Chapter fifteen: Snow Place But Slope! Pt. 1

Snow burst forth with the last solid push and the flag bearers reset the trail right behind the roaring construction vehicle.

"Alright! That's the last one!" Jake cheered. "Excellent work, pups. We couldn't have gotten this all done today without you guys."

"No problem, Jake.. it's what we do." Rubble smiled. "Now let's head back so we can help the others if we need to."

"Sounds like a great idea.." Marshall agreed.

"Hang on.. Did we get all the flags though?" Skyler wondered. "I feel like there should be more on my side."

"Ah I'm sure we just put too many on the other side.." Jake figured with a loose shrug. "We usually walk back the way we came to make sure the path is still clear and make extra sure the flags are all accounted for."

"And if we're missing any, we got a tracking pup that can track the missing ones down for us, right Snowflake?" Rubble asked, half jokingly.

"Yes, Rubble," Snowflake confirmed.

"Then let's go already!" Skyler said, bouncing off back down the path leaving Jake, Snowflake and Marshall to steadily stroll after her and Rubble to gently cruise behind them at a safe distance.

xxxx

"One last flag ahead!" Skye called diving down to retrieve it moments before Everest's snowcat chewed away the snow bank it was buried in.

"Yes! We made it! All the trails are clear!" Everest exclaimed, howling with excitement.

"Now where do the last of these flags go?" Zuma asked, dropping a couple of the flags he had with him, as Skye let the one she had plummet down among them.

"Hmmmm. Put them with any other winter gear we have?" Brian suggested.

"Actually.. The last of the flags go one either side of this path." Everest pointed out. Then splitting the five or so flags among them, they placed them where they needed to be.

"Perfect! Now let's head back to check in with the rest of the team." Everest decided, heading back to her vehicle.

xxxx

"I think we're almost done. Right Rubble?" Snowflake said before turning to the bulldog.

"If by done you mean back at Jake's cabin then yes.. look it's right over there?" The construction pup replied, pointing.

"And there's the rest of the crew.." Skye pointed out as the trademark snowcat led the rest of the group back into the yard from the main road.

"How'd things go for you guys?" Jake asked as they wandered up to the husky and her crew.

"Great! We got everything cleared." Everest replied. "What about you guys?"

"It went good. We got the paths cleared," Snowflake replied with a smile.

"Oh good! Then we're almost done." The mountain husky replied.

"Great!" Snowflake agreed, smiling.

"I guess all there is to do is check in on Rocky's crew." Rubble figured. But when they arrived at the top of the slopes, they found that nothing had changed.

"Except.." Skye wondered as they stepped back from the edge. "Where are they?"

Just then a rising engine sound roared in as a behemoth of a green vehicle appeared off the main road and turned into the yard, coming toward them. The orange accents and recycling icons painted on it were a dead giveaway. And the trademark shape of the vehicle was just on a larger scale than what some of them were used to. However, seeing who was in the driver seat gave them confirmation as the large vehicle skidded to a stop right before them.

"Ummmm. You recycling something?" Ned asked, confused.

"That vehicle is huge!" Brian marveled, looking closer at the big, green vehicle.

"Nope.. we're gonna use it to clear away the snow on the slopes." Rocky announced proudly. "With a little help from this.." Then pressing a button on his dash, the two metal sheets folded securely to the sides of the vehicle angled forward to hydraulically lock together; forming something of a snow plow at the front of the vehicle.

"Okay," Brian said before backing away from the vehicle.

"Slick.." Chester commented, with an impressed nod. "Honestly, I wasn't sure this was gonna work so well."

"Well we haven't proven that yet.." Rocky reminded him.

"But let's test it out right now.." he decided, steering it towards the slope. Once on it, he had to brace himself from the downward progression and hold himself there without allowing his vehicle to roll too fast.

"It's working!" Skyler called, triumphantly leaping happily.

"Now let's back him up." Ryder decided. "Everest and Rubble, clear the edges while the pups, Jake and I put the obstacles back in.."

"You got it, Ryder!" Rubble replied.

"On my way!" Everest responded as both vehicles took their places on the edges of where Rocky's plow had cleared snow.. And they began plowing in their own ways.

"We'll be done in no time flat, thanks to all these helpers." Jake smiled. "Maybe we can even enjoy it when I'm able to open the slopes back up! Though I guess that might be a couple days from now so I can get the word out."

"No worries, Jake." Ryder beamed. "The PAW Patrol can help with that too."

"Haha! You're the best, Ryder dude." Jake swagged, pointing finger guns at him thankfully.

"What obstacles do we set up?" Ned asked.

"Ramps, ditches and moguls.." Jake mentioned. "Anything that can serve as an obstacle for skiers to overcome when they go down the slope."

"I think we can do that.. Right Pals?" Rayla said, as her friends joined her at the edge in somewhat of an army line up.

"You bet!" they answered. Then hopping over the edge, they began sliding their way down to start building obstacles followed by Ryder, the other pups and Jake.

XXXX

"And that's why I had a leg cast for weeks. No more wild wagon rides!" Brian said to Everest as they walked into the cabin with their friends.

"How was I supposed to know the kitchen supplies would hurt you? I added padding," Ned countered.

"Like I said.. lame.." Chester sighed, shaking his head, and he would have face pawed, but his paws were chilly enough that he just wanted to warm them up first.

When they all turned front, they found three dogs gathered round a spot on the floor. And as they approached, the group all looked up at them.

"Hey you're back!" Kylie greeted, sweetly. "Did you get everything put back together already?"

"Yes we did," Ned answered, with a wag of his tail.

"How have you all been? How is Chase?" Snowflake asked, looking over to the German Shepherd nestled beside the Australian Shepherd in a warm blanket.

"He's been fine.." Boomerang told them, as Kylie and Melody rose to step a couple paces toward the rest of the group. "He finally found a way to get some more rest, and I think it's actually done him some good this time."

"Good. So, what have you all been up to?" Snowflake replied, kindly.

"Not much," Kylie replied, as Boomerang looked briefly at the sudden rise and fall of the blanket before focusing back on the conversation in front of him. "Mainly just conversing and getting to know each other.

"That can keep anyone busy.." Chester shrugged. "Especially us, since apparently our army keeps growing."

"We were just asking Melody about her family and where she lives.." Kylie went on.. "What her.. home life is like.. And how she gets to go see the rest of you where you live." And though this statement was rather vague the husky siblings could tell it was directed at them.

"I told them about us moving, then returning home," Melody clarified.

"Okay. That's fine," Snowflake said casually before turning to Chester. "What army? We're not going to battle. Heck, what would we even fight?"

"Not a literal army.." Chester sighed dryly. "Metaphorically.. as in.. three's company, we's an army?"

"We could be.. I've still got boot camp training still fresh in my mind.. We could be ready for battle in roughly six months at the earliest." Rayla offered eagerly, only half joking.

"Wait, there's an army? Meaning three pups are an army?" Melody asked, slightly confused. "More like a trio of friends. Wait- boot camp?!"

"Great! We'll work hard till our muscles scream for mercy!" Brian said happily, sitting still with a serious look on his face.

"No! I'm not that strong! I'm not built for rough exercise! I can only lift fifteen pounds!" Ned exclaimed, starting to breathe heavily.

"What?! Boot camp?! Oh gosh, we're at war. Who's attacking us? What's our battle strategy? Just please don't make me eat sticks and worms! I'll eat the food, I swear!" Snowflake exclaimed, starting to panic, while looking to Rayla for clarification.

"At ease soldiers we're not actually going to war.." Rayla obliged, offering the assurance the huskies needed to relax. "I was mostly kidding. But if you ever need a workout.."

"Oh, thank you!" Snowflake said with relief, as she and her husky siblings relaxed.

"Fifteen pounds? Ha! What, can you bench 25 too? Haha! Not even I can do that.." Chester chuckled. "Us pups aren't that strong, and I came up under some ruff police academy drill sergeants."

"I honestly don't know, Chester. I was carrying a big bucket of water at the time," Ned clarified.

Chester just smirked and shook his head.

"Hang on.." Kylie's confused tone turned everyone's attention to her, as she peered up, stepping about to glance around some more.

"Where'd Chase go?" She wondered.

"I don't know. He was here a minute ago," Melody replied, slightly confused.

"He couldn't have gotten far!" Snowflake commented, members of the group also looking around for him.

"How could he get away from us in a few minutes.. and right in front of us?!" Marshall asked.

"Who's getting away from you?" A sleepy voice asked, and they were stunned, and Rubble was startled, to see Chase standing amongst them having appeared from their left side next to the couches.

"You!" Marshall gasped, still stunned by his appearance. "How did you.. Nevermind. How do you feel?"

Chase stepped his front paws down to lean back on his haunches so he could stretch his back out, looking almost like a cat waking from a nap.

"Not sure yet," the pup responded. "Did you get all the snow cleared?"

"We did, actually." Rayla mentioned. "And our last job was the most fun."

Then shooting a smile over at Rocky, the mixed breed reciprocated it.

"How's your shoulder?" Snowflake asked curiously.

Chase flexed.

"Oo.. a little stiff,.. but.. ok I guess.." Chase replied, recoiling slightly from a popping crackle. "I thought you told me I was all better."

"Ok, I guess not one hundred percent.. But close, right?" Skyler admitted.

"Auh.. right.." Chase sighed, twisting his neck to try and pop it too.

"So what should we do now, Ryder?" Snowflake asked the ten-year-old boy.

"Well, we could hang out for a little while if you want." Ryder said. "Jake was just saying we could stick around and test out the new slopes we just rebuilt.."

"Aohh.. that just sounds like a headache waiting to happen.." Chase groaned, stumbling over to Boomerang and either tripping or plopping over the old dog's paws to hit the pillow lazily with another painful groan. "Not that I don't already have one."

"It's ok, Chase, you don't have to go down with us.." Ryder said. "But we could at least get you your snowsuit so you can cool off."

"Oohhh that might be nice." Chase hummed, barely lifting his head to say this.

"We'll still be around though," Melody commented.

"Slopes sound good to me!" Brian agreed happily.

"Wait, why not just put Chase in the refrigerator? It's plenty cold in there," Ned suggested before receiving stern and confused looks from his siblings.

"I don't think Chase would like that. Besides, he's sick enough already!" Snowflake retorted sternly.

"I'm not sick!" Chase gasped. "Why do you guys keep thinking that?!"

"If you weren't sick, then why are you resting so much? Or have a headache?" Melody countered before petting Chase's back with her left front paw.

"Umm.. 'cause I have a concussion?.. An injury not a sickness." Chase corrected her. "Totally different thing. Once my head doesn't hurt so much I'll be ok.. But just.. Not yet.. Cut me some slack!"

"That's all we've been doing.." Chester accused in exasperation.

"Not that much.." Chase sighed, shaking his head.

"Okay. We get it. Now let's all go outside," Melody suggested before going over and giving Chase a lick on the cheek.

"Alright! Let's do it, dudes!" Zuma barked, turning tail and running for the door, soon to be joined by other pups..

xxxx

Chase stepped out apprehensively with the covered paws protected from the chilly ground by a rough rubber sole.

"Ih-.. when did we get snow shoes?" Chase wondered, treading cautiously forward one step at a time. The suit he now wore covered every inch of him, other than his tail and head, giving him some exposure to the cold outdoors.

"A new feature I wanted to try out.."

"And because I'm the guinea pig.." Chase implied with a sigh, then kept walking almost like a slow, stiff creep.

"I feel like I'm gonna just slide right away,.." he mentioned after a moment.. "Are you sure these don't turn into or connect to skis or something?"

"One hundred percent sure, Chase." Ryder smiled. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it.."

"And on the bright side.. It might get that shoulder working again.." Rayla reasoned. "So we can build those muscles back up."

"Great,.." Chase sighed, rolling his eyes dryly. "Therapy begins again.."

"You knew it was coming." The golden lab shrugged. "No pain, no gain right?"

"No pain at all would be nice, thank you.." Chase returned.

"I know you're still recovering," Snowflake said, "..but this'll be good for you."

"We'll see.." Chase mumbled,.. mostly to himself.

"Enough chit chat! More sledding!" Brian exclaimed before jumping onto a black toboggan and sliding down the slope. "WwwwaaaaaAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOoooooooo!"

"Wait for us!" Melody called after her husky brother before turning to Everest. "After you."

"Thanks.." Everest smiled. "Wah-hoo!"

"So what are we gonna do with him while we snowboard?" Marshall asked. "He's still on concussion watch, till the end of this week."

"Jake and I can switch off our runs so one of us can be with him at all times." Ryder replied.

"I can hear you, yah know." Chase mentioned, clearly feeling awkward about people talking about him out loud.

"Don't worry, Chase, we'll get you set up and you'll be just fine." The boy told him.

"And hopefully, as long as we don't have to rush you to a hospital for that noggin of yours.. You pass the hawk period and can be free again! Wahoo!" Skyler howled, leaping onto her toboggan and sliding down the slope at full speed.

Chase just sighed.

"Wait, 'hawk period'? What are you talking about?!" Snowflake questioned before sliding down after Skyler on a blue toboggan.

"Jeronimo!" Ned said before sledding on a green toboggan, wagging his tail. Several other pups joined in, by either snowboarding or sledding down after him.

"I think she means as long as he doesn't need further, more urgent medical attention before the end of this week.. He won't have to be on constant watch anymore." Jake figured. Then turned his board so he could plunge down it.

"What?! What did you say, Jake?!" Snowflake asked, as she kept sledding down the slope, far ahead of the ski owner.

"I said don't worry about it!" Jake replied kindly, when catching up to her enough for her to hear. "Ryder and the pups got this!"

"Okay!" Snowflake responded, smiling.

Heyo! So this was a wild little section. And I realize I may have described the last part this way, but this was just bonkers! So much so that we had to make it a two parter! ;D XD

This'll be the first time we've ever done this, but when you read it you'll hopefully understand why we did it this way.

Also there might be a week or two we decide to postpone the chapter post so we can catch back up on the writing end of things. We've kind of been lagging behind so we're gonna try and remedy the situation so we can still keep ahead and maintain the consistency. We will likely post a comment the day of or a day or two before, so keep a lookout. Till then.. Enjoy and we'll see you next time! Thx!