Zuma and Liberty sat outside the Look-out tower, alongside Delta and Henry. Zuma pawed around a pebble on the ground, feeling like a failure, being unable to scout out Chase and Skye. Liberty noticed Zuma's miserable behavior and gave him a light pat, to comfort him.

Momentarily after, Zuma's ears picked up the sound of Ryder footsteps, accompanied by two others; it was Skye and Chase! Zuma and Liberty rushed over to meet up with their buddies. Zuma bowled Chase off his feet, while Liberty and Skye shared a paw bump. Ryder giggled as he watched the pups gleefully play.

"Francis!" two voices exclaimed.

Chase turned his to see two elderly German Shepherds rushing over to him. He had recognized them from his encounter with his grandmother: his parents!

They affectionately cuddled their son.

"Mom! Dad!" Chase delightedly exclaimed.

"Yup, that's us," Delta tenderly responded, followed by a lick on Chase's nose.

Once the moment had faded, something entered Chase's mind.

"Who is Francis?" Chase inquired.

"That was your birth name," Henry answered. "You see, we three used to live in a big, fancy mansion, with our owner," Henry explained. "But when he, passed away, it was sold. The new owners weren't pleased to find us there, so he released onto the downtown."

Delta continued it. "They dropped us of at different locations; I was able to find Henry, but we couldn't find you."

"How'd you get your magic collar?" Liberty questioned.

"Our owner gave me this, so if there was a dangerous situation happening, I could activate this to protect us," Delta answered.

"But, hey, what are we doing talking about Henry and me, we should get to know you all!" Delta commented. "Chase, is this beautiful, young pup your girlfriend?"

"He has a crush on her, but just can't just admit it," Zuma smugly chimed in.

"Actually, Skye and I told each other how we felt, and I can proudly call her my girlfriend," Chase revealed.

"Aw, man—I leave you two for a few days, and I miss that!" Zuma playfully complained.

"Well, welcome to the family," Delta sympathetically told Skye.

But suddenly, a new voice sung, "Look who's back!"

Chase turned his back to see. It was Galvin.

"You're back, again?!" Chase cursed.

"When I fled from you, and you shining jaws, I thought there wasn't any hope left for me. But then I remembered, Galvin, you lovely fool, a pair of puny dogs and a kid aren't any match for" —Galvin pulled out a rifle— "This sweetie."

"And I see the two escapees are here, and two more dogs; one with a beautiful, and probably madly expensive jewel!" the burly man remarked. He loaded his pistol. "Give me the dogs, or no dogs at all," he threatened, obviously intended for Ryder.

Delta bravely stepped forward. "You can't take my son's family, or shoot them," she unwaveringly warned.

"Hah, you're nothing but an old, mangy mutt, with a shimmery collar.

"Well, let's see what this old mutt and her collar can do," she determinedly intimidated.

An orb of light formed in the collar's jewel, then, suddenly, a huge blast emerged from it.

Chase shielded Skye, Liberty, and Zuma, to protect them from blowing away. Henry joined them, then Ryder. They huddled close together, in the explosion, that seemed to last many hours.

Galvin held onto a lamppost, then was blown backwards off his feet. Moments later, the burst of power faded away. He slowly backed away from the pups and Ryder, who were deforming their defense from the jewel's power.

"This isn't worth the money," he briefly uttered. Galvin picked up his items, then sprinted off at a great speed.

"Come see Delta!" Henry exclaimed, panickily.

All the pups, along with Ryder, ran over. Delta's eyes were closed, and she was barely breathing.

"Quick, we need to get Marshall!" Chase announced.

"But what about Galvin?" Zuma pointed out.

"He can wait," Chase responded. "Let's just try to get Marshall, as soon as —"

Marshall walked in, with Rocky and Rubble at his side.

"What happened here?" the Dalmatian exclaimed.

Chase ran up to him. "No time to explain, you just need to know that my mom's need your help immediately."

Marshall nodded, confidentially. "Yes, sir."


I'd be delighted if you left a review, follow, and favorite! I update this story every weekend!