Changing Paths-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Twenty-One

As Chase fell through the air, he remembered the time when he first wore his Air-Pups suits. He jumped off the bridge in Adventure Bay and barked out his flight suit to rescue Marshall. He looked back at the time when he and the others went sky diving in a hot air balloon. Chase could see why Skye liked flying so much. The feeling and adrenaline of being in the air even though they can't soar on their own was something else.

Chase barked. "Parachute," he called out. His pup pack responded, sending a long, strong fabric out the top, connected by four ropes. Chase flew in next to the bell tower, landing in the alley behind it. He looked up to see six more parachutes following.

After a couple of minutes, Chase, Ryder, Sweetie, Rocky, Rubble, and Marshall were safely on the ground. The Dalmation looked green from the event, but other than that, everyone seemed okay. All of them wore their Mission Paw uniforms to stay more hidden.

Ryder looked up at the aircraft. "Robo-Dog, hide the plane," he said. Without a response from Robo-Dog, the Air Patroller became invisible and disappeared into the clouds. A minute later, a giant eagle passed by the air.

"Okay," Ryder said. "We have to get to the castle. Sweetie, lead the way."

"Oh, okay," Sweetie said. She wasn't expecting to lead so quickly, which made her worry about leading them the wrong way, but she tried her best. Sweetie led the team around town to the castle. Chase was behind her, followed by Ryder, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky, and Marshall.

After a couple of turns, an "I mean to go left" and a "when did this building get here?", Sweetie was able to lead them to the main bridge that led to the castle. Sweetie was going to keep on going before Chase stopped her by putting his paw in front of her.

"The plan is not to get noticed," Chase stated.

Ryder looked around, looking for another way across. "Zuma," he said. "Check through the water for another way to the castle that's not over a bridge.

"On it," Zuma said. He barked out his scuba gear and dived in. After three minutes, Zuma emerged from the water. "I found a way,"  he said. "On the next bridge over, there is a path underneath it. The river goes under it, so we can pass without getting wet."

"Thank goodness," Rocky muttered under his breath.

"Okay, pups," Ryder said. "Let's get moving. Quickly."

The Paw Patrol and Sweetie shuffled through the streets to the other bridge. They stayed in the shadows and alleys so they wouldn't get noticed. One curious civilian noticed, but they didn't say anything. A group of rats jumped out of a dumpster, making the team flinch. A stray cat hissed as they got near and ran off.

After what seemed like forever, they reached the bridge. "Dude, I swear it felt closer when I was in the water," Zuma promised.

"It's okay, Zuma," Ryder said. "So, we can go under the bridge?"

"Yeah," the chocolate lab replied. "We can pass without getting wet."

"That's good enough for me," Rocky said.

"Me too," Chase said. They crept to the entrance of the alley. Chase looked to both sides.

Tables and chairs from open-air restaurants seemed abandoned in the dark streets. Light posts lined the side of the road, and a stoplight flashed yellow since there was no car traffic. A senior woman turned the corner, though Chase wasn't sure why she was out at two in the morning. Other than that, the streets showed no sign of life.

"Okay," he told them. "Let's go."

The team quickly made it to the other side of the street. Following Zuma's instructions, they hopped over the ledge and landed under the bridge. Sure enough, a path went from where they were to the castle. It rose enough that the river could pass unbothered underneath the bricks. It was like another bridge under the one overhead.

The team passed across the bridge, careful with the sides. None of them knew how long that bridge had been there or how sturdy it was. After everyone made it to the other side of the bridge, Sweetie led the way.

"If this is the East side of the castle," she muttered, "we have to go right." She began walking, and the others followed her.

The path was dimly lit only by torches every four meters, so there were parts where the light didn't reach well. Moss grew in the cracks of the concrete, which were a lot. The side of the path had begun to erode from having contact with the river.

After passing under the main bridge, Sweetie stopped in front of a large window. The glass had been pushed open, and the curtains waved in the wind.

"Okay," Sweetie said. "Wait here while I check inside for the Duke. Make sure he's not in there."

"Okay, but be quick," Chase said.

Sweetie nodded. She jumped into the room and looked around. Everything looked the same except that the door was open wide. Sweetie crept over to the door and peeked outside. The hallway was as empty as the room.

Sweetie closed the door and walked over to the window. She popped her head out and said, "It's safe to come inside."

One by one, the team entered the room. Chase and Ryder did a quick check around the room, checking the closet, the bathroom, under the bed, and other places where there could be something hiding. They found a bat in the closet, which flew away as soon as they opened the door, but nothing that seemed important.

"So, this is where the Duke was?" Chase said. "Where is he now?"

"I'm not sure," Sweetie said. At that moment, her pup tag rang. "Hello?" 

"Hello, Sweetie," said the Duke.

"Oh, hi," Sweetie said. She looked at Chase.

"Ask where he is," he whispered.

"Well, um, where are you, Duke?" she replied. "I'm down here in the basement, but you're not here."

"I decided to get a good view of the city from the tower," he replied.

"How did you get up there without getting noticed?" Sweetie asked.

"Don't worry about that," he said. "We still have something to talk about."

"Okay," she replied.

"I'm on my way back," the Duke said.

"No," Sweetie said too quickly. "Uh, I mean, I'll meet up with you there. I need the fresh air."

"Fine, but hurry. You already had me waiting for a while." The Duke hung up.

"I have to get going," Sweetie said.

"First, take us to Skye and Dom," Chase said.

"Oh, right," Sweetie said. She felt embarrassed for forgetting why they came in the first place. "This way."

Sweetie led them to the next room down the hallway and opened the door. After the team entered, she closed the door behind them so that no one could find them.

"Um, Sweetie," Chase said. "Didn't you say they were here?"

"They were," Sweetie said, turning around. Her heart dropped when she looked at the cages. "They should be in there."

Chase looked at her and pointed his paw to the empty cages. Their doors were swung open, but the pups were nowhere in sight. "Then where are they?!