Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Thirteen

"What did you want to tell me?" Dom asked.

"Well, after you left, I thought about what you said," Sweetie said.

"Oh," Dom said, confused. He watched as the Princess walked up the stairs in the background. "Um, what exactly did I say?"

"That you and Chase don't see me as evil," she said. "That got me thinking. What if I can make the others see me the same way?"

"Oh, right," Dom said. "So, what did you have in mind?"

"Going to Adventure Bay for a while."

That response caught Dom off guard. "What?"

"I'll go to Adventure Bay," Sweetie repeated. "You said the team is trustworthy."

Dom thought back to the argument he had with the others. "Yeah, but . . ."

"Then all I have to do is show them that I am trustworthy as well."

"Sweetie, I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Why not? You don't want to see me again?"

"Of course," Dom said, a bit too quickly. "Uh, I mean, maybe they need some time."

"Time for what?"

"To see that you are how you are."

"So, what should I do?" Sweetie said.

Dom was surprised by how much she wanted to prove herself to the team. It made him feel guilty for not telling her the truth of why she couldn't. "I don't know, Sweetie. Anything good, I guess."

Sweetie sighed and lowered her gaze. "I wish you were here," she said softly.

"What?" Dom asked. He heard what she said, but it took a second for him to process it.

Sweetie shrugged. "You're just easier to talk to than most others I know. It feels nice to have a friend around." Sweetie said friend like she wasn't sure what that meant yet. It was like a placeholder, unsure if it was the right word.

"Yeah, me too," Dom said, to his surprise. "Sometimes it's good to get away from it all."

"Yeah," Sweetie said. "Especially when you're not alone. Well, I have to get going. Goodbye, Dom."

"Goodbye, Sweetie," Dom said. He turned off the monitor, staring at the blank screen. Dom looked at the reflection and noticed two figures behind him.

Dom turned around to see Marshall and Chase standing there, staring at him. "When did you guys come back?"

"Just now," Chase said.

"Why were you talking to Sweetie?" Marshall asked loudly. Chase flinched like he wasn't expecting this reaction.

"Nothing," Dom said. "The Princess called and asked for Ryder."

"Okay, let's go tell him," Chase said.

"But . . ."

"Marshall," Chase repeated. "Let's go." Marshall knew better than to argue with Chase. He frowned and walked over to the slide. He sat down and looked back as he disappeared in the chute.

Chase sighed. "Marshall's going to tell the others." He looked back at Dom. "I think it would be better if they find out from you."

"What if I do tell them?" Dom asked. "They already made it clear that they don't like Sweetie?"

"They just need time," Chase said. "Trust me, I've known them longer. They can be very understanding. Give them a chance." Chase looked back and forth from Dom and the monitor. "But, uh, Dom. You can trust me. What did Sweetie want?"

Dom sighed. Chase seemed to be the only one he could talk to. He recalled his conversation with Sweetie about going to Adventure Bay and making the others trust her.

Chase thought about it. "What do you think?"

"That the timing's off," Dom said.

"I was thinking the same thing," Chase said. "Come on, let's go."

Chase and Dom arrived at the ground. They walked over to Ryder, who was alone, to their surprise. He was working on his ATV in front of the garage.

"Hey, pups," Ryder said as he saw them. "Something up?"

"Um, yeah," Dom said. "The Princess just called. She asked for you."

"I wonder what for," Ryder said to no one in particular. "Okay, I'll be on the top floor if any of you need me." He grabbed a cloth and wiped his hands as he walked off.

"Ryder?" Chase said. "Have you talked to any of the others?"

"Not since the mission," Ryder replied. "Why?"

"No reason," Chase said.

Once Ryder left, Dom walked up next to Chase. "What now?" Together, they watched as the other pups grouped in front of the Lookout doors. "I guess we go talk to the others.”