Chapter fifty-four: Ultimate Holiday Rescue!
When they stepped back out they wore snowsuits bearing their respective colors, the paw patrol icons as well as their icons and numbers somewhere on the front and back of the suits; and carrying lightweight pup packs styled after each pup's role like any other ultimate rescue.
"Woah cool!" Everest gushed, "hey we're almost there! Be with you in a few!"
"Ok, pups.." Ryder refocused, now in his ultimate gear, as the call dropped. "Everest will be getting her snow cat upgraded just like you pups do.. in that time let's get ready to deploy.. Rocky, we need your ultimate recycling vehicle with the snow plow attachment we made on it.. and Rubble we need your ultimate construction vehicle to also prevent snow piling up where we don't it to."
"On it!" Rocky called, running for the slide.
"You got it!" Rubble barked, following suit.
Both pups dove down the slide and soon their vehicles were waiting on the ground level.
"Non-members, split up to the different ultimate vehicles we'll have running," Ryder instructed.
"Rayla, Chase, Chess.. we'll need your organizational skills combined to run point so we can get as many people through the snow as we can. Your job.. is search and rescue." At this point, the older German Shepherd and golden lab shifted back slightly, sending each other a knowing smile before and after doing so.
Suddenly feeling exposed, Chase looked both ways and then back over his shoulder both ways.
"Reporting for duty, Sargeant," Chester announced formally as the two of them saluted him respectfully.
Chase stood there staring back and forth between the two of them.. a motivated smile growing across his face as he suddenly snapped to attention.
"Chase is on the case!" Chase declared, with far more emphasis than he had before, then taking off for the slide he jumped off right as Everest arrived and parked her snowcat on the bay next to him. So that when Chase went down to get his ultimate vehicle, Everest went to gear up.
xxxx
The Lookout raised for a fourth time and out rolled a shiny multi vortex snowcat and bright lights that lit the way forward. The solid white against the newly painted teal and orange stripes beamed with pride and the pup inside still marveled even after watching it all come together.
"Woah cool! This is awesome!" The husky gasped. "Thanks Ryder.. you rock!"
"You're welcome.." Ryder smiled. "Now we've got work to do.."
"Then let's.." Chase began, starting his engine and everyone joined for..
"Roll out!"
xxxx
Non-members paired with official members, Everest's multi-vortex Snowcat released smaller snow removal vehicles for Skye, Zuma, and Marshall to drive. While Chase, Chester, and Rayla boarded Chase's Ultimate rescue Police cruiser, where he could deploy his brother and friend on the police cycles to follow Rocky and Rubble's Ultimate vehicles; so Chase could stick with Everest to lead the team into the main stretch of town.
The Prescotts had packed up their truck to bring up the rear as the pups spread out to cover as many roads as they could and when they would find someone in need they were able to help and get things running once again as the roads were being cleared.
xxxx
Snow was still falling fairly evenly as headlights started to converge.
"Phew.. did we make it in time?" Rubble asked.
"I sure hope so.. This snow just keeps coming," Everest mentioned shuddering in the cold.
Beep beep!
"Coming through!" Chase called, driving his truck across their paths on Main Street to lead a caravan of guests arriving to find a parking space near City Hall to enjoy the party that awaited.
"Great work, pups.." Ryder said, appearing among them next to Rubble.
"The roads are clear for now.." the boy continued. "But we may need to keep an eye out for when everyone needs to head home again."
"I can't believe we made it.." Rayla marveled.. "How late are we?"
"Not late at all.." Ryder replied. "In fact,.. we're right on time."
"Step carefully, everyone," Chase cautioned, hopping down out of his truck roughly. "The sidewalks might still be a little slippery."
"Thanks Chase," Melody said, before carefully hopping out of the vehicle she was in. The rest of her siblings followed along by stepping onto the sidewalk too.
"Now we can all go enjoy a good meal together," Ryder announced, which rendered cheers of happiness and howls of holiday joy so they could enter City Hall in celebration.
XXXX
Holly and ivy strung along borders and around windows. Holiday bells jingling from curtains and off the tree in the corner. The warm friendly glow that would have been a warm hearth burning if not for the digital screen that projected it for all to see. Tables draped with red and green were laid out like a fancy dinner and there was a designated place that was obviously set up for the guests of honor.. which just so happened to also be the heroes of the night. And for those already waiting there.. the arrival of said heroes was cause for cheers and applause.
"Oh.. thank you soo much PAW Patrol! You saved the Christmas Eve Dinner Party," Mayor Goodway beamed, cuddling Chickaletta close.
"No problem.. Like we always say.. Whenever you have a problem.."
"Just yelp for help!" The crowd recited with him, descending into laughter and clapping.
"So what's the plan Ryder and Mayor Goodway?" Snowflake asked politely.
"Plan? Ohohohohoho.." Mayor Goodway chuckled, bending down to pat the husky on the head. "The plan is simply to have fun! And enjoy the company of good friends.. dinner will be ready very soon."
"Alright!"
"Cool!
"Awesome, dude!"
"Yay!"
"Yes!"
"Yeah!" Various pups cheered as they dispersed.
"So what do we do for fun, Ryder?" Melody asked politely. "Just chat with friends?"
"I think that sounds wonderful, little one." Attentive ears turned and many smiles perked up and some even ran toward the source of sound and presence approaching them.
"Ohhh.. Merry Christmas, my little puppies! Hello!" An elderly woman cooed, kneeling to welcome the members of the PUP Pals, Chase among them.
Snowflake and her husky siblings looked in the direction of the voice.
"Who's the lady?" Snowflake asked Chase and Rayla.
"Oh right!.." Rayla realized, then formally straightened up to clear her throat. "Husky friends.. Meet Miss Madge."
"She was the one who took care of us at the CorDan Mansion," Kylie informed them, smiling at the old lady fondly.
"And helped give me an idea on how to escape to try and get help.." Chase added, his pride dampening moments after saying this. "Even if it ended up failing in the end."
"She was also the one who took care of us here in Adventure Bay until we went to homes from the local shelter," Tiny clarified.
"And we've all made an effort to stay connected ever since," Rayla finished, as the Pals' gratified glances turned back to her and she endearingly cupped the lab's cheek in her hand.
"Oh, it was my pleasure, dear," Madge smiled. "I'm just so proud to see you all find places where you can belong and be loved like you should be. In some ways it was my Christmas miracle.. Just a few months later than I anticipated, I suppose."
"She now works at the shelter as the main caregiver, where she gets the treatment she deserves for the hero she is," Rayla went on happily.
"Oh, Rayla, my love, thank you.." the old woman swooned, grasping the pup's head in both hands and booping noses with her sweetly. "How sweet of you to think of me still."
"You made it ten times easier coping with the conditions of that Mansion.." Rayla reminded her. "We probably owe you a lot of gratitude for that."
"Oh wow. Seriously, thank you!" Snowflake commented, impressed.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Brian said as he walked over to her and offered a paw to shake.
"And you, dear sir.." Madge obliged, taking his paw tenderly for a gentle shake. "My, what a gentleman."
"Hi Madge," Melody greeted as she walked up to her.
"Thanks for helping out our friends," Ned thanked the lady.
"Oh, darling of course!" the sweet elderly woman bubbled. "How wonderful to see you still have so many flourishing friendships wherever you go."
"That and so much more," Rayla smiled.
"Just so you know.." Chase spoke up. "They're names are Snowflake, Ned, Brian and Melody. They're friends from out of town who have been hanging out around a lot recently."
"Yes, Chase, thanks," Snowflake said to Chase before nodding her head.
"Well it is wonderful to meet you all," Madge beamed brightly. "So how did you come to meet our little band of heroes?"
"Well, I helped the team find Alex after he got lost in the woods on Jake's Mountain, Ned came to visit the team when I came back to stay during the fall, and my other siblings came to stay when our hometown got snowed in," Snowflake explained calmly.
"My, sounds like quite the adventure you had to get here.." Madge supposed, blinking thoughtfully. "But I suppose that means you chose to stay around here a while then, yes?"
"Yes I did," Snowflake confirmed.
"We met like that a couple of years ago, and now she comes to help us whenever we need her," Chase explained further. "And this Christmas, they kinda got a little snowed in again.. But, they've actually been hanging with us since Halloween."
"Well, that's quite a while to be away from home," Madge mused, her smile dampening slightly, though clearly out of concern rather than anything else. "Aren't you missed in your home? Or do they even know you're here?"
"My owners know I help out here. But I still stay in town as well with my original friends and family when possible. I actually went home to help decorate until the PAW Patrol called me so I could meet Chester. Plus an emergency happened shortly after we met. But I'm not always needed on every rescue," Snowflake clarified.
"Plus we can keep in touch by phone calls or letters, so it's not like we ignore her," Brian added with a smile. "We wouldn't let her just walk off and not check in every once in a while."
"And if I'm not mistaken.. didn't you guys say you came in a snowstorm to make sure Snowflake and Ned were alright?" Rayla recalled, picking out Brian and Melody specifically when she said this.
"Yes, though we tried to get ahead of the snowstorm so we could arrive safely," Brian responded calmly.
"Well that certainly didn't go completely according to plan.. if I recall correctly." Tiny mentioned.
"Or the landing part," Kylie giggled.
"Yeah! What an entrance,.. am I right?!" Skyler hinted, gently elbowing Melody and Brian in turn.
"True, hehehe. But at least we reached our destination!" Melody commented positively.
"Well aren't we all thankful for that?" Madge beamed, sweetly meeting glances with Rayla and Chase in turn. "Arriving somewhere in one piece is always something to celebrate. We're blessed to have you, love."
"Thank you," Brian and Melody replied simultaneously.
"Alright everyone.. Dinner is ready!" The Mayor announced.
"Oh, there's young Damon and his lovely little family," Madge pointed out, gesturing towards the eager blonde haired boy running over to the long holiday decked table and jumping up onto a chair.
"They're the ones we're surprising tonight.." the older lady explained further. "With that special little someone you guys brought with you. Thank you so much by the way.." Her gaze turned toward Frank, who smiled and gave a small nod.
"We brought the little guy, right? Or are we saving the surprise for tomorrow?" Snowflake asked Frank.
"Darlin' the whole point of bringing him to play today was to bring him to this very event tonight," the old man clarified, maintaining a gentle expression.
"And he should be all tucked away, still sleeping.." Maggie affirmed, patting the covered carrier tenderly. "We'll present him to the boy after dinner."
"Perfect timing.. when a pup is all charged up," Chester jested, turning to his brother, who also wore a knowing smile.
"Great. They'll have time to get to know each other," Ned agreed happily.
"Yeah they will," Chester winked, as they headed off to find a seat. However, Chase took another look at the carrier and stared for a good long while thinking..
Why has he been so quiet?
XXXX
"Mmyumyumyummmmm.." Rubble licked his bowl clean when a burp bubbled out of him. "Hehe.. sorry.. Excuse me.. That was sooo good!"
"Yeah it was.." Skyler gushed, licking her lips. "Man, I love the holidays! Don't you?" Turning to her friends many nods and vocal agreements came back. Madge gave a nod and Frank was able to catch on quickly.
"Oh, almost time to bring the little guy out.." the old man hinted. "Better make sure he's ready to go." Maggie smiled as she leaned down below the surface of the table, the sounds of the carrier door opening moments later.
"Oh no.. um guys.. we've got a problem.." she said, coming up quickly with a dreadful look stained across her face. Hearing this, Chase immediately ran around the table to her and sniffed at the open carrier, which was empty!
"What's wrong?.." Snowflake asked as she turned to Maggie. She looked at the crate and sniffed it. Sure smelled like the pup they brought, but when she looked in, the pup was nowhere in sight.
"What?" the female husky said in confusion. "We brought him with us, right?"
"Was the door left open?" Chase asked.
"Not since we left from the Lookout," Maggie shook her head. "But he was sleeping so.. oh no.."
"No way.." Rayla denied. "You don't mean.."
Chase beelined it to the front door and upon impact with his shoulder the wind blew the double doors open to the swirling winds of snow and chill. And right when the others among his collective team reached him the shining beacon in the distance caught his eye.
"He's still at the Lookout?!" Rocky squeaked.
"What are we gonna do?" Marshall asked. "If he was left alone there and he got outside? He could be anywhere by now!"
"If I know shepherd pups.." Chase spoke up, turning his head so a sidelong view of it was visible to them as his gaze hit the floor.. "He's still there.. He wouldn't be crazy enough to go outside in weather like this.. and I have room to talk."
"That's great, genius," Chester spoke up a little bluntly. "But even if that's the case it was a heck of a time to get here earlier and it'll be even more of one now that there's more snow on the ground.. and it's only gotten heavier."
"There's no time.." Chase shook his head. "We gotta get to him and make sure he's safe."
"We'll just hop into our snow vehicles and plow away the snow like we did earlier," Rocky figured.
"It'd take too long," Chase declined, turning only to face the group with the open door now behind him. "And we shouldn't rush the plowing process, because it could lead to sheets of ice on the roads. We need a faster way."
"Faster how? It's not like we have our own personal Santa sleighs that can fly around in minutes!" Ned commented.
"Not to mention by the time Everest and I clear the roads, it could be over an hour until we drive up to the entrance of The Lookout. What should we do?" Snowflake added.
"Also, last I checked, your police vehicle isn't built to plow snow. So even if you drive fast, you don't want to get stuck in snow or go spinning out of control!" Brain reminded Chase.
"I wasn't referring to my vehicle.." Chase clarified. "..Or any of them for that matter."
Rayla cocked a suspicious brow at him.
"Then what did you have in mind?" She asked, skeptically. Chase's gaze wavered downwards then flashed up to Billy who visibly read him like a book.
"Woah, hold up.. It could be dangerous.. And your injury..-"
"Would make it the perfect final test.." Chase filled in for him. "I'm ready."
"Ready for what?" Rubble asked. "Um, can someone explain to me what's going on?"
"You can't be serious?!" CiCi questioned. "You, go alone?.. In this blizzard? What if you need backup?"
"I have a way to call for help.." Chase shrugged simply. "Not that I'll need it.."
"What are you talking about? How can you get to The Lookout fast enough.. Wait, super speed?! But isn't the meteor inside The Lookout?" Snowflake questioned.
"You're going there on paws?" Brian wondered.
"That'll take forever!" Skye gasped.
"Chase, you can't be serious!" Chester cried, picking up on his hint, same as Billy.
"Chase?" Ryder vocalized.
"Come on, Ryder, harness me up.. I can do this.." Chase pried, with a fire in his eyes he hadn't seen for quite some time. "Every other plan we've come up with will take too long, but I can make it if given everything I need. The pup knows me better and trusts me, he'll know as soon as I get there and I'll be there and back in no time at all.. even in this wind. And there's a boy waiting in there for his greatest Christmas gift that he doesn't even know he's getting this year. We can't let him down."
Ryder was silent for a long time. As he contemplated what to do.. but in his mind he kept arriving at the same borderline conclusion that made the decision for him.
Hahaalrighty now! Soo that break took longer than I thought but we did it! And actually I'm pleased to report we have completed the writing of this story, so for the next two weeks(not counting this one of course ;D).. Expect a new installment that will finally conclude this series. More clarification still to come! Till then! Happy reading and see you next week! Thx!