Ryder stands in the control tower, his face grim as the PAW Patrol gathers around the monitor showing Chase's last-known location. The signal from Skye's pup-tag remains offline, and Ryder's concern grows by the second.

"We've tracked Chase. He's in Barkingburg," Ryder explains, his voice steady but urgent. "But we have no communication with Skye. Whatever's going on, it's serious. We need to bring them both back safely."

Rocky steps forward, his green eyes filled with determination. "What about Skye? If Chase took her there, she might be in danger!"

Ryder places a reassuring hand on Rocky's shoulder. "We're not leaving anyone behind. But we need to act carefully. This isn't like Chase, something's driving him to act this way, and we need to stop it before it gets worse."

Zuma tilts his head, concern etched on his face. "What about the Princess? She'll help, right?"

Ryder nods. "That's the plan. I've already contacted Barkingburg's security team, and they're prepared to assist us. Everyone, get ready. We're rolling out."

The pups exchange determined glances, their usual camaraderie tempered by the gravity of the situation. Rocky lingers for a moment, his thoughts clearly on Skye. Ryder notices and offers a quiet word of encouragement. "We'll find her, Rocky. Trust the team."

Inside the lavish guest room, Skye lies on the floor, her body still stiff from the lingering effects of her injury. Tears streak her fur as she struggles to move, her mind racing. Chase's behavior, Sweetie's involvement, the loss of her freedom, it all feels like a nightmare she can't wake from.

The door bursts open, and Chase strides in, his expression wild with desperation. "Skye, listen to me!" he says, his voice cracking as he approaches her. "You have to understand why I'm doing this."

Skye glares at him, her pink eyes blazing despite her vulnerability. "Understand? Chase, you've lied to me, manipulated me, and now I'm stuck here because of you. How could I ever understand that?"

He flinches, but his frustration quickly boils over. "You don't get it, do you? Everything I've done, I've done because I care about you! Rocky doesn't deserve you. He doesn't see you like I do. I've loved you from the start, Skye, and I couldn't stand by and watch you throw it all away for him."

Her voice rises, filled with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "That's not love, Chase! Love isn't about control, or forcing someone to feel the way you want them to. What you're doing, it's ... it's selfish, and it's wrong."

Chase's composure cracks, and he slams a paw against the wall, his voice rising in desperation. "I'm not selfish for god's sake! I'm trying to protect you! Rocky, he's not who you think he is! He'll let you down, Skye. He'll leave you."

Skye's tears fall freely now, but her resolve remains firm. "No, Chase! The only one who's letting me down right now is you."

Chase takes a shaky step back, her words cutting deeper than he expected. For a moment, he looks at her with a mix of anguish and regret, but it quickly hardens into anger. "Fine," he snaps, his voice low and trembling. "If you're so convinced I'm the bad guy, then stay here. Think about what I've said. Maybe then you'll realize I was right all along."

He storms out, slamming the door behind him. Skye flinches at the sound, her chest heaving with a mixture of fear and defiance. She feels more alone than ever, but her heart refuses to give up hope. Ryder will come. The team will find her. They have to.

The Princess stands at the top of the grand staircase, her face a mask of confusion as Ryder and the rest of the PAW Patrol arrive. "Ryder, what's going on?" she asks, her voice tinged with worry. "Sweetie told me you sent Chase and Skye here, but now you're saying that's not true?"

Ryder shakes his head firmly. "Princess, I never sent them. Chase took Skye without permission, and we're here to bring them back."

The Princess's eyes widen, and she clenches her fists. "Sweetie lied to me? I'll have her dealt with immediately."

Rocky steps forward, his voice urgent. "What about Skye? Where is she?"

The Princess motions to her guards. "Search the castle. If Chase and Skye are here, I want them found immediately."

Marshall's voice cuts through the tense atmosphere. "We'll help too. We need to find them before things get worse."

Skye tries to steady her breathing, listening to the muffled sounds of movement in the castle. A faint hope stirs in her chest as she imagines her friends arriving, but the sound of approaching footsteps sends her heart racing.

The door flies open again, and Chase reenters, his composure completely unraveled. "Skye, please," he begs, his voice hoarse. "Don't do this. Don't shut me out. I've given everything for you. I've risked everything."

Skye meets his gaze, her voice unwavering. "You've risked everything for yourself, Chase. This was never about me, it's about what you wanted. And I can't be part of it."

Chase's frustration boils over, and he shouts, "I'm doing this for us, Skye! Why can't you see that? Why can't you see that I'm the only one who truly loves you?"

Her voice softens, but it's laced with sadness. "Because love doesn't look like this, Chase. It's not about control or fear. It's about trust and respect. And right now, I don't feel either of those from you."

Chase freezes, her words cutting through his anger like a blade. Before he can respond, a familiar voice echoes from the hallway.

"Chase! Skye! Are you in there?"

It's Ryder.