Chase was curled up in a bed that the Princess had preordered for him. It was a very comfortable bed. But he had his pup house to sleep on.
He was in this pup bed because he was pondering things through. Sweetie being nice?
Impossible! Chase would prove she was still her old self.
But perhaps he had been too harsh on her. The most harm she ever caused him was lock him in the basement. Even then, he couldn't help but feel angered when she did that. She didn't need to steal the crown. She had everything. Yet she did so anyways.
He never bothered to understand her. He knew they were on different scales of the spectrum. He would never understand her motives anyways.
Chase buried his nose deeper into his tan-brown fur. He huffed. He honestly should be protecting the Princess and Sweetie by now, but he didn't feel like getting up just yet. If the killer came, though, Chase would feel awful not being on duty.
Ugh. I better get up. I'll just have to...deal with her. And perhaps apologize? I don't know. She seemed really upset at what I told her. Then again, maybe she's just a brat.
Chase slowly rose. He stretched and yawned—he better get to work.
He pushed a paw on the doggie door and walked out of the guest bedroom the bed had been in. He walked through the luxurious halls of the castle and frowned. What pup wouldn't be happy here with anything and everything they could desire?
Chase only dreamed of having such luxury. However, he was happier where he was. He didn't want to end up being a snob. He knew that's what happened when people and pups were spoiled to the brim.
Chase walked through the halls with gasps of awe. This place truly had beautiful carpets and paintings. His ears twitched when he heard the Princess' voice say no.
Chase hid behind a wall as he figured listening in on whatever conversation the Princess was having wouldn't hurt. What was she saying no to?
Chase slowly approached the door and pressed his ear against it. He heard two voices. The Princess was chiding someone on why she couldn't buy them the Pup Pup Boogie game.
Sweetie? He wondered with curiosity.
But why would a pampered pup like her want a game like that? She's probably got plenty to do within the walls of the castle. Chase had never seen Sweetie play Pup Pup Boogie.
Has she even got any experience with that game?
He then heard a harsh yelling, and leaned away. He put a paw on his left ear. He didn't need to press his ear against the door to hear what the Princess was saying to Sweetie this time. It seems like a heated discussion was occurring—Or was the Princess yelling at her own pup?
Chase wasn't sure. He was confused. The shouting died down as Sweetie said something. Her voice was kind of desperate.
Chase huffed. What was so important about Pup Pup Boogie that Sweetie needed to sound desperate? It wasn't the end of the world.
Chase suddenly hears his name. His ears perked. Sweetie mentioned his name. Why? Chase tried to listen in further. Due to the Princess' shouts, he couldn't hear much besides the ringing in his ears.
The door suddenly opens and Chase falls over.
"Chase?" The princess questions in confusion. "What are you doing here, you brave pup?" The young Princess grabbed Chase with one hand on his stomach and the other on his back legs.
She set him back down and he cleared his throat. He felt his cheeks heat up at the embarrassment of being caught.
"Ahem. Sorry, Princess. I couldn't help but overhear an argument in your quarters. What's going on?" Chase asked the Princess. "Are you in trouble?"
Despite hearing parts of the conversation, Chase was wondering just what exactly went on. He had many questions flooding his mind as well as a strange feeling that something was going on that he didn't know about.
He was still wondering why the Princess was yelling at Sweetie for wanting a simple game. Sure protecting herself and Sweetie was number one priority on Chase's mind, he didn't understand what buying a game had to do with the person who texted that threat.
The Princess shook her head and giggled lightly.
"Of course not. It's sweet of you to worry, Chase, however I am not in any danger currently. I was just discussing something with my precious poochie, Sweetie. I am buying her that Pup Pup Boogie game."
Buying? I don't remember buying something for someone include yelling at them.
Chase was deeply confused. But he shrugged it off for now.
The Princess was a good owner at least. Chase wasn't sure if she should be buying such a pampered dog everything she wanted, but if that made Sweetie's life better then who was he to judge her.
"That's nice of you, Princess." Chase responded, bowing to the royal highness.
It was almost due time for her to become Queen. Perhaps in the next three years or so. Chase was looking forward to it.
She would surely make a better Queen than Sweetie, that's for sure. Not that Sweetie would be a bad ruler. I just don't know if I would want to serve who threw me in a dungeon.
The Princess giggled.
"Of course. She wanted to play it with you. I think she really wants to impress you." She responded.
Impress me? Why would such a pup as Sweetie need to impress me? She could be spending that time impressing a prince. Why me?
Chase was almost shocked. "Why?" He asked her.
The Princess shrugged. "Beats me. But I don't blame her. You're one cool pup."
Chase supposed he was. He never understood such praise and worship. But if Sweetie was going to go through all this for him the least he could do is approach her, apologize, and hang out with her.
Though, perhaps he shouldn't get too distracted by all the cool and wow. He still had a job to do. Catching such a person as the person who left that threat would be no easy task.
Distractions could kill the Princess and Sweetie if he let them.
The Princess bowed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I just get to work." She remarked as she gave Chase brief pleasure by scratching his chin.
Chase grinned before frowning.
Something about the way the Princess talked...it almost seemed in a condescending manner towards her own pal. Chase shook it off. It was probably his imagination over his own judgments towards the white prissy female.
He sighed as his ears folded to the back of his head. He slowly walked in, knocking slightly on the door to let the smaller pup know he was coming in.
At first, Sweetie just stared at him. She seemed slightly upset, but straightened herself in front of Chase when she saw him approach.
"Hello, Chase." She greeted. She seemed a little bitter. What went on during that conversation?
"Greetings, Sweetie." He remarked with a slight bow. "Hello," Sweetie responded a bit despondently. "Why are you here?" She asked him with a head tilt.
Chase looked away awkwardly. "I was here to apologize." He woofed. His ears folded down and he looked at Sweetie; she wasn't amused.
"Oh really?" The white female asked with an irritated look on her face. "You realized after a few hours of willowing in self pity for your stupid situation of being stuck with me that I'm an okay pup? Listen, Chase, I know what I've done in the past isn't the nicest thing, but you didn't need to be so rude about it. I'm trying to be a nicer dog. I'm trying to be the good dog the Princess wants me to be."
Sweetie sighed.
"But even then, she doesn't believe in me. She only bought me that Pup Pup Boogie game because it was for you. Sometimes it feels like she cares more about the Paw Patrol than me. I wanted to be Queen because I want to be treated like I matter. I don't matter do I, Chase? I'm just another Claw for you, aren't I?" Sweetie asked him.
She walked past Chase with a shove. The white pup then turned around to speak to Chase. "You know, I really want to be friends with you. But not if you're going to make it this hard for me. It's already hard enough not being her favorite pup."
Sweetie's eyes tested up before she ran off.
Chase's ears fell. He stared at where Sweetie had been. She wanted to be friends with him?
His muscles tensed. He wanted to go after her. To beg for a second chance. He began to follow her silently. He didn't want to push her away
again, and had a feeling she might push him away too because of what happened.
She had ran all the way outside the castle. Chase didn't know if she would run even farther or what. He had to catch her. Even though every ounce of himself told him to give up, he wouldn't. She could be hurt, and Ryder told him to never abandon someone if they're hurt.
Chase pushed onwards. He made it past the castle draw bridge. He stuck his nose in the air to get a whiff of Sweetie's bubble bath shampoo. It smelled like oranges.
He dashed off, following the scent with his nose.
Along the way he couldn't help but wonder about the Princess and Sweetie's relationship. It sure sounded like Sweetie didn't think her owner cared about her—at least not in the sense that she was willing to think the human preferred Chase and his colleagues over her own pooch. But why would she talk with Chase and want to be friends with him if essentially Chase and his friends were the reason she was being pushed aside in the first place?
Chase was determined to catch up with Sweetie. She couldn't possibly be faster than the speedster from the Paw Patrol. He outran almost every pup and kit out there. He would no doubt catch up to Sweetie and stop her before she got too far.
Why was she running away anyways? Chase wanted to know what she meant earlier.
He continued running until he came across unknown territory. He's been in both Adventure Bay and Adventure City, but this was a new place to him. It was like Tracker's jungle—however, the trees here were way taller and there was a path. The trees were more spaced out and allowed room for human and pup to move around with ease.
Was this a forest? Or woodlands? Chase would find out. He continued through the forest. It was pretty creepy. He thought he could heard some heavy paw steps behind him and all around him; however when he peeked he didn't see any sort of creature.
A sudden loud scream that sounded like Sweetie broke out nearby. Chase straightened up in worry. Did something get her? He'd have to run them off.
He began racing in the direction of the cry. He was a rescuer after all. He couldn't just leave her here. He knew that!
His paws brought up dust as he ran. His eyes opened as he saw the smaller white pup lying on her side, a wolf wrapping his fangs around her body.
The wolf dropped Sweetie's body with wide eyes and began to frivolously wave his paws about. "It's not what it looks like, I swear!" He protested. The timber wolf continued to attempt to defend himself.
Chase found he didn't believe him. Wolves were very dangerous creatures.
Chase growled as he stepped forward. "Leave her alone!" He barked as he jumped at the wolf.
The wolf tried to defend himself, but failed to push Chase back. The wolf went tumbling against a tree and began to panic.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I was only trying to help!" The wolf howled as he scrambled to his feet. He appeared meek and scared—he stood his ground.
Chase snarled. "Don't lie to me! I know you were about to eat Sweetie!" He barked. That's what wolves liked to do right? He learned that from a book he read.
"Eat her?" The wolf asked in confusion, left paw on his head. He then burst into laughter as Sweetie lifted her head in annoyance.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm trying to bleed to death here! I could really use some peace—or some help. Help proffered for this beauty Queen." The white pup remarked with sarcasm.
This made the timber wolf burst into even more gusty laughter.