Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gabriel led the team and the others to the room next to the one they were currently in. He walked in and turned on the light. There were displays of jewelry, watches, chains, and other expensive and antique items lined against the walls. Paintings and murals hung on each wall, like a museum. In the center of the room was a display box covered in a black sheet.

"What is this place?" asked Ryder.

"It's just a jewelry and antique room," Gabriel said. "You see, I've always been fascinated with history, the myths and legends passed on through the centuries. I believe that all of these stories are more than just that. I believe that they hold some truth."

"Not to be rude," Chase said, "but how can the past help us right now?"

"I'm glad you asked," Gabriel replied. "Remember how I said the villains had some sort of power?" The others nodded. "Well, they did it with a glowing crystal around their neck. They gave them powers specific to who was using it. And I've heard a story about that before."

"You . . . you have?" Ryder asked.

"Oh, yes," Gabriel replied. "The story says that long ago, a young man was known in his village for telling tall tales. He used to come up with stories about disasters, miracles, the weather, and whatever else he could think of. Most of the people in his village either ignored him or shooed him away. But one day, a meteor struck near the town, shaking the earth. He wanted to go, but no one wanted to go with him."

"So what did he do?" asked Rubble.

"He ventured off on his own. He made it to the meteor, where he found a glowing crystal. The moment he touched it, he received a power. The crystals found something in him and amplified it to its highest form. For him, it was storytelling, so it gave him the power of precognition."

"Precognition?" Rocky repeated. "What is that?"

"It's the ability to see the future. The young man witnessed glimpses of important events that were to come. He foretold the rise and fall of Alexander the Great, the colonization of the British Empire, and other world-altering events. The only problem was that he only saw bits and parts at a time. One day, he would catch a scene of one event, and the next day, it would be of another."

"So, whenever he would tell the town, they would still think he was making up stories," Chase assumed.

"Precisely," Gabriel said. "But he knew what he saw, so he wrote down everything. Every glance, vision, and dream about the future, he jotted it down." Gabriel removed the black veil from the display box. Inside were worn-down sheets of paper on a black box covered in an ancient dialect. In the right corner, there was a modern notepad and pen. "His notes were passed down for centuries through scriptures and scholars, trying to decipher what they meant. I got my hands on them through an auction and hired the best historians in the world to help complete what they started."

"Did you finish it?" asked Everest.

"After much effort and a year of hard work, yes," Gabriel replied. "All of the events foretold happened except for two." He reached into the display and pulled out the notebook. He flipped to the last few pages. "Here," he said. "One of his visions was of two beings, one with the power of natural elements and the other with the power of creation, falling out of the sky. They would take over a village that reached the clouds and take over the world from there. And if they were to succeed, they would destroy humankind beyond repair."

"That must be Harold and The Copycat," Ryder guessed. " 'The village that reached the sky' must refer to the skyscrapers here in the city. The being with the power of natural elements must be The Copycat. He can yield fire, water, air, and some other abilities. Harold can turn anything into anything else, hence the power of creation."

"That's what we were thinking," Gabriel commented.

"And what about the other prophecy?" asked Marshall.

"Right," Gabriel said. He flipped a few more pages and began reading. "Eight beings with the powers of the gods will emerge. They will cut the purple plague from its root before every human and living organism is affected by the disease." He looked around the table. "At first, I thought it was about a completely different event that hadn't occurred yet. But that was when you showed up. You came out of nowhere, willing to stop these villains before they harm anyone else."

"How can you be so sure it's talking about us?" Chase asked. "I'm sure we weren't the first to stand up against them."

"No, but something about you," Ainsley said. "All of you, I mean. Most of the others have never made it this far without backing out. Some have faced the villains, but they overpowered our teams almost immediately. We have a strong feeling about you. And also..." Ainsley took a deep breath. "You're the last chance we have."

"Wait, last chance?" Skye repeated. "What do you mean?"

Gabriel looked down at the ground, his hands resting on the display. "We got word that they are preparing to move on Crystal Coast."

"How long do we have?" Chase asked.

"Two weeks," Gabriel replied. "They march on August Fourteenth, so we have until then to stop them." Gabriel reached into the display, moved the paper out of the way, and pulled the box out. "If you can make it to the war room, you'll find a large red button in the center. You click that, and all communication goes back on, and we can bring in more help." He opened the box to reveal a glowing purple crystal. "This might come in handy." He pulled it out and tossed it to the nearest one, Everest. The crystal immediately began glowing in his hand, showering the room with a light blue glow.

Chase passed it around to the other members. The light would change to its respective color when someone else held it. The last one to grab it was Chase. With the glowing crystal in his hand, he looked at Ryder. "What's the plan, Ryder, sir?" he asked.

"We're going to need something to attract the soldiers' attention, and I know just what to do." Ryder looked at Gabriel. "Do you have anywhere I could build some outfits and armor for my team? They can't run into battle in jeans and sweaters."

"You're right, and yes, I do," Gabriel replied. He led the teams down to the first floor. They walked through some double doors into a room with bookshelves covered with hundreds of books. The balcony upstairs was no different. "Welcome to the library," Gabriel said. "Here, you can prepare your team with knowledge."

"Well," Ryder said. "This is not what I ..."

Gabriel laughed. "I know. I'm just playing with you." He pressed a button on the far wall, revealing a secret room behind a bookshelf. The entrance opened to a massive room filled with electronic equipment, mechanical tools, and anything Ryder would do to make new suits. "Welcome to the workshop."