"Come on, come on!" Gasket shouted, using her ratchet to turn a loose bolt.
Recently, the Ruff-Ruff Pack had been roughhousing with their motorcycles and, in the process of hitting each other like bumper cars, broke Gasket's vehicle. She spent all day working on it and getting too frustrated at it to work.
She huffed as the loose bolt refused to turn. Perhaps it was broken. She would have to find a replacement soon. There were plenty of replacements in Adventure Bay's dumpsters. People just throw them away.
Gasket placed the ratchet to the side, placing it next to all her other tools. She jumped into Dwayne's motorcycle.
"Hey, Hubcap! Dwayne!" she hollers.
"Yeah?!" Hubcap hollers back. "Is something wrong?" Dwayne inquires.
"I was just gonna use Dwayne's motorcycle to go find some unused bolts!" she shouted at them, starting the motorcycle with a paw. "My motorcycle has a broken bolt in it!"
Hubcap groans. "Ugh! You're so useless!" he whines. "First you tinker around with useless contraptions and now you're trying to find those things to fix your motorcycle? Why can't you just follow orders like a normal girl would?" He pouts.
Gasket rolls her eyes at her leader. Hubcap wasn't the nicest dog around. Even despite the amount they've matured, Hubcap would never get past the idea of Gasket and her inventions not working.
He probably thinks I'll break my bike, but I know what I'm doing. I'm not like that dumb Mayor of Adventure Bay. I'm far more competent than her "goody two shoes" act. I can't believe she's a Mayor. Who cares if she's "nice." I've seen better leadership skills from children than from her.
Gasket shook the thought out of her mind. "Follow orders? I'm already following your orders. We can't cause mischief if our rides are destroyed." She looks at Hubcap with an unamused-and-sarcastic face. "Unless you want me to sit in that little seat with you, Shrew-face, then I advise you to let me fix my ride."
She bares her fangs slightly at Hubcap who snorted. "Whatever." He didn't taunt her further and just went back inside their hideout, digging into a pile of things they had kept throughout the years as a gang.
Gasket sighs heavily, pressing a paw down on the gas. She took off into the desert: their home. Dwayne's motor vehicle kicked up sand as she drove it, determinedly pressing her foot down harder on the motorcycle as she drove.
Cactus and canyons passed by. None of it was noteworthy.
Eventually, she came to a point that crossed over into Adventure Bay. She quickly maneuvered through the water-surrounded land, managing to move past the Adventure Bay bridge. That lead to the city.
As she passed Mr. Porter's stand, however, she couldn't help thinking about the events that transpired mere days ago. Zuma had hid underneath the table; she saw how quick his eyes were darting to and fro, trying to avoid Mr. Porter and Alex's gazes.
But why? Weren't they his friends? His citizens to protect?
Gasket tried not to think too hard about it since she had more important matters than concerning herself with dogs from the PAW Patrol. Unfortunately no matter how hard she tried to rid herself of the brown lab's image, she couldn't. There was just something peculiar about that day with Zuma, like he was a seal out in the sun.
There was something unusual about his sudden present out in the streets of Adventure Bay. One she couldn't put her paw on.
The streets of Adventure Bay's lone city (not Adventure City since Adventure City was still a few hours away from Gasket's current location) was mostly silent. Not many people or animals come around since this is where most of the homeless and poor of its residents reside.
Goodway promised the people of Adventure Bay she would fix this problem as soon as she could. Apparently the Ruff-Ruff Pack wasn't the only problematic group of dogs in Adventure Bay. Some other dog groups and lone dogs have started to steal and destroy property.
In fact, these dogs were worse than the Ruff-Ruff Pack was when they first begun. Now, though, the Ruff-Ruff Pack didn't trash the bay or do much to harm Adventure Bay. It was mostly out of respect for Ryder and the pups who had saved them countless times even though they were causing them trouble.
Eventually Hubcap decided to only trash Adventure Bay on certain days when Ryder and the pups weren't busy with anything. That was until that day.
Gasket believes Hubcap was just hungry. No need to cause trouble and yet Hubcap decided to cause them trouble when they were busy with a different mission. It was disrespectful, sure, but Gasket figures people and pups break promises all the time so it wasn't a big deal.
Gasket halts her motorcycle at the sight of a dog. Oh no! It was Rocky. What's he doing here?
At the sight of her, Rocky bounded up. A friendly deposition on his face as he approached. Gasket could also smell slight fear coming from the recycler.
"Hello Gasket," he greeted curtly, dipping his head in respect. "Rocky," she responded warily. She wondered why he was here.
Is he just here to get spare parts?
"I have a question for you," the mix continues, indicating for her to get off her bike with a nod to himself.
Gasket does what she's told, getting off her ride and putting it into park. "Fire away, Mechanic Pup," she informs, padding towards him.
The two of them walk side by side as Rocky begins to tell her a story.
"So recently we put out a missing poster for our friend, Zuma. And I was just grabbing some spare items for the PAW Patrol to reuse in our missions." Gasket nods along. "And I was wondering if you've seen him."
The two stop, Rocky's eyes becoming filled with tears. "He's been gone for five days."
Gasket's eyes widened.
"The last person who saw him was Mr. Porter. He told me you and your crew broke your promise and made mischief that day."
Gasket frowned. So my suspicions were correct. So, then, why Zuma?
Gasket shook her head. She didn't know where Zuma was. "Sorry, Rocky. Last time I saw him was out in Adventure Bay."
Rocky's tail drooped and his lip quivered. "Did you see where he went after he stopped you and the pack?"
Gasket shook her head once again. "Sorry, no. I thought it was odd he was out in Adventure Bay." Now that I think about it I don't think I saw his pup tag either. "I didn't see him wearing his pup tag either."
Rocky looked disappointed. "Oh. So you really don't know where he went?"
Gasket sighs, "No. I do not know where he went. I can tell you where he is if I find him, though."
Rocky perks up. "Really?" he asked, body and tail wagging. "Yeah, really. I feel bad that I saw him and didn't try to see why he was out there."
Rocky shrugs. "Well we don't expect you to keep an eye on our members all the time. It would be strange for a group of mischief makers to watch over a dog they don't even associate themselves with."
Gasket frowns. "I hope you find him."
Rocky sighs as he gets into his vehicle. He turns around. "I hope so, too. I don't know why he would leave." He pauses as he looks into the garbage. "I-I wish he would've gone to me. Marshall told me he and Zuma had a chat. Apparently Ryder doesn't use their abilities as much as Rubble, Chase, Skye, and I's? I hope he doesn't think he's useless; he isn't useless."
Gasket nods. He was really useful in helping both the Ruff-Ruff Pack and Mr. Porter.
Gasket usually considered Zuma the middle ground in certain situations. There had been a couple of occasions where he an aged to solve fights just by being a mediator.
"Anyway, thanks for cooperating. I know we don't get along that much, but I appreciate this middle ground." He presses a paw to start his vehicle.
He then speeds off, leaving Gasket alone. Not before she exclaims, "GOOD LUCK!!"
I hope they find him. She ponders, finding her eyes on a brown blur running in the background. Hmm. She squints. The blur coming closer to her.
It was a small blur.
Not Zuma.
A small Havenese dog came running at her. "Hey!" she barked, snapping her jaws suddenly at Gasket's feet. "These are my trash zones!!" Her jaws clamped on Gasket's front left paw, making it start to bleed.
Gasket jumped back, annoyed. "So? I'm not here to steal your trash food!" she snapped, swiping a paw at the Havenese dog.
The Havenese dog rabidly snapped her jaws at Gasket. This time Gasket was prepared. Gasket lashed out with a paw, striking the savage dog in the face. The force of her paw knocked the dog against the trash bin.
The bin made a metallic ding.
The Havenese began to sniffle, managing to get to her paws. Her lip quivered and she snarled, "I'll get you for this, bitch!"
Gasket was prepared for another attack. The Havenese dog immediately turned tail and ran away from the garbage disposal, tears falling as she ran.
Gasket huffed, sitting down to rub her front left paw. "What an annoying dog. I don't like going here." Gasket's golden-green eyes found themselves upon an approaching brown lab.
Was that...?
"Hey, Gasket." It was Zuma. He was shyly looking at the ground. His eyes watching the Havenese dog in curiosity after looking up.
"Hey," Gasket huffs. She tried to calm herself down. That little pooch ruined her day. "What are you doing here?"
She knew why he was here. She just wanted to converse with him in hopes he would immediately go back to the PAW Patrol.
She knew it wasn't any of her concern to watch over Zuma, but he was right in front of her. She had to make sure he was safe even if she wasn't a member of that ridiculous patrol.
"Me? Oh I was just exploring this part of Adventure Bay." He looks away. "The PAW Patrol doesn't need me."
The PAW Patrol doesn't need him? What convinced him of that?! Gasket's brain whirled with thoughts. Should she offer him a place to stay? Ask him what he plans on doing?!
No! I should leave him to his own devices. He clearly isn't well in the head right now. Perhaps I should watch him and the pups. Try to convince him they need him.
Rocky was trying to find him. It's too bad he didn't see Zuma. He was right here all along.
"Really? Why don't they need you? Aren't you a member of their patrol, or whatever?" Gasket tried not to be interested in this conversation, but the drama was interesting to her.
Zuma's face contorted. Gasket wasn't sure if he was constipated or frustrated.
"Well, yeah, I am. They have Chase, though." Zuma rolls his eyes, obviously bothered by the idea of Chase having a big role in the PAW Patrol.
But what did he do?
"What about Chase? He's your police officer, right? Isn't his job to control traffic and stop those causing trouble?" Gasket carefully worded. She didn't want to call her and her pack evil or villains.
Perhaps Claw is evil. Us, though? Never!
Zuma mumbles something under his breath.
"Excuse me?" Gasket inquires, leaning in trying to hear what he's saying.
"I said he took my job!" Zuma barks, louder. It wasn't a shout, but the prospect of Chase being the water pup now shocked Gasket enough to lean away.
"Sorry," Zuma mumbles. "I'm just...upset. He's clearly Ryder's favorite and it gets on my nerves how often he goes on water based rescues. I'm not even chosen first anymore. It's annoying."
Gasket found herself nodding an agreement. She also found Chase's hubris annoying sometimes. Just because you're a police officer doesn't mean you are the only service animal on the squad.
"I get it," Gasket responds. Zuma's face contorts in disbelief. "No, I really do." Zuma's face didn't change. "I am also underestimated, Zuma."
"Whenever I do things," she began, figuring she'd explain her understanding of him. Though she knew it was still minimal, Gasket knew she could at least relate to him in this way. "Hubcap always takes credit for it."
Zuma's eyebrows raise.
"And even though no one believes it is he who is the genius, I still feel undermined. Like you in a way. Chase always gets the glory of the missions, even in spite of you and the other pups being there."
She pauses for a second, hoping she was right. "Correct?"
Zuma sighs. "Yes," he responds. "In a way, you are precise with your hypothesis."
He must hang around Rocky a lot. Though I don't think my comment was a hypothesis and more of an observation.
Zuma looks at the garbage bin. "Though, most of my other friends are more utilized for missions. I feel...useless. Especially since Chase has been going on the water missions more. It's stupid really."
Gasket wanted to reach out. She wanted to say it's not stupid to feel this way. But was assurance what he needed?
"But are you useless?" she tried to reason. Zuma looks at her like she's stupid. "You're the water rescue pup of the team. Do any of the others know—"
"Yes!" Zuma shrieks. "They all know CPR! They've all stolen my jobs at certain points."
But do they have your exact experience? Would they know what to do underwater?
"Ugh! I'm going. Good luck with whatever you're doing." Zuma turns around.
"Wait!" Gasket cries.
Zuma looks back at her. "And please don't cause anymore trouble. I've seen the kinds of dogs that Vetali hangs out with. They're not to be messed with." He turns back around and runs away.
"No! Wait!" Gasket cries. She tries to follow Zuma, but Zuma was faster, ducking in the shade of a nearby hole that was attached to an abandoned building. It was too small for Gasket.
Gasket ran headfirst against the hole.
"No, no, no!" she wailed. She attempted to dig at the building, making screeching music with her paws. Her paws began to bleed slightly, the wound on her paw beginning to open up more and stretching.
She almost collapsed in defeat.
She sighs. "Ugh. Fine. Be that way. I'm going."
She pads over to the garbage. Back to what I was doing I suppose. She ponders, jumping into the green metallic bin, sorting out garbage, possible food she could bring to her pack, and any other items in hopes of finding bolts that might fit her ride.
It took her longer than expected, but she managed to find what she was looking for. Perfect! And I have the tools with me to fix it!
She frowns despite this find. I hope Zuma goes back. Next time I see him I should try at least to offer him a spot in the pack. But I will also have to convince Hubcap to let him in. But what other choice do we have? I know where he is. I can at least make sure he's not starving to death.
I'll go talk to Hubcap about it. She then starts the process of fixing her ride.
Note: There will be other ships in this story, but they won't be more than just hinted at rather than confirmed since I want the main focus to be Zuma and Gasket's romance. Other pups will have chapters to focus on the problems within the PAW Patrol as well as show how they deal with losing Zuma as a member.