``I'm gone...It's over...Ryder, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma..."

Chase dwelled on those thoughts as he plummeted down, Feeling the cold sir swoosh through his fur. His front paws clung onto the jungle pup. Holding him close to his chest.

``Tracker...''

He braced for the inevitable.

``Marshall...I'm sorry.''

Strangely, He felt their fall come to sudden halt. Their bodies swung abruptly to one side of the rock wall, Slamming Chases shoulder into it. The pup yelped in pain but never let go of his grip on Tracker. He would never forgive himself if he hurt his friend further. Chase kept his eyes shut, bracing for whatever would come next, but nothing ever did. Their momentum had wind down and he felt their bodies swing slowly. The police pup opened his eyes, ready to observe their situation. The world spun around him, realizing he was looking at everything upside down. Craning his neck up, he could see the snow-covered floor below, Both boys less than a few feet from the ground. Chase looked down, or in this case, up and noticed what had caught their fall. Caught on a portion of the rock wall, was one of Trackers frayed cables. Despite their damage, it gave them just enough support to stop their decent. Suspending them in the air. A very close call, one they might have not survived if it wasn't for Tracker. A dull sense of relief came to the shepherd but only for a moment. Chase realized that despite all the commotion, the jungle pup was not responsive. His head buried in his chest and ears lowered. Not twitching or flitching at all.

``Tracker! Tracker! Are you alright?''

No response. He tried looking at his him for any sign of injury, but it was hard to tell from the awkward position they were in.

``Hang on, I'll get us down! Somehow...''

The police pup looked up at the solid ground. He had taken quite a slam into the wall when they fell, He hoped his pup pack still worked.

``Maybe I could...Ruff Ruff! Net!''

On que, Chase's pup packed activated, firing a net straight down and planted right underneath the pair.

``Least we will have a comfortable fall. Now we just need to get down.''

Chase first tried to swing them off the wall, but he could not get enough momentum. It didn't help that every time he moved, his shoulder throbbed.

``I wonder''

The pup carefully maneuvered one of his paws against Trackers pack. Careful as to not let his grip go on the jungle pup. He let it glide under the space between the pack and Tracker vest. Ryder had advised the pups on how to disengage the pup pack off their bodies. They could bark and tell it to disengage but, in the event, they couldn't voice a command, there was a manual way to do it.

``It should be just about...here!''

Chase felt a small switch between his digits. He looked down one more time, ensuring his net would catch them with no issue before he decided on their next move. Taking a breath and closing his eyes tight, Chase flicked it. The pup heard the pack unhook and braced for the net as they both fell downwards. Sending butterflies up his belly.

The net had sprung them up a few inches in the air as they hit it, but they were safe. As they settled on the net, the pup let his grip go and jumped onto the snowy floor, surveying his surroundings. Most of the ground was buried under mounds of powder. He felt himself practically sink into it. Chase turned back to his friend. Pulling the hat off his head, He looked and observed every part of his face and jaw but couldn't make out any sort of injury or sprain. At least he was breathing.

``Tracker! Tracker! We're ok, please open your eyes.''

Again, no response from the pup. Chase reached for his pup tag, realizing that it wasn't attached to his collar. It must have fallen off when they hit the wall. Chase felt more snow continue to fall against his ears. Looking up, he saw how far they had fallen. It looked to have been more than a few stories up.  Could Tracker have passed out from shock of falling? He was making assumptions. If only Marshall was here. He'd be able to analyze Tracker right away.

``Marshall...''

Chase didn't want to dwell on that right now. He knew he had to get them both somewhere dry and out of the cold. The pup continued to scan the environment. There wasn't any sort of cave or large crevasse they could sit in. However, Chase began to pick up a familiar smell. He could recognize that scent anywhere. It smelled like Marshall. The police pup pressed his nose to the ground, Following the scent to its location. There, half buried in the snow, was Marshall's pup house. Last he saw it was when it had plummeted down the gorge, now it sat here. Broken metal and paneling came off it. It was on its side with half of the entrance blocked with snow.  He remembered Ryder telling them in the event their vehicles were to suffer catastrophic damage, it would immediately switch into their pup house as a failsafe. It looked worse for wear, but it was their best chance to stay warm. Without hesitation, Chase began to dig out snow from the entrance. Ignoring the searing pain in shoulder to do what he must. After digging out most of it. Chase quickly raced back and pulled Tracker from the net and on to his back. Carrying the unconscious boy to the sideways structure. Getting as far back into it as he could into it. After setting Tracker down, He began to rummage through the home. Being one to sleep in this home often with the Dalmatian, Chase knew Marshall had a few accessories on hand that could help them out. Long as they weren't damaged or lost in the fall. He managed to pull out a fire blanket from one side of the interior. Not in great condition, but it would do. He found a first aid kit but most of its contents had spilled out. Chase had hoped there'd be smelling salts or something to aid with whatever condition Tracker was in. He grabbed whatever he could and walked back next to the pup. Draping the fire blanket over him before slipping under it himself. He leaned into Trackers neck, Glad to see his tag still on his collar. He quickly pressed it, hoping to reach someone, anyone.

``Ryder! Marshall! Can any pup hear me?! This is Chase!''

Static blared from the tag, but Chase continued.

``I'm ok! but Tracker isn't responding! We need immediate help! Over!''

Still no response, Chase felt his voice begin to break. Struggling to keep his composure.

``Were in Marshall's pup house, we'll stay put! Repeat, we're staying put in Marshall's pup house!''

 He felt himself tense up at every click and sound that came from the tag. Hoping he'd be able to make out a word from all the noise. Hoping he'd hear from his boyfriend one last time. He thought back to the last thing he had done in front of him.

``Marshall...If you can hear me...I'm ok! Tracker is too...and ...Im sorr...''

REEEEEEE!!!

The tag hissed an ear-piercing noise. Chase fell back and covered his ears. The noise stopped and the tag clicked off. Chase felt relieved but sat slumped against the interior of the pup house. Their situation was dire, and he was unsure if anyone had heard the call he made. Chase feared that he wouldn't be able to do much to remedy anything. Not just with their current predicament but with how he had snapped earlier. Would any pup be able to look at him the same way again? Let alone his boyfriend?  

``What do I do...What can I do?''

He felt a few tears begin to streak his eyes, only to notice the faint twitch of one of Trackers ear.

``Tracker! Tracker!''

He slumped over to the pup. Listening to him breath softly. Taking note of how calm his face looked. Compared to how frightened he looked before the fall. How scared he was of him. Chase bit his lips and leaned further into the pup. He knew what he did was wrong, very wrong. Tracker didn't deserve to be yelled at like that, no pup did. He couldn't fix anything with Marshall currently, but if anyone deserved an apology right now, it was him.

``Tracker...I'm sorry...Tracker I'm so sorry. You didn't do anything wrong...I was just...''

The police pup stuttered and tried keep his words concise. Even as tears began to fall.

``I thought you were going to take Marshall away from me. I know it makes no sense! You're my friend! Marshall's friend! I know in my heart you would never do something like that...but you both have been so close lately. Even before me and Marshall were together, y'all we're already good friends...I worried that if there was even a slight chance, you'd...''

Chase pressed his head into the jungle pup.

``Zuma and Rocky were right. I'm an irrational, jealous pup. I made things worse, I yelled at you, scared you and Marshall. I don't think any of our relationships will ever be the same...but I'll do whatever I have to make it right.''

Chase quietly cried against his friend.

``I'm sorry Tracker...I'm so sorry. I'm a jealous pup...I'm...I'm a bad dog.''

``No.... No eres malo.''

The shepherd jumped at the soft voice. Chase backed up and watched as Tracker slowly raised his head. Flicking his ears a few times before turning to his friend.

``You're not a bad dog Chase, I never want to hear you call yourself that.''

``Tracker!''

Chase couldn't help but quickly hug the boy, even as his shoulder continued to throb.

``Are you ok? Does anything hurt?''

!No hay problema! Oye, esta bien. At least I think I am.''

He stood up for a moment to stretch and check himself, Not feeling anything out of the ordinary before laying back down.

``I don't remember us hitting the ground. ``

``I think you might have passed out.''

``Sounds right, I'm used to heights and all, but that fall was just... Oy-oy-oy!''

``Yeah, I already radioed for help, but I'm not sure if anyone could hear me.''

``That's concerning. Relativo. Wait, is this Marshalls Pup house?''

Tracker took note of the bent walls and familiar scent of the dalmatian.

``Yup yup, it had survived the fall. Well mostly.''

``Least we have somewhere safe to wait for the time being.''

``Yeah...''

A dull silence hung around them as they reflected on the event that occurred before the fall. Both pups were unsure as to who would speak first.

``So, I take you heard what I said?''

``Si...I heard.''

``Tracker, I'm so sorry...''

``Disculpa aceptada. Esta bien!''

Chase tilted his head in bewilderment, Looking at him in disbelief.

``Just like that?''

``Just like that!''

``But how?...why?...I made you cry...''

``Almost! Almost made me cry...It did scare me.''

Tracker kept his eyes on the ground, Chase felt a whine escape his throat. He couldn't help himself. Even if Tracker said he forgave him, he couldn't just easily forgive himself. The chihuahua picked up on this.

``You really thought that I might possibly sway Marshall away from you?''

``Yeah...I know...it's stupid.''

``Not exactly.''

``What do you mean?''

``Marshall told you about that night I was saved from the bay, Prior to you two being together?''

``Yeah, he said that you had cuddled and slept next to one another.''

``Mmmm yeah. After that night, I did start to have a crush on him....''

Tracker tensed up, afraid that Chase might react badly. The police pup kept his cool, determined not to repeat his actions before. Tracker continued.

``Of course, it was only a small one! Pequeno! I never tried to pursue it. I had thought about letting Marshall know how I felt about him at one point but by then you and him had begun dating.''

Trackers ears flatten.

``Sometimes it's tough being so far away from other pups, I won't lie when I say I might have tried to ask Marshall out if we lived closer, but I missed that opportunity. I would never do anything to come between you and him now.''

Chase smiled at his friend's honesty.

``I know you wouldn't Tracker. Marshall has this way of getting pups to fall for him. Not that he means to have that happen.''

``It's hard not too with how sweet he is.''

``Yeah...Heck, Everest had a similar thing for him too.''

``He mentioned that. We're you jealous of her too?''

Chase hesitated for a sec; He remembered that situation all too well.

``Ehhh sort of...not really.'' He admitted. ``In all honesty, it was quite a night, she had brought him to this cave and...''

(https://inkbunny.net/s/3135710)


Chase had told Tracker the entire story of that night. How Everest had confessed to the black spotted boy. How she had run from him afterwards. The jungle pup listened intently, Time seeming to fly by as he was engrossed by what transpired. Even till the very end.

``Que paso despues? What happened next?''

``Well, after that, She and Marshall talked it out and everything was fine. There was no awkwardness between them or anything like that.''

``That's good news, it was very sweet of you to talk her through that. Considering how you have been feeling, it didn't sound like you were jealous of her at all.''

``Yeah, though It might have been because...well...''

``Because she's a girl?''

Tracker raised an eyebrow at him, Chase held his head down in shame.

``Yeah...sorry. I'm being...''

``Oy! No no, None of that type of talk about yourself.''

``I can't help it; It's not fair how I treated you. I'm especially going to be sorry when I see Marshall again. I have no idea how he feels about me after I lost it like that.''

``He wouldn't think any less of you, no te preocupes.''

``I want to believe that Tracker, I really do. I just don't know.''

Chase laid down and set his snout into his paws. He just stared out towards the snow-covered ground. Watching the flakes fall in front of him. Tracker scooted closer to the police pup.

``You know that same night we cuddled, Marshall also called himself a bad pup...''

Chase turned to his friend, His eyes wide. Marshall hadn't told him that part.

``Huh? What for?''

``The only reason we cuddled that night was because he was dreaming of you while he slept. He talks a lot in his sleep.''

Chase couldn't help but smile at that thought.

 ``That sounds like Marshall. He does get super cuddly when he sleeps too. No matter if it's with me or if he sleeps next to one of the other pups.''

``Of course. He thought he had violated my personal space while we slept. After we woke up, he apologized immediately afterwards. Calling himself a bad boy, but that wasn't the case at all. I was fine and Marshall didn't realize what he was doing. ``

``Long as you weren't uncomfortable with him being that close to you.'' Chase smirked.

``Oh, far from it.'' Tracker blushed. ``I told him there was no harm done. !Pobrecito!''

The jungle pup slowly leaned his head against Chases' neck. Not in a romantic way, but one of comfort.

``What I'm trying to say is, we aren't perfect pups Chase. Not me, not Marshall. We all lose our cool sometimes. We make mistakes! That's ok. We learn from those mistakes and become better pups from it. I don't want any of my friends to think they're a bad dog over one mistake they make. That includes you.''

Tracker put a paw over Chases paw. Giving it a firm squeeze, ensuring that all was forgiven between them. The shepherd let out a slow sigh which turned into a quiver. He began to feel tears well back in his eyes, he nuzzled himself against his friend.

``Thank you, Tracker.''

``De nada''

The boys sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. Their internal conflict resolved. The once burning sense of worry that clung to Chases chest had dissipated. He had a newfound confidence being near Tracker now. Even under an immense mess of snow and broken parts, the pair took solace in their friendship. It seemed like they could ride out this storm together with no issue now.

``Chh...Track...''

Trackers ears picked up the small sound. Lifting his head up, he heard it coming from his tag. It flashed brightly. Chase noticed it too.

``Did you hear that?''

``Si!''

They both listened closely. Calling out.

``Ryder? Ryder! Can you hear us?!''

``Sta...put...'' The tag crackled in response. ``Sta...put''

``Staput? Que? What does that mean?''

Chase thought for a moment.

``I think it's two words! Staput kind of sounds like...''

``Stay put!'' Tracker barked.

``Ruuuuub....CRRRRR....Annnne....Hol...''

``Rub? Rubble maybe?''

``What does Anne mean?''

The boys pondered as they listened.

``CRRRR..Aneee...hol''

``Cra...anne, That's sounds like crane.''

``Rubble's Crane!''

``Yes! That must be it!''

``Si! But what was that last part? hol?''

Before they could think further, they suddenly felt the whole pup house begin to shake. The boys braced themselves and held on to each other tight.

``What's happening?''

``No se!''

Chase feared that their house might be sinking further into the snow. Sticking his snout out to investigate. He gasped as he noticed the home begin to lift from the ground. He looked up and recognized the large steel claw from Rubbles crane. Perched on top of the sideways pup home.

``Whoa! No way!''

``Que?''

``Were out of here Tracker! I think that last part was Ryder trying to say....''

A sharp jolt came from one side of the rock wall, the pup house having struck it slightly. Tracker nearly fell off his paws but was quickly supported by Chase.

``Hold on!''

"Oy-oy-oy!"




``Easy does it Rubble! Take it slow!''

``Will do Ryder! Almost have them out of there!''

Rubble was doing his best to try and lift them without hitting the walls. The house spun and swayed in the freezing air. It felt like an eternity but soon Tracker and Chase could make out the end of the rock wall, their view soon brighten by the sight of trees and the bright colors of other pup's vehicles nearby. Chase let out a howl in delight, Tracker joining in on the call. Skye, Rocky, and Zuma responded back just as loud. The pups eagerly waiting by Ryder and Carlos's side, As the house was settled directly down and safely away from the gorge. Tracker and Chase quickly stepped out. Both boys were ambushed by the lot, Rubble jumping from his vehicle to greet them as well. All of them hooting and howling at the pair. Ryder quickly kneeled and petted them both. Carlos pulled Tracker into his arms.

``Tracker! Mi amigo! I'm so glad you are safe.''

``Carlos!'' Tracker licked and lapped at the boy's face.

``Guys! I'm so glad you're safe! Are you hurt?!'' Ryder asked

``My shoulder...It hurts a lot''

``Let's take a look at it''

Ryder had used his pup pad to do a quick Xray on Chase. Carlos had put Tracker down to get examined as well. While they were being looked at, Chase realized that out of all his friends near them, one was absent.

``Alright, you might have a slight fracture. You'll need to head back to the lookout Chase.''

``Alright...but Ryder...Where's...''

``CHASE! TRACKER!''

The pups turned to see the dalmatian quickly limping towards them from Everests snow cat. A makeshift sling on his paw.  Everest ran behind the black spotted pup, a roll of bandages in her mouth

``Wait! Marshall! Your paw! The sling is not in place yet!''

On que, The fire pup quickly tripped over his sling, rolling forward and directly into both boys. The three of them careening directly into a tree. The rest of the team wincing on impact.

``Ouch! My Paw!''

``Oww My shoulder!''

``Oy! My...Wait, Soy bueno!''

Relieved that they had escaped further injury, the team laughed and giggled at the trio. Even with all the ice and dirt between them, they enjoyed this moment of clarity. For the first time that day, the snowfall had begun to slow down, and the clouds began to part.