Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Twenty

"Okay, so what's the plan?" Marshall asked.

The team and Paw Patrol moved into the Paw Patroller. The plan was to get to Barkingburg as fast as possible, even if it meant coming up with a plan while in the air. They surrounded a table with a 3D map of Barkingburg.

"First, we have to know everything there is to know," Ryder replied. He looked at Sweetie expectantly.

"Um, I know where the Duke is," Sweetie said. "He's in the basement of the castle."

"How did he enter without getting noticed?" Chase asked. "Doesn't the castle have cameras or something?"

"Not in the basement," Sweetie explained. "It's the oldest part of the castle. They left it alone during the last redecoration because no one went there anyway. They didn't put any cameras in the hallways. There are some outside the windows but none in the interior."

"How do they know if someone enters through there?" asked Rocky. "I mean, anyone smart enough can enter the castle through there."

"The door leading into the basement has an alarm, and cameras overlook that hallway."

"So, how did the Duke enter?" Marshall asked.

"I, uh, shut down the cameras," Sweetie said. She still felt guilty about it.

"What do you mean, Sweetie?" asked Ryder.

"At first, I was helping the Duke," Sweetie confessed.

"Why would you help him?" Marshall asked.

"He promised me something I couldn't resist," Sweetie replied. "He said I could rule by his side once he takes over Barkingburg."

"So, are you on his side or ours?" Rubble asked, taking a step back.

"Yours," Sweetie said. "After I realized that I couldn't trust the Duke, I came to aid you."

"When did you find out the Duke is not trustworthy?" Zuma asked.

"After I saw that he . . . he had Dom and Skye in cages," she said. "I came as quickly as I could to warn you."

"Okay, so the Duke is in the basement," Chase said to get back into focus. "What else do we need to know?"

"His eagle, Jean-Claude, is circling the city," Sweetie added.

"How come no one recognizes him?" Ryder asked.

"He doesn't wear his outfit," Sweetie said. "The Duke took it off him to not raise suspicion. The Princess has seen it. She told me she thinks it's just an ordinary eagle that flew into the city. We get a few of them from the surrounding areas around this time. The eagle usually flew in and out of city limits, but sometimes they" . . .

"Sweetie," Chase interrupted.

"Sorry," she said. "Anyway, the Duke has an eye on the sky."

"Okay," Ryder said. "Is that all we need to know?"

"Um," Sweetie said as she tried to remember things. "Oh, and he has something planned for the day after tomorrow. He didn't tell me what, but he said it'll be big."

"Okay, so we better rescue them as soon as possible."

At that moment, Sweetie's pup tag rang. "Who is it?" Chase asked.

"I don't know," Sweetie said. "Everyone, stay quiet." Sweetie took a deep breath and replied. "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me," said the voice of a young boy that made Chase growl under his breath.

"Duke," Sweetie said. "What's up?" she asked, even though she never talked like that. She glanced at Ryder. He faced his palms to the ground, signaling her to take it easy and keep calm.

"Um, the roof?" the Duke replied. "I never got the point of that question. Anyway, where are you? I need to talk to you about something."

"Uh, we can talk like this," Sweetie said.

"It's safer that we talk face to face," he said. "You never know who's listening."

"Yeah, that's true," Sweetie said. "Well, I'm busy right now, so we'll meet up later, okay?"

The Duke was silent for a count of five. "Okay, just be quick." The Duke hung up, and Sweetie sighed. 

"We have to hurry," Sweetie said. "We have to get there before Duke knows something is going on."

"You're right, Sweetie," Chase said.

"Okay, so, what's the plan?" Marshall asked.

"Well, we have to be careful," Ryder said. "We either park the plane outside Barkingburg or go in camouflaged and hope for the best."

"Where would we land?" asked Rocky.

"He's right," Chase said. "We would have to jump out of the plane once the moment comes."

"Jump?!" Marshall exclaimed.

"With parachutes, Marshall," Chase continued. "We land on the other side of the bridge and group up. From there, Sweetie will lead us into the basement. The same way she let the Duke in."

"Okay," Sweetie said. "But what if they're not there anymore?"

"They have to be," Chase said quickly. We can't think otherwise.

"Sounds like a plan," Ryder said, facing the front window. "Because we're here."

The other turned to see the kingdom spread out under them. The castle illuminated an orange glow on top of the hill.

"Okay, Robo-Dog," Ryder called out. "Stop and hover over the bell tower." The metal canine barked and followed the orders. The back door lowered, and Chase and Sweetie looked over the edge. Ryder and the others joined them but not as close to the edge.

"Are you ready?" Chase asked Sweetie.

Sweetie looked down at the ground. She remembered how she fell from her vehicle around that area. That time, Chase was ready to catch her, but this time, Sweetie only had a parachute and her response time to rely on. "Yes," she said. 

"Good," Chase said. He faced the others, who were looking at him. He knew it was time to complete the team and bring back Dom and Skye. "See you on the ground," Chase said. He tilted sideways and fell off the plane, hundreds of feet from the ground.