Chapter II: A Tale by Rocky
Snow continued to fall, showcasing what seemed to be a wasteland of pure white. Two young pups stood in what could be considered the center, taking in each others auras. Though one felt more of horror and fear, while the other resemble forgiveness and bits of doubt. The Mix Breed stepped up, still keeping the distance between the two a few feet away, as he stared deep into the Shepherd's eyes.
"I know what you want to say." Rocky spoke up, continuing his deep stare. To Chase, this is quite possibly worst case scenario for him. As much as he wanted to pretend the past never happened, and what The Receptionist preached to him was just him over thinking it. He can now confirm for himself why he's here. "No bad blood, Chase." The Mix spoke again, knocking Chase out of his mind. "I just want to talk." He finished, slowly making his way to the Shepherd.
"Rocky..." Chase quitely said under his breath, bottom lip trembling. "Please...I-I can't do this right now!" The Shepherd plead, in hopes his former friend would reconsider.
"Trust me, bud. This is going to do more use for you than for me." Rocky said as he continued forward, before abruptly stopping in his tracks. "But, we can't talk here." He stated. He looked over to his left, Chase's right, seeing the only building in the entire area, from their knowledge. "Met me there." He asked of his friend, looking directly at the building. Chase looked over and remembered it was one of the first things he saw once he arrived here.
"Rocky, look ma-" Chase stopped himself once he looked back where Rocky was last seen, now seemingly just vanishing. Great, exactly what I need right now The Shepherd thought to himself. Though he was as reluctant as ever, he eventually decided it was best to confront the issue, as he got up on all fours and made his way towards the building. As he circled the building, he eventually found the entrance, putting aside his frustration since it took awhile to even know where he was going. He observed the entranceway, noticing it didn't really scream big scary building anymore. More like, a night club of some type. The doorway was littered with LED and Neon lights, as Chase made his way through the entrance. It looked fancy, surely a night club from what he was seeing, but something that quickly caught his attention was how he looked when he passed by a mirror. He looked younger, as if he was sent back half of his life. Though it spooked him, he decided to shrugge it off, as he needed to find Rocky. But lucky for him, time was saved.
"Just how we looked when the team was at it's peak, huh?" The Mix admired, as he sat in front of the mirror looking at himself, taking Chase off guard. "Though, I never got to see how I would've looked when older." Rocky said walking past Chase, noticeable with some bitterness in his tone.
"Rocky, let's just-" Chase was once again interrupted by Rocky, this time because he was holding his paw up.
"Reconcile later, bud. Let's keep going." Rocky made clear, gesturing Chase to follow. The duo continued on their way to what Chase assumed was the dance floor, as loud 80s music played with lights flashing all over. He noticed on the dance floor was a mix of animals and humans, dancing without a care in the world. Though it seemed nice, he once again felt uncomfortable, as he noticed the ceiling wasn't a ceiling, but almost pitch black clouds occasionally rumbling with flashes of lightning.
Many thoughts ran through his head, trying to make sense of it all, completely forgetting that he was supposed to follow Rocky, who was nowhere to be seen. He realized this and started to panick, frantically looking for his friend. He found himself in the middle of the dance floor, with multiple animals and people moving constantly bumping into him. As the music got louder, he thought he was hearing voices, even laughing.
"Are they laughing at me?" He questioned himself. Though he heard his voice, it felt like his lips were sealed. Taking a look once again, he saw that everyone was unrecognizable, faces becoming distorted, looking like they were laughing at his expense. His mind raced, he was losing himself feeling like he was trapped in place. Being fixed to move his body to the sound of the beat. He couldn't control it, no matter what he did. As much as he tried, he couldn't break his trance. Doubt creeped in his head, fear floated around. Like it was envisioning itself to him. The whispers got louder, like if they were piercing his eardrums. It seemed hopeless, until he heard something different.
"When we were picked for that mission that day, I don't think anyone expected what was going to happen." Rocky explained. Chase's mind slowly cleared, from burly visions, to Rocky standing under a yellow spotlight a few feet away. "It was a clear lesson, even if you thought you were prepared to die. It always finds a way to creep up on you, as it tugs on your heart strings." Rocky continued as he slowly looked in Chase's direction. "You know, for a long time I wondered, how was I going to react to the guy who put me in that situation, once he arrived?" The Mix said. "I wanted to hate you. I wanted to put the blame on you for so long. But, I knew it wasn't your fault." He finished. Chase looked in fear, knowing what was coming. Unfortunately for him, he was dragged back into reality, gasping for air as he layed on the dance floor, the others still dancing. Rocky walked up to the Shepherd and gestured him to follow once more. Chase kept close this time, until they entered a room on the second floor of the club.
"What is this place?" Chase asked, as he looked through a window that was overseeing the dance floor.
"This is where lost souls come to." Rocky explained, as he stretched out to get comfy on a couch in the room. "The people down there, are souls who lost themselves before they could leave. Practically going crazy." He finished. It hit Chase immediately. He was about to become one of those lost souls. Seconds away from completely losing himself.
"And, I was that close from becoming that?" The Shepherd asked in horror, continuing his sad stare at the club goers.
"And fortunately for you, I came right in time to get you out of there." Rocky proudly exclaimed, smirking to himself as he slowly relaxed into the couch. Chase slowly turned around and faced the Mix Breed, looking around nervously trying to find that words he wants to say.
"You...said, that you don't blame me?" Chase voiced, which made Rocky slowly open one eye. He looked at Chase and took a deep breath.
"It was pointless." He stated in a sad tone, looking away from his companion. This, somehow, shocked Chase. "Though, I'll admit, I have doubts at times. But what good did it bring me to blame you for what happened to me? I knew exactly what we signed up for and died due to faulty equipment. It was an accident." He said softly, looking at his friend. This however, didn't please the Shepherd. As he put his foot down in retaliation.
"No! Rocky, if I didn't hesitate and shot my net out sooner you would've lived a full life!" Chase yelled rather loudly. Though, Rocky wasn't surprised by this. "These last seven years have been hell Rocky..." Chase admitted, getting teary eyed. "If it wasn't for me messing up that day, the team would've never disbanded!" He yelled once more.
"You cant blame yourself for the team leaving each other. You've known Ryder was already in talks about hanging it up around then." Rocky pointed out. Once again not pleasing the Shepherd.
"If I did my job right, he would've ended it more naturally! Not as prematurely as it actually was!" Chase shot back. Though Rocky knew why Chase was here in the first place, he only knew for his own personal reason. Now he learned the Shepherd has a long way to go. "Everyone, each one stopped trusting me that day." Chase said now visibly letting tears come out. "Marshall tried his best with me, Skye did too. But Zuma and Rubble completely lost faith in me!" He said with droplets. "Once Ryder announced that the team was done for, I ran. I couldn't see the disappointment anymore!" Chase was visibly shaking, showing the most emotion he's shown in years. Rocky got up and made his way over to aid. "It took two years for Ryder to find me." Chase continued. "Everyone else went on with their life, doing things they were meant to do. While I sat at home, ashamed of everything that lead to that point!" He went on, shaking more. "I let everyone down, I let Ryder down. And even when I'm dead, I still feel like I'm letting someone down!" He finished angrily.
"I wished I knew how much it hurt you." Rocky stated, putting one paw on Chase's shoulder. Immediately regretting even being slightly petty to the pup earlier, as seeing him like this crushed him. "Life had its way with you, and payed an harsh price." he finished, trying to aid his friend.
"H-how can I even try to f-forgive myself for all of it?" Chase stuttered out, letting tears flow one by one. Rocky gave him a concerned face.
"You cry" Rocky said as he pulled Chase into a brotherly hug. Chase thought about it, understanding Rocky's gesture. He accepted the embrace and let it all out on Rocky's shoulder. Completely forgetting the last time he cried. "You may not see it now Chase, but, you will soon pal." Rocky said softly to his friend. "We'll help you one step at a time." The Mix finished as he held onto the crying pup.
After some time passed, Chase calmed down and continued to watch the people dancing below.
"They all share a similar pain to you, ya know." Rocky pointed out. "Though, it's all unique experiences, you're not alone when you feel a certain way." He continued on. "Unfortunately for some, they just can't bare to see themselves like this. Being lost here for eternity." He finished, looking at the dancers with Chase. Both sat in silence before Chase decided to break it.
"You were like that too, weren't you?" He asked. Rocky looked at him and smiled.
"I was lost for a long time." Rocky said in a low tone. "It took until Rubble came here. He helped me let go." He claimed, as he started to sit up on all fours again. "And luckily for you Chase, we're all here to help you." He proudly said, putting his paw out for Chase. Chase thought about what he said. He knew what he needed to do. As much as he wished he could just say he let go, he knows he needs to naturally do it. No matter how long it takes. He smiled at Rocky and took his paw, lifting himself up.
"Thanks, Rocky." Chase said smiling at the Mix.
"Trust me man, we'll see each other again in no time." Rocky said returning the smile. As both shook paws, everything faded into white
Soon you'll be healed, forgiven, and refreshed. Free from all trauma, pain, guilt and shame. A voice called out in the distance as the world was engulfed in pure white.
The vibrant baby blue sky shined over the ocean, the sun sharing it's warmth with the world down below. An young adult German Shepherd layed on the sand, only opening his eyes once feeling the ocean met with his muzzle. He slowly sat up, looking at the familiar place he found himself in. Immediately recognizing the town he found himself in.
"I'm, in Adventure Bay?" Chase questioned to himself. Looking back at the town he now fully realized where he was. "I'm in Adventure Bay!" He yelled with glee jumping up and down in excitement.
"Well, someone's happy to be home!" Someone called behind him, though the voice was unfamiliar to him. As Chase looked back, he knew why it was unfamiliar, as it was someone he never got to see in adulthood. An adult Chocolate Labrador was slowly approaching him from the right side of the beach. "Long time no see, huh, Chase?" The Lab called out smiling corner to corner. Chase looked right at him and even though he felt cautious, he returned the smile.
"It's been way too long, Zuma." He said as he started to make his way towards his old friend.