PAW Patrol: Frozen Fire || FF Book Two

(C16) Picking Back Up

Mayor Humdinger sat in his secret base, pondering what Ruben and Butch said.

"On one hand kitties, we could have Marshall and Everest out of the way. But on the other hand, I have a moral compass to follow even as a trouble maker... but the thought of having two pups gone is just interesting." He thought out loud as his kitties meowed for their food and water refills.

"Oh-oh right, you kitties need dinner." He said as he got up from his chair and gave them food and water.

Dialing the number Butch called him with, Mayor Humdinger braced himself for a partnership with two people who had likely lethal intentions for Marshall and Everest. As the receiver picked up, Mayor Humdinger spoke. "I've called to accept your deal about Marshall and Everest."

As Mayor Humdinger, Butch and Ruben laughed to themselves in their twisted way of celebrating a new partnership, Chase and Ryder cut off the truck thieves who ran over a spike strip Skye's helicopter launched in front of them, but when Chase and Ryder pulled up to arrest the thieves, they had disappeared into the woods without a trace.

"Chase the thieves aren't in the vehicle, use your winch to pull the truck to the mountain so me and Rocky can fix it up then bring the truck back to its real owner." Ryder said as Chase barked out his winch, picking it up in his mouth, he gave it to Ryder who hooked it up to the truck.

"Okay Chase! We're good to go!" Ryder called out as he jumped back on his ATV.

Before driving off though, Ryder instructed Skye to tell the truck owner what happened. "Skye, go tell the truck driver we couldn't get the thieves but we're fixing their truck." Ryder instructed as he drove off with Chase.

The flight was short and silent for Skye, as she thought about what had happened recently. Thinking out loud, the aviator pup started speaking: "First Marshall wouldn't speak to us about what was bothering him. We know now that it was Ruben and Butch and the nightmares he and Everest had about them, but that doesn't take away from the fact we couldn't help him..." She began, stopping for a moment to think. "And then the rescue at Mr. Porter's, when the explosion happened it felt like everything lost all meaning and time basically stopped." Skye continued, tears trailing down her face as she wiped them off with a free paw. "While Marshall was in a coma, I don't think I've ever seen Everest so upset and scared at the same time. She never left his side unless she absolutely had to, only with reassurance it's what Marshall would want her to do if he was awake right now." Skye stopped again, having noticed the driver of the truck she was supposed to talk to. "I'll think about all of this more later. I've got important things to take care of for now." Skye thought to herself as she did a backflip out of her helicopter, landing next to the driver as she extended a paw out. "Hello I'm Skye, aviator pup of the Paw Patrol. Chase and Ryder are taking your truck to get fixed by our resident mechanic and Ryder himself, so you'll have your truck back soon."
Skye said as the driver shook her paw like a handshake.

"Good to know but what about the thieves who stole it?" The driver asked as they broke the handshake and paw shake.

Skye dropped her ears before answering. "After I deployed my spike strip to stop them, they got out of the car and ran away. I'm sorry, I had to damage your trucks tires to stop them." Skye apologized, thinking the driver was mad at her.

"Don't be sorry pup, you stopped them and Ryder and the mechanic pup are fixing the truck like you said." The driver reassured Skye as they rubbed the back of her ears and neck, causing Skye to roll around on the floor laughing as those were her biggest ticklish spots.

Ryder and Chase got back onto the mountain to see Rocky waiting for them. "Wow, Ruben and Butch really did a number on this thing. I guess the spike strip didn't help the shape of the tires but what's important is they were stopped." Rocky made sure to whisper Ruben and Butch's names, as he was aware how many traumatic memories Marshall and Everest likely have associated with those two. Directly and indirectly." Rocky was no mental health professional though, but after two hours of work, the truck was fully fixed up.

"Ryder, the truck is finished. You driving it to its owner now now?" Rocky asked while calling Ryder to let him know the job was finished.

"Yeah Rocky, I'll be there in a second." Ryder replied while coming back to Rocky.

Ryder then drove the truck back to its owner, it was a straightforward drive with them calling Ryder so he could see their location they were calling from. After parking the truck, Ryder saw Skye rolled over on the ground, clearly having enjoyed a tickling session from the driver. Despite everything that went on, the Paw Patrol were a big happy family and Ryder wouldn't let Ruben, Butch and Mayor Humdinger get away with what happened at any point to Marshall and Everest six years ago, attacking the lookout only recently and anything else.

Skye and Ryder then went back to the mountain as Ryder got a call from Mayor Goodway. "Ryder, can you and the pups help rebuild the cafe? No rush but it would be nice to have it sorted." Mayor Goodway asked of Ryder as he drove back to the mountain.

"Sure Mayor Goodway, I'll get Rocky and Rubble sent down to get started but it's going to take time." Ryder replied as he parked his ATV and Skye landed her helicopter and jumped onto Chase and licked his face.

"Skye that tickles" Chase squeaked out as Skye attacked him with licks to his face, laughing all the while. The pups knew dealing with Ruben and Butch would be hanging over their heads until they were dealt with, so a bit of lightheartedness was more welcome than it usually is, which is saying something.

Ryder then called the pups to the mountain base. "Pups, we're going to begin rebuilding Mr. Porter's cafe. It's going to be a building job over the next few weeks so we'll need: Rubble! I need you to clear the debris of the remains of the old cafe after the fire." Ryder began and Rocky knew what was coming next as he scrolled to the mixed breed's emblem and clicked on it.

"Now Rocky! I'm going to help you put the core framing together today with the wood you have in your recycling truck. You'll be using your tools to help us get started." Ryder paused, as if there was more to say.

"And Marshall! I need you to put out any lingering hot spots leftover from the building and secure any propane and gasoline once we've fully rebuilt the cafe." Marshall gulped, not too long ago, he was in this cafe that was now burnt down fighting to save nine citizens of Adventure Bay when he nearly lost his own life.

But Marshall jumped forward and shouted as hard as he could. "I'M FIRED UP! LET'S GO!" The pups were surprised at the sight of Marshall being so ready to go back to the area that nearly cut his life short, but the sight was by no means unwelcome.

"Alright! Paw Patrol is on a roll!" Ryder shouted as the three pups got into their vehicles and raced down to Adventure Bay behind him.

Chapter 16 out of 22 for part 1 is here! Chapter 17 will be a fairly lighthearted one to start with very serious portions that will lead into the rest of Part 1! As always, feedback is always appreciated!