Skye's heart races as Ryder's voice echoes from the hallway, a glimmer of hope piercing through her fear. She tries to call out, but before she can muster the strength, the wall behind her shifts with a low rumble. A hidden tunnel slides open, revealing Sweetie standing smugly in the shadows.

"Skye, Chase," Sweetie purrs, her silvery fur gleaming in the dim light. "The royal guards are searching for you. If you want to avoid an embarrassing reunion, I suggest you follow me, quickly."

Skye's eyes narrow, her distrust of Sweetie evident. "I'm not going anywhere with you, Sweetie. You're part of this mess!"

Sweetie smirks and waves a paw dismissively. "Oh, don't be dramatic, darling. I'm the only one who can get you out of here unnoticed. Unless, of course, you'd prefer the guards to take you back to Ryder. I hear he's not happy with either of you."

Chase, still desperate and unraveling, sees this as his opportunity. "Skye, we're going. Now!"

"No!" Skye snaps, struggling against her stiff limbs. "I'm staying here. Ryder will find me, and he'll stop you!"

But Chase won't hear it. His patience finally snaps, and he grabs Skye, lifting her over his back despite her protests. "You don't get a choice!" he growls, his voice strained. "You'll thank me later."

"Chase! Put me down!" Skye screams, thrashing wildly, but her weakened state makes her struggle futile. Her cries echo through the castle halls, growing fainter as Chase follows Sweetie into the tunnel.

The sleek jet soars above the countryside, leaving Barkingburg behind. The silence inside is tense, broken only by the hum of the engines. Sweetie lounges in the cockpit, glancing back at her two passengers with a sly grin.

"Ah, my darlings," she croons, flicking a switch on the dashboard. "Isn't this cozy? Just the three of us, far from the prying eyes of Barkingburg."

Skye, slumped in her seat with her paws bound, glares daggers at Chase. "You're a monster," she spits, her voice trembling with fury. "I trusted you, Chase. You were my best friend, and you betrayed me!"

Chase exhales sharply, his frustration evident. "I'm trying to protect you, Skye! Why can't you see that? All this yelling and fighting, it's not helping. You need to chill out!"

"Chill out?" Skye's voice rises, her anger boiling over. "You've lied to me, kidnapped me, and now you're dragging me who-knows-where with her!" She shoots a venomous look at Sweetie. "You think I'll ever forgive you for this?"

Sweetie chuckles, swiveling her seat to face them. "Oh, darling Skye, such fire! It's almost admirable." She tilts her head toward Chase. "But you, my dear Chase, might want to work on your approach. Snatching her up like that? Tsk, tsk. Hardly romantic."

"Stay the fuck out of this, Sweetie," Chase snaps, his fur bristling.

Sweetie raises an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Oh, but I'm the only reason you're not back in Barkingburg facing Ryder's wrath. A little gratitude wouldn't hurt, darling."

Skye's voice cuts through the banter like a blade. "I hate you, Chase. I hate everything about this. And Sweetie, you're just as awful. You're both selfish, and you don't care about anyone but yourselves."

Sweetie sighs dramatically, leaning back in her seat. "Such harsh words, darling. But don't worry, I'll think of a plan to fix all this. After all, I always have a trick up my paw."

The jet lands beneath a sprawling stone bridge, concealed by the shadows of the towering structure. Sweetie steps out first, scanning the surroundings before motioning for Chase to follow. Skye, still restrained, stumbles as Chase drags her along.

"Stay here," Sweetie instructs, her tone cool and commanding. "I'll scout ahead and make sure we're safe." She disappears into the shadows, leaving Chase and Skye alone.

Skye's fury simmers as she glares at Chase. "You'll never win, Chase. Ryder will find me, and when he does, you'll regret everything you've done."

Chase looks away, his expression conflicted. "I'm not the bad guy, Skye. I just... I don't know what else to do. I can't lose you."

"You already have," Skye replies coldly, her words a dagger to Chase's heart.

Before either of them can say more, a faint beeping sound cuts through the air.

From a hidden vantage point, Rocky adjusts his tracking device, his heart pounding as the signal locks onto Skye's location. He peers through the underbrush and spots her, his heart twisting at the sight of her bound and distressed.

"Skye!" he whispers, creeping closer.

Skye's ears perk up, and she turns toward the sound, her eyes widening in relief. "Rocky! You found me!"

Rocky rushes to her side, his paws fumbling with her restraints. "It's okay, Skye. I've got you. You're safe now!"

Tears well up in Skye's eyes as she leans into him. "I knew you'd come," she whispers, her voice trembling with gratitude.

Rocky pulls out his pupt-tag and contacts Ryder. "I've found Skye and Chase. We're under the bridge near the Barkingburg border. Send backup, fast."

As he speaks, a shadow looms over them. Chase steps forward, his eyes dark with anger.

"You're not taking her anywhere," he growls, his voice low and dangerous.

Rocky rises to his paws, positioning himself protectively in front of Skye. "I'm not letting you hurt her anymore, Chase. This ends now."

Chase's lips curl into a snarl, his frustration boiling over. The air crackles with tension as the two friends-turned-rivals face off, their emotions reaching a breaking point.