Exploring Horizons - Chapter 4
Want to continue thanking Foxfire69 for allowing the use of his OC. Also I will be introducing a new OC in the chapter whose owner is DaytonGamingGames02, she will be brought in a special way and will be another recurring character throughout the series.
Zuma had just hid the last item and surfaced. Mira sat on Zuma's hovercraft blindfolded.
"Ok Mira," said Zuma, "I have hidden four items. Go find 'em."
"What am I looking for?" asked Mira.
"The first item is a rubber duck tied to a rock," said Zuma.
"Ok, and the rest?" asked Mira.
"Attached to the duck you will find a clue to the next item to find," said Zuma.
"Cool, underwater scavenger hunt," said Mira.
"Yep, going to be the main event for next year's competition," said Zuma.
"Oh, I can't wait," said Mira.
"Sorry, you can't compete next year," said Zuma.
"But why?" said Mira.
"The competition is for amateurs," said Zuma, "You aren't an amateur any more. Now get going before your clues float away."
"Or Wally eats them," laughed Mira, "SCUBA!" She barked and then dove in, swimming down looking to begin the search.
"MARSHALL!" yelled Everest.
Marshall ran in, "What's wrong Ev?"
"Either I wet myself or it's time," said Everest.
"Ok, start your breathing exercises," said Marshall, "I'm going to grab the kit and call Katie and Gale."
"Are you worried," asked Everest.
"No, but if I don't at least let them know to head this way," said Marshall, "they will be hurt."
"Just like you to think of everyone else's feelings," said Everest and a contraction began and she started her breathing exercises. "Can you call Skye also?"
"Sure Honey," said Marshall, as he hit is pup tag.
Marshall had everything laid out. He stuck his head in the Kitchen. "Ok Cinder, it's time."
"What," breathed Everest, "Took," Breath, "You So," breath, "Long?" Everest asked Cinder.
"I made you an after puppy birth snack," Cinder replied softly, as she sat a plate on the dresser.
"You know me so well," laughed Everest.
Cinder walked over and took Everest's paw. Skye came running in and took her other paw.
"Ok honey," said Marshall, "On this next contraction, I want you to push."
"Everest, do you need anything?" asked Gale, as she and Katie walked in.
Everest just shook her head. The contraction began, "Ok push," said Marshall.
Everest began bearing down. A tear leaked out of her eye, Cinder licked it off and squeezed her paw. Everest turned and smiled at her.
"Great job Honey," said Marshall, "Almost there."
The contraction stopped, "Ok honey, rest the next will come sooner," said Marshall. In no time it began.
"Big Push!" said Marshall.
"Almost done honey," said Skye. "You're doing so good."
"Here it comes," said Marshall, "almost, and Got it! Ha, I was right, it's a boy!"
"Yeah, a little brother!" called Lizzy from the other room.
"You did so great mama," said Skye, washing off Everest's forehead.
"Let me get him cleaned up," said Marshall. He looked over at Cinder, she had tears in her eyes.
"I love you, sis," said Marshall.
"Love you too, Bro." Cinder softly replied.
"I love you Sis," said Everest, squeezing her paw.
Cinder kissed Everest's cheek and softly said, "I love you and promise to be here to watch him grow up."
Skye reached across and took Cinder's other paw. The girls all hugged.
"So enough of that," said Cinder. "What are you going to name him?"
They looked at the puppy as Marshall placed the pup in Everest's arms. He was all white like Marshall but fuzzy like Everest.
"I'm surprised he doesn't have spots," said Skye.
"If they are going to show it usually takes about 10 days," softly explained Cinder. "I'm betting they will."
"Marshall decided we would wait and see which of us he looked like more," said Everest.
"Well he looks like both of you," said Skye, "We'll have to wait to see who's eye's he has. So Marshall, what name have you decided?"
"Denali," said Marshall.
"Oh Marshall, That's perfect," said Everest.
"I agree," said Skye and Cinder together.
"Ok, Now go show him off so I can nurse him," laughed Everest.
Marshall took the pup in his paws and carried him into the other room where all the pups and people were waiting.
"I'd like to introduce you all to my son, Denali," said Marshall.
Everyone gathered and ooh'd and ahh'd over the new pup.
Marshall returned and placed the pup next to one of Everest's teats. The pup latched on with little prompting.
"How about that," laughed Skye, "He already likes to eat as much as his mama."
They all laughed. Once fed both the pup and Everest promptly fell asleep.
Marshall and Cinder were sitting in the living room talking.
"You ok?" asked Marshall.
"Not really," Cinder softly replied, "I am really glad I could be here. But I'm still jealous, life is just so unfair sometimes."
"I know," said Marshall, "You know Everest will still keep up the agreement. Of course you have to find a prospect. Unless you want to do the whole donor thing."
"No, I'm too busy to do the single mom thing," Cinder said softly. "Watching him grow up will help. But I just can't help wish things had turned out different." Tears ran down her muzzle.
Marshall pulled his sister into a hug, cooing to her, "There, there, sis. Nothing to be ashamed of. Life is unfair. If it's meant to be, the right one will come along."
Cinder sat up wiping her eyes and softly said, "He better hurry, I'm not getting any younger."
"Maybe you need to take off and go hunting," laughed Marshall, "There's those first responder cruises or even single pup cruises."
"Maybe I will," softly laughed Cinder. She hugged her brother, "Thanks for letting me have my pity party. I'm going to go watch them sleep for a little bit."
Lizzy sat in front of the cabin staring out at the city below. She sighed as Karuna padded up behind her and sat down.
"Treat for your thoughts," said Karuna.
"I don't know," said Lizzy.
"Are you upset because of the puppy?" asked Karuna, "You know they will always love you just as much as your new brother."
"No, it's not that," said Lizzy, "I-i oh nevermind I'm just being silly." She sighed as she slumped to the ground.
Karuna stepped in front of Lizzy and licked her tears away. "Nothing is silly if it moves your heart, please tell me."
"I want a puppy," said Lizzy, "I know we haven't been mates that long but I want a puppy."
"Lizzy, how in the world did you think that was silly?" asked Karuna, "You know I want pups, you just say when."
"That's just it," said Lizzy, "I know I can have a pup, but I really enjoy guarding and I don't want to have to give that up in order to have a pup."
"It would only be for a short time," said Karuna, "And then you could come back after a little retraining to get back in shape." Karuna paused and then said, "You know there's an alternative."
"What's that?" asked Lizzy, looking up into his sparkling eyes.
"We could do like your parents did," said Karuna, "we could adopt. Then you wouldn't lose as much time and save a pup from the aloneness you, your mom, and uncle Chase or my dad for that matter felt."
"W-would you do that?" asked Lizzy, "I mean, I'm sure you want your line to continue."
"Lizzy, My line is about far more than blood," said Karuna. My dad jokes that he's whatever breed he chooses to be at the moment. The other day he decided he was a rottweiler."
"Yeah because your mom convinced him that finally," laughed Lizzy.
"Regardless, Blood isn't what matters," said Karuna, "Love is what matters."
Lizzy hugged her mate, tears streaming down both of their faces.
Ryder walked over, "Guys, I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I couldn't help but hear you talking about possibly adopting."
"Yes?" said Lizzy.
"Well the park ranger that found you called the other day," said Ryder. "He has another pup that was orphaned and abandoned. He was asking if anyone would be interested. She has had a rough start but has potential. At the time I had told him that Everest was about to have her pup. But I promised to keep an eye out. You know as well as I do, The Great One has mysterious ways of putting things into motion we'll never understand. If you two are interested I could give him a call and see which shelter she is staying at."
"Karuna?" asked Lizzy, "were you serious?"
"As serious as a heart attack," said Karuna, "Let's go meet our little girl."
Ryder smiled as he made the call.
Ranger Smith walked to the front of the kennel where the pup was staying.
"Christina?" said Ranger Smith.
"Oh, good morning Ranger Smith," said Christina. "How are you today?"
"The question is how are you?" asked Ranger Smith, he opened the kennel and sat down on the floor.
"I'm ok, I guess," said Christina. "I'm still hoping someone will come that will give me a family again. I keep praying but no one has come. Maybe I'm just meant to be alone."
"Well, that's actually why I came," said Ranger Smith. "I have a friend that leads a special team of pups. They have adopted one of the pups I found before."
"So I'd live in a kennel with others?" asked Christina.
"Not exactly," said Ranger Smith, "This team is different from any team in the world. The pups live as families and respond to emergencies when they are needed."
"Oh, kind of like the Paw Patrol?" asked Christina.
"Actually it is the Paw Patrol," said Ranger Smith, smiling.
"Really, Like Marshall, Rubble, Rocky and the rest?" said Christina standing now with her tail wagging like crazy.
"Oh, so you've heard of them?" laughed Ranger Smith
"Who hasn't heard about the Paw Patrol," said Christina.
"Well the original pups have pups now," said Ranger Smith. "Marshall and Everest adopted the pup I was talking about. Her name is Lizzy. Her mate's name is Karuna. If you are willing to meet them, they would love to meet you."
"O-ok," said Christina, "I-i'll meet them. You think they will like me?"
"Christina, Jȁschke," said Ranger Smith, "they will love you."
Lizzy and Karuna sat in the lobby talking.
Ranger Smith came out into the lobby.
"Wow, Lizzy," said Ranger Smith "You have grown into a beautiful young lady. It wasn't that long ago that your parents were meeting you here. I think you will love this little girl. Shall we go back?"
"Y-yes," said Lizzy.
Karuna turned Lizzy around to face him, "She will love you. Relax, something tells me this is meant to be."
They walked back into a room with pup pads and a drinking fountain and a chair for Ranger Smith. As they walked in, the pup stood with her tail hanging straight down.
The pup was obviously a Tibetan mastiff/Australian shepherd mix, her fur was brown and white with the most piercing beautiful gray eyes Lizzy had ever seen. Lizzy's breath caught as she saw who she hoped would be her daughter for the first time.
"Lizzy , Karuna," said Ranger Smith "I'd like to introduce you to Jȁschke. She is now 5 months old. Jȁschke, this is Mrs. Lizzy and Mr. Karuna. I'll let you guys talk for a bit."
"Hello Jȁschke," said Karuna. "I see you are part Tibetan Mastiff. I am as well, I'm half mastiff, half whatever dad decides he wants to be that day."
"W-what does that mean?" Jȁschke said shyly.
"It means his dad, Rocky, is a mixed breed of unknown breeds," laughed Lizzy. "Karuna's mom, Yehse, is a pure Tibetan Mastiff from Tibet. Rocky always called himself a mutt, but Yeshe has forbidden that word from being used anymore. Rocky jokes and changes his breed to whatever he feels like that day."
Jȁschke laughed, "y-you can call me Christina, it's my nickname. You are both very nice."
"Well you seem not only very nice," said Lizzy, "You are quite beautiful as well."
"Like you said, I'm part Mastiff, the other half is Australian Shepherd." said Christina, "My mom was an Australian Shepherd, My dad met her when he was traveling with his master. His master was my owner, for a while."
"We all have pasts to overcome," said Lizzy. "I'd love to take care of you if you would like."
"Like a real mom and dad?" asked Christina.
"If you'd like to call us that," said Lizzy, "I would be thrilled. But no one will ever replace your mom and dad. They will always be with you."
"O-ok," said Christina, "I think I'd like that."
"Ok Mrs. Lizzy and Mr. Karuna," said the shelter clerk, "We just have some paperwork to sign. Mr. Karuna, will you come with me? Mrs. Lizzy, you can stay here with Christina if you'd like."
As they left the clerk turned to Karuna. "Christina has been through a whole lot. She will need to continue with her counseling. Since you two are of the Paw Patrol family there is no charge for the services."
"What?" said Karuna, "How does that work?"
"Because of past projects and the team's history" said the clerk, "Well more specifically your dad, Rocky, has developed multiple improvements for our shelter and several others throughout the country. There will never be a charge of any kind for a member of the Paw Patrol Family."
"That's awesome," said Karuna, "What all has she been through already. She's only 5 months old."
"You'd be better served to get her talking to get the whole story," said the clerk, "But most importantly she watched her parents get murdered. She fled the scene, she was found by the rangers a few months later. She spent a long time out in the elements. The only thing that saved her was her Mastiff blood. It had been freezing for several days when they found her. Needless to say she has nightmares regularly, if you need anything here's my card, call me anytime."
"We'll make sure she gets the help she needs," said Karuna. "Now, what about the paperwork we need to sign."
"That was a ploy to get you out here to talk to," said the clerk, "Everything has already been taken care of. You may take your daughter home anytime you're ready."
"Thank you," said Karuna, turning to walk back into the room.
Lizzy gave Karuna a raised eyebrow. "Later," Karuna mouthed, Lizzy nodded.
"So Christina," said Karuna, "Are you ready to go home?"
"Home?" said Christina, "I have a home."
"Yes you do sweetheart," said Lizzy, "For now and forever. And you have Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and lots of cousins that will want to meet you."
"Cousins?" said Christina, "I've never had a cousin before."
They returned to the kennel and gathered Christina's things. She had a blanket they had given her with the park ranger logo on it. Ranger Smith had given her a stuffed wolf to hold and then told her she was responsible for taking care of it. She had named it shadow.
"Come on," said Lizzy, "Let's go show Shadow his new den."
Thanks again to DaytonGamingGames02 for the use of his OC Jȁschke / Christina. You will be seeing her as a regular character.