June 30th, 2021
8:00 AM. Rahul is walking around downtown Salt Lake City, just getting a coffee from Starbucks. He works as a freelance photographer for The Salt Lake Tribune. As he's taking a few sips, he notices the Wells Fargo Center building, the tallest building in the city. He along with his friends have started to cope with being the way they are now as cano-sapiens. He walks to the back of the building by going across from Main Street to East 300 Street. After looking at the building, he gets an idea to try his powers. Noticing there's a parking garage down the street, he runs to the parking garage and goes inside. After finding a vehicle to hide behind, he crouches down. Breathing in and out, he finds the energy within himself to turn into a cano-sapien. Despite how painful it was for the second time and annoying for his clothes to tatter, he immediately gets up.
Rahul: Okay, Rahul. Just focus. This is your moment.
Rahul then runs out of the parking garage, and since there's no traffic, runs across the road and onto the sidewalk. As this is going on, citizens to stop and look at this 'thing' and what it is doing. Rahul continues to run down the sidewalk until he reaches the end to go across. He looks up at the building again before proceeding to run across the road and runs up the building's exterior. Rahul, though amazed he can run up walls, continues to run. As this is happening, everyone on each floor of the building notices a strong tap on the window. A few were able to see what was causing the sound, while a lot of the people couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Rahul reaches the top of the building, having run up four hundred feet of a building. Rahul catches his breath, smiling at what he was able to do. Rahul looks around, noticing the view of the city.
Rahul: Man, this would look great for my Instagram.
Rahul gets out his DSLR camera from his backpack and begins taking pictures of the skyline of Salt Lake City. By the time he got the fifth picture taken, a female voice stops him.
?: Hey! What are you doing up here?!
Rahul turns to see who said that. He can see two National Guard members, one a male and the other a female, walking up to him. The moment they get a clear picture of what is standing on the roof, they stop noticing it's a humanoid dog. Rahul puts his camera in his backpack.
Rahul: I'm a photographer.
The two National Guards look at each other and then back to Rahul.
Rahul: I'd love to stay and chat, but I can't. See ya!
Rahul starts to run, causing the two to run after him.
Male National Guard: Hey! Get back here!
Female National Guard: We're turning you over to the police for trespassing!
Rahul ignores them as he continues to run. He runs until he reaches the edge on the opposite side and jumps off.
Male National Gaurd: What the?
The moment they reach the edge, Rahul pops up, his body extended like a wingsuit. He laughs happily as the two National Guards stare at what Rahul is doing, with the female National Guard fainting, while the male National Guard just stares at the flying dog. Rahul flies over the city, smiling at what he can do as a cano-sapien. He did notice people from below taking a picture or recording a video of him flying, but he didn't care. He was having the time of his life. Rahul notices the Great Salt Lake and goes flying there. After a couple of minutes, he gets to the lake. As he's flying above the water, he slowly descends, making him safely land in the water. Popping up back in his human form, he looks ahead to see how far he flew. Proud of what he did, a smile forms on his face.
Rahul: WOOHOO!
At the same time, Max is back at home on a FaceTime call with Aaron, who immediately picks up the call.
Max: Well, look who barely aged.
Aaron now has grey hair showing on the sides of his head.
Aaron: I can't say the same thing happened to you.
Max nods.
Max: More or less.
Max paces around the kitchen.
Max: Hey, do you mind doing some volunteer work?
Aaron takes a sip of his tea from his teacup.
Aaron: What kind of volunteer work?
Max sighs.
Max: My family and my kids' friends went on, what your people would say, holiday, and at the end of it, we stayed for the night in New Mexico. My kids and their friends discovered the Road Rovers HQ and went inside the transdogmafiers for a picture-
Aaron: And they turned into cano-sapiens.
Max raises an eyebrow.
Max: Man, you catch on quick.
Aaron: How could I not? You and I have a share of cano-sapien history.
Max nods.
Max: They gained superpowers. They can turn back to their normal human forms.
Aaron: And let me guess, you want me to help you study how they are in their cano-sapien and human forms?
Max: Yep.
Aaron: Well, you're lucky that I am free right now. I'm on a one-week holiday time. I'm currently packing to go back home to Seattle.
Max: All right, Aaron. What do you say we do this over the course of two days on Thursday and Friday?
Aaron: I can do that. Where do you want us to study the kids?
Max: I'm thinking the Road Rovers HQ. Do you remember where it is?
Aaron nods.
Aaron: Yeah, like the back of my hand.
Max: All right, then it's settled. It's going to feel weird going back to that place after sixteen years.
Aaron: Sixteen? Try almost twenty.
Max: Either way, it's going to feel weird.
Aaron takes a sip of his tea.
Aaron: If they know how to control their powers, do you plan on teaching them to be Road Rovers?
Max looks at Aaron on his phone. As they are talking, Chris and Claire quietly walk downstairs and listen to the conversation the two are having.
Max: I don't know, Aaron. I never thought of myself as a leader of a team where we go in life or death situations. I always depended on Shepherd and Hunter to guide me. I don't know if I can do the same thing that they did.
Aaron: Max, that doesn't mean to not at least try. Surely, you have never forgotten the lessons they taught you?
Max takes a sip of his coffee.
Max: I haven't Aaron.
Aaron: Then just pass it on to them. If they work as a team, this will be a great way to keep the Road Rovers as a permanent memory instead of the public just wanting it to be a thing of the past. I'm tired of hearing all that talk about we need to move on from the Road Rovers over just because our world can figure out how to deal with its problems instead of a dog team is there to do it for them. I'm sick and tired of hearing that over and over again. People looked up to these like they were something you'd see out of a movie and this is how they treat them? It's bloody ridiculous.
Max sighs.
Max: I know, Aaron. I hate hearing it too. I'm kind of surprised they don't bash me.
Aaron: It's because you're different. You're human and they were dogs. You developed a vaccine for that outbreak of flu and you and the company got nominated for the Nobel Prize. Which, don't get me wrong, I'm proud of that. I guess in their eyes, a human such as yourself is more worthy of being remembered than something like the Road Rovers. If I had it my way-
Henry: Hey, babe!
Aaron looks at Henry.
Henry: Are you done packing?
Aaron: Oh, yeah. Just talking to Max.
Henry: Well, hurry up. We might be able to beat the traffic if we leave early.
Aaron nods. He mouths "I love you", and Henry mouths those words back to him. Aaron looks back at Max.
Aaron: So, anyway, yeah. I can't wait to study them with you.
Max nods.
Max: All right, Aaron. I'll see you on Thursday.
Aaron: You too, mate.
Max: Goodbye!
Aaron: Cheerio!
The call ends. Chris and Claire walk into the kitchen.
Max: You two eavesdropping on me?
Chris smirks.
Chris: Maybe.
Max chuckles.
Max: Never got out of that habit.
Chris and Claire go to make their own breakfast, getting eggs.
Claire: You know, Dad, I never thought we'd have a psychopath for a grandfather.
Max looks at Claire as they get a frying pan.
Max: He wasn't really a psychopath. I told you before. He was actually a good person before evil corrupted his mind and soul. Nothing seemed to stop him from getting the world in his hands, aside from the Road Rovers.
Chris looks at his father.
Chris: And then you came in. You knew, despite how evil your father was, that there was still good in him because of how an influence he was to Grandma when he showed up in her life.
Max: And because of me, I saved him and he died in peace.
Claire turns the heat on the stove.
Claire: I miss Grandma and Grandpa.
Max looks at Claire. Dan Myers, Max's stepfather, died of a heart attack while Chris and Claire were seven, and Stacey Myers, Max's mother, died of cancer while Chris and Claire were in their sophomore year in high school. After thinking about those two, he sadly nods.
Max: So do I, Claire. Those two were huge supporters for me over the years. I miss when those two used to make you both laugh and all those wonderful visits I would take you to their house. I'm not too sure how they would be if they knew what you two are now, but I do think they would support you in the same they did when I was a Road Rover.
Claire: Do you think Parvo would've liked us?
Max thinks it over.
Max: If he were alive today, I'm certain he would. He wanted me to be the man he couldn't be and I'm sure he'd be proud of me.
Chris puts a droplet of water on the pan, which doesn't fizz right away.
Chris: Hey, Dad. Have you ever had any considerations going back as a Road Rover?
Max looks at his son. He sighs.
Max: There were times when I wished I could go on one more mission with the team. But as the years went by, I had to slowly accept that there would be no way I would get another chance at it.
Chris: Maybe you can with us. That is if we know how to work as a team.
Max takes a sip of his coffee.
Max: I will try to teach you and your friends, but only if you and your friends are willing to learn and adapt your cano-sapien forms. If any of you can't do that, then I'm afraid that you being turned into cano-sapiens is truly an accident. I can easily make any of you a cure if you are not willing to go through with it, I just have to go through some old notes that Hubert may have left at the HQ and get to work in his old laboratory.
Chirs: Dad...
Chris holds his father's hand.
Chris: ...I know that it's going to be tough and I know that some of us have our doubts, including her...
Claire, though wanting to disagree with her brother, nods.
Chris: ...but I am certain we all will gather our courage to become Road Rovers. I want to be sure that the world looks up to us in the same way they looked up to the old team. If the world still doubts the Road Rovers, fine. If we have to live a double life, so be it. But no matter what, I want to continue the legacy that Shepherd started. I want to be sure that the world knows it has to depend on the Road Rovers at times too, not just itself. After all, deep down, anyone can be a Road Rover.
Max is impressed by his son's words.
Max: You know, you sound a lot like Shepherd.
Chris: And Aaron.
Max chuckles.
Max: Yeah, him too. You'll like him once you get acquainted with him. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for work, and I'm sure you two will have to get ready too.
Chris nods as he and Claire continue to make their breakfast and Max gets ready for his work at LIFE Corporation.
8:30 AM. Liam is on his way to his job, which is working at a local comic book store. As he's walking down the sidewalk and seeing the comic book store ahead of him, he looks to the left of an alley and notices a robber grabbing a hold of an old lady and pushing her to the wall.
Robber: All right, lady! Make this easy and just give me your money!
The old lady is frightened for this to be happening. As the old lady out of fear gives the man all the money she has, Liam, knowing what he has to do, walks down the alley.
Liam: Hey, buddy, don't ya av anythin' ta do in yah spahah time, aside from ahrassin ol' ladies 'n threatenin' them fawr money?
The robber stares blankly at Liam.
Robber: You stay out of this, Aussie, or I steal from you!
Liam chuckles as he gets closer to the robber.
Liam: Listen, I'm not just an awrdinahry 'ssie. I'm one of a kind. In fact, I'm a very rahah kind of 'ssie.
Robber: I'm warning you, man.
Liam: So am I. There's a side of me ya'ah not garn ta liyyke.
The robber pulls out a pocketknife at Liam as he lets go of the old lady.
Liam: All right. I'm just lettin' ya know that I wahrned ya.
Liam finds the energy within himself to turn into his cano-sapien form. The robber's eyes widen seeing this stranger turning into something he didn't think would be possible. The robber is now staring at a humanoid brown Australian Kelpie.
Robber: Rare? More like a freak!
Liam shrugs.
Liam: Anothah way of sayin' cano-sapien. Now...
Liam extends his claws from his fingertips.
Liam: ...wannah dance?
The robber, though scared of what he has to try and deal with, starts swinging the knife at Liam, cutting his face. The robber is shocked to see the cut heal within seconds.
Liam: Now ya got me stahrted.
Liam takes a swing at the knife with his claws, cutting it to many pieces.
Liam: Oh, I'm afraid I broke yah knife.
Liam pushes the robber to the wall, using one claw to go on his throat and another slowly ripping his black leather jacket on one side.
Liam: Now, I am willing ta let ya go, undah the assumption that ya will get a job 'n stop bein' a criminal. Not unless ya want my ten friends heah ta chop ya 'n bung ya on a platder ta serve ta a cannibalistic asylum patient.
The robber pulls out all the money, scared.
Robber: N-n-n-no man. I-I-I'll stop, o-o-okay?
Liam grabs the money, causing the robber to run away in fear. Liam turns back to his human form. He turns to the old lady, smiling, and gives her the money.
Liam: Heah ya ahre, ma'am. I'm sawrry ya 'ad ta see me liyyke that.
The old lady smiles.
Old Lady: You're such a nice man. I don't care if you are different. Here, have some of my money. I use it for Bingo night anyway.
The old lady gives $100 to Liam, who kindly takes it.
Liam: Next time, av a can of peppah spray ready.
Liam walks away from the old lady and goes back to work at the comic book store. A smile forms on Liam's face.
Liam: I am so ready fawr this new life.
An hour since Liam's heroic tactic, Patricia had just come to the mall to start her shift. As she is about to enter Macy's, she can see a black woman behind a cash register, just drop to the floor inside. With her eyes widening, she quickly gets inside and drops to her knees.
Patricia: Octavia?!
After assessing her, she concluded she was going into cardiac arrest. Looking around, she sees that there is no one to look around.
Patricia: Well, time to put my powers to test.
Patricia quickly turns into her cano-sapien form. She puts her hand on Octavia's chest.
Patricia: Clear.
A small jolt of electricity goes into her's chest, making her come back, though still has some trouble breathing.
Patricia: Here, miss. You're okay. Just keep breathing.
Patricia grabs a phone and calls the emergency number.
Patricia: Hello? Macy's. A woman needs medical attention. I got her come back. Get here immediately.
Patricia stays with Octavia until an EMT gets to the store, at which point Patricia turned back into her human form. Patricia decided to head to the hospital Octavia was going to. Thanks to Patricia, Octavia pulled through and made it through her cardiac arrest. Knowing she would be okay, Patricia went back to the mall to start her shift. It is now 8:30 PM, Chris and Claire just had their shift end. They are walking out with their dinners, each has a bag with two spicy chicken sandwiches, grilled nuggets, waffle fries, and Chris is carrying a tray with their two drinks, vanilla milkshakes. They reach the center of the mall where they sit at a table and put the food down and prep it to get ready to eat, but not before they bow their heads and put their hands together.
Chris: Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us another good workday. Plenish this food in our bodies as You plenished the multitude with just five loaves of bread and two fishes. And Father, if me, my sister, and our friends have to one day be Road Rovers, I ask of You to give us courage in order to do that, much like how You had the courage to die on the cross for our sins. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
Claire nods.
Claire: Amen.
Chris and Claire eat their dinner, taking about twenty minutes. They have just got to the last few sips of their milkshakes.
Claire: I got to tell you, Chris, if we keep eating stuff like this every day after work, we might get fat.
Chris chuckles.
Chris: Come on, we are athletic. We can lose weight.
Claire: (smiles) Not if we're hogging stuff like this down.
Chris takes the last sips of his milkshake.
Chris: Hey, if we do gain weight, we'll go on a weight loss journey. You and me.
Claire nods as she too takes the last sips of her milkshake. The two get up and throw away the garbage in a garbage can on their way to Chris' vehicle, a white 2022 Honda Civic. Chris starts to drive back home. As he's driving down he notices a group of people gathered around the front of the Wells Fargo Center building, shocked. After parking the car, they both get out to be seeing a helicopter hanging on the side of the building. Rahul is taking pictures on the sidewalk.
Chris: Rahul?
Rahul notices.
Rahul: Chris! Claire!
They run to Rahul.
Claire: What happened?
Rahul: I was walking here on my way to get a shot for the Tribune when I saw that helicopter taking off from the top. Then I heard a cable snapping off and when I look up, the helicopter is this.
Rahul looks through one of the pictures he took and zooms in to see something that shocks him.
Rahul: Oh my God... That female National Guard is hanging on to the helicopter...
Chris and Claire's eyes widen.
Chris: Well, we have to do something.
Rahul: I know. It's cano-sapien time.
Claire: But how?
Rahul: I might save that woman. You two worry about the helicopter.
Chris: Get to my car!
The three get inside Chris' car. Ducking inside to hide, they turn into their cano-sapien forms and get out of the car. They run back to the front of the building.
Chris: You know how to get up there?
Rahul: Yeah, I did it this morning. Just grab my hand.
Claire: Look, I don't know if I can do this 'Road Rover' stuff. It sounded good, but what if they die while we try to save them? I don't think I can live with that.
Chris: Claire, this is not the time to have doubts in your head. If our dad could do it, so can we.
Claire looks at her brother.
Chris: This is our chance. Our moment.
Claire gets a stern look. She looks back at the building in front of her.
Claire: All right. Let's be Road Rovers.
Chris nods as he and Claire hold Rahul's hands.
Rahul: Just hold tight!
Rahul starts running across the road and then up the building's exterior.
Reporter: This is Zach Oliver. As you can see everyone, this helicopter is hanging on the side of the Wells Fargo Center building, stuck on a cable. Who knows how long it will be before that helicopter can hang on and-
The crowd starts to have their attention to Rahul running up the building. The cameraman filming the reporter moves the camera to Rahul.
Reporter: The crowd is shouting at something. I think it's a... a dog running up the building...?
Rahul continues to run up the building, reaching the top. They see a male national guard, scared.
Chris: Hey, sir!
The male national guard has his eyes widen seeing the two humanoid German Shepherds.
Claire: Everything will be okay! We're here to help!
Male National Guard: There's more of you?!
The female national guard starts to scream as her hand slips and she starts falling. Rahul quickly jumps off and extends his body like a wingsuit. Within three seconds he catches up to the national guard and catches her with his arms.
Rahul: I got you, ma'am!
The female national guard's eyes widen, seeing that it's the same dog she saw this morning.
Female National Gaurd: You again?!
The crowd down below is amazed at what the dog did.
Zach: Wow. I-I can't believe that dog caught her.
The cable that the helicopter is stuck on snaps, causing the helicopter to start falling. The crowd starts to scream.
Chris: Claire!
Claire nods as she and her brother jump off the building, catching up to the helicopter. Their arms filled with cyan energy they use their psychokinesis on the helicopter, causing it to stay in the air. The two levitate up, taking the helicopter back up. The crowd cheers, proud of what these dogs were able to do.
Zach: That was amazing! Absolutely incredible!
Rahul, seeing how he could make a lot of money with a shot like this, pulls out his camera, taking pictures. The female national guard looks at Rahul, confused.
Rahul: (smiles) Just some pictures for the newspapers and media.
The female national guard nervously smiles as Rahul continues to take pictures. Chris and Claire are able to put the helicopter back on the helipad. Rahul comes up and puts the female national guard down. The male national guard gets out of the helicopter.
Rahul: Here we are back on safe ground, ma'am.
Chris: Hey, man, that beats taking the elevator?
Male National Guard: (nervously chuckling) Yeah. Thank you.
Claire: You're quite welcome. Well, see you guys.
The three go to the ledge.
Female National Guard: Wait! What are you guys?
Chris looks at the female national guard.
Chris: Isn't it kind of obvious?
The female national guard shakes her head.
Rahul: We resemble something you guys haven't seen in a long time.
Claire: To be precise, twenty years.
Chris and Claire jump off the ledge, levitating down to safety, while Rahul extends his body and leans forward off the building. The two national guards look at the dogs and then at each other.
Female National Guard: Is she referring to...?
Male National Guard: The Road Rovers? I think so.
The three all get away from the crowd and when they land safely, they turn back into their normal human forms and go back home, unaware that their actions would be a media frenzy all over the world.
July 1st, 2021
It is morning and Max had just made a cup of coffee. He called off work for two days and was able to get somone to cover for him and Sarah. He was completely aware that Chris, Claire, and Rahul were involved with saving those two national guards at the Wells Fargo Center building, as he was in the area at that time. He was proud of what they did, knowing that those three are ready to learn and adapt to their cano-sapien forms. He goes down to the basement to watch some TV. He turns the channel to KUTV CBS.
Max: All right, I know someone's going to win the Big Deal today. I just know it.
As the commercials were playing, it is interrupted with news music.
Announcer: Live from Downtown Salt Lake City, this is 2 News with a special report right now.
The screen transitions to a live studio with two anchors wearing formal clothing.
Mark: Good morning, everyone. I'm Mark Koebel.
Heidi: And I'm Heidi Hatch. And, do we have a special report for you. In case you have missed it, last night, a helicopter that had two national guards in it was caught on a cable and ended up leaning on the side of the Wells Fargo Center building, which is where our studio is located.
Mark: Out of nowhere, three dogs that look something straight out of science fiction saved the day, with one of them saving the female national guard and the other two saving the helicopter from falling. Zach Oliver was the reporter on the scene and he is out in front of the building right now. Zach?
The screen shows Zach Oliver wearing a business suit. He is outside the Wells Fargo Center building.
Zach: Yes, Mark. I was at the scene and let me tell you, it was scary to be seeing that helicopter, knowing that there were two lives on the line. Then as I was reporting it to the live audience, I happened to notice this dog running up the exterior of the building with two dogs by his sides. That national guard member slipped and that dog just extended his body as if he was a flying squirrel and was able to save her. Then that helicopter started to fall and those two other dogs jumped off the building and saved it by, what I assume from my popular culture knowledge, using psychokinesis. Those three dogs saved the day and I have to say, it was incredible what they did. In fact, I have here the national guards that were there.
Zach moves to the two national guards.
Zach: So, Ford and Cunningham, do you want to tell the audience what happened?
Ford nods.
Ford: Cunningham and I took the helicopter to go on our way back to our base. All of a sudden, we just started spinning around. I didn't know until after it was over that the landing skid got caught on a cable on the helipad. And because of that, I couldn't stop the helicopter. The next thing I knew, we are on the edge of the building and Cunningham slipped out of my grip and she ended up falling, holding onto the landing skid. And that's where those dogs came in. I saw Cunningham slip off the landing skid. And that dog that Cunningham and I saw that morning just came in caught her as he was flying. Then the helicopter started to fall and the other two saved me. I feel really grateful for those three saving us.
Cunningham: Yeah. We do feel grateful for those three. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. In fact, I asked them what they were. They only said to us "We resemble something you guys haven't seen in a long time".
Zach: And what do you think they mean when they said that?
Cunningham lightly smiles.
Cunningham: They were referring to the Road Rovers. I believe those three are connected to that team.
Cunningham looks at the camera.
Cunningham: And if those three are watching, thank you.
Zach smiles.
Zach: Well, thank you two very much for your time.
Zach turns to the camera.
Zach: And there you have it, everyone, three humanoid dogs were able to save two National Guards. Is this indeed the return of the once long disbanded team who were once the symbol of justice and peace for the world? We'll just have to wait and see. This is Zach Oliver of KUTV 2 News. Back to you, Mark.
Mark smiles.
Mark: Thank you, Zach. And in related news to those three dogs...
Videos and photos of what Mark is saying show up on the screen.
Mark: ...one of the dogs that saved Cunningham was sighted that morning flying around Salt Lake City. And two sightings of other dogs like the three have been shown to do other good deeds. One of them saved an old lady from being robbed and another saved a worker at Macy's from suffering cardiac arrest. We will be interviewing the people those two saved at noon today. Thank you for watching this special report. And now back to your regular programming, Let's Make a Deal.
Max is a bit shock, knowing that Liam and Patricia are also ready to learn their cano-sapien forms. After watching Wayne Brady make deals with the costumed contestants, he takes the kids and their friends to Soccoro. Four of them went with Max and Sarah while the rest went with Chris and Claire. Aaron was only going by himself and is already on his way to Soccoro, having left for Soccoro the day before. Max let them in through a secret tunnel that was disguised as a rock, which led to the docking area of the HQ. From there, Max and Aaron got to work on the kids and their friends, testing how they are in their cano-sapien forms, testing their powers, and see how they act in combat. This took place over the course of two days. It is July 2nd, 2021. Max is sitting in the mission room at his usual seat from his service as a Road Rover twenty years ago. Aaron comes in with files in his arms. He puts them all on the table and sits next to Max.
Aaron: Wooh! I have not seen files like this since I worked with Atwater for the army of cano-sapiens.
Max nods as Aaron looks through the first file.
Aaron: All right, your kids, Chris and Claire Parker. They are German Shepherds and both have psychokinesis and levitation, which are the same powers that you had.
Aaron looks through the second file.
Aaron: Here we have Rahul Singh, Liam Wilson, and Ali Umar. Rahul is an Indian Pariah Dog that can extend his body like a wingsuit or a flying squirrel and can also climb or run walls like an insect can. Liam is an Australian Kelpie and can extend long claws out his fingers. He can also regenerate, which heals any cut within seconds and minor or major injuries within minutes. His claws are so strong they can cut through any material as if it's a piece of paper or a lead foil. Ali is a Boerboel that has fire, which comes out of his hands and he's able to throw fireballs. He can also melt anything with just the touch of his hands.
Aaron looks through the third and last file.
Aaron: Here we have Patricia Oliveria, Iris Lindström, and Jasmine Hakim. Patricia is a Brazillian Terrier who has electricity powers, able to conduct electricity and throw it at her enemies. She can also shapeshift, able to copy anyone and anything perfectly as if it's a clone. Iris is a Hällefors Elkhound who only has water powers, allowing her to use water as a projectile. Then lastly, Jasmine is a Canaan Dog who can manipulate weather, using it to her advantage, allowing her to whether it be a huge gust of wind or a throw a hailstone. She can also heal, healing any injury from seconds to minutes.
Max: Just like Kai.
Aaron: As we saw for two days that these kids are capable of performing these abilities as if they were born with them. Thanks to those training programs that Shepherd still has here, they can use these powers against an enemy and even a small group. And as surprising as this is, they can also use these powers in their human forms, it only puts them in a weak state. Basically, it only weakens their power which can only be enhanced if they are in their cano-sapien forms.
Aaron smiles.
Aaron: So, all you have to do is train them and the Road Rovers will be back.
Max stares blankly at Aaron.
Aaron: What? I see this as an absolute win.
Max chuckles.
Max: Easy for you to say, Bruce Banner.
Max gets off his seat and sighs.
Max: I still don't know if I can teach these kids, Aaron. I'm too afraid of letting them run off into the blue.
Aaron: Tell me something...
Aaron gets off his seat.
Aaron: ...when did a PlayStation 5 and game shows become so important to you?
Max looks at Aaron, who slowly walks to him.
Aaron: I remember a Road Rover who was willing to save the world with other dogs while looking to find a way to bring himself back to his old life. A Road Rover who was not afraid to put his life in danger every day. Most of these kids are willing to do that. I truly believe that they have what it takes to bring the Road Rovers back and be the shining symbol of justice and peace once again.
Max blinks for a moment.
Aaron: Look, Max, I believe you can teach these kids with the knowledge you learned from Shepherd and the other Road Rovers. Deep down-
Max: Every dog is a Road Rover.
Max looks at Aaron's eyes.
Max: You really believe I can do this?
Aaron: Absolutely, chap. The moment I saw those three saving that helicopter on TV, I knew that these kids can prove to the world that the Road Rovers can still be here to protect the world, you just need to guide them to get there.
Max looks down, a bit unsure he can teach these kids to be Road Rovers. Knowing that this one chance will never get to happen again, he looks at Aaron and smiles.
Max: Alright, Aaron. I will try my best.
Aaron nods.
Aaron: That's what I want to hear, mate.
Max nods too and walks away from Aaron.
Aaron: Oh, by the way...
Max looks at Aaron.
Aaron: ...if we can have these kids work as a team, do you want to change the name?
Max shakes his head.
Max: Absolutely not. We're going to continue Shepherd's legacy. I'm not putting my fingerprints on the name.
Aaron: Alright. Just wanted to be sure. I couldn't think of a better name for this team.
Max: And I want it to stay that way.
Aaron nods as Max leaves the mission room. Chris and Claire are hanging an empty room that is big enough to be an old bedroom.
Chris: Can you imagine what this room must have been for one of the members? What if this bedroom was our father's? I can't imagine what it was like for him having to lay on his bed and watch TV.
Claire chuckles.
Claire: Chris, that's no different than he is at home.
Chris: Well, more or less. I just can't really think what it was like for him having to roam the halls every day when he is not on a mission. I wonder if we'll get to do that when we get to be Road Rovers.
Claire: Yeah, if we can.
Chris looks at Claire.
Chris: Hey, come on, Claire. I'm sure Dad will teach us how to become Road Rovers. We're willing to listen to everything he says.
Claire sighs.
Claire: I can't say the same for some of our friends. Ali, Iris, and Jasmine still have their doubts. I'd hardly call them being worthy of being superheroes.
Chris: There are a few superheroes in us. They just have to find their moment, as we did. Then we can work together as a team.
Claire nods.
Claire: I'm just a bit worried about how we're going to live a double life. One life, we save the world as cano-sapiens and the other we're trying to stay in college and be who we want to be for our future.
Chris walks up to his sister.
Chris: I told Dad that I'm fine with it. I'm sure we'll find a way to make it work.
Claire: I know. I just think it's going to be tough on us.
Chris: Claire, I remember something Colleen used to say to me: Never be afraid to face the challenges that are in your life. I'm ready to face this challenge, along with my sister and my friends.
Max opens the door to see Chris and Claire.
Max: Hey kids. After two days of looking at how you all are as cano-sapiens, especially the first things some of you did with your powers, I have made my decision.
They look at their father.
Max: I will teach you all the knowledge and everything you need to know to be Road Rovers. I just need to know if you are willing to listen to everything I have to tell you.
Chris and Claire nod.
Chris: Yes, Dad. Absolutely.
Claire: We will bust our butt trying.
Max lightly smiles.
Max: I like your confidence. I'm going to ask your friends the same thing. Meet me in the docking area. We're going home. I'll find a place in Salt Lake City where we can train in private. Hope you have a good weekend. You all start training on Monday.
Max leaves the room and goes to find the others. Chris and Claire high-fived and hug each other, as they are both ready to learn from their father. As soon as everyone is ready to leave, they meet Max, Sarah, and Aaron in the docking area, where they leave through the secret tunnel. They head back to Salt Lake City, eager to know where the future will lead them as Road Rovers.
July 25th, 2021
Three weeks have passed since the kids have begun their training. In an abandoned building on the edge of town, Chris is sitting in the middle of an empty room, almost in a meditative state. A noise brings attention to Chris, making him turn into his cano-sapien form. With his arm covered in cyan energy, he looks around the room, wondering what that noise came from. A water droplet from a pipe falls, making Chris turn to the pipe. He then hears a flap and Rahul flies towards Chris, punching him in the head. After finding a place to land, he flies back to Chris, who quickly grabs Rahul and kicks his chest, sending him to fly to the corner of the wall and land on his back. Chris quickly gets up, only to be hit by a hailstone to his chest. It was Jasmine. She gets into a small fight with Chris, who ends it by grabbing her arm and throwing her to the ground. Next is Iris, who throws a water ball at Chris' back. Iris goes to lay a punch only for Chris to make her land on her back. Patricia is next, who throws a lightning bolt at Chris, who gets hit by it. They get into a small fight, ending with Chris throwing Patricia into an empty crate, breaking it. Ali throws a fireball at Chris who quickly dodges it. They get into a small fight, with Ali grabbing Chris' arm, burning it with the heat coming from his hands. Chris stops this by kicking Ali's legs and sweeping them. Liam extends his claws and jumps in the air to hit Chris, who dodges the attack. After a small fight, Chris punches Liam's face a couple of times, making Liam fall to the ground. Claire uses her psychokinesis on Chris to drag him to her. The two then get into a fight, throwing punches and kicks at each other. The fight ends with Claire and Chris performing one roundhouse kicking each other's heads, which makes them stagger a bit. The two then recover and bow to each other. They hear clapping, it was their teacher for three weeks, Max Thomas Parker.
Max: Well done. I can tell that thanks to Chris, you all learned what I've been telling you that Colleen used to say to me many times when we trained.
The other kids get up.
Liam: Yer, Mr. Pahrkah. Wen ya fight someone, ya'ah not fightin' a person ya don't recognize. Ya'ah fightin' self, they'ah just in yah way. Ya got ta get them out of yah way so ya can get ta self.
Max: Yes. And you have to always remember that when you are out in the field.
The kids look at Max.
Max: All of you have done very well. I can see that I no longer need to train you guys any further, aside from when I have to teach you guys how to use the vehicles stationed at the HQ. Anyway, all of you know and learned how to fight. I do not need to train you guys anymore on that. I can see you guys out in the field with your Road Rover uniforms. As a matter of fact, I got to get something from my car. Stay here.
Max leaves the room to go get that 'something'. The kids look at each other as they turn back to their human forms. Iris and Jasmine are by themselves. They have doubts that they can be superheroes.
Liam: No mawah trayyning? That means we're-
Ali: Woad Wova's.
Patricia: Honestly, three weeks were not grueling. I'm ready go out there and save world!
Rahul: You and me Patricia. I didn't think of that until I ran up the Wells Fargo Center for a photo.
Chris: Hey, that counts for us too. I've been ready ever since I saved those two National Guards.
Claire: To be fair, I was the one worried the most out of us two.
Chris: Hey, not true!
Claire: So true.
Chris does a light shove to Claire.
Chris: Yeah, see if you tell that to a judge and jury.
Claire gives the same shove to Chirs, who grabs her and gives her a noogie. This causes the group to laugh, aside from Iris and Jasmine, who stand in a corner, frowning.
Iris: So much for our normal lives.
Jasmine: You're not kidding. I hope Allah can at least forgive me for taking away one of His creations.
Iris looks at Jasmine.
Iris: The weather?
Jasmine: Yeah. That is one of his creations for He is the creator of the universe.
Iris looks at the group and sighs. A couple more minutes pass. Max walks in moving a dolly that has eight black rectangular boxes stacked. He puts the dolly in its upright position as the kids stand together in a line.
Max: Alright. I am honored to give you all a gift. These gifts are something that the Road Rovers are given once they prove that they have what it takes to work as part of a team. These are the new uniforms you will be wearing each time you are out in the field and have to hide your identities. Aaron and I were able to get some help from the same person who worked on the original uniforms in order for these new uniforms to stand out from the original team. First up, Chris and Claire.
Chris and Claire walk up and Max gives them the boxes that belong to them. He does the same for Rahul and Patricia, then Liam and Iris, and Ali and Jasmine.
Max: All right. Now open them.
The kids open them and this is what they find: A folded uniform, boots, and red collars with brass tags that have each of their kids' names etched on them. The uniforms are gray from the chest to the shoulders. On the right-breast area is a reddish-orange Road Rovers emblem, a black dog with its jaws open. On the sides of each upper arm is a flag of the country the kids were born in. Down the shoulders are white arm sleeves with white gloves. The groin and thigh area are dark blue and the knees and boots are white. There is a holster around the groin area to keep technological stuff and their blasters. The kids were all shocked at looking at the material inside the boxes, the uniforms look as if they are made of the same material as the old team's uniforms. Max smiles.
Max: Do you like them?
They all look at Max and nod to him, a sign that they like them.
Max: How about putting them on?
The kids decide to put them on.
Max: The uniforms are made of the same material as the old uniforms, though we strengthened them to withstand blasts, cuts, and even act as bullet-proof vests. The material is strong all around, but it is light, making it easier to feel agile in them. There are holsters on each of the uniforms so you can put electronics and your issued blasters in handy.
The kids are able to get their uniforms on. They turn into their cano-sapien forms and the uniforms do not tear whatsoever. Seeing them in uniform made Max teary-eyed, proud of what he's been able to accomplish with these kids. He clears his throat.
Max: I just want to say some things before we head back home. I didn't know what to think when it came to teach you. I was worried that I could never be the same mentor that Shepherd and Hunter were to me in my days of being a Road Rover. And I was also worried that you kids wouldn't be able to do what I tell you, but I can say that you all have proved me wrong. I am sure that you all will prove to the world that it does indeed need the Road Rovers when times get rough and they can't solve their problems by themselves. I am proud of what you all were able to accomplish and I will be very proud to guide you guys to get the missions done.
Chris and Claire go up to Max where they hug him.
Chris: We love you, Dad.
Claire: No matter what.
The kids, even hesitant Iris and Jasmine, come up and group hug Max, making him smile.
Max: And I will love you good dogs, no matter what.
The kids chuckle, not wanting to let go of Max. The group gets disrupted when they hear the siren of police cars. The police cars zoom past the abandoned building.
Chris: Maybe it's just a car chase.
They then hear an explosion going off, startling the group. They exit the building to hear another explosion go off in downtown Salt Lake City.
Claire: What the?
Liam: Well cleahrly Salt Lake Cichoo is in trouble.
Ali: And it needs the Woad Wova's to elp.
They look at each other and then at Max, who looks down and sighs. He looks up.
Max: Just be careful.
The kids nod as they start to run to the city.
Max: Wait!
The kids stop and look at Max, who runs to them. He pulls out eight small radios.
Max: These are radios. You put them on your ear. Use them to communicate with your teammates.
The kids each take one radio and puts them on their ear. They nod and run to the city. Police cars are sent in because of a report of a fifteen-foot-tall robot wreaking havoc. A news crew is safely away from the robot so they can report to the live audience. A couple of news choppers are in the air to report the incident to the live audience.
Zach Oliver: This is Zach Oliver reporting to you live. As you can see behind me, there is this giant robot going completely havoc on our city! Though the police and SWAT have been called, God only knows what it will take to stop this!
Police cars and SWAT vans pull up and men and women run out of their vehicles to see a ten-foot robot, with a metallic exterior body shell mostly grey and red as its color. It has long arms, long legs, and a large head in the shape of a bulldog, with bright green lights for eyes. It is shooting up buildings with a high-powered missile launcher on its shoulder. The police and SWAT, though a bit afraid of what they have to deal with, look at the robot with determination.
SWAT Leader: All right, men! OPEN FIRE!
The police and SWAT use their arsenal against the robot, but it is nothing against the robot. Despite this, they fire on the robot for another couple of minutes.
Police Officer: This isn't going anywhere!
SWAT Leader: If only we had stronger!
An arm reaches over and lowers the SWAT Leader's weapon. The SWAT Leader looks over and his eyes widen upon seeing a male humanoid tan and black German Shepherd. The German Shepherd looks at the SWAT Leader.
Chris: Sir, I think we can handle this.
The SWATS and Police Officers look to see seven more humanoid dogs like the German Shepherd; a female tan and black German Shepherd, a red Indian Pariah Dog, a white and black Brazilian Terrier, a brindle Boerboel, a yellow Hällefors Elkhound, a brown Australian Kelpie, and a fawn Canaan Dog. All of them are wearing uniforms that consisted of gray, blue, and white, as well as red collars with a brass tag. The police officers and SWAT are looking at these dogs, wondering what they are going to do against the robot.
SWAT Leader: What are you?
Chris looks at the SWAT Leader. He then lightly smiles after staring at him for a bit.
Chris: We're the Road Rovers.
Chris looks up at the robot.
Chris: Okay. It's just a robot. Nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing.
Chris gets down on his knees and starts silently praying, causing Claire, Iris, and Jasmine to also silently pray. After they were done, the four get up.
Chris: Let's just use our powers to try and put Jet Jaguar here down for good.
Claire: All right, brother, let's turn this robot into junkyard scrap.
Chris looks at her sister and nods. All of the kids get into a fighting stance. There is a pause.
Liam: Avengers, assemble!
The kids look at Liam, who just smugs. After rolling his eyes, Chris looks at the robot and does a battle cry, causing the kids to run to the robot, whose arms transform into guns. The robot starts shooting at the kids, who dodge the bullets coming out. Liam jumps on Rahul's back and extends his claws, making them land on one of the robot's arms. He keeps digging through the metal with his claws, only for him to be grabbed and tossed to the road. Patricia forms electricity in her hands and shoots it out at the robot, covering it with electricity and stunning it. The robot gets up and uses it to his advantage by shooting a bolt of it at Patricia, causing her to be hit by it and fly to the side of a building, causing a huge dent. Patricia gets up from it.
Patricia: Woah! What rush!
Zach sees the action from where he is standing.
Zach: Well, Mark, I can see humanoid dogs, like the ones I saw at the Wells Fargo Center building! They're here to put an end to this robot!
Rahul wall scales up the robot's back.
Rahul: There's got to be a way to get this robot to shut down!
Rahul wall scales around to find a way to stop the robot's havoc. At the same time, Iris and Jasmine are staying behind a dumpster, knowing that there was nothing they could do to weaken the robot. They take the radios off their ear and cover them with their hands.
Iris: There's nothing I can do against that thing! I don't even want to be this way! I want a normal life!
Jasmine: I don't blame you!
Liam climbs up the robot with his claws to help Rahul find a way to stop the robot. After doing a thorough search, both of them can't find a way to stop the robot.
Liam: Were's the bloody 'off' button on this thing?
Rahul: I don't know! I can't find anything that will make this robot stop!
Ali looks at the arms and legs of the robot and gets an idea.
Ali: Guys! Let's get wid of the awms and legs! It might go immobile!
Chris: Well, I don't have any better ideas.
Rahul: Yeah, me neither.
Rahul lets go of the robot, landing on the ground. Liam starts to claw the robot's head as Ali has fire coming out of his hands.
Ali: I'll go fo' the legs!
Claire: Chris and I will go for the arms!
Chris looks at the missile cannon and gets an idea. He uses his psychokinesis to bend the missile cannon where it's pointing at its head.
Chris: Liam! Get out of the way!
Liam nods as he jumps off the robot. The robot makes a growling metallic noise as the missile cannon fires, exploding and blowing the robot's head off. Ali gets raging fires coming out of his hands, engulfing the robot's legs. Within a minute, the metal melted, causing the robot's legs to break off. Electricity ties to conduct but only sparks come out. The robot starts to squirm, trying to get up despite having no legs. Chris and Claire then rip the robot's arms off with their psychokinesis. Once the arms are ripped off, electricity sparks out of the sockets. The robot seems to shut down, causing a cheer from the group.
Chris: All right! Good job, guys! We showed that scrap of metal who's the man!
The robot starts growing new arms and legs.
Claire: What?! How is this thing still kicking?!
Everyone is in shock. Surely, damage like that should not let the robot come back to attack.
Zach: Wow. I thought that robot had nothing left, but it refuses to give up!
Everyone attacks the robot with everything they got, aside from Iris and Jasmine, who just sit behind the dumpster. Jasmine looks at the robot. After a while, she gets an idea. She puts the radio back on her ear and starts walking towards the robot, causing Iris to look at what Jasmine is doing.
Jasmine: Guys, you might want to step back.
Chris: Why?
Jasmine smirks.
Jasmine: I have an idea to stop it.
Each of the Rovers looks at each other.
Claire: All right, guys, you heard her! Clear out!
The Rovers separate away from the robot. The robot notices it is alone and looks around. Its eyes get to the attention of one Canaan Dog walking towards it. Jasmine stops and looks at the robot. She makes a beckoning sign to the robot. The robot makes a metallic laughing sound and turns one of its hands into the muzzle of high-powered cannon. Jasmine looks down and breathes in and out. The robot charges its cannon, preparing to put an end to the Rovers life.
Jasmine: Please, forgive me, Allah.
Jasmine starts clenching her fist. At the same time, a dark cloud starts to show up above the robot's head. Jasmine clenches her fist harder, making thunder and small hints of a lightning show in the cloud. After finding the energy within herself, she opens her eyes and opens her hand to the robot, making a big lightning bolt come out of the cloud and enter into the robot's head. The lightning is so powerful, it makes the robot motionless as its arms start to explode off. The robot makes a metallic scream as its head blows up. Eventually, the rest of its body blows up, creating a huge fireball, and pieces of metal and electronics fall to the ground. The smoke clears and the Rovers are looking at each other. Jasmine walks out of the smoke, with a smirk on her face. Iris follows up behind Jasmine, shocked by what she did.
Patricia: Jasmine?
Liam: Ya did that?
Jasmine looks around the metal and electronic parts around her.
Jasmine: Maybe it wasn't ready for my lightning round.
The group laughs and hugs Jasmine. This is interrupted by the cheers of everyone around them, including the police officers and SWAT
Zach: They did it! They stopped the robot!
The news crew runs to the team, getting through the people surrounding them. Zach approaches Chris and Claire.
Zach: Excuse me! I just want to say congratulations to you and your team! You have all saved this city! Do you have anything to say to the audience?
Chris and Claire look at each other. They nod and look at Zach.
Chris: I just want to say I'm proud of the team here. We didn't know what to expect coming into this, but we knew deep down that we had to stop that robot from destroying the city.
Claire: I too am proud of what we were able to do.
Claire looks at the camera.
Claire: And I want the world to know this. I know the Road Rovers are being forgotten. I know the world feels we don't need them anymore. Well, you can look at what we've done. You can look around and know that there is indeed a need for the Road Rovers to come back. We won't be forgotten! We will always be there! When help is needed, you can expect us to be there! Let this incident be known everywhere, in every country! The world has just seen the return of the Road Rovers!
Zach: Thank you very much!
Zach turns to the camera.
Zach: And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen!
As the crowd cheers for the Road Rovers, each of the Rovers have a smile on their face. The Road Rovers have returned.