Road Rovers X: The Next Generation
Written by: GenPar96
Story by: GenPar96 and MatbeK01
Based on characters created by: Tom Ruegger and Jeff Gordon
Author's Note: This is a sequel to my Road Rovers series which lasted from A Rough Start to The Beginnings. If you haven't read my series yet, I suggest you go read them all and then come back here to follow the story. Also, this is the tenth installment of my Road Rovers series, which is meant to be a soft reboot to the show, with serious themes and much more drama than the show while adding moments of levity/humor to stay in the spirit of the show. In my series, the episodes Dawn of the Groomer and Reigning Cats and Dogs did not happen. Road Rovers and the original characters are property of Warner Bros. Any character created for this story is by me, GenPar96. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this sequel!
January 15th, 2004
Chicago, Illinois
It's a clear day in Chicago, Illinois. At Harpo Studios, a crew is set to start filming an episode for The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Director: All right, everything looks good. Our live audience is coming in.
The director looks at a slim blonde woman in casual clothing who wears a headset.
Director: Betty!
Betty hears this and walks to the director, who is in his 40's with thinning hair.
Betty: Yes, sir?
Director: Make sure our guest is ready and tell him that we'll be on in ten minutes! And also, be sure that Oprah looks good for the cameras!
Betty kindly smiles at the director.
Betty: I'll be right on it, sir!
Betty goes through the studio to get to the room their guest is waiting. She arrives at a door. She opens it to be seeing two people working on someone who sits in a chair in front of the mirror.
Betty: Um, sir?
The man lets the two stop working on his face. He turns the chair around. It's an average-sized man with short black hair, blue eyes, clean-shaven, and is wearing a suit and tie. The man is 31 years old and is the guest for today's filming. His name is Max Thomas Parker.
Max: Yes, mam?
Betty kindly smiles.
Betty: We'll be on in ten minutes.
Max nods. Betty leaves.
Max: All right, I guess it's time for my close-up.
Max gets up and fastens his suit. He looks at the two who were working on his face.
Max: How do I look?
The two make-up people look at each other and smile.
Female Make-Up Artist: Perfect, Mr. Parker.
Male Make-Up Artist: Swell, Mr. Parker.
The two leave the room. A woman comes into the room. This woman is in her late twenties with long black hair, green eyes, a skinny body, and wears formal clothing. She smiles.
Woman: Hey, honey.
Max: Hey, babe.
The woman is none other than Sarah Kelly Parker, Max's wife. The two hug and share a kiss.
Sarah: Well, here you are, on the Oprah.
Max: I know. My mother loves this show. I asked her when the episode airs to tape the episode on VHS so our family can see it.
Max looks down to see his wife's bump on her stomach. She is five months pregnant. Max kneels.
Max: And when the time is right, you two get to see who your dad was.
Max kisses the bump twice, for Sarah is carrying twins; a boy and a girl. This gesture makes Sarah blush.
Sarah: (giggling) Oh, Max, stop it.
Max gets up.
Sarah: Max, there's something that has been on my mind since we've been doing this tour.
Max: What?
Sarah looks down.
Sarah: Do we need this much publicity?
Max lifts her chin.
Max: It's just to promote my book. After all, it did become a New York Times bestseller.
But before she can say another word, a woman comes in.
Woman: Mr. Parker, your surprise is ready!
Max nods as he goes to leave with the woman.
Sarah: Surprise?
Max turns to Sarah.
Max: If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?
Max winks and leaves with the woman. Sarah shrugs as she leaves the room and goes to the set to sit as part of the live audience. Within 10 minutes, the audience is full, and filming for the episode has begun. In the middle of the set, there sat two big yellow chairs. In between the chairs was a small brown plant stand with a book on it. It has a front cover of the back of Max standing in front of Road Rovers HQ. Above it stood a title in reddish-orangeish text: My Journey as the Only Human of the Road Rovers. Doors open to reveal Oprah Winfrey, wearing a black business suit with a white undershirt, also black pants and black heels that all together obviously cost her a lot of money. She is glamorous, as she always was. Her black long bangs hairstyle that was curled in the back is what makes her look good to the live and television audience. She comes out of the doorway to the sounds of a live audience cheering. She walks with a smile on her face showing her white teeth, clapping the hands of the audience reaching out. She makes it to the last person, which is Sarah, who kindly handshakes Oprah, with the latter kindly handshaking her back and even having a small conversation with her. She walks to the center of the stage with the live audience keep cheering for Oprah. She kindly takes it with the same smile, knowing how loved she is, not just to the live audience, but to the world.
Oprah: All right! Sit down.
The live audience does sit down, but not before giving Oprah another cheer and applause. This made Oprah smile again and nod to the audience. The cheers stop.
Oprah: Our guest today is a research scientist for a research organization you may have heard of: LIFE Corporation. They have one mission, find and develop cures for all forms of cancer and disease.
The audience applause for this comment, causing to Oprah nod. The applause dies down.
Oprah: But that is not why our guest has come out today. Our guest has published a book which had recently become a New York Times bestseller entitled My Journey as the Only Human of the Road Rovers.
The audience once again applauds. The applause dies.
Oprah: Let's just say that maybe a little bit of it was for my guest, the book, or me.
The audience laughs as Oprah makes a notion to the book on the plant stand.
Oprah: This book here goes into detail about our guest's journey as part of a crime-fighting team known as the Road Rovers. I just so happened to have four members of the Road Rovers as guests on this show for an episode in 1999. Here they are.
The screen behind her shows a photo of Blitz, Exile, Colleen, and Hunter sitting on two opposite sofas, with Oprah sitting on a chair spaced out between the sofas.
Oprah: I went over with those four of what it meant to be heroes and how it affected them. I'm sure we will get that from our guest today. So, please give a warm welcome to our guest, a worker for LIFE Corporation and the author of My Journey as the Only Human of the Road Rovers, Max Thomas Parker!
Oprah extends her arm to where Max is meant to come out and the audience starts to applaud him. Except, he doesn't come out. As Oprah is about to be confused, she feels something, like something inside her didn't feel right. She notices she's being lifted off the ground. As she's being put on the yellow she usually sits on, a hand is extended out from behind a set piece with what looked like a grey glove. As the arm reaches out, there is a dark blue color. A body emerges and it is Max wearing his Road Rovers uniform from his days of being a dog in a crime-fighting team, even up to the collar with a brass tag with his first name etched in on it. Seeing this caused the audience to not only gasp but to further cheer for Max. He smiles as he places her down on her usual yellow chair. He runs around the set and claps each hand. After clapping each hand, he goes over to Sarah, who is surprised just as much as Oprah was. Max quickly takes her hand and kisses it, letting her smile. Standing near the big yellow chair he will sit on, he takes off his uniform, revealing his suit and tie. The last thing he takes off is the grey boots, revealing his black dress socks. A crew member throws in two black dress shoes to Max, which he catches and quickly puts them on. After straightening his business suit, he goes over to Oprah and hugs her, who, though surprised by what Max did, kindly hugs back. He sits on the opposite yellow chair for him. The audience continues to applaud Max. The applause dies down.
Oprah: Wow, I have to say that was quite an entrance you made, Mr. Parker!
The audience applauds again. It eventually dies down.
Max: Well, maybe it will help boost your ratings up a bit, Oprah.
The audience laughs, along with Oprah.
Oprah: I just want to say, Mr. Parker, I have read your book. And I have to say, it was a great read from start to finish. The way you wrote the book felt like I was with you on that journey.
Max is touched by this comment and smiles.
Max: Why, thank you very much, Oprah. I'm blown away at how this book and my story have already affected people. Whether I'm in a grocery store, or walking down a sidewalk, people will come up to me and tell me how my story made them go through a tough time in their life; like how it made them go through a rough divorce or how it made them go through the death of someone close to them. The fact that I've touched people with my story still affects me as well in a profound way. It's honestly quite flattering and if I can help more people along the way, then I will forever be pleased to do so.
The audience lightly applauds for this moment, which does die down. Oprah nods and smiles.
Oprah: I'm glad at how well this is going for you.
Max nods to this comment.
Oprah: Now, I do have to ask you this, and believe me I should know from asking this to four members before you. How has being a Road Rover affected you personally?
Max takes a moment to have that question into his head to think of the right words. It all comes to him.
Max: Well, to be honest with you and to the audience, it has affected me for the better. I've honestly never considered myself to be a superhero, nor did I even think such a thing like that would be possible. It started accidentally when I was forced to be a test subject to prove to my father, the infamous General Parvo, that a human would be capable to be a cano-sapien. And then after that, let's just say it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Miraculously, maybe by God, I was able to make it out of there within two years and go back to my old life. In some ways, I am proud to have been a Road Rover. Being one, though most of it did feel like I was a soldier in the front lines during a war, was rewarding. When you were not on a mission, you were treated like family. There was love for each other, both tough and unconditional. Yet, at the same time, I always felt the sense that-
?: You might be doing this for attention?
Hearing this brought the attention of everyone on the set. A man from the audience stands up. This man looked like an average tall man in his 40's. Max sits up a little and looks at the man.
Max: Was that you?
?: Yes. I honestly feel like you're doing this for-
Max: Attention. You don't need to go any further.
Max stands up and straightens his business suit.
Max: What's your name, sir?
The man rolls his eyes. His eyes fix back apathetically at Max.
?: Darren.
Max starts to smirk a bit.
Max: Darren, would you like to stand by me?
Darren chuckles.
Darren: Now, why would I want to do that?
Max: Oh, no reason. I just think I should be acquainted with you, if for just five minutes.
Darren continues to chuckle at himself.
Darren: All right, Max. Let's be acquainted.
Darren makes his way to go stand next to Max. As he walks down the stairs, Sarah looks at him and Max in worry. The same can be said for Oprah and everyone else in the audience. When Max notices Oprah's worry, he makes a notion to let her know it's okay. Darren eventually makes his way and stands next to Max.
Max: Oh, please, Darren. Don't be in front of the star.
Max moves Darren away from Oprah. After putting him in the spot he wants, he puts his hand on Darren's shoulder.
Max: Now, Darren, where do you live?
Darren: Chicago.
Max nods.
Max: And what do you do for a living, Darren?
Darren: I'm an attorney.
Max looks at Darren.
Max: Oh, that explains the doubts you have about me.
Darren chuckles.
Darren: Doubts? I don't need to doubt that the moon is made out of cheese when I can look at it through a telescope to prove that it's not. I know that you ever were with the Road Rovers.
Max sighs.
Max: Buddy, it takes you roughly a day and a half to read my book. Heck, you can ever compare my voice to the Alaskan Malamute's and you would know that we share the same voice and tone.
Darren: It could be just a coincidence. There are plenty of people that sound alike to each other. Plus, it's a wonder why you never faced any form of prosecution for the murder of Professor Eugene Atwater or those other people in the facility. Tell me, Mr. Parker, are you in some form of witness protection?
Max, not wanting to answer Darren's question, looks at him sternly.
Max: All right. I think you said enough. You doubt me who I am?
Darren turns to Max.
Darren: Yes, I do.
Max turns around and begins to walk away.
Max: You know, Darren, there are ways to make people believe.
Max turns to Darren.
Max: I bet you I could lift you around this set without having to lift a finger.
Darren realizes this and starts to laugh.
Darren: Is this your way of proving you are the Alaskan Malamute of the Road Rovers team?
Max: No. It's my way to make you believe.
Darren shakes his head, doubting that this guy could be the Road Rover that, in his point of view, claims to be.
Max: It's all right. We have all day.
Darren, after thinking it over, nods.
Darren: Well, go ahead.
Max puts his hands in his pockets. After a few moments, he focuses his energy on Darren. The guy starts floating off the floor.
Darren: Ok, Max. I know this is just wires of some kind.
Darren feels around him, but he can't feel any wires. Immediately, this causes concern for him.
Max: If only wires could magically be on you right now.
Max begins to lift Darren around the set, which included the live audience, the set pieces, and around the cameramen, who move their cameras to follow Darren around.
Darren: Okay, Max! I think you prove your point!
Max smirks.
Max: You sure, buddy? Maybe I should go to Hollywood. Imagine all the Oscars I'd be getting for visual effects.
Darren: Will you just put me down?!
Max nods.
Max: As you wish.
Max puts Darren back in the seat he was sitting on, leaving him a bit wide-eyed. Max walks up the steps to get to Darren.
Max: Now, I suggest that you now be quiet during this taping. Not unless you want me to do that again.
Darren shakes his head.
Darren: No. I'll shut up.
Max: Thank you.
Max starts walking back to the big yellow chair to sit on.
Max: I hope you enjoyed your five minutes of fame.
The audience applauds for Max. Sarah and Oprah were a bit shocked that he did that, but they clap for him. Over an hour has passed since then. Taping for the episode has ended. Max, full of ecstatic, is on his way back to his guest room, with Sarah walking with him.
Max: Oh, Sarah, that was great! I had such a fun time!
Sarah, confused about how to feel for her husband, hesitantly nods.
Sarah: Yeah. It was fun.
Max: Everything was great, aside from that jerk attorney in the audience.
Max looks at Sarah, noticing her looking down on the floor. He stops.
Max: Is something wrong?
Sarah looks deep into her husband's blue eyes.
Sarah: You didn't need to do that to him. Security could have taken him off from the audience. There was no need for that. It might give rise to the mainstream media if they show it on air or if it gets leaked to the public.
Max, now in full understanding of what he did, looks at Sarah.
Max: Sarah. I don't know how else to prove it to the doubters. I have to do that to show that I'm not doing this for money.
Sarah: But the team didn't need to do something like that because the public believed they were the right deal.
Max: Yeah. The thing is, they're not human like me. Shepherd and I knew stuff like this was going to happen. I have no other way to prove it to the doubters but do what I just did.
Sarah sighs.
Sarah: I just don't want something like this hurting the team's legacy. It's different in private. If it happens in public, it could be disastrous.
Max chuckles a bit, making Sarah confused.
Sarah: What?
Max: Nothing, it's just you sound like Shepherd.
Hearing this made Sarah lightly smile.
Sarah: Oh.
Max looks at Sarah's eyes.
Max: Sarah, when this publicity tour is done, we won't have to worry about stuff like this. We can be happy and normal together. Have a peaceful life.
Sarah: You're saying that like it's absolute. You know a peaceful life is not guaranteed to happen.
Max kisses Sarah's lips, causing her to kiss his lips in response.
Max: I'm sure it will. The world probably doesn't need the Road Rovers anymore. It can solve its problems by itself. And for me, that is a peaceful life well earned.
Sarah smiles at this comment.
Max: Now then, we got to get back to the hotel and be prepared to leave tomorrow.
Max and Sarah start to walk to the exit door.
Sarah: Who are we going to next?
Max: Ellen Degeneres.
Hearing this causes Sarah to gasp with excitement.
Sarah: I love Ellen!
Max smiles.
Max: Then Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, and David Letterman.
Sarah chuckles as they reach the exit door.
May 10th, 2004
Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Four months have passed since Max's publicity tour. Max and Sarah are at the hospital expecting the twins to be brought into the world. The doctors and Sarah helped to give the twins a welcome to the world. Sarah struggled through the pain that labor was given to her. Each child was painful for her to deliver, but she pulled through. Sarah is laying on the hospital bed while Max is sitting on a chair near the bed. Both are waiting to hold each other's baby in their arms.
Max: Hey, baby.
Sarah, though recovering from the pain she went through, turns her head to look at her husband.
Max: (smiles) I'm proud of you.
Max holds Sarah's hand, twiddling with her wedding ring. Sarah smiles.
Sarah: Just save your congratulations until we hold our babies.
Just then, two doctors come in with two newborns swaddled in cloth.
Doctor #1: Hello Mr. and Mrs. Parker. You'll be happy to know that your baby boy and baby girl are perfectly healthy.
Doctor #2: Have you two decided on a name for these two?
Max and Sarah look at each other then back to the doctors. They smile.
Max: Chris.
Sarah: And Claire.
The doctors nod as they give Chris to Max and Claire to Sarah. They both smile and their eyes get watered with joyful tears for this is the first time.
Max: Oh, Sarah. They are so cute. I can't believe you and I made them.
Chris starts to fuss a bit, making Max lightly shake him.
Max: Oh, Chris. It's okay. Dad is here. Just wait until you meet Grandma Stacey and Grandpa Dan.
Claire also starts to fuss a bit which makes Sarah do the same thing Max is doing.
Sarah: Claire. It will be alright. Mommy is here.
Max and Sarah look at each other.
Max: We're now parents.
Sarah: (chuckles) Yes, honey. We are. I'll be happy when they say their first word.
Max: I want Chris to say 'Dada' as his first word.
Sarah: I want Claire to say 'Mama' as her first word.
Max and Sarah smile and chuckle. They continue holding Chris and Claire, treasuring this moment for as long as they can. The day of parenting has begun for them and one step closer to be having a peaceful life.
May 10th, 2005
It has been a year since the twins have been born. Max's home was what he bought with a million dollars to his name; a modern Victorian ranch-styled two-story house. For Max, this is a perfect house to raise his family. As much as any other parent would hire any babysitter to look after the twins while they were away, they already found the perfect people to look after the kids. Max would trust them with his life. It's his two pet dogs, who were formerly part of a crime-fighting dog team named the Road Rovers. An American Golden Retriever named Hunter and a British Collie named Colleen. They have a two-year-old son, a Gollie named Dash, who helps his parents with babysitting the twins. The three look after the twins while Max and Sarah work. They were responsible to feed them if they were hungry, cleaning and giving them new diapers, and making sure they get their naps. It is 3:30 in the afternoon, Max and Sarah are home. Sarah is in the living room, holding the girl in her arms.
Sarah: Come on, Claire, can you say "Mama" again?
Claire, being bright and full of joy, smiles.
Claire: Ma... ma.
Hearing these words made Sarah smile.
Sarah: I'm not going to get tired of these words. You're such a bundle of joy, Claire.
Max comes upstairs from the basement, holding the boy in his arms, and walks into the living room.
Max: Alright, Chris. You're ready if you want. Say, "Dada".
Chris shares the same amount of joy as he does with his sister.
Chris: Da... da...
Max smiles upon hearing this.
Max: What do you know? His first word.
Sarah smiles as she walks up to her husband.
Sarah: Mama and Dada.
They kiss each other.
Max: I never thought being a parent would be this exciting.
Sarah: Neither did I.
Max You know, I still can't believe we made them. When the Lord said "be fruitful and multiply", well, we sure do follow that rule.
Sarah chuckles.
Sarah: Yes, we do. They are a gift from God after all.
Max nods.
Max: I think we better go check on our babysitters.
Sarah: Hmph. Those old dogs.
Max: Hey, they're not old. They're only ten.
Sarah looks at her husband.
Sarah: Honey, they're seventy at this point, right?
Max looks back at his wife.
Max: Well, it's not every seven years as we were led to believe. Technically their first year would be fifteen, then their second year would be nine, so then...
Max thinks of the math in his head. After a bit, it comes to him.
Max: Adding it all up would mean that they're technically seventy-four.
Sara: So...
Max nods.
Max: They're old.
Max walks up to his wife.
Max: Eventually you and I will have to go through...
Sarah nods.
Sarah: I know.
Hearing this made Max nod back in response.
Max: Well, let's see what they're up to.
Max and Sarah head to the backyard with Chris and Claire respectively being in their arms. They go out to go see where they have been living for two years. A handbuilt doghouse that was big enough for three to live in. One side was painted to represent the American flag: white and red on each wood with one side of the roof painted blue with white stars on it. The other was painted to represent the Union Jack; painted blue, red, and white throughout, representing the flag in a vertical position. There are three doors for each dog to walk through. Above the three doors lie each of their names engraved on white dog bones from left to right: Hunter, Dash, and Colleen. This was handbuilt by Max and Sarah over the weekend to surprise them, which they happily accepted. Max and Sarah get closer to the doghouse.
Max and Sarah: Hunter! Colleen! Dash!
Dash, being the youngest of the three, runs out the fastest to Max and Sarah. Hunter and Colleen, being how old they are, slowly get up and walk to Max and Sarah.
Dash: Max! Sarah!
Dash gets to them, starting to nuzzle Max's legs. This makes Max get down on one knee and pet Dash.
Max: Man, you run fast. Just like your father.
Hearing this made Dash smile.
Dash: Do you think I could be a Road Rover like he and Mom were?
Max frowned a bit. Almost four years have passed since the organization has disbanded. The world does seem to have moved on from the Road Rovers. No one like General Parvo has risen to try to claim world domination. The world, for the most part, has been at peace.
Max: Well...
Even though he wanted to be optimistic and positive with his answer, he couldn't think of anything other than honesty.
Max: I don't know, Dash. But, I know that if you were born just a few years before, I do think you would be a great member of the team. I could see you fighting with your parents, making sure that the world is safe. I'm not too sure whether or not the Road Rovers will indeed return. I do often wonder if they do, who will they be and will it be the right time? Who will lead them to be the team as one that came before them?
Dash: Maybe you could lead that team.
Max chuckles a bit.
Max: I don't know about that, Dash. I'm not too sure if I could run off into the blue and make sure that the team gets back safe. Honestly, I think I'm too old for that stuff.
Hunter and Colleen are closer to Dash.
Hunter: Hey, what's the matter being too old?
Though his voice has obviously aged, Max and Sarah smile and go to Hunter and Colleen, petting them.
Hunter: Dash, let me tell you, I may be only ten years old, but I know I was a Road Rover like Max. I was a fighter to protect the world for five years. In that time, son, I have seen it all, heard it all, and even done it all!
Hunter looks down, pretending to frown.
Hunter: I just can't remember it all.
This causes them to laugh.
Colleen: Oh, son, don't listen to your father. He obviously remembers it all, as do I.
Hunter and Colleen nuzzle each other. Colleen moves her eyes to Max and Sarah's kids.
Colleen: Ah, Chris and Claire. The two kids of Max Parker, the eighth member of the Road Rovers.
Colleen nuzzles Claire.
Colleen: Ya know, I got to wonder why they're not bothered by us three talking.
Max chuckles.
Max: They're just babies. I don't think it takes much to scare these two. Besides, they'll probably forget about it when they get older. I don't remember a thing about me being their age.
Colleen: Still, they're going to learn that the pets they had were Road Rovers...
Colleen moves her eyes to Max.
Colleen: ...and so was their father.
Max nods.
Max: I'm not too sure if I'll be ready to tell them, but when the time comes, I'll try my best.
Sarah checks on her flip phone to see the time.
Sarah: Oh, it's getting near to their naptime.
Hunter: Hey, Max, there's something I have to tell you.
Max: Alright, Hunter, just let me get these kids into their cribs.
Hunter nods. Max and Sarah go back into the house to let Chris and Claire have their nap. The three go back to the dog house. After three minutes, Max comes out to the backyard. He walks to the doghouse and knocks on the roof. This signals Hunter to come out. The two decide to sit beside a tree. Max and Hunter walk to the tree, with Max being at the same pace as Hunter. They get to the tree and sit down.
Hunter: It's been a year today since Hubert died.
Max: I know. I have been thinking about him. I missed how he used to sniff us and be disgusted by one of us.
This makes both of them chuckle.
Hunter: But no one can deny how great of an inventor he was; making that equipment for us when we out in the field. Even if he was a bit frustrated with us, deep down, he still cared about us.
Max nods.
Max: That he did, Hunter. That he did.
Hunter: I'm just glad I don't have to tell him what I have to tell you.
Hearing this catches Max's attention.
Max: What?
Hunter: I heard bad news from Shepherd.
Max: Oh. From that collar Hubert made for you and Shepherd to communicate?
Hunter nods.
Hunter: The same one. Shepherd gave it to me when Colleen and I went to go get my mother.
Hunter's mother was one of the most important people in his life. When the team disbanded, he and Colleen went to Wyoming to take her with them to live with Shepherd, only to hear that his mother died from a disease she had for some time. It's a pain that Hunter feels to this very day.
Hunter: (sighs) If only she were here to see her grandson...
Hunter feels a bit of sadness in him. Max comforts Hunter by putting his hand on his back and pats it.
Max: I know. I bet she would be happy.
Hunter nods. Max moves his hand away from Hunter, who sighs, not having many positive things to say what he's been told.
Hunter: It's Shag. He's getting worse. Scout and Kai are also getting sick. They've been throwing up lately. The rest of them are doing alright.
Max looks down.
Max: It's happening.
Max starts to feel a sense of sadness in him.
Max: So, that means Shag is...
Hunter tilts his head, knowing there's nothing to say to give any form of positive.
Hunter: Dying.
Max sighs.
Max: I think is going to be the hardest part of moving on from being a Road Rover, having to not have you guys be here.
Hunter puts his head on Max's leg.
Hunter: I know. We all learn to adapt to this life. We are born, we live, sometimes for just a day and mostly for more than a decade, then we die. Death is a natural part of life. There's nothing we can do but live through it until our time will come.
Hunter sits up.
Hunter: No matter if we're gone, I know deep down, we will always be there. Just feel and you will know we are in your presence.
Max looks at Hunter and smiles.
Max: I know. As I felt the Lord's presence when I accepted Him, I know I will feel your guys' presence.
Max pets Hunter.
Max: No matter what, you will always be here.
Hunter breathes out and looks up at Max.
Hunter: Do you think dogs go to Heaven?
Max looks down at Hunter, surprised by this question. He never questioned his believability on religion or an afterlife, since he felt that stuff like that is best to keep it to yourself. After thinking it over, he lightly smiles and pets him again.
Max: I'm sure of it. When it's my time, I'm sure you and the rest of the team will be waiting for me.
Hunter smiles a bit.
Hunter: I hope so. We will have all the time in the world up there.
Max and Hunter continue to sit by the tree, knowing that the next chapter of the Road Rovers is about to begin, and that chapter is separation from life.