(A/N): Hey guys! Suprise bonus chapter for you today. I know i said i would release this next week, but upon reading this, I felt that this should've been tacked on the last chapter. I appreciate you all tolerating me infringing on my schedule and I promise that after this one, we'll be right back on it.

I hope you're not annoyed by this sudden change.

Welcome Back to Paw Patrol: The Ballad of Dally!

Chapter 32: Secrets We Keep

For the past hour or so, Rubble and Zuma have been laying on bean bags, watching a surfing competition going on in Los Angeles. Although Rubble would rather watch Apollo the Super Pup, he figured that Zuma would be more relaxed if he was thinking about something he enjoyed. Rubble was entertained though, seeing all the competitors do their best to impress the judges with the waves they were given.

He gazed at Zuma who's eyes were permanently glued on the TV. Watching each of the tricks carefully, and smiling when he saw one he really liked. It made him happy to see Zuma enjoy himself, despite what they saw in Ryder's office.

The feeling Rubble had moments ago , was the same feeling he had when Ryder was in the hospital a few months back. Scared, useless, and depressed. It wasn't the worst he had ever seen Ryder, but it was definitely the scariest. He thought for sure Ryder was dead, with the blood, and him being completely unresponsive when Chase tried to wake him up.

He hoped he was okay like Chase said, and he hoped Chase and Skye were holding up well.

In the midst of this, Rubble had something else on his mind that separated his brain on opposing sides. It was about the two golden retrievers he found a month back, Skylar and her brother, and what they still had in their possession. Marshall's Pup Pack.

Rubble ended up not telling anyone about the discovery he made. Not even Rocky who helped in the forest. All he said was that he found Skylar in the woods, that was it. He didn't even mention Skylar's brother at all, but Rubble kept it a secret for Skylar's well being.

Even though finding Marshall's pup pack was crucially important for the team and needs to be returned, Rubble just couldn't find it in his heart to say anything. He feared that if he told anyone about them having Marshall's pup pack, Skylar would have an unnecessary amount of trouble. She would likely be labeled a thief and be taken to the pound for her actions, robbing both Skylar's and her brother's freedom and dreams.

He knew that would happen, even though his morals and loyalty to the team was strongly urging him to, Rubble couldn't tell anyone. Not without at least talking to Skylar about it first and seeing if he could get it back himself, but that proved to be a difficult task more frustrating than it should be.

Rubble set out after that day to scour all of Adventure Bay for her or her brother, but bafflingly, couldn't find them anywhere. He looked in the streets, the forest, the bridge, the alleyways, the farm, the train station, city hall, and even Foggy Bottom, but he couldn't find any trace of them anywhere. It was as if they simply vanished.

Soon enough, Rubble decided to give in and finally reveal what he knew, figuring that the only way to get Marshall's pup pack back was to finally tell about it's survival, even if he never saw Skylar again, which would drive a stake through his heart.

He was finally going to tell Ryder today and rip that painful band-aid off, but after seeing Ryder in such a state, he was second guessing his decision. If he were to tell Ryder about Marshall's pup pack as of right now, it would make the situation worse for Skylar. He wants to avoid that, he wants to be assured of Skylar's safety.

The question plagued his mind. Should he tell, and risk never seeing his love again or should he hold off, and maybe try finding them again?

"Wubble? Wubble? Dude awe you thewe?"

Rubble shook his head into reality where he noticed Zuma looking at him confused.

"Huh? What? Zuma?"

"I was telling you about that sick thwee sixty that guy just did." Zuma said. "Did you even heaw me?"

"N-No Zuma. I'm sorry buddy. I was just….zoning out."

"Can't stop thinking about Wyder?" Zuma guessed with a sudden sadness.

"Somewhat, but not really," Rubble answered.

Zuma raised an eyebrow at the bulldog. "Hm? How could you think about something else?"

The bulldog contemplating on whether or not to let Zuma in. He wasn't going to tell him the secret, that's for sure. It wouldn't be fair if Rubble only told Zuma about Marshall's pup pack, but he had to say something. Maybe he could get Zuma's two cents on what to do.

"Zuma. If you had a secret that was really really important for your family to know, but it will hurt a pup you care about so badly, what would you do?"

Zuma's eyes grew a bit as he was caught on the spot. "Um….I don't know dude. I guess it depends on how important the secwet is."

"Very important, Zuma. One that could change everyone's thinking, but will hurt a new friend, and screw up their life."

Zuma looked at the bulldog with slight concern. "To be honest Wubble, I would tell it."

"You would?" Rubble asked, a little disappointed.

"Zuma nodded. "Mmhmm. Like I said, it depends on what the secwet is. If it's a small one, thewe's no point in huwting othews, but if it's one that we weally should know about, it has to be told so that the wight thing can be done."

"That's the thing, Zuma. I don't know what the right thing is." Rubble replied with a whimper.

Zuma walked up to Rubble and gave him a comforting paw. "Wubble, I think you need to tell me what youw secwet is, dude. You may not want to, but I can't give my honest opinion on something that I don't know. I promise I won't tell anyone without youw appwoval."

Rubble thought about it. He can trust Zuma, can he?

"You promise you won't tell anyone?" Rubble asked.

"Totally dude. My lips awe sealed." Zuma accepted with a smirk.

Rubble formed a smile in return. "Okay Zuma. I'll tell you. But please, not a word of this to any...oh who am I kidding? You're probably going to tell anyway. Based on who it's about."

"Wubble, I cwoss my heawt, dude. I won't tell anyone, no matter what it is." Zuma reassured the bulldog.

Rubble looked into Zuma's eyes. Feeling better about getting it off his chest. "Okay Zuma, I trust you. Remember that pup who beat you at Pup Pup Boogie after Marshall's funeral?"

Zuma angled his head, and put his paw on his chin. "I..I think so, her name was…...SSkSSkylaw. Wight?"

Rubble nodded surly. "Yeah. I found her in the forest a month ago. Singing beautifully. She's not just a good dancer Zuma, she's also a tear jerking singer. I'm telling you Zuma, it was the most pleasant voice I've ever heard. I felt like I was in heaven the minute I heard her and the best part, she's also so beauty…."

"Okay, okay womeo, I get it. You weally like hewe." Zuma interrupted, causing Rubble to blush. "Can you just get on to the secwet dude?"

Rubble cleared his throat. "Yeah. well. Hm. so. After I blew my cover, no ending up talking. Turns out her and her brother, Trevor I believe, his name was, ran away from Sticksburg, and ended up here. They've been living on the streets, gathering food and water."

"Why did they wun away?" Zuma asked.

"They didn't feel safe in Sticksburg. The crime is really really bad there, and they had to leave." Rubble explained sadly. "I feel so bad for her. She wants to go back, but it's way too dangerous to even go there. The only reason there is here in Adventure Bay, is because this is the only place close to the freedom they got in Sticksburg. Every place else requires dogs to be owned. So they settled here."

Zuma felt sympathy for the strays. "Duuuude. That sucks. I couldn't imagine being fowced to leave youw home. That's some tough luck."

"You're telling me, Zuma. I've lived that life before. Being on your own and trying to get by with only what you find." Rubble replied sadly. "It's...not a great life to live." He whimpered at the memories of being on the streets. "No friends, now owner, and sometimes, no food or water."

"That's so sad dude. Is that the secwet? If it is, I have to admit, it's a little disappointing dude. I expected wowse than that." Zuma stated.

"No Zuma, that's not the secret. This is. Her brother came up to us, and told Skylar that they needed to go. They said goodbye, declined my offer to help them and walked away. As I watched them get through, I saw something on Trevor's back. It was….a pup pack."

Zuma perked. Cocking his head in immediate confusion. "A….pup pack? One of ouws?"

Rubble nodded stiffly. "Yeah Zuma. It was."

"But….where is it? None of our pup packs awe missing. At least, I don't think one is." Zuma pondered. "What colow was it?"

Rubble's voice went down, he was having second thoughts about telling Zuma, but there was no turning back now. "...red."

Zuma gasped in shock, looking as if he had just seen a ghost right behind Rubble. "W….we….wed? But….that would mean that its…..its….its…"

"Marshall's." Rubble finished in a low voice. "It's Marshall's pup pack, Zuma."

Rubble could see Zuma's mind being blown right in the pup's gace. "But….But that's impossible. Mawshall was twapped in the building. Awe you suwe it was his?"

Rubble took a minute to gather his thoughts. "If the red didn't give it away, the state it was in did. It was broken and mangled like something Rocky would bring home from a junkyard. Marshall's water cannon was dangling out of the compartment. It's gotta be, Zuma. It has to be."

"No. No. Tha-That doesn't make sense!" Zuma denied. "How on eawth did this Twevow pup wind up with Mawshall's pup pack?! We seawched and seawched the building, but we couldn't find…." Zuma suddenly stopped on a dime. It was quite clear that his mind had been blown to a million pieces as he came up with the very possible answer to everything. "W-Wubble? D-Do you think that…..ma-maybe….Mawshall…..made it out?"

Rubble double taked a little. "What? N-No. That can't be. Marshall was crushed by debris. There's no way he made it out."

"If that's the case, what's Twevow doing with Mawshall's pup pack?" Zuma pressed. "If Mawshall was twapped in the burning building minutes befowe it went down, thewe would have been no chance Twevow and Skylaw would've found the pack. The only way they could've found it, is if Mawshall made it out aftew all. Which….which means."

Rubble knew exactly what Zuma was thinking and came to the same conclusion. It was a very slim chance, but the emergence of Marshall's pup pack, and Trevor having it, supported it dramatically.

"W-Wubble. I know this is kinda cwazy, but i'm getting the feeling thewe's a chance that…..that….that…"

"Marshall's still alive." They both say in unison, as if their minds were permanently connected.

The two pups stood there, staring at each other as the possibility of their best friend's survival was growing by the second.

As Zuma was implying, The only way Skylar and Trevor would've gotten a hold of the pack, is if Trevor and Skylar found Marshall somewhere, and took the pack for themselves. That would imply that Marshall made it out of city hall, and ended up somewhere Skylar and Trevor would run into him.

Another thing to consider was the fact that there have been no accounts of anyone seeing the Dalmatian anywhere. That must mean that Marshall could be anywhere, provided that he was in fact, still alive.

If Marshall's not dead, where is he? Why has he not come home yet?

Bleep! Bleep!

"Paw Patrol! To the Lookout! On the double!"

The sudden call on their pup tags jolted them out of their compromised minds.

"R-Ryder?!" Rubble let out with shock.

"I...I guess he's okay!" Zuma responds, happily relieved. "And he needs us!"

Still recovering a little from the insight they had gained, they went over to the elevator and stood ready. A few seconds later, Rocky entered the Lookout and into the elevator, yawning widely.

"Ughh. I can't believe I overslept, did I miss breakfast?" Rocky asked.

Rubble and Zuma looked at eachother. They realized that Rocky was the only pup who didn't know about Ryder's predicament.

"No dude. You didn't miss it, in fact, we didn't have bweakfest at all." Zuma informed.

"What? Why not?" Rocky asked, completely confused.

"You'll find out in a second." Rubble said as he pushed the button to activate the elevator, with Rocky being more confused than ever.

Chase and Skye wasted no time cleaning up the office the best they could. Chase quickly took care of the glass since he still had his spy boots on, while Skye was picking up all the surviving decors and pictures on the floor. She had socks on to protect her paws from any small shards of glass that may still occupy the floor.

She picked up some scattered pictures and objects as she talked to Chase. "So….what do you think he was mad about?"

It took Chase a second to respond, as he just lifted a small bookcase, and set it against the wall. "Well...If I had one guess to make, I'd say that it was about Marshall."

Skye suddenly whimpered. "I...I guess that makes sense. After all, today makes it a year. Right?"

A dreadful silence was all Skye got in response. "Chase."

Skye looked over to Chase and found that he was standing completely still, with his head slightly lowered. His face showed true disbelief. Skye approached him and gave him a little nudge. "Chase?"

Chase turned to her. "You alright?"

"Y-Yeah. I'm good.' Chase answers with a small smile. "Let's just get this done, Angel."

Skye hesitated before she turned back to her spot. She eyed a particular picture frame that was shattered differently than the others, along with drops of blood. Skye shivered as she knew it must be Ryder's blood.

Before the Cockapoo could call out to Chase, she noticed something about the frame itself, mainly, what was inside it. "Chase? You might want to come look at this." She shoved everything else away for the frame to be in full view.

Chase stopped what he was doing and went over to Skye. "What is it, Skye?"

Skye nodded at the frame. "Look what I found here."

Chase looked down at the broken fame and glass in front of him. "Well, I guess that's how Ryder cut his head."

"Look what's in it Chase." Skye let out chillingly, as Chase focused on it more.

Immediately, Chase's eyes inflated. "N-No. It-It can't be." Chase said in pure disbelief.

"It is Chase. It's Marshall's fire pup permit." Skye confirmed eerily.

Chase picked the frame up to get a closer look at it. Once he confirmed for himself that it was the real thing, his mood changed.

"Skye, I've only seen this one time in my life. When Marshall himself showed this to me." Chase slurred out in a serious voice. "I never saw it again."

Skye picked up on Chase's sudden bitterness. "Chase? What's…"

"What is it doing here?" Chase cut. She heard the low growl in his voice.

"May-Maybe Marshall gave it to Ryder for safe keeping." Skye suggested.

Chase shook his head. "No Skye. Marshall kept this in his pup house. It hung on his wall near the door. He must've gotten it from there."

Skye was starting to be very uncomfortable with Chase's mood. "Ch-Chase, I'm sure he didn't mean to invade Marshall's privacy."

"I know he meant well Skye, and he does have a right to go in his puphouse. What gets me is that he may be cleaning it out and getting all of Marshall's stuff out of there." Chase closed his eyes tightly. "Which could only mean one thing."

It took Skye a bit to get at what Chase was implying, but when she did, the coldest chill went down her spine. "Chase….you don't think that….Ryder's going to…...replace Marshall, do you?"

"It's the only way he would've found this." Chase implied. "I wouldn't be surprised if he already had it cleaned out now."

Skye could only think the exact same, considering that she had no idea what all was in Marshall's pup house. The house itself had lain dormant since the Dalmatian's untimely death. Ryder strangely didn't close it off or anything, it was just the pup's sort of unwritten rule to not go in it. There have been talks of maybe one day, going in just to see was all was there, but they always preferred to never go near it, in fear of the great reminder of who once occupied that puphouse. Because of that, no one, at least to her knowledge, ever went into Marshall's puphouse, let alone took anything out of it.

But now, it seemed that Ryder had, and was thinking of doing the one thing, here and the pups feared. Fully replacing Marshall.

"I-I don't know Chase. There's no way Ryder would be ever willing to do that. Skye stammered. "At….At least….not so soon."

Chase sighed sadly. "In our case Skye, I wish that was the truth, but as far as the Paw Patrol's well-being is concerned, it has to happen as soon as possible. Our team needs a fire pup Skye, and I think Ryder finally realized that."

Skye felt she was trapped. It makes complete and total sense for Ryder to bring in a new fire pup. Sure fire didn't happen that much and Zuma's done a pretty good job filling in, but he could only do so much, and Marshall's skills were used quite a lot around Adventure Bay. So it was essential for the Paw Patrol to get a new fire pup.

But the big issue of course is the fact that someone else will be standing right where their good friend would. They would use the same truck, the same puphouse, the same gear, and the same pup tag that Marshall had. Skye was very against that, and she knows everyone else will as well.

Skye looked over at Chase, with a sad expression "Chase...I really don't…"

Bleep! Bleep!

"Paw Patrol! To the lookout! On the double!"

Skye looked at her pup tag in pure disbelief and annoyance. "I know he's not!"

"He is Skye. Remember when I said you made it the same easy?" Chase sounded, with annoyance of his owne. "Well there you go. Ryder needs us."

Skye pumped up, before she followed Chase through the office door. "Yeah he needs us. Needs us to tie his but to his bed!"

When they got into the observatory, they immediately saw Ryder at the periscope, looking through it as if he was trying to find a lost pup.

Skye looked at him with annoyance. "Ryder! I thought you said you would take the day off today and rest."

Ryder kept his eyes through the periscope while responding. "I'm sorry Skye, but emergencies don't take days off, and we've got a dire one right now."

"And how dire is it Ryder?" Chase asked suspiciously.

Ryder finally retracted from the periscope to address the two. "As much as Adventure Bay is in critical danger. Chase, once the elevator gets up here, I need you in your police gear."

On time, The elevator reached the top, with Rocky, Rubble, and Zuma quickly assuming the positions. Skye rolled her eyes as she went to her spot, while Chase did what Ryder requested and went down the elevator. A few seconds later, he came back up, fully in his police uniform and pup pack, and jumped to his spot.

"Paw Patrol, ready for action Ryder sir!"

Ryder pushed the button to bring down the screen and start the briefing.

"Thank you all for coming so quickly as usual pups. Adventure Bay is in grave…."

"Wyder?" Zuma interjected with concern. "Awe you okay?"

Ryder was stunned a little by the sudden call out. "I...y-yes Zuma. I'm okay."

"Are you sure Ryder sir? You were pretty bad this morning." Rubble added on with his own worries.

"Wait, huh? What happened to Ryder?" Rocky asked, confused, but was ignored by Skye.

"Ryder, with that head injury, you don't need to be out there." Skye let out.

"Head injury? What head injury?" Rocky asked again but got ignored again.

"I know Skye, but I assure you, I'm okay…."

"Ryder please! You have to understand! You need to sit this one out!" Skye protested.

"I wish I could Skye, but…"

"I'm sorry Ryder sir, I'm going to have to agree with Skye." Chase reluctantly added. "After what happened earlier today, I think you need to rest."

"Hello?! Is anyone going to tell me what's going on?!" Rocky pushed, despite being ignored again.

"This is a big emergency for me to just stand by. You all need me as much as I need you." Ryder insisted highly.

"I can't let you do that Ryder! Not with you hurt!" Skye argued.

"Skye. I'm fine. We don't have time to argue." Ryder replied, his tone rising as he got frustrated.

"HOLD ON!" Rocky yelped. Grabbing everyone's attention. He then went off a million miles an hour. "What's going on?! Why is everyone concerned about Ryder?! What did I miss?! Somebody, please, TELL ME!"

A few moments of dead silence, as Rocky was breathing heavily in frustration. Zuma moved over and whispered to him. "Dude, it's pwobaly best if I told you latew."

"Uggh! Sure! Fine! Whatever!" Rocky groaned in frustration. "Can we just get on with the mission?! He looks fine to me, so that should be good enough!"

"Of course Rocky." Ryder answered, as he pushed a button on his pup pad, bringing up a diagram of the surrounding waters of Adventure Bay. A cargo ship was on the screen in the water, getting closer and closer to Adventure Bay, with the head of the captain crying out. "Like I said, we've got a very crucial situation, pups. Captain Turbot has informed me that the Captain of this cargo ship has suddenly lost all control of the throttle, and can't slow the ship down, and it's heading right for the beach of Adventure Bay!"

The pups all gasp at the diagram.

"Oh no! And today's a big beach day. Everyone, including the shopkeepers are at the beach today!" Chase let out with worry. "That is a crucial emergency. We need to stop it before someone gets hurt!"

"Exactly Chase. Now I know I scared you all this morning, but I assure you all that I am okay, and with you pups, I know that I'll be safe as much as you pups will be, understand?"

All of the pups hesitated before nodding their head at their owner. Despite Ryder's kerfuffle earlier, the emergency was just too big for the pups to handle themselves.

"Yes sir Ryder sir!" They all say.

Ryder gave a quick smirk. "Good, now for this mission, I need…." He swiped his finger over to Rocky's pup tag. "Rocky! I need you to ride all the way to the ship, so we can board it and fix the mechanism in time to stop the boat."

Like always, Rocky was picky when water was involved. He shuddered when he put out his catchphrase. "Uggh...okay...green means goooo….. Whatever."

Ryder then swiped over to Zuma's tag. "Zuma, I need you to stand by with your hovercraft, in case we need to get the crew off the ship."

"Will do Wyder! Let's dive in!" Zuma responds with pride.

Ryder then swipes to his last desired pup. "Chase. I need you to be on the beach to make sure no one gets hurt. If Rocky and I can't stop the boat, I need you to clear the beach no matter what."

"These paws uphold the laws!" Chase howled.

Ryder smiled as he suddenly looked up. "And Marshall."

The pups felt a sudden jolt of surprise, not expecting the sudden call out to their late friend. Ryder kept his smile, as he let out a message with warm tears. "Look after us little buddy."

As soon as Ryder said the last part, the pups felt obliged to howl for Marshall.

"Alright pups! We need to hurry! Let's go!"

(A/N): What a critical moment for Adventure Bay! Will the Paw Patrol be able to stop the ship from crashing? Is Marshall truly watching them? Will Ryder be okay after having an episode last night!

Be here next week for the answers, when Chapter 33: Come Aboard To Rescue, is uploaded next Friday!

Question of the Chapter: Do you think Rubble should tell Ryder about Marshall's Pup Pack? Even if it could jeopardize and her Brother?

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!