Chapter thirteen: Mountain of Rescue

"Oof! Pff,.. pleh! Ok.. anybody know which way is left.. or right?" Chester wondered, stumbling through the deep snow face first.

"Try going up," Brian corrected him.

"Wait, if this snow can cover Chester, then the amount we got is.. what? Four feet? Eight feet?" Snowflake wondered.

"Doesn't matter, what this does mean is.." Ned said before crouching in a playful position. After a moment, he ran forward and jumped.

"CAAAAAAAANNNOOOOOOOONNNNNNBAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!" The light gray and white husky exclaimed as he flew, then jumped into the snow, vanishing.

"Actually it does matter how much we got. Not to mention if it's powder or frozen solid," Melody said as she pawed the snow.

"Actually.." Rocky suddenly popped up from nowhere. "I think he's just standing in a snow drift.. It has been quite windy during most of the snowstorms."

"Also.." They looked over and Marshall was standing in barely an inch of snow.

"Puh!" Chester gasped, pushing through to the other side of the drift toward them. "Yeah, you might be right."

"Then how much did we get?!" Ned commented as he popped his head out, sitting in snow that was only up past his paws.

"Hard to say.. We may need Ryder to tell us.." Marshall supposed. "Or Capt'n Turbot, I guess, since he's pretty much our local weather guy."

"How is he your weather man if he's a captain? Doesn't he just sail on the water?" Brian asked Marshall.

"Well, Captains need to watch the weather to sail ships. Though they can't predict how the weather will act," Melody chimed in.

"My point exactly," Brian retorted.

"Actually, Capt'n Turbot does a lot of different things." Skye mentioned. "He's the town's weather monitor with his weather blimp,.."

"A paleontologist for the local museum,.." Rubble added.

"An explorer both on and off the ocean.." Rocky added,

"And our expert on all the crazy fairytales and legends of the surrounding areas." Zuma agreed. "Not to mention a fellow animal whisperer with mad skills. You guys would not believe it."

"Oh wow! Sounds like a talented man," Melody said, impressed.

"Yeah, I'm surprised he has time for all of that!" Brian added with a raised eyebrow.

"I wonder what the weather sailor would say about the snow," Ned added.

"I guess we'll just have to call and see." Rayla shrugged.

"Ryder would probably have to call. Unless any of us have the Captain's phone number," Snowflake responded casually.

"Change of plans, pups." Ryder said, coming out of the Lookout in full winter gear. "We're headed to Jake's mountain as soon as we clear the Lookout's driveway."

"Why?" Kylie wondered.

"Did something happen?" Skye asked.

"Is Everest and Jake ok?" Marshall queried.

"They're fine.." Ryder said, "but they could use some help clearing the roads and trails up there."

"Sounds like it's all Paws on deck." Marshall figured. "Right PUP Pals?"

"Right," the group agreed with a nod.

"Then let's get clearing." Chester decided, so they set to work.

"Okay. Got any pup shovels Ryder? I don't know if us digging will be fast enough to get the snow cleared," Brian asked politely.

"Poor Jake and Everest must be covered to their tails in snow!" Ned commented.

"Shame it can't just melt or blow away," Melody agreed.

Snowflake remained silent, as her sister's comment stirred a few memories in her head, and she thought back to when the PAW Patrol had introduced their other gear to her and Ned. Thinking back to all the different options, possible conclusions started to take shape in her mind.

Snowflake's eyes darted back and forth as she played out different solutions, and as she did, the husky pup came up with not only solutions that could be helpful, but quick.

"THAT JUST MIGHT WORK! Oops, sorry!" Snowflake exclaimed before apologizing.

"Uhh, what might work?" Chester wondered, everyone looking at her in various looks of confusion.

"Skye, how big is your Ultimate Rescue copter? How much weight can it carry?" Snowflake asked, with a smile.

"Um.. a decent amount.. Why?" The cockapoo wondered, unsure of what she meant.

"Because.. if your Ultimate copter can carry a lot of weight, we could use the Air Patroller as a fan to blow snow into bags that your copter can carry, and dump the snow wherever it's possible. Plus, Marshall can use his Mighty powers to melt snow too! Zuma can even control any water that starts to freeze or pool over. So there's no flooding. As for the bag, we can make one if we need to!" Snowflake explained to the pups.

"That sounds awfully complicated." Skyler mentioned, eerily.

"It's ok, Snowflake.." Ryder said, making an approach. "We can just do what we normally do.. We make it work with what we have.. Which is shovels and brooms," and he held up a couple of the tools in each hand. "The snow is light enough that it won't bunch up, because it hasn't started to melt yet. We'll have things cleared in no time."

"What about the fan idea? It would be a quick way to get the snow blown and carried away," Snowflake wondered, turning to Ryder.

"I just use my vacuum for that." Rocky said, "Only.. in reverse so it blows the snow away versus sucking it in.."

"Okay. I just wanted to suggest ideas that might help us," Snowflake said, before giving a small smile.

"And we appreciate it.." Ryder smiled back.

"But there's nothing better than good healthy hard labor!" Chester asserted confidently. "Right, pups."

"Uhh,.. yeah sure.." various pups responded.

"Actually it can be quite relaxing.." Rayla said. "Quite rewarding even once it's all done."

"Ok but then we're wasting time!" Tiny decided. "Let's just do this already!"

"Since you've never cleared snow with us, we'll talk you pups through it.." Rocky said. "Just follow our lead!"

"Go ahead Rocky," Snowflake insisted, and the pups scattered to begin work.

xxxx

Rubble was finally able to use his rig to shove snow off the concrete and into the yard, making everything go faster.

However as they began cleaning off the other vehicles another problem arose.

"Um.. how are we gonna clean the snow away from the vehicles once we unearth them?" Kylie wondered, helping to dust off Marshall's fire pup house.

"We can either sweep it away or remove it when we move our vehicles out of the way.." Marshall replied. "Whichever ends up being easier."

"True, though not sure if my vehicle can carry all three of my siblings and me in it," Snowflake commented as she carefully brushed the snow off her rig.

"That's what we have back seats for, dude." Zuma reminded her, when lifting himself up along the side of his driver seat.

"Ok,.. but what about Chase?" Marshall asked. "Are we really gonna leave him here? Obviously not by himself.. But.."

"I'm not sure if it would be a good idea for him to go on rescues with us; even if he rests. Ryder? Rayla? What do you two think?" Snowflake responded before turning to the two leaders.

"Uhhh,.. Ryder?" Rayla wondered, sliding her glance over to the boy.

"Well I do wanna keep him close by so we can keep an eye on him.." The boy thought aloud. "Make sure he's truly out of the woods after his miraculous fall."

"But what about the travel?" Marshall mentioned. "The roads can be kind of bumpy and slick after it snows. And if he already has a headache.. That won't help.. His brain is still a little bruised."

"We have ways around that.." Ryder reminded him with a shrug. "And I think it's a necessary risk.. Especially if something isn't quite right with him yet. I'd at least like to be nearby in case something happens. Cause as we know a head injury is something that needs immediate care should something worse happen."

"You mean like re-injury?" Skyler asked. "That's an easy fix.. We strap him down and never let him go till he's healed. Right? That would work, right?"

"Not exactly.." Ryder shook his head. "Head injuries can sometimes worsen in symptoms for unknown reasons, or the injury can sometimes be worse than we think. That's why careful monitoring is recommended for at least a full week to ensure no severe symptoms arise, which would need immediate and more invasive treatment."

"But so far we haven't seen anything more than just a headache and drowsy behavior.." Marshall reasoned. "No slurred speech, no seizures.. Just a fuzzy memory that's steadily improving and little confusion is all.."

"Shhh! He'll hear you!" Chester hissed, peering back toward the Lookout.

"I don't know,.. It's a risk either way.." Rayla sighed. "I guess it just comes down to which is the bigger risk."

"Hmmm. I say have him come with us. But we should keep him steady somehow while we travel, since he could get dizzy if his head moves around," Snowflake suggested.

"How? Any rest and he'll go nuts! At least, that's what's happening so far," Ned commented.

"We could restrain him by having Chase be wrapped up in Zuma's buoys," Snowflake thought, trying to think of a soft, safe solution.

"Actually Marshall has a better way.." Ryder said, gesturing to the Dalmatian knowingly.

"I do?" The pup echoed in confusion.

xxxx

"Chase.." Chase felt a tap on his shoulder. "Psst! Chase, wake up, it's time to go.. Let's get you packed up, come on!"

"*yawn* Go? Where are we going?" Chase yawned, rolling up to rub his eyes.

"Jake's mountain, we got snow trouble. All paws on deck, come on!" Chester prompted, hoping it'd get a reaction out of his sleepy sibling.

"All of us? I thought I was off duty till further notice?" Chase recited, as though not even thinking about what he was saying as he stumbled after his brother toward the door.

"You are.. but we need you to come with us.." Chester replied. "You're still on observation for another couple of days till we're sure that that brain of yours isn't severely busted. So we need you to stay closer than usual, while we help our friends out."

Then Chase was startled to be picked up and laid on his back in something he recognized, but couldn't place at that moment.

"Aw not this again!" Chase groaned, as Ryder wrapped the blanket around him and securely strapped him into Marshall's medical transport.

"Don't worry, Chase." Ryder assured him. "I think this'll be the only time you'll need this. As long as the rest of this week goes well for you." He placed another layer of softness around the pup's head and pulled a strap up across his forehead before rising to let Marshall push it away toward the PAW Patroller.

"Now let's get going, pups." The boy announced finally. And everyone boarded and they set off.

xxxx

Everest was just racing over to join Jake as the PAW Patroller rolled up to him.

"PAW Patrol! Nice of you to drop by!" Jake greeted ecstatically, in his laid back way. "I know you've got a lot on your plate right now Ryder, but.. We really appreciate the help. How's Chase doing?"

"Good so far.." Ryder replied. "We brought him with us just so we can keep an eye on him. But he's actually been doing much better now that he's awake."

"Glad to hear, dude!" Jake smiled, sending him a couple jazzy thumbs up. "Now about all this snow.. Woah.."

Jake and Everest watched the pups that all filed out in amazement and then the transport that Marshall wheeled out with Chase securely strapped into it.

"It looks worse than it is.." Chase told him, reading the man's surprised face.

"Woah, did you guys multiply?" Jake gasped, taking in all the faces around them.

"Not exactly.." Skyler mentioned then glancing around as well.. "Oh! I guess we kinda did.. But not exact copies.. More like,.. morph copies.. That makes sense right?" She turned to Kylie for the last part and the cocker shrugged.

"Our siblings just look like us," Snowflake corrected Jake.

"You've already met Snowflake and I," Ned said to remind the man.

"I'm Brian, Snowflake and Ned's other brother," Brian said introducing himself.

"I'm Melody, their other sister. Yes, we know we all look very similar," Melody added, also introducing herself.

"Wow, so there is more of you.. Ok, -haha-I thought it was just me." Jake chuckled.

"Not just you, Jake man.." Rayla smiled.

"Sup dude." She added, lifting a paw up to receive the intended fist bump with the man.

"Oh just hanging.. but I'd like to be hanging ten instead of burying them." Jake replied. "We got like a bajillion feet of snow."

"Isn't that what we all got?" Rubble wondered.

"No, we only got about a foot or two." Ryder informed them. "But it looks like a lot because of how much it blew around."

"Still think we can shovel all this snow? Even with everyone working, it will take hours!" Snowflake commented looking at the piles of snow.

"Sheesh! This is almost what it looked like back home. No wonder everyone was helping!" Melody said as she reflected on the reason she and her husky brother had come to visit.

"Too bad we can't just get rid of it instantly," Brian said, almost dreading the work needed to clear the white powder.

"We could make the world's biggest snow slushy.. Oh, but no place to put it.." Ned exclaimed before realizing why his delicious plan wouldn't work.

"Well what about that giant cup back in town?" Sklyer mentioned. "That should do it, right?"

"Or what if we put it in a swimming pool with our favorite flavor of snow cone.. Then put a floaty on it and just relax with a sweet, chilly drink?" Rubble suggested, and at the same time the two pups went..

"Mmmmm.."

"Mmmmm indeed.." Ned agreed before licking his lips.

"Would that big cup even be big enough? Besides, it's a decoration for Mr. Porter's Cafe!" Snowflake replied, turning to Skyler.

"Uhh.. Lemonade stand.. actually, but no it probably wouldn't work." CiCi figured, shaking her head slightly.

"It does seem like a big job.." Rayla mentioned. "But even with two of us down.. I'm sure this mini army can handle it.. Right, Pals?"

"Yes ma'am!" The PUP Pals answered up, in a rather military fashion.

"Two?" Ned asked, looking confused. "Who's sitting out besides Chase?"

"Not sure.. But I'm sure we all can still clear the snow," Snowflake said, reassuring her brother.

"Ok,.. but.. can I get out of this thing now?" Chase wondered lightly, trying to squirm out of the snug wrappings that encased him.

"Boomer, can you keep an eye on Chase?" Rayla asked, as Marshall took Chase inside the cabin to release him. "We need an experienced eye to keep monitoring him while we're busy."

"Of course.. Since it's all the help I can be anymore." Boomerang smiled. "But I may need a little help myself, if I can't keep up with him."

"That's ok, Boomer. I can stay behind and help.. I'm not really built for the snow anyway." Kylie offered.

"Great, thanks Ky.. we could use the backup on that front. The rest of us can handle the snow.. There's still plenty of us, we'll get it done."

"I can show you where we can start!" Everest offered.

"Great idea." Rayla agreed. "Have fun, you guys! Stay safe."

"Oh we will.." Boomerang replied, sitting on the porch as Marshall hurried by him to follow after the departing group. Then sensed a presence coming out among the two of them.

"Ugh, who's idea was it to bubble wrap me like a plushie marshmallow. Yeesh," Chase shuddered.

"We all must do what we can to keep you safe, young one." Boomerang reasoned. "Otherwise you know what happens."

"*sigh* I don't get better." Chase sighed dryly. "But then what was the point of me being here?"

"Ryder just wanted to be sure we could be here to help you if something bad were to happen.. Just in case your injury is more serious than we think." Kylie reasoned.

"Well it's not.." Chase assured them. "I feel fine, I should be out there just-ah!" Hopping down off the step jostled his position just enough to start his head pounding, and he immediately regretted the action as he felt dizzy all over again.

"Not so fast, pup, you're not quite ready for that just yet.." Boomerang told him, as Kylie jumped down there to be with him. "You can barely stand up straight. Why not get your body rested and recuperated, before jumping back into anything.. Let's just go inside to rest and take a load off. Your body and team would thank you in the long run."

"Ok," Chase sighed heavily, as Kylie helped him climb the stairs to head back inside..

Heyo! Looks like we were able to keep going after all! And now that I'm on the mend, we can hopefully continue writing to stay ahead for you guys to stay on track! Until next week everybody! Thx!