"Phew! That was a big rush!" Ben said as he, Sly, and Bentley had just finished sneaking into Don Octavio's lair and hacking into his computer to get the deets on his dirty dealings. They had to deal with a few guards along the way but eventually, Bentley managed to get the goods on Octavio's tar operation.
Neyla had also gone and taken photos of Octavio performing his daily tar pollution. Bentley had gone to help her take down the nearby Ferris Wheel, which Octavio had actually been using as a secret tar pump.
"I know, I liked how you took down that guard that tried to jump Bentley. Hell hath no fury like a friend scorned, after all." Sly said.
Ben nodded before checking the digital clock in his bionic arm. His eyes then widened when he saw it was almost time for Carmelita's midday patrol, which was when Octavio's Blue Viper Gang would try and assassinate her.
"Guys, we need to hurry! Carmelita is almost about to go on her midday patrol! You know what that means!"
Sly and Bentley perked up before nodding as the trio all rushed out to arrive and see Carmelita just leaving in her canal. Thankfully, there was another canal for the three of them to take. Bentley began hotwiring the boat while Ben and Sly got ready to pilot it.
"Let's see, just cross the red wire with the blue wire, and, Shazam!"
"Alright, let's roll!"
"I'll shoot, Ben will watch, and Sly will drive!" Bentley ordered as the canal chased after Carmelita, soon seeing the Blue Vipers nearby.
"There go the Vipers!" Sly pointed out as Bentley opened fire with the turret attached to the canal and Ben took aim with a small sniper blaster in his bionic arm, soon shooting the Vipers off their boats with quick-timed headshots.
Soon, all the Blue Vipers had been dealt with. Carmelita was completely unaware of the fact the Cooper Gang had once more saved her life.
"Another uneventful patrol. This city is beautiful, but a bit quiet for my tastes."
The trio then parked their gondola and disembarked as Bentley gave Sly a look.
"I hope you realize that by saving Carmelita, we're only making our operation here more difficult."
"Maybe so, but what's the fun in stealing if there's nobody trying to catch you? Besides, she's helped us out in the past." Sly pointed out.
Ben just smirked. "That, and you've got a thing for her."
"And I've a got thing for her. Look, I'll stash this boat, it might be useful for later. You two stay out of trouble."
"Right-O."
With that, the trio split up, Ben heading to where Carmelita was parking her gondola and soon landing beside her, causing her to turn and aim her shock pistol at him before settling when she recognized who he was.
"What are you doing here, Phantom Joker? Turning yourself in?"
"Actually, I just wanted to tell you that our gang just saved your life...Again."
Carmelita arched an eyebrow as Ben decided to explain. "Look, Octavio planned on sending the Blue Viper Gang to assassinate you but we intercepted them and took 'em out for you."
Ben then tapped a part of his bionic arm and a holographic screen showed the plans that Bentley had managed to uncover for Octavio's plan as well as the photos that Neyla had taken of him polluting the area of Venice with tar and even a recording he had with one of his henchmen.
"Listen, Giovanni. This Ferris Wheel was a good idea! She's a-pumpin' the tar fast! And nobody, but nobody suspects a thing! But still, is it gonna be enough for my big comeback recital?... Bella! When the people start to come and hear me sing I want to make sure they keep a-comin'! Even if they don't feel like it, one way or the other, they'll be opera fans again! Okay, see ya soon,"
"Also, we managed to uncover that Octavio plans on using all the tar that he's polluting the waters with as part of a big plan that he will unveil at his 'big opera recital' in a few days. He ultimately plans on sinking many of Venice's landmarks in order to intimidate the locals into liking opera again."
Carmelita narrowed her eyes as Ben showed her the plans and the pictures. "That lunatic. He's basically going to kill the entire city!"
Ben then typed a few coordinates into his holo-screen before closing it. "I just anonymously sent the evidence to your police headquarters. As thanks for this, I'm wondering if you'd be willing to help us out when the time comes."
"Fine. I guess I DO owe you somewhat. Especially after what happened with your arm."
Ben smiled reassuringly and flexed his bionic arm. "No worries! Bentley made a number of improvements to both his wheelchair and this lovely lady!"
After parting ways with Carmelita, Ben regrouped with everyone else back at the Safehouse.
"I'm sure we're all aware of what Octavio is doing. If he were to succeed, then Venice will be at the mercy of his mad demolition demonstrations. So, we need to plan this out. First, we'll have myself and Sly take out the balloons and sign that advertise the event. Without them, no one will want to show up, thinking it'd be canceled. Second, we'll need to get some blueprints to the main tar vacuum hidden in three coffee houses. However, they are under constant guard, so Ben and Neyla will use disguises to get in there and get the blueprints. Also, Octavio has hired some Vincenetti goons as insurance for the recital. Given that they're much larger than normal guards and they use flying chairs, I think that we'll have Sly try and convince Carmelita and her mercenaries to take them out for us. And finally, Murray, you'll need to take to the field to destroy some tar drums. You know of the Aboriginal Ball Form, right?"
Murray smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that was my first week!"
"Excellent! You'll be in charge of using your ball form to jump high into the air and demolish the tar drums by bouncing down on them and destroying them. Ben and Neyla will lead you to where you need to start before they begin their mission." Bentley said before turning to everyone. "Alright, let's get to it!"
Sly had managed to easily get Carmelita and her squad to take out the Vincenetti goons by setting them up against each other so Carmelita would step in and take out the thugs to help out her men.
As for Ben and Neyla, they each headed to two different coffee houses that had the blueprints to the main tar vacuum. Neyla managed to get past the first one without much problem as Ben soon came to the second coffee house.
"Ah, am I glad you're here. Mama's making spaghetti tonight and I'm starving!" The guard said in relief. "I'm gonna eat like three, no, four plates full!"
"Ah, mother's cooking..." Ben said fondly to himself, remembering the dishes his mom made before her death.
"Mama-mia! I want to be buried in her sauce, it's heaven!"
As the guard left, Ben set up a decoy to pose as him and then headed inside the coffee house, soon collecting the blueprints after cracking the painting safe inside. He soon regrouped with Neyla.
"Any trouble on your end?"
"Nah, just some nostalgia..." Ben said softly as he headed to the third house, but the guard there was quite feisty.
"Yeah, you know the code, but what's my nickname? There's only one Tony B on the payroll, and I'm famous in the family."
Ben put a finger to his chin. "Is it 'Tony The Killer B'? I bet you're famous from here to Sicily!"
Tony B just chuckled. "You're smarter than you look for a little guy. Okay, you can take over."
Ben took Tony B's place as he let Neyla sneak inside. After a few minutes of waiting, an alarm began blaring.
"Guess Octavio's smarter than he looks! Neyla, get out of there!" Ben said as he removed his disguise and saw Tony B coming back to stop him, only to get a punch to the face with his bionic arm.
"How's that for a Killer B?"
Neyla exited the coffee house and she and Ben made a break for it, escaping back to the Safehouse with the guards none the wiser. When they got back inside, they saw Bentley looking a bit upset.
"Hey Bents, what's got you all upset?" Ben asked his turtle pal.
"Octavio tried to kidnap me and I was completely powerless... he may be old, but he's still pretty tough."
"Well, he'll be getting put into retirement soon enough. We got the blueprints and Murray plugged up the tar pumps."
With everything in place, Bentley set up the slideshow for the operation.
-Operation: Tar-Be Gone!-
Okay, time to pull off the heist. Operation Tar Be Gone!" Bentley said as we then went over the plan. "First, Neyla will use her disguise to get into the opera house and down to the main tar pumping room to let in me, Ben, and Sly. Once there, using the blueprints, we will destroy the main tar vacuum in order to stop the tar from going into the waters of Venice. After that, I will offer to go onstage with Don Octavio for an opera duet. He's sure not to attack while on stage, so while singing, Sly and Ben will silently remove the ropes for the chandelier and drop it on Octavio's head! Carmelita will come to arrest him and by that point the tar is sure to have stopped pumping, allowing Murray to join up with us again."
Everyone soon got ready for their parts in the operation. Neyla put on her disguise as she tricked the guards into letting her into the main pump room, where Ben, Sly, and Bentley were waiting for her.
"Alright, boys. Time to get naughty~."
Bentley got to work, blowing up the tar pumps with his bombs. The guards were alerted and rushed to stop him, only to be taken down by the combined efforts of Ben, Sly, and Neyla.
"Heads up, gang!" Ben said as he charged his bionic hand with electricity and slammed it down into the floor. Sly and Neyla jumped out to safety as the electricity shocked all the remaining guards senseless and knocked them out. Bentley had thankfully put in insulators in his wheels to avoid getting shocked himself.
"Nice work, team. Is there still time to catch Octavio's recital?" Sly asked as Bentley checked his watch.
"We're right on schedule. If my calculations are correct, he should be about to perform an aria, originally written as a duet. That's when we strike!"
Neyla put a finger to her chin. "Are you sure he'll let you on stage, though?"
"Of course, he's a musician! He'll be overjoyed to have a lyrical counterpoint. Just be ready to drop the chandelier when I've lured him underneath." Bentley replied as the gang headed out, Sly, Ben, and Neyla going invisible while Murray watched from afar as Bentley wheeled up to Octavio.
"Ah, Mr. Tomato Fertilizer." The old Lion Beastkin growled. "You got a death wish?"
"I couldn't resist showing you up at what you treasure most...opera singing!"
Octavio arched an eyebrow in interest before smirking. "You're a vocalist? Fine, a duet is coming up. We'll sing first and then I'll GUT you."
"Bring it on, Grandpa, I'll sing you under the table!"
And so, Bentley and Octavio began going into an opera duet. Bentley managed to keep up with the mob boss in singing. When the song ended, Bentley hit a perfect high note before turning to his friends.
"Now!"
Sly, Ben, and Neyla nodded as they released the chandelier on Octavio, who gasped as he barely dodged out of the way in time, surprising everyone with just how fast he was. Suddenly, a shock pistol blast got everyone's attention as Carmelita stepped in.
"Freeze! The lot of you are going to jail!" She said.
"Good, she's keeping credibility with the force..." Ben thought as Octavio realized he was surrounded.
"This recital... is over."
With those words, he retreated to a nearby gondola piloted by one of his goons and drove off. Bentley and Sly chasing after him in their own gondola as Ben smirked as Neyla looked at him curiously as they rushed to meet up with Murray.
"What's got you grinning, love?"
"I knew Octavio had a gondola to escape in. Call it Protagonist's Foresight."
"Okay, what does that mean?"
"It means I rigged his boat to go out of control and crash!"
Ben then made a detonation gesture with the thumb of his bionic hand and an explosion echoed nearby as Octavio's gondola span out of control.
"No! More to the left, you idiot, we're gonna crash!"
Octavio's gondola crashed as Sly and Bentley parked their own boat and disembarked to confront him. Murray was also there, having witnessed the action.
"It's over, Octavio, you're beat. Give us the demolition switch and we'll all try to ditch these cops." Sly said as Octavio dusted himself off before taking out the demolition switch.
"You chasing me for this? Fine, big shot. It took me six months to prepare this thing...but what the hey! I got more where this came from."
"You guys see that boat go out of control and jump and smash into that thing? Destruction! So cool!" Murray cheered excitedly as Ben smiled and shook his head.
"Never change, Murray."
Octavio, however, glared at the Hippo Beastkin. "You think that was 'cool', punk?"
Chuckling, he pressed the button on the demolition switch and one of the buildings exploded, collapsing into the tar. Thankfully, there was nobody inside when it happened but it was clear Octavio did so as a demonstration of the damage he could do.
"You monster! Stop it! STOP IT!" Bentley screamed in anger, only for Octavio to knock him out of his chair with a flip kick, much to everyone's shock.
"Murray, I need your help. I've never seen someone move that fast. Octavio's old, but he's still got it. Let's take him together." Sly said as Ben and Neyla glared angrily at the lion for hurting their friend.
Murray looked hesitant. "But...but...I vowed to my Guru that I'd renounce all violence...and the water is still black!
"Oy! It'll be clear any minute! Let's take this old codger already!" Neyla shouted as Octavio grinned.
"You're right to be scared, hippo. Your wheelchair friend shoulda been so smart."
"Murray...H-Help..." Bentley weakly said.
Seeing his friend in danger again, brought back memories to Murray, memories he would have preferred to leave buried. For a brief moment, Octavio was replaced with the visage of Clockwerk, crushing Bentley in his beak while also slicing off Ben's arm.
With a furious grunt, the Hippo Beastkin tore off his bone necklace and pointed at Octavio, who actually flinched at the piercing glare he was being given.
"THAT DOES IT! I WILL FLOSS MY TEETH WITH YOUR SPINE!"
Murray then jumped down and punched Octavio in the face so hard, it actually broke off a piece of his mask, shocking him as he stumbled back from the blow.
"THE MURRAY RETURNS!"
"You think you can take me on, boy? Listen to the song of your death!"
Octavio dashed forward, swiping his claws but Ben stopped time for everything except him, Murray, Sly, and Neyla.
"Hey guys, did any of you ever watch Jojo's Bizarre Adventure?"
"OH YEAH!" Murray excitedly cheered as he and Ben rushed Octavio and began beating his frozen body with a barrage of punches from all sides.
"ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!"
"MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA!"
Soon, time resumed as all the blows caught up to Octavio at once, badly bashing up his body and breaking nearly all of his old bones as he collapsed in a pool of tar and his own blood.
"So that's it. The old guard's out and a new generation steps in...!" He sang the last bit before choking and falling unconscious as the gang rushed to help Bentley back onto his chair before escaping the cops, leaving Octavio to his fate.
*Ben POV*
After making sure Bentley wasn't hurt too bad, we made our way back to the Safehouse to unwind from the operation. Carmelita arrested Octavio, who got life in prison for his crimes against Venice. I also heard the beating me and Murray gave him forced him into a wheelchair permanently. Talk about ironic justice for Bentley, huh?
However, the true triumph in all of this was welcoming our old pal back into the gang. Once he put on those gloves and that mask, it was clear to everyone, most of all him, that "The Murray" had returned!
Next Time: Rumble Down Under!
Murray is still hesitant to fully rejoin the Cooper Gang, so they embark to Australia to speak to his Guru, only to find trouble has been brewing since Murray was away!