Paw Patrol X: The Melody Rescue Arc

Paw Patrol X

Melody Rescue arc Episode One: My Tie To Cut Part One

The screen lit up inside of the Adventure City Paw Patrol HQ. Soft acoustic guitar music was playing as pictures of the Paw Patrol were shown on the wall. The last ones showed Rocky and Zuma in the park with Melody, and next to it, Wave and Snow kissing at Wave's last birthday party. Zuma was revealed to be on the couch playing his guitar. It looked as if he was working on a new song for something. He was really into the groove of his song. And when he finished the instrumental of his latest verse, he looked at the locket around his neck and opened it.

The locket showed the picture Zuma took of him and Rocky on a ferris wheel. It was one of the rides they went on during Zuma's first Pride Month festival. It always warmed his heart to look at this photo. And having it with him helped him to never forget how much he cherished him. Actually, this particular song was one he wanted to play for him, and for Melody. His parents and Melody were coming over for their monthly visit. It was something he was always excited for.

Wave went into the living room with a big picnic basket. She brought it over to Zuma and put it over the couch. Once she set it down next to him, Zuma stopped playing and looked. "It's all ready Zuma!"

Zuma smiled gratefully, accepting the picnic basket and looking into it. "Thanks Wave!"

"Never a problem!" Wave exclaimed happily, pulling out the list Zuma gave her to show she paid full attention. Not that he'd ever doubt her of course. "I made sure to mark down every ingredient you wanted me to use. I also hope you don't mind, but I made something special just for Melody."

Zuma found the box Wave put Melody's present into. He opened it and found a special kind of cookie. "I'm suwe she'll love it." When Zuma put the box back, he couldn't help questioning why Wave only made one. She usually went all out for cooking. And presents. "I'm suwpwised you didn't make a bakew's dozen of them."

"I would have, but we both know how much Melody loves peanut butter, which I know you're allergic to." Wave revealed, knowing Zuma's peanut allergy was important. "So remember not to take a bite of it."

Zuma made a mental note of that for when the picnic started. Wave jumped onto the couch and hugged Zuma, making him laugh before returning it. "Thanks again Wave." Zuma let go of the hug first and hopped over the couch with the picnic basket. He wanted everything to be ready for the picnic. So he also took his guitar and put it away before heading to his room. "I'll let you know how much Melody loves the cookie."

"Hehe. Thanks." Wave replied, allowing Zuma to head off before heading over to her room to play some video games. She was more than ready to win a couple rounds online.

Rocky was looking at himself in the mirror with the door to his and Zuma's bedroom open. He smiled as he made sure his hat was well adjusted, and that his fur was well groomed. He never minded the gunk from his inventions, but he always wanted to do well for Zuma. After smiling at his reflection, he got a text. He looked at it to see that it was Zuma. It read 'Almost weady Wolfy.' Rocky smiled even wider upon seeing the text. His smile grew even wider when Zuma snuck up next to him and kissed his cheek lovingly. "I hope you'we as-"

"Excited as you are? Always." Rocky said lovingly when looking at Zuma. "Sorry Charm couldn't come this time. You know how much he wanted to compete in that fencing competition."

"And I hope he wins." Zuma stated hopefully. He knew Charm had what it took to win such a competition. Rocky checked his phone to see how well Charm was doing. "Is the final wound going on wight now? How's he doing?"

Rocky pulled up the final round, and it showed Charm doing quite well in the first bout. He was three points ahead of his opponent. "He's doing pretty well. Not that I'd expect anything less."

Just then, the elevator rang, prompting Zuma to run off after grabbing Rocky's paw. "Mom; dad; Melody!"

Zuma ran into the living room with Rocky, who joined him in greeting his parents and Melody. Zuma picked Melody up and hugged her with as much love as he could muster. "Zuma!" Zuma, Rocky, and Melody made sure to hug Gabe and Celeste as well. They were as excited as always for the day they'd be having. "Is today gonna be as funner as it always is?"

"I wouldn't settle for anything less." Zuma assured Melody, hugging her again while expressing his love for her.

Gabe shared a little something with Rocky he knew he'd love. "Guess what Rocky. Melody's been getting straight As in school lately. It's her best semester yet!"

Rocky expressed proudness of Melody when rubbing her head. "That's amazing Melody! I knew you could do it."

"Thanks Rock Rock!" Melody replied when hugging Rocky. "It helped a lot when you tooted me."

Zuma snickered at Melody's pronunciation of the word 'tutored'. Gabe did as well before Celeste chimed in. "At least she can spell it." Melody laughed with Rocky and Zuma smiling at each other before smiling at Melody.

Wave was playing some kind of 3D arena fighting game on her TS6. She was really struggling against someone using a giant character. The cheater. "Well maybe, if you cheapskates, stopped maining giants, and learned how to play the game," Snow was watching Wave, and staying close in case she needed help calming down. "then I'd actually be able to FIGHT YOU INSTEAD OF WATCHING YOU SPAM THAT STUPID GIANT CHARGE CRAP!" Snow couldn't help snickering at how hard Wave was raging. "Seriously! You're too big to teleport that well!"

Snow decided to give Wave a helping paw. She knew how these types of people played. "Hey; dude who's cheating against Wave! If you don't let Wave go all out against you, then you're a spineless loser who rises from cheap gameplay!"

That caught the opponent off guard long enough to let Wave smack him aside. "Haha; thanks Snow!" Wave transformed in that moment, and now, she was really ready to go all out. "Let's see you giant dash spam against this!" Wave was able to go into full power mode and smack the enemy aside again. She used her ultimate attack, and landed it on her foe, earning her the win. She cheered when she got the win. "Yes! Giant mains suck!" Wave made one final jab at the character her opponent fought with. "Tell the dude you main to go on a diet!"

Snow burst out laughing upon hearing that from Wave. When Wave left the match, she leaned back in exhaustion. Despite her rage, she was proud of where she stood. "A1. I just got to A1. I'm almost at S class."

Snow knew Wave loved this game, but she also knew competing online brought out her harsh side. She laid her head down on her chest when expressing this. "If you ask me, you should just chill when you reach S class Wave." Wave looked at Snow, who shared some more insight. "Not everyone can reach X rank, especially not with opponents like that."

"It's easier said than done. Winning in ranked is just so addicting." Wave shared, making Snow laugh softly. "It's like beer if it couldn't kill you."

"Or cigarettes if they couldn't kill your lungs." Snow added jokingly, making Wave laugh as well. "I just mean that, you don't have to be the best. Just do what you know you can."

"Like I said. Easier said than done." Wave admitted. Thankfully, she knew where Snow was coming from. "I still have ten more battles before then. With how this game is, that should give me at least four hours." Snow knew that was Wave's way of saying she'd think about it. She always did when it came to advice. Her thoughtfulness was part of what drove Snow to her.

Zuma was feeding the ducks with Celeste, making sure she knew how to do it for these ones. "And make suwe you don't ovewfeed them. Libewty's gonna lose her mind if they'we given the wong amount of food."

"Okay, don't worry." Celeste assured Zuma softly. "I've seen you do it lots of times." Zuma was glad to hear that. Just then, something caught his eye. He looked and saw a familiar looking Border Collie. His heart stopped for just a moment when he saw it. It was only for a brief moment, but he couldn't help but wonder. Was that really him? It couldn't have been. They all got arrested on his tenth birthday. Luckily, Celeste snapped him out of it before he could have a panic attack. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"

Zuma looked at his worried mother. He didn't want to stress her out. He just hoped the Border Collie wasn't who he thought it was. "Sowwy mom. I thought I saw someone." Zuma stood up with Celeste, who saw how much this affected him. "He looked... familiaw, somehow."

Celeste rubbed her son's head for comfort. "Do you want to go home and rest?"

"Thanks, but I'll be okay." Zuma assured Celeste before giving a smile. "Besides. I'd hate to leave befowe we stawt eating."

Celeste took Zuma's word for it as they headed back to the picnic area. "Okay, but make sure to tell us if you're feeling off. We'll understand if you need to head home for any reason."

"Of couwse." Zuma replied assuredly. They returned to the picnic area to rejoin Rocky, Melody, and Gabe.

Rocky was tickling Melody's tummy while holding her when Zuma came back. "Who's the best future sister in law ever? Is it you? I think it's youuu."

Zuma sat down next to Rocky, unable to hide his joy over how he handled Melody. He really was an amazing brother in law to her. It was then that Zuma decided to start playing his new song. "Hey dad, can you pass me my guitaw?"

"One guitar coming up sport." Gabe grabbed Zuma's guitar case before handing it to him past Rocky and Melody.

"Thanks." Zuma made sure his guitar was perfectly tuned before he got started on his song. "Now I know we've been doing this once a month evew since the Paw Patwol began its stay in Adventuwe City. But the cities been thwough a lot since we came hewe. So I stawted thinking lately, that I wanted to show you all how much I love you." Zuma looked at Rocky and Melody, showing that this next part applied to them especially. "And how much I'm willing to pwotect you."

Rocky and Melody smiled alongside Gabe and Celeste when Zuma began his melody. After a few seconds, he began singing the lyrics to the song, Love and Care. "I hope theeewe's joy, inside of your heawts. Oh. And I hope I can give mowe. I do. I hope I can, help you to smile. Juuust like you always do for me. It's twue. I won't give anything less. Than the best fooor you. If someone twies to huwt you. I'll stop at nothing to help youuu-ou."

Zuma played a couple more guitar strums before continuing with his song. "Love and cawe. I'm always hewe to give it to you. Love and cawe. In the lives I'm glad we shaaawe." Melody held Rocky's paw, and Rocky held Melody. Zuma continued playing a they smiled to each other. "Love and cawe. If you fall down or stawt to cwy. Love and cawe. I'll be wight thewe to he-elp you."

Zuma played his guitar a bit more with Celeste wanting to hold Melody herself. "Hey Rocky. Mind if I take Melody back?"

"No need to ask. She's your daughter." Rocky assured Celeste, handing her Melody back and allowing the two to hug.

Zuma started singing again, really getting into the mood of his song. As he usually did. "I hope theeewe's joy. That you can shawe with me. Yeah. That feels gweat wight about now. It's twue." Zuma looked at Rocky, showing that these next lyrics applied to him especially. "I'll nevew fowget how you... helped me find myyyself. You made me happy again." Gabe and Celeste smiled gratefully to Rocky, who simply blushed. He was always flattered when reminded of all he did for Zuma. Zuma did a lot for him too. "What my heawt tells you is sooo twue."

Zuma played a couple more strums before starting the next set of lyrics. And when he looked at everyone again. "Love and cawe. I'm always hewe to give it to you. Love and cawe. In the lives I'm glad we shaaawe." Celeste couldn't be happier to see what Zuma was performing. He couldn't have made any better use of his guitar. "Love and cawe. If you fall down or stawt to cwy. Love and cawe. I'll be wight thewe to he-elp you."

Zuma played some more instrumentals of his song when Gabe noticed Celeste starting to get teary eyed. "Are you okay honey?"

"I'm just so proud of him." Celeste admitted joyfully. "He puts so much love into his music."

Zuma heard what Celeste said, and it made him even happier. As if he needed any help continuing his song. "Theeewe's so much that I want, I want to do. Theeewe's so much I want to do with all of you." Gabe and Celeste held paws as Zuma finished that section of the song. "As I gwow up with you. I hope you feel so too."

After two strums, Zuma continued singing through the third verse of the song. "Love and cawe. I'm always hewe to give it to you. Love and cawe. In the lives I'm glad we shaaawe." Zuma closed his eyes, allowing the melody of the song to carry him. "Love and cawe. If you fall down or stawt to cwy. Love and cawe. I'll be wight thewe to he-elp you."

Zuma looked at Melody, showing that she was also a major part of his desire to protect. "Love and cawe. I'm always hewe to give it to you. Love and cawe. In the lives I'm glad we shaaawe." He finished by looking at his parents. He was too grateful to them for giving him life not to. "Love and cawe. If you fall down or stawt to cwy. Love and cawe. I'll be wight thewe to he-elp you."

Zuma entered the final part of his song, which he had become fully engrossed with by that point. "All I want to shawe. Love and cawe. All I want to shawe." Rocky did his best not to cry with how touching the song was. "All I want to shawe." And when Zuma finished the final notes of the song, the strum played as he looked at Rocky, Melody, Celeste, and Gabe. Just as Zuma had hoped for, they all loved the song. He couldn't resist setting his guitar down and crawling over to Rocky to kiss his nose. It made him laugh due to how much it tickled.

Back at the HQ, Wave and Snow were helping Marshall and Claw recover from one of their duel wipeouts. This one got them trapped in Rocky's tool closet. Wave and Snow were looking for the key, and Snow had just texted Rocky for the location. She was glad he replied back so quickly. "Yes!"

Snow texted Rocky back to thank him, and Wave, knowing what it was, looked away from Rocky's top desk drawer to ask. "Where should we look?"

"Middle drawer on the right side of the desk." Snow answered, and Wave looked where she was instructed to. She beamed before she grabbed the key and ran over to help Marshall and Claw out. Wave opened the closet, allowing Marshall and Claw to fall out. Along with the blunt tools Rocky put in there. "Good thing there wasn't anything sharper than their dance moves."

Marshall and Claw got up, Marshall picking up one of the tools to put it back in. "We're okay!"

Wave and Snow got to helping too, as did Claw. As they started putting all the tools back in, Wave questioned the predicament with a snicker. "So, um... how did you get stuck in there again? You slipped on a blueprint Rocky left on the ground?"

"Either that or I knocked it down from his dresser." Marshall responded, putting more tools back as he thanked Wave and Snow for the save. "Thanks for getting us out of there. God knows what we would've had to breathe on in there."

"Thanks for putting THAT thought in my head." Snow deadpanned, grabbing the last of the tools and putting them in. "Thankfully, I already know how to wash it out. You two wanna join me and Wave in baking?"

"You know who you're asking that question to, right?" Marshall asked, jabbing at his horrible luck in the kitchen.

The four Canines laughed with Wave heading over to Rocky's desk to put the key back. Claw had his own input on the situation. "Marshall and I can settle for setting the timer. We can't possibly screw that up."

"I'm fine with anything you do help. Just as long as the cake doesn't turn into a 70s disco room." Wave's comment got the other three laughing as they all left for the elevator. Wave showed how serious she was when she gave Marshall and Claw her death glare. "But seriously. If you ruin this cake, you'll wish I didn't have as much spice as I did sugar." Marshall and Claw nodded nervously. Wave always was beyond serious about cooking. Snow patted her shoulder to calm her down. If anything showed that Wave didn't always have everything nice, it was bad cooking.

Zuma was finishing a call with Arrby, where he just finished giving him advice on how to handle a certain mission job. "Glad I could help Awwby. I'll see you back home." Zuma and Arrby hung up their phones, allowing Zuma to start heading back. But as soon as he took his first step, he heard a familiar voice.

"Hello Zuma."

Zuma stopped in his tracks, his heart stopping as soon as he did. As he looked ahead, the Canine who spoke to him was none other than the Border Collie he saw earlier. He was even more certain now. It had to be the Border Collie from his past. Zuma knew he couldn't escape this now. As soon as he spoke, the Canine would know who he was. How couldn't you recognize a Chocolate Labrador with HIS speech impediment? He clenched his fists before looking back; his stare ice cold. He kept his cool to avoid shouting, but he was anything but friendly. "Hello. Bloodfweak."

Bloodfreak put on a friendly smile as if he came for a friendly chat. "No need to be so hostile Zuma."

"You mean like the last time we met WASN'T you beating me with a baseball bat?" Zuma asked coldly. He turned to Bloodfreak as he continued his reminder. "Chawm may have made you do it, but you still let your gang attack my fwiends, who didn't have anything to do with us."

Bloodfreak sighed in a way that showed a hinge of remorse for that day. "And my gang and I got arrested. So we're even."

"We'we anything but even." Zuma declared. He started wondering why Bloodfreak was there. He still had at least one year left in prison. "How did you get out of pwison anyway?"

"One of our gang members who wasn't there at the time found out where we were." Bloodfreak explained, continuing his friendly persona as he did. "Ya know, it's funny. He said the place reminded him of you."

Bloodfreak laughed a bit as he left Zuma wondering what he meant by that. Zuma decided not to think about it too hard. He wanted to end this fast, feeling he already let it drag on for too long. "Whatevew dude. You cleawly didn't want to stop me for a fwiendly chat. Assuming you knew my team and I were in Adventuwe City."

Bloodfreak wasn't surprised at how well Zuma read him. A year of gang life will increase someone's perception in some cases. So on Zuma's request, Bloodfreak got to the point. "I can't get anything past you. Can I Zuma." Zuma crossed his arms, allowing Bloodfreak to make his case. "My gang and I set up the best base we could with what we have left. But we're still struggling. Our combat skill is all we have left." Bloodfreak's eyes showed compassion. But his voice had just a hint of desperation. "How would you like to come back to my gang?"

Zuma couldn't believe the nerve Bloodfreak had to ask him that. But he knew yelling at him would get Melody's attention. He didn't want her to know about this part of his past. "Not intewested." Bloodfreak was prepared for that response. Him putting his paws in his pockets showed it didn't make him happy though. "The Paw Patwol will have to stop you eventually. I think you can guess that." Zuma looked at Bloodfreak fiercely as he finished. "But othew than that, I don't want anything to do with you, or your gang."

Bloodfreak took a deep breath before replying. He acted as if he respected Zuma's decision. "Fair enough. I did kick you out for helping a comrade after all." Zuma was at least glad Bloodfreak realized THAT mistake. It helped Zuma believe that was it. Just for a bit. Bloodfreak got all he needed, so he bidded Zuma farewell. "You can return to your family now Zuma. Sorry for wasting your time."

"I'd say you wasted your OWN time mowe." Zuma retorted, turning to head back to his family. "See you awound Bloodfweak." Zuma walked off, and Bloodfreak watched as he did. Zuma returned to his family, and as soon as he did, he started hugging Melody after picking her up. Rocky also came up to him as they shared a loving kiss. Celeste and Gabe were happy as well when sharing a sandwich. Bloodfreak paid extra attention to Melody. He'd been observing Zuma since he found him, and had figured out that his family was the best way to use him.

And Melody was the easiest of them to use.

Back at the HQ, Wave was pulling out the cake she was making with Snow, Marshall, and Claw. It was chocolate fudge with strawberry filling, and it had three layers on it. When she pulled it out, she carefully put it on the counter and went to pick which knife to cut it with later. It would be a challenge since it was a big cake. But Wave never minded, especially since she loved baking big cakes. And cakes in general. Claw snickered a bit before starting a little joke with Marshall and Snow. "Hey Marshall, Snow. What's a dairy product you have to cut just like cake."

Marshall and Snow darted eyes at each other before looking back at Claw. Snow attempted to stop Claw when he lifted his butt up. "Claw, don't you-"

PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHT

...Claw cut a loud and bassy ten second fart from his vibrating butt. The green cloud of rotten meat covered the area, leaving Snow to cover her nose and waft it away with Marshall doing the same. Snow was disgusted with Marshall going to open a window as Wave covered the cake. Once Marshall opened the window, Claw started laughing at his joke. "Hey, now that Chase is away, someone's gotta gas up the fort."

"Remind me to get you a thank you gift for filling that role." Snow requested sarcastically as Marshall went back over to his seat.

Wave went over to the others to let them know about the cake thing. "No big deal guys. I managed to cover the cake in time, so we'll all still be able to eat it by the time dessert comes!"

"Thank goodness for that. I know you put your heart and soul into that." Marshall said empathetically, which Wave appreciated. Marshall clearly knew how much she put into her food. Claw's expulsion also led to an admission from Marshall. "I gotta admit Claw. It's hard to remember you used to be a knight sometimes. You've as far from regal as they come."

Claw snickered a bit before assuring Marshall he took his job seriously. "I made sure not to fart in front of others on the job if that's what you mean."

"Oh no, I just mean that personality wise, you don't really act like knights normally would." Marshall clarified, and that got Claw thinking for a bit. Marshall also made sure to let Claw know what he meant by it. "It's not a bad thing. It's just that, you have the experience in combat and duty. I was surprised when we met, and I found out you were as immature as Zuma."

Claw was still thinking about Marshall's words, but he understood what he was saying. To show this, he grinned when recalling where he lived. "What can I say? I spent a year with Zuma in an orphanage, and then I lived out my days with an adopted sister who had similar quirks, but tried harder to hide them." Claw knew his friends wouldn't want him to change for them. But he did start thinking about when he would grow up. "Do you think I'll become... more regal, when I'm older?"

Wave, Marshall, and Snow all looked at each other with uncertainty. They couldn't doubt, or be sure, that it would happen. Still, they wanted to support Claw, which Marshall started off. "We can't say for sure. But we'll still love you Claw. Regal or not."

Wave had some advice for Claw that might help him. "Just think about what you want the most for yourself. That can help you grow, and learn more about yourself more naturally." Wave pointed to the daisy in her ear as a reminder of her biggest life change. "Like it did for me."

"And you DO have one quality of a knight." Snow said, pointing this out to help Claw see it. "You have a heart that drives to protect." Claw was touched when Snow pointed that out. Even more so when she stated the moment he showed that to her. "At least... that's what I saw when you helped us on Jake's Mountain." While Claw wasn't the biggest fan of WHY he ended up with the Paw Patrol, he couldn't be happier that he became a member. To him, they really were the perfect Canine family.

Meanwhile, with Rocky, Zuma, and the Thornes, Rocky was finishing a call with Charm about his status in the fencing tournament. "I'll be sure to tell them. Avoid vexations if you can Charm. I love you." Charm said he loved Rocky too before the brothers hung up. Rocky happily shared the news with Zuma and the family after the hang up. "Charm won! He's coming home with his trophy tomorrow!"

"That's awesome! I'm so happy for him!" Zuma exclaimed, hugging Rocky tight as he continued expressing his joy. "I knew he could do it Wolfy!"

"I never doubted him for a second!" Rocky stated happily, and Zuma let him go as they continued heading back to the HQ. "Now then. I think Zuma said something about watching this movie he thought Melody would like?"

An ice cream truck was coming around the corner. And at the wheel was a female Canadian Eskimo Dog. She made a turn around the corner as Zuma was explaining the movie to Melody. "And the silent pwotagonist thing doesn't huwt the movie at all."

Melody got distracted by the ice cream truck, her eyes beaming with joy when she saw. "Icy creamer!" Zuma and the others saw the ice cream truck too. Melody, being the little puppy she was, was more than excited to get some. "Can I get some icy creamer please?"

Celeste tickled Melody lightly while holding her. "Melody, we just finished our lunch."

"I'm okay with only one scooper." Melody promised, showing that she'd learned to compromise at her young age. "That cookie Wave made me helped me fill my sugar meter."

Celeste and Gabe shared a glance with Gabe expressing his thoughts. "I think one scoop should be fine."

"Okay, but only one scoop." Celeste agreed. "And on a waffle cone."

"Yes mommy." Melody agreed, and they all headed over to the ice cream truck together.

The Canadian Eskimo Dog got ready once Zuma and the others headed over to the truck. Zuma took out his wallet to get himself a scoop. "I might as well get something too. I'm cwaving coconut ice cweam wight now."

The Eskimo opened the hatch to her truck before getting ready to take the family's orders. "Why hello there! What a happy family we have here. What can I get for you?"

Zuma felt something off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. So he decided to just order his ice cream. "I'll take a scoop of coconut ice cweam please. On a sugaw cone if you can."

Celeste looked to Melody so she could order her own scoop. Melody instantly pointed to the strawberry ice cream. "The pink one please!"

"Strawberry?" The Eskimo asked, and Melody nodded her head yes, allowing the Eskimo to get it ready. "Is that everything?" Celeste gave a thumbs up, allowing the Eskimo to get started. "Alright then. I'll get your cones ready." The Eskimo made a suspicious move by moving in between the ice cream and pulling open some kind of button.

Zuma instantly saw this, as did Rocky, while Gabe and Celeste were distracted tickling Melody. The two instantly tried to warn them of the danger. "It's a trap!"

But it was too late. The Eskimo had already pushed the button. This led to Zuma and the others getting surrounded by some kind of weird smoke. They all started coughing as the Eskimo put a mask on. One by one, they all fell to the ground. While Rocky's demon blood didn't stop him from being knocked out, he was up for just a little bit longer. This allowed him to see what the Eskimo was doing when he collapsed. She walked past him and over to Celeste, taking Melody from her paws. Rocky grabbed her paw to try and stop her. "Let... let her go!"

But the knockout gas was so strong that he couldn't hold on that well. The Eskimo kicked him to ensure he was knocked out. She was just lucky she wasn't fighting them without this advantage. If she had, she would've lost instantaneously. She opened up the back of her truck and set Melody down inside. She tied her up to a strap before closing the truck and heading back to the driver's seat. She drove off, but not before making sure everyone else was knocked out in the area.

The Eskimo drove through the city; after having shut the gas off of course. This allowed her to make her way to where she had to go. She set the truck to auto-drive upon selecting her location. This was because she had a call to make. And it was to none other than Bloodfreak! When he answered the call, he hoped it was good news. "Lottie! Good to hear from ya. Does that mean you pulled it off?"

"Sure did Bloodfreak. I'll be at the rendezvous point in no time." Lottie answered, driving in the direction of the Adventure City harbor. Her truck was shown driving along the road to her destination.

Bloodfreak and Lottie were moving Melody from the ice cream truck to the speedboat. They made sure Melody was tied up to the back seat. Once they got into the front seats, Bloodfreak gave their driver the go ahead. "We're good to go Nigel."

"Roger that." Nigel, an American Water Spaniel, started driving off to the new base of Bloodfreak's gang.

Lottie had a couple questions for Bloodfreak on the way back. The first one was one Bloodfreak expected her to have. "Tell me Bloodfreak. We have around fifty something gang members, our own base, a speedboat, and all the equipment we need to pull off this heist." Bloodfreak gave Lottie his attention when she asked the actual question. "Why did you tell Zuma we were barely getting by?"

"Because I used almost everything we had left for this mission." Bloodfreak explained, expressing his desperation to save the gang. "I know it's a longshot, but we need Zuma in our gang. I took him and Paleclaw for granted back then, and since Paleclaw's dead, Zuma's our last chance at a resurgence." Bloodfreak sighed, looking over his side of the boat with one more thought in mind. "I'm just surprised everyone agreed so easily. Now all we can afford right now is food and water."

Lottie placed a paw on Bloodfreak's shoulder, showing that she cared about him. "Then we'll do everything we can to see it through."

Bloodfreak always appreciated how much his gang was there for him, and for each other. He wished he embraced unity more sooner. But now wasn't the time for that. They had to focus on forcing Zuma back into the gang. "Thanks Lottie."

Lottie had one more question for Bloodfreak before they got back. "About Zuma's sister. How will capturing her bring Zuma to us? He doesn't even know where we've set up."

"I gave him a hint he should hopefully decipher." Bloodfreak answered, hoping that Zuma would be as clever as he remembered. "He'll be deadset on putting two and two together to save her. I watched the kid. He values his family more than anything."

"I don't think I need to guess why you picked the puppy then." Lottie replied. Something else came to her mind then. Something she felt she should've explained over the phone. "Before we get back to base. One of them managed to stay awake long enough to see who I took." Bloodfreak was surprised to hear that. He could've sworn the gas was strong enough. How did one of them stay awake? "It was only for a bit, but the fluffy gray one saw me. He even grabbed my hind paw to keep me there."

Bloodfreak saw how much harder this was going to be compared to what he originally thought. He not only bargained with Zuma's return, and his gang's fate, but also the difficulty of fighting the entire Paw Patrol. He was aware that all of this would be a risk. But now, he had to worry about one of them apparently being able to withstand the kind of knockout gas they were able to supply themselves with. Bloodfreak simply smiled. This extra challenge seemed to excite him. Just like the challenge of getting Zuma back. "This'll be one hell of a comeback."

The speedboat drove off into the sunset with Lottie only having one thing to say. "You said it Bloodfreak."

To be continued

Rock music started playing as Zuma started talking about what was going to happen with specific moments from the next chapter being shown. "Bloodfweak, you psycho! I'm gonna wip evewy one of your limbs off! Oh god, she must be scawed for her life wight now. I should've taken mom's suggestion to go home eawly! Don't wowwy mom and dad. I'll get Melody back. Just sit tight, and I'll make suwe he pays for this. Now whewe could he be? Wait a minute. He couldn't be!"

Zuma finished the announcement with the words Paw Patrol in all blue with red outlines surrounded with a white border with Wave on the right, and Marshall on the left. "Next time, My Tie To Cut Pawt Two!" Zuma was about to start parkouring to his location from the HQ roof late at night, only for Wave to be shown behind him. "I'm not getting them involved in this. This is my job!"