After Sage told Ryder about the stranger, he congratulated him for calling the others.
"Ace was really brave too!" Lani chimed in. Ace blushed.
"I was just helping!" Ace replied. "I was pretty scared!" Sage rolled his eyes. Ace wasn't scared of the stranger. But he did flinch when he heard Blizzard's name. Ace was pretty scared of Blizzard.
"Dude," Shadow said. "You were super brave back there. I was watching you!" Lani nudged her brother. Ace had to admit, he was pretty brave back there.
"Uh, Mr. Ryder?" Summer asked softly. Ryder looked down at the puppy .
"What is it, Summer?" the human leader asked. He was looking at her. Summer blushed.
"Since we do have some mystery-solving skills, I was thinking if we could help solve this mystery about this mysterious figure!" Summer said. Ryder scratched her behind her ears.
"You could help out," Ryder said.
"Can we?" CJ asked using her "extra-sweet" pleading voice. "Pleeeeaaase?" Dylan looked at Aurora and rolled his eyes. Suddenly, Sage stood up.
"We need a ride!" The puppy cried. Shadow nodded.
"Yeah," Ace said. "He's right!"
"How about a Mystery Machine?" Kiara suggested. Winter nodded.
"That would be a good idea," Ryder said. "Tell you what, I'll make you a Mystery Machine with a voice-controlled auto pilot, since none of you know how to drive yet." Ace fidgeted, a bit embarrassed. Dylan looked away. Sage just wagged his tail.
"Thanks Ryder!" Lani barked. "I always wanted to be inside a Mystery Machine!"
"Well," Ryder said. "I better get to work!"
*************
The next morning, the Mystery Machine was built. It had enough space for all the pups and Sage, Ace and Shadow called to sit in front.
"We can all take turns to sit in the driver's seat!" Aurora said. Winter nodded. "Yeah I know," Sage shrugged. "But, it's the boys' turn first!" Ryder trained all of them to identify the buttons and whatnot and sooner than later, they were on a roll! Dylan stuck his head out the passenger window, enjoying the wind in his face. Suddenly, Sage stopped the van.
"C'mon gang," Sage said. "We've got a mystery on our paws!" Ace lingered a bit.
"Shouldn't we split up?" Ace asked, confused. Sage nodded.
"Hope we don't run into Blizzard!" Shadow growled, baring his teeth. Ace flinched.
"Hurry up, Ace!" Lani called.
"Coming!" Ace barked. Soon, they were on their way.