CHAPTER 20
It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. For the first two weeks I climbed cliff sides, swam across the lake thousands of times, and even wrestled a crocodile, but it was all meaningless. The whole time Guru was just testing me to see my willingness and commitment. At first I was infuriated that all my hard work went to waste, but then he told me I passed. Now that I had proven myself, Guru left it up to me to make the decision. At first I was really excited, but then I remembered my friends. Not only would I be giving up what I had in Sydney, but also everything in Paris. Could I really go through with it? After hours of thinking I finally agreed.
All we did was meditating. Half of the first month he just took me to some mountain and began meditating. I was really confused and was starting to rethink my choices, but then he explained. After that first half I remember the Guru saying, "Meditation not only clears the mind, but also provides me with my powers. In order to understand the dream time you must understand yourself. So remember Murray, meditation is very important." Ever since then I've meditated every day.
Soon I noticed I was starting to change. First it was my cloths. I went from a blue t-shirt and goggles, to aborigine cloths and crazy white makeup. Then even my personality changed. Slowly I became less violent and more peaceful. It was very odd not feeling like I constantly had to beat people up, but I liked it. For the first time in my entire life I felt calm.
Days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months. It wasn't long before the year had ended, and to believe a few months ago I was in Paris with my pals. Obviously my birthday had passed and I was now twenty one. The Guru didn't celebrate birthdays and holidays, but he still awarded me with the aborigine ball form. It was a very interesting move and still to this day I question how it works. Anyway it was now February 7, 2005, and the Guru had led me to a large mountain.
"Do you feel it, Murray?" The Guru asked standing on the mountain arms spread wide. I pulled myself up the side of the mountain and finally collapsed on top.
I wiped my brow and said, "If you mean the burning feeling of pain, yes I do feel it." The Guru gave me a serious look and slowly got to my feet. "Sorry Master, it's been awhile since we climbed up here."
He nodded and said, "Understood, now Murray does you why we are here?" I looked at the sun setting while trying to think of an answer. Eventually I shrugged and he answered, "It's your coming of age Murray." When he said this I just store at my master with a strange look.
"Coming of age? Sorry Master, but I'm twenty one." I said still a little confused.
He nodded and replied, "Murray I know, but you cannot continue your training."
Shocked I quickly said, "What?! But I've only been here a few months, and you said studying the dream time took years." He gave me the usual "let me explain look" and I fell silent.
"Murray I understand, but listen. In my tribe, at age eighteen, you are sent out on a walk about in order to further your training."
"What is a walk about?" I asked now that he was finished.
"It is when a pupil is sent around the world in order to help and spread his master's teachings." As much as the Guru was explaining this I was still confused.
"How am I supposed to spread your teachings when I haven't even been here a whole year? Also I'm not even eighteen, so what's the point?" I asked a little frustrated.
"Murray, I know you're not eighteen, but that still means in order to continue training you must do this." Looking into his eyes I saw the Guru was very serious.
"Well maybe if we trained for awhile longer then I could do it." I said calming down. He shook his head and looked from side to side as if someone was watching. "Are you okay Master?" I asked, but received no answer.
He slowly approached me and whispered, "I didn't want to say this, but I have to. Murray, a force is coming, I'm not sure what, but it will resurrect the Mask of Dark Earth." I immediately went silent. I remember the Guru telling about this evil mask. Supposedly it had been made by the devil himself.
After a moment of silence I whispered, "How do you know?"
"I saw it in a dream. He came to me and just said that bad things will happen. Listen Murray, in order to stop this evil mask we will need two masters of the dream time." Now that I understood what he said I turned around. The Guru let out a sigh and finally said, "We have to speed up your training. Once this walk about is finished its double time." I kept my backed turned to the Guru not saying a word. We just stood there while sun finally set. "Listen I…" I cut the Guru off by turning to face him.
"When do I leave?" I asked knowing what I had to do. The Guru's serious face turned to one of relief.
"I recommend tomorrow morning." I nodded and began walking towards the trail we used to get up here. "Murray, thank you." The Guru said making me smile.
I turned around with a grin and said, "No problem, Master."
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I treaded through the snowy forest with a huge grin on my face. Not only had I just spoken to a few potential students, but also saved a bear from hunters. I obeyed the Guru's orders and scared the hunters of without hurting them. If you can't tell from all the snow I was currently in Switzerland. I had been traveling the world on this walk about helping the environment and spreading the dream time's word. By now I had gone through countries like Germany, India, and China. I was really starting to enjoy this walk about thing. Not only did I get to travel the world without stealing stuff, but I was actually spreading well. Things were good for The Murr…I mean me.
"Boy is I tired." I said to myself now that I had reached my camp. There was a small fire and tent which contained my sleeping mat. I took off my grass headdress and placed it on a nearby stump before crawling into the tent. Now inside the tent I closed the entrance and lied down. After a few minutes of thinking about that day's success I drifted to sleep.
Unlike most people I rarely had dreams, but this time was different. I opened my eyes to see I was in a barren wasteland with fog everywhere. Knowing I was already in a dream I attempted to pinch myself, but was stopped. A small purple hand slapped mine away swiftly. I looked to see it was the Guru glowing purple. "Master, what are you doing here?" I asked. Now I knew the Guru could communicate to people through their dreams, but he had never done it while I was on the walk about.
"Murray, please listen. Now there is good news and bad news." I motioned for him to continue and he did by saying, "Good news is the Mask of Dark Earth has not risen yet, but bad news is Venice is in Grave Danger."
I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Venice, Italy? What's the matter?"
He let out a cry of pain and said, "You know I'm not powerful enough to stay in dreams for more than a few minutes." It was true, and the fact that his purple glow was fading made it a little obvious.
"Well hurry!" I quickly said very worried.
He took a breath and said, "Don't leave Venice until the black water runs clear." That was the last thing he said before dispersing.
"Guru!" I yelled snapping out of the dream and into reality. I looked around my tent and saw I was alone and the Guru was nowhere to be found. I sat up and began thinking. "Until the black water runs clear? What does that mean?" It was all very vague and confusing, but despite all the questions I knew one thing.
I needed to get to Venice.
A/N: Oh my god I am so sorry! Not only is this chapter really late, but it is also really short. To make up for it I will update soon with a long chapter, I swear. Anyway let's get to what everyone wants to hear. Last chap I asked, "Do you think a Sly Cooper TV series is a good idea?" I was really looking forward to your answers so here they are…
MasterofHearts1313: If Sly was made into a cartoon series, I think I would like it done by a Japanese anime company rather than an American Cartoon manufacturer. I've seen some of the recent work of America in the media, and it just hasn't gone well. (Well to be honest I'm not a huge Anime fan so I'm going to have to disagree. Now people are going to hate me, but I'm sick of people thinking America sucks in the cartoon business. Also I don't want to stare at subtitles in order to understand the show.)
Pasta16: A TV show would suck, since they would make it a horrible Saturday morning cartoon. But if they add more detail, and make it more at a Japanese style cartoon, it would be brilliant! (Once again I have to disagree. Just because it's Japanese doesn't mean it's better. Also Sly's cut scenes are modeled after Saturday Morning Cartoons.)
Michaelnator: I dunno I could see a book and a movie but not a TV story. (Now I'm half and half on your answer. I think Sly would be an amazing book series, but a movie I think would be a little too far.)
ZOMG: A TV show would be awesome! But it needs to be like a comic book, kind of like how they are re-doing the X-man series on Disney XD channel. (I agree with you answer the most, except for the Disney XD. I think if it were styled like a comic it would work, but Disney XD doesn't do it for me.)
Best answer is a tie between ZOMG and Michaelnator. Sorry pasta16 and MasterofHearts1313, but I'm not a big anime fan. (That's not completely true. I like Bleach and Soul Eater but that's it.) Alright now that were done with last chapter's question here is this chapter's…
"What is one thing you wish happened in Sly, but never did." (That's right I'm giving you an easy question because I couldn't think of anything else.)
Alright guys please leave a review along with your answer. Wait before I go I just want everyone to know that the reason this chapter came so late is because I'm trying to write a musical in my free time. Don't worry I'm not quitting this. Okay have a very Jabala Day and BYE!!!