A few days later there was a party held at the retreat as Lama Jampa was leaving. There were speeches and Buster had been told there were no medals for doing an extra good job among the Guardians, but a letter of accommodation was definitely an option.

AtrirakSaka stood and called Namkha forward, "Namkha, at the grand opening, you showed great ability and resolve in keeping the armor glistening during the ceremonies. As such I determined you deserved a special recognition. As Such I have added a Letter of Accommodation to your file and present you with this framed copy for you to display. I for one was very impressed with your efforts."

"Thank you, Sergeant," said Namkha. "It was a team effort. But thank you for this recognition."

Karuna and Lizzy both applauded and Lizzy whistlied.

Rocky stepped forward, "Lama Jampa, I wanted to formally present you with the designs and operating manuals for the system that Buddy and I designed for the monastery. I also created a special surprise that I wanted to present to you and everyone else."

"I-I'm so impressed Dharmapala," said Lama Jampa, "This is most impressive. I only hope my fellow monks and Lama's figure out how to install it."

"Oh, I took care of that already," said Rocky, "Buddy found a contracting company that has already begun gathering the materials and will be flying it in so no one has to carry it in. They will install it and be the immediate contact for maintenance and repairs."

"T-this is incredible," said Lama Jampa, "However, did you pay for this?"

"Well my surprise was designed and the patent was sold to MIT," explained Rocky. "As such the proceeds are paying for the project and the system maintenance and an additional check is being presented to the Paw Patrol here shortly."

Rocky pulled out a small briefcase and presented it to Lama Jampa. The Lama opened the case to reveal a small solar and satellite wifi system.

"I decided to call it "Little Buddy," explained Rocky, "Namkha helped me design it. I thought he deserved some credit as well. You set the 3 panel array up like this (demonstrating) and the screen lifts up. You turn it toward the sun, and (It activated and began acquiring the satellite feed) it automatically powers up and makes the link for you. Your laptop is already set up to receive the wifi feed. In addition, it will power the laptop as well as charge up to three devices."

"You designed and built this in less than a week?" said Lama Jampa.

"No Lama," said Yeshe from the crowd, "He designed and built it in two days. He's been playing with it the rest of the time until tonight."

"Wooo! That's my boy!" called out Professor Taylor, who had been asked to attend.

"I thank you for this gift," said Lama Jampa, "This and your deeds to bring the monastery into the 21st century will never be forgotten."

As the Lama left the stage Rocky remained and Professor Taylor joined him. They called Ryder forward.

"Ryder, on behalf of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Board of Regents, and Myself," said Professor Taylor, "I would like to present this check for 1 million dollars to the Paw Patrol."

The crowd gasped as did Ryder.

"The design that Rocky and Buddy developed, " explained Professor Taylor, "as well as the prototype were patented and production will begin soon. The 'Little Buddy' will be utilized by governments, companies, the Military, and even rescue workers all over the world for years to come. Rocky willingly presented the patent to the University with hopes only for the assistance with the installation of his other design at the monastery. We saw a much bigger possibility. The university accepts the name Rocky gave it, but it will be referred to by MIT as Project #1/ Patent #1 for the MIT / Paw Patrol School of Research and Development - Adventure Bay. The continuing proceeds of this project will fund the school here as well as allow for additional scholarships for years to come. We tried to call it the Rocky memorial scholarship but Rocky had other ideas."

Rocky again stepped forward, "I asked that it be named the Paw Patrol Memorial Scholarship as it was the Paw Patrol that brought me to Adventure Bay and has supported me through good and bad times. It was Ryder that saved me from the streets and gave me a home."

Needless to say there were no dry eyes in the room. Ryder stepped over and hugged Rocky tightly. "You're such a good pup," said Ryder. The crowd cheered with agreement.

The next day the Guardians were training again and had completed their drills for the day. Buster had dismissed them and they had all dispersed. Karuna noticed that Lizzy seemed off today, but assumed she was just having a bad day. Buddy had gone to the Lookout to see if he could talk Zuma into helping with something. Karuna had gone back to the dorms and was laying on his pup pad when he heard something strange.

"Is, is that crying?" Karuna asked himself. He stood and walked in the the main room. It wasn't coming from there he walked around and finally came to Lizzy's door. He listened, it was coming from inside. He knocked.

"Lizzy, It's me Karuna," he said. Nothing, but the crying stopped.

"Please Lizzy, Let me at least talk to you," asked Karuna.

The door slowly opened, Lizzy was standing there with red puffy eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," said Lizzy.

"No, you didn't disturb me," said Karuna. "I heard you crying and want to help. What has upset you. I know you had a rough day today, but I figured you had an off day, we all do."

"No it wasn't that," said Lizzy, "It was, uh, nevermind."

"Lizzy, I can't help if you don't talk to me," said Karuna.

"It was just a silly dream," said Lizzy. "It's stupid to let a dream bother me like I've let it."

"Tell me about it," said Karuna, sitting on his hunches, ears up.

Lizzy giggled a little.

"What?" asked Karuna, tilting his head.

Lizzy blushed and turned around.

"Lizzy, what's wrong?" asked Karuna, "Please tell me about your dream. If I can't help, I'll find someone who can."

"Ok, what do you know about my past?" asked Lizzy, "Before my parents adopted me?"

"I know you were found by park rangers," said Karuna, "I know Marshall and Everest wanted a little girl to take in and love."

"What you may not know is I was abandoned," said Lizzy. "I was tossed in the dumpster that the Ranger found me by."

"Uh, Lizzy," said Karuna, "was this your dream?"

"My dream was reliving the events I endued and the thoughts I've had," said Lizzy.

"Lizzy, I truly want to help," said Karuna, "But you parents have answers I can't provide. Do you mind if I call them? I promise I'll sit by your side while we talk to them."

Lizzy only nodded. Karuna tapped his pup tag, "Uncle Marshall, Aunt Everest?"

"Yes, Karuna?" answered Everest, "is something wrong?"

"Well sort of," said Karuna, "Lizzy remembers being abandoned. She's having nightmares and I think it would be better if we all sat down and talked about it."

Everest gasped, "Oh, I had hoped she wouldn't remember. Marshall and I will be right there."

Marshall called Chase and asked if he could come over to their dorms as well.

Lizzy and Karuna sat as Marshall, Everest and eventually Chase arrived.

"Oh, my sweet baby girl," said Everest, "I had hoped you had been too young to remember. But tell me about your dream and what you do remember."

Lizzy looked at Karuna and started, Karuna held her paw as she spoke, "I remember being in a car riding along. I don't remember any other dogs there, only a man with brown hair and a scowl. Anyway he stopped the car and grabbed me by my scruff. He looked at me and said one word. He called me 'pathetic,' and then he threw me in the dumpster. I could hear the car drive away. I struggled to get to the top but I kept falling back into the trash. I don't think I could speak yet but I cried. I kept trying until I finally reached the top and looked down. It looked so far but I had to get out of that smelly place. I jumped down, I landed hard and it hurt. Then it started raining. I thought it must have been a mistake and I waited for the man to come back. He never did. I heard a voice the next morning and ran out to see if it was him. It was another man, he was wearing some kind of a uniform. Later I found out he was a park ranger. He saw me and knelt down, he called to me but I was scared so I tried to hide and was shaking. He picked me up and smiled at me. Then he took me to a place where they cleaned me up and gave me a kennel to stay in. After what seemed a really long time, you and Dad came."

"Oh, Marshall," cried Everest, "It's so much worse than I thought. Lizzy, I am so sorry you remember all of that. You couldn't have been more than a few weeks old."

"What's wrong with me?" wept Lizzy, "Why didn't he want me? Where were my real parents?"

"First off, there is nothing wrong with you," said Marshall, "I can't answer why he did that. I also don't know where your parents are. But I can assure you, we love you as much if not more than your real parents ever could."

"Lizzy, I'm so sorry," said Everest, "I specifically looked for a little girl who had been left behind."

"But why?" asked Lizzy, "Something is wrong with me or he wouldn't have tossed me out like trash. I was abandoned."

"Lizzy, I had hoped to tell you this when you were a little older," said Everest, "But I wanted a little girl specifically that had been abandoned."

"Why?" said Lizzy, "Why would anyone want me? I'm not good enough."

Everest began crying harder, "Because. I-I was abandoned, I was left all alone at the South Pole. I've spent most of my life thinking I wasn't good enough. I wanted to be able to prove to somepup that there is love in the world and that they are more than good enough."

"Lizzy," said Chase stepping over, "I too was abandoned. I was dropped on a curb in Adventure City. I remember watching them drive away. I remember the feeling of being all alone in a huge city. Ryder found me and gave me a home. Jake found Everest and gave her a home. She was alone a really long time before she was found. When I heard that their plan was to adopt a little girl that had been through the same, it made me proud to have Marshall and Everest as family."

"But why did this happen?" asked Lizzy, "Why didn't they want me?"

"I don't know," said Everest, "I wish I could give you an answer to that. I still ask the same about my parents. But I do know that I couldn't ask for a more perfect little girl. You were brought here for a purpose."

"What purpose?" asked Lizzy. "I'm not good enough for anyone. Why would I have to be brought here?"

"I for one am very happy the spirits did bring you here," said Karuna.

"Why do you always look out for me?" asked Lizzy. "You've been by my side since the first day I was set next to you in the nursery."

"I was just being a pup when you were set down next to me," said Karuna. "They set you down to nurse and something in my soul lit up, I suddenly knew my purpose. You were mine, I saw you and I together forever. Lizzy I am so sorry you remember going through all of that. But you are more than good enough for me. I don't know if you will ever feel the way I do. But I will be here to protect you until I pass from this world. Your parents adore you and who knows, maybe your birth parents didn't know you were abandoned. But you have a purpose here. Your parents love you more than you will ever know. But I will continue to show you how much I love you regardless of which direction your life takes you."

Lizzy stared at Karuna and a smile formed on her muzzle, "Did you just tell me you love me?"

"Yes Lizzy," said Karuna, "I have loved you since you were placed next to me in the nursery. I swore that day to watch over you and protect you."

"It's true," said Everest, "I felt his love for you the moment you two touched the first time. Call it a soul bond or whatever you want to think of it as. But I felt the connection immediately and so did Yeshe. I don't know if you two are intended to be future mates or not. I do know that everyone here, pup and human, love you and want you to feel wanted and loved. This is your home no matter what happened before."

Lizzy hugged her mom and then Marshall, she turned to Kaurna. "I love you too," said Lizzy, "I don't know if it's a mate's love or the fact that you've always been there. But I still don't know why you would love me."

"I don't care if it ever develops into anything more than platonic love," said Karuna, "I love you and will continue to protect you regardless. I will try my best to prove to you my love. We are young, we have years to see if it goes anywhere. Regardless, when you need me I'll be close by and waiting for your call."

Karuna hugged Lizzy and turned to return to his room.

Lizzy ran to him and he turned around. Lizzy grabbed his face and kissed him.

Karuna stood there with his eyes wide. "Yes, I think I could come to like that," said Lizzy as she turned to walk back into her room.

Everest laughed and looked back at Karuna, "Boy, you have a ride on your hands. She really does like you, but I think she is probably going to mess with your head."

"Get used to it," laughed Marshall, "it's what females do to us. They make our heads fuzzy."

Karuna said, "Uh, well, uh good night." He turned and walked into his room.

"Is someone going to tell him it's only 5 in the afternoon?" laughed Chase.

"I don't think his brain is processing anything right now," laughed Marshall.

"So what do you think?" asked Everest.

"It broke my heart to hear that she remembers so much," said Marshall.

"Mine too," said Chase, "It brought back so many bitter memories. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"I think we got through," said Everest, "But I think we still have work to do. I want her to never doubt that she is perfect and is very loved."