(Running Through Time) ~ A Yearbook of Chase and Marshall ~

Chapter 14: New Year's Final Performance (Epilogue) (Winter)

Everything has restored, back to its original state. Ryder's awake, and the whole gang recovered from the trauma. But, it's not over yet. Ryder asked one final request before this year ends. What would it be?

"So... how's Paw Patrol when I'm not around?" After having enough energy, Ryder talked with the pups. Chase was still asleep on Ryder's chest because he was too tired.

"Well... all of us always go together in every mission, only to accompany Chase," Skye answered. "His personality drastically changed after that incident, Ryder. I remember that he used to be a firm and cheerful pup, but now he's a gloomy person. I mean, he always looked like he got a lot of things in his mind. Maybe he was thinking about you."

"Ah, I understand that. Personally, if the same thing happened to my parents and I was the one who becomes the witness, I'd feel the same trauma." Ryder snickered. "Were there any difficult missions?"

"Fortunately not. A lot of people asked for our help in decorating for Christmas." Rocky responded. "I and Rubble were the most used pup."

"Not so surprising. You are good at mechanical stuff, and Rubble must be used for lifting heavy objects, right?" Ryder asked.

"Yep." Rubble nodded.

"Other than what Skye told, is there anything about Chase when I was gone?" Ryder looked at the pups.

"He, other than being moody, had some kind of insomnia. It was hard for him to sleep because he had nightmares. I had to accompany him every time he wanna sleep because of that." Marshall scratched his head.

"What nightmare?" Ryder raised his eyebrow.

"He saw you were dead already in his dream." Marshall sighed.

"Really? Whoa. He must be really traumatized." Ryder gulped. "I remember once he saw Marshall in an accident back then at the New Year mission. Since then, he became more protective to Marshall."

"Luckily they confessed to each other." Rubble giggled.

"Well, yeah, fowtunately. If they didn't confess to each othew, Mawshall would feel odd to see Chase acting so pwotective meanwhile they awe nothing to each othew!" Zuma also giggled.

"Us. Not only them." Rocky nudged Zuma, which made him blushed.

"Hey!" Zuma punched Rocky's shoulder, and everyone else laughed.

"Glad to see Paw Patrol can laugh with each other like this again." Ryder smiled. "And anyway, about your performance... it was great. I was carried by the singing, and I also cried when I saw how you guys reacted in the end. Especially Marshall's part. It... also drenched my tears, like Chase. It was beautiful, and it struck me." He also commented about their performance.

"Yeah, it... also struck me too. Chase was screaming that he's not a good pup, he failed to protect you, and... things. I... can't say further about it." Marshall answered, but his tone sounded really sad.

"W-wait, he did!?" Skye looked surprised.

"Yeah! He said things, and I had to cover his mouth. So that's why, if you guys were looking at us and it looked like we were fighting, it was that..." Marshall wiped a tear that slowly dripped from his eyes. "It's just... I remember you guys at that part. About how devastated we all were when we heard the news... I also remembered how hard Chase worked for the Paw Patrol. He can't have fun like the rest of us, and he had to work for almost 24 hours." He laid his head to the floor. "I can't imagine the pain he felt... I... I just can't..."

Rocky rubbed Marshall's shoulder softly. "Marshall, just know that all of us are also worried about Chase too. Me, Zuma, Skye, Rubble, all of us do. But now, it's all over. His job is done. Take a rest now." He whispered.

"Please... let him rest... it should be me the one who feels his pain instead..." Marshall bawled.

Hearing Marshall's sobbing noises, Chase woke up.

"Hmmh...?" Chase looked around and realized that he was sleeping on Ryder's chest. "U-uhm... I'm sorry." Chase jumped immediately from the bed, embarrassed.

"That's fine, Chase. You slept well, I see. How long have you not fallen asleep for?" Ryder said jokingly.

"I-is Marshall crying?" Chase looked around and saw his brother crying. He approached him and hugged him immediately. "Marshie, what's wrong, sweetie?"

"E-eh... you're awake..." Marshall sniffed. "How was your sleep? Did you sleep well?"

Chase wiped Marshall's tear and nuzzled his face. "Yep. I'm fine now, thanks for asking."

The others only awed to see what's going on. No one wanted to say a word other than that.

"Chase... rest well..." Marshall fell asleep on Chase's shoulder because of his crying.

"Eh, he has fallen asleep." Chase looked at his friends.

"Um, lemme help you out." Rubble helped Chase lifting Marshall's body to the sofa. They let the Dalmatian sleep there.

"What's with him?" Chase asked.

"He was crying about your condition when Ryder's not in charge," Skye explained. "You two had been crying for a lot of times today."

"Sorry, was I too emotional?" Chase laughed embarrassingly.

"That's fine, Chase. It means that you do cawe about us." Zuma shook his head. "And I'm glad to know that ouw leadew is a weally cawing pewson to his fwiends!" He giggled.

"Aw, Zuma. You're exaggerating." Chase smiled. "You guys also helped me up when things went bad. Thank you so much, you guys are my best family ever." He approached everyone and hugged them one by one.

"It's what family does, right?" Skye hugged Chase back when he hugged her. Ryder only smiled and shook his head.

"Anyway, that means... you guys owe me something."

"What?" Everyone, except Marshall who was still sleeping, asked.

"The show's not over yet," Ryder answered. "If I can get out from the hospital, you have to perform once again."

Everyone looked at each other and smiled. They nodded to Ryder, agreeing on the offer.

"I wanna see your best performance, without any distractions. Ready?" Ryder's question lifted the pups' spirit.

"Yes, we will, Ryder sir!" They answered in unison.