"So what do YOU think Ryder and your dad talked about?" Chase asked.
"Probably about the plan for the next day." Marshall replied. "I mean, Ryder had to have known-"
The two pups continued their long chat with one another, unaware that they were being listened to from not too far away. With an ear pricked up, a certain cockapoo stood next to the Lookout's open door with a familiar chocolate labrador sat a little ways away from her. Even further away from that, Rocky and Rubble sat far away, watching intently.
"I can't really say, but..." Skye softly observed. "…it sounds like they're just… talking… That's it..."
"What do you think they're talking about?" Zuma asked. "Something huge, wight?"
"Its gotta be, but I can't make out what about." Skye replied. "Wish I knew, though. What could be worth talking about for forty-five whole minutes?"
"And skipping bweakfast, don't forget. If it keeps up, we should pwobably get Wyder."
"I don't think we should bother him just because they're talking. I'll see if I can make out anything else."
"...tells me he planned for me to make that choice." Marshall concluded.
"Yeah?" Chase replied. "So I'm thinking maybe the conversation went like this..."
"I mostly wanna know a little more about yourself." Ash inquired. "What brings you to Adventure Bay?"
"My grandpa, actually." Ryder replied. "He's crazy rich. He's donated money to good causes all over the world and even been in charge of building rescue companies across the world. But... Recently, he got sick. REALLY sick. He… doesn't have long, now."
Ash gave a sympathetic whine. "I guess we're not the only ones who've lost family recently."
"So as his last act, he decided to set up a rescue group of his own. But since he won't be around to lead it, he chose me."
"You? But you can't be any older than… er, how old are you?"
"I'm five. But grandpa said this was a way to help me grow up as my own man. He said I was a smart kid for my age. He's even leaving all his money to me since I don't actually have a mom and dad."
Ash stared at Ryder in bewilderment. "This is a whole lot to put on the shoulders of a five year-old boy! Is your grandpa… well… all there?"
Ryder laughed. "Well, people always say my grandpa's eccentric."
"I can see why..." Ash mused.
"I was wondering why grandpa chose to set up this new group in Adventure Bay, but with the story you just told me? It makes a lot more sense."
"So who else is gonna be part of this group?"
"Well… That's just it." Ryder sheepishly admitted. "Grandpa started me off with Chase, but… He said recruitment was up to me… All part of being a leader, he said. But he left me a load of blueprints for gear and vehicles to build."
"Wow… Talk about throwing you in at the deep end."
"You wanna know what's even funnier, though? They're all, well… pup-sized."
"Wait. So, Chase… ISN'T just a mascot?"
"Nope. This new group grandpa set up is meant to consist of dogs. And me."
"...well. I mean… firedogs took an active role in helping to extinguish fires here, but that's taking it to a whole new level… 'Eccentric' is right…" Suddenly, Ash's eyes shot open, as if an idea had just entered his head.
"Say, Ryder. You're looking for recruits now, I'm guessing?" Ash asked with an intrigued expression.
"Wasn't thinking about it right now." Ryder replied. "But have you got someone in mi-" Ryder froze as he realised what Ash was getting at. "Ohhhhhhh..."
"Looks like you get it." Ash grinned at Ryder. "My Marshall… The plan was always to raise him to become another firedog. As you've seen, he's always perky and full of beans. Plus, he's always ready to help. He's a fast runner, too. And your team would need a pup to fight fires, wouldn't it?"
"It sure would!" Ryder grew to like the idea the more Ash told him about it. "And he's been getting along with Chase so well! I can take him in right away!"
Ryder's face fell when Ash suddenly sucked in air through his teeth. "Well, that's where it gets tough, Ryder..." Ash admitted. "You see… Mayor Goodway was actually trying to help us find new owners for a while, and she told me today that she finally found some. A family of farmers, actually."
"Aww, that's great!" Ryder said with a smile. "But, how does that make it tough?"
"Well… They live really far up north. To the point that we'd never see Adventure Bay again once they come to collect us."
"...oh." Ryder deflated in a hurry.
"And that's the problem. Marshall may not look it, but he loves this town. Its been his home for so long now. The air is clean, it's pretty quiet… And now he's really hit it off with Chase… He may not look it, but he's been so lonely for the past couple of months… The only other dog he's really had to talk to is me... Having to move… it would break his heart… But he probably wouldn't want to leave me, either."
"And… when's the family coming for you?"
"Friday."
"Does Marshall know?"
"Not yet. I was going to tell him when he came back from the pup park today… But now it's starting to look like he'll have to pick between me or the pair of you."
"And… what do you think he should pick?"
"Whatever makes him happy." Ash replied immediately. "Much though I want him to stay with me, he's found such a good friend here, and as I said, he loves Adventure Bay. Whatever he chooses, I'll support him as best I can. I'm his dad, aren't I?"
The pair stood in silence for a while, unable to find a means of continuing the conversation, until Ryder gasped and tapped his fist into his palm.
"Ash. I've got an idea. You think Marshall would be a good fit for our team? How about we test that?"
Ryder went on to explain his plan to Ash for a while.
"I get the feeling Marshall's gonna knock that one out of the park." Ash opined.
"I guess we'll see tomorrow, right?" Ryder asked.
"I taught that boy everything he knows. I know he can do it.
Ryder smiled at Ash's vote of confidence in his son, thinking about how he didn't deserve to lose everything over the course of a couple of months.
"I'm curious about something, Ash." Ryder couldn't keep it in any longer.
"And what's that?" Ash replied.
"You always seem so… cheerful. But you lost everything so quickly… How is it that you're still so energetic after all that?"
Ash went rigid. No-one had ever asked him that before. "Well…" he stuttered. "...no reason? I g-guess I'm just… well, uh… just a hale and hearty dog. N-nothing really to it."
Ryder went quiet, raising an eyebrow while giving Ash an unimpressed look.
"...ugh, sharp eyes..." Ash conceded. "I'd be terrible at poker, huh? Truth is… Marshall is counting on me. I need to keep up my attitude for him. To lead by example. If I lost all hope… There's no telling how that boy might react..."
"Right… That makes much more sense."
"Plus, Willow wouldn't want me getting all depressed and downtrodden. Real go-getter, that woman. She'd want me to keep going. To push through whatever was in my way."
"Ash… I know you've been alone for a long time… You haven't had anyone to talk to about your problems… But while you're still here, if you need someone to hear you out..." Ryder laid a reassuring hand on Ash's head. "...you can always talk to me."
Ash went quiet for a while, contemplating what Ryder just said. Somehow, someone as kind as him moving into Adventure Bay seemed too good to be true. And yet, here he was, treating Ash and his son with more kindness than any human prior when they needed it the most. Unable to find the words to thank him properly, Ash simply resorted to licking Ryder's hand in gratitude, causing the boy to giggle uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a crash rang out from the floor above them.
"Whoa!" Ryder yelled. "The heck was that?!"
"I think I might know..." Ash replied with a smile, as they both stepped onto the elevator.
"So you think Ryder and dad just told each other about themselves?" Marshall asked.
"And then made the plan for what happened the next day." Chase replied. "I mean, they've gotta have known about each other, right? Why else would they put all that together for us?"
"I still don't know if I should've left dad behind..."
"Marshall, if your dad wanted you to come with him, why would he let you choose? I mean, it was a heck of a choice to make for a one-year old pup, but…" Chase gave Marshall a reassuring smile. "I don't know about you, but I think you made the right choice. And something tells me your dad thinks so, too."
"Guess so… Guess so." Marshall couldn't help but smile right back at Chase.
Ryder and Ash had arrived up at the Lookout to find their two pups completely dazed and piled up on the floor next to the Pup Pup Boogie mats.
"I'm… gluuuuuurrrrggghhh..." Marshall dreamily mumbled.
"Blllllllrrgllllblaaagruuhhh…" Chase babbled.
"Har! At least some of us were having fun!" Ash laughed.
"Do I wanna know what the heck you two have been up to?" Ryder asked with an amused smile.
"Boogableflufflefluh..." Marshall slurred.
"Gaaaaaahhhiiiiiioooooo..." Chase added.
"Ha ha, alright, dance boy." Ash laughed, walking over to the two pups. "I think its time we went to bed. It's starting to get late."
"Awwww..." Chase whined, recovering from the obvious crash earlier.
"No need to get like that, Chase." Ryder added. "They could always sleep over if they wanted..."
Marshall gasped. "Can we, papa?! Can we?! Can we?! Pleeeeeease?!"
Ash laughed. "Alright, alright, little firecracker. Twist my arm, why don't you?"
The two pups cheered loudly at the news, prompting Ash to smile warmly. It had been a long time since he'd seen Marshall so happy. Deep down, he knew what the right choice for his son would be.
That night, all was quiet. Marshall and Chase slept soundly in a pair of pet beds set up next to one another, with Ash sleeping in a pet bed not far from the pups. Ryder had gone to sleep in his own room, but not for long as he quietly descended the elevator and walked out of the door for about an hour.
The next day had arrived. Chase and Marshall had woken up quickly, and wasted no time in running outside to play after Ryder had fed all three dogs once again. While Ryder went out to play frisbee with the pups, Ash had rather suspiciously elected to go for a walk by himself. Ryder nonetheless enjoyed himself with the two little bundles of energy for a long while until he was stopped by a sudden yelling.
"Chase! Marshall! Ryder! Aaaagh-! OOF!" Ash voice suddenly cut through the air with an overtone of urgency, punctuated by him tripping and sliding forward on his face a little.
"Ash? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." Ryder asked.
"It's the old Coastguard HQ!" Ash exclaimed as he picked himself up. "It's on fire!"
The two pups gasped. "Fire?!" Marshall yelled.
"Oh, no!" Chase added. "What do we do?!"
"We've gotta try and make sure everyone is safely away from it. Chase, it's time to go to work! Ash, Marshall, wait here until we come back, OK? C'mon, Chase!"
Ryder took off running to the scene of the fire, followed closely behind by Chase. For the first time since they got here, there was work to be done.
"WAIT!" Marshall yelled after them, prompting them both to freeze and Ash to look at his son in surprise.
"Mr. Ryder… Chase… Take me with you! Please!" Marshall pleaded.
"Marshall… You realise you're asking to go with them to a fire, right?" Ash asked. "I know we're firedogs at heart, but… That's way too dangerous for a pup like you."
"But, papa! Chase isn't that much older than me! And you've said to me that when there's a fire we're always ready for a rescue! I'll be super-careful! Please, papa! Let me go with them!"
Ash stared down at the little dalmatian in surprise, before smiling widely. "That's my boy." Ash whispered. "You wanna go with them? Then quit dilly-dallying! Go get 'em!"
"Thank you, papa! Thank you!" Marshall barked excitedly, before running up to the eagerly-waiting Chase and Ryder.
"Alright, Marshall." Ryder began. "If you wanna help, then stay close, and do EXACTLY as I say. Clear?"
"Yes, sir!" Marshall replied.
"Then let's go!" Ryder yelled, turning around and continuing to run towards the fire, leaving Ash behind.
"Well." Ash mused to himself. "That was easier than I thought. Let's see how that boy handles himself..."
The Coastguard HQ had been long abandoned. The building was incredibly rickety, to the point that the sign above it had simply read "AD_ENT_RE B_Y _OAST_UA_D" even before the building had lost its last member. Sadly, the only sign of human activity lately was the bright, orange glow inside the building's main lobby.
"Hello?! Hey! Anyone in there?!" Chase yelled into the building as loudly as he could. When no response came, the shepherd sighed slightly with relief. "It doesn't sound like anyone's in there."
"Good. Little less pressure." Ryder concluded. "Now. We need to find a way of putting out this fire."
"Mr. Ryder? Do you know if there was power running to this building, lately?" Marshall asked.
"Why do you ask, Marshall?" Ryder replied.
"Because if this is an electric fire, we can't use water. Water and electricity don't mix, you know. If we use water, it might make the fire worse."
Ryder stared for a moment, impressed by the smarts of such a small pup. "Then we'd better try and use sand to smother the fire, just in case. You never know. But first, we need to make sure everyone is safely away from the scene. Chase, you go warn everyone to stay back. Marshall, go find us some buckets.
"I'm on it!" Chase barked.
"Gotcha!" Marshall replied.
The pups took off running in opposite directions. Chase to the left towards the forming crowd and Marshall to the right towards the beach.
"Everyone! Stay back!" Chase yelled at the crowd. "Don't come any closer! The fire's too dangerous!"
To Chase's surprise, the crowd started to back away. "That's it! Get back! Get too close and you might get hurt!"
Chase continued to run back and forth in front of the crowd, barking orders for them to stay back. Inside, he felt a sense of authority welling up. "Say… I could get used to this..." Chase thought.
Back at the beach, Marshall had found three buckets on the beach. All relatively small, but working between them, they would be able to easily throw enough sand onto the medium-sized fire on the floor.
"Mishter Wyder! I gho- whoawhoawhoaaaa!" Marshall called out to Ryder, only to lose his balance mid-run and roll to a halt in front of Ryder with one of the buckets lodged on his head.
"Oh, no! I'm sorry, Mr. Ryder!" Marshall sheepishly apologised.
"No, no, Marshall. It's fine." Ryder gently reassured the pup. "You got what we needed. So all we need to do is fill these with sand and throw them on the fire. You fill the buckets and I'll throw them."
"You got it!"
Marshall set to work shovelling sand into the buckets with his paws as Ryder slowly opened the door to the fire, coughing from the smoke scorching his lungs. Ryder stared for a little while, before steeling himself and reaching to down to pick up one of Marshall's buckets before flinging its contents at the flames with all of his might.
Marshall hurried to fill as many of the three buckets as he could, though being one pup, he struggled to keep pace with Ryder picking up and throwing the contents of the buckets at the fire. But despite this, the fire was slowly dying off.
"Ryder, sir!" Chase yelled, running back from where the crowd was gathering. "Everyone's gone, now! Do you need anything from me?"
"Great timing, Chase! Marshall needs help filling these buckets! You take one and let him fill the other." Ryder commanded.
"You got it!" Chase responded, moving to an empty bucket that Marshall wasn't filling and shovelling sand into it as fast as possible with his paws.
The process continued for a few minutes, and slowly but surely, the raging fire died down. While they could have used water on the fire, Marshall's advice meant that they took a 'better safe than sorry' approach. The less risk they could take, the better. Eventually, after a long period of throwing sand into buckets and throwing that same sand at the fire, there was nothing left but smoke. The flames had been smothered by the golden sand of the beach. The fire was over, leaving a large smouldering patch in its wake. The boy and the two pups stared at their handiwork for a long time before their fatigue caught up with them, causing Ryder to sink to his knees and Chase and Marshall to drop to their bellies, all three of them breathing heavily.
"Heh heh… Can't believe THAT rescue gave us trouble..." Marshall mused.
"Yeah, well, we were only little pups..." Chase replied. "We have more training and gear now. And we've grown up a lot more… some of us more than others." Chase directed a smirk at his friend.
"Says the one who still sometimes sleeps with Officer Bear."
Chase's eyes shot open. "Hey! That's playing dirty!"
"Don't play with fire unless you wanna get burned, Chasey-boy."
"How long have you been sleeping with Captain Cuddly, again?" Chase demanded with a pout.
"I can't remember, but at least I admit it." Marshall smirked straight back at Chase.
Chase snarled in irritation, before deciding to get back to the story.