Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Five

Dom was looking out the window of the Paw Patroller. He watched landscapes pass like pictures of an old film tape. One second, he would be looking at a forest, and the next, he'd be watching dolphins jumping out of the water.

Dom knew that the Paw Patrol had a plane, which could take them to Barkingburg quicker. He asked Ryder about it, and he said that one of the turbines needed some repairs before it could fly again.

Dom wondered what he would encounter once in Barkingburg. He's heard about Sweetie from the other pups. They've explained how she's always trying to take the crown. She's locked up Chase and the others in a dungeon before. Who's to say that she wouldn't do it again?

Dom tried not to think about it. He focused on what he knew. The Princess needed his help, and Dom couldn't let her, or anyone, down. He remembered what Chase told him as they watched the television.

"You have to be alert at all times," Chase told Dom. "Anything could happen, so you have to prepare for everything."

"Like what?" DOm asked.

"I don't know," Chase admitted. "Maybe. . . no, nevermind."

"Maybe what?"

Chase looked around, making sure that no one was eavesdropping. "The Duke of Flappington may return."

"But I thought you guys took him down."

"We made him retreat," Chase corrected. "He vowed revenge, but I don't think he's going to do anything."

"But what if he does?"

"Then you contact us. Don't confront the Duke by yourself. We can't say how he will react. Revenge and anger can change someone's mind, make them more aggressive. Be careful."

Dom was lost in thought until Ryder tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey," Ryder said. "We're here."

Dom looked out the window. It was nighttime, but the lights of the city shone brightly. The clusters of buildings surrounded a large bell tower in the center. On the other side of the kingdom stood a big gray castle. A bridge passed over a river that surrounded the palace. Purple flags blew in the wind on the top of the towers.

"This is much bigger than Adventure Bay," Dom noted. He was used to small towns, so the city felt strange to him.

The Paw Patroller passed through the city and crossed the bridge to the castle entrance. Standing in front of the building was a girl. She wore a light blue dress, a tiara, and white gloves that reached her elbows. To her right stood an older man with a black mustache. He wore a black and white tuxedo, average white gloves, and a red vest. To the Princess's left stood a man with white hair and mustache. He wore a blue tuxedo with yellow outlines and cuffs.

"Welcome, Ryder," the Princess said. "And welcome, Cha. . ." She checked Dom up and down like he was an unexpected gift. "I'm sorry, you're not Chase, are you?"

Dom extended his right paw forward and bowed. "No, your Majesty, I am not. My name is Dom. Sports specialist of the Paw Patrol."

"Well," the Princess said. "You have the same manners as Chase. Come." The Princess turned and began walking towards the castle, followed by the two men. Dom and Ryder looked at each other and followed them in.

Ryder talked to the Princess, but Dom was more interested in the room than their conversation. The inside of the castle was more incredible than the outside. The entire room was roughly the size of a hockey rink. The mint green walls contrasted with the white outlines around the corners and doors. A gold and white balcony snaked around the room on the second floor. Two pink staircases led to the top floor. Each one was on either side of the royal chair.

The throne had a red cushion on the seat and backrest. Golden-colored wood made up the frame. The throne was on a platform slightly higher than the rest of the room.

The white marble floor was covered in the middle by a red carpet. The carpet had golden designs on it. A two-foot-tall light purple column stood in the center of the rug, with golden crowns engraved on all four sides.

A purple cushion was on the column, but Dom was more interested in the crown on it. The red and golden crown sat on the pillow, shining like it was newly polished.

"Well," the Princess said, shaking Dom out of his thoughts. "Thank you for taking over for Chase in protecting the castle while I'm gone."

"Thank you for having me," Dom said.

The Princess looked around the room. "Where is Sweetie?" she asked. Dom forgot about Sweetie. He figured that the less she saw her, the easier it would be for him. The Princess looked over at her butler. "Could you be a dear and call for Sweetie, please?" The butler bowed and walked away.

"Maybe it would be easier if he didn't meet her," the man with a white mustache said.

The Princess laughed. "Oh, Earl. You can be extremely funny at some times. But Dom should know the people, or pups, he will work with tonight."

Dom got the perception that the Earl was not the biggest fan of Sweetie, but he didn't mention it. "Princess, if I may ask, what is it, specifically, that you want me to do?"

"Ah, yes," the Princess said. "You will be guarding the crown tonight. I will be heading out, so it will be vulnerable. I would like you to keep it safe. Could you do that?"

"You can count on me, Princess," Dom said.

The Princess smiled. "Glorious."

At that moment, the butler called out to announce the white terrier's arrival. "My Princess, Sweetie has been called as you asked."

Dom turned his head to see the white terrier. "Woah."