The scene is hot as a oven!
The biggest Paw Patrol Fanfiction is back again with another drama filled chapter, as DragonsFire welcomes you back to Paw Patrol: The Ballad of Dally!
Despite the overwhelming evidence that the Paw Patrol had for Marshall being alive, Ryder veered them off and convinced them that there really was no way Marshall survived the fire. Even explaining how Skylar and Treavor came across his pup pack. Shortly after, an argument ensued between the only two who knows the truth. In that discussion, Chase revealed Dally's ambition to join the Paw Patrol and pursuit of his memories, prompting Ryder to advise a plan in getting Dally to the lookout, and have him join the very team!
Unbeknownst to them however, Stacy has slammed her foot down and has prohibited Dally from interacting with Chase and the Paw Patrol! Breaking the Dalmatian's heart as she cracks down on keeping the dalmatian away from Ryder.
What will Chase's reaction be and how will Ryder and Chase bring Dally in despite this recent downturn?
Only the story will truly tell as we head on down!
Chapter 47: Forbidden Friendship
Chase couldn't be happier to see Dally today but first, he had to do an important job. After his morning Patrol, he proceeded to get everyone up for breakfast. He got Skye up first and then Zuma. He couldn't get Rubble up because he elected to stay at Katie's for Skylar, and Wings was up before Chase even got to him. He's always been such an early bird and Chase couldn't help but respect that.
He knowingly left Rocky out for last as he wanted to talk to him. The last time was not a pleasant time for the two; it ended with Chase screaming into the mixed breed's face and him crying on his chest. With the recent news of Rocky being able to come home, he felt that now would be a perfect time to apologize for that encounter.
We walked up to the mixed breed's pup house and knocked on his door. "Rocky? It's me Chase. It's time to get up for breakfast buddy."
A few moments went by until Chase got a response. "Time for breakfast already? Heck, that didn't last long. Alright, I'll be there in a jip pal."
Chase didn't move from his spot. He was very happy to hear Rocky old self again. Although he couldn't help but feel that Rocky's snide manner had intensified a little since the ship crash.
The door opened and a loud yelp immediately followed after, while Rocky retracted into his pup house, clearly not expecting the police pup to still be there.
Chase realized the urge to laugh at the mixed breed's scare. "Jeez Rocky, you act like you don't want me to see you naked or something."
Rocky shook himself as he emerged from his pup house. "No, I just didn't expect to still be there. That's a creepy joke to play you know."
"Well I don't mean to scare you Rocky, I just….wanted to talk." Chase said.
"About what?" Rocky asked.
"About what happened the day before yesterday." Chase lowered his head a little in shame. "When I yelled at you. I wanted to apologize."
"Oh, that?" Rocky inquired. Seemingly unaffected by the memory.
Chase popped on eyebrow in confusion. "Y-Yeah that. I didn't think you liked getting yelled at by your friends. Especially with what's going on with you buddy."
"Chase, I'm not going to say that I've been the friendliest pup these past few days." Rocky disclosed. "I said a lot of things I didn't mean and can barely remember them. It's probably best if you just forget about it okay?"
"Does that mean you accept my apology?" Chase asked hopeful.
"What do you think it means?" Rocky deadpanned.
Chase gave a smile to his friend and wagged his tail. "That's all I wanted you to know Rocky." He then turns away to go to the lookout.
"Hold on there pal, now I've got a question for you." Rocky called out.
Chase stopped and turned back around. "What is it buddy?"
Rocky closed in his look on the shepherd. "What's the deal with Dally?"
Chase's tail and ears stretched out in surprise. Just how many of his friends know about Dally? "You know about him too?"
"I've been known about him Chase. Ever since I heard you and Ryder talk about him at Katie's." Rocky revealed. "I don't know why you two's been keeping him secret, but it's not a good start for us to accept him as Marshall's replacement."
"He's not replacing Marshall." Chase insisted with a groan. "That's just plain ridiculous."
"It is ridiculous Chase. It's also ridiculous how we've never met him. What gives?" Rocky pushed.
"It's complicated Rocky." Chase uttered, trying to shoo Rocky's curiosity. "But Ryder and I may have found a way to get him here."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rocky challenged.
"It means I don't really know when you'll get to met him." Chase exhaled, almost growling in frustration. "I'm just doing what Ryder's telling me to do. You want to know more? Ask him."
With that, Chase walked away, leaving the overly curious mixed breed behind.
After breakfast, the pups were all called to the lookout by Ryder for a job they already know was happening. Mayor Goodway requested the Paw Patrol for assistance in setting up for the AirDogs airshow tomorrow.
Skye wanted to be excited for it. She's waited nearly half a year for the day, but thanks to the disagreement she had with her brother yesterday, she may not even get to perform tomorrow.
Skye looked over at her brother who stood ready for the mission. He then looks back at her as if he knew the second, she looked at him. Skye then gave a small smile to him, as she was still happy he was here. Wings only responded by straitening his head back forward, vanishing her smile, though she noticed that he was as annoyed at her as he was yesterday.
The elevator doors shoot open, and the pups all line upside by side in front of their leader. Followed by Chase starting off.
"Paw Patrol ready for action Ryder sir!"
Ryder gave a warm smile before he began. "Good morning pups. We've got a quite busy day ahead of us. As you all know, the AirDog's air show is tomorrow, and the mayor has asked us to help get the Adventure Bay Sports Park ready."
As he brings up a poster of the show on the screen, he then notices Skye and Wings. "Oh. You two are still here? Thought you two would be already out practicing."
Skye tenses a little bit. Neither Wings or Skye told anyone of their argument yesterday. It was sorta overshadowed by the fire in the woods. She tried to reply to Ryder and reveal the news, but her brother beat her to the punch.
"Were still going to Ryder. We just didn't want to skip out an you all without saying anything." Wings then formed a smug grin. "Unlike some other pup, we don't feel the need to hide from our friends."
Skye would've shoved her brother for that shameless comment about Chase, but the feeling of pleasant surprise overwhelmed her. Looking at her brother with her mouth agape, to be met with a warm smile from Wings.
Before Chase could respond, Ryder did first with a daunting smile. "Now Wings, I wouldn't throw shade at the pup who saved your life the first time you were here."
A long sustained "oooo" came out of the group which followed with Chase giving him a knowing smile.
"Alright pups, lets get back on track here." Ryder called with a snap. "Like I said, the mayor needs our help getting Adventure Bay ready for the show. Rubble, I need you to inspect the stands and make any repairs we might need so the audience is completely safe."
"Rubble on the double!" Rubble acknowledged.
Ryder then swipes to Chase's emblem. "Chase, you obviously are in charge of security. I need you to mark the boundaries to separate the audience and the field."
"Yes! Another opportunity to use my cones!" Chase replied with an excited tone.
"However, I need you to do something first." Ryder added. "The mayor wants the burned cabin from yesterday blocked off from the public. I need you to go and wrap caution tape around the perimeter real quick before you get to the field."
Chase was visually confused a little, but still uttered his phrase. "These paws uphold the laws!"
Skye was a little confused herself. Wondering why Chase was given such an off the beat task that had nothing to do with the show at all.
Ryder then swipes to Rocky. "Rocky, I need your tools and material to fix any problems Rubble might find with the bleachers."
"Green means go!" Rocky chirped with a smile. Everyone howled as they all were so glad that Rocky was able to return so soon.
Ryder then swiped to Zuma's emblem. "Zuma, you can help me, Katie, and the mayor with all the decorations for the show."
Zuma popped an eyebrow and cocked his head. "Weally? That's all?"
Ryder was a little startled. "Well….yeah. I'm afraid that's all I got for you little buddy."
Zuma was a little annoyed, but he still uttered his phrase. "Let's dive in, even though wewe not diving in any water."
After a brief look of sorrow, Ryder quickly looked over to Skye and Wings. "Skye, Wings, I'm freeing you two up to do all the practice you need for tomorrow."
Skye was about to say her line, until she felt a slight touch on her side from her brother. One look at him told Skye what he wanted her to say with him.
The two gave each other the widest smile. "With our paws in the air and our dreams up there…" They both do a backflip in total sync and strike a mighty pose against each other. "We are one mighty pair!"
The pups all howl and cheer in response with Ryder clapping his hands in delight. "I don't think you both will disappoint."
The two stood proudly before Ryder ended it off. "Alright, Paw Patrol is on a roll!"
The pups howl again and barked as Ryder jumped to the pole. One by one, the pups all jump down the slide, except for Wings and Skye who stayed behind.
Skye gave a warm grateful simile to her brother. "You changed your mind."
Wings gave a sure nod. "I did sis. I'm sorry for getting mad at you yesterday. I was such a jerk in thinking that you weren't fit to fly, especially since I was being kind of a hypocrite."
Skye found that particular. "Huh? How so?"
Wings closed his eyes and gave a sigh. "You're not the only one that's riding on this, Skye. I want us to perform again as much as you do. These past two years has been so lonely without you and its been hard getting used to it."
Skye noticed that Wings was a little emotional than normal. "When we left you here Skye, the first few shows were horrible for me. I couldn't imagine doing a show by myself. For a month there, I was so lost that I just didn't perform at all. Mom and Dad tried their best, but they couldn't get me out of that rut. It wasn't until Miss Banks knocked my head on straight and reminded me who I was, that I finally felt comfortable in performing again. If it hadn't been for her, I probably would've given up."
He then looked up at Skye with watery eyes. "I completely forgot that yesterday. I was putting your safety first, but I should've known better than to doubt you to take care of yourself. I shouldn't let my anxiety squash the only chance I have to getting what I miss more than ever, even if it's for one day."
Skye's eyes water a little as well, then she hugs her brother. "Oh Wings. I had no idea you were going through that. Had I known, I would've called you more."
Wings hugged back, arguably a little more than Skye. "I know you would, but to be honest, it wouldn't have helped much. I'd miss you more."
Both of them whined before they let go of each other. "But that don't matter now. What matters is the show tomorrow. We've got to get a lot of practice in before mom and dad show up tonight. I want to get our routine down tight so we can tell them how awesome it will be."
"Right bro!" Skye yipped, as she did a quick backflip. "Shall we?"
A matching smile grew on Wings. "Of course. Ladies first."
"Oh, shut up." Skye chuckled, as they both run out to the balcony and take off from it.
Chase knew the real reason he was out here. He knew it was only cover for him to meet up with Dally. Although Chase probably could've thought of something a little more subtle, but he wasn't the leader, so he'll have to work with it.
He of course did the deed anyway and was now in the general area of where Dally would usually be. However, unlike yesterday, Chase couldn't pick a scent up at all. He was still walking in some direction but didn't really know where he was going.
He hoped Dally wasn't at his house as he still didn't know where that was.
Chase was admittedly getting really frustrated with Ryder's constant push back in telling the other pups the truth. Not to say Chase is losing faith in Ryder. That'll never happen. He just thought that yesterday was the moment to tell them. The pups figured it out by themselves that Marshall survived right in that room and helped each other come to that conclusion. To tell them that their wrong just to veer them off the path felt dirty to him.
He didn't think Ryder deliberately wanted them not to know about Marshall being alive, he was just so puzzled on why he insisted keeping the secret, when there's no reason to do so. Especially since Dally said it himself that he wanted to join the Paw Patrol. Wouldn't that be awkward. For him to just show up to the lookout with no prior knowledge. They'd instantly bum rush him and wanna know why they weren't told for so long.
That was his thought process last night, when Chase argued with Ryder. He just didn't understand; Ryder was so close in finally pulling back the curtain, but Katie interjected throw the whole thing off. Not that Chase would deny that as the truth, in fact, he wasn't worried about that at all. What got him was Ryder backtracking and hiding behind Katie's theory to keep it under wraps, for seemingly no reason. Again, they know something's up and Ryder closed door on them.
Ryder stated that it was still too risky, not wanting to do anything to make Dally run away, but Chase knows it's unlikely now, considering that Dally knows who he was. He may not have his memories, but he's showing his interest on his sleeve. It defiantly wouldn't hurt to tell the pups, bring Dally in, and finally put this year long nightmare to bed.
But at the same time, maybe he's being too trigger happy. Maybe he's precepting way too fast and was just getting too excited about Dally joining the Paw Patrol and starting to regain his memories. Is it still worth it to keep his friends from the truth?
After walking and searching for what felt like forever, Chase's eyes focused on a lone house he didn't recognize at all which baffled him. He thought he knew just about every house in Adventure Bay, but apparently, there was another one hiding out in the woods.
It's drawing interest reeled Chase in like a fish on a line. It was just an ordinary two-story house from what he could see. But for some reason, he gravitated to it.
He stood on what appeared to be the lawn, occupied by a lone car which took him a little bit to recognize that it was Stacy Jackson's car, thanks to remembering it when he gave Stacy a ticket for speeding a few months ago. Pretty ironic that he didn't know that she was keeping Marshall from them at the time.
Then, it hit him. If this was Stacy's house, then it must be Dally's house. He finally found it! If only he followed the road leading up to it. Chase wagged with delight as he ran up to the house, being excited to tell Dally the good news.
When he got a few feet from the door though, it opened and out came a hastily Stacy Jackson, and upon seeing Chase, she was slightly surprised but then was annoyed.
"Oh, it's you Chase." Stacy muttered under her breath.
"Hey Miss Jackson. Is Dally…"
"Don't even bother with Dally Chase." Stacy cut coldly. "He's no longer allowed to see you."
"Wha? Ex-Excuse me?" Chase gawked.
"You heard me Chase." Stacy added with distaste. "I have to go to work."
Without saying another thing, Stacy passed by Chase with a glance. Chase was still trying to process what he heard.
"Wait, Mi-Miss Jackson, why…"
"I told you not to get him involved in your misadventures." Stacy let out as she turned around. "He came home yesterday, coughing up a storm and covered in soot."
She was referring to the fire yesterday, when he had to save Dally from it after he went in to save a pup.
"Miss. Jackson, it was just a…"
"I don't want to hear it Chase. I warned you and your owner not do anything to get him hurt and yet you let him go into a fire." Stacy cut off again. "My decision is final. You two are no longer allowed to speak to each other."
In Chase's complete shock, he was starting to feel some animosity at how unfair Stacy was being. "You have no right do that to him!"
"I do Chase. I am his owner after all." Stacy sneered back.
Chase cringed, knowing full well that it was the truth.
"Trust me Chase, he is way better off without you or Ryder." Stacy hissed as she continued walking.
It took all he had to not go off on her as she disappeared from his sight. He wanted to arrest her for…something, but he knew he couldn't touch her, and the Paw Patrol would be on a rocky road if he would follow through with it.
This was a problem. A big problem. If Dally was no longer allowed to see him, how will he be able to join the Paw Patrol? How will he get his memories back when he's cut off from them permanently? The plan fell apart right in front of his eyes, and now, it seemed that getting Marshall back was now impossible.
Chase looked back at the house as tears filled his eyes. He could painfully imagine what Dally was doing right now. Probably sobbing his eyes out in misery. All Dally wanted was a friend. When they finally met and started hanging out, Dally was instantly attached to him, just by being a friend to him. The real sad part is that the shepherd knew that once he joined the Paw Patrol, he could have so many more friends and never have to feel lonely again. But now that was ripped away from him thanks to some jerk who is trying all she could to separate them.
It was then that he looked up and spotted something in the window. It was Dally with the saddest bloodshot eyes the shepherd's ever seen. It squeezed Chase's heart like a snake, causing him to tear up himself.
Chase thought to immediately go in the house, grab him, and take him straight to Ryder. No matter what problems it might cause. But he thought better of it as he would only make things worse.
Reluctantly, he turned around and dragged his paws away from the house, on his way to tell Ryder the dreadful news.
As long as Zuma's been on the team, he's always felt that he was under used.
He never faulted Ryder for not giving him fulfilling tasks as he knew he wasn't doing it on purpose, but it made him question his own talent.
In a town like Adventure Bay, where there is a large body of water present; you'd think he'd be in action all the time, almost as much as his teammates, but for some reason, water rescues were few and far between. Being a stand in fire pup did help a little, rescuing animals and people from high places and putting out little fires was not his own talent and even then, he was just a stand in until Ember join's the team.
It made him question whether or not he should have ever gotten in the water in the first place. Maybe if he chose something else to like, Ryder could have more uses for him, but that was in the past and he's stuck here putting American fan flags on the side of the stands, while his friends get all the action, using their talents while Zuma was decorating. Not that Zuma didn't like to decorate, he just knows that he could be more useful somehow, someway.
"Hey buddy."
Zuma was brought out of his thoughts by Rubble who came up to him.
Zuma inched a smile on his face. "Hey dude. What's up?"
"Just waiting on Rocky to get back with some metal." Rubble answered. "The stands are fine, but Ryder wants to reinforce them just in case, so Rocky's gone to the junkyard to get some metal."
"The Junkyawd?" Zuma replied. "But that's like halfway to Foggy Bottom from hewe. It'll take him ages to get back."
"Hey, we got all day. It couldn't hurt to wait for at least a little while." Rubble commented while he sat down. "Although, you think he'd have plenty of metal in that truck of his."
Zuma found it a little weird as well. Rocky has almost anything in his truck. "Maybe he weally is out and has to get some mowe. That stuff don't gwow on twees you know."
"Hey I'm not complaining. Gives me time to sit and talk, you know?" Rubble said.
"Yeah, I guess you'we wight Wubble." Zuma replied, as he sat down with the construction pup. "So…..how's Skylaw doing, dude?"
The chirpier Rubble defiantly went away as his smile turned to a frown. "Not much, she's still asleep."
"Sowwy dude, I didn't mean to make you down in the undewgwound." Zuma replied.
"No, your fine Zuma. I'm so glad that she will be okay." Rubble stated, he then started to whimper. "Though, she's really not going to be okay when she finds out about her brother."
Rubble let out a few more whimpers that prompted Zuma to nuzzle Rubble. "It's okay dude. It'll be just like Wydew said. We'll be thewe fow hew."
Rubble only responded by dipping his head and whimpering. It was impossible not to think that Rubble cared so deeply for Skylar. To the point of keeping a big secret from Ryder to protect her.
Then, a light bulb went off in his head. "Thewe's still hope."
"Hope?" Rubble piped. "What do you mean hope?"
"I mean thewe's still hope about Mawshall dude." Zuma said with a wag.
"Did you forget about last night?" Rubble asked confused. "There's no way Marshall could have survived."
"We don't weally know that fow suwe." Zuma pointed out. "Wewe fowgetting one thing."
"And what's that?"
"Skylaw dude. Skylaw must know fow suwe." Zuma revealed. "Don't you see? She's the only one who knows fow suwe weather Mawshall got out ow not."
"But Zuma, we already know that they stole it from him in the fire." Rubble pointed out with a whine.
Zuma shook his head. "No Wubble. We only think that happened. The only one who can tell the twuth is Skylaw now, because she's the only one who last saw him no matter what."
"Wait, Zuma." Rubble began to argue but he had a sudden realization in the middle of his speech. "…You're, you're absolutely right."
"Now you get it dude. All we have to do is ask whewe she got the pups pack, then we'll know fow suwe what happened to Mawshall."
Zuma was starting to get excited a little. It was becoming more hopeful the more he thought about it. Though Rubble didn't have the same enthusiasm.
"I don't know Zuma, do you really want to know?" Rubble asked suddenly.
Zuma cocked his head. "Wha-What do you mean dude? Of couwse I do."
"Really?" Rubble replied. "Remember what Ryder said? About him not coming home and then what Rocky said after that?"
Zuma was sorta caught off guard, but he did remember. Rocky implied that Marshall had actually faked his death, and ran away from them. Zuma didn't want to believe it, but if they get an answer from Skylar, no matter what she says, it will be disheartening to hear.
"I…..I hadn't thought about that but….we still need to know." Zuma inched out.
Rubble closed his eyes and lowered his head. "I don't know Zuma. I don't feel good about interrogating her so soon. Especially after she just lost her brother. It…may be too much for her."
Zuma gave Rubble a stern look. "Listen dude. She's going to be asked anyway. If not by us, then by Wydew himself. It wouldn't huwt just to ask hew."
Rubble sat in silence as he thought about Zuma's words, then, he raised his head back up to Zuma. "Fine Zuma, we'll ask her. Just…don't come down on her. Please. Let her get over her brother before we ask."
Zuma gave a sure smile to Rubble. "Don't wowwy dude. If you want, you can be the one to ask hew."
Chase was absolutely lost in his thoughts, on his way back to his car. He'd parked it to try to get some sort of trail that would lead him to Dally. Although, he wished he'd never found him.
He still couldn't believe it. All that planning, all that time he spent with the dalmatian to help get his memories was now gone along with Chase's heart. It seemed that Ryder was right after all. They may have been too careless, and Stacy may have bitten them like a snake. She was now locking him up and throwing away key.
What are they going to do now? There's no way Chase can talk to Dally now. Not without being super sneaky about it, but with Stacy Jackson now on to them, she may be paying close attention, and will probably resort to other measures to repel them. Maybe like Ryder said, completely skip town with Dally in tow. Weather Dally wants to or not.
Chase dragged his paws over to his cruiser with all his hope lost, sniffing tears. He suddenly perked at a familiar scent. A fresh scent around his car like someone was here recently. Very recently, as he noticed that the scent was directing him to a tree nearby. He waked over to it and whisked his head around, seeing what he suspected it was.
"Yipe!" Rocky yelped as he scurried out of his hiding spot, making his hat fly off his head.
"Yeah that's a good idea. Try to sneak up on a pup who can easily sniff you out." Chase jeered.
Rocky got up and put his hat back on. "I wasn't trying to sneak up on you, pal."
"Then why were you hiding?" Chase pressed, very suspicious.
Rocky shook himself off. "I th-thought a bear was coming."
Chase wasn't buying it. "Riiiight. Then what are you doing out here? You're supposed to be at field, helping them set up the show."
"Ryder knows I'm out. I was on my way to the junkyard." Rocky explained.
"That's on the other side of town." Chase caught with an annoyed expression. "Close to Foggy Bottom."
Rocky stumbled on his speech. "I….I…..I…..l-look! I can ask you the same thing!"
"You already know what I was doing buddy." Chase stated. "I was putting tape around the cabin."
"Oh please Chase. I know why you're really out here." Rocky then stood proudly. "I saw right through Ryder's ruse."
Rocky left himself open there as Chase grew a smirk. "So you admit to following me, huh?"
Rocky's eyes shot open upon realizing that the jig was up. "Okay Okay! I was following you. I just wanted to see Dally."
"Well I'm sorry but he's not out here." Chase announced.
"He's not?" Rocky inquired.
"No. and we'll probably never see him again." Chase grunted. "Now come on, back to the field."
As Chase was going to turn away, Rocky called back to him.
"Nu uh pal. Hold on!"
"Whaaat?" Chase scoffed.
"You're going to tell me here and now." Rocky planted his paws in the ground. "Just what the heck is it with Dally? Why are you and Ryder keeping him from us?"
"I already told you this morning." Chase bleated.
"No Chase. Something's up and I'm tired of being joshed around. I want to know."
"Rocky, don't be ridiculous…."
"Come on Chase! Just tell me! I won't tell anyone else I swe…." Rocky froze instantly on the spot as his jaw remained open. His eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, trembling as well.
"What? What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" Chase asked.
Rocky slowly shook his head as he responded with a shaky voice. "I-I'm not looking at you."
"Then what are you looking…."
"Chase?"
Chase gasped all the air into his lungs and held it when he heard his name called, from behind him.
"Uh, oh."
(A/N): Uh oh indeed! I'm sure you know who's behind Chase!
The only question is, How will Rocky react and how will Chase explain this?
Find out next time when Chapter 48 is up!
Question of the Chapter: Do you think it's wise to question Skylar about Marshall so soon?
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!