Chapter I: FREE YOURSELF
As Dawn broke into the horizon, the sun shined over what seemed to be an endless grass field. Multiple yellow houses sat on top of some of theses hills, giving an eerie yet calming look to this strange place. The clouds moved through the sky at an medium pace, showcasing their looks. Almost as if they were wool itself, they looked as puffy as ever. The sky gave an orange tint, as the sun continued to rise, it slowly became a bright vibrant blue.
A grugy older German Shepherd watched the sky as it moved, taking in the scenery. As he slowing sat up to take in the view of the grass plains moving to the flow of the wind, he took a deep breath, soon letting out an exhale. His amber eyes continued to observe his surroundings, continuing to look at the dream like location he found himself in as it brought him to a conclusion.
"Yup, I'm dead" The Shepherd let out to himself in an deep ragged voice. He groaned at the thought and slowly put his head down. He sat deep in his thoughts, debating the next move.
He didn't mind being dead, but a part of him felt this was a little too climatic? He always invisioned the afterlife as being greeted by his fallen friends, faces he haven't seen in years. But, nope. He was sitting alone in a field with nothing but a pretty scenery to look at for all eternity. At least, that's what he thought at first. As unknown to him, he was being approached by someone, or something.
"Out of all the people I expected to see right away" A male voice spoken, grabbing the attention of the Shepherd as his ears perked up. "I didn't really expect to see you" The voice said, now in direct view of the Shepherd. In front of him sat an old male Bernese Mountain Dog. "Time hasn't been kind to us, huh, Chase?" The Dog joked as he gave a warm smile to his former friend. The Shepherd sat in shock and awe as he rubbed his eyes with his paws to ensure his was seeing correctly.
"Rex? Is that really you?" Chase called out softy, still in shock on who he was looking at.
"I know, man, it's weird for me too" Rex reassured "I'm still learning how to walk on all fours!" He joked again showcasing his hind legs. This immediately caught Chase off guard as he wasn't even paying attention to that revelation.
"Wait, you legs are, like, all good now? Chase questioned, raising an eyebrow. Rex continued his smile and gave a single nod.
"The moment I saw my legs like this, I figured I've already died. So I've been just trying to live in the moment" Rex gave as a response. "To think I was missing out on this!" He said in excitement, jumping up and down in a playful manner. Chase gave a small smile for his friend. But, a look of concern slowly started to appear on his face.
"So, it's official?" Chase asked with a doubtful face. "This is all there is here?" He finished, as Rex settled down to listen in on what the Shepherd had to say.
"As beautiful as it is, I'll be honest. I was expecting everyone else to be here too." Rex said with a sad tone, as he looked over to Chase. Chase took note of this and felt the same way.
As much as he likes Rex, and the two carried a strong bond throughout the years, he was admittedly disappointed in the fact no one else seemed to be there.
"I've been searching around here for awhile now. Everything is practically the same copy and paste." Rex spoke out, looking off in the distance. "Do...you think it's because they've been gone for years? Compared to us, at least." He wondered to Chase, he continued to sit down as he attempted to cook up a thought.
"It's not a bad theory." Chase admitted. "Zuma pass away only two years ago, and he was the last one before us two." He continued.
"So, that means the Paw Patrol is officially dead?" Rex asked with a small smirk.
"What? No, Ryder is still alive dude." Chase stated, obviously not finding the same humor as Rex. Rex looked the other way nervously and scratched the back of his neck. "Besides, we've been out of the job for awhile now, dont you remember?" Chase continued on.
Rex was really hoping for something to come and save him from this conversation, as he felt he pushed into something he wasn't fully prepared for. Just as if angles were listening. An out of nowhere flash of light appeared on near the two old dogs. Reveling a rectangular doorway of pure white light. They exchanged glances and shrugged, beginning their way throws the structure. As they got closer, they noticed someone was there seemingly waiting.
"Oh, I'm so not getting a monthly bonus from this!" Both Chase and Rex heard a female voice say in distress. "Sincerest apologies! I wasn't expecting you two so soon!" A pure white female poodle called out to the duo bowing her head in shame. Both took note that she was wearing what seemed to be an outfit similar to a waiters.
"Uh, may we ask who you are?" Rex asked as they approached closer. The Poodle gave a soft smile.
"Unfortunately, I dont really have a name" She said in a joking matter letting out a chuckle. Both Chase and Rex looked at her dumbfounded. She immediately took notice of this and nervously scrambled through her mind to get something out. "B-but, you could call me, the Receptionist!" She said proudly. Hopeful that was enough to satisfy the duo.
"Good enough" Rex whispered to Chase, who nodded in agreement. "Well, Miss Receptionist, whats this all about?" Rex pressed on.
"I'm glad you asked!" The Receptionist responded, waging her tail with glee. "I'm the one who will be letting you two into the afterlife!" She announced, immediately gaining interest from the two boys. Rex looked right at Chase with a smile, as he made his way towards the Poodle.
That explains where everyone else went Chase said to himself in his thoughts I hope. That last bit lingered with him. He didn't know why but something felt off. He felt this dog is basically their judge, jury, and executioner. As much as he wanted to put those thoughts away. He felt he couldn't put trust in her. He chose to put them to the side as much as possible, as he made his way right behind his friend. Rex sat right in front of the Receptionist, as she grabbed a clipboard from a luggage bag next to her.
"Wow! A pure saint!" The Receptionist announced while looking at what was assumed to be information on Rex's life. "I'll say mister Rex, for all the challenges and obstacles you had to go through, you lived a perfect and welcoming life!" She stated, as Rex had a slight blush appear, obviously flattered. "It's an honor to say you've earned your way to Level 10 of the afterlife!" She finished, putting down the clipboard. She scavenged around inside her bag, pulling out an white orb. Throwing it through the doorway, activating it. "Please, enjoy eternity!" She said proudly, signaling him to go inside.
"Wait, what about Chase?" Rex said reluctantly, as his face of wonder changed to concern. The Receptionist gave him a warm smile.
"He'll be right behind you, once I check him of course." She made clear. Rex looked at her, then right at Chase, who was smiling at the Mountain Dog.
"Go ahead buddy, I'll be there soon." Chase reassured his friend. Rex gave him a smile and nodded.
"Dont take too long, officer." Rex said smiling, as he walked through the doorway, being absorbed by it, disappearing completely. Though Chase was happy for his friend, he felt uneasy after witnessing what just happened.
"Mister Chase?" A voice called out, snapping Chase out of his trance. The Receptionist was waiting for him with her clipboard ready. "Are you ready?" She asked the Shepherd. He felt hesitant, but eventually gave in, as he know the only way to see his friends, is to go through with this.
"I'm ready" He states, making his way towards her.
"Alrighty, let's see." The Receptionist says as she starts looking into Chase's life. Immediately she notices he is at unease, and feels the need to start explaining things to reassure him. "Levels to the afterlife aren't as bad as you may think." She says, which catches Chases attention. "They might sound threatening, but rest assured, they're practically no different from each other." She states. Catching Chase's attention, as he starts to think for awhile before saying anything.
"I'm more concerned that if I'm not Level 10 material, will I see my friends at all?" Chase voiced in concerned.
"Are you saying you may have some flaws that need to be ironed out?" The Receptionist responds. Catching Chase off guard.
"What are you saying?" Chased questioned, slightly defensively. His emotions are at an all time high now, he knew she may have some dirt on him but now she's actively trying to seek it out? He felt like he was being interrogated.
"Heaven is for those who let go of regret" She responds eerily softly which sends chills down Chase's spine. "You have to wait here, when you're not there yet." She finishes, putting down the clipboard.
She starts fiddling with the luggage again. Pulling out a black orb this time, making Chase's heart drop. She threw it in causing the portal to become pure black, looking like an endless void stareing Chase down. "Though, I'll admit, we dont even have a heaven so that saying is super dated!" The Receptionist out of nowhere stated, laughing to herself. Chase, though, found no humor in this, as he felt as he was sinking into the ground.
"I-is that f-for me?" Chase questioned, in fear of the response awaiting him.
"Look, Chase" The Receptionist announces as clear as possible. "You've yet to let go of certain things in your life, and due to the rules of the afterlife. I cant let you in until you accept it yourself." She states. "So, I'm sending you to Purgatory, where you'll have to find and go through everything that wronged you, hurt you, and that you allowed yourself to take to your grave." The White Poodle says as she grabs her luggage, seemingly preparing to leave soon.
"I...have to, accept myself, is what you're saying?" Chase asks, stareing into the void. In fear of what's ahead for him, knowing of the exact problems she was talking about. He shifted his eyes towards her, only to realize she already left. He knew this is all on him now, this part he does alone, and has to take lead if he wants to have the possibility of seeing his old friends again. He makes a move towards the gateway, only to black out once half way through.
All future plans are postponed, now it's time to look back on the things you thought you owned A voice in the distance calls out, before he fully blacks out.
Light gray clouds covered the sky, in its gloomy touch. The floor littered with pure white snow, as it kept pouring more and more. A young, agile German Shepherd pup lays in the snow, as his eyes open from what felt like forever. Laying on his back, he observed his surroundings, noticing a building to his right. While everything else, it seemed as if he landed in a very sad North Pole. He slowly rose up into a sitting position, as he continued to look into the snowy fog surrounding him. As he did, he noticed a figure making their way towards him.
"Who's there?" The Shepherd warns, though the voice carried more fear then heart. He heard a chuckle come from the figures direction.
"It hasn't been that long, right?" A male voice called, immediately hitting the Shepherd's eardrums, as if he hasn't heard this voice in years. Because he hasn't.
"Rocky?" He calls out softy.