Behind The Mask

The Window

     Five hours.

That's how long Chase has estimated it to be ever since they left the city. He hasn't really done much nor did he really interact with the pups, aside from Ryder and Rubble. He has exchanged a few words with them. But for most of the time, he was looking out the window in deep thought.

"You doin' alright?"

Chase shifted his attention from the window to Edan who looked at him with a warm smile.

"Uh, yeah I'm fine."

"You sure? You look like you're thinking about a lot of things."

"Hehe, that's because I am." Chase chuckled along with Edan.

"You wanna talk about it?"

Chase sat silent for a minute before looking at the passing clouds below.

"Do you think...we'll win?"

Edan was silent for a moment before giving it some thought. But then he closed his eyes and sighed.

"To be honest, I can't say for sure. I've never met this Keres lady. But hearing it from you, she sounds like she isn't gonna be taken down easily. And the fact that this is something completely new to the Paw Patrol, I think that'll make things harder for sure."

Chase couldn't argue with that.

"But...I think we've got a pretty good chance now."

The pup looked at the adult Dalmatian with a confused look.

"Now?"

"How do I put it...well...I think it's because we have you on our side."

Seeing no expression on his face, Edan decided to explain in depth.

"I don't know if it's the fact that you're a really strong pup physically or mentally, but ever since you left, things didn't feel the same. Believe me, everybody else felt this way. We didn't even know how to continue on without you. And I can tell, to the pups, you're a leader to them and you were always there to guide them. They were probably the most lost out of everyone else."

"Really?"

"Really. I've never seen my son so lost and so stressed out in my life. The same goes for all of the pups. Every pup on that team brings something special on the table. But you were there to lift them up and I think the fact that Ryder put you on as second in command really says something. He trusts you the most to lead the team if something were to happen to him. And you've proved that more times than one. So when you left, we knew there was a bigger threat and some challenges, but we didn't know how to face them or anything. But now, it feels different. We're all ready and we all feel like we've got a chance." Edan explained with a grin.

Chase didn't respond, he was a little more speechless than anything. He just glanced at the window. We have a chance, huh. Chase thought.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Chase spoke up.

"Hm? Sure." Edan responded.

"If we win...what're you gonna do after this?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well...you and Kushina were gonna stay with us until after Christmas, right? So, what about now? What're your plans after all of this is over?"

Edan nodded and thought for a moment.

"Well, honestly, I think I'd just be back at home with Kushina, just going to work and spending time with her. Why do you ask?"

"Dunno, I was just...wondering, I guess."