Chapter 25: The Reckoning

The pups' vehicles screeched to a halt outside Adventure Bay's Town Hall, their headlights casting long beams across the plaza. The tension was palpable as they prepared to confront Harold and rescue Ryder. The sight of their leader tied to a chair inside the building sent a jolt of urgency through the team.

Chase leapt from his vehicle, his brown eyes locking onto the window where Ryder sat, slumped forward and clearly in pain. Harold stood nearby, flames crackling faintly around his gloves as he paced.

"There he is," Chase said, his voice sharp and steady. "Ryder's hurt. We have to move now."

Skye padded up beside him, her pink eyes shimmering with worry. "We need to be careful. Harold's still wearing that suit. He could attack Ryder any second."

Marshall stood behind the group, his baby-blue eyes fixed on the Town Hall. Though his body trembled from exhaustion, the fire burning within him hadn't dimmed. "We're getting Ryder back," he said firmly, stepping forward. "I don't care what Harold throws at us."

"Marshall, wait," Rocky said, holding out a paw. "You're still recovering from what Harold did to you. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Marshall's gaze didn't waver. "I have to be. Ryder risked everything to protect me. I'm not letting him face Harold alone."

Chase placed a steadying paw on Marshall's shoulder. "Alright," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But we do this together."

The pups nodded in unison, their resolve solidified as they charged toward the building.

Ryder's breathing was labored as he sat tied to the chair, the ropes digging painfully into his chest and shoulders. Every shallow breath sent a sharp, stabbing pain through his already fractured ribs, but his glare never faltered as he watched Harold.

"You think this makes you powerful?" Ryder asked, his voice hoarse but unwavering. "Hurting people and stealing power doesn't make you strong. It makes you a coward."

Harold sneered, leaning closer. "Oh, Ryder, save the lectures. Power isn't about strength—it's about control. And right now, I control everything."

"You don't control anything," Ryder said, his voice sharp despite his pain. "The pups will stop you. And when they do, you'll see how powerless you really are."

Harold chuckled darkly, his smirk widening. "Let them come," he said mockingly. "I'll make sure they get a front-row seat to your downfall."

As if on cue, the doors to Town Hall burst open, and the pups stormed in. Chase led the charge, his voice ringing out like a command. "Step away from Ryder, Harold!"

"Well, well," Harold said, turning to face them with a slow, mocking clap. "The little mutts have arrived. Just in time to watch their leader fall."

Marshall stepped forward, flames flickering faintly at his paws. His super suit, though scuffed and torn, still gleamed with its bold red and yellow accents under the dim light. "Let Ryder go, Harold," he growled, his voice low and steady. "This ends now."

Harold raised an eyebrow, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Oh, Fire Pup, you're adorable," he said mockingly. "Still trying to play the hero? Let me show you how that ends."

Before Marshall could react, Harold pulled a device from his belt and hurled it at him. A reinforced, heat-resistant net shot out, expanding in midair and wrapping tightly around Marshall's body. The impact sent him crashing to the floor with a sharp yelp, the heavy net pinning his legs and restricting his movements.

"Marshall!" Skye cried, rushing forward. Harold turned sharply, firing a warning shot of flames that scorched the ground in front of her paws.

"Stay back!" Harold barked, his voice sharp and commanding. "Unless you want your precious Fire Pup to suffer."

Marshall struggled beneath the net, his muscles straining as he tried to free himself. "You're nothing but a coward, Harold," he growled, his voice tight with frustration. "Using traps because you know you can't win."

Harold sneered, pulling a small remote from his pocket. "Coward? Oh, Fire Pup, you haven't seen anything yet."

He pressed a button, and the net began to tighten, the reinforced cords constricting around Marshall's body. Marshall gasped sharply as the pressure increased, the net squeezing his chest and sides. His breaths came in short, shallow bursts as he squirmed helplessly.

"I… can't… breathe," Marshall wheezed, his baby-blue eyes wide with panic. His flames flickered weakly, unable to escape the fireproof material.

Ryder thrashed against his restraints, his heart pounding in his chest. "Stop it, Harold!" he shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "Let him go!"

Harold turned to Ryder with a smirk. "Why? This is just getting interesting."

As Marshall's struggles weakened under the tightening net, Harold raised his hand, a massive fireball forming in his palm. The glow illuminated the room, casting long shadows across the walls. He aimed it directly at the helpless Dalmatian.

"Say goodbye, Fire Pup," Harold said coldly.

"NO!" Ryder shouted.

Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Ryder pushed forward, snapping the ropes binding his arms. Ignoring the searing pain in his chest, he threw himself in front of Marshall just as Harold released the fireball.

The flames struck Ryder square in the chest, the impact sending him sprawling to the ground. A guttural cry escaped his lips as the force re-broke two of his ribs. His body twisted in agony, his arms instinctively wrapping around his chest as his breaths became shallow and ragged.

"RYDER!" Marshall screamed, his voice cracking with despair. Tears streamed down his face as he thrashed against the net, his body trembling from the effort. "Why did you do that? You didn't have to—"

Ryder groaned weakly, his voice barely audible. "You're… my family," he rasped, his gaze softening as he looked at Marshall. "I'd do it… again… in a heartbeat."

Ryder's collapse sent a wave of fury through Chase. "That's enough, Harold!" he barked, his voice low and sharp. "You're under arrest!"

Chase lunged at Harold, dodging a desperate fireball as he tackled him to the ground. Harold struggled, but Chase moved with precision, pinning his arms behind his back.

"You've lost, Harold!" Chase growled. "You're done."

Pulling out his pup pack, Chase barked, "Ruff! Pup-cuffs!" He snapped them onto Harold's wrists. "Harold Humdinger, you're under arrest for kidnapping, assault, and destruction of property."

Harold thrashed against the restraints, his voice venomous. "You think this is over? This is just the beginning!"

Chase didn't flinch. "Not today," he replied coldly. "The Paw Patrol always protects Adventure Bay."

Rocky and Skye worked quickly to free Marshall from the net, their paws steady despite their worry. As soon as the net loosened, Marshall scrambled to Ryder's side, his medical training taking over.

"Ryder," Marshall said, his voice trembling as he activated his pup pack. "Ruff! X-ray screen!" He moved the scanner over Ryder's chest, his baby-blue eyes widening as the results came through.

"Two of his ribs are broken again," Marshall said, his voice cracking. "And… he's got a punctured lung."

The other pups froze, their hearts sinking as they processed Marshall's words.

"We need to get him to a hospital," Skye said, her voice trembling with urgency.

Marshall gently placed a paw on Ryder's hand. "Stay with us, Ryder," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Please…"

Chase placed a comforting paw on Marshall's shoulder. "We'll get him help. He's going to be okay."

With Harold restrained, the pups turned their attention to Ryder. Skye knelt beside him, her pink eyes shimmering with tears. "Ryder," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Please wake up."

Ryder didn't respond. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow and uneven. Chase's heart sank as he knelt beside him, his voice breaking. "He's unconscious. We need to get him to a hospital. Now."

Marshall sat beside Ryder, his body shaking as he placed a paw on Ryder's hand. "This is my fault," he whispered, his voice breaking. "He got hurt because of me…"

Chase placed a steady paw on Marshall's shoulder, his voice calm but firm. "This isn't your fault, Marshall. Ryder would do this for any of us. He loves us."

The pups carefully lifted Ryder onto a stretcher and carried him outside. As the ambulance pulled away, Marshall whispered, "I'll make sure this never happens again."

The pups nodded in silent agreement, their bond unshakable as they faced whatever challenges lay ahead.