Welcome back to the show everyone!

The past few months have not been kind to the Paw Patrol. Mostley because of one thing, Marshall's untimley demise just a few months prior!

Still, the Ryder and the pups have been strong enough to carry on and be the helping paw that Adventure Bay needs.

Latley though, the team's eco-pup and mechanic, Rocky, has been very distant from the rest of the team. Cooping up hiself in Ryder's garage and pushing anyone away who wants to help him.

The pups are hoping to finally talk to him and find out why Rocky has been ignoring them...


Chapter 2: Late-Night Rescue

It was leading into nighttime, around six or seven o'clock, and it was now dinnertime.

Ryder has made it a top priority to make sure the pups were provided with well balanced meals to help them meet the demands of a young rescue team. Thanks to some insight from Katie and fresh grown food provided by Farmer Umi and Al, Ryder can easily fulfill this need and keep his pups healthy and strong for not just their job's needs but their growth as well.

Tonight is sort of a cheat night for them. Spaghetti and Meatballs. A relatively rare dish as It wasn't really ideal to serve them a dish like it, but it was a recognized favorite for Ryder to put in rotation and burst out every now and then.

Upon setting their bowls up and of course making him some as well, Ryder set the bowls in their respective places in the dining area. Seeing his pups playing Pup-Pup Boogie gave a slight smile to him.

It had been a good while since they'd played the game and hearing them laugh and play while he was cooking illuminated his heart. Almost to where he didn't want to interrupt their fun, but the pups still have to eat.

He pulls out his pup pad, and taps on a certain button that gives off a unique sound to tell the pups that dinner was ready. Almost immediately after he pushed it, the pups spun around towards the dining area of the lookout.

"Dinner time!" They all howl, as they bound for their bowls.

When Rubble got to his, his eyes almost left his sockets. "Spaghetti and Meatballs?! Oh Ryder, you shouldn't have!" No sooner than he said that, his face was buried into his bowl, munching down so much to cause his bowl to skid a little.

"Whoa, slow down there Rubble." Ryder chuckles. "Don't want you to choke on your food."

"Who can blame him? We haven't had spaghetti in so long, I thought we would nevew have it evew again." Zuma let out before craning his neck to eat it himself.

The rest of them dug into their own food bowls, on cloud nine as they gobbled up their spaghetti and meatballs.

Ryder at first was worried at how fast they were eating, but then noticed that there was a pup missing by seeing the green bowl completely untouched.

"Hey, where's Rocky?" He asks.

The pups look up from their bowls and over to Rocky's bowl, expecting to see said pup chowing down with them, though no pup was there.

They were so excited for their food that they barely noticed Rocky not eating with them. Not only was this concerning, but they were also thrown off.

It was very rare for any of them to miss dinner. Only in certain circumstance would any of them would. Like if one was sick or injured. None of them had ever just straight up missed a meal, even if they weren't hungry.

If that wasn't concerning enough, the pups were counting on Rocky showing up for dinner particularly. They were hoping to talk to him with Ryder present about his blow off attitude recently, but they obviously couldn't if Rocky himself hadn't bothered to show up at all.

Skye repeats Ryder's question with a whimper. "Where is Rocky?"

"This is the best dinner in the world. I don't want him to miss it!" Rubble quavers.

"He can't skip dinnew Wydew." Zuma whimpers along. "He can't. We have…we…."

"Pups pups, settle down." Ryder waves. "He's probably caught up in one of his projects that he missed the call. There's no reason to worry okay? I'll just go check on him."

After saying that, Ryder walks out of the lookout, leaving the pups with their dinners. Confounded by the curve ball they were just thrown.

"I..I can't believe this. Rocky has never missed dinner before." Skye shudders.

"Yeah, and we wewe totally supposed to talk to him. How awe we going to help him when he twies so hawd to avoid us." Zuma whines.

The pups all whine in response to Zuma however Rubble kept a clear mind.

"Hold on pups. Ryder could be right. Maybe he did just miss the call."

"You're right Rubble. There's no need to jump to conclusions right now." Chase agrees. "It could mean nothing at all."

The pups sat and waited for either Rocky or Ryder to come back. Everyone had ceased eating as their eyes barely moved from the doors. Well, except for Rubble of course, who even in a tense moment like this, just couldn't resist the tasty spaghetti.

A few moments passed and then a few more moments passed as the pups waited for either one to walk in. The longer it took however, the more they became unsettled. Rubble even stopped eating eventually, noticing how long it's been.

"Wha, What's taking so long?" Rubble breaks. "They should've been back by now."

Skye shares Rubbles concern. "Yeah. I-I'm starting to get worried."

If Skye was indeed getting worried, then Zuma was about to keel over. He remembered the last time Rocky was rouge like this, it almost turned into another tragedy right at the lookout, had it not been for Chase.

Chase remained optimistic though even he was starting to worry.

"I'm sure everything is okay pups. If something was wrong, Ryder would've called us, and he hasn't yet. Right?"

Right as he said that….

Bleep! Bleep!

The two blips from their pup tags went off like a sudden clap of thunder in their ears.

"Paw Patrol, to the lookout!"

Despite Ryder's usual tone when calling them, it did little to ease them as their minds assumed the worst.

"Y-Y-Y-You wewe saying?" Zuma wavered.

Chase felt like he wanted to bang his head against the wall. He really needs to stop opening his mouth. Letting out a sigh as he proceeds to the elevator.

"Come on pups. Ryder needs us."

Skye follows. "Let's hope it's not for Rocky."

"Awe you kidding? It totally is." Zuma whines as he drags his feet to the elevator as well.

Ruble didn't say anything as he joined them in the elevator.

However, a second before Chase was about to press the button, the lookout doors open and in walks….

"Rocky!" the pups all exclaim.

"Hey pups. Looks like it's going to be a long night, huh?" He greets as he walks towards the elevator, however, Skye jumps out right in front of him. Nose to nose.

"Hold on buster! You've got a lot of explaining to do!"

"I do?" The eco pup asks obliviously.

"Heck yeah you do!" Skye adds with an incarsinating tone. "We've been worried sick about you!"

Rocky pops an eyebrow. "Uhh I don't know why, I was just in the garage."

"Then why didn't you come to dinner?" Rubble pushes. "You missed Spaghetti and Meatballs! Meatballs!"

"Cause I wasn't hungry." Rocky answer in a condescending tone. "I don't have to eat if I don't want to."

"You still should've….."

"We can settle this later pups." Chase interjects with some warrent. "We've got a mission, and Ryder is waiting on us."

It took a few moments before Skye finally went back to her spot. Groaning in defeat as Rocky goes to his usual spot, of course right next to her. Then Chase presses the button to send the elevator up.

The whole elevator ride up was silent as a mouse. Chase, Skye, Zuma, and Rubble were glad that the mission wasn't about Rocky at all, but their concerns and problems with Rocky must be put aside right now for the good of whoever needs help. Though Zuma did steal a glance at Rocky. Wondering just what was going on inside his head right now.

After being outfitted in their respective uniforms and pup packs, the elevator reaches the top with a ding, and they all line up in their usual spots in front of their leader.

"Paw Patrol, ready for action, Ryder sir!" Chase announces as the Paw Patrol perks to Ryder.

Ryder pushes a button on his pup pad, bringing up a picture of a familiar pup. Michah, the pit bull Chase saved earlier.

"Thank you all for coming pups, I'm afraid we've got a serious situation on our paws." Ryder started. "I received a call from Gary and his father saying that Michah has gone missing!"

Skye gasps. "Oh no! A missing pup?! What happened?!"

"They're not too sure, but they think that Michah may have left on his own." Ryder replied.

"Left on his own?!" Chase reels. "You mean he ran away?! Why?!"

"I have no idea, but we've got to find him, which of course means that I need…" Ryder swipes over to Chase's emblem. "Chase; I need your strong nose and tracking skills to locate Michah."

Chase stands more proudly. "Chase is on the case!"

Ryder then swipes to Skye. "And Skye; I need you to be my lookout from above and see if you can spot him."

Skye smiles gracefully, deciding on a new phrase for this situation. "I'll be your eye in the Skye!"

With that, the briefing was over with Ryder pumping his fist. "Alright, Paw Patrol is on a roll!"

The pups howl as Ryder breaks for the fire pole and Chase and Skye quickly slide down the slide to their respective vehicles.

In almost no time, they were off to find the missing pup, Michah.


Over in Adventure Bay's housing development, a little ways into the neighborhood, was Gary and his father waiting patiently for the Paw Patrol.

Gary was sitting down on the ground in complete misery while his father was doing his best to comfort him. Despite it clearly not working.

"It'll be alright Gary, we'll find him." The man conforts. "And with the Paw Patrol's help, he'll be found in no time."

The boy sniffs. "I just don't know why? Why would he run away? We were best friends dad, and he didn't even say goodbye!"

"I know, I know son, but…." His father tried to quell his son's sorrow, but at this point, the only way was to find Michah. "I'm sure there will be an answer when we find him."

Then, the sirens came as Ryder and the Paw Patrol finally come up on their house, stopping on their lawn.

"Thank goodness you've come Ryder." The father greets. "I'm afraid that this situation has torn my son's heart to pieces."

Ryder takes his helmet off and walks over to the two with a determined smile. "You won't have to worry for long Mr. Kendle. The Paw Patrol is sure to find him. Do you know how long he's been gone?"

Mr. Kendle gives a slight shrug. "Couldn't be gone more than an hour or so. We noticed when we were setting for dinner."

"Oh no. You can get quite far in just an hour." Skye squeals.

"Do you have any idea where he might be heading or at least a direction?" Chase asks.

"I'm afraid I have no clue." Mr. Kendle answers. "I mean no offense, but he is a young pup like you and Skye. He may not know where he's going."

"no offense taken Mr. Kendle." Chase assures. "It does make sense after all. I guess we'll have to find him with just my nose Ryder."

"I guess so, but maybe I can give you a head start." Ryder says, before turning to Skye. "Skye, get up in the air and search around the neighborhood. Look for any signs of the pup's whereabouts."

"Yes Ryder." Skye yipped as she jumps in her copter and starts it up.

Ryder then turns back to Mr. Kendle. "Mr. Kendle, do you have anything of Michah's that Chase could sniff for a sent? It would give us a great start."

"He has a bed in my room." Gary answers instead with a deterred tone. "That should be a great start, right?"

Ryder kneels down to the kid with an assuming smile. "Hey. It's alright I promise we will find him, Gary."

The boy closes his eyes with tears escaping him. "I know you can find him Ryder. I just…want to know why?"

"Unfortunately, we won't know that until we find him." Ryder said. "But I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you."

The boy said nothing as he buried his face in his knees.

"I think the only way to lift his spirits, is to find Michah." Mr. Kendle comments.

"Right." Ryder replies as he rises to his feet. "Let's get on that train, so we can find him as fast as we can."


It has been a few hours now and Ryder, Chase, and Skye are still out in the forest near the neighborhood, looking for Michah.

Chase was able to gain a scent from the pup's bed, though it was stale and faint as if it had been more than a couple hours since he'd left that, or he didn't necessarily want to be found.

Thanks to his patented nose, Chase was still able to get them pretty far, but now they were going strictly with their eyes. However, it was now very late into the night. Way past their bedtime, so sleep is following very close behind them. Having Gary and Mr. Kendle in their minds, the Paw Patrol decided to push on to find Michah no matter how late it got, but their tiredness is sure to take over eventually, as they hope to find him before it takes them completely over.

"Ngggh!" Chase groans after failing to catch any sent of the pit bull pup.

Ryder let out a yawn before he groans out. "I'm guessing you havn't been able to pick up his trail? Have you?"

Chase felt his paws get heavy, never happy to disappoint Ryder. "N-No Ryder sir. Nothing."

Ryder lets out an agitated sigh and brushes his forehead with his fingers and thumb. Rubbing his eyes in half frustration and battling the sleep from them.

Chase lets a whine escape. Feeling like he failed Ryder at a crucial moment.

Ryder sees this and pets Chase's head softly as the shepherd gives him a sad look. "Hey, it's okay Chase. You may be a great tracker, but you're not perfect."

That unfortunately stung Chase more than it helped as his ears dropped and he let out another whimper.

"Wait, no, no. I-I didn't mean it like that! I was just….." Ryder stammered. Trying to take back what he said. He then decides to abort and whip out his pup pad to call Skye. "Uh…Uh. SSSkye? Have you got anything?"

No response.

"Skye? You got anything?"

Same as last time, nothing.

Up above, Skye was really struggling to stay awake. She thankfully hasn't drifted off completely, though she has come close. Her subconscious drifting in and out, as she does her best to keep herself awake.

"Skye?!"

"AAH!" Skye jolts up, nearly flipping out of the cockpit. That was really close. "Y-Yes Ryder!"

"Finally. Were you asleep?" Ryder questions.

Skye twitches and shakes her head. "N-No R-Ryder."

Ryder clenches the side of his lips. "Don't lie to me Skye. I don't want you up there if you're falling asleep."

"I-I wasn't asleep, honest." Skye insists. Hoping to not be relieved. "I-I just thought that I saw some movement in the trees and…gu-guess I….I…"

Over in the trees, the cockapoo's eyes spots movement. It was too dark to see what it was exactly, but it was still movement.

"Ryder! Ryder! I think I see him!" Skye proclaims.

"You do?! Where?!" Ryder exclaims. Getting a quick shot of adrenaline.

After surveying the land around them, Skye answers. "About a mile in front of you! Hurry!"

"Right! Come on Chase!" Ryder called as he jumps on his ATV while Chase jumps in his cruiser. The two then accelerate ahead, hoping to finally locate the pit bull and end this long night.

Just about a mile down, like Skye stated, Chase's headlight catches something running in the distance. He couldn't see what it was, but he hoped it was the pup they were looking for.

"Ryder! I think I see him!"

"Good! Get out and chase him!" Ryder orders. "You should be able to catch him if you hurry!"

"Right!" Chase barks, as he stops and launches our of his seat, tailing their target.

The forest grows darker as he runs out of the headlights range. He could barley see a figure in front of him, running for its life.

"Wait! Stop! I'm not going to hurt you!"

Chase's call fell on deaf ears as the figure continued to run. He thought about barking out his spotlight, but just as he was about to, the creature abruptly dives off into the woods on the left, making the shepherd suddenly pivot and chase after it. Finally barking out his light to effectively dodge and weave the incoming trees to keep pace. Recalling his father's teachings to keep up despite being in the deep forest.

He eventually catches up and his light catches the tail of the creature still running. He calls out again.

"Michah! Please! Stop running! We want to help you!"

Chase still got nothing as the animal continued to run.

There was only one thing Chase could do now. He didn't want to, but if he wanted to help him and end this night altogether, he has to.

Chase picks up the pace, getting much closer to the fleeing animal. Once he felt close enough, Chase lunges with all his might towards it. Successfully making contact and tackles it to the ground, pinning it down on the ground as the animal kicked and screamed to get away.

"Ha! Gotcha!" Chase yelps out, as he held down with all that he could. Though as he heard the animal cry out, he noticed that it didn't exactly sound like a like a dog. Come to think of it, it didn't feel like a puppy either and more like a natural forest animal.

Ryder then comes up behind them. "Did you get him Chase."

Chase shines his light on the animal. "Yes sir, I got…." As soon as his spotlight illuminates the creature, Chase finally reveals his target and is immediately confused.

What he thought was Michah, was actually a young buck, probably no older than two. Squirming under Chase's paws.

"A…..deer?" Chase lets out, before instinctively letting it go. The deer shuffles itself up and gunned it from them.

"That didn't look like Michah Chase." Ryder gripes.

"No. No it wasn't Ryder sir." Chase utters.

"Ryder! Did you catch him?" Skye asks.

Ryder shakes his head in frustration. "No, no we didn't. But we did catch and innocent and petrified deer."

"Oh…..that's not what we're looking for at all." Skye dejects. "I'm sorry Ryd.."

"What's up with that? I know you have a spotlight on their Skye." Ryder interrupts with a sudden disdaining tone. "Why didn't you shine it to see if it was Michah?"

Skye was startled by Ryder's burst of irritation. So was Chase.

"I…I couldn't Ry-Ryder. I-I just saw movement." Skey frigid. "I….I just thought that I would…"

"You should've confirmed it first, so we don't end up scaring another animal half to death." Ryder strongly imposed. Chase stands by, unsure of what he was hearing.

"Ry….Ry…Ryd…Ryder…." Skye stutters, almost ready to cave in to him. "I'm…..I'm so-sorry. I-I was only doi-doing my b-b-best."

Ryder closes his eyes and rubs his forehead before letting out another frustrated groan. Skye was hesitant and distressed to say anything else.

Chase could see what was going on. Ryder was clearly so frustrated that he was uncharacteristically lashing out. They were immensely tired at this point and he could tell that it was getting to all three of them.

Chase gulps as he steps up to Ryder. "With all due respect Ryder sir; You shouldn't come down on her like that. She's just tired."

Ryder twitches to him and Chase flinches but willed himself to continue.

"A-All of us are. We've been searching for this pup for so long now. It's past our bedtime and our effectiveness has gone down because of it."

Ryder softens his expression. Realizing that Chase was in fact telling the truth.

"Yeah….you're right Chase." He admits as he switches back to Skye on his pup pad. "S-Sorry Skye. I didn't mean to go off on you like that."

"You-You didn't?"

"No, no I didn't I know you're only doing your best like you always do." Ryder went on. "I-I think we need to go ahead and call the search off."

Chase gasps. "But Ryder! Michah is still out here! We need to find him!"

"I know Chase, but we are no good to him being exhausted like this." Ryder states with a yawn. "We'll just have to get some sleep, get up in the morning and expand our search. I doubt he would make it very far in a few hours."

Chase shrugs sadly. Agreeing with Ryder completely. "Understood Ryder sir. I'll forgo my morning patrol and have everyone up in the morning. Hopefully with more eyes, it'll be a lot easier to locate him.

"Much so Chase. Lets go." Ryder says as he turns to walk back to his ATV. While Chase follows.

"At times like this Ryder sir, I wish I could see in the dark." Chase comments. "I would be a lot better help if I could."

Ryder suddenly stops in his tracks. Chase almost ran into him, Marshall style, since he wasn't paying attention.

"Ryder? What is it?"

Ryder slowly turns to Chase. "Maybe, you can."

"Can? What do you mean?" Chase asks.

Just as fast as he stopped, Ryder suddenly bolts ahead, taking Chase by surprise.

"Wait, Ryder! Wait for me!"

"I can't believe I forgot about this. It would've helped us so much from the start!" Ryder pops off, very critical of himself as he gets up he gets up to his ATV.

"Ryder! Wait!" Chase calls, getting up to Ryder who was now rummaging through the ATV's compartments. "What are you talking about?"

"This!" Ryder replies, as he holds up a blue helmet with Chase's emblem on it.

"A helmet?" Chase cocks.

Ryder nearly squeals in excitement. "Not just any helmet Chase, it's a spy helmet."

Chase gasps all the air into his lungs. His tail starts to wag with excitement. "Sp-Spy?! Bu-But that would mean that…."

Ryder smiles widely. "Yes Chase. I wanted to keep it a secret until I was done with your super spy gear and surprise you. But I guess I'll sacrifice that if it'll help us find Michah."

A new shot of adrenaline now rushes through Chase. He'd been asking for spy training for almost two years now. Having watched his favorite spy movies to no end and even reenacting them scene by scene.

Hearing that Ryder had actually been listening and been developing the tech, made him want to burst with excitement.

"R-Ryder, I-I don't what to say." Chase expresses, trying to suppress his excitement. "I-I'm going to be like James Canine, or Spike Phantom! Oh Ryder, I could lick you a thousand times!"

Ryder kept his giddy smile. "Yes I know Chase, but that's going to have to wait. Don't forget, we still got a mission here."

Upon that, Chase shakes his excitement off, and tried to continue himself, as best as he could. "R-Right, so-sorry Ryder. ahem! So us….what does the helmet do?"

Ryder slightly shakes his head at Chase's attempt to keep his cool. "Let me show you Chase."

Ryder takes Chase's normal cap off and straps on the helmet. Before the shepherd could say anything, Ryder presses a button on the side and a visor slides down in front of Chase's eyes.

The shepherd's vies drastically changed. It was now green and illuminating Ryder brightly, almost to where he couldn't recognize his face.

Chase gasps again. "This is….this is…."

"Your night vision visor Chase." Ryder proclaims. "It enhances your vision in the dark to about sixty percent. You're sure to find him with this, if he's still out here."

If Chase's excitement was rocket propelled, he'd be up to the moon by now. He notably struggled to keep it down much longer.

"Oh, this soooo cool. I actually have night vision like in the movies!"

Ryder puts his hand on the shepherd's shoulders. "I know Chase, I know, but I need you back down to earth right now."

Chase shakes his head to calm down some more. "Ye-Yeah. Ahem! Um….okay."

Ryder chuckles before moving out of Chase's view, allowing the shepherd to scan the area in front of him. Looking for any signs of life.

In just a few seconds, he spots a little blip of light in the distance. A little bit into the trees laying down. Chase's tail starts wagging more and abruptly takes off.

"You found something?!" Ryder calls.

"I sure did Ryder! Over here!" Chase continues to run to the blip which gradually turned into a big blob.

When Chase gets to it, he pushes his visor up to get a good look. Barking out his light so he could see. It was Michah. Laying down, seemingly fast asleep.

"I found him Ryder! I found him!" Chase yelps out, easily waking the pitbull who jumps up, spotting Chase immediately, then takes off from him without saying anything.

"Hey! Wait!" Chase yells out, running after him. "Michah wait! Let's talk!"

"No! Go away! Leave me alone!" The pitbull declines, putting more into his step, increasing the gap from Chase.

"Michah! You can't survive out here! Not by yourself!" He hails, running as fast as he could to keep up with the pup.

The talking seemed to end as Michah kept focusing on getting away from Chase.

The shepherd had no choice. He could continue to run, but he felt his energy draining.

"Ruff! Net!" Chase barks as his launcher comes out. He waits a few seconds until he was a little bit closer. "Ruff!"

As he calculated, the net shoots out and successfully envelops the pup, causing Michah to lose his footing. Tumbling to the ground, effectively trapped in the net.

He squirms in the net as Chase lets out, "Sorry about that Michah, but it was for your own good."

"Great job Chase! You got him!" Ryder praises.

A big wide grin forms from Chase's lips. "Thanks Ryder sir. Although I wish I didn't have to trap him."

Ryder pats Chase's head. "It's okay Chase. You did what you had to do. Now we can bring him back home."

"No! No! I don't want to go home! I can't go home!" Michah hollers bloody murder.

"Eh? Why? Have they mistreated you?" Ryder asks.

On that question, Michah suddenly stops hollering, his tone lowering to a whisper. "Uh…n-no. Gary and Mr. Kendle are great to me." Michah clarifies. "I'm just…..not good to them."

"Not good to them? What do you mean?" Chase presses specifically.

The pup shrivels up. "Look….I….I just don't want to go back. I-I have a right, don't I?"

"Yeah you do Michah, but you at least owe Gary a reason." Ryder points out. "The darn boy was broken when we saw him. I'm sure you don't want to leave him like that do you?"

Michah lowers his head, giving up his defenses. "N-N-No…"

"Thought so. Let him go Chase." Ryder says as he nods to the shepherd. "I don't think you're going to get much resistance from Michah."

Upon that, Chase frees Michah from the net and for a second, Michah thinks about gunning it, but wisely thought against it, and actually led the way back home.


It was now very late in the night and for two hours now, Mr. Kendle had been expecting the Paw Patrol to come back to say that they were calling the search. However just about ten minutes ago, Ryder updated him that they have in fact found Michah and were on their way back to him. Surprising Mr. Kendle greatly that they would be out for as long as they were, knowing that they must be immensely tired right now.

His son hadn't moved from his spot since they left. Watching the direction the Paw Patrol went intently. Any attempts to get him to go inside and get some sleep never worked. The boy is practically too traumatized to even move which made his father worry for him.

Abruptly, Gary starts to light up when he sees something coming down the road. "Dad, look! IT's the Paw Patrol!"

Mr. Kendle looks in the same direction and sees headlights in the distance along with Chase's sirens and the sound of Skye's copter gradually getting closer, confirmed that it was Ryder and the pups.

The two spot Michah in Chase's cruiser and light up more. Well, Mr. Kendle did, but Gary was strangely unamused, as he seemed happier to see Ryder than Michah himself.

The Paw Patrol pull up in front of their lawn and Mr. Kendle and Gary meet them there as Michah jumps out with a shameful look on his face.

Mr. Kendle firmly hugs the pit bull. "Thank goodness you're home. We've been so worried."

Michah hugs back. "Ye-Yeah. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright Michah. You're back home and safe. That's all that matters." Mr. Kendle lets go and Michah then looks over at Gary, who didn't share the same feeling as his father. Instead, hurt and betrayed.

"Gary. I'm so sorry." Michah tries to genuinely apologize to Gary but it didn't seem to do anything to change the broken boy's mood.

Gary gives Michah a haunting look as he lets out. "Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why did you run away?" The boy painfully asks again, taking everyone off guard. "What did I do to make you run away?"

Michah truly didn't know what to say, except for the truth. "Ga-Gary….yo-you didn't do anything."

"Then why?!" Gary bitterly interrogated, like a baseball right to the pit bull's heart. "If I didn't do anything, why did you want to leave me?!"

"I…..I…." Michah was caught in a trap, only to be pulled out by an assuring paw from Chase. "I…It wasn't you at all Gary. It was me. I ran away because of me."

That seemed to catch Gary off guard. "Wh-Whaat do you mean because of you?"

"It was because of me that you were put in danger today." Michah extends his explanation. "If I hadn't gone after that ball, I would've never got my paw stuck and Chase wouldn't have had to save us, or worse, gotten hit by that train. I'm supposed to be your friend and yet I almost got you hurt."

Mr. Kendle tries to ease Michah's feelings. "Michah, you don't have to beat yourself up over a mistake."

"A mistake that almost got us hit by a train! There's no excuse for that dad, none!" Michah reinforces. "I don't deserve you or Gary for that, in fact, I don't deserve anything at all."

Chase and Skye whimper at the pup's troubling words. Wanting to say something to get him to think differently. Ryder himself was struck as the pit bull's words reminded him of when Marshall tried to run from him.

However, this was something that the Paw Patrol had to just watch. It wasn't their place to say anything, so all they could do was hope for the best.

Mr. Kendle kneels to Michah and places a hand on his shoulder. "Michah. Listen to me. You are not a bad pup no matter what you seem to think. You're just letting your silly mistake make you make a huge mistake. You don't deserve that Michah."

Michah looks up at Mr. Kendle. "I don't?"

The man shakes his head. "No. Not at all. You deserve to have a loving family who cares so much for you. The incident with the train, did not make you a menace in my eyes." The man then grips the pup's shoulder firmly. "You have been in this family for too long for us to write you off for some silly mistake. Trust me, if we were to let you go for it, we would be in the wrong just as much as you think you are."

For the first time, Michah forms a soft smile at Mr. Kendle. Letting his words melt into his heart like chocolate. The only thing he could do, was wrap his forelegs around the man, and squeeze him tight with a loving hug.

"Thank you…..Dad…..thank you." He lets out in the man's ear.

Ryder and the pups felt their hearts warm, feeling the need to nuzzle Ryder's leg as the eleven-year-old looks on with a pleasant smile.

Michah then turns to Gary, who still had a look of pain and betrayal, despite the heartwarming scene.

"What about you Gary? Do you forgive me?" Michah obliviously guessed, getting up to him.

Gary retains his icy glare as he gives his answer. "No. I don't."

The boy's cold reply sliced everyone's throbbing hearts, especially Michah's

"Bu-But….Ga….Gary…I'm…"

"Don't even bother Michah!" Gary cuts off with more ice than a glacier. "I will never forgive you for running away! Never!"

Before anyone could say anything else, Gary runs away from the group. Going into the house as Michah runs after.

"Wait! Wait! Gary! Please!" He says, as he slides through the doggie door, leaving a stunned Mr. Kendle, Ryder, Chase, and Skye.

A few moments of silence went by, before Mr. Kendle let out a long sigh. "I was afraid this would happen. It seems Gary's more hurt than I thought."

"I wish there was something we could do to help Mr. Kendle." Ryder sadly states.

"I know you do Ryder but, we've kept you out her long enough." Mr. Kendle replies with sadness. "I'm sure you and your pups are on the verge of passing out right now."

Ryder was going to say something, but a yawn escapes his mouth telling him that it was time to head home.

"I'm going to take that as a yes Ryder." Mr. Kendle responds as he extends a handout to him, in which Ryder firmly grasps it and shakes. "I thank you and your pups for staying out so late for this."

Ryder nods to the man. "Anytime Mr. Kendle. If you have anything else, you know who to call."

Mr. Kendle lets out a smirk as he lets go of Ryder's hand. "Of course, Ryder."

With that, Mr. Kendle walks away to the house, leaving Ryder and his still stunned pups.

"Cmon pups. Let's get back to the lookout and finally get some sleep." Ryder says as he walks to his ATV.

Skye runs after him. "B-But Ryder we-we can't leave them like that! There must be something we can do!"

"I'm afraid we've done all we can here Skye. It's up to Gary and Michah now." Ryder states as he gets on the ATV and puts on his helmet.

"But-But they need help!"

"We need our sleep, Skye. We'll be no help to them as tired as we are." Ryder reiterates with a little authority. "Get to your copter and let's go home. Please don't make me order you."

Skye glances at Chase who seemed to have the same feeling as Ryder. Nodding slightly to her to say that it what they have to do.

Without saying another word, Skye drags her paws over to her copter while Chase follows suit.

As soon as they got in, they started their vehicles and on Ryder's lead, they make their way to the lookout. Hoping to finally put this long mission along with themselves, to bed.


The ride back to the lookout has been dreadfully silent. Mostly because of their tiredness, but also because of the rescue they were coming back from.

Yes, they accomplished their mission and found Michah, but hearing Michah's feelings, as well as seeing Gary's reaction dampered their moods further. The Paw Patrol cares more for their victims than even themselves at points. Leaving them in such disarray made them feel that they only accomplished half their mission.

But as Ryder and Mr. Kendle said, there was nothing they could do more and now, they have a tough but the battle in front of them. Get back to the lookout save and sound. An easy task normally, but with a severe handicap this time. All the adrenaline in them was gone and they were struggling to stay awake.

Skye tried to go to auto pilot earlier to make it easy for her, but a couple of dosing offs made her think wisely and cut it off. Hoping that her brain being focused on flying the ship would keep her up.

Chase himself had drifted off a few times since coming into the city limits. Regularly shaking himself to stay awake.

The logical thing would be to start a conversation with either Ryder or Skye, in an effort to get to get his mind off of his doziness. However, due to what happened, he couldn't think of anything to say, so all he could do, was watch the road, and regularly keep an eye on Ryder.

Ryder himself was having a real battle with himself. Seeing the lookout in the distance gave him hope that they were almost there, but it also reminded him that they still had a ways to go. Thinking about how much long they had to go made…him….wonder…..if…he….had…any..energy…..left…..to…..ma…make….

Around the time they get up to Katie's parlor, Chase notices that Ryder was starting to drift over to the left side of the road. He also started to accelerate gradually, and his wheels were slowly turning more towards Katie's parlor.

Putting it together, Chase gets on his put tag and calls. "Ryder? Ryder! Are you okay?"

No response, as Ryder was now speeding off the road, heading straight for Katie's parlor. Panic tightly squeezes Chase's heart, as he lets out a loud yell. "Ryder!"

Ryder jolts awake, instantly recognizing that he was not on the road, and was about to crash into Katie's.

Ryder instinctly turns right ready to slam on the brake but does not see the park bench that was suddenly in front of him.

He pounds the bench before he can avoid it, and his ATV's back tires nearly keels over, and Ryder is launched from his seat.

Ryder flies over and hits his back horizontally on a nearby light pole, letting out a piercing cry of pain as his body is nearly wrapped around the pole.

After nearly being broken in half, Ryder swings down to the pavement face first, cracking his helmet's visor as he rolls across the road. Finally coming to a stop in the middle of the street, flat on his back. Right in front of a horrid Skye and a traumatized Chase.

"RYDER!"


Good god all mighty! As god as my witness, Ryder seems to be broken in half!

This is truly a dire situation for the Paw Patrol, will Ryder make it through or will the Paw Patrol suffer another heartbreaking tragedy?

Find out next time in Chapter 3: Airlift to Heaven!

As of right now, we are still on a bi-weekly schedule so Chapter 3 is scheduled to be released on October 25th, 2024! I will of course notfy you if anything changes.

Please review and let me know what your favorite parts and if you have any questions about the story or anything else, leave a comment or message me and I'll get back with you as soon as I can.

This is Sean Thames of DragonsFire Entertainment signing off!