Marshall woke from his very long slumber in his pup house. He looked over at his clock beside him and noticed that it was two o'clock in the afternoon. Marshall was glad that a call hadn't come in for the day. Even though Marshall had a long sleep, he was still very tired.

Yesterday had to have been the most tiring and hard working days Marshall had ever experienced in his life. Rescues back to back to back to back, with Marshall called on everyone of them. He didn't mind it,  it was pretty fun, but he could've done without the exhaustion that came with it.

He stretched his body and smacked his teeth before opening the door to his pup house and walked out.

It was a gorgeous day, with the sun shining brightly, birds chirping in the distance which was a favorite of his by the way. The air felt warm as a log cabin with a fireplace. It was clear that summer was around the corner, and Marshall couldn't be more excited about it. Splishing and splashing in the pool, surfing big waves with Zuma, and all the ice cream he could eat.

But that was later down the line, as for right now, he wanted to spend time with his friends today. Except, when he looked around the area for one of them, he couldn't find anyone.

He walked away from his pup house and scoured the place for them. Not much longer, Marshall found at least three of them. Rocky, Ryder, and Skye were standing around in the open area of the lookout's lawn. They looked to be in some sort of a conversation with each other or at least Rocky and Ryder were. Skye was standing off to the side with her pup pack on.

Marshall wagged with excitement. Skye's pup pack must've been fixed! That means she could be flying again! He was so happy for her. A grounded Skye, was a sad Skye, and it must have been torturess for Skye to not fly for a week straight.
His tail wagged furiously, as he bounded off towards them, barking on the way. The three heard the barking dally and Rocky and Skye wagged their tails while Ryder smiled.

"Well good morning sleeping beauty." Rocky greeted. "How did you sleep?"

Marshall halted in front of them before he responded. "Ha Ha Rocky, very funny. I slept well thank you very much."

"That's nice to hear." Ryder replied. "I thought you would never wake up after the day you had yesterday. You alright little buddy?"

 "As much as I ever will be Ryder." Marshall gracefully answered his owner.

"That's great Marshall." Ryder responded. He then produced a sorrowful face. "I'm sorry again for working you silly yesterday. I wasn't really paying any attention at how many times I called you."

Marshall kept his smile on, trying to reassure Ryder that he was fine. "It's okay Ryder. I already know that being a fire pup in a rescue team is a busy job. Fire dogs normally have to do more than I did yesterday. If I ever make it to that level, I have to get used to it. If you ever need me, I don't care how many jobs I do, I'll do my best to help."

Ryder's face beamed at Marshall's Speech, while Rocky let out a modest moment. "Jeez Marshall, did you practice in the mirror or something?"

Skye shoved Rocky a little at that. "Rocky! Lay off on him will ya? He is the best he can be."

"I didn't mean it." Rocky whined. "I was just making a joke."

"Yeah, but that was rude." Skye replied, although she was over exaggerating a little for funsies.

"It's okay Skye. It doesn't bother me. Besides, it is sorta funny." Marshall chuckled while holding his laughter in a little.

"Yeah, what he said." Rocky chimed in, defending himself. "Marshall and I have known each other since the dawn of time. We've always given each other shots."

Skye looked at both of them skepticly. "Okay whatever you say."

"Alright Skye, let's stop goofing around a little and perform your test." Ryder announced. "You ready?"

Skye turned to her owner and wagged her tail at lightning speed. "I sure am Ryder! This pup's gotta fly! Arf Arf!"

Upon command, Skye's pup pack produced her wings and jet engines, which ignited instantly. After a running start, Skye jumped up in the air, and took off.

Ryder, Rocky, and Marshall watched as she flew around the lookout. She was laughing and barking with joy as she did all sorts of loops and tricks back to back from each other.

Rocky smiled warmly as he watched. "It seems to be working Ryder."

"It sure is." Ryder replied with pride inside. "I'm so glad I finally fixed her wing."

"And not a moment too soon Ryder." Marshall chimed in. So happy that Skye was flying again. "I was starting to expect her to jump off the top of the lookout and flap her ears or something."

The three erupted in laughter at Marshall's somewhat funny joke. So much that Skye could hear it through her pup tag.

"Hey! What are you laughing about?!" Skye asked that she wasn't included in the joke.

Ryder stopped laughing to answer Skye. "Nothing Skye, just one of Marshall's stupid jokes. You can come down now, the test is over."

"Awww, do I have to Ryder? I'm having so much fun! I haven't flown in a while!" Skye responded with sadness.

"I understand Skye, but you've only got enough fuel to last you a few minutes." Ryder informed. "Unless you wanna take another tumble again, I suggest you come in for a landing."

"Okay Ryder." Skye acknowledged disheartened. "I'll come down."

Skye then starts to descend down where Ryder, Rocky, Marshall was. She got about twenty feet off the ground until.........

BOOM!

A loud bang shot out of Skye's pup pack like a cannon as suddenly, her pup pack caught fire. She howled in terror as she lost control of her flight.

Marshall's heart jolted at the loud bang and his eyes went bugged eyed in horror. Rocky and Ryder nearly turned white as Marshall's coat. Marshall then let out a horrid call for her. "SKYE!!!!"

Skye flew above them as she tried to regain control, but the speed she picked up was preventing that, as her altitude gradually decreased at a fast rate. The only thing she could do right now, was brace for impact.

She hit the ground hard enough to maybe rattle the earth, then tumbled across the grass, tearing her pup pack to pieces as parts scattered across the lawn. She finally came to a stop when her body hit a tree in front of her. Her body crashed into the tree while aloud, sharp yelp came from her.
Rocky and Ryder took off towards her like they were at the olympics, while Marshall ran over to the lookout to get his medic pack.

He slipped it on, and shot like a bullet over to where Skye was. He ran so fast, he was able to catch up to Ryder and Rocky, who were now only a few feet away from Skye, who was still laid out at the roots of the tree. She moaned in pain, as they finally came up to her.

"Skye!" Ryder hollard, as he practically slid on his knees towards her, wrapping her up in his arms. "Skye are you okay?!"

Skye only moaned as she lay lifeless in the boy's arms. She was still breathing though, even if they were very short breaths, reassuring Ryder that she was at least still alive. Marshall then appeared next to him and motioned for Ryder to give her to his care.

After hesitating a little, Ryder manually took off the now mangled pup pack, and gently laid Skye down, allowing Marshall to take care of her.

Marshall barked out his x-ray, and hovered it over Skye, looking for any signs of broken bones and sprained parts. Amazingly, there were none.

Rocky instantly asked Marshall, as the dally put up the screen. "Is she okay Marshall."

"She doesn't seem to have anything broken, just a few bruises." Marshall answered with sorrow in his tone, as he continued to examine Skye.

Skye then opened her eyes with a moan, she then looked around her. 

"Wha-What happened?" Skye slurred out, as she tried to get up, only for Marshall to gently push her back down.

"Whoa whoa, take it easy Skye. You just had a very nasty crash." Marshall said to her.
"Crashed?!" Skye exclaimed. "I-I crashed again!?"

Marshall, Rocky, and Ryder all nod slowly.

"Yeah Skye you crashed again." Ryder said, his tone at a complete monotone.

Skye's head instantly lowered into shame. A whine came with it before Ryder added to his statement.

"It's not your fault Skye. I'm to blame this time. "I-I rushed it. I didn't check the engine before we went on with the test. It backfired and you were put in danger. I'm so sorry, I feel so stupid."

Marshall went over to his owner and nuzzled his heg for comfort, but it was doing very little to cheer him up. Rocky had just finished gathering the pieces scattered about in the field. Skye looked at them as he brought them over.

"Is.......Is that my pup pack?" Skye softly mumbled her voice almost cracking to pieces.

Rocky dumped the pieces in a pile next to the part Ryder took off of Skye. "Yep. Well what's left of it at least. It's just as Ryder said. It backfired horribly."

With that, tears started to form out of the cockapoo's eyes as she wept quietly.

Marshall almost burst into tears himself. He knew that this meant that Skye wouldn't be flying for much longer now. He couldn't imagine what was going through her head right now.

Ryder spoke up again. This time, with more sorrow and pathetic than anger. "S-S-Skye, I-I-I'm so, so sorry."
Skye kept her head low as she acknowledged. "It's okay Ryder. I understand."

She then got up slowly on her fours, and dragged her paws in the dirt over to the guest pup house that was on her spot. Whenever the pup's vehicles were down, Ryder gave them a generic looking pup house that did turn into a vehicle. Unfortunately for Skye, it obviously didn't turn into a chopper. It was just a placeholder after all. Marshall, Ryder and Rocky watch with broken hearts while Skye finally makes it to the house. When the door shut, it was a strong signal that she wanted to be alone for the moment. 

Marshall felt horrible. He never looked forward to seeing any of his friends miserable. He would give anything to trade places with them and he wouldn't ever regret it. 

As Skye's recent showing was heartbreaking enough, another patron's mood concerned Marshall. His owner, Ryder.

It was plain as day that Ryder blamed himself for the failure. His physique was a dead give away for that. He might as well be a statue due to how stiff he was. His fists were hard as baseballs and his eyes were burning red.

Marshall could tell that he was holding back an outburst and he bet Rocky could too. Still, with this in mind he proceeded to help his owner. "R-Ryder? Are you okay?"

A few seconds passed, as Ryder drew in a very deep, and long breath. "Yeah Marshall. I'm fine."

That may have passed for any other pup, but not for Marshall.

It was well known around the team that if you ever wanted to keep your feelings out of sight, you don't talk to Marshall. If the dally ever smelled something off, he would do whatever he could to drag it out of you. IT was almost like Marshall was the thearepest of the team, always making sure that everyone was right in the mind and was mentally stable. Not just for the job, but for their well being.

Marshall was not going to let even Ryder slip by, but he didn't want to put him on edge either, so he went for a simple tactic.

"Really Ryder? Are you sure you're alright?" He pressed, very carefully. "You don't look like you are."

"I SAID I'M FINE!" Ryder suddenly blurted out, causing Marshall to wence and pull away from him.

Realising what he had just done, Ryder stood in silence as he stared at the cowering Marshall with an immediate sorrowful look on his face. While not saying a thing, Ryder picked up the pieces Rocky put on the ground and proceeded to walk over to his garage.

The pups watched with uncertainty as Ryder slowly walked into the garage and shut the door a few seconds go by and a loud slame erupted from inside.

The two wince at the sudden sound in the garage. After a memento silence, Rocky starts to make his way to it. "I....better make sure he doesn't hurt himself."

"Please do." Marshall responded softly.

Rocky turns to Marshall. "You okay pal?"

Marshall gave a small smile back. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just gonna go inside and see what the others are doing."

"Okay. See you later Marshall." Rocky said as he resumed going to the garage.

Marshall stood up and headed towards the doors of the lookout. The recent event played on a loop in his mind, making Marshall feel worse and worse about it.

"Today was supposed to be a great day."
____________________________________________________________

The door opened allowing Marshall into walking to the lobby of the lookout. The day's events are still fresh in his mind.

The sound of music entered Marshall's ears as he looked ahead at what was going on.

What was going on was an intense pup pup boogie match between Chase and Zuma. Rubble was standing by cheering both of them on. Marshall went up next to him and watched the match unfold.

"Hey Marshall, glad to see that you're up." Rubble greeted.

"Marshall chuckled a little. "Jeez Rubble, did you think I wouldn't wake up at all?"

"It seemed like it." Rubble replied. "You missed breakfast and lunch."

"I did?" Marshall asked. "Oh well. That's okay. I'm not very hungry anyway. How are they doing?" 

"Zuma's got it all day man, Chase can hardly keep up." Rubble reported.

"Really? I don't think I could believe that." Marshall replied.

"Look at their scores and see for yourself." Rubble added. 

Marshall looked at the score display on the screen and discovered that the bulldog was right. Zuma's 600,469, trumped Chase's by nearly half with the shepherd at 464,762, and it was close to the ending of the song. Plus it showed in the condition of both players. While Zuma definitely looked like he was tired only a little. Chase was flat out exhausted, looking like he was at the end of a four hundred meter dash. His movements were slow, his face was tightened up, and he was starting to pant heavily.

"Oh man, your right Rubble." Marshall commented, as he then became a little worried about Chase. "Is.......there something wrong with Chase?"

"I don't know Marshall." Rubble answered. "But one things for sure, Zuma's unstoppable."

The song was getting close to the end, cementing Zuma's win into stone. Still, Chase wasn't going to go down so weak, he somehow picked up the pace as the song entered the last verse.

Oh the things that you say
Is it live or
Just to play my worries away
You're all the things I've goto remember
You're shying away
I'll be coming for you anyway

The Chorus sounded off with an upbeat rhythm, as the inputs guided them through it. With fast and quick shifts left to right. Chase tried his best, but his exhaustion got the better of him. He was even slower than before and he even started to miss some inputs, making him lose his consistency. Meanwhile Zuma was cruising through matching the speed and accuracy of the song's moves.

Take on me
(Take on me)
Take me on
(Take on me)

The song slowed up and required them to stomp and sweep their legs back alternatively which Chase could barely do at this point.

I'll be gone
In a day

Take on me
(Take on me)
Take me on
(Take on me)

I'll be gone
In a day

The song finally ended with Zuma standing proud on the pad and Chase plopping down panting and gasping for air. Zuma looked over to him and chuckled mockingly. "You okay dude?"

"Yeah." Chase gasped. ".....I'm fine..........that was just.........a little harder that I............thought."

He then rose to his feet still panting like crazy. Zuma laughed again at the shepherd. "Weally? That's one of the easiest songs on this game."

Chase looked at Zuma as if he had just lied in his face. "No way! You're lying!"

"Am not." Zuma cheerly said. "Although we did play hard."

"Whatever, let's just see the scores." Chase said.

Zuma chuckled. "Dude............I don't think you wanna see it. It's pwetty pathetic."

"Oh come on! I don't think you beat me that badly!" Chase retorted as he kept his eyes glued to the screen.

Zuma didn't say any more words. He just let the screen do the talking.

"700,412!" Chase yelped out, causing Zuma to erupt in uncontrollable laughter along with Rubble and Marshall. Chase stood in shock at Zuma's score as his chances of being any good at pup pup boogie 2 vanished in thin air with his score at a measly 548,264.

Once Zuma got control of himself as he started to put himself over. "He He. Wow. That's a new wecord fow me in the game! I guess I am the pup pup boogie mastew."

"I..........I guess you are." Chase accepted.

Suddenly, Marshall entered the conversation a little disappointed at Chase's yield. "Oh come on Chase! You're gonna let him beat you like that and not fight back?!"

 Chase spun around as he suddenly noticed that Marshall was in the room. "Oh..........you're finally up." 

"I sure am." Marshall confirmed.

Chase then got all fidgety, feeling humiliated. "H-How much did you see?"

Marshall gave a very disappointed smile. "Enough to see Zuma savagely beating your tail so badly. What happened man? You're too good to just lose like that."

"My paw still hurts from stubbing it yesterday Marshall." Chase responded by holding up his right paw. "I was basically playing with a handicap."

Marshall resonated with this. He had to wrap Chase's paw yesterday with many layers after stubbing it on a pitch fork at Farmer Yumi's barn. It really hurt Chase, causing him to be out of action for the rest of the day, leaving Marshall to pick up the slack.

Zuma however, wasn't going to let him go that easy. "Yeah, yeah. Excuses and excuses."

"It's not an excuse!" Chase shot back, even though the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it was.

"You just don't want to admit that I'm the true Pup Pup Boogie master." Zuma contered, standing proud as a statue.

Marshall leaned over to whisper into Rubble's ear. "Wow. He sure is full of himself."

"Yeah, hard to believe that his attitude about it was completely different last week." Rubble whispered back.

"Admit it Chase! I am better than you at Pup Pup Boogie." Zuma commanded.

Marshall had enough. Zuma's win had clearly gone to the lab's head and was now on cloud nine. Marshall was not going to allow him to boast, especially at Chase's expense. "You know, that's a lot of talk for someone who beat someone at their worst."

Zuma looked at the dally and gave a smug grin. "Oh come on Mawshall. I'm just playing it up."

"You claim you're the Pup Pup Boogie master." Marshall retorted. "Well why don't you put your treats where your mouth is."

Zuma popped an eyebrow at the now determined dalmatian. "Awe you challenging me dude?"

Marshall matched Zuma's smug smile. "Does a cow go moo, or are you too deaf to notice?"

As Marshall said his share of trash, the two glared at each other silently for a few seconds. Zuma then responds very grimly and slowly.

"Watch it Mawshall, If I wemebew cowectly, the last time you and I faced off, you twipped off the pad and cwashed into ouw tweat dispensew. We had to clean all that up by the way."

Marshall didn't let up to the smug chocolate lab. "I remember that Zuma, but I am confident that it won't happen again. You've been undefeated for too long, and I am going to do my best to snap that streak into a million pieces and you talking to Chase like that has fired me up!"

"Come on Mawshall, don't embawess youwself again. I don't like to see you fall apawt like that,"

Marshall chuckles. "Is that really it Zuma?" He then gets low to the ground as if he's ready to pounce on the lab. "Or are you scared of your streak being broken by me."

That did it. Zuma got low like the dally. He kept his cool as he accepted the challenge. "Youw going down hawd, you clumsy beetle."

A wide grin formed on Marshall's face. "Not before you do, brown turd!"

The two playfully growl at each other before they zip right over to the dance pads. The game scanned them so it could put their respective breeds on the screen, a new feature added purly for cosmedics. They got to the song list as Zuma looked dead at Marshall."

"Challengew chooses, dally!" he insists with a smile.

"Gladly." Marshall responds with an evil smirk of his own. He scrolls through the song selection, stopping at every other one to listen to the little preview to the song.

Since the last game did so well, the developers were able to put licensed songs to accompany their original compositions. Making the song selection very diverse, from jivin disco to good old rock n roll. Marshall thought about going with his own personal favorite, the Pup Pup Boogie theme song, but then decided that if he wanted to beat Zuma, he would want the pup to be at his best. He cycled through the list until he came to the perfect song for the job.

Footloose by Kenny Loggins.

"That's my choice Zuma." Marshall announced wearing a confident smile on his face.

Zuma could barely keep his laughter in. "Dude, hehe. Now youw wealy dangewous tewwitowy. That's my best song."

"Yes, I know that." Marshall said back. "I want you to be at your best. So I will be sure when I beat you, I'm as good as you, if not better."

"But Marshall!" Rubble interjected from beside them. "Zuma has the highest score on that song with 975,627! He'll pulverize you!"

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to agree with Rubble here buddy. That song has a long talespin right into a sizable front paw stand." Chase added who was now standing next to Rubble. "Two moves that you don't really have luck with."

"Yes, again, I know that man." Marshall insisted. "But if I wanna prove that I'm better than Zuma and the Pup Pup Boogie master, I have got to overcome everything. Now are we doing this or what?" He looked right at Zuma.

The two's eyes glued to the screen as the game loads the song for play. It took what seemed like forever to load all the way before the words GET READY appeared on screen.

The two got into their ready stance, as the song began with an upbeat and bouncy rhythm. Marshall and Zuma began following each input as the song started off pretty easy. With only stomps left, right, ups, and downs being the notes. Then came the guitar riff prompting the two to start sweeping their legs alternatively while bouncing to the beat of the song.

The song then breaks down with the beat losing tempo a little and the guitar playing a different tone. They sweep their paws again this time, ending with two shot hops and repeat once.

It started pretty well for Marshall, leading into the verse with 8,640 points to Zuma's 8,745. His accuracy being a little off though.

The lyrics come on with the two bouncing on their paws around the mat, hitting the appropriate buttons. After each line, their criss crossed their legs.

Been working, so hard
I'm punching, my card
Eight hours, for what
Just tell me what I got

The melody rose subtly as the pups started swaying their bodies side to side. While gliding their paws left and right with them.

I've got this feeling
That time's just holding me down

The riff comes back and so does the sweeps and hops. Marshall was completely focused. His eyes never move away from the screen. Zuma however, was showing off a little bit, as he bobbed his head left and right each sweep.

The melody rose again, as the pups went back to swaying and gliding.

I'll hit the ceiling
Or else I'll tear up this town

The music rose to its peak as the tempo started to pick up a little. Along with the pups who were bouncing around the pad, sticking a leg out at each other note.

The music stops for a second before they burst into the chorus. The pup criss cross a couple of times, before swaying again this time, overlapping their legs on each side while also kicking side to side.

So now I gotta cut loose 
Footloose
Kick off the sunday shoes

They then move side to side, hopping with only their back legs and front paws planted on the mat.

Please Louise
Pick me off of my knees

They went back to criss crossing while continuing to sway their rumps.

Jack, get back.
Come on before we crack

Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose

At the last line, they exit the chorus with a quick and sharp twirl, on their paws. Ready for the second verse.

Chase and Rubble watched from afar, like spectators at a sporting event. Chase was calm while Rubble was incredibly hyper, frantically looking back and forth at the two's scores. He saw that while Marshall had a strong start, his accuracy started deteriorating, causing Zuma to easily pull away from him through the second verse. 

Chase too noticed this and got a bit worried, he obviously wanted Marshall to win, not just because Marshall was avenging him, but he generally believed that Marshall could beat Zuma.

"Come on Marshall," Chase cheered, quietly. "You can do it buddy."

While Marshall couldn't hear him, Rubble heard it very clearly. "Forget it Chase, Zuma is already leaving him in the dust by 3,000 points, and he hasn't even missed a single note! His multiplier at it's max and Marshall has only got 355,481 points."

Chase chuckled confidently. "Don't count him out yet Rubble. It's only the second verse and anything can happen."

"Something better, or Marshall will have no chance of catching up." Rubble replied, as they continued to watch very closely."

You're playing, so cool
Obeying every rule

Marshall was struggling a bit at the beginning of the verse. He started missing a lot of crucial inputs and was trying to get back in the rhythm.

Deep way down in your heart
Your yearning for the some
Somebody, to tell you
That'll life ain't passing you by

Zuma however, was passing with style. He even started to sing a little to himself. Maybe just to help him a little bit.

I'm trying to tell you.
It will if you don't even try

Marshall took his eyes off for a second to look at Zuma. He saw that the lab was effortlessly hitting all the notes without dropping a sweat. This lit a fire in Marshall, hoping to stop Zuma's confidence in his tracks. All he needed was a single pause in the song to get back into it. Luckly, it came, as the song stopped just like it did before granting them entrance into the second chorus with the next lyric.

You'll get by only if you cut loose 
Footloose

The pause acted somewhat of a restart for Marshall, as suddenly, he became precise with his movements and was now gaining a multiplier of his own.

Kick off the sunday shoes

Marshall's multiplier reached its max, and was now catching up to Zuma quickly. The shortstop instantly pumped adrenaline into him and was now fired up.

Then, out of nowhere, Marshall was REALLY catching up on Zuma. The reason?  Zuma missed a note.

Marshall looked over and noticed that Zuma had made a crucial mistake, and was now paying for it. His multiplier was gone and was now trying to build it back up. However, he was missing more and more inputs, due to him being thrown off his game.

Ooh-wee Marie
Shake it, shake it for me

Taking advantage of this, Marshall stepped up his game and made perfect timing on every input. In almost no time, Marshall's score was no way hundreds away from Zuma.

Whoa, Milo
Come on, Come on let's go

"That's it Marshall." Chase said to himself. He wanted to cheer him on more, but he learned his lesson last week when he caused Marshall to nearly fall to his death by his call outs. Not to mention, Marshall's stagefright would mess him up too so cheering was the only way. "You got him on the run, now reel him in."

Lose, your blues
Everybody cut footloose

As the song changed up into the bridge, Zuma finally got back in rhythm and got a new notestreak, But Marshall was only 30 points behind him.

Cut footloose
(Yeah ooh-oh)

The intensity of the song rose as well as the competition, as they brushed their paws back on the pad, followed by more criss crosses.

Cut footloose
(Yeah ooh-oh)

Cut footloose
Oh

Zuma tried to build his lead back but Marshall was now in the groove and wasn't holding back as he was now 20 points away from taking over.

You've got to turn me around
And put your feet on the ground

Chase got very excited. "He might do it Rubble!"

"Not so fast Chase." Rubble replied. "Here comes the tailspin!"

Gotta take a hold of all.

The melody started to rise. Both Marshall and Zuma started to spin on their tails. The song's pitch rose epicly, as the two spin faster and faster, gaining more and more points with every successful turn.

Chase watched nervously, being more focused on Marshall, who would notably spin out of control and fail, but for some godly reason, no such thing happened. Marshall kept his balance and spun effortlessly. Not as fast as Zuma but pretty dang close.

"He's doing it! He's doing it!" Chase blurted out. "He's not going to fail."

"He's not out of the woods yet Chase. Next is the front paw stand!" Rubble added on.

As if on cue, Zuma and Marshall put their front paws on the mat, and pushed up on them, and raised their tails in the air. Their back legs pointed straight up at the ceiling. They rose higher and higher until their fronts were fully extended. The song reached its peak as the two tried their best, to keep their balance and not fall off the mat. Their scores increased tremendously depending on how high and stable they were. Marshall was higher, but Zuma's was straight as an arrow.

I'm turning loose

Chase and Rubble watched with their nerves and anticipation on high, until finally, the lyrics came back on, and with that, Marshall and Zuma plopped back down on all fours and danced into the chorus.

Footloose
Kick off the sunday shoes

Chase and Rubble were appalled at Marshall's survival. Even Zuma himself was impressed as he had to kick it up a notch to keep Marshall at bay.

Please Louise
Put me off of my knees

What was very surprising though, was the scores, Marshall at 989,986 and Zuma at 989,996, nearly ten points away from Marshall running away with victory.

Jack, get back
Come on before we crack

The two were neck and neck, making sure to hit every note they could.

Everybody cut footloose

In a brief moment, Zuma missed another note slightly but it was enough for Marshall to take the lead for the first time in the song. Zuma got his groove back and put his efforts to take the lead back and he was running out of time

Footloose, (Footloose), footloose
Kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Louise
Pull me up off my knees
Jack, get back
C'mon, before we crack
Lose your blues

The song changed to the bouncy beat again as the two combatants gave one final push at the tail end of the song.

Everybody cut, everybody cut
Everybody cut, everybody cut
Everybody cut, everybody cut

Zuma was very very close until suddenly..........

Everybody, Everybody cut
Footloose!

The song came to a powerful stop with both pups freezing in a very admirable pose. Both of them out of breath.

Chase practically jumped up and down at Marshall's performance. Mostly the fact that the dally was able to make it through the song. Rubble was cheering at both of them for the intense bout. Up on hearing the cheers, both Marshall and Zuma turned away from the screen and bowed in acknowledgement.

"You two were amazing!" Rubble stated with excitement. "That's the closest match I've ever seen!"

"Thanks Wubble, I didn't expect Mawshall to bwing the heat like that." Zuma said back. "I thought fowsuwe that I was finished."

Marshall chuckled a bit before he responded to Zuma's statement. "Yeah, I came pretty close didn't I?"

"Actually, I think you did get him buddy." Chase interjected, looking at the screen.

"What? No way dude." Zuma denied. "I know I messed up a couple times, but I didn't mess up that bad. I easily recovered and made it up." Zuma sated confidently while glaring at Chase.

"Yeah man, I struggled through that whole thing. No way I beat him." Marshall supported, although a little hopeful that he did beat him.

"Well why don't you tell the game that." Chase countered with a big grin as he was still looking at the screen. "Cause it's telling something different."

"What?" Zuma let out, as he turned to the screen to see what Chase was talking about. As soon as his goldish green eyes met the screen, his confidence deflated like a balloon. Not only had Marshall beat him, but the dally beat him by a big margin.

"999,998?!" Zuma exclaimed, as he locked his eyes on Marshall's score, compared to his which was only 998,664!

Rubble was flabbergasted. "Marshall you did it! You beat Zuma!"

"I did?" Marshall asked as he himself looked at the screen. His tail wagged furiously when he saw his score. "Oh man! I did! I did!"

"Not only that, you also broke the record!" Chase added as he too was excited for his best friend. "You have the high score buddy!"

Rubble and Chase howled and barked in congratulations to the dally.

Marshall stood with pride until he looked over at Zuma who was still staring at the screen.

Marshall's proudness took a back seat as he suddenly felt bad for the lab. All the trash talking he did earlier was just to motivate Zuma to face him. He didn't think about the possibility of beating him at his favorite game.
Marshall felt immediate guilt for celebrating as he could imagine what Zuma was thinking. Feeling absolutely miserable of his loss. The dally got up close to him and called out to him. 

"Zuma? Are you okay?"

Zuma didn't move from his spot, and continued to stare at the screen. When he spoke, it was very soft. If Marshall wasn't close to him, he wouldn't have heard him at all.

"I.....lost?"

Marshall shivered at Zuma's muffled response. It was so disheartening, and shameful that he debated on whether or not to recognize his win or scrub it from history.

"I lost." Zuma said again, a little louder this time.

"Zuma? Come on man. It's just a game. It's nothing to get sad about. It's not like I think of you any less now because of it." Marshall said, very sorrowful. "You're still my friend."

Zuma then slowly turned and faced the regretful dalmatian and stared at him with disbelief. "You beat me. And I lost." Tears then formed in his eyes as he looked at him.

Marshall formed tears of his own. He feared that Zuma was very torn up about it and that he may have lost him as a friend. The sight of Zuma almost crying, almost spelled it out for him. "Z-Zuma. You're going to make me cry. I really didn't mean to make you upset. I just wanted to be a good opponent for you. I-I didn't think I would actually beat you. Please. Don't take it so hard."

Zuma said nothing as tears were still flowing down his face. But what happened next truly caught Marshall off guard. Zuma all of a sudden, slowly formed a big smile on his face. Then, without warning, Zuma rushed forward, and wrapped his forelegs around Marshall's neck, and hugged him so tightly. Then he exclaimed, "I lost!" in a very excited tone as if he just got the gift he always wanted for christmas. "Oh thank you so much dude!"

Marshall was too surprised to hug back. He had never seen a quick 180 in a mood like that. He started doubting on whether or not the chocolate was ever sad at all.

"Um.......you're welcome....I guess?" was all he could say, still trying to make sense of Zuma's sudden happiness.

Zuma let go and chuckled at Marshall. "Sowwy fow scawing you dude. It's just that I'm actually glad you beat me."

"You are?" Marshall said, cocking in confusion.

"Yeah dude. I was getting tired of being undefeated all the time. Seeing all of you lose and get sad was vewy depwessing to me. I thought you all wewe stawting to hate playing with me and nevew wanted to play Pup Pup Boogie with me evew again. Especially all the twash talking I do, which I nevew meant bay the way, that was just to motivate evewy body to twy theiw hawdest to beat me. Now that you have beat me Mawshall, maybe evewbody else won't be so sad anymowe and think I could nevew be beatened and even beat me finally. And stawt to have fun again."

After Zuma's explanation, Marshall was starting to feel better about beating him. Though he was still uneasy about Zuma's thoughts and feelings about being undefeated.

"I'm glad I could help Zuma. Even if I didn't know I was helping." Marshall chuckled with Zuma. "But I don't know how you could think we wouldn't want to play with you anymore. It doesn't how many times you beat us, It won't stop us from playing with you."

"Yeah." Chase insisted. "If anything, it pushed us to be better than we thought. We never thought that you were a jerk buddy."

"And as far as the gerring sad part, that comes with losing. Of course we would be sad." Rubble chimed in. "But that doesn't make us feel that you're no fun to play anymore. Neither the game for that matter. Don't feel bad buddy."

Zuma's smile somehow grew bigger as he looked at his friends. "Wow. Thank you all dudes! That made me feel all between. Now with that being said, who wants to see who will take on the new champion?"

Rubble stepped up. "I will Zuma. and you bet that I will give it my all!"

Zuma smirked at Rubble's challenge "We'll why don't you show me chubble!"

Rubble playfully growled at Zuma's taunting as he shot over to the dance pad. "I don't think I have anything to worry about since you were just beaten by a clumsy beetle! No offense Marshall."

"None taken!" Marshall responded. As he moved over to Chase to watch the match.

As the two get set and choose the song, Chase congratulates Marshall on the win. "That was amazing Marshall. I've never seen you play like that ever. You were dancing like it was your last day on earth."

"Thanks man. I appreciate it." Marshall replied before looking at Chase's bandaged paw. It still had a little blood on it from his injury yesterday which made him worried. "How's your paw?"

"Hm? Oh that!" Chase responded, clearly acting like he forgot about it. "It still hurts, but it shouldn't give me too many problems. I should be okay buddy."

Marshall wasn't fully convinced, but he figured if Chase wasn't in pain with every step, he should be fine. "Whatever you say Chase. Though I do wanna look at it again and give you a fresh bandage."

"Whatever you say Marshall, you're the medic. Just please don't over do it like you did with this one." Chase suggested, while looking at his bandaged paw. "I could've sworn this paw would've turned purple had I not loosened it up a bit."

"Oh ha ha, very funny man." Marshall cheekly mocked. Sudden laughter erupted from the two friends at the joke.

Once they regained composure, Chase looked at Marshall gratefully. "I don't mean to be super serious and gushy here, but I really appreciate you picking up my slack yesterday Marshall. You don't know how useless I felt because of this dumb injury."

"Not a problem Chase. It's sorta my job you know." Marshall smirked proudly.

"I know, I know. But you went through so many rescues last night. You must be made of iron buddy." Chase implied.

Marshall chuckled nervously as he was flattered. "I'm just doing whatever I need to do man. Thank you for letting me sleep in too. I slept like a newborn pup."

"You're welcome Marshall." Chase said warmly. "I figured you needed it after the gauntlet you went through last night."

Marshall smiled but upon that, he was reminded of what happened earlier with Skye. He tried his best to hide it from Chase, but Chase knew better.

"Marshall? Anything wrong?" Chase asked curiously.

Marshall wasn't very keen on telling Chase what happened. Mostly because he knew Chase. If he were to tell him about what happened to Skye, Chase would be all over her, bugging the heck out of her. Skye needed some time to be alone, no matter how much Marshall didn't like doing that, he wanted to at least give her some space.

He was going to shoo him away by making something up, but he looked at the shepherd who was giving a caring and concerned look that prevented him from doing so, and caused him to spill the beans.

He gave a sigh and opened his mind. "It's Skye. She had her test today....and it didn't go well."

Marshall's face fell to the floor at the mention of Skye's incident. The dally then noticed that Chase was in immediate concern for the cockapoo. Surprisingly enough, Chase was calm with his question.

"What happened."

"H-Her pup pack backfired, and she crashed hard." Marshall answered. He then paused a bit before adding on. "Very hard"

Upon hearing of Skye's crash, Marshall felt Chase's mood changed completely. His paws were clenched and his face was turning red.

"She crashed?" Chase stiffly asked.

Marshall nodded slowly, scared as to what Chase's reaction would be.

What ended up happening was Chase raising his head at the roof, closed his eyes, and took a very long deep breath. Seemingly, Marshall thought that Chase was trying to keep himself from going off the rails.

HIs head went back down and his eyes slowly opened to meet Marshall's. He then asked his next question very slowly.

"Is she okay?"

Marshall swallowed hard before he answered. "Relax Chase, she's okay. Physically at least. Mentality is a different story."

Chase didn't move as he pressed for more with a very sad tone. "Where is she now?"

Marshall was silent at first not sure if he wanted to tell Chase where Skye was. "Um....I uh....I don't know."

Marshall might've gotten away with that lie with any other pup, but what made him think that he could get if passed the police pup, was beyond him.

Chase furrowed his brow, he was not going to let Marshall's obvious slide. He spoke very sternly and seriously to Marshall.

"Marshall, I know what you're thinking and I know why you're lying to me. I'm going to set the record straight here. Yes, I do have a massive crush on Skye, and I know that I've made it painfully obvious to you and everyone else without my intention. But let me say this one thing, I am not coming from someone who loves her. I'm clearly asking from a leader's stance. A leader who knows that one of our teammates and friends is not doing too well. Someone that wants to help her as much as you do. But to do that, we have to talk to her now. we have to remind her how much she matters to us, and how much she's valued on this team. She's gone way too long thinking that she's useless, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let her go on like this."

Chase pauses as his voice turns into a pleading tone with Marshall. "Please Marshall, I'm asking you for her sake. Where is she now."

Marshall could tell by his tone and super seriousness that Chase was telling the truth and was not going off of his heart. Well, maybe just a little bit from the heart. Despite his wishes to not bother her, Chase was right.

Dead right.

For the past week, since her crash with the eagle and her vehicle breaking down, Skye was a wreck. Due to her equipment being down, it became very difficult for Ryder to call on her for missions. If she was picked, it was just mundane tasks like helping Farmer Yumi, with the animals, or helping Captain Turbot with insert problem here. Any rescues where her talents were needed, the team had to work around it and Skye would be left out.

A grounded Skye, was a depressed Skye. All she knew was flying, so keeping her founded and happy proved to be quite the task for everyone. Skye didn't shut herself out, but it was pretty obvious that she wasn't "Okay." There was a point in time, where she didn't even bother showing up at the briefings. While the others would be sad she wasn't there, they could not think of a reason for her to be there. Since she definitely was not going to be called on for a mission. Eventually, after a big talk from Ryder, Skye returned and was called on a little more for missions where Ryder could slide her in.

It was painful to see Skye constantly down herself and think she was worthless. Because even though she was grounded and couldn't do her special talent, she was still valuable as a friend. She would help out in any way she could and for what she was given, she excelled at. There had definitely been a handful of times where a rescue was successful thanks to her. Even if it was a mundane task, she would get it done no problem. Sure it would've been easier if she could fly, but that restriction taught her how she could be helpful in many other ways. Due to this, no one ever thought that she was useless and they were constantly telling her that. But it wouldn't do much to convince her.

It wasn't surprising considering that flying was her most favorite thing in the world and if she wasn't able to, she didn't think it mattered until she was in the air again.

Marshall was super determined to help Skye, and Chase's motivation speech definitely fueled him. Skye was in trouble, and the only ones that could help her were closest friends.

"Okay Chase. She's in the temp pup house. Probably bawling her eyes out." Marshall revealed.

Chase cracked a small smile at Marshall opening. He then proceeded to walk out of the lookout. Marshall didn't expect it as he called out to him.

"Hey! Wh-Where are you going?" Marshall asked.

"What does it look like? I'm going to talk to Skye!" Chase called back.

"But what if she doesn't want to talk to you?!" Marshall pressed.

"She will!" Chase rebounded as he went through the doors.

Marshall thought about it for a bit before following him through the doors.

"Hey! At least wait for me!"