“Chase is on the case!”

“I didn’t always live here in Adventure Bay,” Chase admitted slowly, as if he were ashamed somehow. “I was born in Adventure City. Remember how I told you cities were way bigger than towns like this? Well… Adventure City sure was…”

The pup nodded. “Yeah, I did. The streets were awful. I’m glad you don’t have to live that kind of life.”

Now he was going to have to try and make himself sound… well, not pitiful. He didn’t want that.

“I got adopted by a couple back there when I was little, but… they left me on the sidewalk one day and sped off. The city was huge, and I was tiny. I don’t know how old I was, but I shouldn’t have been alone. No-one should be alone.”

Chase couldn’t yet bring himself to look at Simba, but he continued his story, quickly deciding he’d make it shorter so he wouldn’t have to talk about it anymore. “I’m just lucky Ryder found me and brought me back here, ‘cause otherwise I… don’t know where I’d be.” He tried to smile convincingly enough to look like he hadn’t just shared an early that had left a painful, permanent impression on him.

“It doesn’t bother me as much anymore, to be honest, because now I’m a police pup! The town sees me as a hero… it can be hard to feel like one sometimes, but I really am happy here. We still go to Adventure City every so often, the team and I, and I still get kinda scared,” he admitted, feeling a bit better, somehow.

“I learned a trick, though: whenever you feel scared or stuck, close your eyes for just a minute. Think about what makes you a hero. You gotta push through and keep going, you know? That’s how I was able to save Ryder.”

Following a chuckle, the lion would reply "it is cool," with a smug grin on his muzzle. Then he would give his good friend a high five with a slightly bigger paw. Then his eyes would focus on the rest of the Paw Patrol gang. Letting out hollers of joy as they descended down the slide that wrapped around their headquarters.

"Heheh, I got this." He said while flashing his teeth. Then, Simba would hoot as he jumped down the slide. His tiny body kareening down and blowing his fur back.

The pup watched Simba hop down and begin sliding off, and he laughed at the delighted shout.

Once the cub reached the bottom, he’d find himself taking a second’s worth of time in the air, but dropping into the passenger seat of Chase’s cruiser. It was painted the same as his gear- navy blue- with everything needed for it to be considered a police vehicle… for a young pup.

“OW-OWWWW!!” he howled as he, too, jumped up and slid down; he’d always loved the slide, too! A few moments later, he landed beside Simba.

Make them angry, scare them, or make them sad. Give them a shock or brighten their day. Fluster or frustrate or infuriate, it’s your call. 

—It's unfortunate Jingo is only hearing about this offhandedly NOW, how was he supposed to get the pup a present now?

❝ Chase, you gotta let me know these things ahead of time. ❞ Chase said he forgot, that's fair, but it still put the shiba in a compromising position.

The shiba inu leaned down to Chase's height, squatting, placing one paw on his left knee as he pet the German shepherd on the head gently with his free paw.

“Oh! I…” He paused, blinking. “Honestly? I don’t really need presents from anyone. I’ll accept them if they’re given to me, of course! It’s always appreciated.”

Chase was a little taken aback at the gentle petting on his head, but that didn’t mean he didn’t like it; he wagged his tail and smiled, briefly shutting his eyes.

“Y’know, all I can think of is to have you over at the Lookout with us, if you’re comfortable with it,” he said, scooting closer to put his paw on Jingo’s. “Nobody else will be there but the pups and Ryder, so that means you get to act as much like a dog as you want to!” He chuckled. “If you’re not comfortable, I get it- maybe we can just hang out somewhere for a while? I’m kinda just open for anything, as long as I get to hang out with you, too!”

A gasp so fast it made him clear his throat also had Chase whirling around, every little hair along his spine now standing on end.

“Bella?!” he yelped, his voice breaking in alarm. “Wh-what’re you doing here?! This is the United States! Why aren’t you in Canada with the team??”

The pup tensed upon hearing Billy’s voice; he was a big red and white pitbull- and the band’s leader. An alpha of sorts.

“Chase! C’mon, kid, we’re eatin’ sloppy joes tonight!”

“Oh, um, I’ll be there in a minute, Billy!!” Chase called back, rushing towards Bella to usher her out of sight with him.

“How did you find me?” the shepherd demanded, but his eyes were scared and wide. “I don’t have my pup-tag, so nobody can track me, and-… I-”

He dropped his head with a groan, trying to find his words. “I know, I- I miss you, too, but… I don’t understand! Y-you respect my decision?? I ran away from the Paw Patrol!” He was whisper-yelling and glancing about to make sure nobody heard them. Why and HOW was she going to keep this to herself??

“…just tell me… how you found me. It can’t be an accident, can it?”

Being a perfectionist and always holding himself to high standards, Chase’s head gradually kept telling him to try harder since he’d noticed small slip-ups. To avoid failing, he had tried harder, but-

He opened his eyes, pulling away in surprise. “Um… y-you mean Billy?” he asked, wincing. “He’s too old, Bella. He and Macie-… she’s, uh, another band member… plus, I think they’re dating now. I saw him lick her cheek last night before bed.”

He shook his head, then glanced towards the bus. He didn’t know what to do. Should he bring Bella to have supper with him and the band, or say goodbye…?

“…but like I said, I can’t go back.”

I posted this one earlier on a Discord server but yeah I figured it should come over here too.