Chapter 2: Loss
It had been a few weeks since the terrorist attack in Foggy Bottom. Every so often, Chase would have nightmares about them, considering his parents died during the attacks on New York City's World Trade Center. Through Skye's urging, Chase went to visit a psychiatrist every so often. Though if anyone was more mentally unstable than Chase, it was Koda.
Koda had showed up to Foggy Bottom Hospital to visit Ryder, only to find out Ryder would die in a few weeks from cancer. Despite keeping it together in front of the other pups, Koda would seclude himself in the guest room Ryder had prepared for him and fall into a heap of tears. He would then go to Ryder's room and sleep next to the ten year old.
And as for Ryder, he did his best to try to live his last days to the fullest. Word spread around Adventure Bay about Ryder's cancer. Day after day, hundreds of "Get Well Soon!" and "Praying For You!" cards were sent to the Lookout. Ryder kept every single one of them in a drawer in his room.
It was a sunny July day in Adventure Bay. Rubble was up at Farmer Yumi's helping her build a new pen for her chickens. Zuma was out on the water on his surfboard. Koda was napping at the Lookout. Marshall and Rocky were helping Mr. Porter deliver groceries. Chase, Skye, and Ryder were playing hide and seek at the pup park.
"Found you, Skye," said Chase. "You're it."
"Guess I am," Skye said with a giggle. She proceeded to turn around and start counting to one hundred. "One, two, three, four..."
Chase and Ryder darted off in separate directions. Chase climbed a tree and tried to blend in as much as he could. Ryder headed towards the playground.
"Ninety seven, ninety eight, ninety nine, one hundred. Ready or not, here I come!" the cockapoo called out. She looked around for the two, but couldn't find them. She walked right by the tree Chase was in, yet her nose didn't pick up his scent. Chase let out a sigh of relief when Skye was far enough from the tree.
Skye started towards the playground. She didn't find either one at the swings, or four square, or the soccer field. She started towards the slide when she picked up a scent. That's Ryder's scent, she thought. She quietly crept around the slide and jumped out.
"Aha, found you, Ryd-" she said to Ryder. But she gasped before she could finish. Lying in front of her, was Ryder in a pool of his own blood. She shuttled back a few steps before turning around and yelling for her boyfriend.
"CHASE! HELP PLEASE! IT'S RYDER!" she yelled. Chase heard her calls for help and jumped down from the tree. He made a mad dash towards Skye, who looked like she was about to collapse in exhaustion as well as tears.
"What's going on?!" Chase said in a tone of worry but with a strong hint of urgency.
"It's Ryder," Skye blubbered.
"Where is he?" Chase asked.
"Follow me."
Skye led Chase over to the slide. When Ryder came into view, Skye broke down crying. Chase continued on to see why his girlfriend was crying. Chase skid to a halt and paled upon seeing Ryder and his blood. He grabbed Ryder's pup pad out of his back pants pocket and called 911.
"911 what is your emergency?"
"HELP! MY OWNER COLLAPSED IN HIS OWN BLOOD! WE'RE AT THE PARK IN ADVENTURE BAY OVER AT THE PLAYGROUND. HURRY!"
In five minutes, an ambulance from Foggy Bottom arrived. Paramedics put Ryder on a stretcher and loaded him in the back. Chase and Skye opted to ride with Ryder.
"You should call the others and tell them to get to Foggy Bottom Hospital as soon as possible," Skye said, looking up at her boyfriend with tears in her eyes.
"You're right," said Chase, trying to hold back tears of his own. He activated his pup tag for the other seven members. "PAW Patrol, this is Chase. Ryder collapsed at the pup park. We're on our way to Foggy Bottom Hospital as I speak. Everyone get here as soon as possible."
Chase got no response from anyone, but he knew he got the message across. The ambulance pulled in to Foggy Bottom Hospital and Ryder was rushed to the ICU. Chase and Skye were told to stay in the waiting room. Soon, the others arrived. Marshall, Everest, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma, Tracker, and Koda burst through the doors and into the waiting room, scaring Chase and Skye.
"Where is he?" said Rocky, trying to catch his breath.
"Intensive care unit," said Skye. "We have to wait here." She leaned her head up against Chase's shoulder and rested it there. The other pups sighed in disappointment. Soon, Katie walked in.
"I was meeting with Mayor Humdinger when I heard Marshall's siren. I saw your vehicles here and wondered why you were here. What's going on?"
The others didn't want to tell Ryder's girlfriend what happened. After a long silence, Chase spoke up.
"He's in the ICU right now. Skye found him collapsed in his own blood."
Katie gasped and started to cry. The others went over and comforted her. All the while, Koda just stayed put, lips quivering, letting the realization sink in.
It had been four hours since Ryder's incident. Most of the pups dozed off. Suddenly, the door opened and a familiar face appeared.
"Doctor Wells?" said Chase, grabbing the attention of the other sleeping pups.
"Yes, Chase. It's me," said Doctor Wells. "I have some bad news, but there's no other way to put this."
The other pups looked with anticipation.
"I'm afraid Ryder's time has come. The chances of him waking up tomorrow are slim to none. I'm so sorry pups. But he requested that you, Chase, call in some of his dearest friends."
"Sure thing," Chase said monotonously. Dr. Wells handed him a list in Ryder's handwriting. Chase read the names to himself: Mayor Goodway, Katie, Jake, Alex, Mr. Porter, Farmer Yumi, Farmer Al, Raimundo, Captain Turbot, Francois, Carlos, Miss Marjorie, Mayor Humdinger, Dad? I thought Ryder's dad died, Chase thought. He shrugged it off and called each one, requesting their presence at Foggy Bottom Hospital.
The first group of people Ryder requested were Raimundo, Francois, Farmer Yumi, Farmer Al, Miss Marjorie, and Mayor Humdinger. They all presented him cards. Ryder accepted them and hugged each of them. The next group was Jake, Mr. Porter, Alex, and Captain Turbot. Ryder hugged each of them as well and accepted their cards.
The last group were Ryder's closest friends: Mayor Goodway, Katie, Carlos, and the Professor. He thanked Mayor Goodway for funding the Lookout. He wished Carlos good luck in life and even invited him to live at the Lookout, which Carlos sincerely declined. He gave Katie a kiss and thanked her for being the best girlfriend ever. Finally, he met face to face with his dad, the Professor.
"Dad, I'm afraid the leukemia has beaten me in this war," Ryder said sadly.
"Son, I'm so proud of you. Look at what you have done in so little time. Graduated from Harvard, started a rescue team, you should be proud of your accomplishments. I know for sure that I am. I love you so much son."
"I love you too, Dad," Ryder sobbed. He buried his face in the Professor's chest and cried. A few moments later, he looked up at his dad.
"It's time to talk to the pups," he said, sniffling. The four left the room.
The pups walked in to Ryder's room. The poor boy looked so frail and lifeless. He turned to his pups and gave a sad smile. All nine of them jumped up on his bed, each one with a downtrodden face.
"Ryder..." Chase started.
"Pups," Ryder interrupted, "I'm afraid whatever time I have left on this planet is short. The cancer has pretty much taken control of my entire body. I'm afraid that I will not be able to see the sun rise tomorrow."
All nine pups whimpered.
"Marshall, always bring your optimism with you. It is a very valuable quality."
"I'm fired up," the dalmatian muttered.
"Zuma, maintain that free spirit and let it run wild. Don't you ever let anyone stop it."
"Let's dive in."
"Rubble, you don't always have to act tough, especially now. Don't be afraid to show your emotions."
"Rubble on the double."
"Rocky, you have the mind of Isaac Newton. Never give up. I know that you'll do great things."
"Don't lose it, reuse it."
"Skye, your pep is unforgettable. Always do everything with a giggle and a backflip."
"This pup's gotta fly."
"Everest, you always know how to keep your cool. I appreciate you coming up north to be with us."
"Ice or snow, I'm ready to go."
"Tracker, amigo, our time together is short-lived, but we're lucky to have you on our team."
"I'm all ears."
Ryder then turned to Chase. His favorite pup and second in command.
"Chase, we've been together the longest. I'm glad fate brought us together. Words cannot describe how much I am going to miss you. You have always been a loyal pup, and have shown great qualities of a leader. You for sure will go far in life. Take good care of Skye, and I'll be sure to say hi to your parents up there."
Much to everyone's surprise, Chase broke down in a heap of tears. He dove into Ryder and hugged him, crying all over him. "I love you so much Ryder," he cried. Skye joined the hug, then Marshall, then the others. All gathered around for one last embrace.
"And finally Koda. Brother, I am so sorry that I can't watch you grow up. I see my mom in you. So caring and so passionate. It wasn't an easy decision, but I have decided to make you the new leader of the PAW Patrol. I was going to give that to Chase, but I think it'd be too stressful for him to be leader and the police pup."
"Told you," Chase whispered to Skye, who nuzzled him.
"Remember, Koda, no job is too big, no pup is too small. Here are the keys to my ATV, as well as my pup pad. I wish you the best of luck."
"I love you so much big brother," said Koda between sobs. "Thank you so much for adopting me."
"Thank you all for the memories," said Ryder. "I love you all more than words can describe."
Ryder died peacefully in his sleep the night of July 15. He was ten and a half years old. Upon hearing word of his death, the pups all came together in a big embrace, all crying, weeping, sobbing for the loss of their leader, their owner, their brother, their best friend.
AN: I did, in fact, get permission from HavocHound to use The Professor, Ryder's dad, in this story. This chapter was the hardest one I've ever had to write. So dramatic and heartbreaking. I hope you all don't hate me too much lol. This may possibly be the saddest chapter I will ever write. But that's chapter 2 of Barkingburg Has Fallen. Ryder's funeral will take place in chapter 3. Remember to read and review. Thank you all for your support!