Later that afternoon, Gale stood before Kang and the pups.

"Kang Sir," said Gale, "and fellow members of my Guardian class, I have made my decision. I was unsure if this was just a whim or actually direction by the spirits. After Skye's accident and my involvement, it has been made very clear to me that I will continue to pursue the path of Firefighter Medic. I truly believe that I can be a good medic and maybe something more someday. I hope you all are not too disappointed in my decision."

"I for one could never be disappointed if you truly believe this is the direction you are being led," said Kang.

"I guess, I request to be released from first position and Guardian Class," said Gale.

"You are so released," said Kang, "AtrirakSaka you have first position again, for now. Don't, disappoint me again."

"Yes Sir! Thank you Sir," said Buster, "I won't let you down. I have learned my lesson that girls or anyone for that matter can be whatever they choose to be. I guess that includes stupid. Gale I was stupid and I hurt your feelings. I could never be more proud of you than I am right now. You not only proved you have what it takes. I understand you saved Aunt Skye's life and proved you belong in that field."

"Thank you, Buster," said Gale, "I forgive you, and greatly appreciate your praise. Good luck to each of you in the Guardian role. I will always come to help when needed." Gale walked by and kissed his cheek, Buster froze without blinking.

"Buster, line them up and dismiss them," said Kang. He turned and looked back at Buster who hadn't moved yet. He laughed, shaking his head and walked back. "Guardians Fall In!" yelled Kang. "Guardian's Dismissed!"

"Yes Sir!" shouted the pups.

Karuna walked over to Buster.

"Hey dude," said Karuna, "Blink, take a breath."

"Wha-what?" said Buster.

"We're dismissed," said Karuna, "Kang gave us the rest of the day off. You know she likes you and is messing with you right?"

"Y-you think so. Really?" asked Buster.

"I know my sister," laughed Karuna. "Ssheeee likes you. Y'all are still young. But she will play with you as long as you continue to react like this. She likes the attention you give her."

"Yeah, like you and Lizzy," smirked Buster.

"I don't know if she feels the same," said Karuna, turning with a smile while looking at Lizzy, "but it doesn't matter. I swore to protect her the day I saw her. I'm only going through Guardian training so I can be prepared to protect her."

"I think she does," said Buster, "she asked to be in Guardian training to be with you. But like you said, we're still young. Who knows what the spirits have in store for us.

Kang and the pups took the rest of the day off to play and celebrate Gale's decision.

Lin and Toby were walking through the grounds checking to see that everything was ready for this weekend. They already had three reservations and would probably get more.

"So have you heard from the Temple yet?" asked Lin.

"The last I heard was that they would contact me," said Toby. "Who knows maybe someone will just show up."

"Kang sir," said Buddy, running over to Kang, panting hard.

"Is there a problem Buddy?" asked Kang, sensing something. "Report."

"Sir," started Buddy, "I was over there using, uh,I was..."

"You were taking a pee, I get it, continue," said Kang.

"Ok yes, I was taking a pee when I smelled someone I'm not familiar with," said Buddy.

"Guardians! On Alert!" Yelled Kang. "Buddy Show Me. AtrirakSaka cover the Monks. Karuna you take Lizzy and do a sweep. If you see or smell anything, Sound the Alert!"

The pups all ran to their assigned positions. Buddy led Kang toward where he smelled the intruder. Buster ran to the monks. Karuna and Lizzy began their sweep of the grounds.

"Please come with me sirs," said Buster, "We have a possible situation but until I receive an all clear you mustn't be out in the open."

"Ok where did you..." Kang started and then stopped taking a deep breath. "I smell it, I think it's this way."

Kang ran along sniffing as he ran, he came to a stop and began searching.

"Over here Buddy," said Kang, pointing at the ground. "You see here, this disturbed grass. This is as close as they seemed to get to this point. I don't see footprints or boot prints, it seems very likely this person was wearing slippers or moccasins. Not very heavy. Great catch Buddy, you got a good nose."

"Thank you sir," smiled Buddy, "What orders do you have for me?"

"Hold this position," said Kang, "I will go check the rest of the area and see if there were other approaches or other people."

Kang quickly ran the perimeter until he came across Kaurna and Lizzy.

"Anything to report?" asked Kang.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," said Karuna, "Is this a drill?"

"No, Buddy smelled a stranger," said Kang, "After investigating we found markings indicating someone near the retreat. If you smell anything out of normal, alert and wait for others. Continue your patrol."

"Is this another attack by that group that shot mom?" asked Karuna.

"I honestly don't know," said Kang. "Stay alert and be prepared."

"D-did you call Ryder?" asked Lizzy.

"No, I'm still not totally used to relying on others," said Kang, "Good call, please do so and pass on what we know. Nothing is confirmed yet, just a suspicious event so far,"

About that time a Full Alert Howl came from Buddy's direction. Kang immediately turned back to Lizzy, "Strike that, advise Ryder full alert of possible attack. Karuna, maintain your patrol, we still don't know if they're alone."

Kang turned and ran full speed toward the alert.

Buster heard the alert. "Sorry Sirs," said Buster, "I need you to enter your safe room until I hear an update. You only open the door for the password from Kang."

Lin and Toby looked concerned but entered the safe room Rocky had designed in the office of the Retreat.

"Buddy, what do you have?" asked Kang as he ran up.

"Fresh scent and fresh marks heading toward that rise over there," reported Buddy, "I held until you came."

"Great Job," praised Kang. "Let's track this person and see what they want."

They began following the trail.

Ryder had received the report from Lizzy and placed an all call alert out to the pups. Those close to the Lookout responded there. Those closer to Jake's Mountain, like Marshall, Everest, and Yeshe responded straight to the Retreat. As soon as Yeshe came to a stop she was running for the retreat. As she approached the door, she heard Kang Alert. She turned and ran in the direction of his howl. Everest went on to the Main Hall. At the entrance, she attempted to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. A pad beside the door beeped 'Location Secure, Please Identify' , she walked over, looking closely at it. 'Beep - Authentication Verified - Everest Full Clearance. The door popped open.

"Wow, OK Rocky that's just cool," said Everest, Marshall followed her in. Buster met them.

"A-Are we under attack?" said Buster, it was apparent he was trying very hard to be brave.

"We aren't sure," said Marshall, "Kang alerted as we arrived. I don't want to call him and chance giving his position away if he is tracking someone. Yeshe ran to back him up."

"You're doing great AtrirakSaka," said Everest, "Where are the Monks?"

"I had them lock down when I heard Buddy's Alert," said Buster, "Only Kang can release the door now."

"No, no that's perfect," said Everest, "We know they are safe and can focus on finding what is going on."

Kang began sniffing as he ran. The scent got stronger, He stopped and Alerted to advise he was tracking someone. Buddy was right on his tail. Kang looked back, Buddy was putting on a brave face but it was apparent he was nervous.

Kang came to a brush pile and began circling the pile. Yeshe came running up to Kang and Buddy. She made eye contact with Kang, he directed her to set up at one side and Buddy set up on the other. Kang rang out an alert saying they had someone cornered. The others responded advising they understood.

"Ok," said Kang, "whoever you are, We have you surrounded. We currently mean you no harm, but you will need to exit the brush pile. I will come in for you if you do not respond."

There was rustling and finally an older male stood up.

"STAND DOWN!" yelled Kang, sitting on his hunches.

"All clear," said Yeshe into her pup tag. "Subject Identified, rally at the retreat."

"Received," came the voices of everyone.

"Lama Jampa," said Yeshe, "Were we expecting you? Why did you run and hide?"

"You were not exactly expecting me," said Lama Jampa, "But Tsering was expecting some form of answer from the Temple. After recent events, I decided to inspect the security myself."

"So you have a positive ID Yeshe?" asked Kang.

"Yes Kang Sir," said Yeshe, coming to attention. "This is Lama Jampa, Tsering's Lama."

"Welcome to the Passaddhi Point Retreat Lama," said Kang, "May we please return to the retreat. I need to let the monks out of the safe room."

"Most definitely," said Lama Jampa, "We are not in formal settings, you both may call me Pud."

"Well Pud," said Yeshe, "Have you kept up with our actions and encounters?"

"I have," said Pud.

"Is Toby going to be in trouble for allowing me to mate outside of the Guardians," asked Yeshe.

"He what?" asked Pud, pausing a moment, "I'm kidding Yeshe, No, no one actually cares anymore. Guardians if they choose to have mates, may fall in love with whomever they choose. Besides, I believe you would probably be allowed to do whatever you wanted anyway. Your name has become quite popular back at the monastery."

"Me, but why?" asked Yeshe.

"No guardian has taken a bullet for a Monk in many years," said Pud, "Your story is one of intrigue and sacrifice that is quickly becoming legend. The fact that you were directed to take Kang's place is one thing but to be told you would be shot and still perform the duty is amazing. You will always have a place of honor among the guardians."

"Kang, I know you and Yeshe have set up the security here," said Pud. "You should both be very proud. I tried very hard not to disturb the grounds more than necessary. I have only been here a few hours when your pups alerted. Tell me Kang, was it yours?"

"No Lama," said Kang, "it was one of Yeshe's. Her oldest to be precise, he smelled someone unfamiliar and came to me immediately. I sent AtrirakSaka, to guard the monks. If he followed procedure the monks were placed in the safe room the instant an alert was given. Myself and one other have the access code to release the door."

"Very impressive," said Pud, "Which of you knew how to program a door like that?"

"It was actually my mate, Lama," said Yeshe, "He is incredibly smart with computers. He set up the security system. Kang and I designed the training program for our trainee's."

"And have you trained any other than Mastiffs?" asked Pud

"We have one in our program," said Kang, "she is a Husky German Shepherd Mixed Breed. She seems to be doing quite well. I know tradition does not allow this, but I decided to try it and then provide a report on her progress. And of course, Yeshe and my pups are both cross breed to our mixed breed mates."

"Well, it was a stupid tradition anyway," laughed Pud. "Actually I had hoped you had included a non-mastiff so that we could justify changing the rule permanently. I look forward to meeting with your trainee's. I was watching them work. You have trained them well. You should both be very proud."

They arrived at the Retreat. Ryder and the others were arriving, Ryder had just got off his pup pad with Chase. Chase was needless to say torn between coming to help and staying with Skye, he was very relieved that it was not an attack.

Yeshe introduced everyone to Lama Jampa as Kang was releasing the safe room doors.

"Lama Jampa," said Toby, "I wish you had let us know you were coming. We don't have anything ready yet. I will prepare you a room immediately."

"It wouldn't be much of a surprise inspection if I told you now would it?" laughed Lama Jampa.

"I guess you're right," laughed Toby.

"And you go by Lin now," said Lama Jampa. "It has been a long time since I saw you last. It is good to see you again my friend and Kang has grown quite large hasn't he? Although he doesn't seem to remember me."

"Yes, Lama," said Lin, "9 years on the road will grow lots of things, dogs especially."

"You both may call me Pud," said Lama Jampa.

"Pud?" asked Lin, "Don't tell because you liked pudding as a boy so much."

"It is," laughed Pud, "My Lama, years ago would call me that all the time, I kind of liked it. Besides, I still really like pudding."

They all laughed at that.

"You should be quite proud of your security team," said Pud. "I tried several ways of approaching and they managed to be there each time and then they discovered me quickly. I had planned on probing today and making an approach later. As for your safe room, I really like this. I'd like to meet this Rocky when he is available."

"I'm right here sir," said Rocky approaching. "I took Kang's idea and enhanced it a little."

"A little, it will survive an F5 tornado or Category 5 hurricane," laughed Kang. "It might survive a nuclear attack."

"That's really hard to test," laughed Rocky. "It's an honor to meet you Lama Jampa."

"Rocky is my mate," said Yeshe. "And two of the Guardians are our pups. Our daughter has recently withdrawn from the program in order to pursue becoming a firefighter medic."

"Very nice to meet you Rocky," said Pud. "Kang, will your mate be joining us?"

"I'll call her," said Kang. "I alerted her to shelter in place until we gave the all clear. She is wonderful, but she's no guardian."

A few minutes later, Mudita arrived. Kang introduced her to Pud.

"Wow, Mudita," said Pud, "You are beautiful. Your son favors both of you."

"T-thank you Lama," said Mudita.

Toby and Lin spent the rest of the afternoon and evening showing Lama Jampa the retreat and then sat down with him as Sunny had come to the retreat so she could explain the current financial status and the budget.

"I must say I am quite impressed," said Pud, "and you say the retreat was largely built by dogs. I thought the Guardians were impressive. This Paw Patrol is something to be seen apparently. Then to top it all off, you have a bookkeeper that anyone would kill for. You have done quite well Toby."

"It was definitely a group effort," said Toby, "Lin has been very helpful. He was able to share the knowledge he gained while traveling to improve the Retreat in areas he observed difficulties while at other retreats."

"That is good," said Pud, "The spirits definitely knew what they were doing. First sending Lin to learn and prepare. Then you here to Adventure Bay to open the retreat."

"It is truly amazing to see the plan come together," said Lin.

"And to see the many pieces put in place over time," said Toby. "And finally come together to make a perfect retreat."

"I look forward to the grand opening this weekend," said Pud, "But for now I will return to my motel and get some rest."

"I can have a room ready here for you in a short time," said Toby.

"I'll come this weekend," said Pud, "For now all my belongings are at the motel."

Pud stood to walk out. Toby stopped him.

"At least let me drive you to the motel," said Toby.

"You've learned to drive?" said Pud.

"You might think I'm crazy," laughed Toby. "Yeshe is teaching me to drive."

"You're right," laughed Pud, "I think you're crazy. This I have to see."

Yeshe laughed and jumped into Jake's jeeps passenger side as Toby, Lin and Lama Jampa got in.