A/N: This one shot has references to my book, "Silent Cries". You don't have to read that story to understand this one, but the ending may be a bit confusing for those who haven't read it. Nevertheless, shouldn't be too hard to understand.

Chase barked out the orders, instructing each pup to perform their duties on their latest mission, which was, unfortunately, at Foggy Bottom. Apparently Mayor Humdinger had tried to install a water park, on his own mind you, and that had, not surprisingly, taken a horrible turn.

Chase had been leading the mission because Ryder was out of town. Normally Katie would be left in charge but she had gone with him too. They said they were heading to the jungle and picking up Carlos for a friendship reunion. Chase had enthusiastically volunteered to lead the team while Ryder was out of town and he was happy Ryder had trusted him with his duties.

It hadn't taken long for the mission to arrive and the pups had hurried off to Foggy Bottom to complete yet another assignment.

The pups were all busy with their jobs; Skye was air lifting people stuck on the rides, Marshall was checking on them, Rocky was tightening the lose screws, Rubble was helping and so was Zuma.

Chase stood on the side clearing the path and using his megaphone to guide everyone. After a lot of work, they were finally able to rescue everyone and fix the park.

"Where's your annoying leader?"

Chase was a bit startled by the sudden interruptance by Mayor Humdinger having been too focused on the rescue mission. He turned around to face the Mayor, a but angered by his choice of words for his best friend.

"He's busy with... stuff. I'm in charge till he's done." Chase said, not wanting to give any elaborate details to the man.

"He really left a puppy in charge? And you of all pups?" Humdinger sneered at him.

Chase found himself starting to get a little agitated, especially at the emphasis on him being left in charge. What was wrong with that?

"Why? What's so wrong about me leading the team?"

Humdinger snickered, "Are you really that oblivious? Or are you just pretending?"

Chase started at him a little, he really couldn't understand what was wrong with him acting as leader till Ryder came back. He was his second in command after all, it only made sense he would lead the pups.

He knew he would regret asking Humdinger the reason for his persistence but curiosity got the better of him,

"I really don't know why you it was wrong of Ryder to leave me in charge of leading the pups on a mission. I mean it only makes sense-"

"Because you're afraid, Chase. Your a scaredy pup, you always have been."

Chase's eyes widened at the comment, scaredy pup? Him? He was the bravest pup on their team, and what would Humdinger know about being scared?

"You talk a lot for someone who needs our help for every little inconvenience caused." Chase said in a cold voice.

"Ohhh, using weaknesses are we? Well then, two can play that game. Remember Adventure City? When Ryder saved you from that oncoming bus?"

Chase was speechless, how on earth did Humdinger have access to such confidential info? None of the pups knew till recently, Ryder was the only one who did. Then how..?

"H-how did you..?"

"That hardly matters does it? Anyway, you still think Ryder chose you? That he took you in because he "saw something in you"?"

Emotions flooded Chase's mind as the repressed memory resurfaced, taking him chokehold and suppressing his ability to speak, but he stood his ground, refusing to let the wicked man see that he got through to him, albeit, he still couldn't say anything.

"Well, let me tell you this, he didn't "choose" you, gosh no! He pitied you, that's what humans do, they pity things, and then care for them. Of course, you wouldn't know, you're a dog."

The words hit Chase like a train as he still continued to keep his oath of silence.

"You obviously believe everything Ryder tells you because you don't know how the world works, how humans work. Well let me tell you this..." he bent down to Chase level and whispered in his ear.

"Your not a leader, you never have been, what kind of leader runs away the second things get hard? And not just once, twice." He then moved to face a scared and broken Chase, "you should honestly just be lucky you're still alive. Any other pup with your "intellect" wouldn't last a week."

The mayor then got up, straightened his jacket and continued " And just so you know I don't require your aid for every small inconvenience. Give my regards to Ryder, I do pity the boy sometimes, having to deal with the likes of you."

Chase just sat their dumbfounded, he couldn't find the words to say anything. He felt like his heart had been ripped open and every bullet hit him at once. A tear escaped his eye as the words of the cruel man echoed in his mind. His thoughts were soon interrupted by the voice of a certain labrador coming through his pup-tag,

"Chase dude! We managed to fix evewything up and got evewyone down safely."

Chase quickly got up, wiping away his tears and cleared his throat,

"Great job pups, we'll head back to the lookout then."

"Ok, you got it Chase."

And as they drove off in their vehicles after bidding farewell, Chase couldn't help but ponder over the things the Mayor had said, but despite everything, a bigger question raced his mind,

"How did he know..?"

A/N: I'm baaaaack! Was way too busy with life and stuff and was too tired to actually find the motivation to write something. Nonetheless, here's another one shot. I know its shorter than my regular one shots but I tried.

Also, if some parts of the story didn't make sense, like the part about Chase running away a 2nd time or the ending, you might want to read my book "Silent Cries" since I've used elements from that book for this one shot. Though I do believe there wasn't anything particularly difficult to understand reading this.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the story.

Lydian out.