OK Guys, I had so much fun writing the first two stories I decided to make a third. As always I hope you enjoy reading it half as much as I enjoy writing it.

It's been six months since the pups were born. They are now staying with their parents in the dorms. College has started for Katie, Sunny, and Rocky. The Retreat is set to open and the grand opening is this weekend.

Rocky walked into the Dorm. Yeshe was resting on a pup pad and looked up as he walked in.

"Good Afternoon Love," said Rocky laying beside her on the pad. "Where are the pups?"

"Good Afternoon," said Yeshe, stretching and Yawning big. "The pups asked to go play with Lizzy. Everest said she'd watch them. How was class?"

"Great, I love the classes," said Rocky, "I really like Professor Taylor. Once he discovered I wasn't a joke, he has loosened up a lot."

"That's great," said Yeshe. "Have you noticed that Namkha has really begun stepping into your role while you are in school."

"I guess I knew he was interested," said Rocky. "I haven't noticed he is actually doing anything with it."

"He's really stepped up," said Yeshe. "As soon as he can drive your truck, I think he'll take over. He's already ridden with Zuma to several calls and been able to do repairs. He has your mind for figuring things out and fixing anything."

"Have you given any more thought about nicknames for the pups," asked Rocky, "I love their names, but it's hard to pronounce for the other pups in some cases."

"Actually I was asking Kang what he thought," said Yeshe. "He mentioned that he had been calling AtrirkSaka Buster and the others are starting to call him that."

"Well, I guess that sort of makes sense," laughed Rocky.

"You call Namkha Buddy so much I think everyone else is calling him that," laughed Yeshe. "I've gotten where I'm calling Gyal-Tso Gale so I think that is beginning to shape into hers. The only one left is Karuna and he likes being called that."

"Well, that was easy," laughed Rocky, "Being a parent is so much easier than I thought it would be."

"I will bite you," laughed Yeshe, "You don't see all the messes they get into while you're in school. Thank goodness they don't hate water like you did. I have to bathe them so often, they're becoming water dogs."

"I know you work really hard to keep up with them while also working at the retreat," said Rocky, "I love you and really appreciate you letting me attend classes. Are you going to move to the cabin at the retreat?"

"Honestly, since Everest is staying there with the Ski Lodge open," said Yeshe, "I've been going back and forth a lot. If Lizzy is there, Karuna is there. I really am beginning to think they are destined to be together. He loves her, and watches over her very protectively. I think they're too young to understand what's going on but Everest and I see it. But to answer your question, yes, I think after the grand opening this weekend I should probably be there to help. Kang has been great but it's too much to expect him to do everything."

"It's funny," laughed Rocky, "Karuna has been watching over Lizzy since she arrived. I guess he's going to end up one of your Guardians, he is very protective. It's quite obvious that AtrirakSaka was born to be a guardian and will be a great leader."

*** The Next Morning At The Retreat with Kang ***

"Ok pups," said Kang, "Just because we're not at a monastery doesn't mean that you will have it easier. Remember threats can be anywhere, even here."

"Uncle Kang," said Karuna "Is it true that mom got shot protecting the Retreat?"

"Well technically she was protecting Lin, my master," said Kang, "but yes, Yeshe was shot. As a matter of fact she had just found out she was pregnant with you pups."

"Wow, who would want to hurt this place?" asked Gyal-Tso.

"There will always be those with different opinions of what is right," said Kang. "As such we as Guardians must always be ready to protect and defend the property and people we are assigned to guard."

"Well, we've been at it for a while this morning," said Kang, "You pups take a break and get some water."

Kang had walked inside and was talking to Lin and Toby when he heard an argument outside, he ran outside.

"Take it back!" yelled Gale, she was standing on Buster's chest, pinning him by the neck.

"Whoa! Pups Stand Down! NOW!" yelled Kang running up. "Now Line UP!"

"Gale stepped off Buster and walked over getting in line. The pups stood in line as they were currently ranked.

AtrirakSaka (Buster), Karuna, Gyal-Tso (Gale), and Namkha (Buddy). The pups came to attention.

"So Buster," said Kang, "Why is it I found Gale about to tear a new hole in your hide."

"B-because she's a stupid girl," said Buster.

"Buster!" yelled Kang, "You will apologize, NOW!"

"sorry, Gyal-Tso," said Buster, barely audible.

"And now unless you want to run until I get tired," said Kang, "you'll try it like you mean it."

"I'm sorry I called you stupid, Gale," said Buster.

"Now Gale," said Kang, stepping in front of her and noticing she had tears in her eyes. "Please tell me that it was more than simply being called stupid that had you ready to kill my boy. You know you're not stupid, you are quite intelligent."

"H-he s-said I can't be a firefighter like Uncle Marshall," said Gale. "He said girls are too weak to be firefighters."

Kang turned his head to keep from laughing. He turned back, "Well you know girls can be firefighters. And now Buster knows you're anything but weak. In fact you move to the first position, for now you are the new team lead."

"B-but dad!" said Buster

"I seriously think you should consider shutting that hole under your nose," snapped Kang, "or maybe I should walk away and let her resume correcting you in just how weak girls are."

"No sir," said Buster, as Gale assumed the first position. The pups remained at attention.

Marshall came walking by and noticed the change. He stopped and watched for a moment. Kang noticed him.

"Marshall, come here please," said Kang, "I was actually just about to call you."

"Yes Sir, Kang!" said Marshall, coming to attention in front of Kang.

"Gale here was speaking of female firefighters," explained Kang. "It seems some of the pups are under the impression that girls can't be firefighters. Do you have a moment to explain the truth?"

"Absolutely Kang, Sir." said Marshall turning to the pups, he looked over to Kang to see if he was going to allow them to stand at ease.

"No Marshall," said Kang, "They seemed to have earned the right to stand at attention for a while longer, carry on."

"Very Well," said Marshall as he began. "There are many famous female fire pups. Some of the fastest and strongest fire pups in the world are female. There are female police K9's, Female Medical pups, female construction pups, and of course pilots and guardians. There is nothing a male can do that a female can't do if they want to. The job of a firefighter medic is often very taxing."

"Can you tell us about the night Mom got Shot?" asked Karuna. "That is if it's ok, Kang Sir."

"Since it is relevant to this discussion, I'll allow it," said Kang, "that is if Marshall wants to tell that story."

"Pups," started Marshall, "that was probably one of the scariest times of my life. Yeshe had been guarding the retreat main hall when a group showed up to try and burn down the retreat. Lin attempted to speak with those attacking and one of them shot at him. Yeshe jumped in front of the shot getting hit. She had just found out that she was pregnant but did not hesitate to perform her sworn duty to protect. When I got to her she was unconscious and bleeding very badly. Her shoulder was separated. I had been shot at before while putting the fire out, luckily they missed me. I wasn't sure if there were other shooters but I had a job to do and when one of our own goes down, we do what has to be done. I was so scared that we wouldn't be able to save Yeshe, but Katie and I worked quickly to stop the bleeding and take care of her other injuries."

"Wow," said all the pups together.

Marshall continued explaining that night and the efforts to save Yeshe. He then went on to explain the training required to be a firefighter medic. He concluded saying that it takes a special calling to run into things that others are running away from.

"Whether it's as a firefighter or police officer or even a guardian," said Marshall, "It takes a special pup, be they male or female."

"Thank you Marshall," said Kang, "Pups, fall out and Buster I expect far better of you from now on."

Buster walked over to Gale, "I really am sorry I said that. It was stupid of me to say that. I can't believe you'd rather do that than be a guardian. I guess I got defensive and made a stupid comment."

"I forgive you Buster," said Gale, "You hurt my feelings but I overreacted."

"You are really strong when you're mad," said Buster, "You're also very beautiful when you're mad."

"What!" said Gale.

"N-nothing, nothing," said Buster, walking away quickly.

Kang laughed walking up, "Gale, is it true? Would you rather be a firefighter medic than a guardian?"

"I know it's wrong," said Gale, "But I think it's a very noble job and I think I would be good at it."

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to be a firefighter, Gale," said Kang. "Why don't you go spend the rest of the day with Marshall. Ask him the questions on your mind. If you still feel this way tomorrow, we'll speak to your parents together."

"Thank you, Kang Sir," said Gale, turning to run toward Marshall.

"You know he likes you," said Kang, as Gale walked away.

"I know," laughed Gale, "I wanted him to say it though."

Kang laughed, shaking his head.

Skye and Chase were laying on the pup pad in the dorm.

"Chase, have you thought any more about having a pup?" asked Skye.

"Constantly," said Chase. "But I'm ok waiting until you are ready. We do have a lot of fun together."

"Just because I have pups," said Skye, "doesn't mean we can't still spend alone time together."

"You know I'm ready when you are," said Chase.

Skye kissed him, "I think I'm going to go for a flight. I want to think and I think better in the air."

"Ok be safe," said Chase. "Have a nice flight."

Skye went out and jumped in her helicopter when she was ready, she took off.

Zuma watched as Skye flew overhead flying down the shoreline. He was daydreaming when he noticed smoke coming from Skye's helicopter. He quickly hit his pup tag.

"Chase, I could be wrong," said Zuma, "But it looks like Skye's chopper is smoking. You might check on her and let Ryder know."

Skye was flying, not really thinking about much at first. She flew over to the bay and started flying down the shore line, she was lost in thought about having a pup when the warning lights came on for oil pressure.

"Crap!" said Skye, "I checked the oil. What on earth?"

She quickly checked her gauges. She noticed that the gauge for oil pressure was dropping when suddenly the engine fire alarm sounded and she started losing power. She decided it was going to be softer to land in the water than the beach. She attempted to auto rotate in but struck the water hard. Her last thought as she began sinking was of Chase and how sad he would be if she died. Everything began going black.