The Two Of Us (will be continued)

Chapter 4: An Oath

Ryder got up in the morning to check on the pups with the same fear he had been carrying many mornings prior: that Marshall wouldn't be there.
He left his bedroom and went down to the observatory in the Lookout, where all eight pups were huddled together on their puppy pillows, sleeping soundly. Marshall was snuggled next to Everest, who had a protective arm wrapped around him to keep him from wandering off. Ryder sighed in relief and smiled at the two before going over to wake them up along with the others. They were to meet Mayor Goodway at the sports field today. Ryder wondered what news she had in store. It was this curiosity within him that made him feel like what he was: a kid.
And for that he was thankful.

The Paw Patroller swerved on the race track a little before coming to a complete hault. The pups poured out of it, apparently in the middle of some dumb argument from what Goodway could hear. Marshall was the last pup out and he rolled down the ramp, landing on the grass with a thud.
"Ow." He mumbled, sleepily.
Ryder giggled and picked up the pup to carry him. Jake and Carlos soon followed and the group made their way to the mayor, who waved at them. They could see that the stage they used for events was set up. Their friends, the Porters, Turbots, Farmer Yumi and Farmer Al, Katie and Cali, and Raimundo the ringmaster were sitting on some plastic chairs in front of the stage. The mayor's niece and nephew, twins Julius and Justina Goodway, were there too.
"I wonder what's going on." Said Carlos.
"Looks fun." Said Skye.
"You ALWAYS say that about whatever Goodway's planning." Said Rubble.
"Says the pup who's ALWAYS hungry." Skye shot back.
"Oh, shut up."
"You shut up!"
"Alright, that'll be quite enough." Reprimanded Ryder.
Skye and Rubble stuck their tongues out at each other before continuing to walk. They all approached the mayor and Ryder greeted her.
"Good morning, Mayor. Lovely day, isn't it?"
"Good morning, Ryder. And yes, of course. It's always a lovely day in Adventure Bay."
"Sure is." Muttered Chase, sarcastically.
"Of COURSE it is." Said Ryder, turning around in a flash and giving him a look. He turned back to the mayor and cleared his throat. "So what was it you wanted to tell us?"
"Once you're all seated with the others I'll explain. I think you're going to find this news very appealing."
"I should think so as well. C'mon, pups. Jake, Carlos. Let's sit down."
Skye and Rubble nudged each other and then began to fight over a seat.
"But I was here first!" Pouted Skye.
"Nuh-uh! I was!" Rubble whined.
"You're embarrassing me in front of Mayor Goodway!" Whisper-shouted Skye.
"Shh, settle down!" Whispered Ryder, trying to calm them.
The two pups settled on sharing the seat and Goodway watched from up on the stage. "Um, hello everyone. I'd like to thank you all for coming. As you know, I have excellent news regarding the party. I think you'll all be very thrilled." She said, clearly getting excited.
"Well don't leave us on the edge of our seats, Mayor. Let's hear it." Said Cap'n Turbot with a smile.
"Yeah." Said Zuma.
"I wanted to announce that there is not only going to be a Valentine's Day party, but there is also going to be a Valentine's Day musical! And you're all going to be in it!"
Everyone cheered or gasped happily. Skye and Rubble even looked at each other in excitement.
"Hooray!" Shouted Ryder.
"A musical!" Shouted Justina.
"Oh boy, I can't wait!" Shouted Rocky.
"This'll be spectacular!" Shouted Cap'n Turbot.
"YAY!" Shouted Alex.
Marshall snorted awake. "Huh? What's going on?"
Ryder giggled and gave his pup a scratch on the head.
"Oh, Marshall, you woke up just in time to hear the news! We're putting on a Valentine's Day musical for the party! Everyone here will participate!" Exclaimed Mayor Goodway, excitedly.
"That's nice." Said Marshall with a yawn. He rubbed at his eyes with his paw.
"Valentine's Day musical, huh? Sounds quite cheesy yet intriguing at the same time. Wouldn't mind participating myself." Said none other than Foggy Bottom's Mayor Humdinger, who appeared from behind a bush and walked over to the big group, twisting his mustache as he spoke.
"What are YOU doing here?!" Shouted Mayor Goodway.
"That's what I'D like to know." Said Ryder, glaring at Humdinger, making his displeasure known.
"I was..uh, taking a walk when I overheard. Coincidence, right? Anyhow, this musical will certainly showcase my hidden talents. When do we start?" He asked in his usual mischievous voice.
Goodway scoffed. "What makes you think I'm going to let you act in MY musical?!"
"YOUR musical?"
"Indeed. I wrote it myself." Goodway stated, proudly. "And only ADVENTURE BAY RESIDENTS OR ALLIES can be in it."
"Aren't I an ally?! This is discrimination!" Shouted Humdinger in defense.
Ryder stood up from his seat, still holding Marshall. "Ally? Ally?! Mayor Humdinger, if I may correct you, I think the word you are trying to use is 'adversary!' "
Humdinger seemed somewhat speechless for a moment before he let out a fake chuckle, trying his best to make it look real.
"(Chuckle) Oh, Ryder. You're too funny, kid. Shows you have the skills for acting. I happen to as well, if you all haven't noticed."
Rocky rolled his eyes. "Yeah, what have we NOT noticed about you."
"I think that this musical will be even better with ME in it. I'd have quite a few surprises in store."
"I'm sure you would." Said Farmer Yumi with her arms crossed.
"In fact, I think I could even become a star. So you can't just decide I can't be in your show without even considering it!"
"Oh what's there to consider?!" Asked Goodway.
"Consider this: Adventure Bay is built on the idea that EVERYONE is friends, and EVERYONE must be treated with kindness and fairness. So it wouldn't be fair for you to just coldly dismiss my offer of participation. Aren't I a person too? Aren't I worthy of some respect? Whatever respect is left over?"
Everyone turned and looked at each other. They didn't want Humdinger to be in the show. He'd try to ruin it. But then again, what he said about the foundation of Adventure Bay and their beliefs on friendship and empathy were correct. Goodway stood still on the stage, not sure what to do or say.
Humdinger smirked. "And you wouldn't want to teach your little niece and nephew a bad lesson, would you?" He asked, patting Julius and Justina on their heads just a little too hard.
The twins crossed their arms and glared up at him.
Goodway was silent.
"Think of all these youngsters. Think of your role in their lives. The values you're implanting into them."
Goodway thought for a second, biting her lip, before sighing heavily. "Oh, ALRIGHT. You can be in the musical." She said, coming down from the stage in defeat.
"Whoopee!" Shouted Humdinger with cheer.
Goodway pointed at him violently. "But you HAVE to promise you will NOT do anything to screw this up! It's no secret that you have quite a reputation for always trying to spoil whatever we do here in Adventure Bay!"
Humdinger tried as best as he could to look innocent. "Pfft, what?! I don't-"
"SWEAR you won't cause trouble! And if you should not live by your oath, trust me, things WILL get UGLY." Threatened Goodway.
Mayor Humdinger was about to protest when he saw all the glaring faces of the people and pups in the background. Putting one hand up and one on his hips while avoiding Goodway's harsh stare, he sighed.
"I, Mayor Humdinger, do solemnly swear, not to tamper around with anything or cause trouble. Heaven help me."
Goodway was still standing right in front of him, looking angry and not moving an inch.
"Um...amen?"
"(Sigh) Whatever. Just sit down." She ordered.
Humdinger scowled at her before taking a seat, hands in his pockets and trying to avoid everyone else's gaze. Meanwhile, Goodway went back up on stage.
Mr. Porter cleared his throat to rid of the awkward silence. "So Mayor, what is this musical about?"
Goodway smiled. "It's about royals."
To her surprise, most of the group groaned. Humdinger said, "Lame."
"What's the matter? I thought you'd all like that." Said Goodway, now frowning.
Ryder tried to speak. "It's not that we don't like the idea, but-"
"C'mon! Every play we do is always about princesses, kings, witches and dragons! For once can't do something different?" Whined Chase.
"Yeah, we already did 'Sleeping Beauty,' and 'King Arthur' which was luckily a bigger success." Said Rubble.
"It WOULD be nice to do something different." Said Jake.
Everyone else nodded and voiced their agreement.
Goodway was getting anxious. It was bad enough that Humdinger was here. He smirked at her and she gave him a challenging look before clapping to get the others' attention.
"Alright, alright. Listen up. Give this show a chance." She pleaded.
"And ME." Said Humdinger.
"I promise you all that this show, even if it's like the others in the sense that it centers on royals, will be much better and more exciting. For one thing it's a musical so it will have songs in it and be longer. And there will be a bigger cast of characters. Trust me, it'll be a sensation! I know it!"
"Well, if you say so." Said Everest.
"Now I'm going to pass out some papers I have here. They'll explain everything. From the plot to the characters."