The Two Of Us (will be continued)

Chapter 9: All's Well That Ends Well

It was the fourth day of rehearsals and Goodway and Francois were feeling quite stressed since the rest of the cast were not picking up the dance moves.
After hours of practice it still seemed like every step made by every person was incorrect. Goodway felt like a failure watching the dancers in front of her keep making mistakes and apologising to one another.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I step on your foot?"
"Sorry, didn't mean to bump into you."
"Ouch!"
"Oh my! I'm so sorry!"
"No harm done."
"Whoops."
"Whoa!"
"Oh, sorry, Rubble."
"Uh-oh!"
"Ahh! I'm gonna fall!"
"Hey! Watch it!"
"Geez, Chase! I'm sorry!"
It may have been silly in itself but it was hard to watch for Goodway. She almost couldn't bear it.
And she couldn't be a failure.
After banging her head several times on the clipboard in her hands she decided it was time for a break(pretty ironic since she accidentally broke the clipboard when she decided that). She went over to the CD player and stopped the music, causing everyone to come to a hault. Some even fell over.
"Alright, everyone. I think it's time we had a little break." She said.
"Phew!"
"Finally!"
"Alweady? I was having fun." Said Zuma.
"Yeah. Having fun stepping all over my paws." Said Rocky, clearly irritated.
"I was supposed to. It's in the scwipt!" Argued Zuma.
"No it isn't! You're just making that up!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Pups, stop this. It's silly." Reprimanded Ryder.
Rocky and Zuma stuck their tongues out at each other but didn't say any more.
Mayor Goodway pulled up a plastic chair and sat in front of everyone as they sat down on the ground.
"Francois and I feel like the progress on dancing is a little slow."
Humdinger chuckled. "I'll say."
Goodway shot him a glare before continuing. "So we're gonna try something different. Then once we've practiced it enough, we'll resume with the dance we were just doing. Sound good?"
"Yes." They all agreed except Humdinger who just crossed his arms and sat in silence.
"Ok. Let's practice a song to get a break from dancing. Let's see...we'll do.....'The Grand Old Duke Of York.' "
Ryder's ears perked up. " 'The Grand Old Duke Of York?' You mean MY song?"
"Yes, of course. We haven't practiced it yet. And besides, in the acting we're kind of approaching the part where you come on the scene. So it's perfect."
Ryder was about to mentally whine about it in his head, but as he got to really thinking about it a smile crept up on his face.
"Gee, this is my chance to impress Marshall. I'll look like the hero of the play. I'll look grand." He thought. "Ok, let's do it. C'mon, guys. Let's hop to it. This'll be fun." He said with optimism.
Goodway smiled. "That's the spirit, Ryder. Glad to see SOMEBODY'S having fun."
Humdinger rolled his eyes. "That kid's only excited cause he had too much soda at snack time." He muttered under his breath.
"Alright, soldiers and Grand Old Duke. Follow Francois and I to the stage and we'll get you all into position." Said Goodway. "Cap'n Turbot, would you mind bringing the props for this number from one of the boxes backstage? I think it's the pink one. It has the soldier hats that Katie bought at the party store and the hat for the Grand Old Duke. Oh, and please grab the Grand Old Duke's coat even though it's not yet finished. It's red with gold trim."
"No problem, Mayor." Said Cap'n Turbot before dashing towards the backstage area.

As Goodway started speaking to Ryder and the pups, Ryder suddenly felt Somnambulism trying to get to him again. He tried to push it away and just focus on what the mayor was saying but Somnambulism was just too strong.
"Thought I'd watch the show."
"Leave me alone."
"Look, kid. With power sometimes comes boredom. I had nothing better to do."
"Obviously."
"Now don't sass me, boy. YOU obviously didn't have anything better to do considering you're in this pitiful little play."
"I had no choice, alright?"
"By the way, that's a dumb-looking hat you've got on. Your character's got horrible taste."
"It's not MY fault Katie got it at like, litterally the cheapest party store out there and decorated it with cheap embellishments. It might as well be from the dollar store or something Alex made."
"Critical. I like that, kid. It's a good trait. One of these days you'll thank me."
"I'll die before I do that."
"That's a pretty bold statement."
"Believe me, you haven't heard anything yet."
"Hm." Was all Somnambulism said before it slowly faded away.
Ryder breathed a small sigh of relief and went back to focusing on what Mayor Goodway was saying.
"Now all of you wait here and when I give the call, you all come marching out. Ryder, remember you're in front at all times. These are your soldiers so you must lead them. You start singing when I give the hand signal. The Royal Minstrels and I will sing the first part. Here's your script in case you forget the words. It's basically just repeating what WE sing. Got it?"
"Yep." Said Ryder.
The pups nodded as well.
"Ok. When the music starts I'll give the call."
Goodway left them backstage as she headed to the front of the stage to stand beside Al and Raimundo, who were playing the Royal Minstrels.
Since Carlos was playing the Grand Old Duke of York's steed, he couldn't play the music or do sound effects so Jake had to do it for him.
"Alright, Jake! You can start the music!" Called Goodway.
Jake clicked play on the laptop and the music began.
"Enter Grand Old Duke of York and his soldiers!" Called the mayor.
Ryder and the pups came marching out, feeling a little silly at first. Particularly Ryder. He tried to ease himself up as the mayor, Al and Raimundo began to sing.
"🎵Oh the Grand Old Duke of York,
He had ten-thousand men,
He marched them up to the top of the hill and he marched them down again🎵"
Because, the 'hill' was only half-built, the other half was fruit crates piled on each other for now. Ryder, the pups and Carlos felt dumb just walking up and down the hill over and over again, and Ryder honestly thought the whole song itself was stupid. Probably the stupidest in the entire play. But it wasn't like he had a say in anything so on he went, marching his 'soldiers' up and down the hill and feeling ridiculous with every second that went by.
"🎵And when they were up they were up,
And when they were down they were down,
And when they were only halfway up,
They were neither up or down🎵"
Mayor Goodway then gave Ryder the hand signal to start singing.
Ryder smiled and nodded and got into position, standing up straighter and marching center-stage.
"🎵I'm the Grand Old Duke of York,
I have ten-thousand men,
I march them up to the top of the hill and I march them down again🎵
🎵And when we are up we are up,
And when we are down we are down,
And when we are only halfway up,
We are neither up or down🎵
Goodway signaled the pups to start whistling to the tune as Ryder sang once more:
"🎵I'm the Grand Old Duke of York,
I have ten-thousand men,
I march them up to the top of the hill and I march them down again🎵
🎵And when we are up we are up,
And when we are down we are down,
And when we are only halfway up,
We are neither up or down🎵"
After a moment the song ended and Ryder, the pups and Carlos smiled wide and did a pose to wrap it up.
Goodway, Francois, Al and Raimundo clapped.
"That was excellent. Good job, Ryder and pups! You too, Carlos! Fantastic!" Exclaimed Goodway.
"Thank you, Mayor." Said Ryder in his adorable ten-year-old voice before dissapearing backstage with the pups to return their hats to where the costumes and props were while Carlos went to go sit by Jake.
"Nice job." Jake complemented.
Carlos only blushed a little. "It was kinda weird."
"Well, yeah," Jake agreed with a giggle. "But it was still good."
"Thanks."
Meanwhile, Ryder and the pups were still by the costumes, just kind of examining them for fun before they had to get back to work.
"That was the dumbest thing we've rehearsed YET." Said Chase.
"For once, I actually agree with you." Said Ryder.
Rocky laughed. "It WAS pretty strange."
"I mean, obviously they're up when they're up and down when they're down. And obviously when they're not up or down they're not up or down. It's so stupid." Said Ryder.
They all laughed and continued digging around in stuff. That's when Marshall turned around and noticed the shattered mirror, remembering what Chase had said about Ryder apparently punching it due to feeling frustrated with Rubble over something. It made him worry and wonder what was going on in Ryder's head. He never reacted this way to something. Sure, maybe he'd cry or throw a little fit every now and then because he was a kid. But punching a mirror? That didn't sound like Ryder.
"See all that broken glass? Look a little closer and you'll see a reflection of his broken heart, as well as his greatest desire."
There was that strange voice again.
Marshall hadn't heard it in at least a few days. In fact, he almost forgot about it, passing it off as just lack of sleep and energy. But it was so clear now. Clear that there was more to all this.
He shook his head. "No, Marshall. Stop kidding yourself. Please, don't do this." He thought.
"Marshall...." It whispered.
Marshall stood still and quiet, growing just a little paranoid.
"Marshall....."
What did they call it? Audio hallucinations. That was it. That's all it was. Just audio hallucinations. It would pass. It would go away eventually. He just had to wait.
"The only way you'll ever be awake is asleep. Under MY control."
"Marshall, stop." Thought the dalmation.
"Not Marshall. You know it. You're a smart puppy. You know I exist. I'm what's been driving all of you crazy this whole time."
Marshall gulped, shaking his head just a little bit. "..No."
"Listen, doggy. Ryder's an idiot. He's not owner material. I can show you so much more."
"NO." Repeated Marshall more firmly.
Ryder too, sensed Somnambulism coming back. Then he saw Marshall looking focused on nothing again.
"Hey, buddy, you ok?" He asked in concern, walking over to Marshall and bending down before him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"What if the only way I'm awake is when I'm asleep?" He said, talking to Ryder but not looking up at him.
Ryder froze.
Somnambulism. It was trying to take Marshall. It was trying to fool him. To win the poor pup's trust and DESTROY him. Destroy ALL of them.
"Marshall..." Was all Ryder could whisper.
Marshall was silent and still not looking up at his owner.
The pups, who had gotten into some argument, didn't even notice any of it.
"My head hurts." Marshall finally said, quietly.
Ryder gently picked him up and stood up.
"You need some rest. I'm taking you home."
"..But what about rehearsal?"
"Your health is more important. In fact, we're not going home, we're going to the vet. THEN after that we're going home." Said Ryder, in his "I'm in charge and I know best" voice.
"But-"
"No buts, Marshall."
"But Ryder-"
"NO. BUTS."
Marshall gave him a lick on the cheek to soften up his mood, which worked because Ryder smiled and blushed, and hugged the pup in his arms.
"I'm taking you to the vet. It's for your own good."
"Ok."
Ryder carried him out, leaving the pups to their squabble to figure it out on their own.
He walked up to Mayor Goodway and told her he needed to take Marshall to the vet because he wasn't feeling well.
She nodded and seemed very worried.
Ryder then told Jake and Carlos to watch the pups before getting his ATV out of the Paw Patroller and driving off with Marshall still in his arms.
The good thing about this whole ordeal, if any good things, was that he and Marshall could finally be alone. As much as he loved everyone else, though annoying, sometimes he needed to just break away and catch a moment to be with just this particular pup.
Because at the end of the day, there was just something about Marshall.