Ryder gave a very quick briefing of the situation going on at farmer Al's. All the pups except for Marshall got in the new shiny truck.

"Think you can drive this Chase?" Rocky shakily asked.

"I could drive the other one no problem, this should be like eating treats." Replied Chase.

"Please hurry Katie," Ryder said to Katie with a worried look.

"I'll be as fast as I can Ryder. It's all up to that Xray machine." Replied Katie.

With that Katie and Marshall quickly left for Katie's parlor to check if Marshall's leg was not broken at all, while Ryder and the others went to farmer Al's. Once they arrived, most of the barn was fully ablaze and Ryder noticed farmer Yumi running frantically around.

"Farmer Yumi, is everything alright? Why are you running around?" Asked Ryder.

"No, things aren't alright Ryder!" Cried farmer Yumi. "It's, it's Al, I can't find him anywhere."

"Don't worry, I'm sure he's here somewhere." Ryder reassuringly said.

"Oh, I hope you're right." Replied farmer Yumi.

With that Ryder went to help the pups. Chase controlled the cab of the truck, Rocky was in the bucket of the ladder controlling the deck gun, Zuma was on the back controlling the ladder assisting Rocky, while Skye and Rubble controlled the two water cannon carts.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Adventure Bay, Katie was preparing Marshall for another Xray.

"Can't you go any faster Katie?" Whined Marshall.

"I'm doing the best I can Marshall." Replied Katie. "The last thing I need is to give you an unhealthy dose of radiation."

"Yeah, good point." Marshall sheepishly said.

Soon Katie had Marshall ready and the test began.

"Remember Marshall," Katie started as the machine began to power up. "Try not to move around or else it will take longer."

"Alright, Katie." Murmured Marshall trying not to move his head.

The x-ray only took ten seconds to run but waiting for the picture to develop is what took the longest, five whole minutes. After what felt like an eternity for Marshall, Katie walked out of the developing room with a smile.

"Looks like you were right Marshall," Katie said with a smile. "It was just a hair on the other x-ray, your leg isn't broken."

"THAAAAANNNNK YOOOOOUU!" Yelled Marshall running out the door.

While Marshall was running over to farmer Al's, things weren't going so well for the others.

"Wyder!." Yelled Zuma. " I don't think we awe getting anywhere fighting this."

"I agree!" Rocky yelled from the bucket. "We need more help!"

"Alright!" Replied Ryder yelling over the noise.

Ryder then pulled out his pup pad and called Jake, Everest, Carlos, Tracker, and Katie. He instructed them to go to the LookOut and grab the extra sets of gear specifically made for them in case they ever needed it, and to head to the scene. Ryder no sooner hung up the call to see a familiar black-spotted pup running full speed towards him.

"Well, I guess your leg isn't broken at all," Ryder said to Marshall with a chuckle.

"Never mind my leg." Huffed Marshall. "Where's my gear and pup pack?"

"It's on the back of my UTV." Replied Ryder pointing to where his UTV was sitting.

Marshall ran over and geared up, mentally preparing himself for the battle ahead. He then relieved Chase from the cab and took over operations. Once Jake, Everest and the others arrived, Carlos and Everest went to work helping the other pups try to get the fire under control, while Katie. Jake and Carlos went to make sure none of the animals escaped and to look for farmer Al.

The PAW Patrol worked hard through what was left of the evening and into the night fighting the blaze. Eventually, the barn had succumbed to fire and collapsed sometime in the early morning, the fire was finally out.

"Wow, that was a tough one." Yawned Rocky walking over to a tree.

"Yeah, I never realized how hard barn fires were to put out." Added Chase lying down next to Rocky.

"Try running down a herd of cows, trying to keep them in the fence." Huffed Jake.

"You did great guys," Ryder said with a smile. "You guys deserve a break."

"Thank you, Ryder!" The others said in unison.

"Did anyone find farmer Al?" Katie asked in a concerned voice.

"I don't think." Replied Skye. "And where is farmer Yumi?"

The group now had their attention off of resting and back to the two missing people.

"Where could she have gone," Ryder asked in a worried tone. "She was walking around earlier."

"I'm not sure Wyder." Replied Zuma.

"Quiet guys I hear something." Said Tracker perking up his ears.

The group stood in silence as Tracker listened to the area. Tracker eventually gave a confused expression.

"What is it, amigo?" Carlos asked Tracker kneeling down next to him.

"I'm not sure Carlos." Tracker said while trying to hold back his tears. "But I know it's not good.

"Think you can take us to where the sound is coming from" Asked Marshall.

"Si." Responded Tracker.

Tracker lead the way as the others followed closely behind him. As the group got closer to the barn, the sound of faint sobbing could be heard. The group continued towards the sound and were greeted with a sight no one was prepared for. Farmer Yumi was sitting on the ground softly crying to herself, holding a red hat, farmer Al's red hat.

Ryder and the others slowly started to break down and cry. Rubble and Zuma were first, followed by Skye, Katie, Everest and Jake, next to go were Tracker, Carlos, and Rocky, followed by Marshall and Chase. Ryder bit his lip in an attempt not to cry but tears still came. Realizing the situation at hand, Ryder went up and kneeled next to farmer Yumi. Before Ryder could say anything, farmer Yumi spoke.

"He's gone, Ryder." Farmer Yumi softly said.

"He's still around," Ryder replied softly. "He wandered off in a field somewhere, we just haven't found him yet.

Ryder's response to farmer Yumi only made matters worse, she was no longer softly crying, she was now bawling her eyes out crying to the high heavens. Ryder slowly backed away and went back to the others.

"Okay, guys." Squeaked Ryder. "Farmer Yumi thinks farmer Al is well… gone. We need to find him. Can you guys split into groups of two, and search the whole farm?"

Marshall and the others nodded their heads.

"Katie, can you come with me to search the town and to ask if anyone has seen him?" Ryder asked Katie.

"S...Sure, Ryder." Katie softly said wiping her face.

"Alright, we will meet back here in thirty minutes.

The groups searched high and low for any signs of Farmer Al, soon the thirty minutes were up and the groups returned to what was left of the barn.

"Any signs?" Ryder asked with a growing look of defeat on his face.

"Nothing from us." Replied Marshall and Everest.

"Nothing." Said Chase and Skye.

"No sign of him." Added Rocky and Zuma.

"Zip, zero, nada." Replied Rubble and Tracker.

"I'm sorry dude." Replied Jake. "No Bueno." Added Carlos.

"Well shit," Ryder mumbled under his breath. "We didn't have any luck either."

"What other options are there Ryder?" Asked Rubble.

"Not much I'm afraid." Replied Ryder shaking his head.

Chase noticed that farmer Yumi had vanished yet again, but farmer Al's red hat was laying where she was sitting. Chase hoping for the best, went over to the hat and got a good sniff of it, trying to get farmer Al's scent. He eventually picked up the scent from the hat and started walking around the barn. Once Tracker and the other pups realized what he was doing, they proceeded to do the same. Soon all eight pups were walking around the barn, trying to find the scent of farmer Al.

"This isn't doing any good," Chase said flatly. "We have to go into the remains of the barn."

"But who?" Objected Skye.

"I will." Marshall said with confidence.

"I will too." Said Chase. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if any of you got hurt in there.

"But what about Marshall?" Objected Everest.

"It's okay Everest." Marshall said smiling at her. "I'm the fire pup remember, it's my job.

"I guess so…" Everest said while walking up to Marshall. "Just be careful." She added before kissing him.

"I will." Replied Marshall with his face turning bright red.

Marshall and Chase then carefully went into the remains of the barn. In the back of their heads, they were fearing the worst possible outcome. Marshall and Chase slowly worked their way through the remains looking for any sign of farmer Al. They were about to give up when Chase picked up the scent.

"Marshall!" Chase yelled. "I got the scent!"

"Lead the way buddy." Replied Marshall.

Chase went back to the center of the barn and sniffed around.

"I thought we checked this area before?" Questioned Marshall.

"He's right below us." Chase said with confidence. " I know it."

"Alright, let's start clearing the debris." Said Marshall.

The two pups worked on removing board by board, eventually, they found the top of a half-burnt hay bale.

"I thought you said he was below us?" Marshall asked Chase confused.

"I could have sworn he was." Chase said flatly.

"Let's get down to the floor, you never know?" Said Marshall removing another board.

Only Marshall wished he hadn't removed that board because crushed below the hay bale, was farmer Al.

I'm sorry this chapter had to end this way. I didn't like the idea of killing off anyone, but this just goes to show how dire the situation is that the PAW Patrol needs to catch Ember. Next chapter comes out Thursday and I promise it will be a lot happier. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you then,
Chunkman128