Ooooh boy, here we go!

Welcome one and all to another exciting chapter of the red hot Paw Patrol story!

Welcome back to Paw Patrol: The Ballad of Dally!

The jig is up! Instead of going to the junkyard like he was supposed to, Rocky found Chase and followed him in the forest! And by the turn of the shepherd's luck, Dally showed up at the most crucial moment!

What will be Rocky's reaction? How will Chase explain this, and what will Dally do?

It's time to find out as we head over to the Chapter!

Chapter 48: The Jig Is Up

Dally couldn't take it anymore. For the past four hours since he woke up from his miserable sleep, he'd just been crying his eyes out. Stacy didn't even try saying anything to him before she left. Quite frankly, there was probably nothing she could say to him that could stop him from crying. Not unless she went back on her decision, but that wasn't going to happen.

He looked outside the window to watch Stacy leave, but he ended up seeing Chase in front of the house. Dally could barley hold it in when he saw Stacy tell Chase the news, and when he locked eyes with him, Dally nearly lost it.

Chase has been nothing but the bestest friend to him. He couldn't tell if it was because Dally knew him before, but he didn't care about right now right now. Dally already knew how important Chase was to him, whether he remembered him or not. He was genuine and the coolest pup he'd ever met, while also being the nicest pup he met too.

The two stared at each other for a bit. Wondering if it really was the last time, they would ever see each other. Chase then abruptly turns around and walked away, nearly driving Dally over the edge as fresh tears formed. He could hardly take his best friend walking away for what now seemed like forever.

Anxiety kicked in as Marshall immediately took off from his room, went down the stairs, nearly tripping while doing so, went through the doggie door, and followed him. He wanted to at least say goodbye to him.

He followed him all the way down to a specific point where he saw something he'd never seen before. It was a car like vehicle that was nothing like Stacy's as it was smaller and compact than hers. He then saw the shepherd, walk over to the tree and yelp at something around it. Dally thought that this was his only chance.

When he got up behind him, he noticed that Chase was talking to another pup. A grey mixed breed that had a similar thing on his back like Chase had on his back, is he one of Chase's teammates and did Dally know him as well?

Upon getting a good look at him, Dally had a feeling of familiarity that was stronger than he had with Chase. Dally knew this pup, to the point where he felt a name almost on the tip of his tongue, but couldn't get it out no matter how much he tried.

They were having some sort of argument, until the mixed breed spotted him and his eyes grew wide and trembled.

"What? What is it?! Why are you looking at me like that?!" Chase frustratingly says.

The mixed breed slowly shook his head. "I-I'm not looking at you."

Dally thought to immideiatly announce his presence.

"Then what are…."

"Chase?" Dally finally let out, causing the shepherd in front of him to tense up.

"Uh, Oh."

With that, Chase slowly turned around and when his eyes landed on Dally, a look of pure fright met Dally.

"D-Dally." Chase quavered. "Wh-What are y-you do-doing here?"

Dally's attention wasn't on Chase; it was on the now shaking mixed breed who's jaw was now spasming like a teapot.

"Ma-Ma-Ma-M-Ma-Ma-Ma-M-Ma-Ma…"

Chase looked at the shuddering pup, but before the pup could say anything else, the mixed breed suddenly formed a look of anger, along with his eyes producing fresh hot tears.

Before Dally know it, the pup launched like a rocket and tackled him to the ground; making the dalmatian yelp out before the pup started to scream at him, with the tears falling on Dally's body.

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Dally wanted to squirm away, but the breed's intense agonized stare paralyzed him.

"WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! DEAD! BUT YOU'VE BEEN ALIVE ALL THIS TIME!? ALIVE?!

Dally shut his eyes and turned his head, not wanting to see the intense look. He could see Chase trying to pull the pup off of him, but the breed's paws were fused to the ground.

"Please! Please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Dally cried.

"Tell me! Tell me where you've been Marshall!" The mixed breed cried more. His face was drenched in his tears. "Please tell me you didn't fake it! PLEASE!"

"Rocky! Get off him!" Chase shrieked; trying with all his might to pull Rocky off.

As soon as Dally heard the name, his eyes shot open. He slowly turned back seeing the mixed breed finally get pulled off by Chase.

An immediate argument ensued, but Dally couldn't hear a single word. All he could hear was his mind saying over and over again…..

Rocky.

Dally looked at the mixed breed, furiously arguing with Chase. Then, everything around him faded from his vision like ghost except for that one pup who was getting more familiar as the seconds roll by.

Dally then let out a gasp.

"Rocky?"

"So? That's how the fire started Marshall?"

Marshall looked up at his parents, shaking like a scared deer.

"M-Mhmm. I'm so sorry Dad. I-I didn't mean to." Marshall nodded, nearly caving into his father's stern look.

"Almost all fires are started unintentionally Marshall." Sparky replied, his voice as stern as his look. "Especially when someone is playing around lit candles."

Ashely, Marshall's mom, gave her mate a repulsed look. "Spark, don't be too hard on him. It was just an accident."

"An accident that almost burned this firehouse down." Spark responded, not taking his eyes off his son. "You knew better that to horse play in this house Marshall. What were you thinking boy?"

"I-I wasn't thinking anything. I just got carried away. Please don't be mad at me Dad, I promise I won't do it again!" Marshall cried.

Sparky looked somberly at his son for a few minutes before giving a long sigh. "It's not me, you need to worry about son. Chief Blake is probably more upset than me and your mother. Not to mention, you know the FRDA will have a field day with you, when they find out about this. Do you?"

Marshall could only lay down and whimper in same. With that, Sparky turned towards the door. "I've gotta go make sure we still have a job."

Marshall whimpered more, as his father left the room, leaving Marshall alone with his mom, who was looking at him with the most caring eyes.

Marshall raised his head and met his mother's. "M-Mom. Yo-you're not mat at me, are you?"

Marshall's mom closed her eyes and went over to her son. Nuzzling him while giving him some caring licks. "I'm not as much mad, as I am worried for you Marshall."

Marshall teared up as he responded. "I-I can't believe I let this happen. I'm such a stupid, stupid, Pup."

Marshall felt his mom retract from him. "Marshall. Don't ever let me hear you say that."

"But it's true mom." Marshall wept standing up. "All I've ever been is screw up after screw up! Now I've screwed up real, real bad and you and Dad are about you lose your jobs! All because of me!"

Ashley nuzzled him again and hushed him down. "Shhhh. If it happens, it happens sweetie. What matters is that you're safe." Ashley claimed. "You did put it out all by yourself. That'll probably help a little."

Marshall dropped his head to his paws. "Not much. I doubt I'll ever be a fire dog now."

"Don't give your hopes up, Marshall. Accidents happen and mistakes are made. You forget that you still have a long way to go." Ashley said, before she turned to the door to go after her mate. Before she left, she looked at her son once more. "Don't ever doubt yourself, sweetie. You're a much better fire pup than you think."

Marshall raised his and saw the abrupt smile from his mother. As if he was caught in a spell, Marshall slowly smiled back."

"Th-Thanks mom. It's nice to know that you still believe in me."

Ashely's smile widened. "Your dad and I will always believe in you. No matter what happens." She serenaded before she left the room, leaving Marshall by himself.

Despite the fearful feeling he had, Marshall felt very relieved that his parents and Chief Blake accepted his story. He may be scared of what was going to happen as, far as his dream to be the best fire dog, but he rather sacrifice that dream, than to lose his best friend.

As it turned out, Marshall did start the fire at all. There wasn't a candle anywhere near him at all. That was just a cover up to hide the real culprit. His best friend, Rocky. A stray mixed breed pup, who Marshall met in an alleyway a while back.

While his parents and the firemen were out on a job, Rocky came over with very enthusiastic. He told the dally that he had an invention he said could restore the freshness of rotten food. Marshall was over the moon himself about it, so happy to hear that Rocky was doing something for himself and would be well known for what Marshall knew about him for a little over a year now.

But it just wasn't meant to be. Rocky's invention short circuited and started a fire in the kitchen. Marshall immediately shoved him out and put the fire out the best he could. After he eventually put it out, the entire area was toast and was more than noticeable. They would no doubt know that a fire happened and know who was responsible, which made him panic.

Marshall thought to immediately dress up the fire, tossing Rocky's invention, and plant and expired candle, and when they came back, Marshall told them a phony story about him playing in the house and knocking over the candle.

It may have gotten Marshall in a lot of trouble, but it took it off Rocky. If Marshall told the truth, the firehouse would've run Rocky out, and he wouldn't be allowed to visit, ever again. Marshall couldn't let that happen or he will never be allowed to even see him again. So, he doctored the scene, and lied to Chief Blake and his parents to protect Rocky.

Upon his thoughts, Marshall looked outside through the window at the direction where Rocky's junkyard was. Heavily tempted to go over to him and see if he was okay. But before he could make that decision, he saw that he really didn't need to go at all, because Rocky himself was sitting in the alleyway, looking as if he was ready to go on trial.

Marshall got up immediately, walked out of the room, and while making sure he wouldn't be spotted, went out the back door Rocky was sitting in front of.

The moment he saw Marshall, Rocky's tail swung furiously. "M-Marshall!"

The dalmatian was caught off guard by an abrupt hug. He could hardly breathe for how tight it was too, with the mixed breed's grip simulating a snake. Nevertheless, Marshall hugged back.

"Rocky, did you even go home?" The dalmatian asked as Rocky finally let go.

Rocky nodded. "Yeah, I did. But….I couldn't stop worrying about you. I had to see if you were okay."

"Everything's fine Rocky. The fire's out." Marshall stated with a smile. "It was actually quite easy."

Rocky's ears perked. "Really? So, it's not noticeable."

Marshall shook his head. "Nah uh. It's definitely noticeable man. The whole kitchen is burned."

Upon hearing that, Rocky let out a tearful groan. "I'm so…so sorry Marshall."

"It's okay Rocky. We're safe now. That's all that matters." Marshall warmly replied.

Rocky didn't move. "How mad are they?"

Marshall's smile faded. "They're pretty miffed man. Chief Blake is going insane in there."

Rocky shuttered his eyes. "I knew it. I'm boned."

Marshall looked somberly at his friend. "You have nothing to worry about Rocky."

Rocky's eyes shot open as he looked at Marshall. "Marshall. The moment they find out who did it, I'm history."

"You're not going to be man. They're not going to find out." Marshall revealed. "Because I told them it was my fault."

Rocky's jaw hit the floor. "Wh-What? But…but what about the Rot…"

"It's no where near the scene." Marshall added. "There's no way they'll ever find out it was you."

Rocky was clearly awestruck by Marshall's revelation. "Wha-Ma…Marshall. Why did you do that? You have any idea what could happen to you? The Fire Dog Association's already after you pal. This is all they need to push you out. They'll drag you through the dirt once they find out."

"I know Rocky, I know. But it's worth it." Marshall replied with an unmoved face.

"Don't say that! Your dream is about to go down the toilet!"

"Then let it!" Marshall pushed, stopping Rocky instantly. Silence filled the air until Rocky tried to talk again in his shock. "But…But Marshall…."

"I'm serious man. I'll let it go all away." Marshall added, his voice getting a little shaky. "Because once they find out it was you….I'll never see you again."

Rocky remained still as every word went in his ears. He closed his eyes again. "No…Marshall. No. I am not worth it. I'm just some stray on the street. My life is nowhere near yours to throw away for."

"Yes it is!" Marshall yelped loudly. His voice echoing off the two buildings somehow. "You are not worthless Rocky! You can make nothing turn to anything you want! I can't eve begin to find out how to do that! You call that worthless?!"

"You just saw how worthless I was in there Marshall!" Rocky argued back. "My "nothing into anything" almost burned your house down!"

"It was an accident Rocky." Marshall insisted. "You didn't mean to do it!"

"Yeah, an accident that's going to change our lives! All because of me being so stupid like I am."

"No Rocky, you are the smartest pup I know." Marshall batted.

"If I was smart, the Rot-Away wouldn't have blown like that." Rocky whined.

"Rocky, one mistake doesn't make you stupid." Marshall replied with a whine.

"No, but it's not the only mistake I've made." Rocky revealed. "I've made way too many to be any good Marshall. Enough for me to be useless."

"How do you think I feel?" Marshall replied, getting a little emotional. "I make mistakes all the time. In fact, that's what I'm known for."

"Not like mine Marshall! My mistakes are far worse than your tripping or crashing into things." Rocky whimpered. "Stop kidding around Marshall. There is no way I'm worth that much to you. I'm just a dumb stray."

Marshall dipped his head in true sadness. He doesn't see it. He doesn't see what Marshall sees in him. He thinks he's a total burden on everyone else around him and not a great friend. It was painfully ironic to him.

"No, you are not Rocky." Marshall responded in a very secluded whimper.

"What makes you right pal?" Rocky challenged.

"Because you are my best friend!" Marshall blurts out, snapping his head back up.

Rocky was taken aback. "Best…friend? You-your serious?"

"Yes Rocky, I'm serious. There is no one else I'd do anything for, because you believe in me. Unlike everyone else who always I'm too much of a screw up to ever be a fire pup. Even my parents have doubts about me." Marshall teared up. "But you don't. You've always been on my side when I'm being attacked. You've always been the loudest when defending me. You've always made me feel like I can reach my dreams and that I will be a good fire pup."

Rocky sat down with an appalled look on his face. "Well…yeah…that's what friends do…right?"

"Exactly." Marshall responded. "That's why I'd give up anything for you. I can move on with whatever the FRDA will do with me. I don't care if I never become a fire dog. I can't go any day without you."

With that, a moment of pure silence filled the air, as Rocky gazed upon Marshall with wide eyes.

Marshall meant everything. Except, Rocky wasn't really his best friend, as much as he was his only friend. The dalmatian struggled when it came to his peer at the academy. They mocked him all the way to his fire pup permit. After he got it, their teasing only intensified, claiming that the association would let anyone get one, ignoring all the hard work Marshall put in of course.

It used to bother him a bit, but he got used to it after a while. Of course, this meant that no one would want to at least try to be friends with him because of how he was. Marshall felt so lonely then, feeling no one cared if he would get hurt besides his parents of course. But that all changed when he met Rocky. Since then, the mixed breed had always been this loudest cheerleader and never slandered him for his clumsiness.

Rocky may be his only friend, but Marshall wouldn't change it. In his eyes, Rocky's friendship was worth more than anything to him. Even his own dream to be a Fire dog.

After a few more seconds of staring, Rocky abruptly slammed another hug on Marshall, tighter than the first time. He heard Rocky's voice sound like the wind. "You give me way too much credit, pal."

Marshall smiled and hugged even tighter than Rocky was. "Maybe, but I don't care."

After what felt like forever, Chase was finally able to calm Rocky down and explained everything. Rocky still wasn't happy about it, rightfully so, but he at least wasn't hysterical and understood what was going on.

"Soooo, you mean to tell me, that Marshall doesn't remember me?" Rocky whined, still processing everything.

Chase shook his head. "No buddy. He doesn't even remember his name. That's why we haven't told you or anyone yet."

Rocky looked at the dalmatian with another whine. Since Chase pulled Rocky off him, Dally had gotten up from the ground and sat there, looking completely lost in space.

"Is it true Marshall? you don't remember me at all?" Rock shakingly asked.

Dally twitched when he heard the question. His eyes fixated on the mixed breed with a look of terror on his face.

Chase went up to Rocky and was about to tell him that he was wasting his time, but Dally suddenly spoke after he had been eerily silent throughout their conversation.

"R-R-Rocky?"

Chase stunningly froze in place. The way Dally said Rocky's name wasn't with pure confusion like Chase thought it be. It sounded more like Rocky was a long-lost friend he had. Almost the way he sounded when they found Rocky a couple years ago.

"Ma-Marshall?" Rocky replied with hope. "You-You remember me?"

Dally's face morphed into slight puzzled. "I-I-I do….of course I remember you Rocky. You're my best friend."

Chase felt a shiver go through his spine as his jaw slowly hung open. "Best…friend?" he breathed softly.

It was then that Dally surprised both Chase and Rocky once again. He abruptly launched straight to Rocky and slapped on a very tight hug along with whimpers.

"Ro-Rocky! I-I remember you!" The Dalmatian cried out as he hugged the mixed breed tightly. Rocky could only hug back in pure delight while also crying along.

"Rocky! I don't know what's going on with me! I-I can't remember anything!" Dally cried out in pure terror. "I-I don't know who I am!"

"Marshall, It's okay." Rocky replied with a smile. "Everything going to be okay."

"It…It will?" Dally whined.

"Yeah pal. It will. Don't worry about your memories. All that matters is that….you're alive." Rocky calmed with a loving hug to his friend. Then, the mixed breed's manner as he realized what he said. "You're alive. You're alive…you're alive!"

Rocky suddenly tightened his grip on the dalmatian. "You're alive! You really are alive, Marshall!"

The two openly sob into their shoulders as Chase watched on with his heart in shambles. He'd been trying to get Dally to remember him for the past few days, yet the first time he sees Rocky, he instantly knows him as his best friend in mere seconds. It made Chase feel like a sword penetrated his heart.

However, as much as it did hurt him, he didn't want to break it up. After all, this is progress. The first real sign that Marshall was now very close to remembering everything. As well as it was for Rocky who had been a depressing wreck since the accident. He didn't want to squander that.

"Dally?"

Though he knew someone who would, and she just showed up like a warden. Within seconds of Stacy Jackson calling to him, Dally scurried away from Rocky.

"St-Stacy!" Dally yelped with a look of horror.

"Who?" Rocky perked as he turned around and spotted the girl and his eyes grew wide. "St-Stacy Jackson?!"

Chase dreaded this. He forgot to tell Rocky about Stacy Jackson being involved. He went up next to him, as he feared Rocky was going to go off on her.

"I thought I told you; you weren't allowed to spend time with Chase or his friends anymore." Stacy grumbled.

"What?!" Rocky yelped.

I-It know Stacy. I just wanted…"

"There's no excuse Dally. I was very serious last night, but it looks like it went in one ear and out the other." Stacy added with a crossed tone.

"No, No, that's not it at all…" Dally cried.

"The why are you out here with them?" Stacy cut off, very sternly, almost hostile.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa hold on!" Rocky called out. Chase tried to get him to settle, but Rocky was resisting. "No, get off me Chase! Just who do you think you are?! You have no right to talk to him like that!"

"I am his owner pup, or did Chase forget to tell you that?" Stacy coldly stated.

"What?! Since when?!"

"Since forever." Stacy pushed. "Now, you butt out of this, this is between me, and Dally."

Rocky immediately growled. "That's not his…..ow!"

Rocky snapped to Chase who shoved the recycling pup. He then whispers. "You need to stop Rocky."

"What? Are you being serious right now?!"

"Trust me Rocky." Chase insisted, his voice getting a little louder, "You're only making things worse for Marshall."

Although he knew Rocky wanted to push on, he could tell that Rocky got the message, as the mixed breed sat down and watched.

Dally meanwhile, was an absolute wreck. His cheeks were beat read from his tears that were flowing down his face, as he looked at Stacy. "Sta-Stacy. I-I did-didn't me-me-mean to-to def-defy you. I-I just wa-wanted to say good-goodbye." Dally looked as if he was about to collapse in his tears. "Ca-Can you at least giv-give me that?"

Chase looked back at Stacy for her response and saw that she had a much softer look on the dalmatian. Almost full regret for what she was doing. At least she's not heartless.

"Dally…..just go home."

"But….But Stacy…" Dally croaked.

"Please! Just…go…..we'll talk about this later." Stacy pleaded, her manner coming across differently from a few seconds ago.

Dally whined profusely as he took one last look at Chase and Rocky, with eyes that may fallout due to a waterfall of tears. He then closed them, turned around, and dragged his paws towards home.

Rocky broke off from Chase and called out to him. "Marshall! Marshall!"

No response from the dally as Rocky followed him for a bit.

Chase however, glared at Stacy. Resisting all he could from tacking and shackling. The young woman then turned herself without a word and proceeded forward.

"You better not harm him in anyway Miss Jackson." Chase growled as she walked away.

Stacy stopped for a bit. "I don't think I can harm any more then I have right now." Her voice faltering, almost sounding like she was crying herself.

Chase watched her go out of his sight. Kicking himself for letting her go even then. He then heard Rocky call him out."

"You have got to be kidding me, Chase."

Chase cringed up as he turned to an icy stare from Rocky. "You're really letting her get away with that."

Chase dropped his head as he made his way to his cruiser. "I had to Rocky."

"No. You didn't." Rocky argued. "You could've easily shut her down, and stood up for him."

"You don't understand Rocky." Chase replied, as he got in his cruiser.

"Understand what?!" Rocky yelped. "Letting our best friend be talked down like that by someone who literally pupnapped him?! How about arresting her?! Police pup!"

"I can't arrest her Rocky. She owns him fair and square." Chase replies with annoyance. "I can't touch her."

"Bogus! That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!" Rocky pressed.

"I know Rocky!" Chase shot back at him, completely losing it. "Trust me! If I could do something about it, I would've had her but behind bars freaking yesterday, but I can't! I can't do it without us getting in a lot of trouble for Ryder to handle! That's just how it is, she's as legal as walking down the street!"

Rocky let out an exaggerated groan in frustration. Although he was being very stubborn, Rocky was more than justified in being angry, that why it was so hard to explain to Rocky why he couldn't arrest Stacy on the spot.

"So what do we do now Chase?!"

Chase somewhat ignored him as he reached for his tag to call Ryder on his cruiser's screen.

"Hey Chase. How'd everything go?"

Chase looked at Rocky who was listening on, then back at the screen.

"Ryder, we've got a problem."

"Problem? What happened?" Ryder asked.

"Well for one, Rocky's here with me." Chase informed.

"Rocky? He's supposed to be at the junkyard. What's he doing there?" Ryder pressed.

"He was following me Ryder sir. And…he saw Dally." Chase answered.

Chase saw the cringing look that Ryder gave. "Your kidding. Does he…."

"Yes Ryder, he knows everything. But really, that's the least of our worries right now."

"What do you mean Chase?" Ryder asked with concern.

Chase's speech faltered as he let out. "Stacy's on to us Ryder. Were not allowed to see Dally anymore."

(A/N): Well, the cats out of the bag now, and it seems that Paw Patrol has hit a massive roadblock in getting Marshall back.

However, it may have been a blessing in disguise as Dally instantly remembered Rocky! But now, with news of Stacy cracking down, It may not matter!

Will Rocky respect Ryder and Chase's wishes and keep quiet? and how will Ryder get around Dally's restriction? On the other hand, what does Dally's sudden development mean for him regaining his memories?

Find out next time when Chapter 49 is uploaded!

Question of the Chapter: Do you think Marshall's bond with Rocky is stronger than his bond with Chase?

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!