CH 1: Debris
``The B cord still sounds out of tune.''
Rocky thought to himself. He was hunkered down near his pup house converted into his recycle truck. When the pup wasn't playing with the other members from the paw patrol, Rocky could be found tinkering or fixing something. Never one to throw something away, the pup always tried to find use in old trash or discarded items which he could turn into something more practical. This item was giving him some new difficulties though. His yellow and blue colored guitar, a staple for him to use when the pups were to perform live music for the town of Adventure Bay. Rocky was currently trying to tune it between the claw arms that sprung from his backpack. Just trying to get it sound right.
``Doesn't sound too bad though!''
Rocky wasn't alone. A familiar young bulldog sat across from him, watching him attend to his instrument. Rocky had asked Rubble with some help regarding a composition he was working on. He figured that Rubble being a DJ and the primary composer for the pups when they played music, would be able to give him some pointers. Admittedly he has been waiting for a little while now as he watched his friend adjust the cords of the guitar. He couldn't help but feel that his friend was being a perfectionist with whatever he was going to attempt to play.
``Alright! I think that should just about do it!''
Rocky beamed in excitement. It was short lived, with a sudden creak, the B-chord had suddenly snapped. Both pups yelped in surprise, Causing Rocky to drop the instrument.
``Whoa!''
``You ok Rocky?!''
``Yeah, I am...''
The pups heart sunk as he stared down at his guitar. While still intact, the B cord could not be fixed in the condition it was in. Rocky knew he'd have to find a replacement. Easier said than done with something so specific. A soft wine came from his snout, he gritted his canines hard. Feeling the need to do something he and the other pups did so rarely.
``Heck!''
Rubble gasped in Shock, putting paws over his mouth.
``Rocky...language''
``I'm sorry...I'm just peeved off. I should have let well enough alone'' Another sad wine came from his mouth. His ears flatten in response. Rubble approached his friend.
``It's ok, we can replace it, I'm sure you might have something in your truck that might do the trick.''
``Possibly, I haven't scrounged up anything in the last few days though'' Rocky was grateful that new trash hasn't popped up to often around the town. Means that a lot of folks are doing their part and recycling or upcycling what they need to. Though it means that his stash of stuff in his truck has been much smaller lately.
``I could maybe use an old Bicycle brake cable, the wiring in that might be able to fix it.''
``That's a great idea Rocky!''
``Could take a little bit of time to find something like that, I don't want to keep you waiting any longer...''
``It's all good. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly were you going to play me anyway?''
The Construction pup turned his head curiously. Rocky felt shy all the sudden. His claw arm scratched at the back of his ear nervously. It always assumed him how much his tools seem to always pick up on what he's needs, even in awkward times like these.
``Well, it's a rendition of a song I know. I've been practicing on and off, I wanted you to hear it first to see how it sounded.''
``Oh! Awesome! But Rocky, I don't think I've ever seen you practice around us.''
``Yeah...It's been a private thing for me, due to the nature of the song. It's sort of a personal.''
Rocky Blushed a little. Not knowing if he wanted to give any more details.
``Aww you don't have to be embarrassed to play around me and the other pups Rocky.''
``It's not so much the other pups. Just sort of one pup in particular'' He muttered.
Rubble confusion only furthered.
``What do you mean?''
Rocky figured that Rubble had a hard time understanding or noticing certain things going on around the lookout. It wasn't too long ago that two of their prominent members, Chase and Marshall, had become more than friends. Though Rocky was aware of the feelings that both pups had for one another long before they ended up together, Rubble not so much. However, now he found himself in a very similar situation. Ever since his friends had ended up with one another, Rocky felt the courage to finally confess something to a certain pup.
``Well...you see...''
Beep Beep!
Both of their pup tags flashed. Ryder needed them. Rocky breathed a small sigh of relief before saying in unison with Rubble.
``Ryder needs us!''
Rocky placed his guitar back in his truck before taking off with Rubble towards the lookout.
``WwwRrrr...red...Red''
``Very good'' Skye said. Putting down the index card she had in her snout before grabbing another one from the stack next to her.
``Try this one now.''
She held a new card in her mouth. The bright bold letters stood in sight of the pup she was presenting them too. The chocolate lab stared at it for a bit, mouthing out the words from his snout.
``Rwa..Rwa...Rwather''
``Rather, one more time! Rather!''
``Rwa...Rather''
Zuma had to enunciate it with some effort. All though he got it, it still didn't feel right slipping off his tongue. It was like the words were being forcibly pulled from his mouth instead of naturally said out loud.
``You're doing pretty good so far Zuma.''
``Thanks Skye, I apprweaite the help''
Zuma paused, realizing he just let it slip again. Skye noticed it too.
``Oops''
``Hehehe it's ok, let's keep going.''
``Alwright. I mean! Alright!''
Zuma bit his lower lip. There it was again, that dreaded letter giving him all the trouble. One that he was set to dominate within his vocabulary. With Skye offering some assistance, that is.
Zuma had dwelt with this lisp for the entirety of his pup hood, and he was determined to try and get over it at this point. He didn't want to admit it, but the unintentional mispronunciation of words he used, started to bother him a lot more recently. He had asked Skye if she could help him try and get over his lisp and she was more than happy to assist her friend. He would have asked Chase and Marshall for help, but he figured the love birds could use a lot more quality time with each other, not that he could separate them if he wanted too. There was also a certain pup he originally wanted to ask, but he seemed more preoccupied now days...Which disappointed the water pup. He could usually count on him for anything. There wasn't a day where they wouldn't talk or hang out together. Maybe he needed some space? Zuma didn't want to dwell on it too much. Bringing his attention back his friend
Before they could continue their lesson, their pup tags beeped and both pups hopped up. Luckily both were already in the lowest portion inside of the look out. Giving them quick access to the elevator as the other pups joined. Marshall was the third to follow them.
``Hey! I'm not the last one in this timeEEEEP!''
``Whoa Dude!''
``Watch out!''
The black spotted pup yelped and leaped on top of Skye and Zuma, Behind Marshall stood a familiar German shepherd pup. He was on all four and his head was bent down. Looks like the pup took it upon himself to nip Marshall slightly on his rear. A cheeky look on his face.
``Sorry Marshall, I just couldn't resist.''
The fire pup quickly got off his two friends before approaching Chase.
``It's ok, I know I can be quite a Butt..Traction! Get it? Like Distraction?!''
Skye and Chase giggled but Zuma rolled his eyes unamused. That pun was a stretch even for Marshall. Chase eagerly greeted his boyfriend with a quick lick to his snout which Marshall returned. Zuma smiled at that; it made him happy to see his friends being so affectionate with one other. Though it sort of made the lab feel like he was missing out on something...
``Aww did we miss Marshall's pun?''
Rubble called out. As the pup made his way into the elevator. A familiar scent caught Zuma's attention. He didn't need eyes to see Rocky trailing right behind Rubble. Since he was pup who actively avoided baths and water if he could, Rocky's scent was something most of the pups grew accustom too. It wasn't bad scent, far from it. At least that's what Zuma thought, His tail wagged slow as Rocky sat next to him.
``Hey Zuma, Was the punch line worth being the first in the elevator?''
``Oh no dude, it def wasn't heheh''
Rocky giggled along with him and the rest of the pups as they made their way up.
``Thank for hurrying pups. We got a very serious situation to deal with.''
Ryder stood proud among the pups in front of him. The gang listened closely.
``Do you all remember a few days back when we pulled those wooden crates floating in the bay?''
``Oh yeah! The ones with all those hats?'' Rocky asked
``Exactly, and a few days prior to that when we pulled those sacks of rotten food from the bay as well?''
``Yeah dude, such a waste and totally not cool if one of those had tworn open in the water'' Zuma replied.
``A very good point Zuma, but now Cap'n Turbot has just informed me that another set of random debris has been spotted floating along the bay again, we think this is no longer a coincidence and that someone is deliberately polluting the water''
All the pups gasped in concern. Zuma turned his head to look at Rocky, A sad and angered expression had appeared on his face. Rocky was all about proper trash disposal and recycling, to hear that someone is deliberately throwing trash anywhere they liked with so little regard to those around them, it just upset the recycle pup beyond measured. Zuma was right there with him; the ocean was his favorite place in the whole world. He couldn't bare the idea of someone hurting it, especially if it meant Rocky got hurt as well.
``That's horwible dude! We gotta do something!''
``Agreed Zuma, That's why we're going try something a little different this time around. We're going to do a little stakeout.''
Using his pad, he scrolled through before landing on Chase's Tag
``Spy Chase, I am going to need your drone and spy gear to scan the area.''
``Spy Chase is on the case!''
The shepherd said proudly. Marshall looked love struck at the police pup. A big goofy smile on his face. Zuma couldn't help but smile at his expression.
``Zuma, I am going to need your hover craft to help do some reconnaissance both above and under water to find out who is behind this.''
``Let's dive in!'' Zuma barked.
``Pick me...Please Pick me'' Thought Rocky as Ryder scrolled through his pad. The Recycle pup would have normally avoided ever going near water but this was a big exception. He wanted to help clean things up on the bay, He wanted to make sure things were properly disposed of and recycled, but he also had another reason to go. A much more personal one.
``And Rocky, I am going to need your Tugboat to lift the debris out of the bay!''
``YEEEES!'' Rocky barked. Catching everyone off guard. Even causing Ryder to raise an eyebrow.
``Uhh...I mean...Green means Go!''
The pups all laughed at his response.
``Eager aren't we Rocky?'' Ryder joked. ``All Right! Paw Patrol is on a roll!''
The pups all cheered and got in their positions, Chase was the first down the slide, followed by Zuma. Rocky was the last to slide down. With each pup in their respected vehicles, the team raced off after Ryder. Rocky was determined than ever to assist on this mission, but it also gave him a very good opportunity. One he was waiting for some time now, when things were said and done on this mission, He was going to get more than one thing accomplished today. If only his guitar didn't have a broken string...He'd have to figure something else out.
