They Grow Up Too Fast (Paw Patrol)

A Warm Welcome Home

The Paw Patrol arrived at the docks, greeted by a crowd of curious citizens. The townsfolk seemed both surprised and relieved to see the team back, unaware of the challenges they had just overcome.

Citizen: "Hey, Paw Patrol! What are you guys doing here? Last I heard, you were in Adventure Bay."

Ryder: "No need to worry, folks. We just had to deal with a little offshore problem. You're all safe, so no worries."

The citizens nodded and began to disperse. Ryder turned to his pups.

Ryder: "Alright, pups, let's head home. We might even have a welcoming party waiting for us."

Ryder called Robo-Dog, who arrived with the Paw Patroller. The pups climbed aboard, tired but ready for some well-deserved rest. They removed their pup packs and settled into their seats. As they passed the Ultimate Tower, its damaged structure under construction caught their attention.

Rubble: "I really liked that tower."

Zuma: "Yeah, it was a nice tower. But I think it'll be fixed soon. At least, I hope so."

The pups looked at Zuma in surprise.

Chase: "Whoa! Zuma, you don't have your lisp anymore!"

Zuma: "Really? Oh yeah, I don't! Yippee! I didn't like my lisp, but now I can talk freely!"

Liberty rolled her eyes playfully. Though she wouldn't admit it, she'd found Zuma's lisp a bit... cute. Still, seeing him happy made her smile; that was all she wanted for him. Meanwhile, Skye sat in her seat, and Chase approached her. He couldn't forget how she'd taken a big hit during the fight with Orion. Chase gently placed his paw on hers.

Chase: "Skye, are you okay? You took a big hit back there."

Skye blushed at the contact but quickly relaxed.

Skye: "I'll be fine. I'm not a weak pup, hehe."

Chase: "Alright. I just wanted to make sure."

He withdrew his paw, giving her a reassuring nod before moving on to Marshall.

Chase: "How are you holding up, Marshall?"

Marshall: "I'm good! A bit sore, but nothing I can't handle."

Chase: "Good. You're a strong pup, anyway."

Marshall: "And you're a strong leader, Chase."

They exchanged smiles, and Chase moved on to Rocky.

Chase: "What's up, Rocky?"

Rocky: "I'm fine, but I wish I'd finished your car, Chase. I'm sorry."

Chase: "Don't be. It was just a way for me to cope. I wanted to keep my mind off the Scorpio thing. I wasn't really planning to go through with it, so... sorry."

Rocky smiled.

Rocky: "No worries, Chase. I get it. But it became a personal project for me, too. I really wanted to finish it, but I only got about a quarter done."

Chase: "You still can, if you want. I wouldn't mind having the car upgraded for the next police pup. I'm retiring soon, anyway."

Rocky: "Yeah, we'll miss you, Chase. But we've still got a year to go, hehe."

Chase: "Yup. One more year of my charming personality."

They laughed together before Chase approached Rubble.

Chase: "Hey, Rubble. You okay? You took a big hit too."

Rubble: "Don't worry about me, Chase. I had my hard hat on. Hehe."

Chase: "Hehe. I guess you did."

Rubble hesitated, then spoke.

Rubble: "I've noticed something weird about myself, though."

Chase: "Really? Like what? Is it bad?"

Rubble: "I don't know. Ever since I turned five, I've been growing more hair everywhere and shedding a lot more. I also feel stronger and... veiny."

Chase chuckled, recognizing the signs of dog puberty. He remembered when he'd gone through the same thing years ago.

Chase: "Hehe. Don't worry, Rubble. It's normal. All boy pups go through it. I'm just surprised it's happening so late for you; usually, it starts around four."

Rubble: "So... I'm just growing up?"

Chase: "Yeah, you are. Don't worry; you'll be fine."

Rubble smiled at Chase, who returned the gesture before moving on to Parker, who was lying down as usual.

Chase: "Parker? Hey, Parker? Are you asleep?"

Parker jolted awake.

Parker: "Oi! Roll call's not till 0700. Let me sleep! Oh... G'day, Chase. What's up, mate?"

Chase: "I just wanted to check in after everything with James and Orion."

Parker: "No wuckas, ya cobber. I've had plenty of my mates leave me—literally and figuratively. So it wasn't that bad. I'm done with the cu—uh, bloke."

Chase: "What do you mean, literally?"

Parker: "Yeah, mate. I've had good mates die. Straightforward as that. Military life's like that."

Chase: "Wow. I had no idea. I'm sorry for your losses."

Parker: "No worries, mate. The military teaches ya to grieve quickly and move on. But some of those mates had a devo effect on me. They might've been drongos, but they were my drongos."

Chase: "So you were in the military?"

Parker: "Righto. Special forces, no less. We didn't muck about."

Chase: "You must've seen a lot of action."

Parker: "Yuppers. But I've been watching you, Chase. You're a true leader. Good on ya."

Parker glanced out the window, spotting Adventure Bay.

Parker: "Well, bloody mackerel, we're here. Finally, I can relax. I'm proud of ya, Chase. Leader to leader."

Chase: "I'd love to hear your full story someday."

Parker: "One day, mate. But right now, I'm absolutely buggered. Visit me anytime; I'll tell ya everything."

Ryder: "Alright, pups, let's have some fun."

The team stepped off the Paw Patroller, greeted by their friends and cheering citizens. Parker quietly slipped away, heading home. The remaining pups watched the celebration with smiles, feeling both overwhelmed and overjoyed. Music and cheers filled the air, welcoming the Paw Patrol back home.