Chapters written by Teniserie 

"Heeyyy lil' dude!" The lab with the color fur that reminded Parker of cocoa beans he grinded to chunks no larger than grains of sand had approached the young laddie with a smile. "You're Parker, right?"

He nodded his head. He didn't know what it was that made him keep to himself in silence. But there was one thing Parker was certain of, and that was the knowledge that the moment he opened his mouth, it won't close 'til he's tuckered himself out.

"More of the quiet type, ey?"

"Iiii don't knoowww...I recall him being a bit more talkative earlier today." Tracker said on Parker's behalf by means of teasing him a bit. Or breaking the ice. However, it only shied the pup further away while drawing him closer to his father's side.

"It's aw'right lil' dude. From the looks of it, it's his first time in Adventure Bay. Any places you'd like t' visit first?" inquired Zuma.

Now that got a spoken response out of the young canine. "Mmmmm..." Parker hummed in thought. "The...places with the tall buildings."

"You wanna head to town?"

So that's what it's called, thought Parker. He nods his head again, this time in affirmation.

"You know, I think this calls for a tour 'round the place." Zuma says as he shares a knowing glance with Skye and Tracker. "Wh'd'ya say, Parks?"

How could Parker say no to that? He didn't give a verbal affirmation but if the wagging of his tail had meant anything, it was a positive sign. "Sí!"

Parker threw a look Tracker's way, one that was a mix of a plea for his permission yet also his company. One that Tracker seldom saw, yet it was twice in a row he'd seen it today. Well, technically once. But his skittish demeanor from earlier when they were still in the jungle to his current self-effacing bearing—which had Tracker wondering where his confident boy had up and left to—had only conveyed the same message.

Parker still needed him.

There was a quiet stillness in the room, unbeknownst to Parker, of course. A great advertence shared among Tracker, Skye and Zuma that Parker was none the wiser to. An emotional tether that pulled the drawstrings on their faces and just for a moment, Parker could've sworn that they looked a little down there.

However, the strange aura had gone as quickly as it came and they're faces lifted with a joyous anticipation for their little journey into town. But it was obvious that something wasn't hunky dory nor right as right as rain with no telltale sign whether things were about to go down as a light drizzle or a heavy downpour.

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The trip there was a breeze; just as gentle as the one that buffered the young pup's fur as they drove down the cleared streets of Adventure Bay. They'd count themselves lucky that there was no traffic today. However, the town was never known for congested roads. And Tracker could tell that Parker was loving every second of it by the way his eyes were trained on each building as they passed, eyes and head following every building that passed.

This wonderment generated by the new sights Parker was beyond exhilarated to lay eyes upon was something unprecedented by the young pup. In most—nay.. The entirety of his childhood. Back in the jungle, his eyes beheld trees and long trunks extending up, desperately reaching for the skies before sprouting out into large masses of greenery. He couldn't help but wonder if these man-made structures had aspired to do the exact same. But instead of thick branches stretching out to the side, they were awnings that provided a well-working shade from the sun. Instead of broad canopies composed of a mass of leaves, they were tall spires he could not designate purpose to. This was something he would be asking Papá or the others about.

Tracker casted a sidelong look at Parker's way, catching sight of every flicker of enchantment in those royal blue orbs and widening twitch of his eyes belonging to the pup oh so captivated by his surroundings. And right there, riiight there, Tracker had been struck down with a sense of remorse—which was dauntingly heavy for something so transient—begetted by the flash of a memory composed of those same wonder-filled blue eyes complementing a flurry of crystal white fur, one that put mounds of freshly fallen snow to shame, crossed his mind. It was grim moments like these that the joys of being a father became a painful reminder of the sorrows of being a widower. He didn't get to share a smile with his significant other. With her.

With a vehement shake of his head, Tracker forced those searing thoughts forever burned into the front of his mind. He couldn't deny the fact that he was grief-stricken. Actually, he can. He's been stuck in denial for quite some time now. But Parker has helped deflect his grief, becoming the sole focus of the entirety of his day.

He woke up for Parker's sake. He got out of bed for Parker's sake. He looked after the jungle alongside Parker for his sake. He sat at the table and ate twice a day for Parker's sake. He did everything for Parker's sake. T'was the least he could do for...

"PAPÁ! Look out!"

Tracker slammed his hind leg down hard on the breaks, causing the vehicle to lurch forward followed by a sound of all four tires screeching from the sudden stoppage. Luckily, he barely avoided a collision with another car, who had the right of way.

The driver of the other car could've scrutinized him for not paying attention but they only patted the air in reassurance before continuing down the road.

Wherever did his mind drift off to? He absolutely, under no circumstances, should not be taking risks that nearly bargained the lives of those in his car, especially Parker's. The thought chilled him to the bone and he nearly froze up, doing almost exactly what he forbade himself to just milliseconds ago. This was ridiculous.

Parker could only stare at Tracker in anticipation, the stoplight changing from a harsh red to that soft green in his peripheral. Yet.. the car wasn't moving. He waited for them to start pulling forward, but the vehicle was still, like the air. That was until a single honk from the car behind them growing impatient. ". .Papá, the light's green."

"Huh?" His father looked dazed. Almost like his soul had left his body and just now reclaimed its rightful place on the driver's seat, rendering him completely oblivious to what was going on. His eyes looked to the stoplight—more like through it—indicating that he could proceed. And proceed he did, pressing deliberately on the gas pedal with his head whipping left and right to check for any incoming cars to come speeding down the proximate roads.

Thankfully, there was none.

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It felt like it had been ages since Parker had set foot back onto the ground. Having already been acquainted with the hard concrete, it didn't appeal very foreign to him as it did the first time he set paw on it, though his mind was still very much wired to the foliage he was reared up in, expectant of soft dirt. Or even mud. Rainy days were not all that uncommon in the jungle. Not at all.

He turned to take a short gander at their first stop. A small cafe of sorts with a lime green exterior. Or was it a yellow...he could not tell from this distance. Nor could he when he neared it with a bounce in his gait. He stopped and waited for the others, those including Zuma, Skye and Tracker. He wriggled in place with anticipation that soon threaded out into impatience, the young pup urging them on. "Vamanos! Vamanos!"

"OkAY- ooh..!! Youch. Weeee're coming!" Skye chirped back, appeasing the sharp pain that shot up her spine with a gentle rub of her paw from having landed roughly when descending off the cruiser. She was far too young for her bones to be feeling this ancient.

They all filed into the building and the amicable aura emanating from the warm welcomes of others greeting the canines entering the cafe was overwhelming to say the least. Parker was almost intimidated by all the garnered attention but descrying the bliss-filled expressions lined by hearty smiles on the other customers' faces eased him of his agita. But that all had fallen short and incomparable to the beaming, toothy grin of the man at the counter. "Helloooo!!" The growth of hair right over his upper lip seemed to smile with him, ticking his cheeks.

"Hola, Señor Porter!" Tracker laid a hand over Parker's back as he introduced him to the middle-aged (or so the pup gathered) man. "This is my son, Parker."

The man dubbed Mr. Porter leaned over the counter a bit to get a good look at the small chap. "Why hello there, Parker! A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Parker felt all.. giddy inside. And soon followed that involuntary response in the form of the shaking of his tail. Tracker beamed at the sight, a young soul's joy being nothing short of contagious. That anguish he felt in the moments prior to entering the cafe was thrown to the wind.

At least for now.

"What would you guys like to eat today?" Mr. Porter inquired of the group of four approaching the counter. T'was a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence that followed for they all shared the same thought of the delectable treat: a hamburger. To top it off, they responded in perfect sync and they exchanged glances, letting the silence prevail for not a moment too long when they all burst out laughing in amusement.

"Four hamburgers it is!" Mr. Porter too found himself laughing along with the boffola and it took them all a good few minutes to sober, but the merriment hadn't tapered down one bit. No sir. Their grins stretched from ear to ear the entire time as their chatter filled the room, discussing the good ole' times, drawing a chuckle here and there at this one preposterous event in particular. One that Parker was todos los oídos for.

"Your father was no good on a snowboard at first, I tell ya. Nor was he a big fan of the snow itself." Skye threw a knowing sidelong glance at Tracker's way, a smirk making itself at home on her face. She earned a deadpan expression from the full-grown chihuahua, his tone falling flat of amusement with the recollection of his tomfoolery the first time he'd gone down those steep slopes of crystal white. "Emphasis on 'first.' I loved the snow with a burning passion and I still do."

"Oh the iw-ony. 'Burning'." Zuma chimed in with a smirk mirroring Skye's. It wasn't even that funny, but the group had been so wound up at this point that even the fry accidentally slipping out from Parker's muzzle had them doubling over in laughter. Looks like everyone was having the case of the giggles.

But how fickle of a good moment can be. 'Twas a bummer how silence can easily overtake a sense of bliss in a matter of seconds. Like a stampeding herd crushing anything and everything under its heel—the herd being the single elephant in the room. "Did mamá like the snow?"

Wrong pipe. Tracker had nearly choked on his drink. The latter of the group could only cast a disheartened look to the ground just beyond the edge of the table. For one terrifying moment, Parker had sworn he either read the room wrong and killed the moment. If the forlorn look flickering over their faces weren't already telltale signs of his slip-up, it was the silence that prevailed, and the world came to a standstill.

"I- lo siento-" The poor soul could feel himself shrinking in on himself and it was a pandemonium hovering over him. The other canines were struggling in the feeble attempt to reassure him that it was okay. Tracker especially felt his heart being grounded to pieces at the sight of his son shriveling in guilt. He did not hesitate in pulling him in for a hug, squeezing tight. "There is nothing you have to be sorry for, niño." He hugged the mix in his arms, carefully selecting which words to use in his head in order to reassure the young pup and not drive him deeper into his own guilt. He figured that there was no better time to tell Parker about his mother than the present. "Your mother loved the snow. She loved it more than a nice warm glass of cocoa. I made a promise to myself that one day, I would take you in her memory."

". . . ..... . .Can't she be there when we go to the snow? You know, so I can finally meet her? So she can tell me her name and I can give her mine?" Parker's eyes, her eyes, holding enough emotion to fill the broad blue sky that stretched for miles encompassed in those two awe-struck irises.

"You know I can tell you her name, right?"

Parker's gaze lowered. There was a pained silence filling the gap between his uncertainty and reluctance. "I thought it would've been too painful for you if I'd brought her up."

For you. For you.

Not for himself. For him. Tracker. One single sentence laced with the notion that Parker was responsible for his father's emotional condition, and that it was his job to do everything in his power to safeguard his feelings on the matter all the while keeping his own curiosity about his mother at bay. Parker had been holding back all these years ever since he managed to walk steadily on all fours. And what for exactly? For Tracker's sake.

Just like her. He carries his mother's selflessness.

The aftertaste of the delicious meal he just ate went sour in the purebred chihuahua's mouth. It was then when the world was beginning to feel a little too big, and him, far too small. Yet faced with conviction maintaining that for a creature appealing as significant as a fly, he and every single living and breathing being standing in this room was comprised of a steadfast vitality so fleeting and fragile that it could be broken and taken away in an instant. Just like hers. But t'was so tangible that he could feel it in the sprightly yet reserved form in his arms. Just like hers.

"Say, Parks...how about we go meet her?"

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Y'know, explaining even the most trivial things to simple-minded children (like why the sky was blue or worse comes to worse, where babies came from) wasn't supposed to be this complicated. Tracker considered himself a lucky bastard for only having to explain what snow was to the young laddie donning his booney hat, which was a liiiittle too big to the point the rim was drooping into his line of sight, constantly obscuring his vision. T'was on him for suggesting they go pay the snow-capped mountains a visit.

"What do we wear in the snow?"

"A nice warm jacket, a thick scarf, a hat, boots. You don't wanna freeze your paws off do you? Aaaaannd medias."

"Socks? Why socks?"

"For your ears of course!" Skye grinned that did no more than reference a distant memory.

"My ears??! Why my ears??"

"Do you want the snow to get into your ears?" Tracker said matter-of-factly, unfazed by the sheer embarrassment of his first time in the snow.

Parker shuddered. "No..." Totally didn't hearken back to the time he decided to mess around with the ice machine for the first time. Not his fault he didn't know- no, it was most definitely on him. It seems he and Tracker shared the same thought and couldn't help the small chortles at the absurdity of the young pup's tomfoolery back then. He was so underexposed to the modern world that lies outside of the jungle. Tracker wondered why he didn't take that as a sign to introduce Parker to it sooner.

The conversation bled into the store containing aisles of gear for the winter season. They weren't going to take very long here however since they only needed clothes to dress warm with before heading off to the mountains. Parker certainly wasn't going in just a ranger outfit and a booney hat. He did have his fur to keep him insulated, but Parker was still very young. In no way was he taking any chances. He won't be freezing his paws off not if Tracker could help it.

A strained yip grappled the chihuahua's attention and glanced over to find Parker attempting to grab one from a shelf too high up for his reach. Tracker couldn't help but laugh at the pup's struggle before catching the hanger between his teeth and prying it off of the valet rod, handing it over for Parker to try. I'd say he had an eye for fashion if he hadn't already grown an affinity for the jungle. The coat fit him like a glove.

Once they were all set, they made their purchases at the counter—when Skye insisted that she pay for the jacket before Zuma could even pull his own share out—and made their way back to the vehicles.

Tracker rerouted the navigation system he and Carlos installed into his jeep to Jake's mountain, while the others had gotten themselves settled in the car. And soon enough, they were on the road again towards more uneven terrain, as Parker noticed. It was a phenomenal thing to behold watching as the green gradually grow more shrouded with crystal white, pillow-like fluff the further they approached the location. It was like a winter wonderland and he was very much invested in all of it. All of it.

"Papá! Is this snow? Is this it?? Is it? Is it?"

Hoo boy, Tracker himself was starting to get a little light-headed by Parker's bubbly enthusiasm as he bounced in his seat. "Sí, mijo. That is snow. Pretty, isn't it?" There was something so bittersweet about seeing the entire land stretching beyond the dashboard coated in white. It was a landscape that could very well top the beauty of the forest. Unlike the lively spirit of the jungle, the snow brought a sense of stillness and tranquility with it; a silence that suffocates any sound that dares disturb the peacefulness of the air. You can see, hear, and feel it. It was no wonder she always loved it out here...

The car began making its way up a steep incline and Parker had poked his head out the window, being hit full force with the bitter chill now that he was no longer guarded by the comfort behind the windshield. It contrasted the warm humidity of the jungle but he wasn't complaining. It's the work of Mother Nature and her many individualities, Parker thought to himself. Whether it was the gentle breeze during the fall season when the colors of the sunset itself made themselves at home in our trees or the merciless heat during the season of fun times at the beach with the sand between the crevices in your paws, it was all beautiful.

Now, it was the wonderful ache upon looking at mounds of pure white sheets of ice crystals that Parker was now given the opportunity to play in all day. With his Papá no less.

The jeep pulled into a cluster of pine trees decorated with snow and a cabin soon slid into view. Upon hearing the car approach, a man who seemed a bit older than that Ryder fellow emerged from the little humble abode and he raised his gloved hand to wave at them. He appeared to be holding a mug in his other hand. Was it just as chilly inside as it was out here?

The car came to a complete stop and the others filed out of the vehicle, approaching the man. "Hey guys! What brings you up in the snow-caps? And who's this little fella??"

Tracker flashed a greeting smile up at the man. "Hola Jake. This.. is my son, Parker." There was a sliver of a wistfulness in the introduction, like he had cautioned approach considering...

Jake, however, didn't seem bothered one bit. In fact, he welcomed the young pup with a smile. And it was a rather nice smile. A toothy grin with neat rows of pearl white teeth that outshined every flurry of snow beneath their feet. And paws. "Hey Parker! Nice to meet you buddy!"

With introductions finally out of the way, the group finally made their way further into the forest. While Parker was slipping the socks over his ears—borrowed from Jake's (clean ones of course, he's not insanitary)—he found himself growing fascinated by how his paws sank with every step he took, leaving imprints of his journey through this winter wonderland in his wake.

"Soooo...how do you like the snow so far?" Parker casted a glance over his shoulder at the source of the voice, that being Jake. "I love it. A little cold, but, I'll manage! It's so different from the jungle. Everything's humid and loud. Here, it's quiet. I like it."

Jake and Tracker met gazes and from the look of Parker's parental figure, Jake got the permission he needed. With that, he scooped up a handful of the crystal white powder in his gloved hand and balled it. "Well then I suppose you wouldn't mind THIS!" He chucked it with such force that wasn't intended on hurting the small canine, oh no, but enough to disperse into small bits across the back of Parker's head, leaving the poor young soul surprised. The fur on his nape was now decorated with white.

He whipped his head around to look for the one responsible, and all paws were directed at Jake who shot the younger pup a lopsided smile. The look on Parker's face spelled, Oh it's on. A battle to the death it was, and the latter of the group were on board with what was about to go down.

"SNOWBALL FIIIIIIGHT!!!!" Zuma's voice pierced the silence, stiffening taut muscles due to the settling chill of the snow-capped mountains they traversed. The group was soon split into two rivaling teams. Ironically, Parker was paired with Skye and Jake while Tracker and Zuma set up fort near the line of trees. Looks like it was a face-off between Papá and hijo. This was WAR and both teams had set their sights towards potential victory and neither were going down without a fight. Soon, snow was flying back and forth through the air and two walls of the weightless fluff were erected by means of safeguarding themselves from the barrage of white that came barreling from every direction without any show of mercy.

In life, everyone's a winner. But unfortunately in this case, only one team emerged from the drudgery of what the group lovingly dubbed the Snowball Skirmish. Despite being covered from head to toe with snow, Parker, Skye and Jake reigned triumphant and the mountains will remember who claimed victory today, the air laden with the cold chill and their cheers. The chihuahua and chocolate lab weren't bothered one bit. It was a wonderful sight to see the young pup take joy in his first trip to the snow, and Tracker wanted to extend this ephemeral experience for Parker. It seems as though Jake pried into his thoughts and asked if the four would like to stay overnight at his cabin. He quelled their worries by insisting that it was alright for there was much room to spare, and that it can get quite lonely in the mountains. Especially after...her death, but that went unsaid since it would only dampen the blissful mood alighting upon the group. Jake surely wasn't THAT impudent, hardly was he ever.

The trek back was a bit taxing since the group, especially Parker and Skye, expended most of their energy in the tussle that extended for over ten minutes now they thought about it. Tracker noticed how knackered out Parker's limbs were from the sheer exertion of walking through the clumps of snow. Every step was a climb as his paws sunk inches deep into the snow. So the chihuahua hoisted the young chap onto his back and carried him the rest of the way. Parker didn't even protest or insist that he could walk himself. He sure was tired.

Soon enough, to the group's immense relief, the trees split into the clearing where Jake's cabin stood and was ushered inside where they were met with the gentle warmth of the fire heated over the compiled heap of wood in the fireplace. Jake set out to fetch a few bean bags for Parker, Tracker and Skye to take a seat at. Parker didn't waste a beat in snuggling up to his Papá.

"How are you feeling, mijo? Did you enjoy the snow?"

Parker drawled out a lethargic, "Mhmmmm..." followed by the most heart-warming yet bittersweet sentence ever uttered by the young chihuahua and husky mix. "I never knew my Mamá but I feel closer to her than I ever felt before."

And that's the truth. Every flake of snow that fell onto the tip of his nose (nipped by Jack Frost, as they called it) felt like a motherly kiss pressed against his snoot. Being buried in the freezing clumps of crystal white ironically was reminiscent of being cradled in the arms of someone he wished to meet. Even standing on Jake's mountain felt like he was being graced with the aura of Everest. Hearing that, Tracker felt a resolve in the cavity of his chest similar wonderful ache when looking upon a sea of countless stars. For once in his life, Tracker felt like his family was complete.

"Everest feels the same way, mijo."