Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Lazarus
The two grey mutts stared at each other as if trying to figure something out.
"Lazarus?" asked the astonished recycling pup.
"Rocky?" responded the pup they had just bumped into.
They immediately embraced each other.
"Hold on, do you two know each other?" asked the confused shepherd.
"Yes," responded Rocky. "He's my long-lost brother, Lazarus!"
"It's been quite some time since we last met," Lazarus said warmly.
"It sure has," Rocky replied, smiling through misty eyes.
When they got back to the Lookout, Rocky explained everything to Ryder. Ryder completely understood and thought it best to give the two some space to make up for lost time.
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The following week was wonderful for all the pups as they got to know Lazarus and bond with him — but none more than Rocky.
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Day 1 - The Welcome Dinner
That night, Ryder decided it was only right to give their new guest a welcome dinner. During the meal, Lazarus and the other pups started getting to know each other. The two brothers sat together; they clearly felt that by being together, they were rekindling an old bond.
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Day Two - The Beach Day
The second day was a beach day! The pups played volleyball, where Lazarus even helped Rubble with his serve — which Rubble obviously won — followed by a sandcastle-building contest. Zuma coaxed Lazarus into diving into the sea with him, despite Lazarus repeatedly stating that he couldn't swim. After doing so, he proved it.
After a quick rescue by Rocky, the three broke into a splash fight, laughing together. To everyone's surprise, Rocky enjoyed it as much as the other two.
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Day Three - Around Town
The next day, the pups took Lazarus around Adventure Bay and introduced him to several of the town's residents. They ended at the playground, where all seven pups played like, well, puppies.
Later that day, the pups' playtime was interrupted by a mission call. Lazarus only smiled as they scrambled into their vehicles. When they returned, panting but triumphant, Rocky stated, "Sorry about that… it happens a lot."
But Lazarus told him he completely understood. He was fascinated by how they could drop everything at the call of duty, focus 100% on their mission, and then return to their fun as if nothing had happened. Considering nothing had even happened, the seven soon returned to their puppy playtime.
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Day Four - Movie Night
On the fourth day, they sat down to a movie night. It was an old James Hound adventure titled Thunderpaws. Rocky kept leaping up to point out when something was a special effect, explaining exactly how it was done.
The other pups found this disruptive and a little annoying — but Lazarus just chuckled. He thought it was adorable, in his own "adorkable" way.
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Day Five – Mr. Porter's
The next afternoon, Ryder treated the pups to a visit to Mr. Porter's.
Lazarus, after much consideration, settled on mint chip, while Rocky picked a simple vanilla. The others scattered around the shop with their cones, giggling as they compared scoops.
It wasn't long before Lazarus noticed something. "Rocky," he said between licks, "you're the slowest ice cream eater I've ever seen."
Rocky blinked, caught mid-careful lick. "What? I don't want it to melt all over me!"
This only made Lazarus laugh harder. "At this rate, the cone's gonna finish you first."
The other pups laughed along, and even Rocky had to chuckle, though he shielded his cone protectively. "Hey, some of us just like to savor it, okay?"
Lazarus grinned and gave his brother a playful nudge. "You haven't changed a bit, Rock."
Rocky looked down at his melting cone, but this time he smiled. Maybe being teased wasn't so bad — not when it came from someone who really knew him.
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Day Six – Mission-Filled Day
This day was particularly busy, with several missions calling the pups away to the Lookout.
Lazarus never took issue with the interruptions. On the contrary, he continued to be fascinated by them — how they could be laughing one moment and rushing off to save the day the next, then return to playtime as though the world itself hadn't paused.
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Day Seven - Under the stars
That evening, Rocky and Lazarus lay under the stars. In addition to stargazing, the two reminisced about old memories, laughing and sighing as they shared fragments of the life they once had together before being separated.
"Lazarus, can you stay?" Rocky asked softly.
"I have to leave tomorrow," Lazarus replied, his tone gentle, "but I will return. I don't want it to be like before, when we were separated. I promise to come back so we can spend more time together."
Rocky nodded, trying to smile through the ache in his chest. "Okay," he whispered. "I'll hold you to that."
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Final Farewell
The next morning, the pups gathered at the docks to see Lazarus off. They wished him well as the passenger boat prepared to depart.
Rocky and Lazarus hugged tightly, neither wanting to let go. Finally, Lazarus stepped aboard, turning to wave as the boat pulled away, and the pups said their final goodbyes.
Rocky stood at the edge of the pier, waving until the ship disappeared into the horizon.