Hey everybody! My finals are done and I officially start my full time summer job tomorrow. From this point on, updates should be more frequent. I'll have more time to write. I will be working on a research study for school over the summer, but I don't expect anything other than my laziness would keep me from updating more often. I'll also be working on some other stories and updating my tumblr page. In case you don't have a tumblr, you don't have to have one in order to view my page. I will also take question submissions through PMs here and answer them on tumblr. I know that everyone has been waiting for an update so I'll make this quick.

Special thanks to those who are now following and who favorited the story: QuantumNight, roxasduelwielder, and avatoa

As usual, I have a few special messages:

Spartan10007 - Thanks for telling me that story. It honestly sounds like something I might do. I enjoyed it. I hope you like this chapter.

ThisIsHope - Glad you liked it so far. I'm not so sure this next chapter is going in the direction of Maya being a spy but when I read your review I came up with a bunch of new ideas.

AmberEyes007 - I'll answer your question more in full on tumblr. I plan to do an informational tumblr piece on Maya's relationship with her father and a bit more on her past. The short answer is that her father has always been very protective and only those who he allowed could know who she was. It's implied that she was almost always with a member of the Klaww Gang and that she probably didn't get much exposure like the rest of them did.

Andilite - Calm down! There will be no sexual assault! Maya wouldn't let anyone who touched her get away with less than a concussion. No lemon in this chapter yet. Everything has a plot place and it's coming up. Hang on! We'll be there soon.

Without further ado... on to the story!


When I woke up the next morning, Sly was sleeping wrapped around me. It made me smile but I knew I had to wake him up because I had things to do. It wasn't easy. He didn't seem to want to wake up.

"Geeze, were you guys up all night?" I asked when I saw the dark circles under his eyes.

"Maybe" he yawned. "We had a lot to do last night."

"Like what?" I asked as I gathered my clothes for the day.

"We found the Guru. He was captured and caged by the miners" he explained. "Then we got his walking staff and moonstone back and freed him. He talked to each of us individually but he still wants to meet you."

I turned with my arm full of clothes and gave Sly a confused look. "Why me?"

"He wanted to meet all of us and judge our auras" Sly replied.

"Huh…" I said and I walked towards the bathroom. I had mixed feelings about having my aura read by a Guru but if it was something that would help gain his trust, I would do it.

I changed into a pair of my jean shorts and my red cut-off tee with one of my black tube-tops underneath it to serve as a bra and a bit of contrast where it showed in the v-neck of the tee. There was a knock on the door that made me jump.

"Are you alright in there?" Sly asked from the other side.

"Yeah" I answered, still feeling a bit spacey. I opened the door after gathering my pajamas and stepped out right in front of Sly.

"Do you have a problem with meeting the Guru?" he asked. Right on the ball as usual when it came to observing people.

"It's not really a problem. I'm worried" I admitted. "I have no idea what my aura looks like and my master never really said anything, other than we shouldn't need to read our own auras to know what they look like.

"Maya, it will be fine" Sly said as he kissed my forehead. He then looked down at my body. "This, however, will not be fine."

"What?" I asked as I looked down.

"I can't have other men gawking at you in clothes like this" he replied.

"This is no time to start being jealous. You were fine with it yesterday" I teased.

"I wasn't really thinking" he said.

"Well, it's too late to start thinking now" I said as I pushed him aside so I could put my sleepwear away.

"Didn't you bring anything more modest with you?" he asked.

"Nope" I replied as I zipped up my bag. "Feel free to look through my things while I'm gone." I knew he probably would, anyway.

"You could wear my sweatpants" he said suddenly, as if he'd just gotten the idea.

"That's a no" I deadpanned. "You need me to work for the miners or we're out a safe house."

"I hate it when you're right" Sly groaned.

"Don't worry about me" I said as I placed my hand on his chest. "I'll be fine."

"But this is a camp full of men. They might do something to you" he argued.

"I control lightning" I replied. "If they try to touch me they're going to find out what it feels like to be a lightning rod."


Bentley filled me in on the events of the night before. They apparently had a very busy night. After being told what they had done, I could understand why Sly was so tired now. It probably had only been a few hours since they got back when I woke him up. Bentley told me that Sly found the Guru in a makeshift stockade and then they proceeded to steal back both his moonstone and walking staff from inside of the caves. After Sly had retrieved the Guru's things, Murray had gone to see his Guru and be freed from his training while at the same time offering for the Guru to join the gang. As it turned out, getting the Guru to leave his confinement and join the gang wasn't as simple as they'd hoped it would be.

In order for the Guru to leave his confinement, they had to purify Ayers Rock. When I asked, Murray jumped in to explain that this meant stealing a huge truck from the furthest end of the camp and loading it up with giant scorpions. I was glad I hadn't been a part of that because I figured that between Murray's driving and those damned scorpions I would have died somehow. They dumped the scorpions off into the mine shaft in Ayers Rock and the miners fled, many of them getting killed by the scorpions before they could escape.

Once they'd completed that task, Bentley went to see the Guru, who finally thought it was time to escape. With his staff and moonstone restored to him, he used both his powers of transformation and mind control to escape by tricking and hitching a ride on a guard. Bentley talked him into using guards' heads to bash down the drills near the bar and take out the grinder in Wave Rock. After having done these things, he went off to his cave and was waiting out the gang's next actions. He also wanted to meet me some time during the day because he'd already met the boys.


I showed up at the pub early to inquire about my schedule. They had me working the evening and night shift, when most of the miners were off and spending time at the pub, because they wanted to make the most of their newest asset. I also found out that there was already a bet going in the camp as to who would make it into my pants first. The betting pot was a jar located on the end of the bar counter. Judging by the amount of cash already in it, I could safely assume that there were a lot of men who were very confident in their ability to seduce. On the other hand, I was positive that nothing was about to happen, so I put my own money in the jar, placing the bet that something would happen to the bar before anyone would have their way with me.

With my business done, I left the bar, saying that I wanted to take a walk and I would be back at the start of my shift. I was warned to watch out for some strange blokes that were causing trouble around the camp. They had no idea that I was dating one of those blokes, just like they had no idea how unavailable I really was. Once I was outside, I realized how small the camp really was on the surface. While I was sure the operations underground were quite expansive, there wasn't a whole lot going on above ground. Many of the miners were in the shafts working, and there were a few moving here and there to keep the external equipment both running and safe. It wasn't hard to find a place in the camp that was virtually abandoned this time of day. I figured that if the Guru wanted to meet me, one of these vacant locations would be the best place for it.

I wasn't really sure if he would come around if I just waited, but I folded my legs under myself anyway and placed my hands together in my lap. It all felt just a bit awkward. I didn't know what he was going to ask me or what he expected to see in me. It wasn't that he was more or less important than my master, either. I just didn't know what to expect. Should I be nervous, cautious… scared? Just as my thoughts began to race, I felt an aura approaching me. I knew it couldn't be a dingo. It was too powerful.

"Do not be alarmed" a male voice echoed in my head before I could even turn around. My eyes fell on a small purple-furred koala.

"You're Murray's master" I said, a bit surprised at his small stature.

"You are the tigress seeking spirituality" he replied. His mouth moved and sound came out, but what my ears heard and what my mind heard were two different things. "You are powerful. Your aura is impressive. Show me your power."

"I shouldn't" I said with a grimace. "The miners will notice something."

"Create lightning in your hand" he instructed.

I let energy build up in my body and then channeled it to my hand. My master and I hadn't done much with my own power. She always told me that after I'd mastered the power of nature, I would be ready to master my own nature. A few sparks jumped between my fingers and my palm. I think he noticed my disappointment in myself before I could speak up again.

"Your natural ability has already surpassed those who have been practicing elemental control for many years" he said. My eyes widened a bit.

"Why did you want to meet me?" I asked.

"To judge your power and your spirit" he replied. "You are powerful, but you still need guidance."

"Are you saying you want to continue my training?" I asked.

"I may be able to help you grow" he replied. "But you must want to grow. You cannot fear your power. When I asked you to create lightning, I felt fear in you."

"I do fear my full power" I spoke. "I don't know if I can control it, and it can kill if it gets out of control."

"You have control. I see you have demonstrated it in the past, and quite recently" he said.

"More success than failure" I said with a nod. "But it's not my true power, not my full power. It's the power of nature."

"As an elemental, nature is your power" he told me. "Your Guru believes that you were ready long before you left, but she too felt your fear and hesitation. You cannot control your power if you fear it."

"You've spoken to my master?" I asked, mystified by his revelation.

"She came to me in the Dreamtime" he replied. "She is indeed powerful, and she spoke to me to request my help in your spiritual journey."

"But I'll be returning to her soon enough" I said.

"She has seen that which makes her think you will not see her again" he corrected me. "Something will happen soon that will change your life."

"Even if my life changes, I will return to see her" I stated.

"The future is yours to control" was his quick reply.

There was a hidden double meaning to what he said. It wasn't just about seeing my Guru again, but it was also about whether or not I accepted him as my teacher. I got down on my knees and placed my hands in my lap. "My Guru, what do you ask of me?" I asked as I bowed my head.

"Stand up, Seeker" he replied and I nodded and stood, towering above him. "It is time you understand that you are nature, and that by mastering nature you have already mastered yourself. Meditate on this, and when you are ready we will continue your training."

"Yes, Guru" I said with a small smile. Even though I had been nervous about meeting the Guru, I was now excited about continuing my training.

"I will take my leave before the miners discover us together. As I understand you are undercover and I do not wish to ruin that for you" he said.

"Thank you, Guru" I said with a nod and I watched as he turned and walked away, eventually vanishing behind a rock nearby. Part of me wanted to jump for joy at the prospect of continuing my training, but another part of me hoped that Murray wouldn't be bothered about me taking his Guru shortly after he ended his own training.


I hadn't noticed how much time had gone by since I'd left the safe house because it really didn't feel like a lot of time, but when I got back it was already noon and the guys were just starting to stumble out of bed and into the kitchen. Bentley was setting up his projector, Murray sat on the couch and fell back asleep, and Sly finally looked like he wasn't the walking dead. None of them looked like they wanted to be up, though, so I went to the small kitchen and started some breakfast. We didn't have a lot of food. I could make some toast and we had a box of cereal. We didn't have any milk or butter yet, nor did we have eggs, and I didn't know if we would be getting any while we were here.

I set bowls around the table with dry cereal and toast and glasses of water. Sly looked dejectedly at the sorry excuse for breakfast. "We don't have any milk?" he asked.

"We don't plan on being here that long" Bentley replied for me.

"Can Murray drive out for some real food?" Sly asked.

"No, Murray cannot take the big truck to go get real food" Bentley replied.

"Aww" Sly whined.

"We'll all go out to eat when we're done" Bentley said.

"Fine" Sly pouted and he picked up his spoon and started eating his dry cereal.

I smiled to myself about how childish he was being. Murray was finally waking up from his nap on the couch and he stretched out with a huge yawn. "What's for breakfast?" he asked.

"Dry cereal" Sly moped.

"Hey, Murray" I said, getting his attention as he came to sit down at the table.

"What's up, Maya?" he asked.

"I have to talk to you about something" I said as I pulled up a chair next to him. Even though I boldly approached the topic just moments before, I now couldn't figure out what I wanted to say.

"Something wrong?" he asked me after I hadn't spoken up for about a minute.

"Your Guru wants to take me on as a student" I replied, figuring that the best thing to do was just get it out there.

"Great, you'll love it!" he replied excitedly.

"You're okay with it?" I asked.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" he asked.

"I just thought that because you just ended your training you might feel like I'm jumping on an opportunity and stealing your Guru away" I said.

"No way, it's cool" he said with a grin.

"Thanks" I sighed, feeling better about accepting the Guru's proposal.

"So you're going to continue your training?" Bentley asked.

"The Guru suggested I take him on as a master. I was a bit surprised but he told me that my teacher met him in the Dreamtime" I explained. "There's still a lot for me to learn and I'm kind of excited to have this opportunity."

"Before we know it, she'll be taking over our minds and shape-shifting" Sly said sarcastically.

"I'm more interested in figuring out how to fully control my lightning" I replied and stuck my tongue out at him.

"It's so cool that you control lightning" Murray exclaimed, his excited child-like self coming out. It made me smile.

"It will be nice to have more control over it and be able to use it for more purposes" I commented.

"Well, at the moment you are our grifter. What time do you have to work?" Bentley asked.

"Tonight I start at six and end at two in the morning" I said.

"Perfect" Bentley said. "You'll be at the bar when we plan to run the next part of the heist."

"What exactly are you guys planning tonight?" I asked.

"I'm glad you asked" Bentley replied with a smile. "I'm nearly finished setting up the projector and slide-show." He moved amazingly quickly around the table to get the projector set up while the boys munched on dry cereal and toast. I sat down next to Sly to eat a bit of toast, but I didn't eat much because I figured I could get some food at work later. Bentley fiddled around a bit more and the projector light came on, illuminating the wall with a picture of the Guru.

"Let's get started" Bentley said before he cleared his throat. "The Guru has agreed to join our team provided we can rid his homeland of the dingo miners and deal with the Mask of Dark Earth. A tall order, but we're up for it. While Maya heads to work, we have a couple of goals to fulfill. First we'll enlist the aid of some local wildlife to help thin out the miners' ranks. Murray will feed our foes to a local giant crocodile. With some luck, he'll take a liking to the taste of miners and chow down on them left and right. Second, Sly and Murray will use some mining equipment to drill for radioactive oil deep beneath the dried lake bed. Trust me, it's the key to getting rid of the Mask of Dark Earth. After the crocodile is on the loose and the oil is in our possession, we're going to head over to the lemonade bar. Our goal is to clear it out and hit these guys where they live… or at least relax. Once we accomplish these goals, the miners will want get out of here as fast as they can. With the miners gone, the Guru will join our ranks."

"And we can go get some real food" Sly cut in and added on the end.

"Huzzah!" Murray shouted.

Bentley was giving both of them an annoyed look. I simply giggled and then looked his way. "So you guys are going to come in while I'm working. What exactly do you intend to do?"

"Look tough and get angry" Bentley said without flinching.

At this I busted out laughing. For a moment they all stared at me while I laughed hysterically. I had to take deep breaths to calm myself down and when I finally got a hold of myself again I said "Sorry, Bents. That was just so cute coming from you."

"I'm tough" he said and he puffed out his chest. I had to hold my breath for a moment to keep from exploding into another giggle fit.

"Will I have to worry about being in the line of fire?" I asked.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that" Bentley answered, visibly deflating as if he'd imagined himself getting into a bar fight.

"You guys will be fine" I said with a slight flip of my hair and a grin. "I'll be there to dispel the tension."

"I'd better not catch you dispelling other kinds of tension" Sly muttered to himself, but I heard it loud and clear.

"What's that, Dear?" I asked.

"Nothing" he said briskly.

"You know, if this is going to work out you have to stop being jealous of every man I come in contact with" I said.

"Depends on the kind of contact" he replied wittily, earning him a punch in the arm.

I figured it was time to level the playing field. "At least you'll understand why I get insecure when that vixen is around."

"Bentley, when are we getting this show on the road?" he asked to change the subject.

His avoidance annoyed me but I didn't call attention to it. "We'll head out as soon as the two of you are ready to go. It will take us a while to accomplish the first two goals, and we want to make sure we hit up the bar at peak hours" Bentley explained.

"I'll be leaving around 5:30" I informed him. "So don't work too fast."

"Getting the oil will take us the longest" Bentley said. "And besides that we'll have to wait for the crocodile to calm down before we can make a move."

"So I'll wait for either you guys or a raging crocodile to bust into the bar" I replied with a shrug.

"Pretty much" Bentley said with a nod.

"Shouldn't be too hard to handle" I smiled.

"Let's get going or this is going to take all night" Sly finally interrupted.

"Right, let's get this show on the road!" Murray added.

"If all goes well, we'll be at the bar around 7 o'clock" Bentley informed me. "If all goes according to plan, we'll be headed home tomorrow."

"Things always go according to plan" I teased him as they headed out. This was the Cooper Gang. Who were we kidding? Nothing ever went according to plan.