Only Human Once
Early spring 7:19 am
"Alright Dad I'm heading off to school," Thomas said as he grabbed his backpack from the kitchen counter. "Alright son have a good day!" Alan said from his office upstairs. All four puppies were playing in the living room while walked through to go out the door. "Uncle Thomas! What is school and why do you go everyday?" Nova asked as he followed his uncle towards the door. Thomas smiled as he patted Nova on the head. "Well it's a place where I learn things and make friends." Thomas said as he opened the door. "Can I go with you?" Nova asked with a smile.
Thomas chuckled as he got down on one knee and patted Nova on the head again. "Sorry Nova. But school isn't a place for dogs or puppies. It's only for humans like me," Thomas explained. Nova frowned and looked down at ground. "Oh okay," Nova said in disappointment. "But Saturday I can take you and your siblings to school and show you the outside of it," Thomas trying to lighten the mood. Nova smiled as he looked up at his uncle. "Okay that sounds fun!" Nova cheered. "Okay. Well I better get going," Thomas said before standing up. Nova then moved back into the house as Thomas shuts the front door.
"What's so special about seeing the school Nova?" Jack said as he walked up to his brother. Nova turned and looked at his brother and smiled. "Well when uncle Thomas comes home from school. He has all kinds of new scents on him and I always wondered what school was like." Nova explained. Jack sat down and scratched his left ear. "Sounds boring," Jack said as he stopped scratching his ear. "What do you mean it's sounds boring? I mean we could learns all kinds in school if we could go," Nova said now getting defensive. Jack then started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Nova asked. Jack stopped laughed before looking at his brother. "I was laughing because you said if we could go to school and learn all kinds of things. But we could just learn from Dad or Mom or even grandpa and grandma. I swear Nova you come up with craziest ideas ever," Jack said before walking away and laughing. Nova just frowned and looked down. "What's wrong kiddo ?" Kodi asked as he walked up from behind his son. "Oh hey Dad," Nova said in low tone. "What's the matter son? You seem down about something." Kodi said as he sat down next to his son. "Oh Jack was making fun of me because I wanted to see what uncle Thomas's school was like." Nova said as he sat down in front of his father.
Kodi smiled as he looked down at his son. "You don't have to worry about your brother. I think that's pretty special that you want to see what's in your uncles school," Kodi said as he nuzzled his son. Nova nuzzled his father back before speaking again. "Have you ever seen the school and seen what's inside?" Nova asked looking up at Kodi. Kodi chuckled. "Well... me and your mother have been inside maybe once or twice, actually we've been there four times," Kodi said with a smile. "You have?! Did you get to learn anything?" Nova asked happily. "Well we didn't stay and learn anything, but it was for the sled dog team to visit the school and honor the team," Kodi explained. "That's so cool Dad!" Nova said as he nuzzled his father. Kodi nuzzled him back before breaking away. "Daddy can we go outside and play?" Anika asked from the family room. "Yeah Dad can we?" Jack and Eli both asked.
"Yes you can! but wait for me!" Kodi said to his kids. "Do you want to come outside son?" Kodi asked as he looked down at his son. "Yeah I'll but out there in a minute," Nova said with a smile. Kodi nodded in response. "Okay we'll be out in the back," Kodi said before heading towards the back door. "Okay Dad," Nova said before heading up the stairs. Nova walked into Thomas's room and jumped up onto the bed and jumped onto his desk. Nova carefully stepped over Thomas's stones and looked at some of Thomas's old history books from middle school. Nova sighed as he used his paw to open the book. "I wish was able to understand this stuff," Nova said before turning a page. "I was wish I was a human for just a day and understand the things that uncle Thomas does," Nova said as he lowered his ears. Nova then perked up his ears at the sound of humming coming from behind him.
Nova looked behind him and saw all seven stones glowing and shifting colors until they stopped at blue. "Uh oh," Nova said as he lowered his ears again. Nova knew he had to do something fast before he was in trouble. But it was too late, the stones channeled their energy into Nova and transformed him. Nova then fell off the bed and landed on his back on the floor. "Aww man what happened?" Nova asked himself as he opened his eyes. Nova eyes widen at the sight of having a human body as his own. "Oh no," Nova said as he looked as his hands and arms. Nova then looked over to left and saw that all the stones have lost all their color from using up so much energy. "This isn't good," Nova said as he tried to stand on his new legs.
Nova held himself up from the bed and looked into the mirror. He had the appearance of a small boy with age of 8 years old with red hair and freckles. "I need to get to uncle Thomas," Nova said before grabbing some clothes from Thomas closet. The clothes were baggy on Nova but they had to do. Nova then grabbed the stones and placed them into his pocket before making his way down stairs. Nova raced out the door and raced down the drive away. "Okay Nova this shouldn't be so hard. Just find uncle Thomas and have him turn you back into a puppy. Sounds easy enough," Nova said to himself as he made his way down the hill. "Oh but I don't know where the school is." Nova said as he stopped on his tracks.
Nova then felt something vibrate in his pocket. Nova then pulled out the stone that was vibrating. It was the tracking stone and it was fully charged. "Will this thing help me find uncle Thomas?" Nova asked himself. The stone then worked it's magic and showed the way to Thomas. "Alright I guess I'll have to trust you," Nova said as he followed the tracks. About a half an hour Nova found himself at the school. "Oh so this is the school," Nova said with a smile as he looked up at the school. Nova looked to his right and saw Thomas sitting down at a table outside eating his lunch. "Yes!" Nova said as he ran over to his uncle. "Hey!" Nova said almost out breath as he ran up to Thomas. Thomas turned and looked at Nova. "Um… hi?" Thomas said as he looked at Nova weird. Nova opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Thomas.
"I have that same shirt and pants," Thomas said while studying Nova. "And no shoes? Aren't you cold?" Thomas asked. "Uncle thomas it's me Nova!" Nova finally spoke up. Thomas eyes widen with surprise. "N… Nova… what did you do?" Thomas said as he touched Nova on his head and shoulders. "I was looking at you old books from school and made a wish to myself and then your stones started humming and started to glow and then poof! This is me." Nova explained. Thomas then poked Nova's cheek. "I still don't understand this but… it's really cool," Thomas said still poking at Nova. "Uncle Thomas! This is serious!" Nova said as he pushed his uncle's hand away from his face. "Right. Sorry come on," Thomas said as he stood up from the table.
Nova followed Thomas as they made their way down the street. "Won't you be in trouble if you leave school?" Nova asked as he followed closely to Thomas. "Well it wouldn't be the first time I skipped school," Thomas said with chuckle. "You skip school?" Nova asked. Thomas then stopped and turned and looked at Nova. "Yeah… but let's keep this between you and me. Your dad might kill me if he knew." Thomas said with a chuckle. "Oh okay," Nova said with a smile. "Alright let's cross the street," Thomas said before looking both ways. once as they stepped on the road Nova pointed out they his grandparents were a crossed the street. "Hey it's my grandpa and grandma!" Nova pointed out. "Oh boy! Um let's go the long way." Thomas said as he started to turn around, but it was too late. Balto and Jenna both saw Thomas and Nova. "Hey Thomas shouldn't you be in school?" Balto said as he and Jenna both walked a crossed the street.
Thomas stopped on his tracks and whispered to himself. "Shit," before turning around. "Hey Balto um… yeah I should but I… um…." Thomas tried to to get the words out but couldn't. Balto chuckled as he looked at Jenna. "Right Thomas… I think you should get back to school," Balto said as he looked at Thomas. "Your right! I was just about to head back to school right now! I'll see you two later at the house!" Thomas said before grabbing Nova and running down the alleyway. "Did Thomas seem a little off to you?" Jenna asked as she looked at her mate. Balto watched Thomas running down the alley and then taking a right away from the school. "Yeah he did and who was that little boy with him? He had a familiar scent on him." Balto said before looking at Jenna "Yeah he did it was almost like he was around Nova or something," Jenna added as the two of them started walking.
"Uncle Thomas slow down!" Nova said as they ran. "Sorry Nova. I bet your not used to running on two legs." Thomas said as they stopped running. "Yeah not yet," Nova said with a smile. "Listen I know we just took off away from your grandparents. But we have to tell your mom and Dad," Thomas said as he crossed his arms. "No! We can't! They'll be so mad at me!" Nova cried out. Thomas then chuckled. "How can they be made at you? It's not your fault that the stones did this to you," Thomas said as he crossed his arms. "But… but…" Nova tried to say. Thomas then place his hands on his shoulders. "Trust me they won't be mad," Thomas said with a smile.
Nova smiled and nodded. "Okay," Nova said as Thomas took his hands of Nova's shoulders. "Just leave you Dad to me," Thomas said as he wrapped his arm around Nova's shoulder and continued to walk up to Thomas's house. Once they both got to Thomas's house. Thomas looked inside the window and saw that no one was in the house. "Okay my dad must have went to work and looks like everyone is still in the backyard," Thomas as he looked at Nova. Nova nodded as Thomas opened the door and walked into the house. "Thomas what are you doing home?" Kodi asked from around the corner. "Oh! Hey Kodi!" Thomas said as he turned and looked at Kodi. "Your not skipping school are you?" Kodi asked as he sat down. "Well…" Thomas said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Don't you dare lie to me," Kodi said in a serious tone. Thomas then looked down to the ground before grabbing Nova by the shirt and pulling into the house. "This happened today," Thomas simply said. "Hey dad," Nova said nervously.
Kodi's eyes widen. "What happened to my son?!" Kodi shouted. "Dad it wasn't uncle Thomas's fault. I made a wish near the stones and then this happened." Nova said looking down at the ground. "But it's pretty cool huh?" Thomas said trying to lighten the mood. "Cool?! My son turned into a little boy! Not that there's anything wrong with little boy's, but my son!" Kodi said as he stood up. "Dad it's going to be okay," Nova said as he stepped forward to his father as Thomas shuts the door. "Be okay?! You better be okay after this is all over!" Kodi raised his voice again. "What's all over?" Berry asked as he walked in from the kitchen. Everyone then turned and looked at Berry. "Hi uncle Berry," Nova said as he waved at Berry. "Okay then well I have a meeting to go to and I'm just gonna-" Berry tried to say but was cut off by Kodi. "Your not going anywhere!" Kodi snapped.
"Okay, okay well… how did this happen?" Berry asked as he crossed his arms. "I made a wish to be human and see uncle Thomas's school and then this happened," Nova explained. "Oh… what's it like to be tall?" Berry said with smile. "Not now Berry," Thomas said looking down at Berry. "Dad?" Nova said as he looked at Kodi. "Yes son?" Kodi asked as he looked up at his son. "Are you mad?" Nova asked as he got down on his knees to face his father. Kodi chuckled before answering, "no I'm not mad I'm just concerned about you and I care about you," Kodi said with a smile. Nova smiled back at his father. Thomas knew that this was a father son moment and needed to leave the room for this moment. "Come on Berry. Let's have some pie in the kitchen," Thomas said as he picked up Berry and took him into the kitchen.
Nova then surprised Kodi by grabbing him around the neck and giving him a hug. "I love you dad," Nova said while giving him a hug. "I love you too son," Kodi said enjoying the hug. Suddenly the two of them felt the magic from the stones wearing off as Nova was turning back into a puppy. Once Nova was back into a puppy he looked up at his father. "Do we have to tell Mom about this?" Nova asked. Kodi chuckled before nuzzling his son. "No I don't think we have to tell Mom," Kodi said as he and Nova walked towards the back door. "Oh and Dad," Nova spoke up. "Yes son?" Kodi asked. "That wasn't the first time uncle Thomas has skipped school," Nova added.
"Thomas!" Kodi shouted.
Kodiwolf321 A/N: Kodi is such Dad isn't he? Lol I love these moments for Kodi and I think that these moments go as far as I make them to be and I think that's great for his character to develop as a father that he was meant to be. Anyways guys I hope you all enjoyed the first of many one short stories in the Purpose universe. Welcome to Purpose Shorts and if there is any type of situation or anything you want me to put these characters to go through just let me know alright guys I'll see you next time! Kodiwolf321 out!