Sly and Murray stepped into the hideout and walked over to the content Arctic Fox looking at a photo. They stood behind him and looked over his shoulder to a photo of Chaz being carried in a bridal position by a moose. "Hey! Isn't that Soni?!" Murray yelled out, startling Chaz. Sly slapped his hand on his face and looked at Murray with an annoyed expression. "Oops. I'll go…" Murray walked away from Chaz and Sly.
Sly put a hand on Chaz's shoulder and massaged it gently. "Hey, everything okay?" Sly asked. Chaz smiled from his touch and put the photo down. "I never told you what happened after I abandoned you guys, did I?" Chaz asked while still gazing at the photo. Sly frowned while he continued to rub his shoulder. "You didn't abandon us… You had a good reason to leave. But no… you haven't told us. Is he on your mind?" Sly hinted towards the moose on the photo. "Not really. It was just a cute photo… Hey, let's talk while we lay down. I'm exhausted."
Chaz stood from the table and went into the room and got comfortable for the night ahead. Minutes passed while Chaz laid quietly on his bed, waiting for what he knew was coming. Sooner than later, Sly stood in the door frame, smirking widely. "Don't get too happy, Cooper. This is a PG version of your sick fantasy." Chaz joked while looking over. "Eh, I would say PG-13." Sly responded back before making his way over to the bed.
He got in and kept his smirk. Chaz rolled his eyes and groaned slightly before talking. "Before you start, let me tell you what happened. I feel like you have the right to now." Sly opened his mouth slightly and listened in. "Soni and I had our differences back in Canada. The reason I was back in Iceland was because we split up and I went my separate way. I'm sorry for going quiet and not even letting you guys know what happened. I guess I was still stuck in the past with Bentley and him." Chaz finished and Sly put on a comforting smile. "I'm happy you're back with us." Sly put an arm over Chaz's pillow and yawned loudly.
They lied there quietly for minutes before Sly broke the silence. "I'll stop my flirting if you find someone special." Chaz's eyes widened slightly at his comment. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't flattered." They both giggled and stared off into nothingness. "Carmelita is lucky to have someone like you after her. Hopefully all this practice on me pays off." Chaz continued and paused before turning his head to Sly. "This is practice, right?" Chaz questioned. He looked over after not receiving an answer and noticed the sleeping raccoon. He smiled at the figure. "I wonder…"
A loud snore woke Chaz up and his eyes darted open. Sly's head was behind his neck as he snored loudly, filling Chaz with a mix of confusion and anger. "Nope." He removed himself from Sly's grasp and stood up from the bed. He groomed himself for the day and walked out of the room with the still sleeping raccoon. He wandered into the planning room and was surprised to see Guru sitting besides Murray eating food. "Guru! Good morning!" Chaz greeted the Guru who greeted him back in return. The three talk while Bentley set up the missions for the day.
Bentley went over the plans and informed the group it was the final day before the operation. He also told the group about their plan for dwindling the locals, which would happen at their bar. After disbanding, Chaz asked Bentley to elaborate on the bar mission before they went out. Bentley told Chaz that it was more of a "on-the-go" mission and to have his equipment ready for when they came back.
He did so and waited, eating some candied oranges with Guru and eventually continuing on the conversation of Chaz's life. Chaz sat on the floor with his legs crossed while speaking to Guru. "I left the gang because I felt ashamed and weak. We went through so much together and in the end I felt like I still wasn't good enough to protect the ones I care about. But being back with them reminded me that nothing can separate us and… I don't know… it feels better." Chaz drifted off while admiring his team in his head.
Guru laughed and responded back to him. "Oh… I don't want to remember that day. I just remember running through the field… trying to catch up." Chaz drifted off as troubling memories played through. Guru snapped his fingers to alert Chaz to him. After catching his gaze, he instructed Chaz to take a meditation pose to clear his mind. Chaz did as taught and felt his body become less tense. After a deep exhale out, he spoke. "I guess I'm still living in the past." He said in a disappointed tone.
The Guru and Chaz took the time to practice some spiritual teachings. Time passed and Guru and Chaz were able to discuss back and forth, clearing his mind of any troubles. "You've made me realize so much Guru. Murray was correct when he said you were "plain awesome and amazing." Chaz finished with a laugh after mimicking Murray.
The conversation was cut off when Bentley's voice echoed through a radio. "You ready Chaz?" Bentley asked. Chaz looked over at the radio then back to Guru. "Well, I guess that's my cue." He gets up and grabs his stuff off the table. Right before he left the hideout, he turned his head to Guru. "Help yourself to anything, Guru." He left the house and ran off to the local bar. He eventually reached the location and noticed the gang standing to the side of the bar.
He strolled over and waved to the three. "The man of the hour!" Sly called out, making Bentley and Murray laugh. They all got together and stood outside of the door to the bar. "You guys ready?" Bentley asked the other three. "Why did I need to bring my staff if we're just drinking lemonade?" Chaz asked. "It could get a bit dicey." Sly responded.
Sly took the lead and stood in front of the others. "All right boys, look tough and get angry, it's time to intimidate the locals." Sly called out. "I'm not sure I can do it. How do you guys get angry?" Bentley asked the group, beginning to panic. "A day with Sly could do it." Chaz jokingly said. The gang's attention was brought over to Murray flexing his muscles and yelling. "Find the match deep inside yourself... light it... and let the fire burn up your guts and boil your blood!" Murray continued to angrily flex his muscles. "Okay." Chaz said, surprised at the sudden anger coming from Murray. "Uh, yeah, I pretty much do the same thing. Look, our goal is to drive away these miners, and we'll do whatever it takes." Sly finishes and walks in first while the others follow behind.
The four put in their most intimidating faces and walk into the bar. They soon caught the gaze of four dingos who quickly got up from their seats and made their way over to them. Sly began to talk as the group walked over. "Listen up, dirtbags! Time to clear out. From now on this bar is Cooper gang turf!"
All of the dingos collectively laughed together before one stepped forward. "Tough talk, wagga! But you ain't got no respect with us! We here are known around these parts for our drinkin' skills! And this so happens to be a lemonade bar." The main dingo yelled back at the gang. Chaz zoned out Sly and the dingo arguing when he noticed one of the dingo members gazing at him. The dingo soon raised an eyebrow and grinned, following up with a wink. Chaz cringed at the dingo, provoking a chuckle from him.
Chaz focused back onto Sly. "If a lemonade drinking contest is what you have in mind, then the four of us will take on the best lemonade drinkers you have!" The group blocking their way laughed together once again before showing them the way to the bar. They all began to walk over to the tables and get comfortable on the wooden stools. Eight glasses of lemonade were put on the table and everyone took their positions.
Sly was first to start off the contest. He and the leader dingo swiftly began chugging away while everyone else was cheering them on. Sly finished the mug first and slammed the cup on the table which meant Murray was up next. He took the mug and finished it in three big gulps then burping in front of the other dingo's face. The other guy wasn't even halfway done with his before it was Chaz's turn. He looked at the dingo that winked at him earlier and gave a wink back with a cocky smile.
Chaz began chugging and some of the lemonade began dripping down his neck and onto his hoodie. He wasn't as efficient as everyone else and caught a peek at the dingo across from him. The dingo began to drink his at an accelerated rate, making Chaz worry. "CHUG IT!" Murray yelled out while he slammed his fist against the table. Chaz cleared his throat and took one last giant gulp and smashed the mug down on the table, gasping for air.
It was Bentley's turn and it quickly became a mess. Bentley barely kept any in his mouth but he continued on. The dingos grew annoyed at the turtle and started to growl while they watched. Bentley quickly finished the lemonade with half of it spilling onto his shirt. Chaz felt the tension rise and put his hand over his staff, ready to extend it. Chaz looked over at the dingos who progressively grew upset. He sighed and kept a steady watch. "I can see why I brought my stuff now…"
End of chapter 15