Chapter thirty-three: Volcano Pup!
Chase yawned deeply as he came wandering out of the elevator. He didn't seem to know where he was going, but he still walked forward anyway. He tripped over something and plopped down to sit before keeling forward to snooze a second longer. As if remembering that he was awake and sat up again and shook himself to try and wake himself up, but it seemed to do very little as he turned blindly to find a pillow to lay on.
"Umm.. ok?" Tiny vocalized slowly, from watching this sight.
Ned's ears went down before walking away to get something.
"I wonder if our guests will be here soon, or should we call Ryder?" Melody whispered to Kylie.
"Ah, they'll be here.." Tiny shrugged, waving a paw at her with ease. "Never fails."
"How about now?" A voice said and even Chase had to lift and turn his head at hearing it.
Melody and Brian turned to the sliding doors to see who had arrived.
"Billy!" Skyler gasped racing toward him.
"Maggie!" Tiny cried, following suit.
"Mr. Prescott!" Kylie exclaimed, leading the rest of their friends toward the newcomers that had just come through the front doors.
"Greetings, PUP Pals. I see you've been doing well since we last met." Franklin Prescott greeted warmly.
Margaret Prescott knelt down to accept the PUP Pals with excited licks and wagging tails.
"It's so good to see you guys again," she said, hugging all of them.
Ned quickly ran to the doors, as Brian and Melody joined the PUP Pals.
"Billy! It's nice to see you again!" Ned greeted, as his husky siblings sniffed and licked Franklin and Maggie.
"Nice to meet you," Brian said to Franklin as the husky wagged his tail.
"And.. you.." Maggie replied slowly. "Who are.. Oh wait.. That's right, these are the pups Ryder was talking about, right?"
"Yes. I'm Ned, Snowflake's brother. The other two huskies are our other brother and sister, Brian and Melody!" Ned replied as he introduced his siblings.
"I'm Melody. Snowflake went with Ryder and the pups to help with a rescue," Melody explained as she greeted the humans.
"I'm Brian," the dark gray and white male husky said.
"Pleased to meet you." Maggie waved sweetly, still holding Kylie on her lap.
"So you and your siblings are friends with our favorite band of heroes." Frank hinted, gesturing his hand up thoughtfully.
"Yes we are. Actually Snowflake and I are friends with the PAW Patrol since we've known them longer than the PUP Pals. But we've been getting along with the PUP Pals too," Ned confessed honestly.
"We're glad to hang out with them, in case our sister is busy," Brian added.
"Plus we can keep Boomerang company too in case we want to just relax. So we don't have to be busy all the time," Melody said happily.
"Well of course! What else are we going to do; train for a marathon?" Brian joked with a smile.
"In the snow? Maybe. During a blizzard? No way!" Ned answered.
"So, they've been keeping you out of trouble, old boy?" Frank teased, smiling at the aussie.
"Something like that." Boomerang replied with a shrug.
"Billy? *yawn* Maggie.. What are you guys all doing here?" Chase wondered, the pup wandering over without even really opening his eyes. Billy stepped forward to catch his fall and picked him up.
"Sounds like you had a pretty eventful night," the man told the pup.
"You don't know the half of it.." Chase replied distantly, dropping his head against Billy's arm onto his paws. Billy stroked the pup's head gently and began to carry him further into the Lookout again.
"So what's this about a plane crashing on a ridge in a storm?" Maggie asked as she stood up with Kylie.
"We got a call about a plane that crashed into the cell tower, and then crashed into the forest over a ledge," Brian explained.
"The team had to save the pilot and co-pilot too in addition to the plane being on fire," Melody added.
"And how are they doing today?" Frank wondered, implying that they knew their outcome.
"I think the pilot and co-pilot are doing good. Just recovering in the hospital from the crash with minor injuries," Brian answered.
"Actually, we don't really know how well they're doing.." Kylie mentioned. "Ryder never fully explained. But I believe the pilot sustained mostly minor wounds. However, the co-pilot was the one that had potentially major injuries. We don't yet know the severity as of yet.. That I know of, at least."
"And what is our favorite canine team up to this morning?" Frank wondered further. "Other than likely saving the day, like usual."
"They're cleaning up the mess after everyone was safe last night. I wouldn't be surprised if they took all day," Melody replied happily.
"Oh, then they'll be plenty busy today then.." The old man figured. "Hope they can get it all sorted out again."
"I thought I saw Rubble show up earlier.." CiCi mentioned, "but I think he drove right up into the Air Patroller and took off, I think he's on a mission for Ryder."
"Sounds about right." Frank shrugged, the fingers of both hands on his cane lifting slightly. "That boy is quite the genius in working out various problems. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if he's got a plan for nearly every occurrence."
"Sounds like Ryder 101 to me." Billy shrugged, stooping down to set Chase on a pillow gently and holding a hand on his back tenderly.
"Yeah, almost every problem," Ned said as he thought back to the previous night.
"At least you tried to help Ned. You just need more training. A LOT of driving training!" Melody said reassuringly before hugging her husky brother.
"Yeah, but leave the situation to the pups next time," Brian added.
Chase just happened to witness this and his ears laid back slightly as he turned his head away with a frown. Frank happened to notice this and his eyes cocked over to Maggie as he slightly nodded toward him. Billy nodded when his sister's gaze met his.
"It's a shame you didn't know how to beforehand." Frank said aloud. "Perhaps someone could teach you how to drive safely so something that dangerous won't ever happen again." Chase noticeably, but still very slightly, perked up, yet didn't look their way.
"However,.." the old man continued seriously. "Remember to take into account the value of keeping your ears open to wisdom and thinking through your actions fully before engaging in anything."
"Yes, I agree. I mean it was fun, but not safe. I wonder if anyone here or the PAW Patrol could teach me how to drive?" Ned nodded in understanding.
"Fun?! What's fun about almost crashing!" Chase snapped, and the pat on his back made him temper himself and he lay back down as he was before.
"Be that as it may," Frank reasoned mildly. "Creating a dangerous situation is no way to have fun, and you must always evaluate a decision thoroughly before determining if it is truly a good idea. You should try to imagine every possible outcome before you move forward."
"Or just leave it to the experts, which is a much simpler way to handle things." Billy piped up.
"Sound advice, bro." Maggie smiled, giving Kylie a tender squeeze, pressing her cheek to the pup's before finally setting her down.
Ned rolled his eyes.
"I admit I'm not the best driver pup, but you can't say I wouldn't have gotten us to the hospital quicker if you had let me drive all the way there. Plus, how often do you drive your car for fun when you aren't on missions? You haven't driven in weeks Chase, so you can't deny it was kind of a fun experience. Even if it was more adrenaline than you wanted," Ned commented half jokingly.
Chase growled with the growing frustration.
"Yes I can,.. We wouldn't have.. We would've-" Billy waving him down made him stifle what he wanted to say and he knew he was likely saving him from himself at this moment.
"Why don't you pups all go play outside for a little while.." he suggested, as Chase plopped his head back down again. "..While we catch up with Chase a little bit."
"Yes Billy," Brian said firmly. Melody walked over to Chase with her ears folded back.
"You need any medicine to calm down? We can call Ryder if you want," Melody asked cautiously.
"I'm fine.." Chase said through gritted teeth, his voice still clearly restrained. "Just.. go outside please. And take your crazy brother with you.."
"Okay, thanks. Ned- Where did he?.." Melody responded before looking around.
"Booooooooo! Woooooooo!" Ned said as he played "ghost" under the rainbow parachute.
"Ned, get out of there and let's go outside. Please!" Brian begged.
"Okay," Ned answered before coming out of the parachute. Brian turned back to Chase and mouthed 'I'm sorry' before he, Ned, Melody and the PUP Pals all went outside to play.
Chase slowly watched them leave with narrowed eyes and flattened ears till the doors slid closed.
"Sounds like you had a pretty eventful night.." Billy finally said, earning him the pup's gaze, but that momentary surprise dulled as he simply plopped his head down onto his paws.
"Now, Chase before you go all out on your-"
"Ugh! Those guys are gonna make me crazy!" Chase started in frustration.
"Too late." Maggie smirked to her brother.
"Between Chester's joking and Ned's recklessness, I don't know which is worse!" The pup ventured, "And they thought I was loopy before.. Huah! They ain't seen nothing yet."
"Ok but,.. walk us through the incident and go from there." Billy suggested.
"I don't wanna relive that?!" Chase snapped, turning hotly toward them.
"Hey, don't shoot the civilian, I'm just here to listen." Billy surrendered with hands face up.
"Listen? Ok,.. listen to this.. Those pups are driving me crazy!" Chase shouted, popping himself up to land facing them in a wide stance. "All their 'empathy', their 'caring', their 'helping', their material obsessions, all their 'touchy-feely fun'?! It makes me sick! And I feel awful for SAYING THAT!"
"Woah, woah, woah, what makes you despise the fact that they care?" Billy wondered quickly.
"I don't, but,.. they're just so.. obvious about it. Like they didn't already know I realize that they care or something. I just get so tired of hearing: 'Are you ok?' or 'Do you need something?' I mean, am I crazy?"
"You're not.." Billy swiped a hand in front of him certainly.
"Not yet anyway." Maggie smiled.
"I don't wanna talk about last night." Chase began again, frowning their way. "I don't wanna remember how we almost crashed into oncoming traffic while some INEXPERIENCED MANIAC SWERVES ALL OVER THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHEN IT'S HARDER TO SEE WHERE YOU'RE GOING, AFTER A HAIR RAISING RESCUE THAT COULD'VE SENT ALL OF US TO THE HOSPITAL!.."
"Cool down, son." Frank finally intervened, as the pup huffed for breath from the rambling on. "You'll overexert yourself just by working yourself up about it. You could heat a kettle with that temper."
Chase released a heated breath to blow off steam.
"Part of me wishes we could just send some of them home for a while so I can get a longer break from them.. But,.. I don't wanna hurt their feelings or disrespect them. I know Ryder would say the same."
"Chase, asking for space isn't wrong," Billy mentioned. "No one should be able to push your boundaries if you don't want them too."
"Yeah it is.. 'cause then they think something's wrong again.. They'll get suspicious that I'm hiding something again." Chase replied helplessly.
"Are you?" Billy wondered.
"No, that's just it.." the pup just shrugged. "But any time I wanna withdraw and regroup, they seem to get the idea that I'm hiding something, or.. Avoiding them or.. Something's up.. I'm not sure how to let them know that things are actually ok again."
"Leave that to us,.." Billy shrugged. "But what about yesterday? Sounds like things got pretty heated last night. You pretty much hit self-destruct on them there."
"If I had had it my way there wouldn't have been." Chase deflected, turning away bitterly.
"Which would be?" Billy hinted, and he was all too willing to continue.
"If I'd have been driving I wouldn't have allowed him to shove me over." The Police pup replied. "In fact, I'd have taught him a lesson he wouldn't ever forget."
"Don't be so hard on him.. He's too inexperienced to-"
"That's the problem!" Chase interjected harshly, surprising even Frank for cutting him off.
"His inexperience is gonna really hurt someone someday!" Chase seethed, a genuine dread falling over him now. "And personally, I don't want it to be me. I've got enough problems all on my own. I don't need any help with that."
"Well if someone were to educate him on some things.." Billy hinted.
"I don't think I could be objective with that.." Chase sighed. "Or have the courage for that.. in any area of it."
"I'm proud of your honesty." Frank smiled. "It can be hard to admit your weaknesses at times. Especially for someone like you."
"That's not a weakness," Chase cocked a brow and his head correctively. "Just a wire I'm not willing to trip on. 'Cause the consequences could be far worse than they are now,.. especially last night."
"Well then I bet someone else might be better suited to the task." Frank supposed.
"Maybe his sister can teach him when they're together again." Maggie figured.
"Good,.. and hopefully it gets them lost for a while.." Chase sighed with a defeatedly hopeful tone. "A really long while."
"So what are you gonna do when everyone comes back?" Frank wondered.
"I don't know.." Chase sighed deeply. "I don't wanna hurt anybody's feelings here.. And I fear I already have.. But Ned.. Ned-... Uggghhhhh!" The frustration and anger that came back over him made him all the more despising of himself. He looked down at the bowl of water, which reflected his own expression back to him. A disgusted look came over his face and he splashed the water and turned away from it. Billy looked to Frank who nodded, then meeting eyes with Maggie, she smiled.
"Ok,.. tell you what,.." Billy spoke up again. "We'll ask Ryder if it's ok for you to come home with us.. Just for a day, and if you want.. A night.. We can spend some time working around the ranch and getting out of your element a little bit and back into memory lane. Call it your next therapy session if you want."
"Really? You'd do that?" Chase perked up, becoming more positive it seemed and a little bit hopeful, his tail softly wagging as he drew near him again.
"Of course, Little C." Billy chuckled, like the pup should've known this. "Anything for you, pal." Holding up a hand, the pup obliged to high five him and smiled as he drew the German Shepherd into a hug.
"Now, ready for today's therapy session?" Billy began again, when releasing the pup.
"You bet!" Chase beamed, crouching down happily. Billy shifted back to look at his sister, and all she did was hold up a brush cheekily, which made him look at them in confusion.
Hey guys! Yes another banging interaction between Chase and the Prescotts! His frustration is SO warranted here and I LOVE it! But the points brought up by the Prescotts really gave him perspective on the matter which is what he needs.
We're so happy with how this story has been turning out and we hope you feel the same! Let us know how we're doing and we'll see you next time! Thx!