Author's Note: ...heh, couldn't stay away. Also, I got really bored really quick. I felt relieved when I resigned but I missed spending a day on a chapter, or two while developing the story as it went. I still have the same thoughts I had prior to me 'quitting', but who knows. I'll try to keep an every other day upload schedule.

Rocky was satisfied. He rode the elevator up from the basement or what he liked to call it his 'second workshop'. It's where he goes for extra parts and even worked down there when Ryder was in the garage. And today he had just placed his project that he was so proud of.

After thanking Marshall, who had gone to go sleep for the rest of the day, he went to the other pups and showed them the final product. Although nervous the other pups agreed and to their surprise, it was a success. Even to the extent where they were infatuated and intrigued by it. In Rocky's book, that was a success.

The pups had just finished their dinner and were turning in for the night. On Rocky's way out the lookout, he made a mental note to stop by Marshall's house and thank him once again. He couldn't have done it without him or he would have just given up.

"Wow, Marshall really came through today," he said whilst trotting over to Marshall's pup-house. "It may have been a small thing for him to go and help me like that, but it made me feel better. Almost like I accomplished something. I'm so glad Ryder found me. If it weren't for him I'm wouldn't have even met, Marshall. Or Chase, or the rest of the family."

As Rocky was self-reflecting (which was something he did from time to time, so he never took his wonderful life for granted) he decided to stop rambling aloud to himself, as he reached the red pup-house.

He gave it a knock but got no response.

"Hm, guess he's sleep," Rocky whispered to himself to not wake the sleeping dalmatian. As he started to walk away, he heard noises, followed by a muffled shout coming from the pup-house.

As he opened the door to check on him, quietly Rocky said, "Marshall! Are you-"

"No Mr. Pickle Monster. No more," Marshall laughed still asleep. Rocky struggled to mute the giggle attempting to escape his snout.

"Okay, don't say I didn't warn you. Woof, ketchup blasters!" he said in his sleepy voice.

Rocky and the others knew Marshall did this from time to time, but it didn't stop it from being funny. As the scene went on, Rocky managed to suppress his laughter enough to close the door, and leave his buddy in peace.

"Oh Marshall," he smiled and shook his head. "Goodnight buddy." He walked back to his own house, so he can finally get a good night's rest, for the next day's activity.

I wake up from the long ride to Adventure Bay. I've heard a lot about it. One of those things being, ugh, water. Well, I guess I don't have to go to the beach. No scratch that. I WON'T go to the beach. I hope it's better than the last place at least. I think the human, I mean Ryder, called it Sunny Shore city. I don't really don't care about the name or the place. It was terrible. I was placed in a shelter, where I met some friends, but they really weren't. Well...Shawn... Nope, forget about him. Just like all the other, they all just wanted to escape and be free. Then there was that girl. I hate her. Yeah, whether it be on the surface, or down deep in their core, in one way or another they were all terrible, except Shawn. Dang, it Rocky. Ughh, you need to forget about him. It was 'cause of him, I got ran out to the streets, no matter how good of a friend he was. Thankfully, the human-, Ryder found me.

Who knows, maybe this new PAW Patrol thing might not be so bad. I like helping people and I might make new friends. Ryder looks down to me as he's driving.

"Oh, I didn't notice you were awake. So Rocky, you excited," he asked.

I respond with, "Yeah, I guess. This is all kinda new to me."

"It's okay. I understand. And don't worry, the other 2 pups will, without a doubt make you feel at home. They've been expecting you for a while now."

"I sure hope so..." That's right, he did mention two others. Maybe they'll be okay. Maybe we can play or something.

...Wait a minute, I recall him saying something about one of them being overly shy. I'm sure they'll come around sooner or later, I hope.

After I realize something I go to speak with him again. "Hey, huma-, Ryder, I forgot to say thank you, for everything. Without you, I would never have gotten this chance at this life. And I-"

"Rocky! It's okay!" he laughed. I didn't even realize I had started tearing up a bit. I guess it's natural. I haven't had this...ever. "No pup or person deserves what you went through. And I know that we can't save all of them, but I saw something in you. I know you'll be loved, and I know you'll be great. And just know that if you're ever in need of a friend, you have me to turn to."

"Thanks, Ryder." Wow, that hit hard. He has a way with words, especially to make people feel better. Now I'm looking even more forward to start at the PAW Patrol.

"You're Welcome and no problem. I'm here for you, and they are too!" I look up and see him pointing to a giant tower. Silently to myself, I let out a 'Wow' as we drive in.

Ryder takes off his helmet, and we both jump off the vehicle. We both walk up to two small pups. One I believe is a German Shephard. I've met a few here and there, but the other I had never seen in person. Going off my basic knowledge and his physical description, he's a Dalmatian, who was hiding behind the German Shepherd. From back here it almost looks like he was shaking, as he looked at me. As we got closer I confirmed my suspicion.

"Well go introduce yourselves. I'll be upstairs. See you guys," Ryder walked off leaving the three to converse among themselves. Well, it's now or never.

"Hi, my mane is Rocky. First thing I want to say is, I hope we can get along and be friends. And second, do you guys really live here?" I say looking up, still amazed by the giant tower.

"Yep, we've got plenty of room and more to share. We'll show you around later. My name is Chase and I'm the police pup of the PAW Patrol."

"So, what do you guys do on the team?"

"We go around helping the people with whatever they need and even rescue them. It's pretty great." Chase responded. I look back behind him, and still seeing that the Dalmatian is still nervous I decided to start a conversation.

"Hey, what's your name." I notice his eyes open wide and fully concealed himself behind Chase.

"Oh, that's Marshall. As you can see he's a bit shy, and he has a tendency to be clingy," Chase smiles as he looks behind him at a cowering Marshall.

"Chase, stop it!" Marshall says obviously embarrassed by the statment. Both me and Chase laugh at him, and Chase starts to talk again.

"Don't worry Marsh, I'm just joking. But you should still get to know Rocky more. He's your teammate and friend. He won't hurt you."

"I know, I'm just nervous," Marshall responds. Chase then steps out the way and pushes Marshall forward.

"And for good reason. But he can't hurt you anymore, nor can he hurt us. So I'll be in my pup-house while you two talk. See ya, and nice to have you around Rocky. You're part of the family now," he said walking away. Marshall had his head tilted towards the ground to avoid eye contact.

"H-hi, Marshall. I just want you to know that I am glad to be here and that I hope that we can get along," I said trying to get on his good side. In hindsight that might have just been a desperate attempt to make friends with him. I mean he seems nice, and I'm sure he means well. I can tell that he and Chase are really close. I guess I can get behind his mindset.

Finally, he starts to talk. "Hi, Rocky. A-as you know I'm M-Marshall. I'm the f-fire p-pup," he said nervously. Honestly, not meaning harm, but watch him slowly opened up is kinda funny. I like him.

"Wow, that's cool," I respond, still trying to get on his good side. "So, uh, how did Ryder find you guys, where did you come from," I say inching closer. As I did, for a second he froze, almost in fear, then he ran faster than I could even process.

"Wow he's fast," I say to myself. I go running after him, but not 7 feet later and he trips and falls flat on his face. I go over there to see if he's okay, but on the way, I fail to keep in a laugh.

"Are you okay," I giggle as I help him up. He dusts himself off.

"Yeah, I'm what one would call a clutz," he said. That's weird. He's making eye contact and he doesn't seem a bit nervous. Maybe if this happens as often as he says it puts him in a familiar situation. So he's not as nervous since he's done this before. I guess. Or maybe he actually wants to be freinds and is trying to finally open up. Maybe I'm looking too deep into it. I probably should-

"You think I'm weird, don't you?" he asks me as he puts his head down again.

"Oh no no no, I, uh, just got lost in thought. I don't think you're weird at all. It's a funny quirk that you have, as we all do. For instance, I don't like water."

"REALLY!? You don't like water? Never heard that one before."

"Yeah, it never...stuck with me, if you know what I'm saying. My fur gets all wet and heavy, then when I actually manage to get dried off there's that wet dog smell, then the feeling of the water going through your fur and skin-"

"-I'm rambling aren't I," I ask myself. Marshall giggled.

"Yeah. It's okay. Rambling is just a funny quirk that you have." I..have nothing to respond. Well played. He looked around and leaned in close. "You didn't hear it from me, but Chase is terrified of the dentist. He hears the word 'dentist' and he loses it," he whispered.

"Really, wow, never would have guessed," I say genuinely surprised. He didn't seem like the type. The more you know.

We sat there for a good 3-4 minute not really doing anything, just staring at each other. I don't really know what to do here. Can I take a nap, go on my own, explore the city. I'm still unsure of a lot here. I guess for now we can probably play around for a while.

"So what do you guys like to do for fun?" Marshall snapped out his thoughts.

"Oh, well we can play tag. You're it!" he said as he touched my shoulder, and bolted off.

"That cheeky little pup," I smile and run after him. As I'm chasing him, Chase comes out of his 'pup-house' I think he called it, probably to see what all the commotion is for. As I'm running by I stop where he is.

"Wow, it usually takes him a day at max. He warmed up to you quickly."

"Yeah, he's actually really nice once you get past his nervousness. You wanna join in?"

"Sure what are you guys doing." As soon as those words left his mouth I tag him saying 'Tag, you're it' and ran off. "Game on!" I can hear him yell as I'm running away.

As were all running, Marshall and I are running away from Chase. Marshall is running at what seems at top speed with Chase right on his tail, but he isn't looking where he's going, and trips. Chase runs right into them sending the two flying towards me. I try to evade the ball of puppies, but before I know it, I'm caught in it too. We all share a laugh at the moment, proceeded by Chase and Marshall saying to me,

"Welcome to the family!" It was at that moment, I feel like I finally belonged somewhere. Right here.