Jaune and Courage the Cowardly Dog
Chap 49: Family Business
"Huh, what was that?" I asked waking up. Looking around, I remembered that I was in my bed sleeping. Reaching over to grab my scroll, I checked the time and saw that it was three in the morning.
'Better get back to sleep. Probably was nothing.' I thought with a yawn. Laying back down, I started to get comfy to fall back asleep.
'Heard glass shatter.' I heard Courage shout followed by the sound of Eustace slamming the door after tossing Courage out of the room.
'Eustace.' I thought bitterly as I got back up. Getting up, I quickly changed into my clothes as I knew Courage would be knocking on my door any moment.
*Knock Knock*
'Speaking of him.' I thought as I made my over and opened the door. "Hey Courage."
'Hey. Jaune. Did you hear that?' He asked as he took out two flashlights and gave one to me.
"You mean, the sound of glass breaking or something else?" I asked as I turned on the flashlight.
'I knew I heard something.' He said while snapping his paws.
"Do you know where it could have come from?" I asked as I stepped out of my room and closed the door.
'Think I heard it come from the kitchen.' He answered.
"Then let's check it out." I whispered as we passed the guest room.
Inside the room were Weiss and her sister Winter sleeping. We had just come back from Hollywood two days ago. Winter was in Nowhere at the time on orders of Ironwoods to find any clues if the 'maiden,' A.K.A. Iris, was still here. But she really wasn't following the orders and was actually just enjoying her time here and away from Ironwoods. When she saw us land in Nowhere airport, she decided to pay us a visit and to check on Weiss.
'Don't you think you should have your weapons?' Courage asked as we made our way downstairs.
"Don't think we'll need it as I doubt it's a robber. Maybe just a racoon or animal breaking in." I answered as we approached the kitchen.
'I hope you're right.' Courage said as we opened the door to the kitchen. But as soon as we did, we heard the sound of dishes rattling. Shining our flashlights around, we saw nothing out of the ordinary. That is, until we shone our light on the fridge that was open.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused when we shone the light at the floor and saw tiny feet in black boots. The fridge then closed to reveal a rather large man wearing an almost stereotypical burglar suit that you would see people wear in movies. Including a mask, a beanie and some rope. But what was most confusing was what is in his mouth.
"Um?" I asked confused when we saw a fish in his mouth. "Want me to cook that for you?"
'AAAHHHH!' Courage screamed in terror. This caused the burglar to take the fish and smack us both with it. Sending us spinning in circles really fast before we stopped and hit the floor.
"Never been fished before." I said trying not to throw up from how dizzy I am. But it went away quickly when the guy easily grabbed me and Courage and picked us up easily.
"Zip your mouths shut you two. Or I'll be fishing the both of you again I will." The guy threatened before dropping us.
"Oof." I grunted when I hit the floor. Looking over to Courage, I saw him spit out a zipper before literally zipping his mouth shut. Had this been any other situation, I would have laughed at this.
"Courage? Jaune?" We heard Muriel call out.
'Oh, no.' I thought worried.
"Is everything all right?" Winter called out as well.
"Zip your mouth shut you two." The burglar demanded as he moved to the side of the door. And as soon as he did, the door opened with Muriel, Eustace, Weiss and Winter stepping into the kitchen. They looked confused as to why we were on the floor. But they didn't have time to ask as the burglar smacked them all with the fish quickly. Each hit sent them to the floor.
"Ow." Weiss and Winter both said as they hit the floor.
"Now that wasn't very polite." Muriel scolded as she turned around to see who hit him. Only to scream when she saw the guy clearly when he turned the lights on. "AAHHHH! It's a burglar!"
"Ok. Mates. You both tie up the folks here while I keep an eye out for the law. I got the park rangers on me tail." The guy ordered us before leaving the kitchen.
"What just happened?" I asked beyond confused.
"Who was the guy?" Winter asked as she got up and helped Weiss up as well.
"We have no idea. Courage and I came down after we heard something break. And when we entered the kitchen, we saw that guy raiding the fridge for that fish. He the slapped us with the fish when he saw us. And now, told us to tie you guys up. Thinking that we were his partners." I explained to the best of my ability. Despite not understanding anything.
"Well, either way, I'm going need a shower as we know smell of fish." Weiss said annoyed.
'What should we do?' Courage asked looking at the rope before looking at the door again.
"I have no idea." I answered.
"As much as I would say we take this man down right now, I think its best we just play along for now. Something seems a miss with him." Winter advised.
"Go ahead already. You stupid burglar-helping dog and kid. Get on with it." Eustace yelled. Courage looked at me which I just shrugged. He then tossed the rope around them before pulling it tight. This caused Muriel and Eustace to snap instantly back-to-back. I then moved in an tied the knot.
"Ha, ha, ha. Good job you two. That's a nice tight knot." Muriel said laughing.
"This is not a laughing matter Muriel." Winter told her. At this, we heard some more glass breaking before the burglar returned.
"Nigel. Junior. Why are the two of you tying up Mama Mash potatoes and uncle Twinkle toes again?" The guy asked.
'Huh?' Courage asked confused as he looked around.
"Um, what?" I asked even more confused.
"Excuse me?" Winter said getting the burglars attention.
"Why, Junior. I didn't know you had two lovely ladies with you." The burglar said laughing.
"It's not like that. We're just some close friends." Weiss corrected.
"Ah, that's too bad. Junior here is such a nice guy." The burglar said still smiling.
"What is your name?" Winter asked. He looked shocked before turning to me and Courage.
"Nigel. Junior. You didn't mention me to them?" He asked.
"Uh." Was all I could say with Courage scratching his head in confusion.
"Nigel. Junior. Why are you both looking at me like nether of you know me? I'm your cousin Basil." The burglar, now Basil told us.
"He must have us confused for some other folks." Muriel said.
"He's not confused. He's nuts." Eustace yelled angrily.
"Shush. We should all just act naturel and do what he says. We don't want to get fished again." Muriel told us before shivering at the thought of being fished again.
"Mr. Basil." Winter said getting his attention.
"Just Basil. Mr. Basil is my father's name." He corrected her while still smiling.
"Basil. Why exactly are you running from the park rangers?" Weiss asked.
"Oh. I'll tell you over dinner." He answered before moving towards us. "Now Nigel. Junior. Untie the family and let's have dinner like always, what?" He asked.
"Okay." I answered confused before moving to untie Muriel and Eustace.
"About time." Eustace complained.
"Now, how about you all wait in the dining room while cooked up some dinner." Muriel suggested with a forced smile to cover how scared she is.
"Do you require some help, Muriel?" Winter offered.
"I got it dearie. You all just keep an eye on our guest and his fish." Muriel answered.
Nodding, we all hesitantly entered the dining room. Eustace, Winter, Weiss and Basil sat down while Courage and I began to set the table. After a few moments the table was set and we sat down as well. Yet the whole time, we did not take our eyes off of Basil who was looking giddy like a kid in a candy store.
"He seems mentally unstable." Weiss whispered to me. I just nodded as I did seem like that. Soon, we heard the door open with Muriel coming out with a bowl of salad.
"This looks great Mama Mash potatoes." Basil complimented before turning to Eustace. "Hey. Uncle Twinkle Toes. Do your dance."
"I don't do no dance." Eustace said bitterly.
"Don't be so rude to our guest. And his fish." Muriel reminded. "I'll go get the main course."
"Fine." Eustace grumbled as he got up from his chair while Muriel returned to the kitchen.
"Yes." Basil cheered as he got up as well. "Nigel. Junior. Join us."
"Okay." Courage and I said as we got up. Heading over, we were about to ask what to do when Basil grabbed our hands before telling us to grab Eustace's hands. We then started to spin in a circle while bouncing up and down as well.
"HAHAHA!" Both Winter and Weiss laughed at what they were seeing.
"Yeah, uncle Twinkle toes. Show us how it's done. Step in time. Step in time." Basil said laughing.
"Oh, I'm so happy to see everyone having fun." Muriel said as she came back with a bowl of mashed potatoes. She placed it on the table only for Eustace to be flung face first into it.
"That was uncalled for." Winter said as she cleaned herself of some of the mashed potato that landed on her.
"Definitely going to need a shower now." Weiss said as she wiped some mashed potato from her face.
"Why are you making the mashed potatoes?" Basil asked as he raised his hands in wonder. Forgetting that he was still holding our hands which made us hang in the air. That is until a second later when he dropped us. "You always make your specialty."
"Mashed potatoes isn't my specialty?" Muriel asked confused.
"Course not." Basil answered.
"Oh, my." Muriel said before heading back into the kitchen.
"What do you think the specialty is Jaune?" Winter asked.
"No clue. But considering how crazy he is, it could be anything." I answered as we sat back down.
"What is that?" Weiss asked slightly disturbed by the sounds of pigs squealing coming from the kitchen.
'You don't want to know.' Courage answered.
"Here's my specialty." Muriel said returning this time with a giant ham.
"Never seen one that big before." Winter said with wide eyes at seeing the ham.
"This ain't your specialty." Basil said pointing to the ham.
"If you can just give me a little hint." Muriel told him.
"Nigel. Junior. You both are the only ones I can talk to in this family. Why don't Mama Mash Potatoes make her..." Basil began to whisper the rest in our ears.
'What is it with him and fish?' I thought as he told me that Muriel's specialty was a flounder. Looking over to Courage, I saw him use some flags to telegraph Muriel what Basil just told us.
"I was just joking with you Basil. I'll go whip up my good old flounder." Muriel said nervously before heading into the kitchen.
"Um, what did Courage just do?" Weiss asked confused.
"That's called flag semaphore. A form of communication using only flags as visual signals. Still widely used despite numerous other ways of communication." Winter explained.
"Did you know he could do that Jaune?" Weiss asked.
"Nope. Evey single day since I moved here, I learned new things about him. He is a dog of many talents." I answered while giving him a scratch behind the ear causing him to smile in bliss.
"Like what exactly?" Winter asked curious.
"Apparently, Courage knows how to pilot a plane, cook, can create working machine from junk amongst many other things." I answered.
"He has more talent than many soldiers at Atlas." Winter said impressed.
"Here we go. A flounder." Muriel said getting our attention. Turning to her, we saw her place a steaming flounder on the table before sitting down and sighing in exhaustion.
"MMM. Yeah. Did you put in the secret special ingredient?" Basil asked.
"Secret ingredient?" Muriel asked confused. She then looked to us hoping for an answered.
"Sorry Muriel." I answered. She then turned to Courage.
'I don't know.' He answered while shrugging.
"How about you two?" Muriel asked turning to Wiess and Winter.
"We don't know either Muriel." Winter answered while Weiss shook her head.
"Eustace?" She finally asked turning to him. Only to see that he was sleeping. "Oh, the secret special ingredient! Yes. So special and secret, I wouldn't even say it out loud."
"Let's see." Basil said as he grabbed the plat and flipped it so the flounder was facing him. He then shoved his arm into it. "Here it is."
"Here what is?" Winter asked slightly disturbed and worried. It was clear with each passing second that this man was insane.
"The plans." Basil answered as he took out the fish bones out of the flounder.
"Eustace was right. He is nuts." Muriel said now worried.
"Looks like I'm knocking over a jewelry store." Basil said as he looked over the 'plans.' We all moved closer to see if we could see what he sees. But as we did so, we heard sirens coming closer.
"What's going on?" Muriel asked.
"It's the park rangers. Hey you two. I thought I told you both to tie up the old people." Basil said before slapping me and Courage with the fish again.
"OOF!" We grunted as we spun around very fast from the hit.
"Alright. I'll tie them up. And you two get rid of those rangers. Or you'll all get you will." Basil ordered.
"Alright. Let's go." I said to Courage as we got up and quickly headed out of the dining room and to the front door. Getting there, we opened it and saw two park rangers there. One seemed very similar to the police from New York.
"This guy is unpredictable, confused and very dangerous. Either of you seen him?" The one with the mustache asked.
"Yes, we seen him." I answered. "He's holding our family hostage."
'Inside. Inside.' Courage repeated while bringing out different signs that all basically said the same thing. That Basil was inside the house. But it seems like Muriel, these two didn't understand us. That or they thought Courage said something entirely different.
"Ok, then. If you do see him. Give us a call. Sorry to interrupt your sleep." The ranger said while saluting for some reason.
'Really.' I mentally thought as we saw the Ranger return to their car and leave.
'Honestly, we should have seen that coming.' Courage said with a sigh.
"Yeah. Let's just go back and check on the others." I told him.
He nodded and we went back inside, closing the door we headed back to the dining room. But didn't see them. Confused, we decided to head into the kitchen to see if they were there. Opening the door, we saw Eustace and Muriel tied together while Winter and Weiss were tied together separately. Hearing some rustling, we looked behind us and saw Basil raiding the fridge again.
"Hey, Nigel. Junior. We ain't got no crumpets. I thought you both were going out to get crumpets." Basil yelled as he slammed the fridge door shut before turning to us. "You both were too busy tying up Mama Mash Potatoes and Uncle Twinkle toes again. And now your lady friends."
'Heh, heh, heh.' Courage laughed nervously.
"We'll untie them now," I told him. Turning around, Courage went to untie Muriel and Eustace while I untied Winter and Weiss. "You both okay?"
"Fine. Thanks." Weiss answered as she dusted herself off.
"Yes. We're fine. What did the Rangers say?" Winter asked.
"That they were sorry for disturbing our sleep. They then left." I answered. At this, Weiss and Winter face palmed in annoyance.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Winter huffed.
"You know what this family needs?" Basil asked getting our attention. Turning around, we saw him sitting on the chair.
"What exactly do you have in mind?" Weiss asked.
"This family needs to pull a job together. And you both can come along." He answered. "And I got the ideal job, I do."
"What kind of job?" Winter asked while raising an eyebrow.
Mount Rushmore
"This feels good Nigel and Junior. All of us working for a change." Basil said as he raised his pickax to strike the monument again.
We were in a place we have never been before. In a 'state' known as North Dakota. More specifically, next to a giant carving of four people call Mount Rushmore. Apparently, the ideal job that basil had was to steal the heads of Mount Rushmore and hide them with the others. He already had hidden the other three somewhere.
"It is quite refreshing." Muriel agreed.
"This stinks." Eustace complained.
"I hope no one at Atlas finds out about this." Winter hoped as she struck the rock with her pickax.
"Our lips are sealed Winter." I told her as I struck the rock with my pickax.
"Thank you." She said giving a small smile.
"When we're done, you can all help me stash this face with the other three." Basil said laughing.
"It's good to be tidy." Muriel stated.
"Mama Mash Potatoes, you're a pip you are." Basil complimented her.
"Oh, Basil. That's so sweet." Muriel said smiling.
"Where are the other three Basil?" Winter asked. Trying to find out where the other three were so the authorities can retrieve them. Durning the trip here, Winter asked for any information Atlas had about Basil. But they replied saying they had no information or knowledge about him. Hearing this, we decided to try and recover everything he stole and then try and get him some help as he is clearly insane.
"I've hidden them where no one else can find them." He answered before turning to Courage and I. "Nigel. Junior. Get uncle Twinkle Toes to do hid dance on Lincoln's nose."
"Huh?" We all asked in confusion when we heard a helicopter approaching.
"Over there." Weiss said pointing to our side. Looking over we saw the helicopter approaching us. As it reached us, it's searchlight turned on and started moving all over Mount Rushmore.
"Quick. Get down." Winter said as she pulled all of us except Basil.
"What's going on?" Weiss asked. But she got her answer when the searchlight fell on Basil.
"Ok, Basil. The jig's up." The voice of the Ranger we met earlier said over a speaker.
"We better create some distance between Basil and us." I suggested.
"Indeed." Winter and Weiss agreed. Grabbing Muriel's hand and Courage lifting Eustace, we ran up the steps behind us to make more distance to be safe from what could happen. Once on top, I noticed that we were next to the ear of the head.
"What's he doing?" Weiss asked as pointing to Basil. Looking over to him, we saw that he was climbing across the face and then entered the nose.
"Trying to escape." Winter answered.
"Poor Basil. Just when I was getting to like him." Muriel said worried.
"Let's go home." Eustace said angrily.
"He really wasn't so bad." Muriel said turning to us.
"Yeah. And he won't be so bad in prison neither." Eustace argued.
"He's hiding in the nose. Get him men." The ranger yelled.
"Oh, no. Not that." Muriel gasped when the rangers pulled out a giant finger and used it to pick the nose of the statue.
"Well, that is certainly one way to get someone hiding in a nose." Weiss said surprised at what just a happened.
"They should pick him and flick him." Eustace said annoyed.
"Nonsense. We got to do something to help Basil. All he wants is a loving family." Muriel said upset.
'OOH!' Courage whined as we both knew where this was going.
"Eustace. Can you do something?" Muriel asked him.
"Nope.: Eustace answered while crossing his arms.
"We'll do something Muriel." Winter said cutting in.
"Thank you dear. But be careful." Muriel warned.
"How should we go about this?" I asked.
"Maybe, we can go through the ear?" Weiss suggested.
'Can't we do it tomorrow?' Courage whined as he did not want to do this.
"WE ALMOST GOT HIM! KEEP PICKING!" The Ranger shouted which caused Courage to sigh.
"Come on Courage." I said as we approached the ear. Climbing in we went in as Winter and Weiss followed us. Only for us to stop them as we came back out.
"What are you two covered in?" Winter asked as she saw us covered in yellow waxy substance
"Ear wax." I answered as Courage pulled out a giant cotton swab. "For some reason, the ear of this stone person is filled with it."
"OW!" Eustace shouted. Turning to him, we saw that Courage had tossed the giant cotton swab at Eustace.
'Okay. Let's head inside.' Courage told us. Nodding, we went inside the head. And to our surprise, there was many tunnels in the head. Luckily, it was a straight shot to where the nose was. Getting there, we saw Basil struggling to not fall down as the giant finger kept looking for him.
"AAHHH!" Basil shouted when the finger nearly hit him.
"Basil. Grab my hand." I shouted as I reached down to him. But came up short. "Damn it."
"UGH!" Basil grunted as the finger found him.
"Jaune." Winter said getting my attention.
"Yes." I said turning to her.
"Weiss and I will hold your feet and lower you down. But be careful not to get hit by finger." She told me.
"Okay." I said nodding. Winter grabbed my left leg while Weiss my right leg and lowered me down. Extending my hand, Basil managed to grab my hand. Gripping it tight, I yelled back to the others. "Got him. Pull us up."
"He's gone, men. No one ever survived Lincon's nose. Let's go home." We heard the ranger say disappointed.
"Nigel. Junior. You both risked your lives for me. Thank you all." Basil said happy before pulling all of us into a hug.
"Your welcome Basil. But how about we get out of this head." I suggested.
"Sure." He laughed letting us go. Gettig up, we walked out of the head where Muriel was waiting for us. "I never knew how much I meant to me family, but now I do."
"Oh, Basil. You know you me the world to us, too." Muriel said hugging him.
"Not to me. Let's get." Eustace complained.
"Ha, ha, ha. Uncle Twinkle Toes. Always making me laugh. We're all going to make a great team we will. Listen to this next job." Basil said smiling.
"Basil. I think it's time we all turned a new leaf." Muriel said seriously.
"What are you saying Mama Mashed Potatoes?" Basil asked.
"She means that we no longer do any crime." Winter clarified.
"WHAT!" Basil asked shocked before turning to me and Courage. "Nigel. Junior. You both want to do another job with me. Don't you?"
"Nope." I answered with Courage shaking his head as well.
"Uncle Twinkle Toes. You're out too?" Basil aske turning to Eustace.
"AAHHHH!" He screamed. Looking over, we saw that he was being attacked by a rabid looking squirrel.
"Should we go help him?" Weiss asked.
"Nah. At the very least, we won't hear him complain or interrupt this conversation." I answered.
"You're all serious then?" Basil asked looking back at us.
"We are." Winter answered.
"All right. I guess that clinches it. I'm just going to have to do what Nigel and Junior always told me I should do." He said sadly.
"And what is that?" Weiss asked.
"We don't know." I answered with Courage shrugging as well.
"Either way. We can discuss it more detail when we get back as its quite late." Weiss said before letting out a yawn. We all just nodded and agreement.
Farmhouse
"'But I'm happier than I ever been. Thanks to my loving family. Love Basil. Licensed eel massage therapist.'" Muriel said reading the letter Basil sent us.
It was a few days since the whole incident with Basil. Winter and Weiss had gone back to Atlas to enjoy some more time together. We were currently on the porch of the house reading the letter basil sent us. Durning the trip back, Winter, Weiss, Courage and I discussed what we should do with Basil as he is a wanted criminal. But ultimately, we decided to let him go as despite being dangerous, he was mainly confused. And now that he fully agreed to stop doing crime, we figured he was no longer a danger to anyone. But Winter did say she will send some people to keep an eye on him.
"A professional massage therapist for eels? Isn't that lovely?" Muriel asked.
"It sure is." I answered.
"But I wonder what the lad did with the rest of Mount Rushmore? I guess we'll never know." Muriel wondered.
'Should we tell her?' Courage asked.
"She wouldn't believe it." I answered. Apparently, the other heads of Mount Rushmore, Basil somehow managed to put them under the farmhouse in the middle of the night without making a single sound. Something that baffled both Weiss and Winter when they saw it.
'What should we do with them anyway?' He asked.
"Winter said she's getting in contact with some authorities and making plans with some Atlas personal to return and fix the heads of Mount Rushmore." I answered.
'Wonder if we'll ever see him again?' He wondered.
"Maybe." I answered. Though in the back of my mind, I made a note to invite him to the wedding between me and Iris if he is no longer a criminal by then.
Note:
(2) Night of the Scarecrow with Qrow, Ruby and Yang. (3) Curse of Shirley with Qrow, Yang and Ruby. (4) Wrath of the librarian with Blake. (1) Squatting Tiger, Hidden Dog with Nora and Ren. (5) Thousand years of Courage with Sun and Neptune.