Rocky raced in front of Zuma, determined to protect his pup at all costs. The lab was surprised at his boyfriend's sudden action. Ducking his head under Rocky to get a better view of whatever popped out of the water. As the waves parted and surface tension broke. The gang caught sight not one large monster but a familiar vessel. A metal seahorse which jutted just above the water. From the center of the vehicle, the pups saw a pup with fur like that of Skyes. Long blue strands running against her fluffy ears.
``Hi pups!''
``Coral!''
Skye immediately landed her helicopter nearby, racing out past the other pups and leaping into the water. Seeming not to care if she got soaked. Rocky quickly backed up from the approaching splash back, Zuma couldn't help but giggle. The other pups breathed a sigh of relief. Ryder included as they watched Coral leap from her vehicle and hug her doggy paddling cousin. The pair eventually headed towards the shore, shaking excess water off their fur.
``I wasn't expecting you all to be here! What a surprise!''
``Long time no see Coral.'' Ryder said.
``Are you all coming to Puplantis with Cap'n Turbot? He was supposed to stop by today. I decided to swing by to drop off some...''
``Actually Coral, Captain is a little shook up right now.'' Chase added.
``Oh no! is he alright?''
``Something big came out of the sea last night!'' Rocky exclaimed.
``Like waaay big dude.''
``Guys! What happened?!''
The gang turned towards a pacing Marshall and Cap'n Turbot. Predictably, the dalmatian tripped over his two left paws and flew directly into Skye. Sending them both back into the waves. The gang held back their laughter.
``Marshall! I'm not a merpup! Hehehe'' Skye yipped.
Coral looked up towards the weary looking captain.
``Cap'n turbot! I'm so glad you're ok! What happened?''
``Something of ginormous proportions came out of the sea and swiped most of my equipment. Have you seen a beast like this before?''
Captain kneeled to show the image to her. Like the rest of the pups, Coral tilted her head at the sight.
``I'm sorry Captain, I haven't seen a sea creature like that before.''
``That's what I thought, it could be quite the discovery. If weren't so...uh...menacing.''
``Shame the big fella ruined your day Cap'n.'' Zuma said with sympathy.
``It's all good Zuma, I may not be able to head to Puplantis to see the merpups but we can still conduct research here if need be. Coral, I take you and your friend have already brought back some supplies?''
``Yip yip! All set up too.''
``What do you mean? What's going on?'' Rocky asked.
``Well pups, going to Puplantis wasn't my only goal for today. It was to meet up with Coral to continue working on our little project.''
``A project?''
``Just a little something to monitor things in that big ol' ocean of ours. Perhaps this could help us solve our current predicament.''
``Follow me this way pups!''
The team were led back towards the light house, they followed the shore to several large rocks that sat against one part of the land. The pups carefully hopped across some of the smaller rocks in their path. While doing so, Rocky looked out to sea and noticed a small stone wall just a few feet from the shore in front of them. Waves would hit the wall and send ripples of water gently flowing towards them. As the water splashed against the stones, Rocky noticed one slowly bob in and out of the water. It looked surprisingly metallic.
``No way! Whoa!''
The curious pup turned back towards his boyfriend. His call was drowned out by the other pups, awing at what they were looking at. There along the side the island was a large cave. A path of sand and stone leading into its massive cavern.
``A few moons ago, I had discovered this cove that had formed after lots of heavy waves!'' Turbot said.
``That's soo cool!''
``It gets even cooler Zuma!'' Coral added.
As the gang made their way forward, they noticed a lot of the cavern had been hollowed out. Plenty of sand littered the floor but what caught the pup's attention was the number of string lights that ran across the roof of the cave. Weaving across the curved roof. Cap'n Turbot had managed to run electricity through this cove and Rocky marveled at the sight. The pup also noticed what looked to be a water sampler system tucked in one corner of the cove. PVC pipes stuck from it and ran up the walls and down to the cave floor. Several maps were pinned to one portion of the cave. Pins and strings marking certain locations the captain had visited. Zuma was quick to see how far Adventure Bay was from Puplantis, noticing a sticky note on one portion simply labeled ``Uncharted.''
``Wow! This is amazing!''
The recycled pups echo ran up the cave and back towards them. Getting a giggle from the group. All except Coral.
``Hehehe yeah but you might not want too...''
``Hello!'' Marshall added, the echo following back.
``Marco!'' Skye yipped out.
``Polo!'' Chase barked back. The wall vibrated with their giggles. Rocky and Zuma were more transfixed by the massive ocean research setup they had going on.
``Dude, this is seriously sick.''
``Indeed, keeping all my navigation and biology equipment in the lighthouse proved to be a little cumbersome. Up until Coral paid me a visit to one day.''
``We've been going back and forth from my home to this cove to document everything the captain sees during his day trips!''
``Did you manage to build this all by yourself?''
``Oh no, Coral gave me some assistance, with some mechanical help from...''
A sharp bark arose from the back of the cavern. The pups seized their laughter. Jumping at the ruff that echoed off the walls towards them.
``Uh oh!'' Coral said with worry. The pups noticed a number of what looked to be tentacles shadowed along the walls of the cave. They pups braced for whatever they might see, content on at least encountering one strange creature at this point. They got the exact opposite though.
``McSquidly! Ughh! This is the last time I let you sleep on my face! I can't see!''
To their surprise, what greeted them was a familiar Portuguese water dog. A blue shriek on the top of his fluffy brown head. Least from what the pups could see, a yellow squid was settled on most of his snout. More likely stuck on there. The grumpy pup used his mechanical tentacle to pry his friend off.
``Bow wow wee! Can't a pup get some peace and quiet around here?!''
``Moby?!'' the team said in unison.
He gave a sharp scowl towards the group.
``Oh great...Aqua pups...Or is it just Paw patrol for top siders?''
The grumpy pup retracted his mechanical arms and stared at them. Coral quickly approached.
``Sorry Moby, I just wanted to show my friends all the hard work we've been doing!''
``Wait a minute.'' Rocky turned back to Turbot ``Moby helped y'all build this?''
``Indeed so!'' Cap'n Turbot exclaimed.
``I know Moby can be quite the troublemaker in Puplantis but we came to an agreement. One he would benefit from if he helped!'' Coral explained. ``I brought him up to surface to help me and Cap'n Turbot build this research station for us to use and in return...''
``I, get a place on the surface. All to myself when these two aren't using it. That way, I can get away from all that singing and dancing back home.'' Moby said, rolling his eyes towards the merpup.
``Oh! So that was your ship I saw outside then.'' Rocky exclaimed.
``Exactly, though it's a little difficult to have an afternoon nap when Coral brings pups here unannounced.''
Coral gave a small whimper towards the grumpy pup.
``Sorry Moby.''
The pup continued to scowl but seemed to have accepted her apology.
``So y'all been doing your research here for the time being?'' Zuma asked.
``Coral and Moby have been very helpful in providing valuable material from the ocean floor. I was going to puplantis to take some samples of their pearls and shell structures. Plus, it's always fun to see the merpups frolic!''
``Shame you can't go out exploring now Cap'n but we can use this place to try and track the creature! See if we can explore the bay and find any clues!'' Chase said.
``Yeah! We can even use our Aqua pup subs to search!'' Marshall added.
``Uh.... Creature?'' Moby asked with a raised eyebrow.
``A big one! With bright yellow eyes!''
``Hmmph, haven't seen something like that before. Have you McSquidly?''
The squid shrugged at his fluffy friend.
The gang seemed to have concluded that they wanted to assist and find the creature, though Ryder seemed to be lost in thought.
``Ryder sir? Is something wrong?''
``I don't think it's that simple pups. We have an unknown creature that could be causing havoc, but even with our subs and the whale patroller, it doesn't seem likely we'd have a lead to where it might strike next.''
``Ya'll are talking about exploring a vast ocean to find one animal. I don't think you can spare all your pups for one fella.'' Moby said with quelled smugness.
``Moby, don't be so negative.'' Coral reacted.
``It's not negative! It's being realistic.''
``I hate to say it, But Moby might actually have a point.'' Ryder said.
Rocky could have sworn he saw Moby quietly mouth ``Usually am.''
``It could take some time to find this animal if it doesn't come up to the surface for a while. Who knows when that could be. We're needed in Adventure Bay pups. I can't have you all split up to search for it and monitor activity back home at the same time.''
The pups looked at one another. Sharing a small whimper together. It was rare for Ryder to deny the pups on going on a mission, but it was understandable. This was a difficult predicament that presented itself to the team. One where they couldn't spare every pup to help. Zuma on the other hand, had a slight smile on his face. Like he had been given the opportunity of a lifetime. He slowly approached their leader.
``Ryder dude.... I mean sir. What if, I stayed here?''
``What?!'' Rocky barked in surprise.
``I mean, For the time being. I know these waters like the back of my paw and can help Coral navigate and chart any sightings we see of the creature. My hover craft has all the tech on board to track what I can. Then I can report it back to you''
Ryder raised any eyebrow at the lab, Rocky had hoped that their leader would reconsider it.
``I...haven't had much to do these last few months. I think my skill set can really help with finding where this big dude is.''
``That's not a bad idea Zuma. I know things have been a little slow with water-based missions.''
Rocky looked at his boyfriend nervously. Stepping forward next to him.
``If Zuma is staying, I'm going to stay too.''
``Hold on there Rocky, While I know you want to be close to Zuma, I need you back at the lookout.''
``But...''
``Aww Ryder! You can let him stay, can you?''
Chase was quick to back up the pair. Marshall followed suit.
``Yeah! We'll be careful not breaking our gear or anything! That way Rocky doesn't need to fix them!''
``Yip! Yeah, don't want to pull the love birds away from each other.''
The team gave the biggest puppy eyes towards their leader. Coral smiled at the team's wiliness to keep the pair together. Ryder sighed low. Knowing he couldn't say no to those faces. He looked towards the captain.
``Does that sound ok with you Cap'n Turbot?''
``Long as it's ok with Coral and Moby, I certainly don't mind!''
``Yay! I'd love to show you some of my favorite spots in the ocean Zuma. I'm sure Moby would appreciate your help in the cove Rocky.''
``No way, I don't want other pups here! We had a deal remember?''
``They can stay in the light house!''
``Eh...I don't know.''
Coral gave a pleading look to the pup. Imitating the same puppy eyes her friends gave. He didn't seem convinced but went along with it.
``Do what you want, just don't stay in here when I'm around. I like my space.''
``Well, pups, Looks like we got a plan in place. If you all agree, Give me a howl!'' Ryder shouted.
The pups all howled in agreement. Rocky was very happy to see Zuma so excited to be out and helping on a mission, but fear had lingered in the back of his mind. He couldn't help but worry about whatever they'd encounter in the sea. If he could stay near his boyfriend, he could try to keep him safe.
Moby covered his ears at the cheering. His squid pal eagerly jumped back on his head. Covering his ears to provide some relief. Giving an inquisitive squeak towards him.
``Thanks buddy.''
The curious cephalopod gave another squeak in questioned; In English it'd probably translate to something like ``Too much noise?''
Moby rolled his eyes.
``Worse, too much company.''
