Different Horizons-A Paw Patrol Story

Chapter Forty-Four

Marshall and Everest drove through town in the metallic silver Lamborghini Aventador. Marshall drove while Everest sat in the passenger seat. Everest put the GPS to the crystal's location, and Marshall followed the directions.

Marshall drifted around a corner. "This car is sweet," he exclaimed. "I could get used to this." He drifted around another corner. "Right, Everest?"

Marshall turned to Everest, who was holding on for dear life. "Yeah," she said, strained. "Mind slowing down, though, please? Those turns are making me dizzy."

"Oh," Marshall said, embarrassed. "Sorry." Marshall eased off the gas and put down the windows. "How's that?"

Everest took a deep breath. "Better. Thanks." She smiled at Marshall, who smiled back. Marshall broke the moment by turning back to the road.

Everest looked forward. She stuck her hand out the window, letting the wind move it around. "This is nice," Everest said.

"What's nice?" Marshall asked.

"Being here with you, of course," Everest replied. "And enjoying things that we couldn't as pups in Adventure Bay. Like chocolate and driving human cars, right?"

Marshall was still stuck on the first part. "Uh, yeah," he replied.

"That doesn't sound honest," Everest noted, bringing her hand back into the car.

Marshall noticed the disappointed look on her face. "I didn't mean it like that," he clarified. "Honestly, I enjoy this. Being human is exciting. But that means nothing if I had to enjoy it alone. I'm glad that we're doing this together."

"Do you mean the whole team?' Everest asked.

"I mean, yeah, being with the others is fun. But I meant with you. We don't hang out as much anymore. I missed those moments because they were genuine."

"Don't you have those moments with the others? You guys are the original team. I'm the first addition to the Paw Patrol. Wouldn't that make the moments with them mean more than the ones with me?"

"Everest, look. It's true. We are the original team. They're not just my team. They're a family. But when you joined the Paw Patrol, you became part of that family before you were part of the team. If you don't believe me, ask Jake. Trust me, I knew him before he met you. I've never seen him happier than when you decided to live in the cabin with him."

"Thanks, Marshall, but to be honest, sometimes I feel like I'm not as important as the others," Everest confessed. She didn't know why she was telling Marshall this, but it felt good to tell someone. Everest told Chase how she felt, which helped, but talking to Marshall was different. Being with Marshall felt different.

"Everest, please, you're as important as anyone on the team. Look on the bright side. You don't trip and fall on every mission like me. If anyone is less helpful than the others, it's me, not you."

"Marshall, don't say that. You're not that clumsy."

"Yes, I am, Everest. Every time I try to help, I trip and cause more damage. Sometimes I get lucky. My clumsiness helps more than damages, but not always. What if one day, I mess up badly, and someone gets hurt or worse? What then?"

"Marshall, don't think like that. You can be clumsy sometimes, but we are always there for you. Even with that quality, you're still amazing. You help us when we get sick. You help save us all the time." Everest held Marshall's hand in hers. "Your clumsiness doesn't define you. You define yourself."

Marshall took a deep breath. "Thanks, Everest. I needed that. I guess we both have something on our minds, huh?"

"Yeah," Everest agreed. She squeezed Marshall's hand softly. "But we'll work on it together."

"That would be great," Marshall said, smiling at Everest. Everest smiled back at him. She still hadn't let go of his hand, but he didn't want to say anything. As for Everest, she didn't want to let go unless Marshall said something. They drove in silence while holding hands for the rest of the ride. After five minutes, they arrived at the Diamond Tech's base. It was a two-story rectangular building with concrete walls. A brick wall surrounded the building.

Marshall parked the Lamborghini in a nearby parking lot, and he and Everest walked towards the building. "It doesn't seem that hidden," Mars said. "How did the cops not find it?"

"I don't know," Marshall said. He noticed a group of college students walk out of the main building. "Maybe they could tell us what it is?"

"I have an idea," Everest said. She walked towards the group, making Marshall follow her.

"Everest," Marshall called out softly. "Wait up. What are you doing?"

"Hi," Everest told one of the students. "Could you help me really quick?"

"Uh, sure," the student said. The student was a young male of Asian descent, shorter than either Everest or Marshall. "How can I help?"

"My fiance and I came to town to visit my mom," she said as she wrapped her arm around Marshall's. "This building wasn't here last time I passed by. What is it?"

"It's the city's database and electrical center. We are currently taking a class where we learn about the city's power sources and how to operate them."

"And can anyone take the class?"

"Well, you need a special access key to get in, but yeah, I guess you could."

"Awesome," Everest replied as she patted the boy's back. "Thanks." Everest and Marshall kept walking.

"What was that for?" Marshall asked.

"Now we know how to get in," Everest replied. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a keycard. "And this is how."

"Everest, you're a genius," Marshall said. He looked up and noticed a clothing shop. "Let's go in there and find clothes that make us look like students."

"Sounds fun," Everest said. Marshall and Everest walked towards the store.

"So," Marshall said. "Did you call me your 'fiance' back there?"

Everest blushed. Instead of saying anything, she just laughed as they entered the store.