Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ryder and the others looked up at the man. They knew who it was but still found it hard to believe. The Copycat also turned into a human.

The man was a twenty-eight-year-old, six-foot-one male with red hair. He had a stubble beard, and he pulled his hair back. He wore a black vest, shirt, and shoes. His slim trench coat, pants, and tie were purple. He would've looked classy if it wasn't for the armor. He had purple armor built into his jacket at the shoulders, wrists, and neck area. He also had armor over his shins, and his tie looked metallic.

He noticed them looking at him. "I know," he said. His voice was deeper, appropriate for his age. "I am now human, just like you. But I am stuck in this form. I mean, I'm not complaining. I no longer have hairballs, which is a plus."

Ryder came out of his shock. "What are you doing, Copycat?" he asked.

The man pointed at Ryder. "Straight to the point. I am here to fulfill my destiny. You see, Paw Patrol, I always tried to take the city from under your noses back in Adventure Bay. I had to be stealthy because you always stopped when we got caught."

"That's our job," Chase said. "To protect the city from those like you." Ryder and Chase locked eyes, and they both thought the same thing. They had to keep him talking until Ryder could devise a plan. They signaled the plan to the others.

"Oh, please," The Copycat said. "Everyone's a hero in their story. But anyway, here in this new reality, I don't have to hide from anyone. I was able to dominate and rule in peace."

"If you're not hiding, then why is the city cut off from the rest of the world?" asked Rocky.

"Are you talking about the tower?" The Copycat asked. "Well, that's not to hide. That's to keep my secrets here. Many plans with very little time."

"What kind of secrets?" Chase asked.

"Oh, right," The Copycat said sarcastically. "Let me make it easier for you to stop me. Why don't I tell you right now?" He turned around and picked up a helmet. It had a lot of wires and buttons on the sides and cushions on the inside. "I will show you this one. Harold invented this one to control other people's minds."

"Where is Harold?" Chase asked. "Did you do something to him?"

"Come on, Chase. I'm not a monster. Harold is upstairs doing whatever geniuses do. But forget about him. This helmet amplifies the power of my meteor piece, allowing me to shock the neurons in someone's brain until they obey me. Or something like that. I wasn't paying much attention when Harold explained it to me."

"Well, it doesn't matter because you won't be able to use it," Ryder said. "Chase, toss the crystal to Rocky. Rocky, get us out of here."

Chase tossed the crystal to Rocky. He held the crystal in his hand and closed his eyes. Rocky could feel the surge of power coursing through him as he tapped into the crystal's magnetic abilities. The metallic cages trembled and groaned as Rocky directed the magnetic forces, feeling the pull and tug of metal all around him. Rocky could feel where all the metal was in the room, what was magnetic and what was not. With a swift motion, he liberated himself and the others, the magnetic energy crackling and swirling around them as they broke free from The Copycat's containment. The cages exploded, allowing the Paw Patrol to walk freely. The Copycat had to cover his face to prevent a shard of metal from scratching him.

"Rocky, give the crystal to Everest. Everest, help him cool off."

The crystal was in Everest's palm in the blink of an eye. She raised her hands to The Copycat. White ice columns launched at the villain, freezing him in place with his arm covering his face.

"Great work, but that's not going to hold him long," Ryder said as the others gathered around him. "We need to figure out what they have planned."

"Then let's go," Rubble said.

"No, just me," Ryder said. "You guys need to stay here and enable the tower. " Ryder took the crystal from Everest. In his hand, the crystal refused to glow. Ryder was slightly disappointed about it. He fixed his posture and looked at the others.

"We won't let you down, Ryder," Chase stated. The others nodded in agreement.

"I know you won't," Ryder said. Ryder was going to say something else, but he noticed the ice around The Copycat was cracking. "We have to hurry." Ryder placed the crystal in Chase's hand. "You're in charge until I return, Chase."

Chase looked at Ryder. "Please return safely, Ryder, sir," he said.

"I will, Chase," Ryder replied. "See you in a bit. Good luck." Ryder bolted for the stairway door. He opened the door. Ryder looked at them again before closing the door and running up the stairs.

Chase looked at the crystal in hand. They heard how the ice kept cracking, implying they didn't have much time before The Copycat got out. Chase hasn't always had the most renowned luck leading the team, but he'll give it his best for Ryder. Chase couldn't let him down.

"What do we do, Chase?" Skye asked.

"Yeah, whatever you need, dude," Zuma said.

"Okay," he said. He gave the crystal to Everest. "Everest, hit The Copycat with another layer of ice, please. Then, give the crystal to Rocky. " Everest did as he asked. She then gave the crystal to Rocky.

"Rocky, use your powers to reveal the button," Chase continued. "Everest, Marshall, and Skye will watch The Copycat. Let us know if he escapes."

"What about us, Chase?" Zuma asked with Rubble next to him.

Chase looked around the room. "Um, check on the guards. They should be waking up about now. If they wake up, ensure they can't talk or do anything." Chase looked at them, noticing their horrified looks. "Oh, I don't mean torture them," he added. "I meant with duct tape and tightening the ropes if needed."

Zuma and Rubble took a sigh of relief. "You had us worried, dude," Zuma said before leaving.

Chase crouched down in front of the button's case next to Rocky. "Do you see or feel anything?"

"I do," Rocky replied. " The walls reach about two feet down, bolted to a beam heading to our left. Wires are running down the sides of the walls, all heading in different directions. But none are live, except for a main cable in the center. It follows the beam."

"How do you take down the walls?" Chase asked.

"There are four pressure points, one on each of the walls. A single gear connects the points, so I'm guessing they get pressed simultaneously for the walls to come down."

"Nice work," Chase complimented. "Let's turn this tower back on." But he spoke too soon. The Copycat broke out of his ice prison, launching frozen water everywhere.

"Not cool," he said. "No pun intended." The Copycat rose off the floor about five feet. But you forget that I still have Rocky's powers." Green chains appeared out of thin air and circled him. The Copycat raised his hand, and the chains shot towards the Paw Patrol. Each got caught in a chain, raised off the ground, and brought them closer to The Copycat.

"You know, you cut me off before I could tell you what the helmet truly does," he said, grinning wickedly. "Perhaps it would be better if I showed you."