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"...huh," the dalmatian pup groaned as he flinched from the blinding light waking him from his sleep. His eyes were met with a white roof and a ceiling fan spinning above his head. He sat up in the bed where he laid taking in his surroundings. 'Where am I,' he thought. Seeing the equipment around the room and the tube that was injected into his arm he assumed he was in a hospital...for some reason. As he tried to make heads and tails of what the hell was going on he felt another tail beside his own sweep his leg. "Ahh!" the pup screamed as he saw a brown dog laid next to him. The jump caused him to leap out of bed only to have his body brought to the floor due to a pain in his front paw. He winced in pain as the brown dog, who was just coming to his senses, peered over the bed and saw the dalmatian sitting on the floor with his hurt paw elevated off the ground.

The startled pup looked up at him and saw tears forming in his eyes with a look of relief on his face. "Marshall!" he screamed. He jumped off the bed and locked the confused pup in his embrace. "You're finally awake, you're finally back," he cried into his fur.

The pup on the other hand was weirded out beyond belief as his heart raced along with the thoughts in his head. 'W-what?! Back! From where? Who's Marshall? And why is this dog hugging me,' he thought. He began to tremble due to physical contact. He could tell that for some reason or another this dog was happy, but he was utterly terrified seeing this stranger. He didn't feel safe. Every fiber in his body was telling him that he was in trouble and that he needed to get away. Acting on this feeling he broke out the vice grip of the pup and cowered in the nearest corner of the room. "S-stay back...please," the pup said shaking avoiding eye contact with this strange dog. His head was hit with a shot of pain as he held it in agony and let out a moan as he was fell to the floor unable to take the pain.

The brown pup was, to say the least, mortified. His friend was cowering in the corner, whimpering from the sight of being near him and the pain that ran in his paw and his head. "Mar-"

"He's awake!" a lady said cutting him off, followed by three other nurses and doctors who all rushed into the room. She then turned to the pup. "Chase get your owner here now!" she ordered. "You need to leave." While Chase knew he had to, he couldn't stand leaving his distressed friend after so long. He wanted to deal with this himself, not leaving his side...not again. He could only nod as he slowly backed away and towards the door. As he did the pup screamed as two of the people tried to come closer. He put up a fight and it took all four people in the room to hold him down and sedate him. Chase could only shed a tear as he left the room and radioed his owner.

The lookout was fairly peaceful this afternoon. Ryder had decided, against his better judgment, to temporarily lift the team's duties. He only requested that should they needed to be called it was for serious emergencies only. While he nor the pups minded helping to find lost cats, assisting people down from high places, and fixing fences, the team just wasn't the same. Marshall had been seriously injured during a mission, and Chase spent most of his day next to him, even if he was never awake. That mission hurt all of them in some way, but mostly everyone worried about Marshall.

The day it happened Chase suffered from insomnia which persisted for a few weeks and refused to eat much of anything until Ryder forbid Chase from seeing Marshall unless he had at least breakfast.

Rocky refused to work on any new projects without his lab partner by his side. Ryder was always there to help of course, but with Marshall's ideas the energy that he always carried around, not to mention the laughs they'd share, it felt wrong to do anything without him there. Zuma couldn't enjoy the beach as much as he did without Marshall to wipeout trying to learn how to ride a surfboard, despite the progress he had been making. Now he only went to assist people on the beach or just lie on the beach in thought and relax.

Skye went out to fly more often than before as it took her mind off of what happened which was kind of ironic as the fire pup despised the act of flying for any reason that wasn't a mission.

Rubble took time off of his favorite television show, "Apollo the Superpup" as it was one of he and Marshall's favorite pass times. It was Marshall who actually introduced him to the show. When he returned, Rubble wanted to binge all the episodes they had missed with both of them in costume wondering if Apollo would be able to save the day as he did in the past.

And then there was Everest. She hated the fact that she barely saw Marshall anymore, but alas her duties on the mountain hindered her from seeing the pup of her dreams. Usually, Marshall had made the effort to come by and assist Everest and Jake in the mountains, with the two of them occasionally playing and at the end of the day Marshall would spend the night as he and Everest snuggled up next to each other after a long day of helping hikers and hurt animals. She was occasionally allowed to see him in the hospital, but it just wasn't the same. She missed him more than anything. His voice, his smile, his compassion for not just her but for everyone around him, and the way he could make anyone laugh without even trying. It was borderline torture.

Today things were better, but they still missed how things used to be months ago. Currently, the pups were having a tournament in Pup-Pup Boogie. They offered Chase to play but, as he did every day, he left a few hours ago to be with Marshall immediately after he ate breakfast. The second round was being pushed into high gear as Ryder watched Zuma and Rocky go head to head. Skye was victorious in the last round while Rubble was out of breath, both of them cheering them on.

Ryder was met with surprise as his pup pad rang and saw Chase's icon flashing on the screen. This thing was unusual as Chase never once called ever since Marshall was admitted into the hospital, and he knew that normally he wouldn't be back until sundown. Thinking something had happened he asked the pup's to pause the game, and threw the call up on the big screen.

"What's up, Chase?" questioned Ryder taking note that it was apparent that he had been crying.

"Ryder, Marshall finally woke up an-"

"WHAT?!" Everyone in the room yelled, cutting him off.

"Is he okay?"

"Does he miss us!"

"We need to go see him now!"

"I hope-"

"PUPS!" Chase yelled grabbing all of their attention. Their faces met with his with tears streaming down the German Sheppard's eyes. They could tell that he looked broken, which for Chase, even in the 3 months that Marshall had been asleep, was highly uncharacteristic. With their attention grabbed he continued. "The nurse said to come to the hospital as soon as possible. When he woke up h-he was scared of me. He pushed me away, he wouldn't even look me in the eye! He even tried to put up a fight with the doctors. Ryder, something happened to him." Chase wiped the tears from his eyes as we awaited a response.

Needless to say, they were all shocked. It's almost as if it had been made up. Of course, they knew Chase would never joke around with something like that, but it seemed like after this long dream that Marshall might never wake up, they were met with the nightmare that might be even worse than that. All Ryder could say was "we'll be there" and dropped the call.

After the very silent ride over to the hospital, the team met up with Chase and a nurse who stood outside of Marshall's door. She looked up from her clipboard and waved them over.

"Ryder, pups," she addressed, "We ran some test and it seems that Marshall's broken paw from the mission he had a while back has made almost a complete recovery. It's going to be sore for a while but he won't have to worry about breaking it again, assuming he doesn't get into another serious injury of course." While that part made Ryder a bit more relieved he knew there was more he had to brace for. "Now onto the head injury. I'm going to give it to you all straight. After he woke up from his coma, we discovered that he is suffering from almost total amnesia. So much so that he didn't even remember his name until we told him. I know you all are eager to see him and he is awake but it seems that he used to suffer from social problems when he was younger. All that I can recommend is that you all take it slow to make him feel safe, but give him plenty of space, and refrain from physical contact. Every time he woke up from sedation he put up a fight anytime someone got close to him although he seems to be better now. As to when he will have his memory restored I have no clue. There is even the chance that he'll never get it restored, although that's unlikely. We have managed to convince him to at least go home with you when you all arrived, but he seemed even hesitant about that. I am truly sorry. When you all leave if he complains about any headaches, which are certain to persist, give him these." She handed Ryder a bottle of pills.

With that, she walked off to her next post, and the group was left speechless. They didn't know what to expect whatsoever, but one thing was sure. They all wanted to see him, no matter the state he was in. Deciding that a socially anxious Marshall being met by 6 strangers wanting to take him with them wasn't the best course of action Ryder decided to go in with a few of them and they could figure out how to tackle this back home.

"Chase and Rocky, you two come in with me, the rest of you go home," Ryder ordered.

"But Ryder," Zuma shouted, "we all want to see him! That's not fair."

"Yeah, why can't we go," Skye agreed.

"Pup's I know you all want to see him but please take into consideration how Marshall might feel if we all walk in together. He's already seen Chase, and I didn't want together to bring in more that one other pup. You all can see him when we get home. Please understand," Ryder pleaded. With a whimper and a nod, they all left the hospital and drove out.

The trio made their way into the room, and upon their arrival, the remaining staff excited to give them their space. Marshall looked relatively calm but that could be from the drugs he was on allowing him to even be comfortable to speak.

Reluctantly, against his better judgment, he spoke. "H-hello..?"

"Hey, bud!" Ryder smiled. "I don't know how to really say this but-"

"I have amnesia," Marshall sighed. "I heard the doctors talking when they knocked me out." With every word he spoke became less tense but that feeling was quickly replaced with sadness. "I feel, so empty. Like I'm missing something, but at the same time, I feel like this is normal as if nothing wrong. I know this isn't right, I couldn't even remember my name. So why do I feel so okay with it." The dalmatian hung his head defeated. He assumed that he knew these people as they were here to see him, but knowing that couldn't stop him from feeling a bit nervous.

The three looked at Marshall with pitty. They all felt somewhat responsible for what happened to him on the mission, as all they could do just watch as Marshall practically committed suicide. In an attempt to remedy the situation even if only a bit, Rocky spoke.

"Well, Marshall, we are your friends. We can help you remember if you'd what. For starters, my name is Rocky," he smiled. He figured it would help Marshall reacquaint himself with his friends and perhaps understanding what happened may make him feel better. Although he did feel a bit silly introducing himself to someone who he had known practically his entire life.

"Well, how about how did I lose my memory in the first place," he spoke with his eyes pleading.

"It happened on a mission," Ryder said bluntly.

"Misson?! Was I some type of spy or something," Marshall said as he tilted his head to the side.

"Not quite," Ryder laughed. "We, including yourself and others who aren't here, are part of a rescue team known as the PAW Patrol of which I am the leader. I'm Ryder. You were the team's fire and rescue pup." Ryder pulled off Marshall's tag and showed him the fire emblem on it which he had only now noticed hanging around his neck. "You helped to assist people, put out fires, and treat injured people."

"Wow.," Marshall said almost not believing that he of all dogs was apart of something great. He turned and smiled nervously to the Sheppard he met earlier. "Sorry for pushing you earlier..."

"Chase"

"Sorry Chase," Marshall continued. "So what do you two do on this team," he asked looking at Rocky and Chase.

"I'm the team's police pup and super spy."

"And I'm the team's recycling and fix-it pup," Rocky smiled.

"Those sound cool." At this point, any trace of anxiety or nervousness has dissipated from Marshall as he became more comfortable with the people who called him 'friend'. "Okay, so what mission was I on that made me lose my memory."

"There was a fire on the boardwalk by the beach at a local shop. It caught fire to the surrounding areas and a lot of people got hurt. You tried to save everyone you could but a building collapsed and you were trapped. You've been knocked out ever since." Chase said with a look of guilt on his face.

"And there was also-"

"Nothing that we could do to help you I'm sorry," Chase said cutting Rocky's sentence short. Rocky looked at him with suspicion but decided to leave it for later.

"I'm sure it was probably my fault," Marshall responded looking down. The statement broke their hearts to see the cheery pup like that. 'I probably didn't deserve to be on the team, to begin with. Maybe it was fate that I lost my memory.' Marshall thought to himself. "How long has it been since the mission."

"About 3 months," Rocky answered.

"3 MONTHS!" Marshall yelled. "Were there any people who get anyone need me?"

"Calm down Marshall. We suspended duties until you were better. Everyone was too worried about you. Chase even visited you every day for hours," Ryder said scratching Chase's ear as he blushed at the statement.

"I was just worried. I know you don't remember but you and I were best friends practically from birth," he said smiling.

"Thanks for worrying Chase, but you guys should have continued without me," Marshall said. "I probably wasn't worth the trouble for you all to be worried about me to the point of stopping your team. I'm sure people needed you all, why to waste your time on me!"

"Of course you were. Please stop speaking as if you don't matter. It's not healthy for your mental state," Ryder said walking over to him to give him a hug. As he came closer he could see Marshall tensing up again and backed away. "Sorry"

"It's okay, I'm just still nervous, I guess," Marshall frowned.

"Why don't we go home now. The others would like to see you again," Ryder suggested. Marshall nodded reluctantly. He wasn't too thrilled about being near so many other dogs and he still wasn't entirely sure of these three. They seemed nice enough but he still didn't feel all too safe around them. For all, he knew they could be lying to him. They could be trying to take advantage of him. What if they were his enemies from before he lost his memory and now they're going to force him to do something. Something just didn't feel right. As they walked through the hallway, with Marshall keeping his distance from behind the three, Marshall's breathing became heavier as his paranoia took over. His heart was beating three times as fast and his head was starting to hurt again. He was having an anxiety attack.

The three stopped and turned around and saw Marshall freaking out. They rushed towards him but Marshall's fight or flight instincts kicked in, and he chose to fight. He stood up to his feet still breathing heavily and bared his teeth at them and made a low growl. "Stay back!" he warned.

The trio was scared. They've never seen him like this, never once was he ever this violent. Sure he got ticked off time to time but he never threatened one of his friend's lives.

"Marshall calms down," Ryder said backing up with Rocky and Chase. "You need to come with us. You're just nervous right now, if you calm down we can help you."

"How do I know I can trust you. You all could be lying to me," he growled back.

"Have done anything to make you suspicious," Rocky said stepping closer. Rocky wasn't much of a risk-taker or a thrill-seeker. He calculated his options and his chances of success. However, there were times where he pushed boundaries to prove something or with an objective mind. He was taking a calculated risk where the reward was calming down Marshall and getting him home after three long months, and the risk was that he could end up injured if he wasn't careful. He figured the risk was worth it to get his friend back. "You know you can trust us, but it seems you can't even trust yourself first. You have no reason to fear us, I promise." Keeping his poker face, he spoke calmly and coldly. With every word he spoke, he took a step forward, and with each step forward Marshall took one back.

"I-I said stay back," Marshall stammered, still maintaining his stance.

"Rocky I don't think-"

Rocky ignored both Marshall and Chase. He knew both Chase and Ryder were nervous to do anything with Marshall right now. Of course, he was too, Marshall was fragile in his current state, which was ironic with the number of falls and crashes he'd take daily. Now, he couldn't be touched, his emotions were, obviously, in shambles, he knows nothing, and who knows what interfering further than they've already had could do to him, but this was something that had to happen. "You have absolutely no reason to not trust us. Someone once told me, 'what's the point in fearing the unknown, it could bring unforeseen tragedy or a surprise you never knew you wanted'. Your option is limited and we want to help you, but I'll be damned if my closest friend is so blind as to threaten us just because he's scared."

Rocky was now inches from a shaking Marshall. Marshall took in all the words as they stabbed him through the chest. Rocky was probably right and maybe he was freaking out for no reason. He was then brought into a hug. As uncomfortable as he was being this close, let alone touching someone else, he felt slightly comforted by the hug, although he did panic at first. "W-what?!" he stammered.

"Now why don't we out here and go home," Rocky said breaking the hug. Rocky couldn't stand to see him like this after three long months. It hurt him. He just wanted to resolve this nightmare as fast as he could and get things back as they once were. Marshall was left speechless and all he could say was 'sorry' as he followed the others. Chase and Ryder reinforced the thought that they wouldn't hurt him and that they could be trusted. The four of them walked out to the hospital entrance. Marshall saw all the friendly-looking people who walked around the town. He saw all of the buildings and stores that lined the street and the beach in the distance. Ryder offered Marshall to sit on his ATV in his lap. Marshall wasn't crazy about the idea of having to be so close to someone but decided to bear with it, at least until they got to the place where these three called home. Ryder took the lead as Rocky and Chase followed behind.

Halfway into the trip home, Rocky slowed down causing Chase who was behind him to also slow matching his speed. Over the pup tag communicators, Rocky started to talk to Chase. "Chase, don't act like I don't know what you did. Why did you say there was nothing we could do for him."

"Because there wasn't anything we could do."

"Stop playing dumb, Chase. You know what I mean when you cut me off from telling him about the mission."

"Because Rocky, I, I didn't want him to know. He doesn't need to, not yet."

"Why hide it. He's gonna figure it out sooner or later. Amnesia or not, Marshall is not an idiot."

"Yeah, yeah," Chase nagged knowing Rocky was likely right as he normally was about these things. "You saw how scared of us he was in the hospital. He doesn't need that right now. I feel awful, yes, but I think it's better this way."

"Better for you." Chase stayed silent. "I just hope you know what you're getting yourself into. Marshall is just as much my friend as he was yours. Just because you knew him longer doesn't mean anything. I'm not gonna sit quietly and let you hurt him again. What will you do if he finds out, you can't hide it forever."

"I can't help it Rocky, you know I can't."

Rocky sighed, "yeah, I do. Just...don't do something stupid. Please. If not for me, then for Marshall"

"Rocky, you know I won't. See ya" Chase said cutting the call. Rocky shook his head

"Why don't I trust that," he sighed. "That pup is going to be the death of me I swear."

Author's Note: Well...this is chapter 1 of a new story. If anyone remembers my name, although it was almost a year ago, it's because I was a writer with a different account. I got locked out of it and all of my stories were void with no help of reclaiming my account from the cite's support so that's fun. That doesn't matter now, and I hope you all enjoy this story and what's to come. I had ideas for other stories but this popped in my head and I acted on the idea immediately.

The story will be mainly a "let's take time to reminisce why this member of the team means a lot to me through a series of flashbacks" rather than the actual story, although I do have something actually planned as seen with the end of this chapter. I know this chapter was a little long, clocked in at almost 4,000 words (not counting the author's note at 4,200), but the other chapters are/will be around 2,500 average. I just needed to do an exposition dump to start the actual content.

For anyone who cares, I was reading some of the older stories here and was reminded on how many people used the, "I dunno what I'm doing with the story so (character name) is losing their memory until it goes somewhere" plot point, (it's actually chronic how many people used to use that) and I wanted to "poke fun" at that and base the entire story around that.

With that being said if you decided to review, suggestions are welcome as I can always change things but, a few of the future chapters are already done. Other than that, cheers.