Phoenopolix, Land of the Phoenix
AT THE PHOENIX HIDEOUT
The Phoenix Gang gathered around the worn-out table for breakfast, the air thick with camaraderie. As days passed, Dom's initial welcoming attitude toward Olga morphed into subtle disdain. Olga sensed the shift but dismissed it, attributing it to the challenges of their dangerous missions.
During one breakfast, Dom's mockery escalated. Jokes aimed at Olga echoed through the hideout. Olga, resilient, maintained her composure. Yet, the fifth joke, referencing her supposed origins with Bowser and the Koopalings, struck a nerve.
Dom grinned maliciously, "Hey Olga, heard you had a family reunion with Bowser last night. How's life in the Koopa Kingdom?"
The Phoenix Gang, with the exception of Chiko, chuckled, but Olga's eyes flared with anger. She took a deep breath, suppressing the rising fury within. "You've got quite the imagination, Dom. Maybe you should focus on our actual enemies."
Dom persisted, "Oh, come on, Olga! Did Bowser teach you how to throw fireballs?"
That was the breaking point. Olga slammed her fists on the table, her voice thundering, "Enough, Dom! I've had it with your constant jabs!"
The room fell silent. Dom, caught off guard, retorted, "What's your problem? Can't take a joke?"
"Both of you, please stop," Chiko suddenly said. "We're having a meal over here, and we cannot behave like immature beings. That's not the way of the Phoenix Gang."
"Well, maybe I shouldn't be part of the team, considering you have one of Bowser's children with fire powers too," Dom said in a mocking yet angry way. "Isn't that right, KOOPA!?"
Olga's eyes welled with tears, her frustration pouring out. "These aren't jokes anymore; they're attacks. I joined this gang to fight together, not to be ridiculed by my own teammate! Please stop it, Dom! You're not even funny! You're just being a stupid dog who probably was abandoned by those Dalmatians from London!"
"REPEAT THAT AGAIN! I DARE YOU TO!" Dom yelled while growling.
As Dom and Olga were about to get into an argument, Chiko intervened and yelled. "That's enough, both of you! Dom, you've crossed the line with Olga. I thought you knew better! You're grounded until further notice. Go to your base now, please."
Dom grumbled, but Chiko turned to Olga, offering a comforting presence. "Olga, let's talk. No one should feel like an outsider in this team."
Tears streaming down her face, Olga nodded, appreciating the support amidst the turmoil.
As the realization of the consequences sank in, Dom silently gathered his belongings, resentment etched on his face.
"Why should I even bother?" Dom asked to himself while in tears that not many would notice. "I was gonna leave anyways. I was gonna be dismissed. I don't fucking know nor care!" And with that, Dom left.
Unbeknownst to him, James noticed his absence and quickly informed Chiko.
Chiko sighed, realizing there was a deeper issue at play. "What could have triggered this?" he pondered. Deep in thought, he decided it was time to address the root cause.
Calling the Phoenix Gang together, Chiko explained the situation. "Dom has left for some reason. We don't know why, so reasoning must be done to figure it out. We need to find him and resolve the conflict. Something is bothering him, and we can't let one dispute tear us apart."
As the gang dispersed to search for Dom, Olga, with teary eyes, blamed herself. "Maybe I shouldn't have joined. I've caused too much trouble."
Chiko, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, disagreed. "This is not your fault, Olga. We'll find Dom, and we'll sort this out as a team."
In the midst of the uncertainty, Olga mustered the courage to share her backstory with Chiko. "Back in the Koopa Kingdom, I was seen as a special minion. Bowser and the Koopalings thought I'd help capture Princess Peach, but I couldn't bear to do bad deeds. I left quietly to find my own path."
Chiko listened attentively, understanding the weight of Olga's past. "We all have our reasons for being here. Dom's reaction might be rooted in something deeper too. We'll bring him back and find a resolution, Olga. Trust in the strength of our gang."
"That's why I joined this team," Olga said, smiling a bit. "I love the spirit you guys are going for, not giving up and being so optimistic in many things. I admire that."
Chiko smiled and continued to search for Dom with Olga.
AT THE WOODS OUTSIDE PHOENOPOLIX
Deep in the woods, Dom sought solace through meditation, attempting to find clarity amidst the chaos. His tranquility, however, was shattered by the persistent calls of the Phoenix Gang echoing through the trees. He ignored them until he heard Chiko's and Olga's voices.
"What do they even want? Can't they leave me alone?" Dom wondered angrily.
Reluctantly, Dom abandoned his meditation and decided to run, deeper into the woods, evading the calls. His tears mixed with the sweat on his face as he imagined the gang searching only to deliver his dismissal.
As the Phoenix Gang tirelessly combed through the forest, their efforts proved futile in locating Dom. Chiko, feeling a sense of responsibility, made a tough decision. "Go back to the hideout. I'll continue the search on my own."
Olga, her guilt lingering, volunteered to stay by Chiko's side. "I need to help find Dom. This is partly my fault too."
Chiko acknowledged her sincerity. "We'll find him, Olga. It's not about blame; it's about bringing our team back together."
With that, the rest of the Phoenix Gang reluctantly returned to the hideout, leaving Chiko and Olga determined to unravel the mystery behind Dom's departure.
INSIDE A CAVE
In the depths of the cave, Chiko and Olga managed to find Dom as he was hiding behind some rocks. Chiko cautiously approached Dom, who responded with a menacing growl, his eyes ablaze.
"It's okay, buddy. It's just me," Chiko said while carefully approaching him. "I just want to talk to you."
Undeterred, Chiko attempted to talk, but Dom's aggression heightened, and he barked for him to back off.
Olga, unable to witness the hostility, intervened, her voice firm, "Dom, enough! Talk to us. We're here to understand."
Furious, Dom's frustration escalated. In a fit of rage, he forcefully tackled Olga to the ground. The cave echoed with the clash of their conflict, turning the once serene space into a battleground.
Olga, fueled by her own determination, retaliated using the ninja skills she had honed at the Ninja Training Center. Dom, however, unleashed his fire powers, creating a chaotic cluster of flames.
"Why do you hate me so much!? I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO YOU!!!" Olga yelled at Dom.
"I don't care! IT'S NOT MY FUCKING FAULT I'M NOT PERFECT!!!" Dom yelled at Olga.
Chiko, desperately trying to quell the fight, shouted, "Stop this madness! We're a team!"
Ignoring his plea, Olga and Dom continued their fierce clash. Chiko's frustration reached its peak, and his whole body began to glow a peach pink color. As he looked up in a furious way, he turned to both Olga and Dom and he bellowed, "ENOUGH!!!"
An ultra scream reverberated through the cave, instantly swapping their feelings of anger with overwhelming calmness and guilt.
As the dust settled, the repercussions became apparent. Rocks tumbled from the cave ceiling, sealing their exit. Trapped together, the trio faced the consequences of their heated confrontation in the confined space. Both Dom and Olga lit the cave with their fire powers to make the area less dark.
Amidst the fallen rocks, Dom's tears flowed as he finally revealed his hidden pain. "I thought I was gonna be replaced by Olga. That's why I left."
Chiko, genuine concern in his eyes, assured Dom, "You were never going to be replaced. You're the fire Dalmatian we all know and love."
Overwhelmed with emotion, Dom embraced Chiko tightly, tears soaking his fur. Olga, her own eyes still wet, joined the hug, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Dom. I didn't mean to make you feel that way."
"I'm just glad you've both finally began to accept each other bit by bit," Chiko said. "It's all that matters to me, that you guys get along."
As the trio reconciled, the Phoenix Gang, having tracked them down, rescued them from the cave.
"PAW Patrol skills, baby!" Iggy yelled. "How was that, Blas?"
"Not bad for a firefighter pup like you," Blas smiled.
AT THE PHOENIX HIDEOUT
Back at the hideout, Dom and Olga, now on good terms, shared a moment of camaraderie over cake.
Under the starry night sky, they sat together, engaging in fire power talk. As laughter filled the air, Chiko's phone buzzed. He received a text from Anton that read, "Meet me at the beach alone at 6 AM."
While Dom and Olga enjoyed their bonding, a sense of mystery lingered with Anton's unexpected message, casting a shadow over the tranquility of the night.
"Hm... but also, what was that scream of mines?"
END OF CHAPTER