Ricky POV

      It was dad's old bombshell.

      Dad always said he would use it one day for a "special occasion" which usually meant bloodshed.

      Welcome to my life.

      Max shivered and whispered, "I can't believe you went through this every day! It's been two minutes and I'm already gonna burst." I smiled and said, "I'm gonna get you out of here." Gemstone walked up and looked at me and Max. She raised her leather belt. I pushed Max out of the way and rolled over, making Shine, Shimmer, Gemstone, and Emerald forget about the poodle mix. Then I remembered I had my pup pack! But then I messed up again. I backed into the wagon. 

      Whoops. 

      Dad and Mom came to join. Mom saw that there was another pup, and said, "Sweetheart, you're home," and gave me a hug. An actual hug. Then I realized it was because Max was here as a witness. I pushed mom off. "Is this a new thing you've been working on? Cause I like it better than when you hit me with belts and didn't feed me!" I shed a tear, remembering how I was treated. It had been three months since I met the PAW Patrol, and I still had bruses from Dad and Emerald. Mom growled and muttered, "fine, be that way." Then I looked behind me at Shine who had a knife to Max's neck. I jumped on my sister, pushing her off of Max. I immediately untied my friend. He gave me a hug and whispered, "thank you." I smiled. "You're my best friend, you know that?"

      "Yea, but, why did you come back for me?"

      "Because..." I sighed and choked on a tear. "I really care about you."

      Suddenly, someone grabbed me and said, "this isn't over."

Max POV

      I saw Ricky's dad grab him and I didn't know how to react. I though about what Ricky said. Suddenly memories came flashing back. Easter, playtime, even when we first met... 

      It all adds up.

      Ricky... loves me?  Pain stung my heart as I thought it over. Then it hit me.

      Love is more than an emotion. It can be torn apart, rebuilt, and then torn again. it can thrive or cause the demise of sadness. It can make you happy.

      Ricky makes me happy.

      I love you too, Ricky.

      Suddenly, I snapped back into reality. Ricky was being put into a sleeper hold by his dad, who's claw was slowly going deeper into Ricky's shoulder. I pounced, biting and scratching, and I didn't stop until I heard sirens. Jack's sirens. At this point, Ricky was ok, and far from his father. Gemstone growled. "It's two on six. Do you really think you can beat us?" Suddenly, my pup tag glowed. Seastar, Jet, Jack and Maddie were calling. Somepup said, "make it six on six!" I turned around to see Seastar, Jet, Jack, and Maddie. Emerald smirked. "Let the battle begin."

To be continued...