(A/N: I do not own Paw Patrol, enjoy!)
Back to Adventure Bay
Ryder and the rest of the pups were hanging out on the lawn in front of the lookout, waiting for RoboDog to return in the Air Patroller. "Relax Marshall, you are going to wear out the grass," Chase said with a roll of his eyes.
The Dalmatian paused his pacing for a moment. "You don't know how much trouble she is going to be in when Mom and Dad find out," Marshall softly whined.
"Not youw thing to worry about dude," Zuma said with a nonchalant wave of his paw.
"Yes, it is," Marshall corrected him. "Dad expects me to take of her and watch out for her and…" Any further rant was cut off by a fluffy lavender paw on his muzzle.
"Be all of that as it may," Everest gently said, "now is not the time for that. Just be happy for her and worry about the rest later. Much later, if you can."
"I'll try," Marshall promised with a sigh.
"Heads up, here they come," Rocky noted as the whirring of the Air Patroller quickly grew louder.
The pups braced themselves against the down wash of air as the tilt rotor aircraft landed and shutdown. The back ramp opened, revealing a semi expected sight.
"They look so cute," Skye simpered as she looked inside. Augie and Cinder were curled up together, with their heads resting on the other's shoulders.
"Thanks, RoboDog," Ryder said quietly as the AI canine softly rolled past the sleeping pups.
"Arf arf!" RoboDog quietly replied.
"Come on, Chase," Marshall softly said as he walked up the ramp. "You get him, I've got her."
"Sure, you pick the lighter one," Chase teased as they both scooped their respective pups onto their back.
"There is a reason," Marshall replied as Cinder's paws instinctively wrapped around Marshall's middle like a pair of seat belts.
"I see that," Chase replied with a laugh. Augie was fully limp on his back.
"Don't worry, they'll wake up when they smell dinner," Rocky said confidently as they all walked through the main door of the Lookout.
"What is for dinner?" Rubble asked hopefully.
"I had Mr. Porter make spaghetti for all of you," Ryder said with a smile.
"With the giant meatballs?" Marshall asked, already starting to drool.
"Would you have it any other way?" Mr. Porter asked with a smile as he opened the door for pups, revealing plates for all of them.
Cinder's nose twitched as she woke up. "What is that appetizing smell?" she softly asked.
"I think you know exactly what that is," Everest giggled.
"But I don't know what it is," Augie said as he also regained consciousness and started sniffing.
"It's Mr. Porter's famous spaghetti," Skye yipped happily.
"Best in the world," Rubble confirmed.
Augie took an experimental bite. His eyes widened as the flavors danced across his tongue. He quickly grabbed another bite, and another and another.
"I think he likes it, Grandpa," Alex noted with a grin.
"Best compliment is an empty plate," Mr. Porter said with a matching smile.
The humans and pups enjoyed the special dinner together, talking about all sorts of things. Several pups had seconds, and a few even had thirds. After the plates were cleared, the pups all began to feel how tired they were.
"Ok, girls, time to turn in," Everest declared with a yawn.
"Take me to bed or lose me forever," Cinder softly challenged with a giggle.
No sooner had the words left her muzzle than Everest scooped the lithe female Dalmatian onto her back.
"Never tempt Everest with a good time," Skye giggled as the girls walked out.
"Where are they going?" Augie asked.
"Girl's night," Chase replied knowingly.
"Ah, so where am I sleeping?" Augie asked.
"With me," Marshall replied, "come on, let's get some rest." Without further ado, Marshall scooped the jet-black Belgian Shepherd into his back and walked out.
"Is that the best idea?" Zuma asked questioningly.
"Yeah, Marshall did seem a bit off about Augie and Cinder earlier," Rubble added.
"I'm sure it's fine," Rocky interjected. "Marshall will take care of him."
"I think that is what they are afraid of," Chase snickered. "But I'm sure we don't need to worry about that particular case unless Augie breaks her heart."
The pups all laughed in agreement as they headed to bed.
Inside Everest's pup house, the girl pups were getting ready for bed. "When was the last time your leg dressing was changed?" Everest asked.
"Not since I was discharged," Cinder softly admitted.
"Due, got it," Everest said as she pulled out her kit.
"Doesn't Marshall need to do that?" Cinder softly asked in surprise.
"Dating him does have consequences," Everest admitted. "In this case, he taught me how to do it so now I can't really pawn it off on him."
"Sure, you can," Skye commented, "just flutter your eyes at him."
"Interestingly enough, that doesn't work when we are talking about patient care," Everest replied as she removed the bandages and gauze she needed from her kit. "Also, he is busy doing the same for Augie I imagine."
"That makes sense," Cinder softly said, "but I would have never expected the first thing you said."
"Possibly also a part of maturing as a couple," Everest shrugged. "He knows he can count on me to take care of his twin sister who is incredibly precious to him. But also, to do anything else he has taught me to do. It is a very special trust."
"I never thought of it that way," Skye admitted, "Chase and I have very different specialties so it isn't like either of us can do the other's job or stop them from doing it. I know he still gets anxious when I fly in bad weather."
"Speaking of different specialties," Everest said as she finished changing Cinder's bandage and laid her in the bed, "I think someone has something to share."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Cinder softly replied.
"You are a worse liar than Marshall," Everest giggled.
"Darn, I was really trying," Cinder sighed.
"I don't think your little reveal on live TV helped your case," Skye giggled.
"Actually, that was unplanned; and our first kiss," Cinder softly admitted.
"What?" Skye and Everest yelped in unison.
"I kind of took a chance," Cinder softly added.
"We have so much to talk about," Everest giggled.
"Wait, so that was a total surprise?" Marshall yipped in surprise as he was finishing changing Augie's bandages.
"Yup, I had no idea that she was going to do that," Augie confirmed. "I hadn't even told her I liked her or asked her out or anything. It was like she read my mind and just decided in that moment that now was the time. And now I'm here."
"Sounds like that all happened pretty quickly," Marshall replied. "How does that make you feel?"
"Incredibly lucky," Augie said without hesitation. "I was wondering how we would find time to just hang out given both of our schedules so I could start trying to work in that direction. But she just bypassed all of that and here we are with nothing but time together as we recover."
"She never was one to wait," Marshall softly laughed. "But she was also never quite so impulsive."
"Is it a bad thing?" Augie asked, slightly concerned.
"I don't know, I guess you'll find out together" Marshall admitted with a shrug. Then he reached into a drawer and pulled out a plain black collar with a square tag hanging down. "This is a patient collar" Marshall said as he fastened it around Augie's neck. "It will monitor your vitals and sound an alarm if anything is wrong. You can also manually activate the alarm by tapping rapidly on either side. It takes at least three taps, so you don't have to worry about accidentally activating it."
"Good to know," Augie said as Marshall laid him down in the bed. "Thank you for taking care of me by the way."
"Of course," Marshall replied as he too laid down. "You never have to worry about that again. No matter what happens, you'll be taken care of."
Augie did not miss the double meaning. "Good to know, well, goodnight," he said with just a hint of nervousness.
"Goodnight," Marshall replied. Augie couldn't see it, but there was an amused smirk on the Dalmatian's muzzle.
Message delivered, Marshall thought to his twin.
What message? Cinder's slightly confused thought came back.
That he is a dead pup if he breaks your heart, Marshall thought back matter-of-factly.
Oh my gosh, you couldn't let him get one night of peaceful sleep before dropping that on him? Cinder thought back, slightly exasperated.
No, you are too precious for that to wait, Marshall mentally asserted. Even if you did sexually assault him on live TV and then abduct him.
Could you say that in better way? Cinder mentally groaned.
I could, but I won't, Marshall mentally laughed. I'm glad the two of you are happy, and that is enough for now.
Thanks, Marshy, love you, goodnight, Cinder thought back.
Love you, goodnight sis, Marshall mentally replied.
As the sun rose the next morning, Chase found Marshall waiting outside his pup house.
"Good morning," Chase said with a yawn.
"Don't do it," Marshall replied seriously.
"Don't do what?" Chase asked, confused.
"You know very well what you aren't doing this morning," Marshall said, giving him a look. "We'll take everyone for a run instead."
"Whose side are you on?" Chase asked, putting on his best betrayed look.
"Just go wake up Rubble," Marshall admonished with a smile, "I've got Rocky and Zuma."
"Sure, you take the easy ones," Chase replied with a shake of his head.
"Says the pup who just needs to bang a food bowl," Marshall laughed.
A few minutes later, the boys, minus Augie, were all assembled. "Why are we awake?" Zuma asked sleepily.
"Because it is time for our morning workout," Marshall replied in a matter-of-fact voice.
"I think what Zuma means is why are we up and not the girls," Rocky clarified.
"I've been wondering that too," Chase replied with a smirk, "and I can't wait to hear the reason. Along with how you are going to justify gallivanting all over town and leaving Augie asleep here all alone."
"Because," Marshall said with an innocent smile, "we are pups who love to run and play. As for Augie, I put a patient tag on him; it will sound an alarm if anything goes wrong, and Everest will handle it."
"I don't like the sound of this," Rubble whimpered as they all looked at each other.
"Am I wrong?" Marshall asked when they didn't respond.
"No," Chase slowly responded.
"But we hate that you are right," Rocky replied.
"Ok, let's get this over with," Zuma said with a groan.
"That's the spirit!" Marshall said with a bounce and a smile. "So, we'll start with a game of tag. All of you are it and have to catch me!" Marshall shot off like a rocket.
"Oh, pup treats!" Chase yelped as he took off after the Dalmatian.
"Chase! We need to be smarter, not faster!" Rocky yelped as he ran after the German Shepherd with Zuma and Rubble in tow.
The sun started to shine into Everest's pup house. "What time is it?" Skye asked with a yawn.
"I don't know," Everest replied with a groan, turning her head to bury it under Cinder.
"Why do you ask?" Cinder softly inquired as she gently placed a paw on Everest's head.
"Because I feel like we have missed something," Skye said as she stood and stretched.
"Only you would feel that way," Everest said, her voice muffled by Cinder's fur.
"You slackers couldn't catch a ball if it was thrown at your face!"
"We missed morning exercise!" Skye yelped as she dashed out the door.
"Dognabit," Everest said as she gave up on trying to go back to sleep. She and Cinder dragged themselves out the door. The stopped when they saw what was waiting for them. "I don't think we missed anything," Everest said with a smirk.
Marshall was still running around the Lookout, with Chase valiantly trying to keep up, but it was obvious that Marshall was toying with him. In front of the Lookout, Rubble, Rocky and Zuma all lay on the grass, panting heavily.
"He's just too fast," Zuma said between pants.
"No, we just have to trap him," Rocky replied determinedly, "Chase, get him to run this way!"
Chase put on one last burst of speed, forcing Marshall to change direction towards the others before he dropped to the ground panting. "All…yours…Rocky!" he managed to bark.
"Get him!" the mixed breed barked. Zuma and Rubble joined him in making one last effort to catch the Dalmatian. "We've got you now Marshall!" Rocky said as the boys formed a "V" to ensure that he could not escape.
Marshall tried to stop but tripped over his paws and immediately started to cartwheel. "Whoaoaoaoaoaoa!" he yelped.
"Anyone else suddenly feel like a bowling pin stawing at a bowling ball?" Zuma asked nervously. A moment later, Marshall bowled into them, sending pups flying everywhere.
"We caught you," Rocky yipped defiantly before landing with a flop.
"Looks to me like he caught you," Skye giggled, finally getting the boys to notice that the girls were up.
"Looks that way to me too," Ryder said with a laugh as he walked outside to join them. "Breakfast is ready, pups."
"Now that is something worth running to catch," Rubble said as he staggered towards the door, finally making it into a run.
"Where was that energy when we were chasing Marshall?" Chase panted as he stood up and staggered towards the door.
"Maybe next time I'll attach a treat to my tail," Marshall laughed as he trotted up to Everest and Cinder, giving each a kiss before scooping the latter onto his back. "Eve, can you get Augie please?"
"I can walk, you know" Cinder softly reminded him as they waited.
"Let him carry you," Everest giggled as she walked out with a very sleepy Augie on her back, "he clearly didn't get enough exercise this morning."
"Next time, he can run a lap to the desert and back first," Rocky chimed in as they walked inside.
"What is interesting out in the desert?" Cinder softly asked innocently.
"Nothing, it's just a ways away and might actually tire him out first," Rocky quickly clarified, trying to hide his paws.
"Maybe," Marshall admitted, "but then again, maybe not."
"What are you even trying to say?" Augie said groggily as Everest trotted back over.
"Oh look, here we are in the kitchen for breakfast" Rocky quickly changed the subject as he dashed over to his bowl.
Was it something I said? Cinder thought curiously to Marshall.
No, he is just hiding something from everyone, so don't tell anyone, Marshall replied.
That seems awfully cryptic, Cinder thought back.
It should, Marshall though with a laugh. It isn't anything bad, he just has a secret that he doesn't want anyone to know, but Everest and I know, but he doesn't know that we know because we haven't confronted him on it because we don't want him to get cold paws. He'll share when he is ready.
You are making my head hurt, Cinder mentally whined.
I'm sorry. Marshall kissed his twin on the forehead.
Better.
Marshall and Everett set Cinder and Augie down in front of their respective bowls. Augie stayed laying down while Cinder forced herself to stand up like normal. As the pups and Ryder chomped down on breakfast, Ryder's pup pad rang. "Paw Patrol, what's your emergency?"
"I'm so sorry," the voice on the line said, "I thought I called your non-emergency line."
Ryder looked at his pup pad. "You did, I just forgot to check," he apologized, "what can we help you with?"
"My name is Dr. Basil, I'm a physical therapist looking for two missing patients of mine and I was told you could help me find them."
"We'll find them," Ryder said, taking notes on his pup pad. "Can you describe them and where they were last seen?"
"One was last seen at her apartment in Heartland," Dr. Basil said. "She is white with black spots, recovering from a gunshot wound to her left thigh. The other is all black and recovering from a gunshot wound to his back; he was last seen at the apartment he shared with his sisters."
Everyone turned to look at Cinder and Augie who just shook their heads. "Skipper's sense of humor" Cinder softly explained.
"Is her name Cinder?" Ryder asked as he shook his head in amusement. "And his name Augie?"
"Why, yes, it is," Dr. Basil said. "Do you know where they are?"
"Having breakfast right now," Ryder said as he turned his pup pad to show the Dalmatian and Belgian Shepherd in question.
"Oh, am I to infer that you were never missing and just taking your convalescent leave there in Adventure Bay?" Dr. Basil asked.
"That would be correct, Doc," Cinder softly apologized, "I'm sorry Skipper played a bit of a trick on you."
"Not a problem at all, my dear," Dr. Basil said, "though, do you feel ok standing? You really shouldn't be yet."
"She is also walking," Marshall chimed in, poking his head in from the side of the screen. "At least Augie is being good."
Cinder's response was to stick her tongue out at her twin.
"Oh my, either you are recovering much faster than should be possible or you are pushing yourself too hard," Dr. Basil said worriedly.
"Maybe a little of both," Cinder softly said. "But now that you have found us, Doc, what can we do for you?"
"When you are done with breakfast, can you, Augie, and Ryder call me back?" Dr. Basil requested, "I want to go over your recovery plan and some things he needs to do to help your recovery and to watch out for."
"You sure you don't need Marshall?" Ryder asked in surprise, "he is our paramedic."
"He can be there, but I really need you there Ryder," Dr. Basil said uncomfortably.
"Are you worried he can't care for her?" Ryder asked suspiciously.
"No, it's just, there are things only you can do Ryder," Dr. Basil tap danced.
"Spit it out Doc, what's the problem with Marshall caring for us?" Cinder softly directed.
"He doesn't have hands and fingers, he has paws," Dr. Basil blurted out. "And some of the things I need done require finger level dexterity."
"You could have just said that the first-time, Doc," Marshall said with a smile, "my paws may be highly skilled, but they definitely aren't the same as having fingers."
"I'm so glad you understand," Dr. Basil said, obviously relieved. "Talk to you soon."
"Some people," Everest said after Dr. Basil hung up.
"He was trying to be sensitive to me" Marshall replied with an amused shake of his head, "not that he needed to, but he was still professional about it."
"I wonder what he needs though," Rocky asked, "It has never been a problem before."
"Just because I'm a paramedic doesn't mean I can do everything," Marshall reminded him, "There are lots of medical things I can't do because I have paws and not fingers."
The rest of breakfast passed quickly. When they were done, Marshall, Cinder, Augie, and Ryder went upstairs to call Dr. Basil back.
Dr. Basil walked Ryder through the things he needed to watch out for and to check regularly as Cinder and Augie recovered. There definitely where some things Marshall would not be able to do, so it was very educational for all of them. At the end, they discussed their recovery timeline.
"Now, Cinder, you are already ahead of where I expected you to be," Dr. Basil said, "which is good, but I'm obligated to tell you not to push yourself too hard. We don't want you to injure yourself trying to get back at things faster than your body can handle."
"You have my word that I won't rush myself, Doc," Cinder said.
"Now, Augie, you are right on track," Dr. Basil continued. "You can start trying to stand, but only with support at the start, and make sure you listen to your body. More than Cinder, a re-injury would significantly slow your recovery."
"Roger that, Doc," Augie confirmed.
"Ok, well, I'll follow up with you in a week to see how you are doing," Dr. Basil said. "Goodbye."
"I have a feeling you both are going to surpass all expectations," Ryder said with a smirk.
"Why is that?" Augie softly asked.
"Because all my patients recover faster than expected," Marshall snickered.
At that moment, the mission display started ringing. Ryder pressed the button to answer, "Paw Patrol… Rocky? What's wrong?"
"Ryder, I'm at the junkyard," Rocky replied. "I came down to look for anything worth salvaging and to test an invention, but there was some unmarked HAZMAT which started a fire and now I'm trapped. I need help getting out."
"Don't worry, we are coming," Ryder said as he hung up and hit the call button.
"Paw Patrol, to the Lookout!"
"Ryder needs us!" Marshall yelped as he scooped Cinder onto his back and ran to the stairs.
"I really need to install a separate slide so they can just go straight to the gear room from here," Ryder said to Augie as he ran to get geared up. "Just hang out here."
"Yup, not going anywhere," Augie confirmed with a sigh.
The rest of the pups were already on the elevator. "Where are Rocky and Marshall?" Chase asked, looking around.
"Wait for us!"
"Oh no," Zuma winced as Marshall tried to make the turn from the stairs to the elevator, which he did, but then crashed into everyone else because he couldn't stop.
"No need to wax the floor, it's slick enough already," Marshall joked. Everyone laughed as the doors closed and the elevator rose.
The pups all jumped out to their spots. "Paw Patrol ready for action Ryder sir, fire pup style" Chase sounded off, "but Rocky isn't here…"
"That's because we have to rescue Rocky," Ryder said as he began the briefing. "He is at the junkyard and is trapped by a fire." All the pups gasped. "The fire includes unknown hazardous chemicals, so we'll have to be careful. Marshall, I need you to go in and get Rocky out. Cinder, you'll be in charge of the rest of the pups in fighting the fire. Be careful not to hurt yourself; direct, not act."
"I'm ready for a ruff-ruff rescue!" Marshall sounded off.
"Time to walk on the fire side," Cinder softly sounded off.
"We're on it!" the rest of the pups sounded off.
"Paw Patrol is on a roll!" Ryder declared as he ran to his fire pole to a chorus of howls.
Marshall and Cinder ran to the slide, with Marshall slipping and flipping while Cinder gracefully slid down behind him. Marshall landed and pressed the buttons for his ultimate fire truck as Cinder landed beside him.
"You have to coolest truck," Cinder softly cooed as the pup house dropped below the Lookout and mechanical arms began assembling the ultimate fire truck.
"You are just saying that because it is a big red fire truck with a ladder" Marshall teased. Cinder giggled in response. The truck was lifted to ground level and Marshall gunned it into position. Perfectly on cue, the rest of the pups slid down and landed in their seats. Marshall howled as he activated the sirens and honked the horn, pressing his paw down hard on the pedal and raced to the junkyard with Ryder following.
Augie remained in the control room, alone. The displays had been configured for him before the rest of the pups slid down. In the whole time since being injured, Augie had never felt as useless as he did right now. Being acutely aware of his limitations did not help him to feel better as he watched the scene start to unfold.
"You didn't tell them that two pups need rescuing," a grey pup with a white tuft of fur on top of her head said to Rocky.
"That's because you don't need rescuing; I have a plan to get you out," Rocky replied as he shoved the other pup into position at one end of a long plank of wood.
"Congratulations, you've invented the see-saw," she said with a roll of her eyes.
"Or pup-a-pult in this case," Rocky said as he jumped up on his truck. Just before he jumped down, the other pup got off the plank. "What are you doing?" Rocky asked in confusion.
"Today is the day," the other pup said. "Time to put our plan into action."
"Is everything ready?" Rocky asked in surprise.
"No, but this is a perfect opportunity," the grey pup countered. "We can make it work."
"Ok, I trust you," Rocky said as he jumped down next to her.
"You always have," she said before leaning over and laying her head on the recycling pup's shoulder. "You trust me and believe in me when no one else does."
"And I always will," Rocky confirmed as he nuzzled her. The nuzzle quickly evolved into a kiss. A kiss cut short by the wailing of a siren.
"Quick, hide in the back of the truck," Rocky said. The grey pup nodded and disappeared from sight.
Marshall skidded to a stop at the entrance to the junkyard. "Get in there and get Rocky out," Cinder softly directed as Marshall jumped down.
"Ruff, mask!" Marshall barked in response, causing the breathing mask built into his pack to extend and cover his face. Marshall then charged into the fire to rescue his brother.
"Chase, Everest, get a hose on the left side," Cinder softly ordered. "Rubble and Ryder, get a hose on the right side. Zuma, take the rescue cart to the far side and engage the fire. Skye, take the mini copter up and begin water drops."
Everyone acknowledged and got to work fighting the fire. "Arf, cab up," Cinder softly barked. The cab immediately rose up above the fire. Cinder turned on the water cannon and began directing it towards Marshall's and Rocky's path out.
Inside the fire, it was surprisingly clear around Rocky and his truck. "You sure know how to start a party," Marshall joked as he ran up to Rocky.
"Let's just get out of here," Rocky said with a roll of his eyes as he jumped into the cab of his truck.
Marshall jumped up on top of the recycling truck. "Arf, water cannon!" Marshall barked. His water cannon popped out and he targeted the fire in front of the recycling truck.
As Marshall knocked the fire down, Rocky moved his truck forward. Before long, they had made it out. "We are clear, Cinder," Marshall reported over his tag.
"I see you," Cinder softly replied. "Does Rocky know what type of HAZMAT we are dealing with?"
"I'm not sure," Rocky replied as he got out of his truck, "but it is a highly flammable liquid."
"All pups switch to fog patterns," Cinder softly directed.
Marshall hopped down beside Rocky, and the two pups began walking back towards the fire. As they passed the back of the truck, the grey pup in the back tensed herself to act.
In the control room, Augie saw the shadow in the back of the recycling truck shift. He slammed his paw down on what he hopped was the right button.
"Marshall, Rocky, look out behind you, there is someone in Rocky's truck!"
Every pup heard the report and turned to look. With an angry howl, the grey pup launched herself out of the back of Rocky's truck, knocking Marshall and Rocky to the ground. "You won't stop me this time, Rocky!" the pup howled as a wrench extended from her pup pack and she brought it down on the mixed breed's head with a sickening crunch.
"It's Gasket!" Skye barked as the grey blur ran for some nearby bushes. A second after disappearing, she reappeared on her bike, laughing manically as she raced away.
"Skye, get Chase to his cruiser!" Ryder ordered. "The two of you bring her down!"
"Roger that Ryder!" Chase barked as he jumped up and grabbed onto the water drop bucket dangling beneath the mini-copter.
"On my way Ryder!" Skye barked as she pushed the mini-copter to its limits in the direction of the lookout.
Marshall jumped up and rushed to Rocky's side. The grey mixed breed lay unmoving but breathing. Blood was freely flowing out from his head.
"Ryder, get me my medic pack and a board!" Marshall barked as his paws expertly found the wound and clamped down.
In the control room, Augie was in shock. Watching the pup explode out the back of Rocky's truck and attack from so many points of view had overwhelmed his senses. But as he watched Skye and Chase race closer, he realized what he could to do to help.
Skye came in low over the grass and Chase jumped off the bucket. As Skye set the mini-copter down, Chase ran to his pup house, changing it into his cruiser with a bark. Skye ran to her pup house and changed it into her helicopter with a yip.
Chase jumped into his cruiser and ran a quick visual check of his cruiser. As he was about to press his paw down on the accelerator, he felt something land in the back seat of his cruiser, making him spin around in surprise. "Augie?!"
"Four eyes are better than two," Augie stated.
"Come on Chase, she is getting away!" Skye yelped as her pink and grey copter lifted off and arced back towards town.
Gasket was taking it easy, knocking over trash cans and streetlamps on the beachfront when she heard the siren coming for her. "About time," she growled as she pressed her paw down on the accelerator on her bike.
"She is on main street, Chase," Skye reported as she swooped in low.
"I see her," Chase said as he moved to cut Gasket off from escape.
"Let's see what you've got, Chase," Gasket said to herself as she pressed a button.
Augie saw the small sphere launch from the motorcycle. "Watch out!" he barked the warning.
Before Chase could react, the smoke grenade detonated between Chase, Skye, and Gasket.
"Look out!" Skye yipped as she immediately swooped skyward.
Chase yanked on his steering wheel and skidded to a stop sideways across the road, the nose of his cruiser pointing towards the beach.
"Nice try Chase!" Gasket cackled as she sped through the smoke, well clear of Chase's roadblock.
"Come on Chase, she is heading for the forest!" Skye yipped as she curved around to continue the pursuit. Chase gunned it and was soon catching up to the fleeing Malamute.
Back at the junkyard, Everest, Zuma, and Rubble, under Cinder's expert direction, were quickly bringing the fire under control. But Marshall was unaware of that as he worked to stabilize Rocky.
Marshall had finished wrapping the mixed breed's injured head and was checking for any additional injuries when a white paw grabbed him by his collar, pulled him close, and began to whisper.
Marshall's eyes widened in shock as he listened. Then he swiped his pup tag.
A/N: Looks like it didn't take long for the butterfly to manifest itself. Thank you to all of you for your patience with random release pace of this story.