Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Forty-Nine

Everest raised her hands, shooting ice crystals at the man. The man ducked to avoid the crystal, which Everest used as an opportunity to create ice around his feet. The man looked in wonder at his frozen feet, removing his focus from Marshall. The forcefield loosened around Marshall. Marshall could breathe easier, but he was still caught in place.

The man looked up at Everest. "Nice party trick," he said. "Let me show you true power." He raised his hands. "You know, my fields don't just affect people." Objects started flying around him. There were laptops, binders, metal sheets, and a magnet with a kitten that read YOU GOT THIS. "Catch," he said as he sent all the items to Everest.

Everest built an ice wall between her and the projectiles. The items stuck to the wall like flies in a trap. Everest pressed her palms against the ice, and it exploded into pieces. The broken ice shot towards the man, who ducked behind a chair to avoid getting hit. Everest created an ice dome around the man, keeping him in place.

Everest took her chance and grabbed Marshall's hand. She was unsure what she was pulling him from, but Everest tugged at Marshall's arm as hard as she could. Ultimately, Marshall was able to leave the force field. Marshall gasped as he felt air fill his lungs to their top capacity.

"Thanks," Marshall said.

"Of course, Marshall," Everest said. She looked down and noticed the crystal on the ground. She grabbed it and offered it to Marshall. "Wanna take it from here?"

Marshall looked at the crystal like it was cursed. "It might be better if you take this," he replied. "Less likely for this mission to go south."

"What? Marshall, why would you say that?" Everest and Marshall noticed the ice dome cracking. The man was getting out.

"Because it's me, Everest. I'm the clumsiest one on the team. I could mess it up. You take it."

"Marshall, I told you before. Even with that quality, you're still amazing. Your clumsiness doesn't define you." Everest placed the crystal in Marshall's hand and cupped it with hers. "Prove to yourself what I already know."

Marshall took a deep breath. "Okay, Everest." They smiled at each other as the ice dome broke in half.

"God, I hate the cold," the man yelled. He used his powers to lift both halves of the ice dome. "Let's see how you like it." He chucked the dome halves at Marshall and Everest. Everest knelt as Marshall got in front of her.

Marshall thought about how he shot a column of fire at The Copycat. Unsure how he did it, he recalled how he felt when he did it. The Copycat threatened to steal Everest's power, uninterested in how it affected her. Marshall wasn't going to let anything happen to Everest ever.

Marshall raised his hand and shot columns of fire at the ice dome halves. The ice melted and evaporated on impact. "I prefer red hot heat," Marshall said to the man. He launched fire columns at the ground under the man's feet. The heat melted the metal, causing it to sink.

In a moment of shock, the man used his powers to slide a metal sheet so as not to fall through the floor. He picked up more items and tossed them at Marshall. Marshall grabbed Everest and helped her move to the side. Marshall dodged the items and made sure she was okay. Marshall held onto a metal handrail and heated it to break off a section.

Marshall charged at the man, who also found a metal pipe to use as a weapon. The man swung at Marshall, who blocked it. Marshall dropped low to the ground and swiped at the man's feet, knocking him to his feet.

The man fell onto his back and let go of the pipe as it rolled away. Marshall pointed the metal handrail piece at the man's forehead. "Time to take that crystal."

The man looked at Marshall and grinned viciously. "I don't think so," he said, using a mocking tone. He flicked his hand, and a computer launched Marshall into a wall. Marshall fell to the ground but got up quickly.

Marshall had enough time to look up at the man swinging Marshall. Marshall ducked and responded with a punch to the stomach. The man staggered backward a few feet before going for another hit. Marshall and the man began punching at each other, trying to overtake the other guy.

The man tried to uppercut Marshall, who kicked him in the chest and made him walk a bit.

The man looked at Marshall. "Enough!" he yelled. He raised his hands, and all the objects in the room began to float. "Good luck trying to dodge all of this stuff, you pathetic, weak son of a ... He was cut short as Everest popped up out of nowhere and punched him in the face. The man's face hit the concrete wall, and he crumpled to the ground. All the

Marshall rushed over and checked for the man's pulse and vitals. "It's fine. He's just unconscious. Nice punch, Everest."

"Thanks," Everest replied as she winced.

"Are you okay?" Marshall asked as he got up.

"My hand hurts from punching that guy," Everest said as she held her hand.

Marshall couldn't help but laugh. "You did hit him pretty hard," Marshall said as he checked her hand. "Nothing's broken or fractured, which is good news." He reached down, grabbed the second crystal, and gave it to Everest. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Everest said. She put the crystal in her pocket. "Want to go grab something to eat before we head back."

"I thought you'd never ask," Marshall replied, earning a laugh from Everest.

Everest grabbed Marshall's hand as they left the room. They were walking down the stairs when Everest said, "You know, I wonder how the others are doing."