Chapter 14 Final Challenges
It was the very last day of the Animalympics, and despite all the accomplishments by the athletes, even the Cooper Gang, it all felt way too short, everyone would be sad that it would be over, but it was a good 14 days. All that was left on this day was the final two events: fencing and the end of the marathon, plus the closing ceremony. The Cooper Gang just hoped that there wasn't anything major in terms of crime on this day, as they all hoped that all's well that ends well.
Before the last two events could be unfolded, Henry Hummel the anchor turtle wanted to ask other athletes what they thought of the Cooper Gang who not only thwarted what could have been serious crimes, but got the chance to compete in the games as well. The chosen athletes were from different continents and different events. Among the chosen were gymnasts Bruce Kwakimoto, Tatyana Tushenko, Dean Wilson, Bolt Jenkins, Kit Ngogo, Kurt Wuffner with Dachsine, and Dr. Abdul Jones.
"With the games nearly at their end, we've decided to see what others think of the Cooper Gang themselves. Bruce what do you have to say?" asked Henry over the airwaves. In response, Bruce spoke in an untranslated Japanese dialect while making movements.
"Da, Bruce says the Cooper Gang have a strong sense of discipline and prowess to thwart all the negative energies of the world." translated Tatyana. "Da, I agree with him all the way, plus they have the same grace and elegance on ice like I have on the mats."
"Thank you Tatyana and Bruce, Dean Wilson what do you have to say?"
"Hey man, they've really been going all the way! Either on the crime bustin' part or the athletics side they really know how to bring out the high in life man!" Dean shouted enthusiastically.
"Thank you for that Dean, Bolt?"
"You know they really saved me from a bad end of my career, I'm happy with what I have, and no more bad coaches attempting to double cross me later!" Bolt replied.
"Yeah, that bunch shows what true friendship is about, always looking out for one another!" added Kit.
"Kurt do you think they hold the same boldness as you?"
"Ja ja! Zose Coopehr Gong are ze most fearless group I've evair haird! And I'm grateful fer Sly zat he has hiz loovely Carmelita Fox vith him! Zer is no mountain zey can't climb!" Kurt smiled in reply.
"Carmelita and Sly make a great couple on the ice!" Dachsine replied.
"And what about you Dr. Abdul Jones?"
"Yo Hummel ma man! Dat Coopah Gang knows all the right stuff to work as we work as a team. Plus dey got some real cool moves like we do! Thumbs up and high five to them!"
"Thank you everyone, now let's go to the fencing arena!"
After those short replies, everyone headed on over to the fencing arena, where in the last Animalympics the champion was the Eurasion Eagle the Contessa, who avenged other fallen fencers who stood no chance to the cruel, cunning, and devious European warthog, Count Maurice Bourdeux. Just like last time, Bourdeux was ranking in top place with almost everyone else knocked off. His next challenger was none other than Duke Chardas, a flying squirrel eager to redeem himself after he was beaten by Bourdeaux himself, thanks to unscrupulous tactics. The Cooper Gang were invited for a close range spectating for their actions, in other words sit about as close to the action as you could get. Keen Hacksaw provided commentary on the action.
"Well folks looks like the last day we're going to see some real action here. Count Maurice Bourdeux is here for revenge, while Duke and the Contessa are here to defend their honor. This should be a real spectacle of excitement!"
"Enguarde yeu petite flea trap!" Bourdeaux shouted, with epees held up high. The two engaged in their swordplay of thrusts, parries, and jabs, and blocks. At first it was neither gaining an advantage, but then Duke flew behind Bourdeux attempting to get a sneaky advantage, but Bourdeux was more than ready for it, with an effortless behind block, causing Duke to fly under, but was stopped when Bourdeux stepped on his tail, and then jabbed him in the back with his epee.
"Ha ha ha ha! Yeu steupid reaudant! Nobody beats me!" the pompous hog laughed maniacally. Up next the challenger was none other than the Eagle Contessa, but Bourdeux wasn't frightened a bit, Sly noticed this, considering in the last Animalympics, she swooped down to avenge Duke. This time she came from the bleachers rather than up in the rafters like last time. Everyone looked in the direction of her entrance, but just as she was about to take off, she slipped, the Cooper Gang noticed a banana peel out of the corner of their eyes as she slipped, the source of her slip. She tumbled down onto the arena floor and landed on one stand. She got up, but then winced in pain, holding her right arm.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! And I've got somezing for ze Contessa as well! I'm ze champion dis time!" The Cooper Gang ran over to the injured Contessa to investigate.
"I knew that Bourdeux was up to no good!" shouted Sly.
"I'll have him arrested for that dirty tactic!" Carmelita added.
"Cooper….." Contessa said while in pain, Sly turned to her who then grabbed her epee with her uninjured left arm, and then handed it over to Sly. "Avenge Duke and me, bring down zat swine!" Sly grabbed the epee, nodded with fierce determination and then stepped forward to challenge Bourdeux.
"You'll pay for what you've done to those two!" shouted Sly.
"Well a scrawny raccoon wants to fight un big boar? Enguarde!" This time Sly showed some finesse with the epee, recalling his duel with the nefarious Cyrille Le Paradox, watching his movements, knowing when to parry or thrust. The rest of the Cooper Gang cheered Sly on as he dueled the pompous hog. Eventually the two locked up pushing against each other's epees. With teeth clenched he saw through Bourdeux's eyes, they looked red with rage as if he had been spiced.
"Even if you beat me raccoon, you'll nevah stop Rajan on ze marathon, I 'ave him to thank for zis boost of eneargy!" Bentley and Carmelita overheard this through the binocucom features.
"Sly we overhead that!" Bentley replied.
"Keep dueling him, we'll find Rajan and stop him!" Carmelita added. The rest of the Cooper Gang ran out to stop Rajan.
Sly kept his eyes on Bourdeux as he traded jabs, parries, and thrusts with the pompous hog, he could keep up with him in terms of offense and defense, moving forwards and backwards. Eventually the two locked up again, this time Bourdeux gave Sly a big push downward, but he thankfully held onto his epee as he fell. Bourdeux charged forward, epee out, ready to thrust, but Sly was ready, he waited for just the right moment and then stuck out his right foot, tripping Bourdeux, which caused his epee to fall out of this hand and roll away. Bourdeux turned around, just as Sly got up, with a confident look on his face, turning from malice to fear as Sly pointed his epee at Bourdeux. Sly just smiled and thrust his epee into Bourdeux's pronounced gut, meaning he won the duel. Bourdeux began baby bawling at his own defeat while he hoisted his epee in the air for victory. The Contessa, Duke, and the official came forward. Sly threw back the epee to the Contessa, while the official came forward and threw the gold medal at Sly. Duke came forward and presented his epee to Sly.
"I can't accept that Duke!" Sly said.
"My time in this sport is over, please accept this too, you've earned it well!" Duke replied, Sly accepted the epee.
"You have my respect Cooper! You fence like a real gentleman!" added the Contessa.
"Well look at that folks, once again the pompous hog was no match for the vengeful steel of Sly offered by the Contessa, and a display of chivalry from the fallen as well!" commented Keen Hacksaw.
Meanwhile near the end of the marathon run, Rene and Kit were running close to the edge of the ocean front just before turning upwards towards the main arena. Rajan was closing in on them, with claws extended ready to shred and claim the gold medal.
"Kit my love, how bout ve throw zis creep into ze vater?" Rene asked slyly with a smile. Kit smiled back.
"Oh yes, then perhaps he won't get us!" Kit replied. They slowed down a bit, while still holding hands, which gave Rajan the opportunity to lunge from behind at them. But no sooner did he do that, then the couple managed to fling him upwards in their hand lock, tossing him into the water off a bit of a cliff, the water was shallow enough to stop him from drowning though. He squirted water out of his mouth in disgust, no sooner than the Cooper Gang came up.
"Interpol, you're under arrest!" shouted Carmelita.
"Back to your old spice tricks again Rajan?" Sly added, Rajan growled and attempted to leap at them, but Carmelita shot a bolt of electricity at him, stunning him. He was then carted away, while Rene and Kit were more than free to finish the marathon, running into the arena.
"After days of suspense, Rene and Kit are going to pull off another double victowy!" shouted Barabara Warbler on commentary. This time at the finish line, two officials were ready to throw gold medals onto the two when that happened in case they decided to continue running even after the race was over. It happened as predicted, and it was another glorious yet sweet moment of double victory as the medals were thrown onto the racers, yet even so, Rene and Kit kept on running, out of the arena and into the sunset with a kiss.
"Another great Animalympics over….." Henry Hummel commented with a few tears strolling down his face. "More exciting than the last one…..one for the history books"
(Sly voiceover)
It was a glorious 14 days of excitement, watching great athleticism at it finest, thwarting evil forces from disrupting these great events, and best of all we even got to compete and win! Me and my gang will remember this day forever! (Sly, Carmelita, and the rest of the gang stand in the crowds with their medals watch the torch go out at the closing ceremony)
(Graham Gouldman's "Now That We've Made It" plays)