A/N: I don't own Murray, Sly, Bentley, or any other characters affiliated with the Sly Cooper series.
CHAPTER 7
That night Sly told me and Bentley about his family. We heard all about how his family began in Ancient Egypt all the way up to when his parents were killed by a group of rival thieves. Apparently Sly and his dad were the last of the Cooper blood line, but they still weren't the only thing left from the Cooper Clan. The Thievious Racoonus, which was the book that Sly was supposed to inherit on his eight birthday contained detailed information on how to be a master thief, but like Sly said faith had different plans. On his eight birthdays "the Fiendish Five" broke into his house and killed his mother and father, Sly was only alive because he hid in the other room. After Sly's folks were killed they took the Thievious Racoonus and divided it equally among themselves leaving Sly the last Cooper on the planet. Sly told us that ever since the police found him at his house and dropped him off at the orphanage the only thought he had in his mind was to become a master thief and take back what was rightfully his. Back then Bentley and I thought he was nuts, not knowing that we would eventually pull off that challenge together.
Over the next few weeks Sly became less and less of a jerk and opened up to us more and more. It wasn't long before Sly became one of Bentley and I's best friend. He was constantly training but was always stealing stuff despite Bentley constantly telling him not to. Days, weeks, months, and even years passed with Sly, Bentley, and I living in the orphanage. When we were nine Sly was able to convince us to help him steal a cookie jar from Mrs. Puffin's office. He called it a "heist" but Bentley told him this was a onetime thing even though I loved the rush of when I drove the getaway trike. Soon we were 14 and had to go to the local high school. Like always Bentley excelled in all classes except gym witch Sly and I were quite good in. Besides the fact I hate learning I liked high school allots. However the entire time Sly planned on running away but always would never go through with it because Bentley and I refused to follow him. Eventually when we turned sixteen I was able to get my driver's license before Sly and Bentley, also Mrs. Puffin let me drive the orphanage's truck to school which was cool. Despite how great high school was the most confusing and troublesome part would eventually happen.
"Out of the car guys were here." I said getting out of the truck that was parked next to the orphanage.
Bentley jumped out of the back while Sly got out of the passenger seat. "Hey buds did you guys notice how hard today's math test was." Sly said slinging his back pack over his shoulder as we approached the orphanage's front doors.
"What are you talking about? You copied off my answers the entire time." Bentley stated sending me and Sly into a state of complete laughter.
Once inside the orphanage a bunch of French toddlers came rushing to our feet. It had been years since Bentley, Sly, and I were dropped off at the orphanage and during that time all the kids we had grown up with had been adopted. However many other little kids replaced them and since they were so young they liked us allot. Bentley would teach the kids English in secret away from the French women who worked there. The kids loved and looked up to us it was great, but it made me and the guys the oldest kids at the orphanage. Now that we were sixteen it wasn't going to be long before Mrs. Puffin kicked us out and we had to live on our own. Every time I thought about that it made me very worried. How were the guys and I going to survive outside the orphanage?
"Murray, do you want to watch wrestling?" One of the kids asked with a very thick French accent.
I smiled and picked him. "Sure thing Jean, let me just go finish my homework." The only reason I said this was because if I didn't do my home work Bentley would annoy me until I did.
After we told the kids we had to do homework Bentley, Sly, and I headed up stairs to our room but we were stopped by Mrs. Puffin. "Mr. Hippo, someone is waiting outside for you."
I looked at the guys before heading to the door. I was a little confused about who would want to talk to me but I headed out the door. Once outside I saw a fox dressed in a trench coat with a police car parked in the distance. It was Inspector Fox; it had been a year since I saw him. About three years ago the police stopped looking for my fictional relatives saying that they most likely died. However Inspector Fox continued looking for them and didn't stop until one year ago. Also he was promoted to chief of police in Paris, but because of this he became very busy and his weekly visits became a thing of the past. He looked very different, his once young and cunning face now looked aged and also he was beginning to lose his full head of hair. Even though he looked different he was still the man who found me on that ship so many years ago.
"Inspector, it's so good to see you!" I rushed up to him and pulled him in for a big bear hug.
"It's so good to see you to Murray." Inspector Fox said gasping for breath. "But it would be better if you let me go!" I looked to see I was easily crushing him with my massive arms.
"Oh sorry Inspector." I let him go so he could catch his breath. "So, what brings you back here?" I asked still trying to calm down from seeing my old friend.
His smile faded as he looked away for a moment. He looked like he wanted to say something but didn't know how to phrase it. "Murray, I wanted to ask you something." He said nervously as he griped his trench goat. I nodded giving him permission to ask me. "Well, it's been eight years since I dropped you off here and all those eight years I looked for your relatives. When Interpol gave up I didn't and you know that." I nodded again knowing that this was true. He went quiet again not wanting to looking me in the eyes.
"What is it Inspector?" I asked seeing how uncomfortable he was. I asked on more time "Inspector what's wr…"
"Murray, I want to adopt you." He cut me off. For the first time in my life I truly didn't have anything to say. All I had to do was say "yes" and I could finally leave this orphanage. I would have a nice home, food, cloths, and what I always wanted, a fresh start. "Murray, I understand if you don't want to. I know it's going to be allot harder for you to give up looking for your relatives."
I stayed as silent as Inspector Fox and showed no emotion. I looked at my feet and answered "On one condition, Sly and Bentley come with me." I finally looked up to see his confused look. "There not just my best friends, they are my brothers."
"Wait, isn't Sly Cooper Conner Cooper's child and last of the Cooper Clan?" He asked looking shocked. I nodded still with an emotionless face. "Sorry Murray but there is no way the Chief of Interpol Paris is going to let the son of a thief into my home."
"I told you Sly and Bentley are my brothers." I simply said continuing to not show any sign of weakness.
Inspector Fox realized how stubborn I was and sighed. "Very well if it makes you happy, Bentley and Sly can come with you." He smiled to which I followed suit. "I'll be back tomorrow morning to pick you up. Thank you Murray." With that Inspector Fox walked back to his car and drove off. I watched his car drive off as I ran back to the orphanage with a new spring in my step. *************************************************************************************
Normally, when you tell your best friends that you're moving out of an old leaky orphanage and into a nice house with the nicest man in all of Paris you'd think they would be happy. However only one half of my friends were happy, while the other was infuriated.
"We can't live with him! Murray, you do realize this guy is a cop right?!" Sly yelled pacing back and forth.
"Get over it Sly!" Bentley yelled already packing his suit case. "After sixteen years I can finally get out of this hell hole." Bentley saying this looked like that happiest person in the world while Sly looked like the most ticked off.
"Not only is he a cop he's a Fox! I don't even remember how many times I've told you guys the Fox's have been chasing after my family forever!" Sly's word were true he told us that a family of cops called the Fox's had been going after his family since they started in Ancient Egypt.
The argument between the three of us continued for a long time until Sly said something that frightened Bentley and I. "Ok, guys I really don't want to live with a cop but the real reason I don't want to live with them is I stole this letter from Mrs. Puffin's office." He pulled an envelope out of his sleeve and stuck it out to Bentley. It was a black envelope that had Sly's name on it. Also it was sealed with a red stamp that had an "F5" on it. Sly obviously had all ready read it but Bentley took it and read it aloud.
"Dear Cooper, I know that you thought you ditched my cohorts and I back at your home, well you are wrong. After we disposed of your pathetic father and returned to our headquarters I learned that the heir to The Cooper Clan was still alive. Now, I refuse to let a single trace of the Cooper Clan survive, so I'm coming for you Cooper. It has taken me eight years but I have finally tracked down your location and I am on my way. However, I am a cruel man but I am also a fair one so I will give you one day to run away from that pathetic orphanage of yours, but if you don't anyone around you will be killed unmercifully. Well, the clock is ticking Mr. Cooper you better get going. From, Clockwork and the Fiendish Five." Bentley finished reading with a look of fear across his face. Sly, Bentley, and I all stood silent out of fear or just shear shock.
"He has been after me this entire time," Sly said breaking the silence, "and now he has finally caught up to me." We were still silent until Sly continued "If I don't get out of here by tonight everyone at the orphanage will be killed tomorrow. Also, the same thing will happen to your police friend if he adopts us." Once I heard this I froze, I couldn't let the same thing that happened to Sly's folks happen to Inspector Fox. Bentley looked at his suit case awkwardly while Sly and I just stood there.
"Dinner is ready boys." Mrs. Puffin said opening the door to our room. We all nodded and walked out the door still thinking about what we just heard.
As usual we sat next to each other at dinner but didn't say a word. All we did was eat not making eye contact with anyone. I was so confused; if Sly ran away then Bentley and I would never see him again. Even though I would be able to live with Inspector Fox it wouldn't be the same without one of my brothers. I knew that even though Bentley wanted to get out of the orphanage more than anyone he was also having trouble leaving without Sly.
After dinner was over we all returned to our room, telling the little kids goodnight along the way. Once in our room Sly began immediately packing so he could runaway while Bentley continued packing to live with Inspector Fox. Hours passed and soon it was one in the morning.
Sly took his backpack and put it on his back. He pulled the cane out of the closet and spun it around a bit. Now, that Sly was sixteen he was tall enough to hold and control the cane with ease. He went over to the window and opened it. "You know my offer never changed. You guys can still come with me." Sly said looking over his shoulder at us.
We remained silent not saying a word. Sly nodded with a disappointed look and readied himself to leap out the window. "Goodbye guys." Sly leapt out the window but was stopped because someone by the arm. "You didn't really expect me to let my brother go without my permission." I said with a smirk, pulling Sly back into the room.
"So are you going with me?" Sly asked with a smile. I looked back at my other brother and best friend Bentley to see what he said.
"Well, without me you numb skulls are going to get yourselves killed so, why not." Bentley smiled and slammed his suit case shut. Sly grabbed Bentley and I and embraced us in a hug. "Let's go Cooper Gang!" Sly said running for the window. "What?" I asked confused at what he said.
"Oh, nothing now comes on!" Sly jumped out the window and landed on the ground safely. I grabbed Bentley by his free arm and leapt out the window. Obviously, I landed on my stomach while Bentley fell on me. Once we got up we all made a silent run for the orphanage's truck.
Bentley hoped in the back while Sly got in the passenger seat. I got in the driver's seat and used my copy of the key to start the car. We slowly pulled out of the drive way and onto the not so busy road.
"Guys, I just want to let you know if you're with me I can't guarantee your safety." Sly said sounding very seriously. Bentley and I looked at each other with a smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way." I told Sly sincerely.
We didn't say another word as I pulled my black goggles over my light brown eyes. I lifted up my foot and slammed it down on the gas. We sped off down the road not knowing where we were going but that didn't matter.
We were just a rag tag team of best friends embarking on the journey of a life time.
A/N: OMG! I am so glad to be out of the orphanage and into more interesting stuff. Now, thank you all for reviewing and please check out The Unknown Love by Pasta16 it's a really good story. Also, check out a new fic I like by Slylady345 called A Raccoon in Naughtingham. Ok everybody until next time R&R and BYE!!!
