Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Seventeen

Chase moved the light so it wouldn't point at Sweetie's eyes out of respect.

"Thank you, Chase," Sweetie said.

"Yeah," Chase said. He walked back and forth in front of the entrance. "What are you doing in Adventure Bay? Shouldn't you be with the Princess?"

"The Princess doesn't need to know about this."

"And why is that?"

"Let's just say that I'm not here for a playdate," Sweetie replied.

"Then why are you here?" Chase asked her again.

"Because I sense our wants and needs align with each other."

"I don't sense anything," Chase said, turning his back to walk out of the cave. He didn't want to satisfy Sweetie with an audience more than he had to. Chase had bigger things to worry about at the moment.

Sweetie knew that she needed to convince Chase if she wanted his help. "I know where Skye and Dom are," she exclaimed.

Chase stopped in his tracks. Suddenly, he felt a sense of curiosity and anger. Sweetie knew about their disappearances, even though Chase never told her.

Chase turned around and started walking up to Sweetie. "How do you know about that? Did you have something to do with it? What did you do to Dom and Skye, Sweetie?"

Chase's sudden change frightened Sweetie. "Wait, Chase," Sweetie said, taking a few steps back. "I'm trying to help."

"Then you better start talking," Chase warned. He stopped a few inches in front of Sweetie. As soon as Chase saw her fearful face, he instantly felt guilty. His emotions got the best of him. Losing two members of the Paw Patrol took a toll on him. "Sorry," he apologized as he turned away and walked back a bit. "I'm not myself at the moment."

"It's okay," Sweetie said, though her heart was still breathing fast. She wondered what would have happened if he didn't stop. Sweetie decided it would be better to stay on his good side. "Now, about Skye and D. . ." She faltered. "Dom. I know where they are."

Chase looked at her in confusion. "You know where they are? How?"

"That is not important," Sweetie responded quickly. "I knew I would need your help to . . ."

"Sweetie," Chase interrupted. "How do you know?"

Sweetie sighed. With the sun setting in the background, Chase was only a black silhouette in a red and orange scene. The only part that Sweetie could identify was his amber eyes, grasping for more information. Sweetie thought back to what Dom said about Chase. I hope you're right, Dom, she thought.

"Because the Duke of Flappington captured them," Sweetie confessed.

"The Duke of Flappington?!" Chase exclaimed, so loud dust fell from the ceiling. "Why would he want them? I mean, Skye, I would understand. But why would he want Dom?"

"He didn't," Sweetie replied slowly, trying not to break down. "He wanted you."

"Me? Why would he want me?"

"Because he believes that he could crumble the Paw Patrol by separating you. And also because of me."

"What do you mean, 'because of you,' Sweetie?" Chase asked. 

"He thought I would want revenge for humiliating me."

"Why would he care for what you want?" Chase asked. "Did you join forces with him?"

"I did, but . . ."

"Why would you do that, Sweetie? For a second time? You know he doesn't care about others."

"I know that now," Sweetie said. "Please, Chase. Dom said you would listen."

"Dom?" Chase asked. Now he was more confused than ever. "When did you talk to Dom?"

"When he went in your place to guard the crown," Sweetie said.

Chase looked down at his foot. He no longer had the cast on, but the fur plowed down where it used to be. "What did he say?"

"He said you were the one that thought I wasn't evil. He said you thought I needed a second chance."

"That was before you had two of my team pupnapped," Chase exclaimed.

"The Duke did that without my knowing," Sweetie said.

Chase thought. "Okay, fine," he said at last. "Prove to me you're not evil. Help me save the others, and I'll make sure the others know you're not the pup they think you are."

"Deal," Sweetie said.

Seeing how Sweetie was grinning made Chase feel like he was doing the right thing. She didn't seem to be planning to stab the team in the back. Chase recalled what he was telling the other pups after Dom defended Sweetie the first time. She just needs a chance to prove herself, he told them.

Chase realized that it might be harder than he suspected to convince the others that Sweetie was on their side. Except for Ryder, of course. Chase learned to give everyone a second chance from the boy. He was sure that Ryder would accept, though he'll have some questions.

"Alright," Chase said. "But before we leave, tell me where they are. I need to know for sure that you're on our side."

"Oh, they're in one of the old rooms of the castle's basement. The Duke has them in cages." As Sweetie recalled what she saw, she felt her heart beat faster. She didn't want anything to happen to anyone, especially not Dom. Sweetie didn't know why she felt that way, but she didn't think much of it. "We better hurry. The Duke will know that I left Barkingburg if I'm not there soon."

"So the Duke doesn't know about this meeting either?" Chase asked.

Sweetie shook her head. "As far as I know, the Duke still thinks I hate you for what you did. Oh, and by the way, I don't feel that way anymore."

"Anymore," Chase said softly. "Alright, let's go to the Lookout."

"Oh, yes, please," Sweetie said. She hopped into the vehicle, which Chase didn't see earlier. "I've never been to the Lookout. Is it true you have a large dog treat dispenser?"

"Uh, yes?" Chase asked, confused by the question. He shook his head to get back into focus. "Um, Sweetie, it might be better to leave your vehicle here."

"Why?" Sweetie asked.

"The others don't trust you. It would be easier to trust you if they see you ride with me."

"Oh, that makes sense." Sweetie turned off her engine and ran past Chase into his cruiser.

Chase looked at the sunset. "What'd I bring myself into?" he asked himself. Chase hopped into the driver's seat of his cruiser. He turned on the engine. After the automatic seatbelts wrapped themselves around their waists, he began to drive back.

"Um, Chase?" Sweetie asked.

"Yeah?" Chase replied, keeping his eyes on the road.

"This may come out as childish, but can you turn on the sirens? I have always wanted to see them at work from up close. I tried to put some on my vehicles for fun, but they didn't work."

Chase stopped the cruiser and looked at Sweetie with a raised eyebrow. Sweetie blushed in embarrassment. "I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to. It was just a suggestion."

Chase chuckled and turned around. Sweetie felt stupid until Chase turned on the siren. "I like the siren, too," Chase commented.

Sweetie couldn't help but smile as they drove to the city. That was the start of her first real friendship. She hoped she could make the entire Paw Patrol her friends. One step at a time, she told herself. First thing first, we save Dom and Skye and take down the Duke.