After fleeing from the Contessa's castle estate, the gang headed for their next destination, following the spice trail to Nunavut Bay, Canada. The next member of the Klaww Gang, Jean Bison, used to be an old pioneer, wanting to strike it big during the gold rush, but got stuck in the avalanche. Thanks to the quick freeze, he was kept alive and, thanks to global warming, he thawed out. Now, wanting to "tame the iron west," He goes chopping down every tree there is, using a fairly large amount of the Clockwerk parts to fuel his "Iron Horses," i.e. his three trains. Now the gang has to put a stop to whatever it is he's planning on doing with these trains before it's too late.

Rai sat in the back of the van, typing on Bentley's computer. She was trying to gather some more information on Jean Bison and to see what share of the Clockwerk parts he received, but wasn't getting very far. After a while, she sighed and turned the computer off, figuring she wouldn't find anything else out that they didn't already know until they arrived in Nunavut Bay. And as they all were heading up to Canada, Rai did have to come clean to the rest of the gang about her real name as well. Of course, Bentley and Murray didn't mind, especially after Rai explained herself and her reasoning for doing so, which took some weight off her shoulders. However, off in the corner of her eye as Rai was typing, the fox noticed Sly. He sat at the far end, near the doors, absentmindedly staring at Rai's cane. She knew why of course, gently placing her hand on the patch over her neck from when she was cut, but gave a stern look as she stood up, seating herself next to the raccoon. He didn't notice her sit down until she reached up, placing her hand on her own cane.

"Sly, are you alright?" She asked worriedly.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Sorry, I didn't notice you get up."

Rai took her cane from him, setting it aside. "Look, I know you're still thinking about what happened after the Contessa's castle, but I told you already, you don't have to worry about that anymore."

He just sighed heavily. "Can you really blame me for dwelling on it? I mean, I could've killed you, Rai..."

"I know, but you didn't." She said. "You didn't kill me because you knew that deep down, you couldn't, not under her control. You could've killed me, but at the same time, you couldn't because you refused to stay under the Contessa's hypnosis, so then how could I be angry at someone whose will wasn't their own?"

"Well, when you put it like that..."

"You see? You don't have to focus on what happened because she can't hurt us anymore." Rai reassured. "I know this journey hasn't been easy for any of us, and I don't expect it to get any easier either, especially once we finally catch up to Mira and Neyla. However, despite that, despite all the hardships we may face from here on out, we'll all stick together because that what family does so that we can finally put an end to Clockwerk."

Sly stared into Rai's big, green eyes for a long moment, knowing she was right about all this as he gave a nod before a small grin appeared on his face. "You know, it's kinda funny..."

"Hmm? What is?"

"To think that not too long ago, I was trying to cheer you up, and here you are, doing the exact same thing to me now. If that's not irony, then I don't know what is."

Rai suddenly chuckled. "Yeah, you're right, but that's why I'm here. You helped me once, and now it's time I helped you."

He nodded again before pulling the fox into a tight embrace. She was a bit surprised at first, but smiled, wrapping her arms around the raccoon. "This won't be easy, that much I know, but with you and the guys here with me, I know we can put an end to this once and for all."

Rai nodded. "Yeah, and we'll do it together."

The two then drew back from one another, Sly kissing Rai's forehead before he spoke. "Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, what exactly should we call you from now on?" Sly then asked.

Rai raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Your name." Sly replied. "I mean, since your name isn't really Rai, what should we call you?"

"Oh, right, I almost forgot about that..." Rai realized. "Well...several years ago, I abandoned the name Alexandria Vermilion and became Rai Vulpes, all so I could try to hide who I really was..."

"If I could make a suggestion?" Came Bentley' s voice from the front. "Why not find a balance between the two names?"

Rai perked up. "You know, that actually doesn't sound like a bad idea... Maybe I could keep the name I have and just go by my real last name."

"So...Raiko Vermilion then?" Sly asked.

Rai nodded. "It's almost as if I'm accepting my past, all while embracing who I've become. So, from now on, I'll be known as Rai Vermilion."

Sly smiled. "I love it. It suits you." He said, nudging her cheek with his nose.

Rai chuckled softly. "Honestly, I probably would've never been able to accept who I am had I not met all of you. Meeting you, Bentley, and Murray has probably been one of the best choices I've ever made throughout my lifetime, and...I don't regret a single moment of it."

"And we don't regret meeting you either, Rai." Sly replied. "You're part of us now. We'll become your new family."

The fox smiled, wrapping her arms around Sly in a warm embrace. "Then I'm glad I ran into you on that moonlit night back in Paris..."

Sly chuckled, wrapping his arms around Rai. "Yeah, so am I..."

"Sly, Rai, can you two go out on a mission for me?" Bentley asked once they had arrived in Canada, everyone setting up a Safe House.

"Uhh, yeah, sure, but don't you need our help here?" Sly asked.

Bentley shook his head. "Murray and I can finish setting up shop here. Right now, I think I've found Jean Bison's base of operation, and I need you two to go through his files to find the blueprints for his three Iron Horses."

"Sure thing. We'll be back soon, just let me change first." Rai said as she went into her designated room.

"You know, at this point, you two might as well share a room since you practically go in there all the time." The turtle commented to Sly.

He suddenly smirked. "Oh, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

Bentley grabbed his wrist before he could even move. "Please don't go in there while she's changing; I don't need her in a bad mood right now."

"I'm not!" He laughed. "I was just kidding, geez..."

A few minutes had gone by before Rai finally exited her room, her outfit slightly different from how it was before. She was still wearing her black jeans with the red stripe down the outer side, boots, gloves, belt, pouch, and collar, but she had on a black, skintight, long sleeve, shirt with an extended neck; black crop top jacket; and a black and red trimmed beanie on her head, her long hair flowing down her back.

"Alright, we can go now." She said, heading for the door with Sly close behind.

"Nice outfit." Sly suddenly commented as they made their way to Bison's base of operation.

"We're in Canada, where it's cold with snow everywhere. Thanks, but I don't like catching hyperthermia."

"I didn't say it was bad. Geez, give me a little credit." He chuckled. "It looks good on you. Is it better now?"

"For now." She gave a teasing smirk until she saw the cabin nearby. "Hey, it's up there." Rai pointed.

"Okay, now the question how we get to it."

"Those wall hooks look like the only way."

Suddenly, both of their earpieces went off, the two quickly responding. "Sly, Rai, I couldn't help but overhear you guys talking about wall hooks?" Bentley said.

"Yeah, and they seem to be the only way up to that cabin." Said Sly.

"Well you're in luck: This used to be an ideal area for rock climbing, so it's no surprise some of the wall hooks are still around. It's really simple to use them though, just jump and latch her canes onto the hooks. Once you're hooked on, just lean back and fling yourself off. It's a great way to get up mountains and you might get some decent height if you do it right. Just a tip."

"Okay, thanks, Bentley. We'll give it a try." Sly said as the two disconnected.

"Alright, sounds easy enough..." Rai went up to the rock wall, leaping as she latched her cane onto the hook. "Okay, just lean back, and...whoa!" When she flung off the hook, she didn't expect how much air she would get, but quickly flipped before landing on the snow atop the wall. She then stood up, turning to face Sly, who smirked.

"Impressive. Guess I'll give it a try now." He said as he went up to the wall, hooking his cane on before leaning back, pouncing into the air. He too flipped before giving a smooth landing. "Hm. Not too difficult."

"Not bad, Ringtail."

"Why thank you. Now, shall we?" He gestured.

"Yes, we shall." She smirked slightly as they went up to the cabin, slipping inside.

However, upon entering the cabin, they didn't realize Jean Bison would be in here as they both gasped softly. Rai quickly tapped on her earpiece, waiting for an answer. "Hey, Bentley, you didn't say anything about Bison being here." She whispered.

"Okay, just calm down. Did he see you?"

"No, it doesn't look like he noticed us come in."

"Alright, that's good. Just get a picture of the Iron Horse train maps."

She sighed irritably. "Fine." The line was then disconnected. "Get up to the beams before he sees us." Rai then said, Sly nodding as they climbed up to opposite beams.

"Hey, I found two maps." The raccoon told her.

"I have the last one. Let's get a picture of them." Rai replied as Sly nodded before quickly snapping a picture of the three maps, and just when they were about to climb down from the beams, they suddenly overheard Bison talking.

"Hello, Arpeggio here." A voice rang over what sounded like a speaker.

Rai quickly held her hand up to Sly before placing a finger against her lips. She then pointed down to Bison, signaling that they should listen in on his conversation he was having with this so-called Arpeggio, Sly giving a nod in response. However, as the two were tuning in on the conversation, Rai's eye narrowed, almost like she was burning holes in the device the voice was coming from. Arpeggio… You must be the one pulling the strings on all this… Rai noted. Just you wait until I get my hands on you… She glared.

"Salutations, Mr. Arpeggio. Y'all got time to shoot the breeze?" Bison asked.

"Of course! For you, Jean, always, but must we communicate over that dreadful speakerphone?" The bird complained.

"Yeah, I can think better when my legs move – pumps blood to the brain."

"Yes, of course, one must keep blood in one's...brain." He sounded confused himself. "But do tell, is there some important matter you wish to discuss?"

"First off, are y'all still comin' to pick up that Northern Light Battery?"

"Yes, we are well under way. My blimp should arrive at the end of the week."

"Bullseye! For second, when are ya gonna give me a look at that Clockwerk Brain o' yours? I'd sure like to buy it off ya."

"Bison, you covetous troglodyte! You've already got the lion share of the Clockwerk Parts. Would you steal my meager portion and strip me of all my earthly pleasures?"

"Easy there, partner! You're all up in a lather! It's just that I found good use for the Clockwerk Parts I got; why, I put three of 'em in the engines of my best trains! With those robotic doohickies feedin' the fire, them trains will run all night and all day! I call 'em my Iron Horses. Course, gotta keep the plans hidden; stuffed 'em in my three trophy bass."

Rai suddenly perked up, shooting a glance over to Sly. Looks like we figured out where he keeps the plans for his trains…

"Sounds like you're making capital use of the robotic loot, but for now, the Clockwerk Brain stays with me. However, when I arrive, I might be persuaded to give you peek."

"That'll do just fine. By the way, you ready to giddy up into París for the final hoedown?"

"Yes. The hypnotist wavelengths conform to the specs drawn up by the Contessa, and Dimitri – the boy's unfashionable capture – did a bang-up job of distributing spice throughout his nightclub."

"Sounds like all you're missin' is some Northern Light E-lectricity."

"You're correct, sir. Yours is the final piece to the puzzle, the missing link. Once the battery is aboard, nothing will stand In the Klaww Gang's way - Paris will be ours!"

"Yeah, yeah, okay..." He waved it off. "So, I guess I'll be seein' ya at the end of the week?"

"Right, farewell, Bison, stiff up a lip, ta-ta!" And with that, the call ended.

"Sly, did you here that? Head to the trophy bass above the fireplace and steal those plans!" Bentley told him, the raccoon nodding as he motioned over to Rai.

Sly snatched the plans from the bass, stuffing them in his pouch before contacting his turtle friend. "Hey, Bentley, I've got the plan."

"Great! Now get out of there before you're both spotted."

Sly motioned over to Rai, who nodded as they quickly exited the cabin before Bison was able to notice them, both giving a low sigh of relief. "What was Arpeggio saying when he mentioned a Northern Light Battery?" Sly then asked.

"I don't know, but I've got a feeling we'll have to find it soon. Maybe not now since we have to deal with those Iron Horses and take back the three parts he's got, but I've got a feeling those aren't just the three he has." Rai noted. "It sounded like he might have more, especially since he was given the bulk of the parts."

"I don't know, but the plans I have are only for one train. It looks like there's two more."

"Alright, let me see if I can pinpoint where they are." The fox took out her binocucom and scanned the area. "There's one to the far southeast and the other is west." She lowered her binocucom, putting it away.

"Okay, which one do you wanna take?"

"I'll head for the farthest one if you can handle the other to the west."

"Alright. I'll leave it to you then, just don't get caught." He smirked, Rai rolling her eyes.

"Get caught? Please... Who do you take me for, Murray? I was born to sneak around."

"Then I leave my trust in you."

Rai rolled her eyes again at his joking tone, playfully pushing his head to the side as she turned to head in the opposite direction. "You're such an idiot."

"Yeah, but—"

"Don't even go there."

"Well, you do."

"That's not the point I'm making here..." She shook her head. "Never mind... I'll be on my way."

"Don't miss me."

Rai sighed. "Yeah, sure..." She then took off.