After finding the flight line-up in the Baron's hideout, Ben and Sly returned to their hotel room so Bentley could lay down the plan.
"Okay, as we're all aware, we'll be pitting up against Iceland and Belgium. But as we are also aware, we only have four flyers for our team while both of our opposing teams have 15 flyers apiece. So we're going to need to do some deviousness. First, Ben and Neyla will proceed down the sewers to get into the vent systems for Team Iceland's room in the hotel. Steal one of their trademark Viking helmets and then get back through the sewers. Then we'll destroy Team Belgium's prize plane and plant the helmet to frame Team Iceland!"
"Oh yeah, destruction!" Murray cheered as Bentley nodded before continuing.
"In the meantime, Sly, the Guru, and Murray will work together for a job. Murray and Sly will steal one of Belgium's monogrammed handkerchiefs while the Guru proceeds to bust down the door to the delivery truck carrying Team Iceland's lucky ice sculpture. Sly will then swipe the sculpture and promptly get rid of it while planting the handkerchief in the safe. You guys got that? We frame both teams and get them to go after each other!" Bentley finished as he smiled widely.
"Sure, but what about our old friend, Muggshot? I don't know why, but I have a weird feeling about him. He said he had 'too much riding on this.'" Ben pointed out as Bentley rubbed his chin in thought.
"We'll get to that when it happens. In the meantime, we've got jobs to do!"
Ben and Neyla headed out to steal Team Belgium's Viking helmet from their room but Ben stopped when he noticed Muggshot on the phone, walking back to the hotel, it seemed.
"Yeah, don't worry, Rubes. I'll win this for our kid, no pressure about it." The Bulldog Beastkin then hanged up before noticing Ben, who ushered Neyla to go on ahead without him.
"Well, well, if it ain't Mr. Japanese Comic Book. Been a while since Mesa City." Muggshot said before noticing Ben's bionic arm. "Love the new arm. You doing a Sci-Fi movie stunt?"
"Actually, Clockwerk chomped it off with his beak before we destroyed him for good," Ben explained as Muggshot winced sympathetically.
"Geez, tough break, pal. Sorry to hear that..."
"Well, glad to see you got a heart underneath that tough musclebound exterior," Ben said with a thankful smile before smirking. "And it seems you still forgot to do Leg Day."
"Laugh it up, wise guy! These guns are all I need to get around!" Muggshot retorted as he flexed his biceps. Ben laughed playfully before clearing his throat.
"You know, I overheard you talking about something riding on your potential victory. What seems to be the matter?"
Muggshot looked a little awkward before sighing. "Alright, I guess I owe ya an explanation. See, me and Mz. Ruby? Yeah, we've been goin' steady ever since we got let outta jail. We even have a kid of our own. I'm hoping this here tournament and its prize money can be my way to legitimately get her college funds in order."
"Well, I'm sure both you and Ruby are doing happily together. I had a feeling you two were an item. Glad to know I was right."
Muggshot rolled his eyes before poking Ben's chest. "Listen, if it means anything, I'll gladly help your team out. Figured I'd, y'know, make up for what Clockwerk did to your folks. But you gotta do somethin' for me in return, see?"
"What's the price?"
"Well, ya see, I was wondering if you'd be willing to lend us the prize money if you fellas are the ones to beat the Black Baron. I'd even be willing to lend a few extra planes for the occasion."
"I see no issue with that. For this mission, you're an honorary Cooper now."
Ben then placed his hand on both of Muggshot's shoulders as if knighting him. The Bulldog Beastkin smirked as he headed off while Ben went into the sewers to rejoin with Neyla.
"Well, what did you two boys talk about?"
"Muggshot will be providing aid for the dogfights. Turns out he and his old partner Mz Ruby are together and have a kid. He's hoping the prize money will pay for her college funds."
"Well, looks like we've got an alliance, love."
Ben and Neyla boarded a raft and, using a propeller via Ben's bionic arm, moved swiftly through the sewer systems until they came into the ventilation shaft that would lead them to Team Iceland's room. After getting inside, the couple snuck past the cleverly placed traps the Belgians had left scattered around the room before swiping their Viking helmet and escaping back into the raft.
There was a little bit of trouble since the valve gates changed directions. Luckily, they were able to make it back and soon arrived at Team Belgium's hangar, where Murray was waiting for them.
"Good to see you guys! I managed to get one of the Belgians laughing so Bentley could snag his handkerchief. Now Sly and Master are busy busting into Team Iceland's truck to steal their lucky block of ice and swipe it with the hanky."
"Good on ya, Murray. We need you to smash up Team Belgium's plane and frame Team Iceland for the damage with this." Ben said as he handed Murray the Viking helmet.
"I'm down with that, brother!" Murray affirmed, slapping Ben on the back as he took the helmet and headed into the hangar. Ben and Neyla made it back to the Cooper Gang's hangar to make sure nobody tried to sabotage them and saw several of the Black Baron's guards flying through the sky while screaming their heads off.
Sensing something off, Ben quickly contacted Bentley. "Yo, Bents, you doing okay?"
"Yeah! Penelope is helping us get rid of some of the Black Baron's guards who are trying to sabotage our planes against his permission."
Soon, all of the guards had been disposed of thanks to Penelope's RC Chopper, which flew off as Ben waved it farewell.
"Alrighty! Once we get her on the team, we'll be unstoppable!"
"I must admit, even Arpeggio's drones couldn't do much with that pull."
"Attention all greasy-sweet pilots of the ACES competition! Get ready in your hangars for the semifinal round! In the first match is Team Cooper, Team Iceland, and Team Belgium. The second lineup is Team Black Baron, Team Canada, and Team Ecuador! And the final showdown in the skies is Team Muggshot, Team Korea, and Team Spain! First match contestants, please suit up and begin for battle!" Dimitri announced in the hotel lobby the next day.
"Alright, wish us luck, fam!" Ben said as he, Sly, and Neyla got into their planes.
"Stay sharp, you three! Iceland and Belgium will be at each other's throats up there, but you're still outnumbered!" Bentley warned.
"Relax Mom, this is gonna be great!" Sly teasingly responded as he, Ben, and Neyla took off one by one into the sky. As they soared through the air, they heard the radio chatter of Team Iceland and Team Belgium telling each other to gun for the other team.
"Looks like our pranks worked!" Ben said as he and Neyla flew close together before breaking off to shoot down a few stray Iceland and Belgium planes out of the sky. Sly did the same, using the flying tips from Otto van Cooper to pull some fluid and graceful movements.
"Eyes in the skies, peeps! The semifinal round between Team Iceland, Team Cooper, and Team Belgium is now underway. The fangs are out! Dogfight action, great action! Rarr-rarr-rarr!" Dimitri announced dramatically as Neyla chuckled.
"He always was one for color commentary."
"Sly! Do a Barrel Roll!" Ben cried to his blood brother on the radio before chuckling. "Heh, I always wanted to say that!"
Soon, all of Team Iceland and Team Belgium had been eliminated with Ben, Sly, and Neyla all tying in points. They landed their planes and Ben gave Sly a bro-hug followed by a playful headbutt as Neyla chuckled before wrapping her whip around Ben's waist and pulling him towards her as she grabbed his rear.
"You sure know how to fly a plane...but how about flying something else, love?"
Ben smirked as he turned to Sly and winked, the Raccoon Beastkin grinning and giving his blood brother a thumbs-up as he headed off to regroup with Bentley, Murray, and Guru.
Next Time: Turbo Dominant Eagle!
The ACES Final Round begins and Muggshot has a clever idea on how to help the Cooper Gang take down the Black Baron so that they can both get what they want from the ACES Competition!