Exploring Horizons - Chapter 1
It's been almost two months since the previous story.
Skye and Sunny's pups are up and running. Apparently Everest got pregnant during the punishment honeymoon. Marshall and Everest sat down and explained to Lizzy that the new pup was in no way her replacement and they would always love her just as much. At first she was jealous but with Karuna's help she began to accept the thought of a younger brother or sister.
As seemed to be the trend Obi asked Rubble to be her mate and of course he accepted. Since Rubble had done such a great job on the retreat, he was asked to build the college campus and the research facility for MIT.
Buddy is taking most of the Paw Patrol calls now in place of Rocky. Rocky has accepted a student teaching position and according to Professor Taylor, Rocky will probably be asked to head the research lab.
Gale and Katie are study partners but no surprise the rest of their class comes over so often that Rocky and Buddy designed and built a new study / design studio with a conference room.
Much to Zuma's happiness Mira had turned out to not only love the water, she was shaping up to be an excellent surfer for her age. In fact if you turned your back on her she was in the water somewhere.
Similarly Chase and Skye's son Apex loved flying with his mother. Needless to say the first few times they flew Marshall nearly had to sedate Chase. He finally started becoming comfortable with Rocky and Obi's safety upgrades. Besides as predicted Valorie was shaping up to be a great future police officer.
On this particular day the Guardians were drilling on tracking.
"Ok guys," said Kang, "the first thing to remember in tracking is not to rush. Those that rush will overlook subtle disturbances on the ground and brush that will allow an intruder or a lost person to go undiscovered. So I have had an unknown pup to play the intruder. Go find 'um"
"Is it male or female?" asked Lizzy.
"I have no idea," said Kang. "You have to figure out everything and bring me a report. Treat this like it was a real threat. Follow all your procedures."
"GOT IT!" yelled the pups as they spread out to begin searching.
"Uncle Kang, Uncle Kang," said Valorie running up panting.
"Yes sweetheart," said Kang looking at the young pup. "What can I do for you today?"
"I want to learn how to guard and protect," said Valorie.
"Well, I'll speak to your dad," said Kang.
"But He knows I want to be a police dog," said Valorie, "But I think learning to guard will make me better."
"That's probably true," said Kang, "I'll tell you what. Pair up with Lizzy and we'll talk to your parents later."
"Thank you Uncle Kang, sir." said Valorie as she ran off to join Lizzy.
Kang laughed to himself as he pressed his pup tag.
"Hey Chase?" said Kang.
"Yes Kang, is there a problem?" answered Chase.
"I was about to ask you the same," laughed Kang, "are you by chance missing your little girl?"
There was a pause, "Actually, I was kind of wondering where she had gotten off to."
"Well, she's here with me and the Guardians," laughed Kang. "It seems she thinks Guardian training will help her police dog abilities."
Again a pause, "I suppose it would, is that ok?" answered Chase.
"Of course," said Kang, "Training never hurts. Who knows, maybe I'll steal her."
"If you can corral her spirit better than I have, you're welcome to her," laughed Chase. "I'll come get her later."
Mira was hiding in the bushes and spotted Karuna and Buster. She slid back deeper as they passed, pausing as if they had smelled something. 'Oh no, I think they detected me.' thought Mira. She stopped herself from whimpering and then slid out the back side and slowly moved away from the two.
"I know I smelled something," said Buster. "Karuna, check for signs of movement."
"Got it," said Karuna. He began to circle the area watching the ground. He stopped.
"Buster, I have disturbed brush over here," said Karuna.
Buster ran over to where Karuna was. Karuna showed him the bushes where it appeared some pup had come out. There was a small patch of fur, light tan or blonde.
"Great eye Karuna," said Buster, "take a deep sniff. Well try to track the pup."
Both leaned down and took deep sniffs, "Got it!" they both said together and then laughed. They began circling until they thought they caught a trail. They weren't sure yet so they didn't alert, but kept following.
"Lizzy?" said Val.
"Yes Val?" answered Lizzy.
"Do we know who it is we're looking for?" asked Val.
"No, that's part of the drill," said Lizzy. "We know it's a pup, but not who. Why?"
"I don't know if it's cheating or not but I think I know who it is." said Val.
"No we are to use all of our resources," said Lizzy, "Who do you think it is?"
"Well I know everyone's scent," said Val. "I know that Mira passed through here recently."
"Are you sure?" said Lizzy.
"Very sure," said Val. "I'd say less than 10 minutes ago."
"Awesome," said Lizzy. "Let's beat the boys to finding her. You lead."
"Yes, ma'am" said Val proudly as she put her nose to the ground and began tracking.
"I think we're closing," said Karuna.
"Should we sound alert?" said Buster.
"I want to be sure," said Karuna.
"You just want to beat Lizzy," laughed Buster.
"We have a little wager," said Karuna, blushing.
"Oh now you have my interest," laughed Buster. "Tell me."
"Oh crap," said Karuna, "either they doubled back or I lost the trail."
"Well let's circle and find it again," said Buster.
Mira was on a rock over their heads and made her way back up the way they had come without making a noise. As soon as she could no longer hear them talking she sprinted to find a new hiding spot.
"No it just seems to end," said Karuna, "They must have doubled back. How did we miss them?"
"Oooh ghost pup," snickered Buster. "I don't know, maybe we should turn around and see if they broke off the trail and we missed it. You have the best nose."
"No buddy has the best nose," said Karuna, "Too bad he was tied up today."
"Lizzy, hide, quick," said Val, "She's running right toward us."
They dove into the bushes on opposite sides of the trail. As Mira came running past Val dove out and tackled Mira. Mira Screamed.
"Got Ya!" yelled Val. "You have the right to remain silent, Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of the law." Then she held her head back and sounded the captured alert.
"Val! get off me," laughed Mira. "When did you become a Guardian?"
"Just today," laughed Val, getting off and helping her friend to her paws.
Kang, Buster, and Buddy came running up.
"Lizzy what happened?" asked Kang.
"Well I think Val just showed up and proved best nose in Adventure Bay," said Lizzy.
"Ok Mira," said Kang, "What all did you do?"
"Well at first I was just running around spreading my scent everywhere," said Mira," Then once I started hearing everyone I would hide for a little while and then move when they got close. I thought Buster and Buddy had me but I ran over their heads on the rocks and was trying to get away when Val tackled me."
"Buster, Karuna?" questioned Kang.
"Mira were you in the bush when we stopped?" asked Buster.
"Yes, I thought you had caught me," said Mira, "I waited and then ducked out the back."
"You left a patch of fur," said Karuna, "that's how we got your scent and began tracking you. I guess when the scent ran out it was because you climbed the rocks and then doubled back."
'Yes, I thought you had me for sure," laughed Mira, "You doubt yourself too much. I was right above you."
"Ok Val," said Kang.
"I was following Lizzy and watching when I caught Mira's scent," said Val. "I asked Lizzy if it was cheating that I figured out who we were tracking."
"What exactly do you mean," asked Kang, "You mean you smelled a pup that turned out to be Mira? Or you knew it was Mira?"
"No sir, I knew it was Mira," said Val, looking down at first. "I'm sorry if that is cheating."
"No not at all," said Kang, "We use all our resources. But is it because you two play together all the time?"
"No Sir, I know everyone's scent," said Val, standing proudly.
"Ouu, I feel a challenge coming on," said Buster.
"At least it's worth testing to see," laughed Kang. "Maybe we do have a new best nose. Karuna, call your brother and see if he can break away. We'll meet him at the Lookout."
Kang had called a few pups, who called a few, needless to say everyone showed up. Val and Buddy were sat back to back with blindfolds on.
"Ok, each subject will walk by the pup who's turn it is," said Kang. "If the first pup guesses wrong the other gets a chance."
"Ok," said the two pups.
Chase walked by Buddy. Buddy quickly guessed correctly.
Zuma walked by Val, and she guessed correctly.
Next Yeshe walked by Buddy, "Duh, mom." laughed Buddy.
Everest walked by Val but had Skye riding on her back. Val took a deep sniff, "Uh, Everest, but unless you've been rubbing on mom, she must be on your back."
"Ok, that's just impressive," laughed Ryder.
One by one the pups, Katie, Ryder, and even Jake circled past and both were able to guess correctly.
Finally the last person walked by buddy,
"Um, not a pup," said Buddy, "Uh, I'm not sure. It's a confusing scent."
"Times up, Guess or give up?" said Kang.
"If I have to guess," said Buddy, "I'd say Capt. Turbot."
"Final Answer?" asked Kang.
"I'm still not sure," said Buddy.
"Too late," said Kang. "Val, you turn."
"Um, hamburgers," said Val, "It's Mr. Porter."
"You sure?" asked Kang.
"Yes, I'm sure," laughed Val. "but now I want a cheeseburger."
"Well it's a good thing I brought enough for everyone," laughed Mr. Porter.
Buddy and Val pulled their blindfolds off.
Buddy turned to Val, "Wow, you are really good."
"You are too Buddy," said Val.
"Woooo, That's my girl!" shouted Chase. Val blushed.
"By the way Chase," laughed Kang, "You can't have her back. She's mine now."
Everyone laughed.
Everyone had decided to sleep over at the Lookout. Later that night a sole pup snuck out and knocked on another pup's door.
The door opened and Rocky looked out, Mira was sitting there.
"Mira? Is everything alright?" said Rocky. "Who is it?" called Yeshe. "It's Mira, come in honey."
"I'm sorry to wake you up," said Mira, "I wanted to know if you could help me with something?"
"Anything, honey," said Yeshe.
"Uncle Rocky," said Mira, "I know you don't like to swim, but could you help me?"
"What do you need?" asked Rocky.
"I want to be a water rescue pup like dad," said Mira. "But I need more practice so he'll be proud of me."
"Oh honey," said Rocky hugging Mira, "Your dad is very proud of you. He loves you and if you want to be a water rescue pup, he'll be ecstatic. But regardless, how can I help?"
"I wondered if you would play victim so I can practice pulling you to shore." asked Mira
Rocky gulped, "Mira, I will do anything I can to help you. When did you want to practice?"
Yeshe giggled to herself, she knew Rocky would rather do anything but get in the water but was very proud of him for his willingness to help.
"If we meet at night," said Mira, "I can practice and then surprise him this weekend."
"Ok, I'll take the plunge," giggled Rocky, "but this is between you and me. I don't want everyone thinking I'm ready to go swimming all the time."
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you," squealed Mira, "I'll meet you on the beach in 10 minutes."
"Ok, I'll be there," said Rocky, closing the door. "How do I manage to get myself into these predicaments?"
"Oh sweetheart," said Yeshe, "You are a special pup that will do anything for anyone. That's why I love you so much. Do you want me to come?"
"No you hang out here," said Rocky, "Warn me if Zuma comes looking."
Rocky showed up at the beach and Mira was waiting. They practiced close for the first few times. Then Rocky swam further out, he was becoming nervous when he felt her arm reach around him and she began providing comforting words as she towed him back to shore.
"You're already really good at this," said Rocky, "This isn't your first time is it?"
"It's my first time pulling a pup," said Mira. "I've used floats and then weighted things. But I needed to feel a real pup to know I was pulling correctly."
"You're doing great," said Rocky, "I don't think you have anything to worry about."
"Still, will you come back tomorrow?" asked Mira, "and let me practice at least one more time before this weekend?"
"Of course," said Rocky, "I'm proud of you and I know your dad will be exceptionally proud."
Rocky snuck into the dorm and made his way to the showers to wash off the wet dog smell. He returned to the bedroom they were staying in.
"Um, you smell nice," said Yeshe as she cuddled up to him.