I don't own anything from the show, or the characters. Enjoy!

At this moment Marshall was in the lookouts backyard, on the way to the small lake, where the ducks and geese would swim. Seconds before he had just messed up training with the other pups, yet again. Like he always he just said he was okay and told a joke to which everyone laughed and continued. That's what always happens. But it was all just a cover, the joking, the oblivious attitude, not caring whether a pup would tease him about it, everything. Inside he loved his friends, family, job and life, but he didn't think he deserved any of it. He sat along the side of the lake alone trying to think clearly.

(His thoughts) "Why am I such an idiotic klutz" was the common question roaming through his head. He continued to think "Your getting worse you know that". That was his inner voice that always made him feel horrible, inferior, just plain useless. "They'd be better off without you"-"You'll always be a runt"-"They're laughing AT you right now" the worst question, that no matter what did it always came up, was "Why are you even alive". Tears began to form in his eyes that dripped down his cheeks as he began to whimper."Now you're crying, it's obvious Ryder would rather have the other pups instead of some crybaby" the voice rang again and again. This happened all the time, even before he joined the team, he just accepted it was all true. Marshall looked around, the pups were still training while Ryder watched, for the moment no one could see him. Then he took a deep breath and extracted his claws from both his paws. Brushing off some of his fur on his front legs, revealing his past actions. Scars lined his pinkish skin, some older than others, and some already healed over. He knew that what he was doing was bad and dangerous, but it just made him feel better in a strange way. He used his claws to puncture his skin in an even line. Ruby liquid leaked through and down to his arms, he was about to continue to the other arm until a certain cockapoo came over.

"Marshall what are you doing" she asked in her usual happy nature, which he envied. His eyes shot open and he immediately dunked his arms into the water to hide his cuts. "Oh, I was a little tired so I just wanted to sit down for a little while" he said rapidly. She looked down at his paws that were hidden in the water, a thin circle of red surrounded them, she looked back at him curiously. "On the way here I accidentally stepped in strawberry jelly" he lied. Marshall didn't like a lot of things, but he hated lying he just didn't have a choice. "Silly Marshall" she stated, she honestly didn't know how he got into these situations, but she thought it was adorable. "Come on, we're going to the park to relax, you coming" she asked "Sure go ahead, I'll catch up" he said and she obeyed. The second he was out of view he removed hi paws from the water, he noticed he was bleeding more than usual, but cleaned it off and covered it up and went to follow Skye.

(Park) Zuma, Rubble and Rocky were playing tag, Skye was on the slide and Chase was playing tug of war with Marshall. The spotted dalmatian tried as best he could to hold on, but he just let go. "Come on Marshall you usually do better than that" Chase stated. "I'm just tired" he said as his legs started to wobble. "You okay buddy" Chase said worryingly, "Maybe you should lay down" he touched his clumsy friends shoulder. "No, I'm fine" he said trying to balance himself. His eyes blurred, his heartbeat speed up and every part of him felt stiff. "Marshall you don't look-" Chase didn't get to finish his sentence because his friend collapsed.

"Marshall buddy what's wrong?" he said. Marshall didn't respond, then noticed his front legs were bleeding excessively. He was so scared, he howled signaling for the others to come. "Oh my gosh, Marshall" Skye exclaimed "What happened to him" Rocky shouted. "Pups, why are srea- "he suddenly gasped looking at his pup. "I don't know why he fainted Ryder" Chase said on the verge of crying. He picked up his pup, the blood streaming down his limbs to the ground as he did. He needed to stop the bleeding, wrapping Marshall in his signature jacket. "Come on pups, we're going to Katie's" Ryder commanded. The K-9's were scared to death but they followed.

(20 min later) Katie was working on the injured pups in the back while, his teammates sat anxiously. Ryder was pacing back and forth trying to calm himself. "I hope he'll be OK" Skye said "Don't worry he'll be fine" Rocky comforted "Yeah, he's a fighter" Rubble said fiddling with his paws. Katie came out and was nearly trampled by the worried bunch. "How is he" Ryder asked "He'll be just fine" Katie said half heartedly. The little pups finally released a breath relaxing, while Ryder was about to walk into Marshalls room to see him. "Wait" Katie said interrupting "I have else something to tell you, and it's not good" Ryder looked at her in a desperate glare and the pups waited curiously for her to say what it is.
To Be Continued...