Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Forty-Six

Chase and Skye drove through the streets of Thor City. The Camaro's engine purred softly like a sleeping lion. Chase drove while wearing some sunglasses he found on the car door. He asked permission from Bruce to wear them, of course. Skye had the directions on her GPS and gave Chase directions to the Night Furies Base. "Okay, turn left here," Skye said.

Chase turned left and kept driving. "If we weren't on a mission, this would be a nice drive. The car drives smoothly, the air's not too cold, there's no wind, and there's not too much or too little light. It's almost like we're in a movie."

"Yeah," Skye said. "If only we had time to do this more often back home."

"We'll make time, Skye," Chase replied. "I promise."

"Thanks, Chase," Skye said. "Turn right."

"Of course, m'lady," Chase joked, earning a chuckle from Skye.

That joke got Skye wondering. "What do you think it'll be like when we return?" she asked.

"Return where?" Chase asked, still facing forward.

"Well, home. Adventure Bay. Do you think we'll return to the way things were, or we'll still remember what happened here?"

Chase thought about it. "I'm not sure, Skye. Maybe we will return to being pups, but we will keep our memories."

"I hope so," Skye said. "Because there are some things I don't want to forget."

Chase noticed that Skye's arm was resting against his. He wasn't sure whether or not it was intentional. He had his right hand on the gear stick while driving, so he couldn't hold her hand no matter how much he wanted to.

"Turn left at the stoplight," Skye said. Chase followed her directions. "The base should be straight ahead. Only a few more blocks."

Chase could tell something was on her mind. She kept glancing at her reflection in the mirror, then at Chase, then back down at the map. "Something wrong, Skye?"

" I don't know, Chase. I guess sometimes I feel small when I'm around you."

Chase turned to her, interest piqued. "What do you mean by that?"

"I thought I'd moved past feeling like the smallest and weakest on the team," she confessed, her voice trembling. "But every time I'm with you, that feeling resurfaces."

Chase immediately understood. "Skye, I'm sorry if I make you feel that way, but I understand. I often wrestle with my own insecurities about being a good leader. It's like that doubt lurks just beneath the surface."

Skye's eyes widened in surprise. "You feel that way too?."

"Absolutely," Chase said, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Leading comes with its own set of challenges. I always hope I'm steering the team in the right direction. It's tough not to compare myself to others."

Nodding, Skye felt better knowing they both confronted these feelings. "That makes sense. We're striving to be our best, and that pressure can be overwhelming."

"Exactly," Chase replied, his smile warm and encouraging. "But remember, it's not about size or strength. We're a team, and each of us contributes uniquely. You're not small, Skye; you're one of the most courageous pups I know."

Her heart swelled at his support, and she looked away, feeling a bit shy. "Thank you, Chase. Your words really mean so much."

Chase beamed with pride. "And just know," he said as he grabbed her hand, "we'll always lift each other up, no matter what. That solidarity means more than any single quality."

Skye smiled as she looked down at the map. "Oh, the Night Furies base is up ahead."

Chase parked the Camaro nearby and they got out of the car. Chase and Skye made their way towards the building. The Night Furies' base was hidden in an old, abandoned warehouse. The exterior was weathered, with peeling paint and broken windows, creating an eerie atmosphere. Vines crawled up the brick walls, and the entrance was obscured by a heavy steel door that looked like it hadn't been opened in years.

"Are you sure this was the right address?" Skye asked, looking at the map. "It seems abandoned."

"That means no one would be looking for them there," Chase said. He pointed at the side wall. There." They looked at some graffiti art. The mural showed a black dragon holding a chest of gold. "That must be their logo," Chase said.

"You might be right," Skye said. "So, what's the plan, Chase?"

Chase thought about it. He didn't want to plan anything that would put Skye in danger, but he knew they would get better outcomes together. He noticed a vent near the graffiti that was broken open. If they could go through there as pups, they could get in without setting off any alarms.

"Okay, I got a plan," he told Skye. Skye followed Chase as he explained his plan to her. "Once we get in, we'll locate the crystals, grab them, and get out of here. Got it?"

"Yup," Skye replied. "Good plan, Chase."

"Thanks," he said. "Now, let's turn into pups. They ensured that no one was watching before turning into pups. As they transformed, their uniforms transformed as well. They didn't know how that worked but didn't want to know."

"Okay, go in first," Chase said. "I watch for anyone from out here until you're inside."

"Got it," Skye said. She crouched down and squeezed through the broken vent. She struggled a little but made it to the other side without any injuries. "I'm in, Chase."

Chase took one last scan before trying to make it through. He made it halfway before realizing he wasn't going to fit. "I don't fit," he told Skye.

"What?" Skye asked. "What are we going to do?"

Chase backed out of the vent and looked around. "I'll find another way in," he said. "You go on ahead."

"But Chase," Skye said.

"Go on," he said. "You'll be fine. Trust me, I'll find you. Remember the mission." Chase ran around the corner. Skye didn't know what to say. She turned around and walked through the vents.