The next morning Ryder was sitting in his bean bag chair playing a game on his pup pad. His pup pad rang. He answered it. "Paw Patrol, How can I help?"
"Good Morning Ryder," said Todd on the other end, "I wanted to check to see if you're still available this morning."
"Uh, Sure come on over," said Ryder.
"Ok we're on the way," said Todd "Also, is Rocky around, I'd really like to meet him."
"I'll call him," said Ryder. He hung up and then called Rocky to ask him to come to the Lookout.
Rocky walked in, "What's Up Ryder?" asked Rocky "Did you need something?"
"Well the MIT guys are coming over," said Ryder "They specifically asked to meet you."
"Ok, I'd love to meet some people that can understand some of the things I talk about," laughed Rocky.
They waited talking about different projects they had in mind. They were discussing the test Ryder had taken when Todd and Steven arrived.
"Hello Ryder," said Todd, as he turned to Rocky, "and you must be the famous Rocky."
"I don't know about famous," said Rocky, "but it's nice to meet you both."
"Well since we had some free time last night," explained Todd, "we asked around town about you Ryder. Everyone seems to think you're a genius for certain. But Rocky, your name kept coming up and equally intelligent with the ability to fix anything."
"Rocky is definitely genius in his ability to fix things," said Ryder "Everyone does like him, he's very personable and easy to like."
"Well," said Steven "We get false test results on a regular basis. But Ryder you checked that you had no assistance with the test and did remarkably well. When we get results like this, one or more of the recruiting team generally likes to come out, meet and administer the final in person. Frankly, I have a hard time believing you actually made the score you did. Therefore I wanted to come out myself and meet you."
"And after hearing the comments on you Rocky," said Todd, "I would like to see how you test in an exam or two. I guess first off you didn't fill out our questionnaire so what do you like, what fields do you like?"
"Well," said Rocky, "I was never able to receive any formal education. Everything I know is because I love to read and build things. If I had to pick a field, it would probably be Mechanical Engineering."
"Really," said Steven "You've had no formal education but say you've learned simply from reading books. It would take a very high intelligence even for a human to teach themselves engineering. Would you be willing to take a test specifically for engineering? Just to see what you know."
"Sure," said Rocky "It would be fun."
"Ryder the Final for you will be all encompassing," said Todd. "Is there a chance you could get someone to cover your calls for the two of you while you test?"
"I can get Chase, my second in command, to cover the calls," explained Ryder.
"That would be best," said Todd, "the distraction could throw off your results."
"Ok," said Ryder, Picking up his pup pad he called Chase and asked him to come to the Lookout. Chase came in shortly after and Ryder explained what they were doing and that Chase would be in charge until they finished.
"No problem," said Chase "Good luck to both of you. It will be nice to get some confirmation on just how smart the two of you really are."
"Ok, Ryder and Rocky," started Todd "You will have four hours to complete the exams. You can have scratch paper but no electronics to assist you."
"You can have a bathroom break," said Steven "But you will be escorted by one of us. There can be no chance of cheating for the results to be accurate."
"Ryder, your exam is the MENSA final IQ Evaluation Exam." said Todd, as he sat the exam in front of Ryder.
"Rocky, your exam is a general engineering exam," said Steven "It has some general questions but it is predominantly Mechanical Engineering. He set the exam down in front of Rocky."
Ryder watched as Todd looked down at the exam Steven set down and for a brief moment he frowned but recovered quickly.
"Before you begin," said Todd, "do either of you have any questions?"
Neither Ryder nor Rocky said anything.
"Ok, then begin," said Todd.
The two began their exams. Both looked as if they were concentrating very hard to do their best. The time ticked by as page after page was filled with equations and multiple choice questions were answered. Rocky was the first to finish his exam in two hours and ten minutes. Ryder finished shortly after at two hours and twenty minutes. Steven looked at the exam Rocky turned in and just shook his head.
"You both have time left," said Todd "are you sure you want to turn them in now?"
"I'm good," said Ryder.
"Me too," said Rocky, "that was fun. I actually had to think about a few of them. It will be interesting to see how I did."
"Ok, just wait here while we grade the exams" said Todd.
After about an hour both Todd and Steven came back in, Steven just shook his head in disbelief.
"Ryder, if I wasn't here to witness this," said Todd, "I would not believe it. You have tested in excess of 175 IQ. It would take an extensive board exam to prove above that, but I do not doubt that you would probably test close to 190 or even 200. I must say I'm very impressed."
Todd turned to Steven, "Steven would you like to say something?"
"First off congratulations Ryder," said Steven, "I too am very impressed." Steven then turned to Rocky and his face turned into one of shame. "Rocky, I was not honest with you. I did not give you the general engineering exam. Instead I gave you last semester's Engineering Final for certification."
Rocky looked at Ryder then said, "Oh, so I didn't do as well as I should have. I'm sorry, I…"
"No Rocky," said Steven, "I'm the one that needs to apologize. There were twenty out of fifty that failed that exam and were therefore not certified as Mechanical Engineers. You not only passed the exam, you aced the exam. I have never seen anyone make a perfect score on that exam."
"I've never heard of anyone making a perfect score," said Todd.
"Rocky," said Steven "I was unfair to you and did not think it possible for a dog to be actually as smart as everyone said you were. I was wrong."
"Wow, Cool!" said Rocky. "See I told you, you were a genius Ryder. Now it's confirmed."
"Rocky, you just passed an exam that many others with formal education couldn't pass," said Ryder "I think that means you're equally a genius."
"Guys," said Todd, "I now see how all the technology was invented for your team. I'd say the citizens of Adventure Bay are in very capable hands. Ryder without a doubt I would like to extend you an invitation to join MENSA. Rocky, I don't think we've ever had a canine apply, let alone qualify. I believe you will be our first, that is if you choose to join."
Ryder and Rocky looked at each other, their smiles widening. They both turned to the two men and each said "Yes."
*** At the Beach ***
Everyone had gathered at the beach, the teams from all over the region had come to compete in the first Adventure Bay High School Invitational Surf Competition. Out of all the teams Adventure Bay was the smallest team with only 4 students and of course Zuma who would be competing in the coaches class.
Rocky and Rubble had built stands on the beach for the observers. Sky was flying overhead providing a live video feed out over the water.
Everyone was gathering. Yeshe had reluctantly agreed to drive Zuma's hovercraft in case there was an emergency. Once she realized that Ryder had made her a special pup pack for the occasion that included a life jacket, she was much more confident.
The competition started and as the day went on Zuma would pull one of his members aside and explain something then pat them on the back and send them back out. He always had a nice word or compliment for the member. Sunny sat back watching with a smile, Floyd was watching and walked over.
"You really do love him," said Floyd.
"Well, yes dad," said Sunny "Did you think I was kidding, He's amazing."
"He is really good with those kids," said Floyd "I knew it was a good suggestion for him to coach a Surf Team."
"It was, he is really good with the team," agreed Sunny.
"You know he's so good with kids," said Floyd "I bet he'll be great with your pups."
"I know he will be," said Sunny, suddenly realizing what her dad had suggested. "Dad," said Sunny, "did you just suggest I have puppies."
"I did always want grandpups," laughed Floyd.
"Dad, we just became mates a few months ago," said Sunny.
"I didn't necessarily mean today," said Floyd "But someday, it would be nice."
"I promise dad," sighed Sunny, "we will try soon enough."
Floyd kissed his daughter on the head and turned back to watching the surf competition.
As the day continued all of Zuma's team members were still in the running. The break started and the coaches' competition began. Zuma's team all lined up on the beach to cheer their coach on. Everyone took great joy in watching Foggy Bottom's Coach Mayor Humdinger immediately wipe out and have to be rescued by Yeshe. Yeshe drove up on the beach and dumped Mayor Humdinger on the sand before turning and riding back into the surf.
It came down to Zuma and the coach from Adventure City. They were head to head with no faults for either of them. Finally the coach from Adventure City looked over and simply fell back into the wave thus allowing Zuma to win. The crowd all went wild. Zuma's team and Sunny ran to the water's edge as Zuma rode in. They picked Zuma up and carried him up to Sunny, setting him down so she could kiss him congratulations.
Zuma's team went on to win second and third place.
Zuma walked over to the Adventure City coach and shook his hand.
"You're guy did awesome," said Zuma "He definitely deserved first. And so did you, I know you fell down on purpose."
"Thanks," said the coach, "Your guys did very well also, they will definitely be good competitors as they gain experience. And your team sticks together so well, I thought you deserved the win. You are very good. I didn't mind allowing you to win. Give it a few competitions and I'll bet you give everyone a great run for their money. You better watch out, you'll get recruited by a college team. You treat your team members great and have an awesome rapport with them. If I can ever be of assistance to you or you just want to surf, call me."
*** Back at the Lookout ***
There was definite cause for celebration. Between Zuma and his team's awards for surfing, there was also Ryder and Rocky's test results. The whole town showed up as well as a few of the other surf teams that stayed over. It was a great party and lots of new friends were made.
Todd and Steven stepped up to the podium and officially recognized Ryder for his results and presented him with his membership for MENSA. Then Steven picked up a paper and called Rocky to the podium, for some reason unknown to everyone Mr. Lariat also walked up to the podium. Steven stepped to the side and allowed Mr. Lariat to address the crowd.
"As many of you may have heard," said Floyd "I have made arrangements to have an extension of Adventure City University to be opened here in Adventure Bay." He allowed the applause to die down before continuing. "I believe that Steven here would like to address an additional arrangement that has been made." stepped back allowing Steven to return to the podium.
"Ok, today we have had the pleasure of meeting two very intelligent individuals," said Steven. "As you have seen Ryder has been accepted into MENSA, a group of extremely high IQ individuals that gather to help address items of concern brought forward by governments and companies all over the world. Well, by recommendation and cooperation with Mr. Lariat and the Adventure City University, MIT would like to open an extension as well. While Ryder is definitely invited to attend course work toward whatever degree plan he chooses to pursue, it is my extreme pleasure to extend a full scholarship to our first Canine student, Rocky."
The crowd lost it and Rocky's eye almost popped out of his head.
"Do WHAT!" said Rocky.
"Rocky, you amazed me and I made a few calls," said Steven "I believe you could be one of the greatest mechanical engineers in history. I think you could change the world with your intelligence. I think you should attend classes to make it possible for you to hold your Engineering Degree and Certification. As such MIT has agreed to provide your education and be a partner with Paw Patrol to develop a research campus here in Adventure Bay."
"WHOO!" yelled Zuma "I told you, you were the smartest pup in the world!"
"I guess," said Rocky, blushing, "Thank you Steven and Todd. I have always wanted to go to school. I would greatly enjoy taking college classes and not having to leave Adventure Bay to do so makes it much easier."
*** Later ***
The party ended and Mr. Lariat had turned Sunny's apartment into his Adventure Bay office since she wasn't using it, so he went back to the apartment. Ryder and Katie were in Ryder's room. Rubble and Obi had gone to Obi's house for the evening. Chase and Skye had both gone to bed as had Marshall and Everest.
Sunny had pulled Zuma into her pup house and they were laying together talking.
"I'm so proud of you Zuma," said Sunny "You were great with your team today."
"Thanks Sunny," said Zuma "It was fun. They guys did great. I'm so glad your dad was able to get the college to agree to set up a campus here. I would have survived, but I would have hated every minute you were away."
"Well speaking of dad," said Sunny, "He had another suggestion."
"Oh, did he see something I could have done better?" asked Zuma.
"No he said you were so great with the kids on your team," said Sunny "that you would be great with our pups."
"I hope I would be…" suddenly Zuma froze. "Sssunny a-are you pregnant?"
"Not yet," laughed Sunny, "That was dad's suggestion. He said he wants grandpups."
"Uh, well, I'm willing," said Zuma "but are you ready? I mean, I'm ready to try."
"Well, I really like having you to myself right now." said Sunny "I want to finish some classes first, and of course the books caught up for the lodge and the retreat." Sunny reached over and began unfastening Zuma's Collar, "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't practice."
Zuma giggled and rolled over to remove Sunny's collar.
Down in Rocky's pup house.
"Wow, I'm so proud of how well you did on that test" said Yeshe "I knew you were super smart. I think you'll do great in college."
"Thanks Yeshe," said Rocky. "I never dreamed I'd get the chance to go. I'm still no one special, but it was fun to take that test."
"I think the super genius needs to get busy getting his mate pregnant," said Yeshe. "So she has something to do while he runs off to school"
"Well, we'll just have to see what we can do," said Rocky.