Dr. Ryder solemnly nodded and hugged the spiky-haired boy. He latched himself around the doctor, arms wrapped tightly as he started to cry.
"I'm sorry, Dad! So sorry!" the boy sputtered out between sobs, "I'm so sorry about what happened yesterday! It was all my fault!"
"Not it's not, Ryder." Doctor Ryder continued to calm down his son, "You have to know why."
Bringing Ryder in front of him, the man looked at the glistening tear-welled eyes of the boy. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he sniffled and cried.
"Listen, Ryder. It wasn't your fault. It was mine." Doctor Ryder then took out a handkerchief and began wipe off the tears, "I should have not let him down that path in life. Even if our ancestors valued it as a tradition, we don't have to follow, Ryder son."
Ryder nodded, still red in the eyes.
"I'm so proud of you Ryder. So proud of you. You're the only shining star in our family now."
"Do - do you miss him?" Ryder responded.
"So much, Ryder. So much." Doctor Ryder gripped the boy even harder. " And I'm sorry to say, that your brother, and my son, was found dead at the bottom of the bay in the wreckage of a helicopter."
Ryder's mouth hung open, shocked at what he just said.
"It appeared he was escaping back to his Army base when his craft malfunctioned and crashed." The doctor's eyes started to swell up as he continued, "He was so young. So full of energy of potential. May he rest in peace with Mom."
"We must let go of the past in order to move forward, Ryder. You have served Adventure Bay beyond expectation. You've made me so so proud." whispered Doctor Ryder as he settled his son back onto the bed, "Even though we don't get to see each other often, let us not forget we are still connected by soul."
Reaching into his coat's front pocket, he produced a glossy photo. Placing it in front of their eyes, Ryder smiled as a tear streaked down his cheek. It was taken on the second week after the creation of the PAW Patrol, on a bright and prosperous day, in front of the Lookout. Dr. Ryder, casually dressed and smiling a smile as big as the sun, stood in the center with his arms wrapped around his two sons. Ryder to his right and Ranger to his left. Like their dad, they too seemed to be enjoying the moment.
That photo was the only evidence of a peaceful relationship between the two brothers. Before Ranger's temper exploded after Ryder declined his invitation to an Army life, and stabbed Talon in the eye in a moment of carelessness.
Dr. Ryder carefully put the photo back, kissed Ryder on the forehead and exited the room. He had left his clipboard in there.
As well as a Pup Tag, left beside the now sleeping boy. It was a piece of metal clipped to a loop of chain, and inscribed on it was a bust of a sword with wings and the words "Who dares win" written beneath. It was nothing but proud insignia of the British SAS, the toughest special force in the world.
And if Ryder was to pick it up and examine it more carefully, he would find a single word carved neatly into the back. It was a word that would bring back happy memories and joyful experiences.
Talon.