A/n: I'm gonna be totally honest with you guys, it's been awhile, a long while since I've posted an update to this story- or any story for that instance. Please keep an open mind while I go through and update. Anyways, enough about me. Here we go.
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There was a steady still, a stillness that kept the Shepherd at bay- some how his love for his best friend corrupted his mind, it turned him into the very killer that he hated. It was natural for those of the law to hate killers, what wasn't natural was this sudden turn. The turn that caused him to lose his mind.

Meanwhile:

As if a trance, the injured shepherd was standing over me- I couldn't get much bearing to my surroundings before I heard his familiar voice. That same voice that kept me smiling, that melted my heart- I knew chase was the one for me. Regardless on any short comings on his end.

"Hey you, marsh? Are you okay- you fainted.." the police pup stammered with a real sincere tone in his voice. His own injuries on pause as he was genuinely worried for his mate.

The fire pup was quick to his feet, he stood up as he noticed some red haze in chases eyes- something was a miss with his best friend, this will cause him to tilt his head. Before carefully treading through the words that he would use to talk to his friend.

"Say, is there something wrong Chase? There's just something a miss.." as Marshall said this there would be a sudden response from Chase, Marshall's suspicions were right- there was something different. This wasn't the same Chase, but a new one this made Marshall quite sad.

"Now wait! I'm still the old me- just a bit better now, I'm no longer that scared pup that was worried about confessing his love to you. I'm now a killer, the very thing I'm supposed to protect everyone against." As Chase would finish with his rambling, he would notice Marshall with his paws over his eyes, this would make him stop and sit down next to Marshall.

Marshall slowly turned to look at Chase, his fear was showing to the injured shepherd- Chase shivered as there was dried blood on his muzzle. The shepherds paws were stained a crimson red from his own blood? Certainly that was the shepherds own blood- right? Chase looked into Marshall's frantic eyes and cleared his throat before coughing- the Dalmatian finally spoke after what seemed like an eternity of the two just staring at each other.

"Y-You killed Ryder didn't you? T-That's why Ryder isn't around anymore, that's why rocky came out of the lookout screaming his head off.. h-how are we supposed to move forward as a team if you killed our leader?!" Clearly his voice was quivering and he was distressed.

The shepherd nodded softly as his blood shot eyes looked down at his paws and then back at the Dalmatian as he smiled softly. The shepherds senses clearly a mess as this situation brought some entertainment to the messed up mind of that pup. He finally speaks directly to the Dalmatian his gaze locked into his mates own gaze.

"Remember, I'm second in command. I'll take over, just remember I've got the team." Said Killer Chase, he grinned and nudged Marshall who was clearly sad, the Dalmatian sniffled a lil as he looked up at chase with a few tears in his eyes.

Chases inner thoughts:
-No you don't, you ain't got what it takes you useless mutt.. you barely had it in you to confess your love, what makes you worthy after you killed your master, your leader and handler, to run his team?

"I..I don't got it.." he muttered out, this gave Marshall a reason to scowl. This didn't seem like the level of confidence his new found leader should have, in fact this gave Marshall reason to doubt. After all this was all still new to the dalmation.

although Marshall was sad, with the loss of his dearest friends sanity, he knew that at least for now he'd have to play into the shepherds darkest fantesy. A dark reality in where Chase killed Ryder their beloved leader just to have a prime spot to take over and rule over the entire paw patrol.

Marshall would just reassure Chase "listen, you do have this.. you're a natural born leader, and now my mate- now do you want help assembling the team?- I could call them through their pup tags using the main computer.."

Killer Chase stood up and looked over at Marshall and chuckled a deep laugh, somehow the passing of their beloved leader was quite funny and amusing to the shepherd. He begins to walk into the elevator, the saddened Dalmatian followed his new mate and nuzzled into his side as if nothing was wrong.

The doors shut and they ride the elevator up to the top floor, the doors open up and Chase was slow to emerge from the elevator as Marshall ran to the main computer and pushed the call button as he speaks into the microphone-

"Pups, this is Marshall- I need every pup to report to the lookout for an emergency meeting. You have 10 minutes to report. Again emergency meeting at the lookout. Marshall out.." said the Dalmatian as the call signal goes out to all the remaining pups.

Meanwhile:

Rocky gets the call on his pup tag, and begins to cry some more knowing actually what this meeting was about. He sniffled and sighed to himself as he looked in the mirror. "Come on Rocky, just pull yourself together- accidents happen all the time surely this was just an accident right?" He said as he reassured himself- the mixed breed stood up tall and walked out only walking to the elevator as he tried to keep his emotions in check.

The mixed breed joins Skye, Zuma, Rubble who were all murmuring to themselves- clearly something was up to have an emergency meeting- they all look amongst themselves and Rubble speaks up
"Where's Chase?-" the pup asked and Skye being a little short tempered answered quickly "I'm sure Chase is with Marshall, after all Marshall was the one to call us"
Zuma looks at them and asks the breaking question, the chocolate lab whined as he spoke "Then how come Ryder didn't call this meeting?"

It was at this moment the doors shut and the elevator begins to lift the four pups to the top floor where the elevator stops and they see Marshall talking to Chase as the elevator opens the pups get into formation minus Marshall and Chase who were standing in front of the four pups. A few seconds of awkward silence goes before Marshall cleared his throat and began to speak, Chase sat down and let the fire pup speak for him at least for now.

"Well I guess you guys are wondering why I called this emergency meeting, I'm also guessing you pups are wondering where our leader is- now both go hand and paw." A brief pause before the Dalmatian spoke again "Now I need you guys to listen as what I've got to say is a bit difficult. Ryder- Ryder is gone-"

Skye looked down at her paws, and let out a oft whimper, at this point Rubble blurts out "W-wait, what do you mean g-gone?.." Marshall cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak before being interrupted by Chase who stood up and spoke in the clearest but least emotional voice ever.

"Ryder's dead, he died in a car accident last night." The blood soaked shepherd said in a very cold tone, really Chases demeanor caused a few of the pups- Zuma and Rubble to whimper as Skye shook and hung her head as she felt sorrow for the loss of her leader. The shepherd spoke again-. "Now that means I'm in charge now, at least until we can figure out a new normal for the Paw Patrol. If you have any questions Marshall will be able to answer them." Their new leader spoke and began to walk past them and straight into the elevator as he turned around and sat down- the doors shut and the elevator travels down with Chase leaving Marshall to stand nervously in front of the frantic pups. The Dalmatian cleared his throat and stood up straight.

"Okay, I've already spoke with Katie and Mr. Porter, they're both going to stop by later today to speak with me and Chase-" the depressed Dalmatian said with a kinda harsh tone he turned around and pressed the button on the main computer- the screen lifts and he turns back again to walk up to the pups

"Any questions guys?" He asked as Zuma shook his head and spoke up to the Dalmatian "y-yeah what exactly happened-" the lab asked Marshall and he looked back at Zuma and thought for a moment as he knew exactly what happened between Chase and Ryder and although the accident seemed innocent enough Marshall knew deep down that it was not innocent- Chase definitely had something more to do with Ryders death but after what felt like forever the Dalmatian finally spoke to Zuma while glancing over the rest of the team.

"Well from my understanding- Ryder and Chase were on a late night drive, Ryder was driving through Adventure Bay and at the intersection of Ray and Robert. A drunk driver came flying down the hill on Ray and slammed into the drivers side striking Ryder pretty much head on. It's under investigation, Chase was seriously injured but he checked himself out of the hospital early to make sure the team was alright."

Hearing this almost brought ease to the team, but then Rocky looked up and cleared his throat as if he had something to say, he looks at Marshall who was standing in front of his fellow team mates.

"So it was a drunk driver? Did he make it? And what about Chase? Don't you think he should go back to the hospital?" Rocky asked these questions as Marshall thought for a moment before answering the last question about Chase. "Yes, I told Chase to clean up and I'll be taking him back to the hospital whether he likes it or not. Plus I've reassured Chase that I'll look after the team while he's in treatment." There was a pause and Rocky being more calm and collected now asked again. "So what about the drunk driver?" Marshall answered rather short and quick. "He's in intensive care and the police department as assured me and especially Chase that he'll be facing criminal charges for the gross negligence and misconduct of this accident"

Hearing that Rocky seemed more at ease as he sat back down, Rubble and Zuma looked at Marshall both seeming to accept this grave news of their leader. Skye was rather quiet and fought back a few tears, but she also seemed rather content. Marshall goes back to the computer and pulls up a list of tasks and he turns around and begins to speak again.

"Alright who wants to help me plan out a slide show of great memories with Ryder?" Marshall said as he looked out towards his friends, Rocky yips and stands up "M-me I'll help you Marshall, plus I'm really good at slide shows." The Eco pup said as he looked up towards Marshall. "Alright, me and Rocky will do the slide show. Who wants to arrange the flowers and speech for the funeral?" Skye stood up and barked softly "I'll do it Marsh!" Skye said as she sat back down and looked over at Rocky who was staring towards her already their eyes meet and something seems off about the Eco pup. Skye knew as soon as the meeting was over she was gonna have to talk with Rocky as his demeanor seemed off and it looked like he had been crying for awhile.

Skye knew that she had to get Rocky alone to talk to him so she thought for a moment and yipped to herself she had the perfect thing she needed to ask Rocky alone, she walked up to the Eco Pup and nudged his side as she began to speak before Rocky had much of a chance to greet her "So Rocky, I need you to meet me in the basement in 15 minutes- this is urgent alright?" She said to him and Rocky nodded and sniffled softly as he was still kinda upset from the news of their leader being gone forever. Skye walks to the elevator and it closes the doors as she took it to the basement, the darkness opens up as the doors opened she barks and the lights turn on revealing a dusty living room with an old TV and the the basement computer which was rarely used. Skye walks in and powers on the computer as it begins to boot up the screen turns on with the paw logo before the profiles of each pup pops up and Skye clicks on her profile the system logs in.

Meanwhile:

Rocky walked up to Marshall and cleared his throat to get the Dallys attention as Marshall looked up and greeted Rocky "Hey, I have a few ideas for the slide show-" Rocky pauses and then speaks up almost interrupting his fellow teammate "I'd love to hear it but I've gotta go do something quick, I'll be back in an hour and we can discuss this further.." the Eco Pup said as he turned around and ran for the elevator which opened its doors as he got in and took it to the basement leaving the Dalmatian there. "Huh, alright I'll just start the slide show and get his input later.."

Rubble and Zuma both left shortly after to do their assigned tasks, leaving Marshall up in the meeting room by himself.

Chases POV:

The police pup walked back into urgent care as he checked himself back to the hospital, this time he'll be staying until discharged and medically clear. Chase grunted and laid on the bed as the doctors put in an IV of fluids and some pain killers to ease the shepherds pain. The nurse walks in and looks at the Charts for the shepherd and his injuries were very serious he was gonna need surgery as the internal bleeding was threatening his life. "So nurse is it bad?" The shepherd chuckled nervously as the nurse turns around and shakes her head "Well you've got major internal bleeding right now and it's a miracle you're even alive, surprised you were able to walk in." She said as she checked the fluids on his IV "So Chase what happened?" She asked as she administered some more pain meds.

"Well- it all started as a routine late night drive with my leader, we were driving on Robert street M-my L-leader Ryder continued straight as we had a green light and BAM! suddenly the truck is spinning the air bags deployed and well- Ryder was limp and the rest is real-"

It's your fault you stupid mutt, you're the reason why your leader is no longer on this earth, ahhh hahaha! You're a killer Chase quit pretending to be the hero you're now under my control- you're killer Chase remember I'm the reason why you have that Dally. I'm your real desire now Chase, just give in just allow me to be in charge hahah!!

Chase stared off his sentence cut off as the nurse noticed, his vitals begin to drop heart rate now 76... 57...44 beats a minute his blood pressure dropping as well soon the machine begins to flatline "Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep" the nurse calls a Code Blue the doctor rushes in as he begins to wheel the bed out and into the emergency surgery center.

Yessssss- Chase just give in- you're so close you know this is fate, you worthless mutt you're at my mercy aren't you? I guess I could just end it now but where's the fun in that bud? You've got your wish you're the leader now just accept me and you'll be saved reach out come on now pup just accept your fate..

The doctors use the paddles as they charge them "clear!!!" The doctor says as he rubs the paddles together before reaching down and zapping the pup on the chest- "clearrrrr!" The doctor charges the paddles again before zapping the pup again as his body convulses with the zap! "Cle...." The machine beeps, and then beeps again as his heart rate increased from 44...57...68...75 beats per minute. His blood pressure increases slowly but is still low. "alright! Now team let's stop this internal bleeding and stabilize this patient!"

While the police pup was saved by medical professionals, inside deep within his mind he was fighting his own battle- it seems that his mental health was in a very critical stage. This once tough police pup now had his own internal struggle, and it's only just beginning.

Nevertheless outside- far enough away the team while Chase struggled to keep his sanity in check the rest of the team were doing their designated tasks for Ryders funeral. All except two pups Skye and Rocky, the elevator doors open as Rocky walks through them and he sees Skye at the basement computer she was looking up some of the towns traffic cameras as she sighed. Rocky walks up along side and tilts his head his female team mate was clearly upset.

"Hey, what's the matter- and you wanted to speak to me?" The Eco pup asked as looked at Skye, she took a second to breathe before finally speaking up as she looked up at Rocky. "Yes, you look like a mess- sorry that sounded rude. You look like you've been crying awhile" Rocky nods and sat down "yes, I have been. I was watching the traffic cams late at night. Just something I do from boredom, and I noticed Ryders Truck so I decided to follow him across to-." Skye interrupted Rocky "wait you have access to the traffic cameras?" He nods "yes I do, is that what you were trying to access?" She yips and nods "yes, I was trying to see if there was more to what happened with Ryder and Chase" she said as Rocky spoke up "well they did crash but I left before I could see anything else.." Skye nods and logs out and clicks on Rocky's profile "sign in and show me?" she asked softly knowing that this was a sensitive topic for her fellow teammate. Rocky signs in and logs into the traffic cam program, he then goes to history and then selects last night at 11:45pm as the camera footage from last night pulls up and you can see Ryders truck crossing the bridge. "I know Ryder and Chase go on their late night drives every night, but I had been watching these cameras since about 10pm"

On the screen Ryders truck was seen driving through Adventure Bay, along the Main Street before turning off to go onto some secondary streets where the cameras lose the truck until the intersection of Ray and Robert catches them at the stop light. The truck stayed there waiting for the green light as it turned green Ryder must've hesitated for a few moments before finally turning, then from Ray at a high rate of speed a darkish color ford was seen speeding through a red light striking Ryders pick up truck right on the drivers side. Both vehicles spin as debris from the car exploded everywhere and the truck spun into a light pole, smoke and fluids from the car leak all over the intersection as the car lights on fire.

Both pups stare at the screen as the car was in flames the smoke flying past the camera as Ryders truck seemed still- no life but from the distance you could see some movement in the truck but not anything to make out who or what was moving inside.

"Wait what's moving in the truck?" Skye asked Rocky as Rocky shook his head he held back his tears before he gasps and logs in under Ryders account "now don't ask me how I know his password but this is important. Ryder was very smart and he installed a Dash camera when he first got the truck. In fact I'm the one who helped him set it up. Yes he has the app on the computer, this dash cam will show what happened inside the truck"

"Wait so we'll have a first hand account of Ryders passing?" Skye asked as Rocky typed in the information and logs into the dash cam app "ha- here's the recording from last night!" It was a twenty five minute recording. The thumbnail is of open road with a separate thumbnail of inside the truck. Rocky clicks on the video and it opens up the front view of the road and the hood of the pickup truck. "Hm, the inside view must be a separate video- okay" the eco pup said as the video plays in the background it's Ryder talking to Chase, and Chase talking back in his normal toned voice.

"So Chase." Ryder says to the police pup "yes Ryder sir?" Chase replies "have you given much thought about being the leader?" Ryder asked the pup and there was an awkward silence before Chase broke the silence "yes, but only if you're leaving me in charge." He said as Ryder begins to talk again. "Well....of course! At least for me and Katie's vacation, it's a couple weeks from now. It's in November...5th through the 12th, we'll be back that Sunday after."

The video pauses and Rocky switches over from the outward view to the inside view as it has both Ryder and Chase Sitting buckled up in their seatbelts- Rocky plays the inside view right where they left off. "Yes Ryder Sir, I'm going to make sure the team is running smoothly." Ryder turns onto the side streets where the traffic cameras lose them. "So got any crushes Chase?" Ryder asked as he was trying to loosen up the conversation. "Like crushes on my fellow team mates?" The pup asked as he seemed kinda nervous, Ryder begins to pull up to the stop light intersection of Ray and Robert. He turns the signal on. "Well yes certainly you've got a crush don't ya?" Ryder said jokingly giving Chase a playful nudge, Chase yips and stutters on his words "w-well I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time and well I'm not sure how, t-to s-say this, I'm into...." Chase pauses as Ryder makes that faithful turn before there's loud squealing of tires and a SMASH! Ryders and Chases air bags go off as Ryder and Chase spin around and slam into that light pole. Smoke fills the cabin of the truck from the engine, the image turns grainy and fuzzy as the impact messed with the cameras sensor.

Rocky pauses the video and looks at Skye "think this'll prove something?" He said to Skye before she spoke up. "Yes, clearly Chase wasn't okay.. at least physically." Rocky shook his head and pressed play as the video skips and cuts out for a moment before the inside light came up there was some groaning, presumably from Ryder as then suddenly the groaning stops and there's an image of Chase standing on Ryder. He turns to the camera and suddenly the video goes black and the recording stops.

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A/n: this update as been a long time in the making. I hope it was worth the wait. Hopefully, I'll be updating more often. Maybe on a semi weekly basis. It was wonderful writing this, I hope yall enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
For now this is,
-Chasethepup
4:21pm
2/3/2024