A New Perspective Chapter 9 Working Tension

Everyone was hard at work...and boy...the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Ryder and Relic were working at opposite ends of the room, and even the pups noticed how Ryder deliberately went out of his way to avoid Relic. “Yikes, it's s..super tense here.” Zuma said nervously. “Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen Ryder this upset before...” Chase replied. “Can you blame him?” Fang said walking up to them. “This guy not only faked his death, and left his sister to die....but left without even trying to make a mends with Charles, he's just despicable!”Fang said coldly. Skye looked at him. “Yes, I know what he did...but at least he's trying his best to make a mends now...do you have any idea how hard it must have been to call Charles up?” “Yeah, well to little to late in my opinion...he's lucky Ryder agreed to work with him at all. Shows how much more of a man he is then Relic.” Fang replied. Chase looked at Ryder worried. “He is just like that...we put up with a lot from Mayor Humdinger...and he always sets aside his feelings to help him out...I just hope we can get through this...” Ryder overheard them thanks to his new hearing and looked at them and sighed. “Hey Relic how's it coming, any progress?” He said looking at him. “Not yet...I've been reading all the records of all the transformations that happened over the Canis Tribe's history...but it seems not one wanted to change back.” “Not surprising, once they found they were able to be one with their sacred animal...it makes sense they'd rather be like that for the rest of their lives.” Lora replied sitting next to him. “Ryder, why don't you go get some air and work with your friends. Me and Charles will let you know if we find anything.” “You sure? I am the one who needs it.” Ryder asked him. “Yeah, at this point it might be best for me and Charles to bounce ideas off each-other.”  Ryder looked at Charles. “Go ahead Ryder, for once he has a point...don't worry I'll keep an eye on him.” Charles said looking back at him.

With that Ryder and everyone else left, but Ryder noticed the pups seemed uneasy. He sighed and said. “Okay guys, I'm sorry I worried you...it's just...seeing him really stung...” “Well it's no wonder, what he did was unforgivable!” Fang said to him. “However, if it means getting back to my.....old life...I'm willing to suck it up.” Katie and even Lora noticed how he seemed sad when he said “old life.” “Ryder, we'll always be by your side...and we will change you back I promise.” Chase said putting his paw on his back. “Yeah, there has to be a way!” Zuma said. Katie cleared her throat. “Well, how about we go over to my place and get some food?” Everyone cheered and went over to her place. Once there Katie poured everyone some food, and even though Ryder ate it a couple times...it still felt awkward eating the same food his pups were. Lora looked at Ryder sadly...and then at Katie. “Hey Katie was it?” Katie looked at her and said. “Yes, what is it Lora?” “You see it too...Ryder doesn't want to change back...” Katie sighed. “Yes, I do...he keeps thinking everyone depends on him...and while they do...that doesn't mean he has to force himself to do something he doesn't want to...I...I just wish he would be honest with himself...” Lora looked at her. “You really care about him don't you...” Katie looked at him. “Yeah, Ryder isn't just a person people can depend on...but he is a friend who is always there when anyone needs it...he is so much like his mom...” Lora looked at her with shock...”could...could she have feelings for him!?” she thought. She shook her head. “I'm going to get fed myself.” she said pouring herself a bowl. She then dug in looking at Ryder thinking. “You poor kid...either choice you make...there is going to be a price...I just hope....you make the right one...” she said looking one last time at Katie before she ate her food.

Ryder looked at his friends. “So guys, what is on the game play for today?” Ryder asked finishing his meal. “Not sure Ryder sir, our vehicles are in good shape so we don't need to do any maintenance on them.” Chase said. “Uh...well...um...” Skye stuttered timidly. “What is it Skye? Come on don't be shy.” Ryder said trying to calm her. “Well, the...um...store has this...um...s..stuffed bunny...and...um..” “You want to go get it right?” Ryder said knowing. Skye shyly nodded. “It's okay Skye, you don't have to be embarrassed. We'll pick it up today after we do some special drills.” Chase looked at him. “Special drills? What kind of drills sir?” Chase asked curiously. “Well, I was thinking last night of our rescues...and one thing that kept coming to mind was when you each had to use a different vehicle...like when zuma had to use Rubble's rig. He did a pretty good job for a first time, but I don't think it'd be a bad idea to teach you how to use each others rigs.” “O...Oh yeah, I try to forget that...embarrassing moment.” Zuma said blushing. “Yeah, my rigs got quite a lot of stuff going on with it, but yeah, you did okay.” Rubble said. “Thanks, but I sucked...I almost made the sidewalk break in half.” zuma said looking at it. Rubble laughed. “Yeah you did, but least you didn't try to do an entire rescue by yourself...guess we both acted like dolts.” Skye nodded and looked at Ryder. “It sounds good to me Ryder, but...what about my helicopter, it's the only one that can fly?” Ryder nodded. “I thought about that, and was thinking of who could handle it the best...and that pup is...Zuma.” Zuma looked gobsmacked. “W..what, me!?” Zuma asked in total shock. “Yep, I was thinking about your rigs...how they relate to each-other, and honestly they are the most similar. A hovercraft works by forcing air down to lift it off the ground and uses 2 fans to push it. A Helicopter works on the same principle, only it goes much higher.” Zuma was shocked. “Ryder, are you crazy!? There is a world of difference! A hovercraft is basically a car...as in...on the ground...hers is a flying vehicle!” Ryder looked at him. “Zuma, I wouldn't ask you if I didn't think you could do it. Have a little more faith in yourself.” Skye walked to him. “I can teach you how, it's really not that hard. Phileas is a bit intimidating, but you just need to trust her.” “Phileas?” Zuma asked confused. “My Helicopter I named her Phileas, every great pilot names their vehicle. I named her after the pilot from my fave book. “Around The World In 80 Days.” Zuma sighed. “Okay Skye, if you think I can handle it....I'll try...but please be there with me at first...” Skye smiled. “I'll be with you the whole time.” Zuma smiled. “Thanks dudet, makes me feel better.” So with that Ryder split the team up into 2's Chase with Rocky teaching him how to use his police car, Rubble with Marshall, teaching him how to use his rig...which in hind sight might not be the best idea being Marshall somehow made the drill go down and got it to spin so fast that it sent him flying into a nearby tree, and finally Skye was teaching Zuma how to fly. Zuma sat in her copter which fit him pretty well being they were pretty close in size. “I don't know about this Skye...you sure I can handle it?” Skye looked at him with a smile. “Course, just do what I say.” Zuma took a deep breath and put his paws on her wheel. “Okay, what do I do first?” Skye looked at him. “First, turn it on...then slowly ease on the throttle. Zuma did and the copter roared to life...he then eased on it turning the main blades to spin faster and faster. Zuma smiled at her and said. “Okay, she...seems ready to go...what next?” Skye giggled. “give a little more gas and it will lift off the ground. Try to get a few feet off...that way if something happens it won't land hard. Zuma gulped but did as told and it slowly lift off the ground. “There you go, just like that...try to relax.” Skye said trying to encourage him. Zuma nodded and it hovered a few feet off the ground. “W...Whoa, how do you keep this thing steady!?” Zuma said in fear. “Easy, the steering wheel moves up and down to make it tilt. And you turn it to to change the the rotors angle.” Zuma looked confused. “Oookay?” he did as he was told and was able to move it around a bit. “Hey, I think I'm starting to get it!” He said making it inch up a bit higher. “There you go, see it isn't to bad...once you get the trick down it's really pretty easy.” Zuma landed with a soft thud and got out. “How'd I do Ryder?” He asked looking at him who was watching. Ryder smiled. “Nice job Zuma, you did fine. Little more practice and you could be Skye's Co-pilot.” Zuma blushed. “I don't think I'll ever be that good Ryder...” Zuma said sheepishly. Ryder smiled and said. “Okay pups, that's enough for today. Let's head into town.

The pups nodded and got in their respected vehicles, and once into town they went into the mall. “Man, I love this place.” Rocky said as he held the door for them. “Yeah, it has everything a pup could want.” Chase said as he walked inside. Ryder looked at Skye. “So Skye, where is this toy store you want to get your thing at?” Skye blushed deeply and sheepishly pointed to a puppy store called “Puppy Paws.” Ryder couldn't help but chuckle. “Aww, it's okay Skye don't worry.” Chase saw it and looked at her. “Isn't that a baby puppy store?” He asked curiously. Skye covered her face in embarrassment. “Y..Yeah, I....It is, bu...but they also have the cutest p..plushies!” Chase saw her starting to cry and rushed over to her. “H..Hey don't cry! I..I didn't mean to embarrass you. Just was curious that's all.” Skye sniffled. Chase thinking he hurt her hugged her. “I'm so sorry Skye, p..please don't cry! Come on, let's get you that.” Skye smiled. “Thanks Chase, I know you didn't mean to embarrass me. Zuma and Rocky looked at each-other and chuckled. Ryder looked real confused not knowing what they were chuckling at. They went inside and spotted a cute stuffed bunny. Chase looked at her and said. “Is this it?” Skye nodded and reached it off the shelf. The Casher seeing her walked up to them. “Well hello there sweetie, find anything you like?” Skye blushed deeply and nodded. “Y..Yeah I..I'll um...take um...” Chase seeing she was to embarrassed to even speak cleared his throat. “She'd like this stuffed bunny mam.” Skye nodded and the casher giggled and picked it up and put it on the scanner. “That'll be $26.50.” Ryder reached in his pup pack and pulled out 27 dollars. “Keep the change.” The Casher nodded and put it in a bag and handed it to Skye Causing her to smile. “Thank you!” Skye happily carried it out of the store and walked up to Chase and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Causing him to blush deeply. “Thank you Chase, that was very sweet of you to help me out.” Chase acting completely flustered stammered. “Uh...n..no problem Skye uh...happy you got the toy you wanted.” The pups tried their hardest not to laugh. However Ryder was confused. Just then Rubble's stomach growled. “Oh no, I forgot the most important thing ever!” “What's that Ryder asked.” Rubble put his paws on his face. “Lunch!” Ryder laughed. “I guess it's time I got you pups fed, let me think here. How about Mr. Porters?” “Uh..that sounds great Ryder sir.” Chase said holding the cheek Skye kissed him on. Each of them walked out of the mall and headed for Mr Porters. “I wonder how things are going with dad and Relic.” Ryder asked out-loud. With that the scene changed with Chase's pup tag.


Charles and Relic were each doing their respected jobs at opposite ends of the room and the tension only got more tense since the pups left. Fang and Lora were sitting on a couch looking at them. “This is a real uncomfortable room right now.” Lora said looking at Fang. “Yeah, but honestly I don't blame Charles for being mad one bit...and something is telling me he knows more about his wife's death...then he is letting on..” Charles glared over his shoulder at Relic. “So, you coming up with any ideas with that stone?” He said as Relic was looking over the stone to find any answers. “Not yet, the Canis tribe never really wanted to change back. Right Lora?” Lora nodded. “Yes, once they got their wish they never even thought about changing back...or if they did they never documented it.” Relic thought for a minute going through the books Charles had about them. “Hmm, I wonder...Ryder said that he just changed during the night without any knowledge of doing so correct?” Relic asked. “Yes, he just woke up like it the next morning. He said he had it next to him...why?” Charles asked in a questioning voice. Relic looked at the stone and then at him. “I think I have an idea...what if this stone has a will of its own?” Charles raised an eyebrow. “Go on, this is at least getting us somewhere. Charles picked it up. “What if, it sensed Ryder's wish to change into a dog and his love for his pups...and responded.” “Wait wait wait!” Lora said looking confused. “Let me get this straight. The stone is alive!?” Charles looked at her. “Maybe not alive, but it could have a spirit or something protecting it and giving it power.” Fang facepawed. “That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard, spirit protecting the stone!?” Lora looked at him. “Oh and Ryder turning into a dog is perfectly normal? Face it pal, things are already crazy, and at this point....I'm willing to believe anything.” Charles looked back at Relic hoping to get back on track. “So, how did Ryder respond to it?” Relic scratched his head. “Be honest, I'm not sure...most likely he shared the beliefs of the tribe that worshiped it.” Fang looked at him. “Okay smart guy, then how does he go back!?” Relic looked at Charles. “I'm willing to bet that, if he turned into one by it sensing his wish...then if he did the same for being human it might reverse the effect.” Charles smiled. “That I think is the best news I've heard all day.” Fang raised his paw like a student in a class room. “Uh, not to be the bearer of bad news...but didn't you say he had it with him all night? If he wished to change back....then it should have already happened.” Relic looked at him. “That's exactly right...it should have changed him back...which points to one thing...” Charles nodded. “Yes, that has to be the reason it didn't work...”