Oswin stood speechless at the sight of his nephew with the mystic sword Excalibur in his right hand. Adam is very shocked and surprised to see his uncle here. Cooler, Big Paw, and everyone else just stands there, wondering who that man is.
"Adam!" Oswin starts his conversation with that. "Uncle Oswin?" Adam replied with a surprised expression on his face. "What're you doing here?" He asked him. "Looking for you of course, I was worried." Oswin answered. "So how did you manage to find us?" Whopper wondered. In Oswin's perspective all he can ever hear are just ordinary squeak barks from Whopper. Confusing Oswin, trying to figure out what he's trying to say.
Adam takes the hint that he doesn't understand what Whopper was saying with puppy power gone. "Oh, Whopper was wondering how you managed to find us? That's also what I was about to ask." Adam said. Oswin realizes only his nephew can understand them, which only means one thing. "You still have the power, puppy power." Oswin said in realization.
"Uncle?" Adam asked him again. Oswin cuts to the chase. "Oh yes. How did I find you?" Oswin begins to explain his story.
Flashback
"I left when I started to get worried since you were gone very long. So I searched everywhere in the city." He walks on the sidewalk, in search of Adam. "I looked at the store, library, and even the city pound. I couldn't go on in the museum since a crime scene took place." He Looks left and right in the store. At the Library he looked through the bookshelves. "It was then I searched for the one thing where I would least think where you would be." He stared at the direction to the woods and went on in.
He searched around in the entrance of the woods, when he looked down. He notices paw prints but one of them is different, getting a closer look. He sees one of them is a shoe print. "Right when I entered the woods, I noticed the paw prints on the ground, and saw something that's odd. You also left tracks along with the paw prints.
Flashback ends.
"I kept following where you all last went, even if some of the prints ended. But I kept going where y'all's foot leads, and well. Here I am, witnessing the moment my nephew pulled the sword. So my dad was right all along. Excalibur is out here, waiting to be found again." Oswin said. "Uncle, I heard the sword doesn't want to be found." Adam brings it up.
"Huh? Who says it didn't want to be found?" Oswin questions. "Her." Adam points at Charlemagne. Oswin looks at the cat, lowering one of his brows in confusion. Charlemagne waves nervously. Then he focused back on Adam. "I suppose you owed an explanation, as well as all of you. Those that journeyed far to recover the bone, the sword, and found Big Paw. Guardian of the woods." Oswin announces. "That's me." Big Paw chimes in.
"Follow me." Oswin walks ahead. Cooler got curious about this. "Where is he taking us to?" Cooler wonders. "I don't know what my uncle is on about, but just go along with what my uncle wants to show us." Adam said and went ahead to follow Oswin. "He's right, maybe there may be more of what we don't know." Beamer said. Cooler thinks for a little and shrugs. "Well whatever, we got to lose guys." Cooler and the gang follow behind Adam.
After a little walk through the woods. Fighting some bushes, branches and even insects. Oswin stops at the open area. Adam and co also came to a halt. "So what is it we need to see uncle?" Adam asks Oswin. "Watch." Oswin slams his wooden staff on the grass, creating a shockwave on the ground. Adam and the dogs felt the rumble like an earthquake. Out of the blue, the cave emerged. Earning a gasp from the group.
"Whoa did you see that?" Whopper said in shock. "Did he just make the cave appear from the ground?" Bright eyes wander in awe. "I remember this spot, it's an area where only wizards go to their secret cave."
Big Paw mentions. "Wizards? I remember Merlin is Arthur's mentor. If he made the cave appear, then that would mean-" Cooler is about to say. Adam hears what Cooler's saying and comes to the same conclusion. Realizing this about now. "Uncle Oswin, if Wizards can make this cave appear. That means…" Adam puts two and two together in his mind. Oswin nods in response. "Yes, that's because. I am indeed a Wizard, Merlin. Merlin is my middle name." Oswin revealed his big hidden name.
"Merlin, you're Merlin's ancestor!?" Adam shouts. "Yep. In this cave is where you can get caught up on our ancestor's story. The sword and the birth of Camelot and the knights of the round table. Questions of the sword and the bone will all be revealed here." Oswin points with his staff and enters the cave. "Not planning to stand around longer, I'm gonna see what we missed from those stories." Adam said and went into the cave first.
"Wait for us Adam." Whopper follows him. "Hey wait for me Whopper." Bright eyes follow them next. "Don't forget about all of us." Hairball said and spit out a hairball. And so dogs and cats all follow them and enter the secret cave.
Secret cave
Oswin ignites his staff and makes it have a white glow on the top. He leads the group in a never ending tunnel. Adam and everyone looks around, gazing at all the writings accompanied by the drawings that show what is happening. Beamer sees the writings are also in runes, just like the one on the pedestal. "Look at all of this rune writing all over this cave." Beamer said. "What's all this uncle Oswin?" Adam asked. "This is the whole history of yours and my ancestors. A history with a beginning, and an end. You know how it goes with stories don't you?" Oswin asks him.
"I do, I remember you gave me that classic story of how Arthur pulled the sword from the stone, and the one with the knights of the round table. Uncle, what does the writing and drawing tell us?" Adam asked. "The true story, and what happened after when Arthur became king." Oswin said in a wise tone of his voice. "I don't know about you, but he sure is pretty cool. I wonder what kind of spells he's gonna use?" Whopper said, filled with excitement. "As you all know, everyone fought for the sword. They fight and die in battle in search of the mystic sword Excalibur. The black knight emerged victorious. So his band of knights went on a search.
Arthur and his trusty dog Digalot were just playing in this very woods, only for them to be met with a black knight on accident after playing fetch. Leading the wooden stick to , taking this as an act of foolish tricks. So he chased him and Arthur down throughout the woods." Oswin describes the tale. Cooler pays attention to every detail in the story with Digalot mentioned.
"He almost met his end with his axe as he was trapped by the sharp thorns. But it was thanks to Big Paw who saved his life. Arthur and Digalot never knew fate had plans for them, as their running around would lead them to Excalibur and the very magic bone that would grant him and everyone in the world that would later be known as puppy power." Oswin goes on.
"The scone bone." Whopper assumes. "This is intriguing." Bright eyes added. "Arthur thought he scared off, but in truth. It was Big Paw that sent him fleeing like a rooster." Oswin said. "I didn't think it would work, but somehow it did. Glad I kept them both safe from that mean knight." Big Paw said. "Well, it sure did scare me." Reflex said. "Same goes for Howler, I wish he was here." Cooler said with a sad thought.
"He is now crowned the king of camelot, and the rest is history. But…" Oswin stops, making everyone slam their brakes. "This is where you all will have your answers. A few questions. How is the sword lost? What became of Arthur and Camelot? Right here before you, is the answer you seek." Oswin said. "He should star in a movie, I tell you that." Cooler whispers to Adam.
"Probably as a drama teacher." Adam added.
"Over the years since he was crowned as king of Camelot, Arthur and his knights of the round table fought valiantly against those that opposed him. That dared to overthrow his throne, especially their greatest enemy. , the black knight. It was a long battle but he eventually triumphed. Camelot was saved once again, for now. Thanks to Arthur and the round table. Lancelot was his greatest rival, as well as an ally." Oswin continues.
"One night, Merlin warns Arthur about 's plot. Telling him he's after both the sword and the bone. He heeded the wizard's warning, and has decided in order to protect this kingdom and his people. He must hide the powerful relics to prevent evil from conquering all.
He puts Excalibur back to its very woods where it should stay hidden. As for the bone? No one knows, it was only last seen with Digalot. Vanished with the bone, never seen again. Lancelot and the fate of the round table was left unknown." Oswin finishes the story. Leaving the group quite speechless and astonished with the story.
"That's a lot to take in." Adam said, fascinated with the whole story. "I'll say." Whopper added. "Now you understand?" Oswin asks Adam. "Sure do, I guess we have a part to play don't we?" Adam said. "Then you know what you must do right?" Oswin checks if his nephew knows what his next mission would be. Adam gives him a nod in response. "We go find , and rescue the dogs of the pound puppies." Adam answers.
"That's my nephew." Oswin nods back. Knowing he's done here, they all get out of the secret cave. The cave goes back underground. Making the ground look like it was left like it was. "Alright gang, let's go find and rescue our friends and the bone." Cooler said in a leadership way and marched off ahead. "You heard him, let's get going." Adam said. And so they're back on track, on their way to . Meanwhile back at the stone, a shadow from a figure covers the pedestal. Just standing there in front of it. "My suspicion has been correct, Excalibur. Has returned."
Everyone continues their way to find , following where the scent leads with Nose Marie's sniffing skills. As their hike went on, the sun started to go down. The whole forest started to go dark. "We best make camp here. A good rest will be plenty helpful for us." Oswin said. "A great idea. Big Paw, try to find some decent wood for us." Cooler issues orders. "No problem." Big Paw salutes in response. "I'll make sure to help him find some supplies for camp." Adam volunteers. "Great, we'll have to make sure we all get comfy and get a good night's sleep." Cooler said as everyone starts to get comfortable after taking a long walk from the woods and the swamps.
Meanwhile at the Mc. Nasty castle
Marvin checks around in his room, searching for one particular book. "Now where did I put that book?" He shoves one book and the next, desperately looking for it. "Ugh if only I remember where I last placed it. I'll need to regain my knowledge about this necklace that my father told me about. It was an important piece of Info we have to be aware of. And I brushed it off like it was nothing. Now I really regret that." He mumbles to himself while he continues to find that book.
Nighttime at the camp
Everyone got settled to rest up for the night. Everyone gathered to sit down on the logs that Big Paw found for them to sit on. He laid down flat on the ground to rest while Oswin rested on his fur. "Hey Whopper?" Cooler talks to him. "Oh, hey…" Whopper waved at him in a soft voice. "I know I messed up back before the bone got stolen. There was so much I needed to do before you will be their new leader." Cooler explains his reasons. "By what, trying to make me be you? All cooler that's self centered and cruel to our cat friends?" Whopper scowls.
Cooler shakes his head. "Not in what you think. I thought about what Adam said and I think you can be cool in your own way. You don't have to be me if you wanna, but if anyone needs a cooler, you need to use it when you think it's the right time to do it. Lead your own way, lead as your own pup. That's the proper way." Cooler said. "You mean, the coolers way?" Whopper lifted his head to him. He smiled at Whopper's remark. "The cooler way." He replied and winked at him. "I know I said this before but, I'm sorry Whopper. I hope you look in your heart to forgive me." Cooler said. "I already had Cooler" He gives him a hug. "I already had."
***
Beamer sitting on a log pushed his paws towards the fire while being careful not to burn himself. Then over next to him is Adam and his sword Excalibur. A curious thought came to mind, wondering more about the sword. "Hey Adam?" Beamer calls his name. Adam turns to beamer, and gets his attention when his name gets called. "What's up?" Adam asked. "May I see that sword?" Beamer politely asks. "Sure thing." Adam nodded and picked up his sword, and unsheathed the sword. Adam and Beamer both look at the blade. Beamer however is really excited about it. "Man up close, and it's already majestic." Beamer said in awe.
"Yeah, I can't believe it either. Hey, I remember when you said you can translate. Do you really love reading books that much?" Adam asks Beamer. "You bet, I go in and out of the library to read so many books." Beamer replied. "What genres do you like?" Adam adds another question. "Fantasy, drama, non fiction, I can go on. Horror? Well, sometimes. Not a fan of spooky things." Beamer softly said, hinting he doesn't like horror. "I try to read and watch horror, but that proved to be too much. I learned that the hard way. But what about you? What's your story?" Adam wonders. Beamer thought hard about his question.
"To begin with, I'm actually not from America, I'm from a different part of the world. I came to America to find a new home, but the moment I got here and after a few days of searching only to receive no results, that's when I realized I became a stray, lost in a city alone. Life on the streets isn't good, I thought I could get somewhere when I arrived here. But now, I think a loving home with some folks would be nice. If I get one…" Beamer said with a sad look.
"Someone will come by Beamer." Adam sheaths his sword into the scabbard. "Even at the pound, you're no longer a stray. You made friends there, haven't ya?" Adam says. Beamer recalled that he did, and even humans like Jeff and Tammy were nice folks. "Huh, ya know. I never thought of it. That reminds me of the time when Jeff found me at the park on a cold night. The pound has provided me shelter, and met the pound puppies. Cooler knows how to be a leader, but he can be a bit self centered sometimes." Beamer said.
"He is sometimes but I think he's slowly figuring that out." Adam said. Beamer yawns. "Well better get some sleep, night Adam." Beamer gets off the log and walks off to find somewhere to sleep. "Night Beamer." Adam waves to him.
***
Nose Marie tries relaxing while watching the campfire burn more wood. Helping her to be at ease after all the mess she went through. But there was something that prevented her from doing so. She looked at Big Paw, who was all comfortable. Oswin is also feeling at ease as he is about to be to the point of shutting his eyes. She remembered back at the swamps that she was a little harsh to Big Paw. So she seized her chance to make things right.
"Big Paw?" Nose Marie spoke to him. "Hello Miss Nose, is something wrong?" Big Paw said, noticing a sad look. "Those words I said to you…I'm sorry. I just got it over my head when I was told Big Paw is a monster in the woods. No offense darling." She says, trying to make an apology to him. Big Paw takes no offense from her. "None taken Miss Nose, I hope I didn't cause any harm to you." Big Paw said. "No darling it's not your fault, you were just a puppy like Cooler said. Do you forgive me?" Nose Marie said, feeling bad.
Big Paw gave her a lick to her face, as a sign of friendship. "Apology accepted Miss Nose." Big Paw said with a happy smile. "No formalities, call me Nose Marie." She says. "Whatever you say." He replies. Nose Marie smiles back, knowing she has fixed her own mistake. "Might if I sit nose?" She looked to see it was Cooler. Out of the blue. "No, not at all Cooler darling." She pats the logs for him to sit next to her. So he does.
Cooler and Nose Marie looked up at the moon in the night sky. "Stars beautiful tonight, ain't it Nose Marie?" Cooler asks her. "Sure is Cooler darling." Nose Marie replied romantically. "Nose I know I messed up twice, putting you and everyone in danger is not my forte." Cooler tries to apologize. "Like that one at that mine, and the swamp?" She reminds him. Cooler's ears dropped downward. "Yeah… I guess I just haven't think twice. Coolers were never wrong." Cooler said. "What made you think that?" Nose Marie asked with a bit of attitude.
"Well…That's what I was told from my family." Cooler said. "Why can't you just admit that you were wrong, there's nothing with being wrong." Nose Marie said. "I want to, but no one would listen. And I thought misfortunes would never keep coming back, but ya know. Little did I know, I was wrong. How should I take this?" Cooler asks Nose Marie. "Like a dog, we're not always right darling. You just don't know it yet." Nose Marie said. "I promise you Nose, this time I swear. I won't do any more selfless acts, no more rushing in without thinking." Cooler vows. "You promise?" Nose Marie pleads with her pretty eyes. "I promise Nose." Cooler promises to her.
Nose Marie smiles, it was what she wanted to hear. But not convinced just yet. "Then it's about time I get my beauty sleep." She smooches Cooler on the cheeks. "Good night Cooler." She goes to find a spot to sleep. "Good night Nose Marie." Cooler replies while holding the left face of his cheeks.
***
Everyone is fast asleep, all tucked in with the fire still ablaze. Now in their dreams. Adam on the other hand is a little awake, just looking up at the nice beautiful night sky. Staring at the moon with a paw print on it. Before he was about to plan on sleeping, he spotted Reflex sitting on a log, next to the lit campfire. Out of curiosity, he goes to check on the schnoodle dog.
"Reflex?" Adam asked confusingly "What're you doing up, can't sleep?" He wondered. "Yeah, sometimes I don't have good dreams when I sleep." His head perks up. Hey, now that you're up. I think it's time that I finally tell you this. What we discussed before at the swamp?" Reflex reminds him. Adam remembers what he was saying. "Oh right, you wanted to tell me your own tale about the bell thing right?" Adam said. "Yep, but I wanted to just have a private discussion." Reflex said. "Why's that?" Adam asked. "It's a story I don't want to keep telling to anyone. And you're about to find out why." Reflex tells him with hints of hesitation.
"Okay." Adam said as he sat next to Reflex, ready to hear his story. "Alright then, whenever you're ready." Adam signals him. Reflex nods his head.
Four years ago
Reflex begins to narrate his whole story. "It was two years ago, when I was in a dark place in my dreadful time here. I was in a testing facility among with most experiments, I was one of them. They had us do all the crazy things that we didn't like. I don't want to remember so many things I went through but there were some I disliked so much.
Being pushed by those doctors if we didn't do what they tell us, being used for tests they give us to do like we're their dummies. Even…trying to change us into something awful. It was too much to bear. They want me to growl, they want me to bite, they treat me like how they see us. They don't see us as animals or pets. Just an experiment to test on.
"No care, not even love… I felt neither of them. Never…"
Reflex rests after another day of these awful tests. "One day, we started to see where I thought I never got to see." He hears the doors open to reveal several human kids. "Children. I remember I feel happy whenever I see nice people, especially children. I always try to look my best and listen to their nice words." Several kids looked at him. Smiling and thinking he was a cute puppy. " It was the only time where I finally felt happiness. I remember there was one girl" A blonde girl with blue eyes looked at him through the window. "She was standing there looking at me.
Some kids do stand there and watch me, but that one really caught her eye. But it didn't last though, she started to go back to the other kids. And after that, they all left." All the kids started to exit out the door with the teacher. The blonde girl looked at him one final time with a sad look before taking her leave with the kids.
"When they were gone, it was back to the awful routine. All of them, over and over…" Reflex started to struggle to find words as he tried to hold back his tears. Showing some water in his eyes. "Reflex?" Adam asked with worry. Reflex gave in, and let the tears roll across his face. Breaking down. "I couldn't take it…" He continues to cry. I decided to just not do it, at all. Every test, I just turn my head. I refused to obey them.
I was about to get punished, but I was saved by another scientist. Somehow, he was the only one that was a little nice. But he did have me to do one thing, and it was where it all changed for me." Reflex hinted. The scientist took out a bell and a stopwatch with a string attached. "One night, he took out a bell and a stopwatch. I didn't know at first what it was, until I learned what happened after." He used the stopwatch for it to flung left and right in front of Reflex.
"You won't be a mean dog, neither a guard either. You'll be a dog that will share some love with everyone. When the bell rings, you will give anyone hugs and kisses, and say the words: I love you." The scientist tells him. He got one Dalmatian dog into the testing room.
He rings the bell, and in a matter of seconds. Reflex eye's fazed into hypnotic eyes as he then started to hug and kiss the Dalmatian next to him, while saying the words. "I love you." Reflex said in a trance. He snaps his fingers, changing him back to normal. "At first I was scared because of so many experiments I went through. But now, I started to realize it was harmless.
Everyday was like an awful day at the faculty, I was expecting it to be like always. Only to hear the one news I never hear for so long. A door to his room was opened to reveal that one same scientist he remembered. "Come on, let's get you out. You're an exempt little guy." He says and picks him up. He put him in the front seat and closed the front door.
He got in the driver's seat and turned the engines on. Driving off. "It was a short ride, when we stopped he just left me there alone." The scientist picked him up and placed him on the ground. "There, you're now a free dog. But I refuse to leave until I know you're in good hands. I'm gonna have to find you a home." He said. "Wait!" They turn to a female's voice.
"When I turned my head, I knew who it was. It was that same girl from before." "Is there any chance where I can give him a temporary home?" She pleaded. "And who might you be, young lady?" He asked. Adam put together who that girl is before Reflex is about to say her name. "Tammy, Tammy took you into the pound." Adam said in realization.
"My name is Tammy sir." She reveals her name. "Where that might be, Miss Tammy?" He wonders. "To the pound, I run the pound to help them feel welcome. To give them a nice home before they find a perfect owner." She explains. "I see. Hmmm…" He ponders for a moment.
"Well anything is better than that awful facility. Very well, you may have him." He says. "Thank you sir." Tammy says with glee. Before you do, there's something I need to give you." He presents her his notes. "He wasn't too fond of the place, no one ever bothered to give them love or support at all. So I think it's best I pass on this. So you'll understand that he will need all the care and love. Maybe someday he will forget all of those scary things he's gone through. Just read this, and you'll understand."
He instructs her. "I will sir. Does he have a name?" Tammy asked curiosity. "His name is reflex." He tells her. Tammy picks him up and takes him to the pound. "From this day on, I finally have a home for now, at the pound. I was nervous at first." She puts him back to the ground level. Reflex looks around with a scared look. More dogs show up to greet him. "To my relief it was when I met Cooler and the gang. "Hello newbie, welcome to the pound. Name's Cooler." He shakes his paw. Reflex smiles, feeling happy he's found a proper place and made a friend.
"And that was just the beginning. Over the past few days I became a member of the pound puppies. I was happy, I thought I would someday find an owner of my own. So I can share my love and play with a human. Like fetch, however… Every human I saw wasn't interested in adopting me."
Present day.
"I never want to admit that no one wants that, or nobody wants love to share with anyone. Day by day I start to think maybe, nobody wants to adopt a dog like me." Reflex puts his head into Adam's chest for him to cry on. Adam starts to feel really bad for him as he watches him cry. He can't help but see something he can relate to. He knows he may not be a doctor or a therapist, but that didn't stop Adam from trying. He puts his hand on his head to help comfort him.
"You ever think the world is against you, or even hated ya? Sometimes, I was there. I had gone there quite a few times. I had a rough childhood, happy, yet rough. Had problems at school, picked on since I had no friends. Seen too many family fights. I almost gave up trying and just accepted the way it is. Being a person with a crappy life, enduring the same days here and at school. Just keep on rolling like a wheel I am." Adam said as Reflex put his head up, paying attention to him.
"That's how I view the world. One night during my bedtime when my Grandfather was visiting, he came to check on me. And gave me the words that I'll always remember to go by."
Flashback to two years ago
"Life can be dull and crappy Adam, putting a lot of weight on you to carry. But think and ask yourself this: Are you gonna let everything push you around carrying their luggage, or look them in the eye and let those guys do it themselves? The world may not be perfect, but it's all we got. Someday soon when you make a friend or even have a pet dog or cat, I know you're gonna do better than they are. It's getting late, tuck yourself in and get some rest." Adam watches as his Grandpa leaves his room.
Present day.
Reflex listened to every word he said, wondering in awe about his granddad. "So did it work?" Reflex asks with a curious look. "Believe it or not, it did. I never let the world drag me around. School turned into a different experience, my family is happy, nothing is going on. Sure they argue, but it wasn't that bad. Just some disagreements. And ever since then a new year has come. I felt like a different kid." Adam said.
"What about the guy that picked on you?" He wondered. "He never changed, tried to be a tyrant but ended up making quite a mess. He got in trouble. And I made one friend, he was once friends with that guy. He couldn't stand him so he burned the bridge. Finally figuring out he wasn't a decent guy." Adam said. "Who knew those words could move ya?" Reflex said.
"He was the greatest granddad I ever had. So was him." Adam motions towards someone. Reflex looks to see he's referring to Oswin, his uncle. He looks back at Adam. "Reflex, if those words can inspire me to never give up hope, then I know it may work for ya. Don't let your past weigh on you, you'll find an owner Reflex. I know you will. There are some people that would love all the hugs and kisses." Adam said.
Reflex processed everything he said, and he agreed. "Ya know, you're right Adam. My bad memories affected me so much I almost gave up. But with Cooler and the pound puppies, he might be right. There may be someone who likes it. I can't believe I almost forgot about that ever since Marvin arrived at the pound." He pats his head after remembering what Cooler said.
"I think now that I shared my story with ya, I think I feel good. I just don't know if there will be someone to talk to, but after this. I think I made the right decision. Adam, thanks. Thanks so much for listening and understanding." Reflex licked his face with gratitude. "It's nothing." Adam rubs the slobber off his face. "I'm just glad I was able to help, to be honest. I feel the same way after sharing my own backstory to ya."
Reflex yawned, feeling exhausted after the chat. "Well, we have a big day to do tomorrow right?" Reflex tiredly said. "Right. Let's get some sleep." Adam sat on the ground, and leaned on the log to sleep. Reflex gets on his lap, curls, and drifts off to sleep. Before Adam goes to sleep, he decides to pet his head. His tail started to wag in response to the head pats.
He smiled knowing he had accomplished making him a happy dog. "Sweet dreams buddy." Adam whispered and shut his eyes.