Its Friday, and you know what that means!
It's time for another exciting chapter in the hottest Paw Patrol fanfiction going today
Welcome back to Paw Patrol: The Ballad of Dally!
Now I'm as sure as ever that the pup everyone is worried for, is Rocky who is still recovering from his devastating concussion. One in particular is Zuma who has been on an emotional roller coaster with Rocky. Due to what he knows about Marshall's pup pack being out there, he believes that Marshall can be still be alive, and now he feels that he owes an apology to Marshall, but Rocky may not remember why Zuma wants to apologize.
Meanwhile, Chase and Mar-I mean Dally are finally together with Chase attempting to reconnect and recapture the bond he had with him. However, it seems that Chase has already become a great friend by just being there for a lonely Dally. Will it be enough to give Dally the nudge towards Marshall?
There's only one way to find out and that's by heading on down to the Chapter!
Chapter 38: Starting Over
Zuma held his breath as he entered Rocky's room with Katie behind him. She told him that Rocky hadn't gotten anywhere with his memories and to not overwhelm him about it. Although he would prefer Rocky remember him, just seeing him was all he wanted right now. Just to know he was okay.
Rocky was asleep, looking as peaceful as ever. It made the lab smile to see him so soundly. He went to the side of the bed and stared at him with a mixed expression of relief, that he was alright, and sadness at the fact that his head was messed up now.
"You're going to be alright Zuma? I don't know how long it'll be before he wakes up." Katie asked with worry.
Zuma turned to Katie and gave a small smile. "Yeah Katie. This is all I want to do wight now. I'll be okay."
"Okay Zuma. Just remember. Don't bombard him. Got it?" Katie replied.
"Got it." Zuma said, as Katie closed the door, leaving him alone with his best friend.
As if by fate, Rocky's eyes opened almost immediately after the door closed. Prompting Zuma to gasp a little.
"Is she gone?"
Zuma eyed Rocky weirdly. "Uh, Yeah. It's just me in hewe dude."
Rocky rested his head on the pillow in relief. "Oh thank goodness. I thought she never leave me alone."
"Who? Katie?" Zuma asked.
Rocky's eyes grew a little. "Oooh. So that's her name. I've been calling her Kat."
Zuma whimpered softly. It seemed that Rocky was still having trouble remembering names. "You know she's only twying to help you Wocky."
"Yes I know Zulu, but she keeps asking about pups I don't know. I just don't want to be aggravated all the time. I don't even want to be here. I want to be home. But she keeps me in here. Even though I'm fine."
"You took a nasty headbutt yesterday dude. She just wants to be suwe youw okay." Zuma pointed out. "By the way, it's Zuma. Not Zulu."
Rocky shook his head. "Oh…uh…yeah. Thought so….you don't look like a Zulu anyway."
Zuma looked at Rocky, very curiously. "Wocky. I know you'we tiwed of heawing this, but…I weally…need to know. How much do you wemembew about me?"
Rocky responded after taking a frustrated breath. "I know that your one of my best friends."
Zuma smiled and wagged his tail a little, at least he didn't forget his close friends…for the most part. He pressed more. "You wemembew moments with us?"
Rocky threw a very annoyed expression at Zuma. "Listen pal. If you're going to keep asking me about my memories, I'm not going to listen to a single word you say anymore."
"I know dude. I know." Zuma urged as he dipped his head to the floor. "It's just…. I…I owe you an apology."
Rocky gave a curious look at Zuma. "An apology? For what?"
Zuma slowly raised his head and met his friend's eyes. "You wemembew a talk we had a few months back, whewe you ended up scweaming at me to get away fwom you?"
Rocky clenched the side of his lips. "I…I think I do. I think I remember yelling at you, but….I don't know why."
Zuma relaxed a little. "Well, that's when you told me that you didn't believe Mawshall was dead. That he somehow suwvived the accident."
As soon as Zuma mentioned Marshall's name, Rocky clenched his entire body. Zuma noticed that the mixed breed was starting to shake. "No-Now I remember. I told you that there was a chance Marshall was still alive, and….you thought I was crazy…..you told me that I had to let him go."
Zuma swallowed as he thought of the cold shoulders and ignored words played in front of them, leading to the talk at Wintergreen. From the sounds of it, Rocky only seemed to remember that talk in the garage and not when they put it behind them. Which made Zuma's heart deflate. "Yeah dude. I did say that, and…..I was wong to say that to you….and….I may be wong evewything."
Rocky slowly raised his head in sync with Zuma. "Wh-What do you mean by that?"
The lab took a breath to keep his nerves down. "Wu-Wubble told me yestewday, that he found Skylew with hew bwothew a couple months ago."
"Whose Skylar? Should I know her?" Rocky asked.
"No. Not weally. We only saw her once at Mawshall's funewal."
Rocky shuddered at the word funeral before he changed the subject. "Rubble's the bulldog. Right?"
Zuma nodded as he continued. "Mhm. Anyway, When Wubble found them, he saw Skylaw's bwothew with one of ouw pup packs."
"A pup pack? On her brother? He's not a member of Paw Patrol, is he?"
Zuma shook his head. "No dude. We don't even know his name. Fwom what I heawed from Wubble, the pup pack was twashed, bwoken beyond wepair, and….. it was wed."
Rocky's eyes shot open. His jaw partially agape. "Red?" He breathed out. "It was red?"
"Yeah dude. Wed. You know whose it is….wight?" Zuma asked.
"Of course, I do! It's Marshall's!" Rocky blurts out, causing Zuma to jump a little. "What are they doing with it?"
"We don't have a clue. Wubble's twying to find them wight now so we can get it back." Zuma informed. "But that's besides the point. I want to apologize to you fow cutting you down and not believing in you. With Mawshall's pup pack being out there, it changes evewything."
"How?" Rocky asked.
Zuma looked at Rocky a little jolted. "Wocky, you know how Mawshall died. Wight?"
"No I don't. I didn't even know he was dead until yesterday." Rocky distressfuly said.
Zuma swallowed. "W-Wight. S-sowwy dude. I fowgot." Zuma said. "Marshall died in city hall when it caught fiwe. He was twapped undew wobble when the entiwe building came down on him. When we looked for him, we didn't find anything. Just his collaw and fiwe helmet. Thewe was no body or pup pack."
"Not even the pup pack was found?" Rocky asked. "It was trapped along with Marshall?"
Zuma nodded slowly. "Mhm. But now, with Wubble finding it on someone else, Wubble and I…..think that Mawshall could still be out thewe."
Zuma started to sob up and bury his face in Rocky's sheets. "I'm…I'm sowwy dude. I was wong. You wewe on to something and I didn't take it sewiously, and…. I assumed that you wewe just twapped in gweif and it neawly towe us apawt."
Zuma felt Rocky's paw, somberly on his as Zuma looked up to see a warm smile from the mixed breed. "It's okay pal. I'm not mad at you."
"You'we not?" Zuma piped.
"Yeah, well mostly because I don't remember this supposed conversation much. But if I did, I think I'd forgive you anyway."
Zuma smiled warmly through his tears. Even thought he was bummed that it was a half feeling acceptance, perhaps that was a good thing, meaning that Rocky forgot about the animosity they had. But that also meant that Rocky forgot how it ended too. The talk at Wintergreen where they not only made up their differences, but also found out just how much they cared about each other. The mere thought of it shattered the lab's heart.
It was still very surreal to him how much he'd fallen for the pup in so little time. Especially since Zuma a few months ago, never felt any sort of attraction to the mixed breed, in fact, he didn't have any attraction to anyone at all.
Everything changed after the talk at Wintergreen. Zuma's view on Rocky has drastically changed and Zuma found it hard to imagine Rocky not being a strong presence in his life. From his body to his personality, Zuma couldn't keep the mixed breed out of his mind. He didn't know where it came from, but he didn't have any resistance to it. He wants Rocky, all to himself.
The two pups stared at each other for a bit before Zuma abruptly jumped onto the bed and laid next to the mixed breed. Resting his head on Rocky's chest.
Zuma felt Rocky tense a little in response and when Zuma looked at him, He noticed that the mixed breed was clearly a little uncomfortable.
"Uhh…wh-what are you doing?" Rocky stuttered nervously.
Zuma's heart broke at the question. It really seemed that Rocky's feelings for him were now gone.
"I-Im sowwy. I…..I don't know what came ovew me dude." Zuma stammered, trying to keep his composure. "I-I can get off…"
"No." Rocky cut off abruptly. "I….I never said I wanted you to get off."
Zuma gasped in surprise, as Rocky gave a seductive smile. Rocky may have forgotten the kiss they had at Wintergreen, but he clearly didn't lose his feeling for the chocolate lab.
His heart was mended back together as he was really fighting the temptation to slam his lips on his. With one look at the mixed breed, he could tell that Rocky was fighting too.
Soon, it wasn't enough, as they gradually started to come closer to each other. Their noses touched with their lips mere inches away, before the sound of the door opening forced them to retract.
Katie came in with two dog bowls full of food and water. Completely oblivious to what was going on as she was more focused on not spilling any contents. When she set them down next to the bed, she finally noticed Zuma lying next to Rocky.
"Oh…I see you've made yourself comfortable Zuma." Katie commented.
Zuma chuckled a little embarrassed. "We wewe just talking and enjoying ouw company Katie. Nothing wong with that wight?"
"Oh n-no, of course not." Katie stammered. "I don't have a problem with it. Even if you two were something more.." Katie gave a sly smile.
Rocky and Zuma respectively squirmed and let out a sync and sustained "Ew" at the implication.
"Okay, Okay, I get it. I brought your food here for you. You think you can get to it Rocky?" Katie asked.
"I….think so." Rocky grimaced as he turned to his belly and winced himself up.
Katie went to him to help along with Zuma, but Rocky shooed them.
"No. I don't need any help. I can get off by myself."
Zuma and Katie reluctantly backed away, though they were ready at any moment.
Rocky slowly jumped down to the floor, letting out an eerie sustained groaned and crouched to the ground in pain. Katie went back to him, but Rocky shooed her away a second time. "Please….please. I need to do this on my own."
Katie restrained herself despite her better judgement before Rocky slowly made his way to the food and water.
Katie and Zuma watched Rocky eat and drink, worried of how much pain he was in by just lowering his head into the bowl as each time Rocky would bend his neck and switch bowls, he'd let out a quick whimper.
After a few minutes, Rocky swallowed his last gulp of water and slowly walked back to the bed. Zuma shot over to the edge, being in position to help Rocky.
Rocky stood still, assessing the challenge before him. Not moving an inch for at least two minutes.
"Rocky, if you can't do it, I can pick you…"
Rocky interrupted Katie "No. I can do it." He eyed the edge of the bed closely before he leapt onto the bed.
His front paws got on the bed fine, but his hinds missed by toe tips. They slipped off the edge, resulting in Rocky's belly landing on it as he began to fall off. Zuma immediately grabbed him by the scruff and Katie caught his rump, effectively preventing him from slamming onto the floor.
When they secured Rocky's safety, the mixed breed growled in frustration. He wiggled off and pounded a nearby pillow with his forepaws over and over as he let out a rant.
"AHHH! WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! I AM SO WEAK! MY HEAD HURTS SO BAD, I CAN HARDLY MOVE, I CAN'T GET UP AND DOWN THE BED, I CAN BARLEY EAT! I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER MY FRIENDS' NAMES!"
Rocky ceased his rant as he slowly turned to Zuma. Glaring at him as stiff as a baseball bat, looking like an insane pup.
"You-you-you." Rocky breathed while shaking. "Zu…Zu…Zuma. Th-That's your name right?"
Zuma shook himself. "Wo-Wocky…"
"THAT'S YOUR NAME! RIGHT?! I KNOW IT IS! YOU TOLD ME SO!"
Rocky shot over to Zuma, still glaring at the terrified pup who was too frightened to say anything. Zuma shakingly nodded his head.
Rocky noticeably calmed at Zuma's answer. It seemed that seeing Zuma so scared may have brought him down to earth, but that was half true.
"You…you-you told me something else…." Rocky stammered. "Y-you…told me…that Mar-Mar that Marshall was alive."
Zuma gasped deeply.
"Zuma!" Rocky yelped, snapping Zuma's attention back to him. "Please! Te-Tell me again! No! Tell her! She-She needs to know! Everyone needs to know!"
"Wo-Wo-Wocky, cal-calm down." Zuma clenched with a whimper.
"Please pal!" Rocky put his paws on Zuma's shoulders, nearly freaking Zuma out as he begged him over and over. "Tell me again! Pleas tell me what you said earlier! That Marshall isn't dead! That I was right the whole time! Marshall isn't dead! MARSHALL ISN'T DEAD!"
"I-I…I" Zuma inched out, as he was looking at a now bewildered Katie. He gave her a terrified "help me." look which she nodded in acknowledgement and stepped away for a bit.
"Come on Zuma! Tell her! All you have to do is say it! Say it! SAY IT!" Rocky was now shaking Zuma furiously, but after a few seconds, Rocky slowed down a bit. "Say…say…..say…." Rocky got more and more woozy and before Zuma knew it, Rocky collapsed on his side and immediately fell into a deep sleep. Zuma looked up at Katie and spotted a plunged syringe in her hand.
"Wh-Wh-What did you do?!" Zuma shuddered.
"It's okay Zuma. I just gave him a sedative. If I hadn't, he would've had a heart attack or seizure." Katie informed, as she maneuvered Rocky's limp body over to the head of the bed, resting his head on the pillow and covered him snuggly.
Zuma lowered his head and began to whimper into choking sobs. Never has he been more frightened like that. From his own best friend, no less. But he wasn't as scared as he was very depressed seeing Rocky in such a state. Acting like a mental patient, which he may have become.
As Katie went over to Zuma and gave him a slight hug. She pulled out her phone and called Ryder.
"Ryder? I need you to come down here. Rocky had another episode."
Dally never had as much fun as he was having right now. This was what he always wanted. This is what he's waited for. This was what his life was leading up to. To not just have a friend, but having a best friend. A hole in he's had in his heart had finally been filled.
For hours they played in the fields and forest. Sparing, hide and seek, and tug games he'd never imagined he'd have more fun with another dog. But there was one thing that overwhelmed him about Chase and that was the string of thoughts that made him feel that he's played with him many times before. But to his knowledge, he knew nothing about the shepherd, but a feeling in the back of his head, lingered that he knew him all his life.
This wasn't the first time he's had this feeling. Yesterday when he first saw Chase, clearing the beach and rescuing a pup from being runover by an incoming ship, Dally saw the vest and pack Chase had on and it stuck out to him. It had a striking resemblance to the pack Dally had on when he woke up in that fiery wasteland. It sparked something in his mind that he'd not paid attention to for months. His lost memories, and who he was before Stacy found him.
Then when Dally and Chase locked eyes on the beach, the shepherd had a look of pure shock that he was even there. That would've been Dally's cue to talk to him, but he bolted when he remembered his mission to quickly fulfill. Oblivious that he left the important part of that mission behind. He ended up running into the shepherd when he turned to get Stacy's notebook.
Due to his hastily manner, he didn't think of asking him about his pack or his uniform, but he was halted by the name Chase called him first.
Marshall
Dally didn't think much of it at first, but a couple hours after, it popped up in his mind. The look Chase gave him when he said it was clearly of raw disbelief and hope. When Dally told him that he wasn't Marshall though, the reaction Chase gave tore his heart. Like Dally had ripped his heart in half. When Dally questioned who Marshall was, Chase said that it was a friend he lost long ago. Out of sympathy, Dally offered his friendship to him. Again, not thinking much of it. Chase didn't even react to that as much, just standing there as if he was given a difficult riddle.
From the way the shepherd conducted himself, it seemed like…he…was his lost friend. That he….was Marshall. Is it true? Are the answers Dally has searched for finally coming to him?
"Dally? You there buddy?"
Dally twitched himself to reality. He realized that he was lying on his back, in a field looking up at the many clouds in the sky. Next to his new best friend Chase.
"Huh? Wha?" Dally responded.
"I was asking you about yourself Dally." Chase giggled. "What, did you zone out or something?"
Dally whimpered. "I guess so."
Chase kept his smile on. "Don't cut yourself down buddy. Happens to me too."
Dally let out a soft chuckle, waiting a few minutes before speaking. "You don't want to know about my life Chase. It's…..sort of boring."
"Wha? You boring? Pfft, no way. I bet I have a more boring life than you do." Chase replied.
Dally looked at Chase with lowered eyebrows. "Says the pup that rescued someone from an oncoming boat crashing into the beach. You think that's boring?"
"That's just one time Dally. Most of the time we do rescues that are more like chores or something." Chase replied back.
"I bet it's still more fun than moping in the house until my owner gets home." Dally said. "Then it's whatever we have time to do, which usually is watch tv or something."
"Your owner doesn't play with you outside?" Chase questioned.
"No. We sometimes do. But most of the time, she's too tired from work. She sometimes doesn't get home until it gets dark and that's enough to eat and sleep." Dally answered, a little sadness in his voice.
"Okay. I got nothing for that." Chase responded with a defeated smile. "That must be pretty boring."
"It ant the half of it Chase." Dally snickered. "There's no way anyone's life could be more boring or…." Dally stopped mid-sentence as his smile fades "…..lonelier… than I am."
Chase's smile fades as well as he notices Dally's eyes began to water. "Dally?"
The Dalmatian couldn't hear him. He was slipping down into despair by the second. Then suddenly, Dally brushed that away and came up with a distraction.
He jumped up like popcorn and wagged in excitement. "Hey. Lets Race!"
"Huh? Race?" Chase repeated, completely blindsided.
"Yeah! You and Me! Let's see who will leave who in the dust! What do ya say, turtle?"
Chase raised and eyebrow at that. "Turtle?"
"You heard me! I bet you are as slow as a baby turtle! Unless you can prove me wrong!" Dally mock with a smirk to boot.
It took a second for Chase to give him a grin back. "I wouldn't talk so high dally. I can gun It quite easily. There's a reason my name is Chase you know."
"Yeah, because you always will be behind whoever your chasing!" Dally countered while laughing.
Chase squirmed. "Oookay. I walked into that one. But I'm not going to make that true."
"Last one to that tree over there and back, has to licks the winner's paws." Dally confidently played up.
"Oh…now your raising stakes. Biiig mistake buddy." Chase said. "Now your going to be tasting nothing but dirt and dust in two ways."
"Bring it on Chase!" Marshall challenged.
"With pleasure, Dally." Chase retorted with the most competitive grin.
The two pups lined up where they were a mile away from the tree they selected. They got into their stances ready to dust their opponent.
"Don't run into that tree like you did to that pole yesterday, Dally."
"As long as you don't get confused on what tree to go to, Chase"
Chase smirked. "No excuses, huh?"
"Nope. None. Now why don't you count down already?"
"Let's do it together. So it's fair."
"Fine by me."
With amazing timing, the two counted down in total sync.
"3"
"2"
"1"
"GO!"
They took off towards the tree in full determination to win.
Chas and Dally were neck and neck in the first quarter, until Dally notably, pulled ahead of the shepherd. About halfway to the tree, Dally put more into his step to grow his lead, leaving Chase a few feet back.
As Dally swung around the tree, he was delighted to see that Chase was just about to go around the tree. He could see the win in front of him. All he had to do was get there, and Chase would have to kiss his victorious paws.
Then, out of nowhere, Dally started to feel that he was in slow motion. Any noise that was around him was fading and his paw steps got louder and louder. Then, familiarity swooped in, as he recognized a felling in his heart that he had done this before.
With a quick gasp, Dally was unaware of everything around him, as he fell unconscious in his mind.
"Alright you two, it's time to put up or shut up!" Rocky announced to both Chase and Marshall, who were lined up, ready to settle the score once and for all.
Another competition was going on in the background between the spectators of the race. The three pups had their favorites pick to win.
"Come on Mawshall! You'we the fastest one now sweat!" The chocolate lab cheered.
"You tone down that cheering, Zuma. You wouldn't want Marshall to trip, would you?" Rubble chuckled. "Not that it would help much."
"He-hey now. Don't stomp Marshall down Rubble." Skye yipped as she then turns towards the shepherd. "Now come on Chase! Don't let me down! I've got my entire weeks' worth of treats in you!"
"Of couwse you would go fow Chase, Skye. You'll go for him fowevew." Zuma jeered.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Skye pressed.
"Would you three cut it out?!" Rocky urged. "It was hard enough to get these two to stop. Don't make me eject yall!"
Meanwhile, Both Chase and Marshall were trying their best not to bust out laughing at the trash talk going on behind them. At this point, they weren't sure who was racing, them or their friends.
"Now trust you two will have a clean race and let the best pup win." Rocky then leaned closer to Marshall as he says softly to him "You've got it all day pal." Followed by a wink and a smack of his teeth.
"Hey! I heard that!" Chase growled.
"Biased referee!" Skye mouthed out.
"Skye! You are on thin ice!" Rocky enforced, as he shifted his focus back to the pups who were actually competing. "Okay, you both know the stakes of the race and the both of you are in agreement?"
"Yes Rocky I know. After all, I was the one who rose them." Marshall points out.
"And I agreed to it." Chase replied. "And I'll be sure to get my cruiser nice and dirty to waste your time more, spotty."
"You better look more closely at the future Chase, Cause I see me surfing with Zuma while your scrubbing all the dirt off my firetruck." Marshall beamed with an evil grin.
"You've got to be joking. I'm much faster than you." Chase countered. "I'll be there and back before you even know I'm gone."
"Oh puhhlease, Chase. Everyone here knows that the reason you cough is that you're still eating my dust."
"You can't prove that!" Chase retorted.
"I can and will, Chase!" Marshall shot back, still daunting his grin.
"Hey! Yohoo! Look at me!" Rocky called. "I'm the referee! I'm the one who decides the winner!"
Chase and Marshall look at Rocky. "Good. Now here's how the race will go." Rocky barked out his claw holding a party popper. "At the sound of this popper, you two will run to that that flag I placed over there." He pointed at the medium sized yellow flag about thirty yards away. "There you will go around the flag, and come all the way back her. No pushing and no tripping. Let the best pup win. Understand?"
Chase and Marshall both nod of the mixed breed. Prompting Rocky to walk over to the side adjacent to the others who were watching in anticipation.
"Alright you two, on your marks!" Rocky announced, as the two-rescue pup scrunch down, in preparation for the popper.
Marshall shifted eyeballs over to Chase who was dead even with him. Chase did the same and the two locked eyeballs. Marshall gave a friendly smile, assuring Chase that whatever happens, will not hinder their friendship. Chase of course smiled back.
"Set!"
Marshall retracted his eyes and locked onto the flowing flag in front of him. Felling every heartbeat pulsing inside of him.
POP!
At the sound of the popper, Chase and Marshall shot off like a catapult, and raced to the flag. The cheers from the group faded slowly as Chase was almost in sync with Marshall, until they got about halfway, when Chase started to pull away from him. Marshall sped up as much as he could to keep pace with him as best as he could.
When they got to the flag, he noticed Chase slowing down to make the turn around the flag. Marshall recognized his chance as he dove to the inside of Chase in the millisecond he had. Jarring Chase a little bit, making him veer of course for a second. Marshall took advantage of Chase's blunder and booked it back to the group.
The cheers from the others faded back in, as he ran closer. He turned to check on Chase who was putting more effort to catch up. Marshall increased his speed to widen the gap.
He could taste it. Victory was ten yards away, and Chase was nowhere near him. Marshall was finally going to do it. He may have beat Chase on many occasions, he hadn't been, he hadn't in a good while. The only way he could lose was if an absolute catastrophe happened.
Thanks to Marshall's luck, it did. Marshall got too excited, and ended up tripping on his own paws, like he has done countless times before. Marshall face planted the ground, throwing his back paws over his head as he skidded a few feet before his hind legs rested on the ground. Five yards from the Finish.
Growling in frustration, he looked behind him and saw Chase running to him, still a few feet back. Realizing his last chance, Marshall pushed up to start running again. At this point though, Chase has caught up and they were neck and neck again, with the others howling for their win.
Rocky was looking very closely, as the two came in his eyesight. Then, at about two yards away, Marshall tripped yet again, this time, inadvertently hitting Chase, as they crashed into each other with yelps. Rolling past the finish line and coming to a stop a few feet away from their now concerned friends with Marshall ahead of Chase by a forepaw.
The pups didn't care though, their concern for the well being of their friends overwhelmed them as they were sprawled out on their bellies.
Rocky and Zuma zipped to Marshall while Skye and Rubble shot over to Chase.
"Marshall! Marshall! You okay pal?" Rocky asked.
Marshall groaned before he opened his eyes and sat up. "What happened?"
"You and Chase wewe wacing to the line and you cwashed into him." Zuma informed.
"Crashed?! Oh no! Chase!" Marshall blurt out, as he looked behind him to see Chase being helped by Skye and Rubble. He blew past Rocky and Zuma, nearly knocking them off their feet. Skye and Rubble shot back in surprise when Marshall shoved them aside.
"Chase! Chase! Are you okay?! Please be okay!" Marshall ventilated, having a full on panic attack."
"Marshall. Calm down. I'm okay buddy." Chase grounded out.
Marshall then hugged Chase as tight as he could. "Oh Chase! I'm so so sorry! I don't care if I won! I'll wash your cruiser for a month! No, A year! Forever!"
"What? No. No Marshall. No. you don't have to do that." Chase batted away.
"But I crashed and wiped you out! That can be called cheating!" Marshall cried.
"Marshall, don't beat yourself up about it. It was just an accident." Chase said with sympathy.
"Accident or not, I still cheated, and….I could've really hurt you." Marshall lowered his head and his eyes teared up. "Just…like…I always do."
The pups all had disheartened looks after hearing Marshall say such a terrible thing.
"Marshall?" Skye slurred. "What do you mean like you always do?"
No answer came out, just the sudden reaction of Marshall running past Rocky and Zuma, with no words as he sobbed along the way.
"Wait Mawshall! Come back dude!" Zuma called out as Marshall ran away from them.
The sudden brush of fur beside him, jolted Dally. He realized that Chase just blew by him, and Dally wasn't running as fast as he thought he was.
He tried to regain his speed and pass Chase, but the shepherd was already inches from the finish line. In an act of desperation, Dally dove forward to the line. Unfortunately, that caused him to roll over and skid to a sudden stop. A tongue length away from the end, staring at Chase's victorious paw. A smug smile was on the shepherd's face.
"I win." Chase announced proudly.
Dally spat some dirt out of his mouth. "I…I guess you do."
Chase sat down as he continued his prideful gloat. "Now, from what I understand, you get to…I believe lick my paw? Right?"
"Very quick to point that out, arn't you?" Dally groaned.
"Hey, you made the stipulation buddy. It's only fair if you own up to it." Chase pointed. "Since your down there already, you might as well get on with it."
Dally gave a short groan. "I'm doing it, I'm doing it, just don't enjoy it too much."
Chase rolled his eyes as Dally looked Chase's paw in front of him. In one swift motion, he gently licked it, instantly squirming at how salty it was.
He stayed down on the ground though, in deep thought of what happened to him. He was going to win, he was almost there, and Chase was far away from him.
So what happened? How did he lose? The only thing he could think of, was that particular moment where he'd strangely spaced out right in the middle of the race.
He had what he believed to be some sort of dream. A dream of another race he had but he didn't remember participating in at all. He was also with a group of pups that seem to have known him, but for the life of him, couldn't put a name to any of them, but their voices were as familiar as a favorite song. The only one he knew for sure was…..Chase. Chase was there. For some reason, in a dream that felt like a distant memory, Chase right there alongside him.
What also struck Dally was the feeling he had in the dream with Chase was vastly different from what he felt now. The feeling of loyalty and companionship, like he could trust him no matter what. Like he knew him his whole life. Like he was a best friend to him for years. It was the same eerily feeling he had when he saw him on the beach yesterday. If he didn't know any better, he'd say that Chase was more than his first friend.
Who is this Chase, and why does it seem like Dally has known him all his life, despite just meeting him yesterday.
"Dally? Buddy? You okay?" Chase asked.
"Y-Yeah. I am Chase." Dally said, as he rose to his paws. "I'm just….thinking."
"Whatcha thinking about?" Chase asked.
Dally sat in front of Chase, unsure of how to come off with his thoughts. He didn't want to wind up scaring him off. "I…I'm thinking about how much I'm thankful to you for being my friend right now. You've given me a wonderful gift and…..I never thought I would be so happy."
Dally sat up as he continued to be firm to Chase. "I told you that my life was boring. That's because I don't know who I was, where I came from, who my family are. Nothing. Not even a name. It's been so long since I woke up, and I've had no one to really talk to besides Stacy, who's not even home all day."
Dally could feel the amount of sympathy from Chase, but he could also see a unique expression. Pain. Pain and sadness from the shepherd, like he was feeling the same thing he was feeling. Dally couldn't help but feel warmness from it.
"But now, I met you. Now I will never ever be lonely again." Dally teared up and hugged the shepherd tightly. "Thank you Chase. Thank you so much for being my friend."
"You're telling me Dally? You're the one who said you would be my friend, remember?" Chase grinned as he hugged the dalmatian back. "I'm just accepting your friendship buddy. I am curious about one thing Dally."
"What is it Chase?" Dally asked as he lets go of Chase.
"You said you don't remember anything about your past. No parents, no friends. Is that true? Do you not remember anything about you?" Chase asked with curiousness.
Dally shook his head. "Nope. Nothing. The only thing I can remember is…" Dally stopped suddenly as the thought about his earliest memory and how scared he was that day. When he woke up in a building he didn't know surrounded by smoke and flames.
"Dally? Are you alright?" Chase asked with concern.
Dally didn't want to talk about it. The fear and pain attached to it was far too great for him to handle. Dally lowered his head, speaking with his voice cracked. "Actually Chase, n-never mind. I…I….I can't….I can't talk about it right now."
"Huh? But Dally, it may be a key to your memories." Chase pointed out.
"No Chase Please! I-not now! Not now!" Dally insisted.
Chase stared at the now shaking pup for a second. "Dally. I may not know what happened to you but I think….."
Bleep Bleep!
"Chase? Come in? You there buddy?"
Dally looked at the lit up pup tag with intriguing eyes. He'd never seen a collar light up or talk before. "Uh..who's that?"
Chase stood up. "It's my owner. Would you excuse me for a moment?"
Dally nodded, allowing Chase to turn his back to him and talk. Dally didn't want to be nosy, but his curiosity got the better of him and overheard. He could only hear one side of the conversation, unfortunately.
"Chase here. Whatcha need Ryder?"
Ryder? That's his owner's name? That sounds way too cool. Wonder what he looks like.
"Yes Ryder sir. I've been with him all day."
Dally perked. Does Chase's owner know who he is, and why is he interested about him?
"He did? Is he okay?"
Dally noticed Chase's tone to be very worrisome. It sounded like bad news.
"You need me at Katie's right now?"
Dally's heart twisted. He has to leave already? Not now! They've only had two hours together!
"Y-Yes sir. I'll be right there." Chase fretted, as he ended the call. Dally didn't need Chase's words to know what he had to do.
"You have to go Chase?"
Chase gave a sad sigh. "Yeah buddy. I'm sorry my friend. My friend Rocky is in really bad shape, and he's had a mental breakdown. I was supposed to see him today, but I got sidetracked. I wanna be there for him."
The name Rocky rung in Dally's ears like a bell. That was another name Dally heard in the somewhat day dream he had earlier. Dally wondered now, if it was less of a dream, and more like…..a flash back.
"You have more friends?" dally asked curiously.
Chase firmly nodded. "Yes. Although, we're technically brothers thanks to being owned by the same person. I wanna tell you more, but I've got to go." Chase then gave Dally a hopeful look. "You'll be okay Dally?"
Dally ignored his sanding mood and gave Chase a firm smile. "Yeah man. Stacy will be home in a bit, so I should be okay. Go to your friend Chase. He needs you more than me."
Although Dally was confident, he couldn't help but shed a lonely tear. Chase gave a single smile back to him. "It's okay buddy. I'll be back tomorrow to hang out."
"I know you will." Dally responded warmly. "I hope your friend is okay.".
Some very interesting developments in this Chapter.
Zuma apologized and found that Rocky may have remembered more than he thought he did, but has unfortunately in his rant, Rocky pushed for Zuma to reveal to Katie about Marshall! What will Zuma do? Will he open up or protect the secret to keep his word with Rubble?
Dally's finally found a trail to his memories with a flashback, but does he recognizes it as a flashback and will he be able to read more into Chase?
Of course the only way to find out is to return next week with Paw Patrol: The Ballad of Dally Chapter 39: Echoes of the Past!
Question of the Chapter: How do you think Dally will react if Chase were to reveal the truth so early?
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!