in years.
Gabriel walks across the yard, remembering all the outdoor lessons with his old Pup-Fu master Burst, and how painful his training was. Seeing a small toy squeaky ball that has seen better days, Gabriel squeezes it to see if it makes a sound, not hearing anything coming out of the toy. A gardening shovel that has more rust than any old car engine that Gabriel had to fix before.
As Gabriel walked up to the dusty door, he could see a paw print on the door, raising his suspicion.
"Gabriel might not be alone."
"I know, guess we'll see if any unwanted visitors are here."
Pushing onto the door, Gabriel could see the main hall that led to a grand staircase and 4 other hallways to the side of the main hall. Gabriel could see the set of paw prints go towards the staircase, and in the center of the room, the shape of what appeared to be a pup's body judging from the fact that it seemed to get up and walk to a rectangular object that was lying on the dusty floor.
"Jeez, what happened to you, pup? What could you have found to be of interest to you?"
Of course, the mysterious pup not being there couldn't answer Gabriel's question, leaving Gabriel with an unanswered question only he can assume. Walking towards the staircase, Gabriel decided, out of all of the rooms in this manor, to check out his father's office.
Having lived there before, and getting many scoldings from his father in his office, Gabriel was able to remember the layout of the manor and walked the hallway to his father's office. Seeing a big oak door, Gabriel opened the door and saw the old desk lying there, a set of chairs with one of them being destroyed and the other in rough condition, the figure of a dog in the corner of the room, and the door to his father's safe.
"Wonder if father had left any money in that safe, could use some cash in the coming days."
Gabriel went to the key panel on the side of the safe door and began to press the buttons and see if he could remember the combination.
"7-5-6-9-2-4?"
*MEEP*
"No… how bout 5-9-8-3-1-6?"
*MEEP*
"Again? Then, maybe 9-8-5-6-"
seeing a piece of old paper just underneath his father's desk. Using his muzzle, Gabriel was able to get the paper and it had the code to the safe, relief washing over Gabriel.
"Hopefully there is something good in there," Gabriel said.
Walking up to the panel, Gabriel began to press in the code.
"1-2-0-4-1-7, so I guess you kinda cared about me, father."
Gabriel was about to press the button on the panel when he heard a sound
*CREAK*
*Gabriel NOT ALONE*
Gabriel looked back to see Spyro staring at him with a smile. "So, this is where you lived, nice place," Spyro said with a smile. "What are you doing," Gabriel said in a growl. "Just because I said I wasn't going stop you doesn't mean I will let you wander off alone," Spyro said.
"Well leave me alone, I don't want you here," Gabriel huffed. "I can't let my cousin just walk into danger without doing anything," Spyro said nonchalantly. "Wait? What do you mean by cousin?" Gabriel asked confused.
"Oh that, I can tell you about that, you know your father Samual has a brother, right?" Spyro asked. Gabriel thought about it but shook his head. "No, he never mentioned a brother," he said confused.
"Well his brother's name is Antonio Locksmith, my father," Spyro said with a smile. "But you're a… uhhh," Gabriel thought for a moment. "Dragon, I am pure Dragon," Spyro tells him with a smile.
"How do you even exist?" Gabriel said shaking his head. "Well there are plenty of creatures out there in the stars, so many unexplored planets, I am from another planet, I don't know much beyond that though, I can't get far without a good spaceship," Spyro said, and then laughed.
"But how can Antonio be your father?" Gabriel asked. "Do you think your family can only be in blood, I thought your time in the PAW Patrol would have made you think differently," Spyro said with a grin.
"The PAW Patrol want me gone, they are not my family anymore," Gabriel said with a sigh. Spyro couldn't help but laugh a little. "You are such an emotional kid, do you even know Marshall and Rocky are searching everywhere for you," Spyro tells him with a kind smile
"Ya just to take me out," Gabriel said with a mocking tone. "Do you really find Marshall and Rocky to be the 'Taking out' type," Spyro said with quotation marks. "I heard everything, they want to take me out," Gabriel said with a growl.
"Actually, that's the problem, you didn't hear everything, do you really think they forgot your birthday?" Spyro asked. "They have been avoiding me like the plague and they won't even tell me why, they want me gone, that's why," Gabriel said in a huff.
"Listen, kid, you may not understand now but if you just turn your backs on them now there is no going back, you have a family that loves you, are you willing to let go of all over a misunderstanding?" Spyro questions him.
"I-I, I-I," Gabriel tried to say but had no words. But they heard the front door open to the manor. Curious, Gabriel went to investigate. As he looked from the balcony, he could see two familiar faces, faces that he really didn't want to see right now.
"Well, that is my cue to leave," Spyro said and walked out with Gabriel looking at him confused
The two pups had driven for about another 20 minutes before Rocky stopped.
"Stop, we'll walk the rest of the way" Rocky ordered.
"Why?"
"If Gabriel is at his old house, I don't want him to run away when he hears our vehicles pull up to his house"
"Good point."
The duo got out, shutting off the engines, and began to walk the rest of the way. While walking on the path, Rocky abruptly stopped, then turned to his right, walking on a concrete path, Marshall close behind. Eventually, the duo saw the manor, partially covered by the trees. When they got in sight of the house, they saw what was left of it. Years of the house being uncared for had led it to crumble in certain areas, there were vines on the walls of the house, trees and weeds in the yard itself, and the driveway having cracks in it.
"The condition is horrible, are you sure Gabriel is here?" Marshall asked.
"I never said he was here, I said he may be here. And it's a good place to hide in, a home that may crumble at any moment makes trespassers avoid the house."
"Well then, let's search–" Marshall stopped in his tracks, seeing a figure jump from the roof to a nearby tree, the ledge they were on falling apart. The figure then ran off into the woods. "Did you see that?"
"What?"
"I saw a figure, who looked like a dog, jump from the roof into the woods. Think it was Gabriel?"
"How big was it? Like if you were to compare it to Chase?"
"About the same size."
"Then it's not Gabriel, he's smaller, about Skye's size only bigger."
"True. Well, we're burning daylight, let's investigate his house."
The duo went to the front doors and opened the doors, creaking as it did. Once inside, the duo got a good look at the old place. They were in the main hall that led to a grand staircase and 4 other hallways to the side of the main hall.
"Well, where do you think he'll be?" Marshall asked.
"I don't know, but let's check out the place."
The two split off in separate directions, Rocky going to the left hallway, with Marshall going to the right hallway. Rocky found himself trying to recognize the layout of the house but was finding it a bit difficult since he hadn't been here in years. Rocky opened door after door, looking into the rooms, not finding the chow chow pup in either room.
"Come on, where is he? Why is it so difficult to remember the layout?"
Marshall was in the same situation as Rocky. Not ever coming here once in his life, Marshall was just blindly opening random doors that he saw.
"Can't believe Gabriel lived in a place like this! He clearly had a life of luxury! Now where is that pu-"
*T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T*
"What the?!"
"Marshall! You alright?!" Rocky yelled down the hall.
"Yeah! I'm good!" The two reunited in the main hall before they heard another sound.
*KKKSSSHHHHH!*
"What was that?!" Marshall exclaimed
"I don't know! But it was coming from upstairs!" Rocky responded,
"Should we go investigate?"
"We probably shou– WAIT!"
"What Rocky?!"
"I think I know what that sound is!"
"Well, what is it?!"
Marshall didn't get an answer, just a command
"Come on!"
Rocky ran up the stairs, Marshall close behind, and took a right, where the sound was coming from. Rocky tried to open the door, but only to find it locked
*KKKSSSHHHHH!*
"Stand back!" Rocky looked over and saw Marshall about to charge the door. Instinctively, Rocky took a couple of steps back and Marshall charged at the door, hitting beside the doorknob. The door was hit with such great force that the lock broke off immediately and the door swung open, Marshall taking a tumble after he broke the door.
"Ow… I'm good!"
Rocky was surprised at Marshall's strength, but couldn't help but giggle at Marshall on the floor holding his arm. But not only did Rocky giggle, he heard someone else giggle as well, coming from the room, and it wasn't Marshall. Rocky entered and saw the safe that he only saw years back closing, with a chow chow pup inside
"Gabriel!"
*FFFFFPPP!*
*T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T*
The door to the safe had closed on Rocky and Marshall, and Gabriel was locked inside.
"Gabriel! Why did you lock yourself in there?!" Rocky asked
"T- aw- -ou t-o t-t's w-" Gabriel said, the door muffling his words
"Can you get out? I couldn't hear what you said," Rocky said.
It was silent for a bit till Rocky heard a loud sound. He looked behind him and saw that the safe had a speaker, and Gabriel began to talk out of it.
"I said, to get away from you two that's why!"
"Why? What did Marshall and I do to you?"
"Don't act dumb Rocky! You know exactly why!"
Before Rocky could reply, Marshall spoke up.
"Gabriel! What are you talking about?! We didn't do anything to you!"
"YOU KNOW THAT'S A LIE DALLY! TRYING TO MAKE ME FORGET ABOUT THIS WEEK?! GONNA HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THAT!"
"Can you please come out Gabriel? We have a good reason why this week… has been a nightmare for you."
"Just tell me now then! Then I'll decide if I wanna come out or not!"
"Well first off, what made you leave in the first place?" Rocky asked.
"I overheard you and the rest of the team talking about taking me out!"
"As in?" Marshall asked.
"Like 'kill him' taking me out!"
"WHAT?! NO! Gabriel, you know we'd never do that to you!" Marshall said.
"I thought that too, but from what I overheard, that's not the case!"
"No, you heard everything wrong! We're not trying to kill you!" Rocky said.
"Then what are you gonna do with me?!"
"That "take him out" you heard was us taking you around town since we made your week a nightmare! The reason why it's only us two is because the others got their schedules busy and only me and Rocky are available to spend some actual time with you!"
"Really? How do I know you're not lying?"
"As you said, Gabriel, I'm a terrible liar, and in my explanation, I added Rocky in it, which would've made lying to you a lot harder. So you tell me, Gabriel, did you think that was a lie?"
Gabriel didn't say anything for a bit, just silence engulfed the room. But soon, Rocky and Marshall heard a familiar sound.
*T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T*
The sound of the locks disengaging.
*KKKSSSHHHHH!*
Out came the chow chow pup, catching Rocky and Marshall's attention.
"No Marshall, I don't think that was a lie"
Before anyone could say anything, Gabriel hugged Marshall. This caught Marshall off, however, and took a bit before returning the hug.
"Sorry for running away the way I did, especially since it was a misunderstanding"
"It's alright Gabriel, your secret is safe with us," Rocky said.
"Secret? Is the rest of the team in the dark?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah, when we found your note, we would've believed what was written on it if you hadn't left your pup tag under your pillow," Marshall said.
"Oh, I see."
"Marshall was the one who didn't want the rest of the team to find out, not until later if we couldn't find you," Rocky said.
"Well we're burning daylight, are we gonna go?" Marshall said
"Yeah, let's go!" Gabriel said.