(A/N): Hey guys. Well back after a very hard pill to swallow last week. I apologize if I made some of you cry as writing this got me too and I would like to remind you that this story does have a happy ending, so just hang in there.
Welcome back to Paw Patrol: The Ballad of Dally!
Chapter 9: Bad Decisions
Chase woke up from yet another nightmare. He growled in frustration as his dreams were plagued with misery and regret. It had been two days since Ryder announced Marshall's death and it hadn't gotten any easier. Not that Chase thought that a tragedy like this would blow over, just that he didn't anticipate the shock to still be very strong.
For the first time since the team was started, there were no missions for the entire day yesterday. Even though Ryder reassured the town that no matter what was going on, the Paw Patrol was still ready for anything, and would still gladly accept to help out in any way, no calls came in. Not even the most careless citizen dared to call them, out of respect for what the team was going through. Chase was admittedly very glad that none came, as he couldn't imagine the team pushing through with Marshall's death still fresh in everyone's mind.
Chase slowly walked out of his pup house into the very bright and early morning. As always, he was the first one up. He thought about going by the normal routine of waking everybody up, but felt that the rest probably didn't get much sleep. He wanted to at least give them a little longer to sleep due to the circumstances.
He looked right and his heart immediately hurt, as Marshall's pup house had come into view. The house had turned into a makeshift sanctuary as flowers and candles littered the entire house from various friends and fans the Paw Patrol had gathered over the years. A very sad and unusual sight for a pup who should be here right now.
As Chase walked up to it, his mind instantly brought up the promise he made Marshall a week before. He shrugged it off everytime before, as he never would've guessed he would have to fulfill the promise so soon. Now, like it or not, he had a promise to keep. It was now his ultimate life goal to complete as it would be the one thing he could do for his best friend. It's not going to be easy and there would probably be a lot of tears shed, but he had to at least try and give it his all for Marshall.
Chase walked away from the now symbolic piece. The more he looked at it, the more pain and sadness he gained. He walked over to the pup house that was next to it, Rubble's pup house.
Rubble had his door open, allowing Chase to see inside and look at the snoozing bulldog. Rubble was the least affected one out of the team, due to him being the most recent member. He had only known Marshall for two months, so as grim as it sounds, Chase wouldn't be surprised, he wasn't really torn up that much about it.
But no matter how long Rubble knew the dalmatian, it still hurt him to lose a friend. Especially if you've only had two months with said friend.
Chase went on to Zuma's pup house that was next to Rubble's. Chase looked inside to see the little chocolate lab laying on his side, sound asleep. Chase felt immensely bad for him when he saw the little wet spot under the side of his head, meaning that the poor pup probably cried himself to sleep.
Even though Zuma was very close to Rocky, Marshall was probably just as close to him, if not more. He looked up to the dally and considered him a big brother. Whenever Zuma wanted a surfing buddy, Marshall would usually be the first one to go. Even if he wasn't really that good at it, Zuma would always have fun when Marshall would surf with him. They would laugh and play along with each other and along with Rocky, be the bestest of Friends.
Chase never minded it at all, as Zuma is a true and amazing pup to be friends with and was more like Marshall than anyone of the pups would ever be.
The past few days had almost been too much for the young pup to handle. Not just because of Marshall's death, which was already devastating enough, but because of his own best friend.
When Chase went up to Rocky's pup house, a sting of guilt injected in his heart for his troubled friend.
To say that Rocky took Marshall's death hard would be the understatement of the year. Rocky was absolutely destroyed by Marshall's passing. Rocky cried all day long in his pup house. No one could get in to talk to him due to him locking himself in and just bawling. Poor Zuma spent all day standing outside his house, waiting for Rocky to let him in and talk to him. But it never happened and Zuma ended up staying there until dark, where Chase had to convince him to go to bed.
Chase felt horrible for Rocky. Marshall was his first friend he ever made, and for a good while, was his only friend. When they found Rocky in the outskirts of Foggy Bottom, Chase was surprised to know that he knew Marshall. Marshall had never said anything about Rocky to that point, but when the two were reunited, it was like they never separated.
Chase never had anything against Rocky when he found out about their history together. He never felt jealous, he never felt that Rocky was stealing Marshall from him, and he never felt that Marshall was choosing Rocky over him. Mostly because Marshall never liked choosing friends over other friends. If anything, he was glad that Marshall had another friend to spend time with. He never hated Rocky, and he never felt that he had reason to. To him, Rocky was another friend that he could count on and at many times, another brother to have. That's why he's so worried about him right now because from what he got from Zuma and from insight alone, Rocky was starting to act like he did when his father died. Feeling miserable, not wanting to talk, and not wanting to get out for anything.
Chase's eyes welled up, as he put his fore paw on Rocky's door. His heart hurt for him as he knew exactly what he was going through and what he was thinking. It was going to take a lot to get through to him, just like it took a lot for Chase himself, when Marshall had to push hard for him.
After standing there for a bit, Chase walked away and went up to Skye's pup house. Well, not her pup house since her's is still in for repairs.
He walked up to the doorway and eyes the peacefully sleeping cockapoo. When he saw her, his mind drifted off in her beauty as she slept. His heart rate went up and his paws trembled. She's so cute when she slept, it's like an angel was sleeping right in front of him.
Chase was in love, nobody doubted that. Ever since Skye entered the team, Chase had it out for her. The best part about it was that he knew that she had the same feeling. Which was a godsend to him. He didn't have to worry about wondering if she loved him back because….well she did.
Only one thing is preventing him from confessing and that was the job. While he didn't think Ryder would have a problem with it, and neither would the pups, he thought that it would change the atmosphere of the team dramatically, mostly between Skye and himself.
Because he loved her, Chase would likely not want her to be in danger constantly and he would imagine Skye would feel the same way about him. Missions could be compromised, giving Ryder a handful to deal with. No matter what feelings he had, he couldn't put that much pressure on Skye, himself, and everyone else for that matter. Not to mention, the concept of having a mate was still alien to him and would probably want to understand it first before diving head first into a relationship. He didn't know if Skye felt the same, but it was at least what he thought. Still, he couldn't help but to at least be excited about it when it happiness. It probably will, just not now.
Chase was about to leave the cockapoo, but then a memory crossed his mind. It was three days ago before they were called on for the fire, when both he and Marshall were talking to Skye. When she said that without her equipment, she was useless on the team and her days on the Paw Patrol were numbered.
Chase tried to tell her different but he was interrupted by the call to the building and then Marshall's accident happened. Since that, Marshall had been the only thing on the shepherd's mind for the past two days. He completely forgot about Skye's troubles.
Chase's concerns for the cockapoo instantly grew. He hoped she didn't have the same thoughts she had. If she did, her time on the team would be thin as a twig.
Chase was terrified of that on so many levels. Obviously, Chase would never see Skye again which was a world he did not want to live in. Added the fact that it would also mean that the Paw Patrol would lose another member in the matter of weeks or even days. There's no telling how the team would go on if there ever was a team in the near future. Not to mention, it'll also be a bad start for Chase to fulfill the promise he made to Marshall.
It was pretty obvious that Skye would be the first one Chase will start with. Partially because of his feelings for her but mostly because of Marshall's promise.
Obviously, now was not the time to talk to her about it, thanks to Marshall's death still looming over them. It would have to be after the shock of Marshall's death mellowed out somehow.
Chase turned to walk away, getting the feeling that he was being a little creepy watching the cockapoo sleep. He got a few steps away from the pup house when suddenly….
"Chase? Is that you?" he heard a tired Skye say.
Chase froze in recognition of the voice. He then got very shakily as he hoped Skye was not creeped out.
"Y-Yeah Skye. It's me."
Skye looked at Chase very curiously. "Were you…...watching me?"
Chase nearly choked at the question. "Um…..um. No, I wasn't…"
Skye raised her eyebrow while smirking a little. "Then….what were you doing?"
Chase shook as he tried to find a way out of this awkward situation he was in. "I…..uh…...I was….I heard that Alex was back from the hospital, and…..uh I wanted to see if you wanted to come with me to go visit him."
Skye kept her skeptical face on as she looked at the clearly lying Chase. For the sake of the shepherd, she decided to let it go for now as she smiled at him. "I would love to go with you."
"Th-That's great." Chase sounded back with a wide smile. "Le-Let's get going then."
Chase turned back around to go to his pup house and start his car up. Taking a few quick breaths as he hoped She didn't ask any further.
"Chase?" Skye called softly.
Chase stopped in his tracks and raised his head. "Yeah Skye?"
It took Skye a bit before she asked him. "A-Are you okay."
Chase turned around and looked at the now very sad and worried Skye looking at him. He knew what she was asking about specifically, but Chase couldn't decide on whether or not to answer her. He knew Skye wasn't stupid, and could tell whether he was hiding something in his mind or not. He had to give an answer though and maybe, he could slide by her just once.
He smiled warmly at her. "Yeah Skye. I'm okay. You?"
Skye dipped her head and whimpered. When Chase saw tears roll down her face, he got up to her and put a paw on her shoulder. He rubbed it as Skye responded.
"I-It's n-not going to be easy is it? To move on without him?" Skye said, her voice cracking to pieces. "I-I don't know if I can do that Chase."
Chase then hugged with one paw, while Skye nuzzled his neck for comfort. Chase couldn't help but to feel warm and fuzzy when Skye was nuzzling him. Even though he could tell it was for comfort, Chase speculated that there was a little more behind it, as if she was wanting more. Unfortunately, now would be a horrible time to say anything about it. He continued to hug her tightly.
"I can't believe Marshall's actually gone." Skye sobbed quietly. "He's our brother Chase. He can't just be gone. He's stronger than that."
Chase felt like crying with her, but he had to be strong for her. Skye cried softly. "Why Chase? Why? Marshall never hurt anybody. He was just a kind hearted pup who wanted to help everyone! Why Chase Why!"
Skye sobbed into Chase's chest as Chase could only do his best to soothe her. "I-I have no idea Skye. Only the good die young I guess."
Skye raised her head and locked eyes with Chase. He could tell that she didn't like what he said. "Wha-ho-how could you say something like that Chase? That's a horrible thing to say."
Chase felt intimidated by her stare. Chase got all nervous "I-I mean, Marshall truly didn't deserve it Skye. That's what I meant. I didn't mean to sound so off putting like that. I'm just as miserable as you Skye." Chase tears up as he continues. "He was my best friend Skye. I loved him as a brother. You're not alone on this. Not by a long shot. All of us are miserable and were going to get through this together." He then looks straight at her, his pupils not moving an inch. "I will make sure of that myself."
Skye stood aghast at Chase's statement, as she let go of him. "Chase…..wh-what about you? Are you going to be okay? I'm not as worried about myself as much as I'm worried about you. You and Marshall were very close than any of us were very close than any of us were. You've barely spoken these past few days, and…...I heard you…..last night."
Chase froze again at Skye's confession. He then got very uneasy as she continued. "You been having nightmares about him, have you?"
Nothing came out of the shepherd's mouth as she waited for him to answer him. "Please don't lie to me Chase. I knew it was you screaming last night. The reason why I did hear you was because…...I..I've been up last night myself….." Skye paused as her voice nearly gave out. "Because…..I've had them too."
Chase's eyes grew wide at this as he looked at the drooping Skye. He completely put his misery aside for her sake. He had no idea Skye was having nightmares along with him. This worried him to no end. "Skye? Tell me. Are these nightmares about Marshall, happening in city….."
"Yes!" Skye quickly answered. "Everyone of them, being burning alive right in front of me, and I can't do anything except scream and cry."
Chase doubled on that. In his dreams, Marshall is crushed to death by rubble. He felt Skye's was much worse. He could imagine her going ballistic trying to save him as she hears him scream and holler through the whole thing. "S-Skye. How long have you been having this dream?"
Skye looked at Chase again. "S-Since Ryder told us about Marshall."
Chase stayed silent as he turned his back to Skye. He couldn't believe what the cockapoo was going through. At first he thought he was having very bad nightmares, but upon hearing about Skye's, he felt like he wanted to cry, which was why he turned around, so Skye couldn't see him shed tears for her.
Then, Chase finally spoke. "Let's go Skye. Let's go see Alex."
Skye was caught off guard by this. "Wh-What? We're going to just leave it at that?"
Chase could hardly keep his crying back as he replied. "Pl-Pleas Skye. Let's drop it for now." He then ran to his pup house and turned it into his vehicle. He then hopped up on it and pulled next to Skye.
"You coming?" Chase asked, while looking at her.
Skye drew a breath as she climbed up onto Chase's car and sat beside him. "Let's go Chase."
Chase showed now emotion as he took off down the hill. The two pups didn't speak as they got on the bridge. While they were crossing it though, an expensive looking car drove by them which caught the cockapoo's eye.
"Who is that?" Skye asked.
Chase didn't recognize the car at all as he kept his eyes on the road. "I don't know, but whoever it is, he sure has money."
Ryder had to convince himself to get up. For the past day and a half had been bedridden watching home movies of Marshall he had. He stayed up all night watching everyone he had of his fire pup, while also looking at hundreds of pictures he had taken of either Marshall by himself or him with the other pups.
Even though he's seen it, and accepted it in his mind, he still could hardly believe it. Marshall was gone, and never coming back. Ryder felt like he had failed the dally, that he should've done something to save his darling little fire pup. What's worse was that he knew somehow that something like this would happen eventually. He recalled having uneasy feelings way back when Chase had his accident and was so close to dying. It was then that he started to notice how much danger his pups were in constantly in missions. Especially very dangerous ones. Foolishly, he kept shrugging them aside, thinking that as long as he was with them and made sure they were safe, nothing bad would happen to them. He didn't care what happened to him, he just cared about his pups and whether or not they were okay. This time, he was too careless. He trusted Marshall and believed in him that everyone would get out and it didn't happen. Everyone but Marshall got out. He should've stopped Marshall from going back in. He shouldn't have sent Chase in. He should've gone in there himself. He shouldn't have even started the Paw Patrol in the first place. Then, there would've been no chance for Marshall, or any of his precious pups to be in danger constantly.
Marshall, would still be here.
Ryder had been saying the same stuff to himself for the past two days repeatedly telling himself that the fault was his and he was the worst leader in the world. The pups all looked at him for their safety. They all trusted him and he failed them.
Who was he kidding, thinking that he, a ten year old boy with no experience with leading a team, could lead a group of pups to be a rescue team. It may have started out nicely, but it all went downhill when Rocky fell off the windmill. Ever since that, close calls and injuries started happening more often. From Zuma almost drowning to Skye crashing in the forest. It was just a matter of time before it would mean death to one of his pups. He should've put more thought into it. But he didn't. He foolishly shrugged it off and now, he paid dearly for it. Well….more like Marshall, paid for it.
Ryder looked up at the TV from his bed and saw Marshall looking at him from the screen. He was smiling and running up to the camera and then stood very proudly in front of Ryder with his EMT uniform. Ryder remembered this. It was when Marshall got his EMT license from the Foggy Bottom medical center. It was a very happy and special moment for Marshall. Ryder couldn't have been more prouder for the dalmatian. He had full faith in him getting it, that he already made Marshall a new pup pack for his new job. He had just given it to him as a surprise, and Marshall was over the moon about it the whole day, as if everything was leading up to this one moment of his life.
He heard himself ask Marshall a question "Well Marshall, how do you like your new pup pack?"
Marshall wagged his tail very furiously, showing joy as he looked right at the camera with a wide smile. "I love it! It's perfect! Thank you so much Ryder! Now I can be the best medic pup AND the best fire pup!"
Marshall barked and howled in joy before he suddenly rushed up to the camera and jumped up to Ryder. Ryder dropped the camera to catch Marshall as he jumped into his arms. The camera as if by fate, landed at just the right angle to film the two's heartwarming hug. Ryder watched the screen with fresh tears. He knew what came next.
Marshall licked Ryder's face, then nuzzled it as Ryder hugged him close to his chest.
Then, out of nowhere, Marshall says. "I love you Ryder."
Just before there was a response, Ryder paused it right at that moment. He went up to his TV and looked right at Marshall. Ryder's eyes were a waterfall as he put his hand on the screen on the dally himself. He squeezed on the screen, hoping to somehow, pull the dally out of the video and bring him back to reality. Obviously, it didn't work, but he kept his hand on the screen as he sobbed. "I-I love you too little buddy." He almost broke down as he spoke more. "I-I'm s-so s-s-sorry Marshall. I already miss you so much."
He then closed his eyes and dipped his head. Wishing all the world that Marshall was with him right now, so his fire pup would still be alive and would one day live up to his dreams.
Ryder stayed like that for a good minute, crying as he stared at Marshall with tears flowing down his face.
Suddenly, the pup pad went off. He went to it and looked at who it was. He could hardly believe who was on the other end as he answered in shock.
"Dad?" Ryder answered.
Ryder looked at his pup pad with sudden happiness. It was very rare for his dad to call him due to how busy the both of them always were.
Ryder's dad looked at the screen and smirked. "Hey son. Just calling to let you know that I'm here at the lookout right now. Why don't you come down stairs and we can chat."
Ryder doubletaked at his father's request. "Wait! You're here?! Right now?!"
The man smiled at his son. "Yep, I'm in the lobby right now."
"Hang on!" Ryder says as he ended the call and practically flew to his closet.
Ryder was still styling his hair as he rode down the elevator. To meet his dad. It wasn't very often that his father was in town. In fact, it was quite a rarity.
Ryder's dad Norman, is the owner of the biggest software company in the U.S. at this time, Normality. In a short span of just three years, Normality has quickly grown from a small entity, to a worldwide corporation, due to Norman's self developed program he had worked on since his teenage years. After nearly ten years of success and failure, Norman's software has been the go to program for every supercomputer in the world.
It all started at Adventure Bay, back when the lookout tower wasn't even thought of, when a lonely house occupied it's land. For years Adventure Bay was a home to Norman, and he never forgot that. The town was where he started his company and family.
As much as Norman loved his work, he loved his son. Ryder, Tracer, Chase, and the other pups were the light of his life. Anything he did was to benefit Ryder and the pups more. He didn't care if he had to sacrifice his entire multi million dollar company, if his son was in peril, he would drop it like a rock until they were okay.
Ever since Ryder's early days, Norman had always seen himself in his son. It got better when he noticed how Ryder had grown into a very respective boy as the years went by. The most impressive feeling he had for Ryder, was the boy's extensive knowledge of technology. The apple fell very close to the tree, for at five years old, Ryder was able to create and develop an endless catalog of ideas for the future. It made him so proud to witness pure genius from his own offspring.
When the government became very interested in using his program, it seemed that things were finally looking up for Norman and his family. The government paid Norman so much for his program, that he was able to buy the land their house was on and build a tower to help his company grow. Unfortunately, not long after, the government came back to ask Norman to move his company right at the capital. That meant that he had to move out of Adventure Bay. At the same time though, his son's rescue team had finally gotten traction, and was making a whole lotta noise in Adventure Bay. Norman really didn't want to disrupt his son's dreams so he turned it down at first. Opting to stay at Adventure Bay for the rest of his life.
It surprised Norman one day, when Ryder himself campaigned for his father to take the job anyway, with Ryder staying himself to run the Paw Patrol.
Norman definitely didn't want to do that. Not that he didn't trust his son to take care of himself, but because he wouldn't see him on a day to day basis and wouldn't be able to help him much. Norman wanted to see his son grow and be successful. But Ryder had a way with words, and was willing to give up time for his father so he could build his company strong.
Like it or not, his company had a chance to be big, as long as he could put so much into it, It could set his family, more importantly Ryder, for life.
When the decision was made and Norman had enough confidence to move to the big capital and leave his only son home. Life changed, and the distance took a toll on their relationship. There were no hard feelings as Ryder and Norman loved each other just as well as before. The little moments that the two had with each other was usually a very special event.
When Ryder's father came to town, Ryder treated it as the most important thing in the world. His movement and mind power would quickly turn into a very busy bee. Going a thousand miles an hour, making sure everything was perfect for his visit, hoping to impress his father.
When the elevator was close to the bottom, Ryder was praying to god that his father wouldn't notice the signs of the depressive wreck he had been in for the past few days. Not wanting to show any weakness to his father, at least that was the initial plan, but when the doors opened and Ryder saw his father standing in the lobby, Ryder lost control of his mind. He instantly teared up and shot over to his father, colliding into him with a strong force that nearly knocked his dad off his feet. Ryder wrapped his arms around his father tightly, buried his head in his father's chest and sobbed. Norman held his boy tight with tears as well. No questions needed.
Chase and Skye walked into Mr. Porter's restaurant with the man himself looking at them with bewilderment. The two pups set themselves in front of him as he processed them being there.
"Chase? Skye? Oh man. What an unexpected surprise. I truly didn't expect you two to be out and about." Mr. Porter finally said, as he sat down on a chair after putting a pan of cookies in the oven. "C-Can I get you something?"
"No thanks Mr. Porter." Chase respectfully declined. "We're just here to check on Alex. We heard about you coming back last night and wanted to know how he was doing."
Upon hearing his grandson's name, Mr. Porter dipped his head and rubbed it with his hands. Chase and Skye exchanged looks to each other as he responded.
"He's fine pups. Besides the broken collar bone and the bruises he suffered, he's as healthy as a horse." He then drew a breath as he looked at the two. "I'm going to get this out of the way though. I can't tell you how sorry I am about Marshall."
Upon mention, Chase and Skye lowered their head and whimpered. Mr. Porter got up from his chair and went over to them, petting them softly on their heads. "When I heard the news, I was in shock. Marshall was an amazing pup, and it's a shame that he won't be with us anymore."
Skye nearly buckled as tears escaped her eyes. Chase stood still and sat in silence as Mr. Porter continued to pet them. He then turned around and walked towards the stairs, looking up at the ceiling. "But as much as I'm worried about you, Ryder, and the others…...I'm more worried about my grandson."
Skye raised her head at the man with concerned eyes. "Wh-What's wrong with Alex, Mr. Porter?"
Mr. Porter looked down and turned back around to look at the sad cockapoo. "Well, to put it lightly, he is a sad mess right now. Ever since I told him about Marshall, He's just been tearing himself to pieces over the whole thing. I've tried everything to cheer him up but not even making him his favorite food worked. He didn't ever attempt to eat them, I even tried begging him to come out but he never responded. All he does is cry and lock himself up."
Skye was horrified at what she heard. She had no idea Alex was in so much pain and misery about Marshall's passing. She looked at Chase as she had no idea what to do. Chase however, was still and looked troubled.
"It's getting to the point where I think that he will never come out of his room. I hope not or he will miss dinner later on tonight and won't eat. The poor boy. I wish I knew what to do. But him and Marshall were very close. He must be in so much misery right now." A tear went down Mr. Porter's cheek as he was in deep concern for his grandson.
Chase stood up as he looked at Mr. Porter. "Let us try Mr. Porter. Let's see if we can talk to him?"
Mr. Porter had hope in his eyes. "You think you can help him?"
"I don't think so, I know so." Chase replied with confidence.
Skye looked at Chase in astonishment "Really? How do you know you will?"
Chase dipped his head slowly to the ground as he responded. "Because I know a thing or two about being shut in."
Norman sat next to his crying son as Ryder stumbled through the recap of the past few days. The middle aged man looked on with sympathy as Ryder cried on through his story. It reminded him of how Ryder was the day after their dog Tracer was killed a few years ago. Ryder loved Tracer with all his heart and so did Norman but it was clear that losing Marshall hurt his son more.
Although Chase was Ryder's first real pup, Marshall was not far behind. The dally had been a presence to both he and Ryder that the dalmatian was more than a pet, he was another son to both of them. Ryder, Chase, and Marshall had been through all moments together that it was unheard of to think of either one being without the other. When he heard about the dally's demise, his mind instantly was shot with worry for Chase and Ryder. So much that he immediately took emergency leave, claiming death in the family (Which it was) and made his way straight over to Adventure Bay as soon as possible, for he knew that Ryder needed his father to cry on.
"...Th-Th-That's all they found d-dad. J-Just his p-p-pup tag in a pile of ashes….." Ryder sobbed as Norman hugged him. "...He's gone! He's-he's really gone!"
Norman rubbed his son's back and held him close. "It's okay son. I can hardly believe it myself. But it'll be okay. He's in a better place now. And you've got to be strong for him."
Ryder continued to sob into his father's chest. Wanting for his dad's warm comforting embrace. "He didn't deserve it dad! Marshall was a great pup! All he wanted to do was be the best he could be! But it was taken away from him! All because of a stupid mistake!"
Norman did a double take at Ryder's cries. "What? What do you mean son? It was just an accident."
Ryder let go of his father and sat up straight. His head was dipped a little bit. "Yes, It was. But accidents happen because of mistakes. And I was the one who made it."
Norman looked at his son with concern. He was afraid of this. He knew coming here that Ryder was going to somehow put the blame on himself for his pup's downfall. "Ryder? How on earth is this your fault?"
Ryder looked at his father with very sorrowful eyes. "I made a mistake dad. I should've never sent them in that building. Mostly Chase. I knew about Chase's injury and yet I sent him in with Marshall and Skye. I should've sent any other pup in with him. But I thought that Chase was fine and when Chase and Marshall were on a mission together, they were very effective. I thought them alone would make the rescue smoother because I trusted them, still do. But I underestimated Chase's injury and yes, so did he, and then everything went wrong. If I hadn't sent Chase, Marshall would've never had to go back inside and would still be alive! It's my fault dad! It's all my fault! I don't deserve to be a leader and I don't deserve any of these pups! Not after this! I made the biggest mistake I could ever make and It cost me! It cost me Marshall! My pup!"
Ryder sobbed into a very shocked Norman as he continued to comfort his son. It was worse than he thought! Ryder was not only taking the blame for the dally's death, he was taking all the blame for it. He didn't know what Ryder was going to do in the future, but he knew that if he couldn't get his son to see things differently, it wasn't going to be anything good.
Norman let go of his son and looked at his face which was now probably a waterfall at this point. "Ryder. Calm down. There's no way you truly believe that is true."
"It is true dad. There's no other way to look at it." Ryder respond horsley. "It's my fault the rescue went wrong. Therefore it's my fault Marshall is dead. I made the wrong decision."
Norman didn't really have anything to counter Ryder's claims but it didn't stop him from trying. "Look….okay. Maybe sending Chase with a hurt paw wasn't such a good idea. I'll give you that, but everything else is out of your hands Ryder. You said it yourself that Chase underestimated and lied to you about his injury. That shouldn't fall on you and neither should it fall on him. It was just a very unfortunate accident that you all have got to learn from. But the blame shouldn't be on you or anyone for that matter."
Ryder looked at his dad in a disagreeing manner. "But dad. It was my decision. I sent Marshall to his death. He trusted me and I sent him in to die."
"Not directly Ryder." Norman insisted. "You did not send him in to die with intention. You didn't know whether or not the pups would get out safely. You were taking a chance. A chance that you had to take. Also, your forgetting that it was Marshall's voice to go back in. He knew the dangers just as much as you did and as for Chase, you know darn well Chase would charge in no matter what condition he was in. A simple hurt paw wouldn't stop him. He's a tough dog, just like his father. The pup has a tremendous amount of endurance. What happened to him in the building was unfortunate. Neither you or Chase could've changed that."
Ryder continued to look at his father not very convinced at his statement. "But Chase should've never been considered. It was a very stupid decision made by me. I knew better than that."
"Well, yeah." Norman replied. "But that doesn't mean that Marshall's death was because of that decision and you felt that Chase helping Marshall was the best thing you could do, and you along with Chase, thought that he was well enough to do the job. There's nothing wrong with that son. You did nothing to cause Marshall's accident."
"But Chase's paw was hurt dad." Ryder argued. "He didn't injure it in the building, he injured it the day before. He had to miss half the day because of it. I overlooked that. I thought that Chase would be fine. But obviously, he wasn't. He ended up falling through the floor and hurting himself more…."
"Because of his paw?" Norman asked curiously.
Ryder was caught off guard a little bit. "Well…...yeah. He wouldn't have been just standing there if his paw hadn't given out. He would've been on the ladder by then, away from danger." Ryder explained.
Norman thought about it for a bit as Ryder continued.
"Dus cementing it. Chase should've never been assigned. In fact, the more I think about it, I should've never started this stupid team in the first place." Ryder claimed.
Norman was caught off guard by that statement. "What? Whoa whoa whoa! Where did that come from? You don't really mean that do you?"
"I do dad. I've been screwing up constantly lately. Nearly all of the pups have been in more danger than they need to be. Either because of my equipment failing, or a dumb decision I made. I'm starting to think that maybe, I'm not cracked up to be that leader I want to be. Let alone the inventor part as well. A real leader wouldn't put his team in danger. A real leader wouldn't make stupid decisions that gets his pups killed." Ryder starts to cry again as he pushes through. "I'm a horrible leader, dad, and a horrible owner. My decisions are hurting my pups, and after this…." Ryder paused for a second. "I doubt that anyone of them will ever trust me again."
Norman couldn't believe what he was hearing his son was letting all he had and treating it as his baggage. Norman knew that his son was better than this. At no point in Ryder's monologue did he generally believe what he was saying. He had seen Ryder at his best. He knows for sure that Ryder was a smart and strong minded individual. He just needs to be reminded of that and be told that even the best leader makes the biggest mistakes.
He was about to respond finally, until Norman noticed something outside. He had a confused face as he asked his son. "Um, Ryder, are you expecting anybody?"
Ryder looked up at his dad curiously. "No."
"Then….why are there two dalmatians right outside the lookout?" Norman asked.
Ryder looked in the direction his father was looking and saw two full grown dalmatians along with a little pup on one of the dally's back. One looked very much like Marshall down to the spots with the exception of the black ears. The other one had a variety of medium and small spots with a couple on the ears. The pup looks barely born, as it's coat was plain white and a little bit bigger than a human hand
Ryder was very curious of who they were but something told him that he knew who they were or at least what they were here for. He got up and walked towards the lookout's doors. When he walked through them, he could see the dalmatians in more detail. The two had obviously seen a lot of action as a scar was on the male one and the female had a chipped ear. The female was very messy, her eyes were bloodshot and she looked as if she just woke up. The male wasn't far from her, as he only had bags under his eyes.
Ryder had an idea who they were, but wasn't really sure. He did his best to greet them as his father stood behind them.
"Um…..hello. Can I help you?" Ryder greeted, curiously.
The female didn't say anything as she stayed silent and closed her eyes as the male responded. "You must be Ryder."
Ryder was a bit surprised that the dally knew he was. "Yes sir. That's me. Ryder. Leader of Paw Patrol."
The female whimpered a bit as the male nuzzled her in comfort. He then looked back at the two humans. "My name is Sparky, this is my mate Ashley, and this little pup is Ember."
Ryder and Norman nod in greeting although Asley wasn't even looking at them as she was clearly distressed.
Then, Sparky said something that took the two completely off guard.
"We are Marshall's parents."
(A/N): Oooooh Shit. What an unexpected surprise! Just wished that it's under better circumstances. Wonder how they found out the terrible news.
Chapter 10 Is in production right now and should be up soon.
Question of The Chapter: What will you think Chase will do to get through to Alex?
Let me know in your review!
Please review and tell me your favorite parts and if you have any questions about the story or anything else, just put it in your review or pm me and l'll get back with you as soon as I can.
This Is Sean Thames of Dragonsfire Entertainment signing off!