AN: This has to be my favorite chapter by far.
This should clear up the confusion of the previous chapter.
Skye led Chase out of the pup-house and into the backyard where many people were gathered. Besides the pups and Ryder, there was the mayor and Chickeletta, Jake, Katie, the Porters, Daring Danny, the Turbots, and farmers Yumi and Al. Something hanging on the back of the lookout caught Chase's eye. It was a large banner that read Farewell Marshall, and good luck. "Farewell Marshall? What's going on?" Chase asked, turning to Skye.
Skye raised her eyebrow. "Chase, don't you remember?" She asked him. "Marshall is leaving town. He's leaving… the PAW Patrol."
Chase's mouth dropped at these words. "W-what?" Chase stammered out. "Why is he leaving?"
Skye cocked her head to the side. "Chase, what's going on with you? We've known for at least a week now."
"I've… just been forgetting a lot of things lately. Please Skye, just tell me." Answered Chase.
Skye let out a soft sigh. "Well to refresh your memory, Marshall is leaving because he wants to travel the world with Joey and Dirk and become a full fledged EMT pup." Skye explained.
"But there's no way Ryder would agree to this. We NEED Marshall!" Chase pointed out.
"Ryder was against it at first, but after realizing that it wasn't his decision to make, he relieved Marshall of his PAW Patrol duties." Skye explained. "We're all sad. We don't want Marshall to go, but we want him to be happy."
"And going miles away from us makes him happy?" Remarked Chase.
"I don't think it's like that, Chase." Skye reasoned.
"Where is Marshall now?" Chase asked, looking around. "We should… we should try and convince him to stay."
"He's with Dirk and Joey." Skye answered. "He's already set to leave. He's leaving his pup house behind." She motioned her paw to the completely empty red pup house. "He's coming by to say one final goodbye before leaving town."
Chase lowered his head, looking towards the ground. No… How did this happen? WHEN did this happen? He thought. This doesn't make any sense. This can't be it.
Dirk's truck soon pulled into the driveway and out hopped Marshall and Joey with Dirk following close behind. Everyone began to crowd around Marshall, greeting the three with sad faces.
"C'mon Chase." Skye motioned, before moving toward the crowd. Chase himself just sat there speechless, still unable to process all this. What would the PAW Patrol be without Marshall? Without his silly antics and clumsiness? Without his big heart and compassion? What would he be without Marshall?
Marshall approached Ryder. He slowly removed his pup-tag from his own collar and held it out to the ten-year old. Ryder reached down and picked up the red tag. As he held it within his hands, he kept looking at Marshall and then back at the tag again. Ryder got down on one knee in front of Marshall.
"You keep it." Ryder said. He smiled as he attached the pup-tag back onto the dalmatian's collar.
"Ryder… are you sure?" Marshall asked him.
Ryder rubbed Marshall's head. "I'm sure Marshall. This way we can still stay in contact… and see your face. I also want you to keep your EMT pup-pack. Now you won't have to worry about getting new materials." Ryder laughed.
Marshall smiled. He was almost in tears. "Thanks Ryder… for everything." Ryder hugged Marshall and Marshall returned his hug, licking his face a few times. He looked at the crowd surrounding him. "Thank you… all of you. I'm not really good at speeches, but I just wanted to say I've had great adventures and fun times with each and every one of you. I'll always cherish those times." once Marshall finished his sentence Rubble bursted into tears.
"Marshaaaaall! Don't go!" The english bulldog wailed. Rocky patted Rubble on the back in an attempt to comfort him.
Marshall continued. "This is a new journey for me. Something I never would have expected… but I've chosen this path, and I'm glad to have you all support me." As Marshall finished his sentence, Joey walked up beside him and licked his face. Marshall giggles. "Oh, and I can't forget all the support of my mate here too."
"MAAAATE?!" A voice shouted in the midst of the crowd. Everyone turned to face a certain shepherd.
"Sorry, it's my allergies…" Chase replied with a sheepish look.
Everyone turned back to face Marshall as he cleared his throat. "Like I was saying, Joey's been very supportive. He's the one who encouraged me. I always felt like I was kind of a screw up, but Joey made me feel different. Joey helped me see who I really was and what I was capable of.
Chase growled within his mind. Joey this, Joey that, Joey everything.
"And I'm so glad to have met him." Marshall finished as he and his mate nuzzled each other. Chase felt his heart drop. Skye walked up to Ryder and nudged his leg.
"Oh Marshall, the pups each have something they want to give you." Ryder told him. Skye walked up to Marshall and handed him a pink aviator's cap with goggles.
"This is the same cap you wore when you rescued that kitten, Marshall. I want you to have it to remember me by." Skye said as she handed him the cap.
"Thank you Skye… I'll cherish it." Marshall smiled.
Next was Rubble. Rubble handed Marshall an Apollo Super Pup comic. "Marshall… this is one of my favorite issues. I want you to take it with you…" He said, sniffling.
"Issue 270? But that's your favorite." Marshall said, the surprise clear in his voice.
"YOU'RE my favorite. I hope you always think of me when you read it." Rubble said, before hugging him.
Zuma approached Marshall next, holding a trophy. "Mawrshall, I want you to have my 1st place Pup Pup Boogie tournament twrophy." He said before setting the trophy beside Marshall.
"What?!" Marshall looked shocked. "I can't just take your troph-"
"Dude, it's ok. This way, no matter how far you go… you'll always remember who the champ is." Zuma smiled a sad smile.
Marshall smiled back. "Thank you Zuma. I'll never forget."
Zuma walked away and Rocky was next in line.
"Marshall…" Rocky started as he took off his signature cap."
Marshall looked surprised. "Rocky, that's your favorite cap. You can't…" Marshall said, before the mixed breed placed the cap on top of his head. Rocky took a step back, looking over Marshall.
"It actually looks better on you." Rocky replied with a slight laugh.
"Rocky… don't." Said Marshall.
"You better not get it wet." Laughed the mixed breed.
Marshall stared at his friend, wiping his eyes. "I'll take good care of it. I promise." He said. Rocky returned his friend's smile. The next pup to give Marshall a gift was Everest. She sat one of her favorite snowboards in front of Marshall.
"Since you're traveling the world, you can use this if you ever visit any snowy areas." She told him.
"You even painted it red for me." Marshall said, as he stared at the board.
"Yeah… Jake helped me with that part." She laughed, looking toward Jake as he gave a nod. "Maybe me and Jake will run into you and we can even race sometime."
"I look forward to it Everest." Marshall said, shooting Everest and Jake another smile.
Ryder had noticed that Chase was missing from the group. "Uh… Has anyone seen Chase?" He asked. Everyone glanced around, but Chase was nowhere to be seen.
"He's been acting kinda weird today." Skye said. "He didn't even remember that today was the day Marshall was leaving. Maybe he's not feeling well?"
Dirk pulled out his phone and looked at the time. "Time for us to hit the road you two. I'd hate to cut this short, but we've got a long drive ahead of us." Dirk said, turning to walk toward his vehicle. Everyone took turns hugging Marshall and wishing him well.
"Please take good care of our Marshall." The Mayor said to Joey.
"Marshall, I'm going to train to become a fire pup just like you." Alex told the dalmatian.
"Alex, I think you mean fireman." Mr. Porter corrected.
"No grandpa." Alex replied, causing the group to erupt in laughter.
"Marshall please come and visit whenever you can." Farmer Yumi told him.
"Marshall, I'm going to call you from Ryder's pup-pad everyday. So be sure to pick up." Katie said, winking to Marshall.
The two dalmatians walked to Dirk's truck and with the help of Joey, Marshall lowered the ramp to the back and loaded all of his gifts on the inside. He ran back to his crowd of friends to say one final goodbye. All of the pups and Ryder surrounded him in one last group hug. All except Chase.
"Take care of yourself Marshall." Ryder told him.
"In dark of night. In light of day…" Marshall said.
"We the PAW Patrol will serve Adventure Bay." Said Rocky.
"From runaway trains to stranded whales…" said Skye.
"We'll rush to the rescue with wagging tails." Said Rubble.
"If dangerw's near, just give a yelp…" said Zuma.
"The PAW Patrol is here to help!" Finished Everest.
Once the group hug ended, Marshall walked back to Dirk's truck. As he walked onto the ramp of the truck, he heard someone call out to him.
"Marshall…!"
Marshall stopped and looked back to see Chase at the bottom of the ramp.
"Chase?"
"Marshall, why are you leaving?" Chase asked him. "Is it because of me?"
"No Chase, I-"
"I'm sorry for what I said yesterday. I don't think you're disgusting." Chase continued, earning a confused look from Marshall.
"Yesterday?" Marshall said, raising an eyebrow. "Chase, that was weeks ago."
"Weeks?" Repeated Chase. "I just don't understand what's going on." Chase's tone had a bit of frustration now as he buried his face into his paws. "I'm just sorry for what I said… for how I acted."
"Chase…" Marshall smiled a sweet smile. "You don't have to apologize. I already forgave you for everything." Marshall explained. "I'm not leaving because of you; I'm leaving because I want to. I want to be with Joey, and I want to travel and see the world with him and Dirk. I want to be a professional EMT pup, so don't blame yourself."
"But why? Why Joey?" Asked Chase.
"What's your problem with Joey? He's always been there for me. Even when I first met him." Marshall smiled as he reminisced. "He just wanted to see me smile. Somewhere along the way, I guess I just fell for him." Marshall confessed. Dirk honked the horn of his truck. "I'm sorry Chase, I have to go." Marshall turns to walk into the truck, but is quickly stopped by Chase grabbing his paw. "Chase?!"
"Marshall… we won't be the same without you. I won't be the same without you. How could you really leave this… ALL of this behind?" Chase was getting close to tears now.
"Chase, I'm sorry, but I-" Marshall was cut short as Chase pulled him into an embrace, hugging him tightly.
"No! I can't! I won't let you go! I won't let you leave!" Shouted Chase. Chase couldn't explain what he was feeling right now. He was scared. He was hurt. He was angry. He was sad. All these emotions were flowing through him at once and he no longer had any control of them. Just for a second he wondered. Could he really have feelings for Marshall? "Stay here…" Chase said softly.
"Chase, I know you think I'm just going through a phase. That it's disgusting to be with other males, but Joey is my true-"
"I don't care about that!" Chase shouted. "Just please… stay here with me." He said. Something was burning deep within the shepherd now. Something he didn't know exactly how to say.
"What do you mean you don't care about that?" Marshall asks.
"I-I feel like I've been so confused all along. I never cared about you liking males." Chase confessed. "I was just afraid that I… might like-"
HOOOOONK! Dirk blew the horn once again.
Marshall gently moved Chase's arms from around him. "I'm sorry Chase… but it's too late." Marshall looked at him with sad eyes before slowing backing up into the darkness of the truck. Marshall disappeared into the dark space and seconds later Joey emerges.
"I warned you. He's mine now." Joey said in a dark tone. "Now… drown in the depths of your own vacant heart." He thrusted his paw forward and in response water shot out from the back of the truck, flooding and submerging Chase once again. Chase finds himself floating deeper into a dark bottomless lake. The same lake he was in previously.
Marshall… don't leave me…
Chase wakes up once again, to find himself in the playroom of the lookout, where he sees Marshall having a conversation with someone.
"Just forget it!" Marshall was having a conversation with… another Chase? "Forget this whole conversation! I knew it was a mistake to try and tell you… It was stupid of me to even try!" Marshall tried to run past Chase, but was stopped by Chase grabbing him by the collar.
"Oh Marshall," he started as he smiled. "You know I could never love you." He roughly yanked the dalmatian's collar and threw him against the wall. Marshall grunted out in pain.
Chase gasped. The duplicate Chase flashed a toothy grin as he walked back up to Marshall. "What are you doing?!" Chase shouted at his duplicate.
"You already know how we do." He responded back to Chase, before savagely bitting Marshall's leg. Marshall howled out in even more pain.
"STOP!" Chase commanded as he rushed towards the other shepherd. Chase tried to ram the shepherd, only to pass right through him as if he was just an illusion. "What…?" Chase said, looking behind him.
"Chase, Chase, Chase." The duplicate shepherd shook his head. "We're one in the same. We don't care about this worthless piece of trash, so stop PRETENDING." He thrusted his paw into Marshall's stomach, resulting in another heartbreaking cry. The dalmatian was at the point of tears now.
"Please stop!" Chase commanded again as he tried to tackle his duplicate, only to fail once again.
"See? You can't touch me because deep down you know you want this." The evil Chase approached Marshall again; towering over him.
"Ch-Chase…" Marshall let out through sniffles. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?" He said with drenched eyes. Chase couldn't stand watching this. What was he to do? How could he stop this.
"Please… stop this! You're hurting him!" Chase commanded again. "I don't want this. I never wanted this."
"Oh? Is that so?" The evil Chase said mockingly. "But we're soooo good at hurting him. So good at making him cry. Doesn't it make you feel so powerful to be in control of all those emotions."
"You're sick." Chase shot back.
The evil Chase chuckled darkly. "Yes WE are."
"I'm not like you. I'm nothing like you." Chase growled.
"But you ARE me. We're one in the same. WE'VE hurt him before, remember?" The dark shepherd reminded. Chase took a second to think about it. Then it hit him. He really had been hurting Marshall a lot.
"Chase, why do you hate me?" Marshall asked, looking at the dark Chase with teary eyes.
"Marshall, I don't hate you!" Chase explained to the dalmatian.
"He can't hear you." The dark shepherd laughed, as he picked Marshall up by the collar, choking him. He then drew his claws and swiped Marshall's face, leaving three long bloody gashes across the dalmatian.
"Stop! Just stop! I can't take this anymore!" Chase cried out.
"Why?!" The dark shepherd taunted as he swiped Marshall over and over. "Why do you care so much about what happens to this piece of trash?! Huh? Why. Do. You. Care?!"
"Because I love him!" Chase shouted. His voice echoed out repeatedly as everything came to a standstill. It was as if time literally stopped at that moment. Marshall faded away and the background changed to a completely white void.
The duplicate shepherd looked at Chase and smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry… I may have overdid it a little." He replied. "I just couldn't stand seeing you hurt our Marshall anymore."
Chase looked toward the other shepherd with confusion. "What…"
"You're stubborn. I knew I would have to go this far. You are me after all. This, ALL of this was to make you see."
"Make me see?" Chase repeated.
The duplicate began walking toward Chase. "Yes. You do love him. You've been jealous of Joey, because you felt like Marshall was moving on. You felt like you were being replaced." The other Chase explained. "You didn't care that Marshall liked males. You were just afraid; afraid of the feelings that you realized you might have for him." The duplicate stopped walking and stopped directly in front of Chase.
"Who… who are you?" Chase asked.
The other Chase smiled widely. "I'm what's known as your true feelings." He answered. "Now go; go and tell my- our Marshall how you really feel. How WE really feel." A bright light began to shine forth and completely envelope the room.
Chase's eyes shot open as he awoke, gasping. He looked over his surroundings. He had been laying in the same grassy spot that he had been in ever since his talk with Joey.
"Chase! Chase… please answer me!"
"Skye?" Chase said in surprise. Skye sounded like she was very panicked; crying even. "Skye is everything alright?"
"Oh my dog! Chase, where are you?! Are you ok?!" She asked.
Chase yawned. "Yeah… I fell asleep on Big View Trail…" He said as he stretched his paws.
"Ryder! I have Chase on call! He's on Big View Trail!" Skye shouted, informing Ryder. "Chase you had me worried! I called and called! Even Ryder was worried! He was in the process of tracking your pup-tag!"
"Sorry Skye, I didn't mean to worry you… I'm ok. I'll be back at the lookout soon." Chase told her.
"Ok, I can't wait to see yo-" Skye was cut off as Chase ended the call. Everything felt so surreal to the shepherd right now. The time he had spent within his dreams felt like almost a day had passed, yet in reality only an hour had passed. Getting on all fours, he picked himself off the ground and started his walk out of Big View Trail. Only one thing echoed throughout his mind.
I… love Marshall…
