It was a quiet evening. The darkness slowly dispersed the hard workers who worked in places related to magic to their homes, and the streets gradually emptied. The acoustics of the surroundings were full of pleasant quiet sounds of nature: from rustling leaves to squeaking crickets. And all this gloomy calm disappeared as we approached one of the houses where only two Dalmatians lived. Baby Marshall, who turns two tomorrow, and his mother Alice, who was only 25 years old.
The little prankster did not want to go to sleep again, and his mother had to chase him ever since her energetic puppy mastered running.
— "Marshall... Marshall, stop," Alice said, chasing after her son. "Come on, it's time for you to sleep."
— "But I don't want to sleep!" Marshall gaily gushed, running away from his mother. — I want to play!
— "Son, you still have so much time to play, besides the night. Come on, calm down already. Do you want me to sing you a lullaby? Your favorite.
— "Well, maybe a little more? — the kid whined, hiding under the table.
— "Tomorrow, everything is tomorrow. And now, go to sleep," the mother smiled, lifting the edge of the tablecloth with her paws.
— "Can we at least eat?" I'm so poor... and he's very hungry," the fiery prankster drawled in a fake plaintive voice and fell on his back, pretending to "faint with hunger."
Alice smiled at this miracle and gave up when Marshall made tearful puppy dog eyes that are impossible to look away from and difficult to ignore.:
— "Okay, you sly one. Come on, let's get you something to eat.
She danced elegantly to the countertop and looked around mysteriously, stretching into a smile.
— "Hmm, that's it... Let's think about it... How would we treat a fragrant ratatouille?
— "Hurrah! — the little Dalmatian shouted and ran into the kitchen, almost knocking Alice over when she was about to go to the refrigerator.
Alice knew Marshall would fall for this trick. The boy was madly in love with this French dish. True, he used to have difficulty accepting fresh vegetables and was moody, but in this dish he ate any baked vegetable, polishing the plate until it shone, licking his tongue. This love saved a happy mother from being forced to feed her child vitamins by force.
When she was just settling into a human home alone with her son, she did not expect that with the help of magic she would be able to cope even with human utensils, and even live like all ordinary people, being only a four-legged dog. She quickly got used to this place, although she didn't bother people much with her appearance. Fortunately for her, the area was famous for its pleasant neighbors, and they quickly got used to this lovely family, loving the Dalmatian for her disposition and kindness.
Also Marshall's. The innocent child quickly charmed many people with her behavior. This blue-eyed angel, when meeting everyone, joyfully darted from one to the other, often awkwardly tripping over his own paws, forcing the restless mother to run and catch him by the walking harness. People could see how difficult it was for these dogs to get used to human life (besides, an incomplete family), and therefore they often helped in any way they could, while Marshall just enjoyed everything and everyone, like a typical child.
Marshall was surprisingly passionate about cooking for his age. It brought him great pleasure and experience. He was currently helping his mother pick vegetables to chop. It wasn't difficult for him — with the help of magic, he gathered them all and helped her slice them to eat as soon as possible.
Marshall started cooking a month ago, and that was only on his third attempt, but thanks to his mother, he was able to get used to it and now he always helped her cook different dishes that they loved.
Alice was very proud of her son. When he was born, everyone said that he looked very much like his grandfather, except for his mother's eyes. Alice was delighted with her son and glad that she had him, as well as her adopted brothers, sisters and father.
Now, when they had finished cutting, she magically took out a baking sheet, spread it with tomato sauce, and together with Marshall arranged round pieces of vegetables, forming a spiral. Alice carefully put the dish in the oven and turned on the timer, but with her paw.
Marshall's mouth watered at the pleasant smell. Alice watched this. She was pleased to see how happy her son was, waiting for this delicious dish. After 30 minutes, everything was ready and Alice took the dish out of the oven. It turned out very nicely and they started the meal.
***
The guys watching the memory couldn't help but smile and look at the beautiful dish. They considered it a real masterpiece, especially Francois.
— "I never thought Marshall was such a cute pup,— the Chase whispered.
— "And he loved cooking so much,— Skye added. — Maybe he'll cook this ratatouille for us someday?
Marshall, who was standing nearby, scratched his head in embarrassment.:
—Uh, well... If you want, I can try it.
— "Hurrah! — the puppies and humans shouted in unison.
Gordon, the eldest of Marshall's uncles, smiled:
— "I see you haven't changed here either, nephew: you still like to please others.
— "I know." By the way, I remembered, we need to call the others. — Marshall said, and listed: — Liberty, Coral, the twin nieces of Mayor Goodway, Al, Helga Humdinger, Jake, Miss Marjorie and, as strange as it may sound, Arrby and the pirate Sid.
When Sweetie heard this, she was very happy about it, as she really wanted to see the pirate pup.
— "So we're going back?" — Uncle Rufus asked.
— "Yes," — they all agreed.
The guys came back and Marshall opened several portals and everyone he listed came out. And Sweetie was very happy, as was Arbby. The white royal dog changed his mind about Marshall for the better, and Coral and Sky were also very happy to see each other, and suddenly another portal opened and Robin Chase's wife, Samantha, and two girls came out: one blonde, the other red. And other doppelgangers of puppies and kittens. All the new people present and those who arrived earlier were in great shock when they saw the doppelgangers of themselves. Among them were: Edward, the twin of Al, the element of earth in a brown mantle with this sign; Marina, the twin of Coral with the element of water in a blue mantle; Alex, the twin of Arrby, also with the element of water and in a blue mantle; Stella, the twin of Sweetie with the sign of water, blue mantle; Shadow, the twin of Shade, the element lightning, in a purple robe; Flame - a doppelganger of Wild with a red robe and the element of fire; Sylvester - a doppelganger of Leo, the element of earth, in a brown robe; Icy - a doppelganger of Rory, the element of ice and in a white robe. Three girls: Mia, 17, was wearing blue shorts, black flip-flops, and a yellow sun-shaped T-shirt, and her hair was in a ponytail; Lori, 17, was wearing an orange patterned T-shirt, black shorts, and white sneakers, and her hair was a little curly. Samantha, 30, was a brunette, her hair was loose, she was wearing a blue T-shirt with a white shirt over it, and then black jeans and black shoes. Marshall was glad to meet the rest of the foster relatives and old acquaintances and friends, as they were also very happy to see their wonderful, sweet and capable puppy and friend. Friends of the Puppy Patrol asked, and they were told everything, and Marshall managed to show them some of his memories before leaving and returning, as well as his foster relatives, and the emotions were the same. Mayor Humdinger and his nephew also returned, but no one was happy to see them, but Marshall said that there were moments that they would not like, but many would really like it, just so that they would not hear. The guys were still shocked that they saw the doppelgangers, but in an adult form, and even with magic, and they wanted to do the same, even Arrby and his pirate master Sid, but perhaps not for villainous purposes.
Marshall and Mr. Porter went to prepare ratatouille for everyone, while the others discussed Marshall. Uncle Ryan started first.:
— "There's something you guys need to know about the dead Alice and Morgan. This concerns Marshall and the power of the higher realm.
— "The higher realm?" - everyone asked.
— "Yes, dogs or cats or their cubs can use this power, but humans cannot. So is a magic sword imbued with a part of the power of the higher realm. There is one feature that only Marshall can do, as only he possesses it. I suppose you saw that he used all 6 elements?
— "Yes, it was incredible," — Everest replied.
— "However, that's not all," — Rufus continued, — "there is another ability, much more important, that can rarely be used, and it's almost like violating the laws of nature, but one entity doesn't mind using it, and that's it...
***
Marshall and Mr. Porter were cooking. The Dalmatian was still homesick for his family, but he was very glad that his foster relatives and his old friends had come. Mr. Porter watched Marshall as he deftly sliced vegetables with magic and smeared a baking sheet with tomato paste.
— "Marshall, how did you even learn to cook like that? — Mr. Porter asked with interest, slicing vegetables.
— "My mom taught me," — Marshall replied and continued:— "I just really liked the cartoon "Ratatouille" and I asked my mom to cook, although I didn't like vegetables before, but when I tried it, I immediately fell in love.
— "Was it hard, right?
— "A little bit, but then I learned quickly.
Then they talked about the magical world, the talking doll. Marshall didn't tell everything: he wanted everyone to see everything for themselves. He didn't want to spoil the intrigue for everyone and wanted to surprise everyone.
Ten minutes later, they finished and put it in the oven for half an hour. While the dish was cooking, Marshall looked at the oven, and thought, and remembered his past, when he and his mother cooked. He was pleased to remember how Alice taught him how to carefully slice vegetables, so as not to cut his paws or something else. How they played with tomato paste, drawing funny images of themselves. A laugh that warmed and calmed the soul, giving hope for the future and always striving for your goal.
His mother always taught him to feel for everyone, to understand who deserves to be forgiven and who does not, to admit his mistakes in order to correct them, and to sincerely repent, showing that they were not done out of malice, to understand that even if no one forgives, it is important to know that he tried to help, correct and I wanted everyone to be happy.
Marshall made three mistakes then: two of the three were accidental, and all of them were fixed, and in these two he was also glad that his friends didn't hold it against him for being selfish towards them, because of fake luck and accidentally eating Puppy Pops.
***
After Marshall's relatives told them everything, everyone except Mayor Humdinger and Harold were shocked and didn't know what to say.
— "I can't imagine what Marshall will say when he finds out," — Rubble said.
— "But he probably won't be upset," — Chase said, thinking that this was how it would be.
— "I don't know, guys. It depends on Marshall himself," — Sylvia said.
— "His character in the past was not the same as it is now, before our arrival," — Rufus continued.
— "What was he like?" — Rocky asked.
— "You'll find out when we get back to his memories,— Ryan replied.
— "We can tell you in advance. I can imagine how upset he will be,"— the blond man said with a laugh, for which his grandmother pulled him by the ear. — Oh, for what, Grandma?
— "For not respecting the choice of Marshall's relatives,— Helga Humdinger said sternly.
— "Exactly," — agreed everyone except Mayor Humdinger.
— "Marshall can't use the higher realm, but kittens can do even better, at least they're not clumsy like him," — Mayor Humdinger said.
— "It's better to be kind and clumsy like Marshall than to be mean and insensitive like you two,— Stella said.
— Yes, Marshall has a slightly unusually kind character, even a special one, different from what he is now, and he doesn't have anything evil, and he's especially always ready to help everyone, although little has changed from him, but a lot has been preserved at the moment, — Shadow supported her.
— "This is a joke, although he was joking with actions, not words, although here both are. He knows how to develop and adapt," — Marina said with admiration.
— "We can also help everyone, even if we have to stay up for a few days if someone is sick," — Edward supported them, a spark lit up in his eyes from the memories of how it was.
— "And you'll see a lot of things and probably not recognize him," — Iсy finished.
Everyone was shocked by what they heard, especially about the help, and now they wanted to find out everything about this now unusual puppy as soon as possible. After that, Marshall came out with a lot of bowls and plates held in the air, in which the first version of the ratatouille was made into something like one, only in the form of candy vegetables, but it looked amazing, and especially smeared with tomato sauce in a circle; the second version resembled something like a salad. Everyone wanted to take it, but Mayor Humdinger and Harold wouldn't let them, pushing everyone aside. Marshall stopped them:
— "It's not polite to take it out of turn,— the Dalmatian said sternly.
— "Why? I'm the mayor, he's my nephew, we're important people, we have the right," the feline prankster in a purple top hat said indignantly.
— "That's exactly why we're the first," the blond man said the same way and tried to take a plate for himself, but Marshall also wouldn't let him, to the delight of the others, even Mayor Humdinger's mom.
— "The Princess of Hawkenburg is here, so she, Earl and Sweetie should be first, then Mayor Goodway, her nephews, then your mother and grandmother, the Puppy Patrol, starting with Ryder, then the girls and then the boys, then comes the Cat Pack, our acquaintances and friends, as well as women, then men and girls, and boys, my foster relatives and old friends, and only then you two," — the blue—eyed man listed.
— "I totally agree with Marshall's choice, quite rightly," — Rocky said with pride in his voice.
— "Me too,— Coral said.
— "Let's vote," Zuma suggested, "Who's in favor of supporting Marshall's choice?" — everyone raised their hands and paws, except Mayor Humdinger and Harold, — And who didn't? — everyone lowered their hands, and the blond man and the mustachioed man raised them. "So we support Marshall's choice," and everyone happily agreed, and the Dalmatian smiled, and handed out dishes to everyone, and everyone sat down at the tables that Marshall had conjured up so that there would be enough room for everyone. The sight of the dish made everyone's mouth water, and they began to eat it, and it turned out very appetizing that everyone almost asked for more. Harold and his uncle liked it, but they pretended to be disgusted, for which their ears were attacked by Helga Humdinger — and they quickly changed their minds.
While everyone was discussing something, Marshall thought for a while, looking at the dish. He kept thinking that his birthday would be special, he felt something strange in his chest and, to his surprise, it did not portend any trouble for 5 years after the last tragedy. His train of thought was interrupted by Chase, who asked worriedly:
— "Marshall, are you okay?"
Marshall looked at Chase, who he was sitting with, along with Skyу, Everest, Rocky, Zuma, Burly, Coral, and Tracker, and replied:
— "Yes, of course. I was just thinking.
—"About what, Marshall?" — Tracker was worried.
— "About my family,— Marshall replied in a sad voice. — I have a feeling that I will see them, and alive, but I do not know how, because they are dead.
The seven exchanged glances imperceptibly, because they knew the truth from his foster relatives and they felt somehow embarrassed, and therefore decided to change the subject of the conversation.
— "Listen, Marshall, can you tell me a little bit of a story from your past," — Skye suggested. — Maybe you had something unusual there that you will remember forever?
Marshall looked at Sky and thought: he remembered everything forever, but it's worth saying, because they definitely wouldn't believe or understand him, because there was something he was so ashamed of, even if it ended well. But, having overcome himself, he decided to tell them everything, because they would see it anyway.:
— "As Uncle Edward said, I really didn't sleep for several days when I was treating people, cats, dogs and their children. It was a few days before Christmas, after another important, but bad, and ultimately good event. Many people made me sleep, saying that I didn't need to overdo it, that they could handle it on their own, but I couldn't stand still. I was obliged to treat them, especially Uncle Rufus, who, like Rex, was also disabled, but he could not be with us and he became sad, and then I decided to help him. He was my last patient.
Here Marshall hesitated and blushed noticeably, which couldn't help but worry his friends.
— "What's wrong, Marshall?" — Rubble asked anxiously. — "Why are you blushing?"
— "Because something happened that others don't know, but only Uncle Rufus and I know.
— "It's not something terrible, is it, Marshall?" — Zuma asked with fear in his voice.
— "I don't know how to explain it. I don't even know how you will react," — the Dalmatian replied, looking at Everest, afraid of her reaction to the confession.
— "Don't worry, Marshall, we'll take everything as it is, because saving the patient is the most important thing and nothing should make us hate you if that's what you're talking about," — husky said in a soft and gentle voice, putting her paw on his shoulder, covered with a T—shirt and vest.
Marshall thought for a minute and decided to tell the secret at his own risk, looking at the others at the other tables, who were chatting enthusiastically, and he could hear them talking about Marshall, magic, and life in their world, and he made sure they wouldn't be overheard.:
— "When I made the potion and gave it to Uncle Rufus, and the process began, he screamed violently from excruciating pain," — Marshall hesitated, taking a deep breath, preparing to say what he feared, — "and to drown it out, I kissed him on the lips and thus did not let him scream.
Marshall looked at his friends. The puppies stared at Marshall in shock with bulging eyes, Rubble had already filled his mouth with vegetables and his muzzle remained on the bowl, the same with Everest, and Rocky, Zuma and Tracker stopped chewing with their mouths full without swallowing the food, Chase and Skye managed to eat and swallow, and with their mouths open they stared at their friend. Everyone didn't believe that Marshall had done it. In the end, she ate Everest and almost fell off her chair with Zuma, screaming in complete shock, but Marshall quickly caught them with a Wingardium Levios spell — and they hung in the air, and he put them in their place, and the others noticed it and were worried, except for Mayor Humdinger and Harold.
— "Marshall, is something wrong?" — Jake asked worriedly.
The puppies woke up, and Rubble decided not to tell the truth.
— "Nothing, Jake," the bulldog said, trying to keep calm in his voice, and then continued, — "It's just that Marshall was talking about strange creatures, and Everest and Zuma were in shock, just like us, and they almost fell.
The guys looked at them and realized that something was wrong, so they could hardly believe them. Mayor Humdinger decided to tease them a little.
— "I thought he told them something terrible from his past," — the Mayor in the hat said emotionlessly, eating ratatouille.
— "Yeah, that would be very cool, — his nephew supported him.
All the guys, and even Helga Humdinger, looked at them with displeasure, and they froze, but continued to talk.:
— "I'm going to have a birthday in a week, and I'm sure it will be better than that of a clumsy bulldog," — Mayor Humdinger said, chuckling.
— "Hey, I'm not really clumsy," — Rubble objected.
"Actually, he was talking about me, Rubble," — Marshall said irritably, looking at the cat misunderstanding in the hat, then at his friend.
This made everyone look at Mayor Humdinger first, and then at Marshall in disbelief.
— "But you're a Dalmatian, Marshall," — Rocky said, puzzled, eating the last vegetable.
— "That's the thing, Rocky, during basketball practice, where me, you, Skye, and Mayor Goodway were, he called me a clumsy bulldog, but I corrected him that I was Dalmatian," — Marshall replied.
— "He's probably forgotten all the dog breeds," — Zuma said with a chuckle.
— "That's right, even Marshall doesn't say such stupid things sometimes," — Skye said, but then she quickly apologized to the Dalmatian, raising her paws: — "No offense, Marshall.
— "Nothing, Skye,— Marshall smiled. — "I understand: I'm saying things that don't make sense, so I have to stop doing them.
— "Don't worry, Marshall,— Chase said, — your nonsense isn't as bad as that moustachioed grunt."
— "Chase is right, Marshall, you shouldn't take it personally," Zuma supported him. "We can talk nonsense like everyone else, and that's okay.
Marshall smiled even wider and felt much calmer, but then he frowned, remembering what Mayor Humdinger had said, and asked, addressing him:
— "Did you say your birthday is next week?" — The mayor nodded, and Marshall's eyes bulged and he covered his mouth with his paw, and everyone looked at him strangely and even worriedly, even Harold and his uncle. And then the blue-eyed wizard said something that made everyone except the two of them laugh, even Helga giggled a little: — Accept my condolences.
The laughter was so strong that some began to knock on the table, almost hitting plates and mugs or bowls. Mayor Humdinger and his nephew blushed deeply and clenched their teeth. They looked at everyone, and then at Marshall, who giggled a little and looked at them with satisfaction, as if he had won a little. They both decided that they would get back at Marshall for this, and maybe there would be something from his past to gloat about.
After five minutes, the laughter died down, everyone was satisfied, and they finished eating and prepared to look at the past further.
— "You can send us, Marshall. We're ready," — Hurricane Harrigan said confidently.
— "Okay, let's go," said the Dalmatian and again enchanted the ray in the form of a portal, to some admiration from people and puppies who did not see how he did it, and everyone went on a "journey" again.
***
Marshall and Alice enjoyed eating Ratatouille. They were happy to spend this time together after cooking it together. Alice, looking at Marshall, was very happy with how her little mischievous man quickly ate Ratatouille with great impatience, slightly dirtying himself, which made her mother giggle and even more touched by this miracle. Marshall was thrilled to try one of the dishes he loved the most again. There was no limit to his joy. He had heard from his mother that she cooked for everyone, and everyone was delighted, except for one dog, who hated Alice very much for allegedly luring her to get attention.
It hurt Alice a lot, but she didn't hold a grudge, because she understood why. And she tried her best to take care of her, but that dog rejected her, became more and more angry and hated her. The other dogs scolded her and sympathized with Alice, but that dog didn't care, even though she liked one dog and still does, but because of her behavior she couldn't open up to him, and it's unlikely that he would reciprocate her feelings.
In addition, this dog showed even more hatred when she got involved with a muggle dog and went to live with him, then when he wanted to use her in his evil deeds, she refused. and the dog and the owner threw her out while pregnant, and she almost lost the baby. When this happened, Morgan showed sympathy, as did everyone else, except for that dog, who increasingly began to hate her. This dog's name was Stella.
She was brought out of her sad thoughts by Marshall, who yawned after he had eaten and said:
— "I want to sleep,— the little wizard said sweetly.
Alice smiled, and she and Marshall went into the bedroom, where the puppy lay down to sleep on his small bed with a white pillow and patterns of stars and the moon, covered with a red blanket with images of fire. The blue-eyed fire wizard took off his T-shirt and shorts and immediately wrapped himself in a blanket, waiting for what he so wanted before going to bed.
— "Mom, will our relatives be with us on my birthday? Marshall asked curiously.
Alice, without thinking twice. I answered so as not to disturb my son.:
— "They have." Unfortunately, there are some things to do, but they told me that they wish you all the best and that they will definitely spend your next birthday with you.
— "Good, because my first birthday was so unforgettable," Marshall replied a little happily, and then continued sadly: "It's just a pity that Aunt Stella didn't come. Why does she hate us so much?
— "It's because of her past. Unfortunately, that's what influenced it: she was kicked out, considered a burden, and she wandered and starved until Morgan found her. He took her in, she was withdrawn, but she was grateful that he accepted her. My dad and your grandfather Morgan may have sheltered her, but unfortunately she couldn't give us the love we gave her, especially me, I tried many times before I left, and then I came back when I almost lost you," she said sadly, then with trembling in tears when she mentioned when she was pregnant, but then hopefully said: - But I know that she will change: I feel it.
— "I'd like to help her." I'm sure I can help her," Marshall said almost heroically to comfort her, making her mother giggle and quickly forget her bad past.
— "Marshy, you're just a kid. I don't think you should think about it yet.
— "No, I'm 2 years old tomorrow, and I'm big," Marshall insisted, but the thunder made him scream and hide under the covers, and Alice began to calm him down with a quiet laugh.:
— "Calm down, Marshall. I see how big you are, but it's still too early for you, but I believe that you can. Now let's go to sleep. I promised I'd sing your favorite lullaby.
Alice began to sing in a gentle voice, stroking Marshall's head.:
— "Stirring the snow with a spoon,
It's a big night.
Why aren't you sleeping, silly?
Are your neighbors sleeping,
White dogs,
Go to sleep soon, baby.
We're floating on an ice floe.,
Like on a brigantine,
Across the grey, harsh seas.
And the neighbors all night long,
Star Dogs,
They shine on distant ships".
After she finished, Marshall fell into a sweet sleep, foreshadowing nothing bad. Alice smiled gently and started preparing a gift for her son.
***
The guys looked at it and were more and more touched by this scene. Someone smiled gently, someone almost cried. They were pleased to see it, like two insensitive people. Everest started talking first:
— "I didn't know your mom sang so beautifully, Marshall," Everest said admiringly, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.
— "Yes, my mother could sing beautifully. I guess I inherited her voice. I still love her lullaby and listen to it when I sleep, but so that no one hears.
— "Why? — Rocky asked.
— "I wasn't ready to tell you about myself, Rocky, so I kept it a secret.
— "By the way, you said in the past that Stella hated you and your mother. Is that true? Sweetie asked.
— "Yes, I hated them, but then Marshall was able to help me realize how deeply I was wrong," Stella answered for him.
— "When did it happen?" the Eubble asked.
— "You'll find out later, I won't put everything on a platter," the Dalmatian said, and everyone continued to watch.
Suddenly, the memory began to flicker. The picture wavered, and instead of a cozy bedroom, there was a mess in the house. The mood changed instantly.
"What's going on?" — Ryder asked.
Marshall frowned.:
—"This... That's another memory. One of the hardest ones".
Ahead of them was a new page of Marshall's past: the one that changed his life forever.
