Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Forty-Three

Ryder looked at the bikers on the first floor. He needed to find a way to get them away from the box so that they could get the crystals. He scanned the room and noticed a staircase leading from the main floor to the second floor, where Ryder, Rocky, and Zuma were. Ryder walked over to the nearest window. He noticed four metal barrels filled to the rim with used engine oil. One of them was knocked over and leaking oil all over the dirt. That gave him an idea.

"Okay, for this to work, I need Rocky. I need you to build a catapult. Then set it by that window to launch a tennis ball at those four barrels outside."

"Green means go," Rocky exclaimed as he left to build the catapult.

"And Zuma," Ryder said. "I need you to stand at the base of those stairs. When I tell you, you will walk down and grab the crystals."

"You want me to go grab them?" Zuma asked.

"I know I can count on you," Ryder said. "You ready?"

Zuma couldn't help but smile. "Let's dive in," he replied. Zuma ran over to the stairs.

Ryder walked over to a crate and opened it. He found bags of cotton balls, bottles of rubbing alcohol, and rolls of bandage wraps. Ryder grabbed a couple of each and placed them in an open area to work. He found an old tennis ball opening from one of the stitches. Ryder opened the ball more using a knife. He doused the cotton balls in the alcohol before stuffing them into the tennis ball. Ryder unrolled the bandage wrap, stuffed one end into a tennis ball, and let the other loose. Using another roll of bandage wrap, Ryder wrapped the tennis ball tightly so that its belongings wouldn't fall out. (Don't try this at home!)

Rocky ran over to him. "The catapult is ready and in place, Ryder," he said. He looked at Ryder's creation with curiosity. "What's that?"

"It's an explosive tennis ball with a bandage to give it time before it erupts into a flame. It's like a Molotov bottle but a tennis ball."

"What's a Molotov bottle?"

"I'll explain later," Ryder replied. "Could you find me something to light it with?"

Rocky reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter. I found it on the ground while walking from the truck over her. I was going to toss, but figured we could use it later."

"Nice," Ryder replied. "Good job, Rocky. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Ryder."

Ryder got up and walked over to the catapult. He set the ball in the arm, lit the end of the bandage wrap on fire, and told Rocky to send it off. With a lever's push, the tennis ball was launched out of the warehouse. The tennis ball erupted completely into flame midair before landing in a barrel. The oil in the barrel caught on fire immediately. The fire jumped to the other barrels, including the one on the ground. In a matter of seconds, the barrels were engulfed in flames. Luckily, nothing around them could catch fire, but it was still pretty immense.

"Fire!" One of the guards outside yelled. Immediately, the bikers inside ran out of the warehouse to see what was happening. Some of them grabbed nearby fire extinguishers to help out.

"Okay, onto phase two." Ryder signaled to Zuma, who walked down the stairs. After ensuring no one was around, he ran over to grab the box with the crystal. Zuma carried the box upstairs to where Ryder and Rocky were waiting for him.

"I couldn't get into it," Zuma said. "It has a lock."

"Allow me," Rocky said. He grabbed a nearby piece of wire, folding it in half, and began picking at the lock. Before they knew it, the lock was open.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Ryder asked.

"I've locked myself out of my truck a few times," Rocky said.

They all laughed at the statement. "Well, good thing you knew how to do it. That's why you're the smartest one on the team," Ryder said.

Rocky smiled. It felt good to hear Ryder say it. "Thanks, Ryder."

Ryder nodded before opening the box. To their surprise, there was only one crystal in the box. "Where's the other crystal?" Rocky asked as he grabbed the crystal.

"Looking for something?" A voice boomed throughout the warehouse. Ryder, Rocky, and Zuma turned to see a man standing at the warehouse's entrance. He was an African American male in his late thirties. The man wore a black leather bike fit and multiple gold jewelry pieces, such as rings and necklaces. He held a golden chain with a trucker hook on the end in either hand. He was bald except for a beard and a mustache and had a golden scar over his left eye. He looked up at them with a cold smile. "I'm afraid I'm gonna need that crystal back."

"We can't do that," Ryder called back. "We need it to take down the Copycat."

"I don't care about that," the man said. "Ever since he got all that power, we've been able to expand our territory by double."

"Where's the other crystal?" Ryder asked.

"Right here around my neck," the man said. "And y'all not taking this one. It helps me be Midas. I have the power to create gold now. Lemme show y'all." He swung the golden chains in his hands, which extended further and destroyed the boards under the heroes' feet. They fell onto a couch, which broke their fall. Rocky, Ryder, and Zuma got up quickly.

"Rocky, take away those chains," Ryder ordered.

Rocky raised his hand, but nothing happened except his hand glowed green. "My magnetic powers are not working."

"Magnetic powers? Well, of course, it's not," Midas said. "These chains are pure gold. They're not magnetic. But they can still cause some damage." Midas relaunched the chains, which the three of them dodged. The chains hit a wall, destroying it.

"Give me the crystal," Zuma said. "I have an idea." Rocky nodded and tossed Zuma the crystal. Zuma instantly felt the crystal's power coursing through his body. He also felt the water gushing through the pipes around and below them.

"I know what to do, dude," Zuma said. Zuma got up and walked to the center of the warehouse, facing Midas.

"Zuma, what are you doing?' Ryder asked.

"You're either brave or dumb," Midas called out.

"Why don't you find out, dude?" Zuma replied.

Midas raised his hands to his side. "Come on, brother. I don't want to hurt anyone, but I will if I have to. Give me the crystal, and we'll make your deaths quick and painless."

"You're gonna give me the crystal, not the other way around," Zuma said.

Midas extended the chains, letting them hit the ground. "You ain't gon' win against my gold, man. You don't wanna mess with me."

Zuma smiled. "Well, you know what they say about gold."

"What?"

"It's a weak and soft metal." Zuma extended his arms to his sides, forcing every pipe in the warehouse to explode simultaneously.