AN: Hey, guys. Christmas is almost here so I have a gift for you. Another update. Sadly, also the last one until New Years is over since I'll be with family starting next week for the holidays and I want to give them most of my time. I might come up with a one-shot Christmas story for you if I find the time. Other than Partners, I plan on updating Dragon Rider before the year ends and start with Zuma's Courage again next coming year. New Job had been doing well and I'm enjoying what I have so far in living alone again. Hope I can keep it that way.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to everyone! May it be Pawsome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Paw Patrol
When you were to ask the citizens of Adventure Bay what the best time of the day was, they would always say during sunrise or sunset. To see the sun's rays spread across the water was a memorizing sight that would always stick in people's minds as they took in the beauty of nature's blessing. Marshall, however, always thought the best time was when the moon was shining above and glowing. It's bright light giving the water below it a heavenly reflection that sparkled like the stars above.
Such was the sight Marshall observed from the top of the Lookout in the middle of the night. Try as he might, he couldn't find it in him to sleep and decided to watch the glowing bay. It had given him time to think about everything that had happened in such a short time.
He first thought about Travis, his owner. The original owner he had before he lost his memory. Marshall had long given up finding anything of his original family and home by the time he grew up into his late teens. He mostly they assumed they died out in the water by some accident and he was mostly right in the end. His parents had died. His human family had died. But not his owner.
It was strange, knowing a total stranger looked at you with such love and care, yet at the same time utter sadness. Marshall couldn't help but feel guilty for it. Here was a human who had memories and emotions of Marshall that had been an entire lifetime ago. Yet, Marshall couldn't remember it. To him, Travis was just a stranger. He liked him, Marshall admitted, and respected him for what he did. It wasn't easy having a legacy like his and dealing with it after losing everything so long ago. Travis and Ryder were very similar, but the differences were obvious. Ryder was warm, caring, and passionate. The kind of person you wanted to befriend and couldn't help but love. Travis was cold, logical, and seemed to keep people at a distance for various reasons. He wasn't emotionless and he did go out of his way to help others, but it was clear that he wasn't used to interacting with people. It might have been because of what happened to his… their parents or the fact he needed to make himself into such a being to face the demons.
Demons.
That was a word Marshall never thought he'd ever have to think about so seriously. Marshall had always been openminded about the ideas of supernatural. Granted, none of them were ever seriously religious or went to a church for mass, but all of them, save for Chase, had always believed that there was more to this world then meets the eye. Now that it was finally exposed to them, Marshall wished he kept his eyes shut. The knowledge that such scary and horrifying creatures like demons existed was enough to scare him out of his fur. The fact that they were coming directly for him because of who his family was had made him more then once piss himself. Travis had made it clear that the demons weren't going to stop going after him and Marshall until they were both dead. It almost made Marshall want to pack up and leave town. To keep moving so nobody would get hurt because of him, but that was foolish. The demons would just kill anyone close to him regardless and he would only be running away from his destiny. A destiny he never asked for that cost him not only his parents, but also Everest.
Since her passing, Marshall had come to terms that he really did have feelings for the husky. From what everyone had said, she felt the same way. He couldn't help but look at Chase and Skye now with envy, wishing that it was him and Everest snuggling together, kissing each other, and becoming mates. Now she was gone, forever smiling still in a final bed that she would never rise from. The only measure of peace he found was that heaven existed and she was up there in eternal bliss.
It was all so much. His origins. Travis. His parents. Demons. His destiny. Everest.
"Couldn't sleep?" Marshall turned his head and saw, in his night clothes, Travis walking up to him with a small smile. "Mind if I join you?"
"Sure," Marshall said, scooting over to make some room. Travis sat down next to him and sighed before looking towards the direction of the ocean. Marshall soon joined him as the two watched on in silence.
Time passed before Marshall finally decided to ask, "Travis, have I… disappointed you?" His response was a raised eyebrow. "I-I know that you've been hoping I'd be like the… old me… but I'm still struggling to see you as… well…"
"It's fine," Travis said, shaking his head. "I know its awkward for both of us. I know a you that hasn't existed in years because of your amnesia. This island is all you've known your known life while I've known you since you were born. I wish things were different and you'd look at me like you did when we were kids." He sighed and looked back at Marshall. "But we've both changed. It's not just the fact we grew up separated thinking the other was dead, but the fact that I had grown up training to face the forces of hell by myself while you were surrounded by a loving family that took you in."
"Rodrick seems to think of you as family," Marshall pointed out.
"True, but I wasn't always with Rodrick. I traveled around the world to prepare for my destiny, rarely coming back to Costal City unless needed," Travis pointed out. "I wish things could go back the way they could, but they can't. The thing I am most grateful to God for is that you are alive. Maybe we can't be as close as we once were, but I would like to try and be close again. Even not as brothers, but as new friends I can deal with."
Marshall smiled and nodded. "I'd like that too." He paused and then asked, "So can you tell me any interesting stories?"
This made Travis smile widely and chuckle. "Well, there was the one time you got so excited for your first day of school you woke me up and we got dressed for Rodrick to take us there… only we got dressed on a Saturday."
Marshall couldn't help but giggle at that. He would giggle and laugh many more times that evening as Travis told more stories of their youth together. It was a youth that Marshall didn't remember, but for some reason he couldn't help but picture himself there.
There with this human named Travis.
Gelugon watched his targets with his enhanced site from his hidden spot on top of the pet wash store. It would have been so easy to just walk over there and kill them, but he recognized who was right next to the dalmatian. His client had warned him of the human who bared the ability to seal demons into an inescapable prison. Unlike hell, this was a place no demon to could escape or heal from their wounds if the rumors were correct. A pocket dimension powered, and sealed, by God himself.
He had to get him out of the picture first despite him also being a target. The dog was the easier one to kill. Once he was out of the way then he could focus on Travis. How to get him out of the way though? Hmm, well Costal City is undefended now…
Even though there was the knowledge that a demonic assassin was trying to kill them, Zuma couldn't help but find himself bored out of his mind. For the past five days, he and the others had done nothing but sit around and either play video games, train, or watch TV. Zuma felt especially annoyed that he was forbidden to go surfing or even swim in the town pool.
"If that demon doesn't kill us, boredom will," Zuma muttered, resting his head over his paws as he laid in the shade of the tree in the backyard. Rocky was right next to him, reading some books about demons that Travis had brought over. "How can you just sit reading for five days straight?"
"Because some of us have patience," Rocky answered, turning the page. "Relax, I'm sure Ryder and Travis will figure out a plan soon."
"They better or else I'm going to go stir crazy," Zuma answered as he got up and stretched his back. "So, Rocky. What are your thoughts about all this?" Rocky looked up from his book as Zuma continued, "I mean demons are real? I'm still struggling to believe it. I've always been kinds of a spiritual but not religious kind of dude but knowing all this stuff of angels and hell spawn is real kind of makes me wonder if I should schedule for baptism soon."
"I know how you feel. I kind of always thought it was a silly thing human made up to explain the world around them, but knowing its real?" Rocky shrugged. "Honestly, I'm over it. Way I see it, its just something new to research and look into."
"With all that studying you do, I'm surprised you haven't applied for college," Zuma chuckled only for Rocky to give a knowing smirk. Realizing it, Zuma gasped, "No, way! Seriously? You applied?"
"Well, I've got a few offers," Rocky answered as he closed his book and got up. "I've been getting them since last year. I've debated going, but I didn't want to leave the team without me. Next to Ryder, I'm kinda the smartest guy here."
"You should totally go, dude," Zuma encouraged with a smile and a pat on the shoulder. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that you should go get a degree in something."
"Thanks, but until this whole demon thing is sorted out, I'm putting it in the back of my mind," Rocky answered. "Why don't we get lunch? It's almost noon."
Zuma nodded and began to walk with Rocky towards the Lookout when they spotted Chase and Skye snuggling. He sighed and shook his head, but he still had a smile on his face. "At least those two are having fun spending more time together. Can't believe they're finally getting married."
"It's nice to hear something positive after… well… Everest…" Rocky whispered, lowering his head a bit.
Zuma whimpered and lowered his head and tail. He still couldn't believe Everest was gone. There was always the risk that they would die in a rescue and all of them were prepared for such a thing. Yet to be outright murdered? That was something nobody could get used to.
"I just hope everything works out," Zuma said.
Suddenly, their dog tags beeped as Ryder called them and said, "Everyone to the Lookout! Something has happened!"
The two friends turned to each other before rushing toward the elevator with Chase and Skye right behind them. Marshall and Rubble were already waiting as they all got in and shot up to the top. They didn't get their gear on so it must not have been a mission requirement. When they arrived, Travis was looking worried while Ryder was all serious. Chase, despite them not being in uniform, walked up and took the lead. "Paw Patrol ready for action, Ryder, sir!"
"Thanks, Chase, but we're not going into action," Ryder said as he turned to Travis who nodded. "Check it out."
He pressed a button on his tablet which caused the big screen in the room to turn on and show a news report from Costal City. The six gasped upon seeing the report of a demon attack somewhere downtown with a dozen dead and many more wounded. All eyes turned to Travis who was glaring at the tv before shaking his head. "I need to head back. Rodrick is already preparing our exit from the island."
"You have to know this is a trap! For either of us!" Chase pointed out.
"I know, but I can't leave the city undefended. I offered Ryder the chance for all of you to come with me-"
"Which I declined because we cannot leave Adventure Bay alone should we be needed."
"-so I have no choice but to deal with this while hoping I can get back in time before you're all attacked," Travis finished, sighing.
"So, we're our own?" Marshall asked, whimpering. "How long will you be gone?"
"At best? I can solve this by tomorrow or the day after. It's hard to tell. I need to get back home to deal with the situation and figure out a way to solve it," Travis said before walking over to Marshall and kneeling before him. Rubbing his head, he smiled and said, "Don't worry. I will come back. And I have faith you'll handle whatever comes your way."
Getting up he made his way to the elevator. "However, I did Ryder advice on what to prepare. Plus, I'll have some supplies to help fight the demons shipped her by tomorrow morning. Holy water. Silver weapons. Charms. Things of that nature." He turned around to the rest of them and narrowed his eyes. "Remember, these demons are smart. Stick together and think on your actions carefully. It could mean the difference between life and death."
"Travis…" Marshall said, before his old owner could press the down button. "Come back soon, okay?"
Travis only nodded before he pressed the down button. He could only pray he could.
It had been two days since Travis left and all Marshall had done was watch the news about anything relating to the events in Costal City. So far there hadn't been new attacks, but there was no news about Travis either. Marshall had said that Travis tried to keep as low a profile as possible, not much for getting his face on the news, which was starting to worry Chase. He knew that Marshall and Travis had been slowly bonding for some time, he had seen them talking more or even playing a few games together. And deep down he hated it.
Despite Marshall's efforts to assure Chase and the others he wouldn't be leaving Adventure Bay, Chase still was worried about losing his best friend to this total stranger. That might as well be what Travis was to Marshall, even if there was an excuse of memory loss. He wasn't there for Marshall for so long, but the Paw Patrol was. He and Ryder were the ones who helped raise Marshall after he washed up on the shore. They had been through everything important together, and such a bond couldn't be broken. Could it?
He hated the fact that Travis had spotted Marshall and wished they had not gone to the stupid tournament. Maybe it was selfish to think that way, but he didn't want to lose his brother.
Marshall had decided it was enough tv for one day and went to staring out into the ocean with a saddened look on his face. Chase, worried, decided to walk up to him and sat down. "What's on your mind, buddy?"
"Just hoping Travis is okay," Marshall answered, lowering his head. "I mean he's dealt with demons before but…"
"I guess you're just worried about your old owner?" Chase asked, with a bit of bitterness behind it. Thankfully, Marshall didn't notice.
"Yeah, I mean its kinda weird to think of him as my old owner. It kinda feels like he's a new friend and I'm getting to know him really well," Marshall answered. "Plus, he knows my parents, Chase. My parents!" He looked at Chase with a smile. "I've… I've learned so much about them… how amazing they were… how much they loved me… I've seen videos of them on his phone and…." Wiping a few tears from his face, Marshall sighed, "It's something I've dreamed about for so long…"
Chase didn't say anything, but he felt a bit of regret for his feeling earlier as he silently whimpered. Knowing who your parents where was always a dream of any of the paw patrol members. All of them were either strays, orphans, or adopted from shelters. Even Chase, despite having his earliest memories being with Ryder, was told his mother died giving birth to him and Ryder's parents took him in for their son to have as a pet. He didn't even know who his father was. I suppose that's one thing I can be grateful to Travis for.
"Do… do you want to go back to Costal City with him?" Chase asked, eyebrow raised.
Marshall was quiet for awhile before sighing. "I don't know. If this is my destiny, to fight demons, should I really fight it… but at the same time I'm afraid of what happened to E-Everest might happen to you guys too. Travis might be my old owner, but you're my family. I don't want to lose my family twice."
Chase bit his lip and was about to say something, but the sound of a large explosion echoed so loud that the two dogs covered their ears. At first, they were afraid of the Lookout being under attack, but it was undamaged and there wasn't any fire around them.
"Look!" Marshall shouted pointing to sea as Chase looked and gasped.
An oil tanker, not that far away from the bay, was on fire and tons of oil was already spilling out.
Their dog tags lit up as the familiar call to action went off. "Paw Patrol! To the Lookout!"