Chapter 5: Viva Las Vegas: Chase's injury.
(Before this chapter starts, I want to say thank you to Alexander the Great Writer, member of the PAW Patrol Fanatics Discord, and the creator of Rescue Force for allowing me to use his character Ben Allen. I think I can make a good story with Ben and also thanks to Alex for some of the dialogue ideas.)
FRIDAY
The pups decided to head back to Adventure Bay to catch a break from all the racing, until a certain husky got an idea.
"Hey you guys, do you want to go snowboarding?" Everest asked the pups.
"Sure!" Everyone said in union.
Everyone got their snowboarding gear and headed up to Jake's Mountain to shred the slopes.
"Hey guys. Watch this!" Everest said as she was about to go down a steep hill. She would land a triple backflip perfectly in front of the pups.
"WOAH! I have got to try that trick!" Chase said, running to the top of the hill.
"I don't know Chase. Everest is a master." Marshall said with a little concern.
"I'll be fine Marshall. Don't worry." Chase said, starting to go down the hill. Chase would hit 2 backflips in the process, but trying to stick the third, he would crash into the snow hard, stumbling until eventually lying in the snow.
"CHASE!" Skye screamed running over to her boyfriend. Chase was lying motionless in the snow, looking dead at the moment.
"Chase! Speak to us buddy!" Rocky shouted, shaking his friend.
"Uhh… ugh." Chase groaned as he regained consciousness.
"Chase! We were so worried!" Zuma said.
"Are you ok Chase?" Everest asked. "Yeah, I'm fi- OW!" Chase yelped loudly in pain.
"He's hurt!" Marshall exclaimed. "I'm getting my ambulance!"
Back at the Lookout, Chase was in a hospital bed with a cast around his front left leg and paw.
"Hey, Ryder." Chase groaned.
"Hey Chase." Ryder said with a look of concern.
"Chase. After looking at your X-Ray, you fractured your front left leg." Marshall explained with sadness in his tone.
"What?! No! I have to race at Las Vegas this Sunday!" Chase pleaded to Ryder.
"I'm sorry Chase. Until you are cleared by a doctor or Marshall, I cannot have you race." Ryder calmly said.
"But who's gonna drive my car?" Chase asked.
"I will find someone." Ryder said.
Ryder left the room leaving only Marshall and Chase alone.
"So, what are you gonna do now Chase?" Marshall asked.
"I think I know just who to call." Chase said, reaching for his pup tag with his right paw.
"Hello, who's this?" The voice said.
"You know who it is." Chase said.
"It's been a long time Chase. I heard what happened to you. I hope you're ok." The voice said on the other line.
"I'll be fine, but I need a favor from you. Can you drive my car until I'm healed?"
"Chase… you know why I retired from racing." The voice said with a serious tone.
"I know, but it would mean so much if you take over my ride. Everyone would be so happy if you came back, especially Marshall." Chase said, looking at the Dalmatian with a smile.
"I will be in Las Vegas tomorrow." The voice insisted.
"Thanks. See you there!" Chase said, hanging up.
"Who was it?" Marshall asked.
"I can't tell you, but I'm sure you'll love who it is." Chase grinned
SATURDAY
Everyone was in Las Vegas getting ready for practice and qualifying and everyone was sending their thoughts and prayers for Chase to get better.
"Man, I hope Chase gets back on the track soon." Ella said.
"Same sis." Tuck said back.
"I've always hated Chase, but no one should miss a race because of an injury. I hope he returns soon… so I can beat him." Sweetie said.
Reporter: I'm here with the driver of the #5 car Ryder. Ryder, what's the status of Chase right now?
"Chase fractured his front left leg in a snowboarding incident and we estimate 6 to 10 weeks until he's completely healed. Chase's safety comes first before anything, but we're all praying he's back to racing sooner than later." Ryder said.
"As for the #9 car, have you found a replacement for Chase for the race?" The reporter asked.
"Unfortunately, I could not find a driver to replace Chase this week. I'm sorry, but we are going to have to withdraw the #9 car from-" Ryder said as someone interrupted him.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" A voice said on pit road coming from a microphone. Ryder then walked over to see where the voice was coming from.
"Why do I feel like I've heard that voice befo- oh my God." Ryder said as he saw the person making the announcement.
"YOUR BELOVED CHASE CAN'T RACE, SO I'M GONNA HOP ON THE CASE UNTIL HE'S ALL HEALED UP! MY NAME IS BENJAMIN ALLEN, AND I AM THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE! I'M A MENTOR TO THESE AMAZING RACING PUPS, AND AN OLD FRIEND OF RYDER! CHASE HAD ME COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO RACE FOR HIM, AND A RACE IS WHAT YOU'RE GONNA GET, FOLKS! EITHER I'LL WIN OR LOSE, BUT I'M GONNA DO IT WITH STYLE, YOU HEAR ME? LET'S GET READY TO SHIFT INTO TURBO AND KICK INTO OVERDRIVE!" Ben shouted on the microphone.
Ben then walked over to Ryder who couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"It's been a long time Ryder!" Ben said as he extended his arms to his best friend.
"BEN!" Ryder shouted as he hugged his best friend tightly. "I thought you retired!"
"I did, but I'm back thanks to Chase! So where's… MARSHALL!" Ben shouted as he saw his favorite pup running towards him.
"BEN!" Marshall exclaimed as he jumped on Ben, licking his face. "I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" Marshall said with tears coming down his face.
"I've missed you too Marshall." Ben said, still hugging Marshall. Suddenly a bunch of cameras came over and crowded Ben.
"Ben Allen.. no one has seen you since the 2020 Daytona 500. What made you come back?" The reporter asked.
FLASHBACK 2020 Daytona 500
GWC ATTEMPT #2 Leader: Marshall
WHITE FLAG
Marshall led at the white flag with the #6 of Ben and the #12 of Ella right behind him. #6 Radio: Back up to the #12, she'll give you a push.
Commentary: Off of turn 2, Ben and Ella are closing in on Marshall fast, Ben goes inside, nothing Marshall can do! BENJAMIN ALLEN NOW LEADS THE DAYTONA 500!
"YES BOYS!" Ben shouted.
#12 Radio: You're clear of the #11, you'll get help from him.
#6 Radio: #12 is coming with a big run, block HIGH HIGH, LOW LOW LOW!
And with only less than a thousand feet from the checkered flag, everything changed.
Commentary: OH BEN GETS TURNED! ELLA AND MARSHALL SIDE BY SIDE! MARSHALL WILL WIN THE DAYTONA 500!
#11 Radio: HELL YEAH! WE GOT IT!" "YES!" Marshall screamed at the top of his lungs until he noticed a car airborne in his mirror.
"Oh my God! That looked bad!" The dally said with worry.
#11 Radio: Yeah it's a bad wreck, but we got it.
Ben's car hit the outside wall so hard, the car flipped over, and just when you think it can't get any worse, another car hit him at 190 miles per hour, on the driver's side door. His car would slide across the track in flames and eventually come to a stop.
#6 Radio: Ben, talk to us when you can.
No answer.
#6 Radio: Ben! Talk to us! All they heard was silence.
Meanwhile the cars who had finished the race came on pit road to park their cars
"Is Ben ok?" Ella asked.
#12 Radio: Uh…
"I KILLED HIM?!" Ella screamed as she began to sob.
#12 Radio: No! Ella, please don't say that! We don't know his status right now.
"No… no… please tell me he's ok." Ella sniffled as she wiped away her tears.
VICTORY LANE
Marshall would get out his car, but instead of celebrating, he would try and get an update on Ben.
"Marshall!" Everest called out.
"Hey, Everest. Is Ben ok?" Marshall asked.
"Not really." Everest said looking at a big screen TV.
The TV showed Ben being stretchered into an ambulance, unconscious, and headed for the hospital.
"Oh my God. We need to go to the hospital!" Marshall said as he started to run.
Marshall, Everest, Ella, and Chase all got to the hospital to check on Ben.
"How is Ben doc?" Marshall asked.
"I'm afraid he's in a coma." The doctor said with sadness.
"How long will he be like this?" Ella asked holding back her tears
"I don't know. He could wake up tomorrow, in a week, or possibly never." The doctor said.
Marshall couldn't take it anymore as he looked at Ben in the hospital bed and began crying his eyes out.
"I AM SO SORRY BEN! "I'M SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU! I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WIN, I JUST WANT YOU BACK! PLEASE BEN! SAY SOMETHING!" Marshall screamed as tears ran down his face.
WEDNESDAY (2 DAYS AFTER THE DAYTONA 500)
Marshall sniffled as he stood at the foot of the hospital bed with Everest, Ella, and Chase.
"Ben… I'm sorry." Marshall murmured.
"We didn't mean to get you hurt…!" Ella sobbed.
The Dalmatian, overwhelmed with emotion, jumped onto his bed and stared into Ben's shut eyes, letting out a whimper. Ben's eyes suddenly fluttered open, and he coughed before he smiled. "H-hey, kiddo, you got the victory." Ben softly said.
"Y-YOU'RE AWAKE!" Marshall screamed in delight. Ben hugged the spotted pup, and for the winning racer, all was right in the world once more.
END OF FLASHBACK
"I was afraid. I almost lost my life that night. It brings a lot of bad memories back, but thanks to Chase, I've found my confidence, and can't wait to see if I still remember how to do this." Ben said to the media
PRACTICE
The #45 team could not get Everest's car up running, so she will start last for the race.
"Can this season get any worse?" Everest groaned.
Practice was going on and Ryder, Ella, and Rubble were the fastest 3 cars on the track.
Commentary: Trouble turn 1! The #21 of Dwayne goes nose first into the wall hard!
#21 Radio: Dwayne are you ok? "I'm fine. But that's it for today." Dwayne said unbuckling his seatbelt.
QUALIFYING
Rubble would win the pole with Arrby, Ella, Coral, and Rocky being the top 5.
#22 Radio: And that's pole position. Great job Rubble
"I'm gonna get a snack to celebrate that one." Rubble said letting out a laugh.
#22 Radio: You deserve it buddy."
#54 Radio: That's P4. Great lap Coral.
"Thanks guys. Let's kick some tail tomorrow!" Coral gleefully said.
#9 Radio: 32nd Ben.
"I have a lot of catching up to do." Ben said to himself
SUNDAY (RACE DAY)
STARTING LINEUP 1. #22 2. #24 3. #12 4. #54 5. #8 6. #5 7. #6 8. #1 9. #2 10. #20 11. #48
12. #11 13. #23 14. #4 15. #19 16. #47 17. #34 18. #17 19. #7 20. #14 21. #10 22. #43 23. #16
24. #99 25. #42 26. #3 27. #31 28. #38 29. #15 30. #51 31. #41 32. #9 33. #77 34. #45 35. #21 36. #78
STAGES: 80/85/102
PACE LAPS
#9 Radio (Chase): Ben I know you're nervous. I know it's been a long time, but everyone on this team has faith in you. I couldn't have someone better taking over my car for me while I'm out of action. Just have fun out there.
"Thanks Chase. I'll do my best and thank you guys for this opportunity and for welcoming me back." Ben said with determination.
#22 Radio: Pace car coming to pit road. You control the start
GREEN FLAG
Rubble would drive away and Arrby would follow in 2nd.
LAP 10/267 Leader: Rubble
Arrby would get right to the bumper of Rubble to challenge him for the lead.
#24 Radio: Set him up here.
Commentary: Arrby goes to the inside of Rubble! The pirate pup now leads in Sin City!
"Told you I'd get him crew chief sir!" Arrby said with pride.
LAP 19/267 Leader: Arrby
Everest who had started in the back was already in the top 15. The husky was determined to get a great finish in Las Vegas.
#45 Radio: Everest, these laps are incredible. Keep it up. You are one of the fastest cars on the track.
"I'm trying my best, and forgetting the rest!" Everest said loudly with confidence.
LAP 28/267 Leader: Arrby
Rocky, who was running 8th, had a moment coming off of turn 2.
"I've hit the wall! Check my tires!" Rocky said with a tone of worry.
#8 Radio: You're fine Rocky. Stay focused.
LAP 40/267 Leader: Arrby
Everyone made their pit stops, but one car didn't know how to slow down.
#42 Radio: Moby we have a speeding penalty. Come down pit road.
"Ughhhhh…. Fine…" Moby groaned.
Moby went to serve his penalty, but didn't learn his lesson.
#42 Radio: Moby… you were speeding again.
"GAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Moby screamed.
LAP 80/267 Leader: Arrby
Arrby in dominating fashion would take the stage 1 win.
#24 Radio: Green-checkered. Good work Arrby. "I will not let you down sir!" Arrby exclaimed.
LAP 165/267 Leader: Arrby
It would be the same song, second verse as no cautions came out and Arrby led the entire way.
#24 Radio: Green-checkered. You've swept the stages.
"Thanks crew chief sir! Let's finish this!" Arrby said with confidence.
LAP 182/267 Leader: Arrby
Rocky, Shade, and Rubble were 3-wide going into turn 3 fighting for 14th, and sometimes, there's just not enough room.
Commentary: OH TROUBLE TURN 4, RUBBLE HITS THE WALL, AND HE SPINS INTO THE INFIELD. #22 Radio: Rubble, are you ok? "No, the toe link's bent. AUGGHHHHHHHH!" Rubble screamed in frustration.
"I don't think I ever touched him. I thought Rubble ran himself out of room." Shade said with confusion.
#6 Radio: It's close, but I don't think it's your fault Shade.
LAP 184/267 Leader: Arrby
CAUTION
#24 Radio: Pit for tires, Arrby
#5 Radio: Come for tires Ryder
#48 Radio: Pit this time Mayor.
Marshall would take a risk and take 2 tires and claiming the race lead with Ryder right behind him
#5 Radio: Ok Ryder, so Marshall took two tires. Pass him as fast as you can.
"Yep 10-4. I'll pass him." Ryder said.
#11 Radio: You know what to do Marshall. You can hold this lead.
"I'm fired up! Let's go!" Marshall exclaimed
LAP 190/267 Leader: Marshall
GREEN FLAG
Marshall would get the lead, but Mayor Humdinger would be right on his tail.
"HAHA! I've got that pesky pup now!" The mayor cackled on the radio.
"I'm not going down without a fight!" Ryder shouted as he would get a big run and now side by side with the mayor. "Oh this is the best case scenario!" Marshall chuckled as he saw Ryder and the mayor side by side in his mirror.
#11 Radio: Yep Marshall, just stay focused.
LAP 196/267 Leader: Marshall
Ryder would clear Humdinger for 2nd and would set his sights on Marshall.
#5 Radio: Get him Ryder. Do not waste time with him.
Ryder would go to the outside, and would get the lead, but Marshall would fight back on the inside to get back the lead.
#11 Radio: Stay with him Marshall! You're doing great!
#5 Radio: Pass him already Ryder!
"I'M TRYING OK?!" Ryder shouted.
LAP 197/267 Leader: Marshall
Marshall and Ryder would still be side by side for the lead, but Ryder would finally pass Marshall for the lead.
#5 Radio: Good job Ryder. Pull away now.
LAP 198/267 Leader: Ryder
Everest had a massive recovery. She started last and was running in the 6th position, but one moment made her blood spike.
Commentary: TROUBLE TURN 2! EVEREST IS SIDEWAYS, AND SHE SAVES THE CAR AND KEEPS IT STRAIGHT! WE STAY GREEN!
#45 Radio: Holy crap Everest! I thought that car was gone! Great save!
"Looks like I was trying to get too much!" Everest jokingly said.
Further ahead, Arrby would recover back to second passing Marshall during green flag pit stops, but that was as far as he could get.
LAP 258/267 Leader: Ryder
"It's hopeless guys. There's not enough time." Arrby said in defeat.
#24 Radio: Arrby I know you're bummed out, but still give 100% effort please.
LAP 264/267 Leader: Ryder
With 4 laps to go, Ryder was cruising to victory and still had a decent gap over Arrby, until…
Commentary: Trouble turn 4! One car in the wall! It's the Duke of Flappington!
#5 Radio: Caution is out Ryder. "FUCK! I swear if we lose this race…" Ryder angrily said.
CAUTION
The top 3. Ryder, Arrby, and Marshall all had the same idea.
#5 Radio: Pit for tires Ryder.
#24 Radio: Arrby, bring it to pit road.
#11 Radio: Pit this time please Marshall.
Arrby would get out just ahead of Ryder, but would not be the leader because Liberty who was running 4th stayed out and was the only one to do so.
"Crew chief sir, why is the #19 ahead of me?" Arrby asked with confusion.
#24 Radio: She stayed out, and is trying to go for the win. Just focus on yourself.
"Guys are you sure about this?" Liberty asked.
#19 Radio: Liberty you've been fast all day. Steal this win girl!
#5 Radio: You know how to get it done. Win this Ryder.
#11 Radio: Make the move when you can Marshall
GWC ATTEMPT #1 Leader: Liberty
Liberty got slightly ahead of Arrby, but the pirate pup stayed side by side with Liberty in turns 1 and 2. Marshall who restarted 4th was falling back after Sweetie shoved him into turn 1 with too much speed.
#11 Radio: #1 on your bumper, and she just moved us
"AHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHH! DAMN IT! You guys deserve better!" Marshall screamed.
#19 Radio: Drive it deep in the corner Liberty.
Liberty went into turn 3 ahead, but with the help of fresh tires, Arrby got ahead out of turn 4 and took the lead.
WHITE FLAG Leader: Arrby
"I've got nothing! It's too late!" Ryder shouted.
Commentary: Trouble back straightaway! Two, three, four, five cars are crashing! Rex is involved, Wildcat spins, Gasket's nose is destroyed as Shade and Hubcap get a piece of it!
"NOOOO! Every time!" Rex shouted.
"I'm still going!" Wildcat exclaimed, straightening the car.
"AUGH! WHY?!" Hubcap shouted.
Commentary: OUT OF TURN 4, ARRBY WILL LEAD HIS 175TH LAP AND HE'LL WIN AT LAS VEGAS!
#24 Radio: You just struck gold in Las Vegas Arrby!
"YARGH! WE DID IT!" Just like a pirate crew, we worked as a team and we got the win boys!" Arrby exclaimed.
#5 Radio: I'm speechless Ryder.
"No words. Thanks for the fast car everyone." Ryder said in defeat.
#48 Radio: 3rd place Mayor. Good job all race.
"If that annoying Dalmatian wasn't in the way, we would have won the race." Mayor Humdinger grumbled.
#23 Radio: 4th place Claw! Good run all day long!
"Yes! Thanks for the fast car guys. We can definitely make it better!" Claw enthusiastically said
#11 Radio: P11 Marshall. I'm sorry about that.
All they heard was silence on the radio.
#11 Radio: Marshall are you ok?
"I'm at my breaking point with her." Marshall quietly growled. "If she does that to me one more time, it's gonna get ugly.
Arrby would do some burnouts and howl to the sky to celebrate.
Reporter: Arrby you dominated the race leading 175 laps. What's the feeling of winning here today?
"It feels great ma'am. I knew we were faster than Ryder, but when Marshall took 2 tires during that caution, it kind of messed us up. If that late caution didn't come out, we wouldn't have won, but in Sin City, sometimes you gotta get lucky, and we struck gold in Las Vegas! YARR!" Arrby said, embracing the fans.
RESULTS
1st. #24 Arrby
2nd #5 Ryder
3rd #48 Mayor Humdinger
4th #23 Claw
5th #20 Skye
6th #2 Tuck
7th #19 Liberty
8th #31 Leo
9th #4 Zuma
10th #99 Tracker
11th #11 Marshall
12th #1 Sweetie
13th #12 Ella
14th #8 Rocky
15th #45 Everest
16th #10 Duke of Flappington
17th #6 Shade
18th #16 Wildcat
19th #43 Rex (DNF)
20th #7 Alex (-1)
21st #17 Rory (-1)
22nd #54 Coral (-1)
23rd #41 Gasket (-1)
24th #47 Wheeler (-1)
25th #34 Hubcap (-1)
26th #21 Dwayne (-2)
27th #3 Harold Humdinger (-2)
28th #14 The Cheetah (-2)
29th #9 Ben Allen (-2)
30th #42 Moby (-2)
31st #38 Al (-3)
32nd #78 Ladybird (-5)
33rd #15 Mix (-6)
34th #77 Copycat (-6)
35th #51 Sid Swashbuckle (-12)
36th #22 Rubble (DNF)