Hello readers! If you've read chapter 2 then prepare for chapter 3! Enjoy!
Chapter: 3
Dancing and singing along to the music, Wolf and his friends sped through the streets of Los Angeles. As for Boy, he held onto his dear life with Barks clinging onto his face as the child and the guinea pig swayed hitting each of the sides in the inside of the trunk. Boy made a note in his head saying: Maybe I shouldn't have jumped in the trunk in the first place. Big mistake! He peeked the latch open and discovered a whole fleet of cop cars had now joined the chase.
"Whoa," Boy gulped, "That really is a lot of popo"
Barks squeaked in fear and quickly slammed the latch shut as the Bad Guy mobile continued driving away at high speeds.
The chief's car was the first in front of all the other police cars. She pursued from the rear laughing like a maniac believing to herself that she will finally catch the animal criminals this time and lock them up for good.
(CHIEF LAUGHING)
"I'm gonna put you guys away for so long, your fleas will have fleas" She growled
She placed her baton on the pedal of the gas and climbed out the window—she would do whatever it took to catch the Bad Guys!
Wolf's face broke into an even wider smile. There was nothing quite as satisfying as seeing frustration written all over his favorite police chief's face. And he had a great view of her face…the face of King Kong, that is, seeing as she was hanging—suspended—between her own cars and his, like a bridge.
Shark leaned out the window. "Chief…you want some cake?" he offered. "You seem a little hangry"
(BAD GUYS LAUGHING)
The chief shouted back, "Get that thing out of my face before I…"
"Excuse me, Chief" Wolf cut her off
"What?" The police chief sputtered
Wolf pointed straight forward without taking his eyes off causing the chief to take a look at the road ahead. While she'd been focusing on stopping the Bad Guy mobile, her own car had nearly sideswiped a bus!
"Ahhhhhhhh!" she screamed, climbing back into her cruiser and clutching the wheel just in time to prevent a collision.
Just as the Bad Guys were making great headway Wolf discovered more police cars coming towards them. It looked like they were surrounded with no escape.
The chief chuckled, "You're mine"
But did that stop Wolf?…NO! He wasn't ready to give up that easy. The canine had a look of determination on his face. So without any hesitation, he slammed his foot on the gas pedal and accelerated towards the blockade of police cars. They were totally boxed in! But Wolf just kept accelerating as if he didn't see there was nowhere for them to go but straight into a blockade. The other Bad Guys, however, were concerned about what was going to happen as they each gripped onto anything that was inside the car.
Piranha glanced nervously next to his friend, "Hermano…"
At the very last second, Wolf threw the steering wheel to the left and drove down a huge staircase causing the chief and her deputies to crash all together. With the Bad Guy mobile flying in midair, all the Bad Guys flew out the sunroof, trying to swim back into the car; same for Boy and Barks who also flew out the trunk while trying to do the same. Soon the car was bumping its way down the stairs. The Bad Guys were screaming in terror, until they noticed Snake's birthday cake landed safely in front of them, but they resumed to scream. Barks clenched onto his master's face squealing with fright while Boy screamed at the top of his lungs fearing his young life would be over in a second.
However, the car landed safely on the ground with a thud, and continued to drive away.
The Bad Guys were understandably horrified before quickly placing their seatbelts on.
"Yeah," Wolf muttered, pleased as punch about yet another perfectly executed heist. "We maybe bad, but we're so good at it"
(BAD GUYS LAUGHING)
Putting his sunglasses on, Wolf stepped on the gas and floored away into the streets of Los Angeles. Boy then opened the latch to address the viewers once again; he looked as if he was ready to throw up.
"Yep," Boy said, "This definitely wasn't supposed to happen"
He shut the latch shut as he was being driven away in the animal criminals vehicle, unaware of his presence to them.
Back at the pile of police cars, the chief climbed out of her car and growled when the Bad Guys disappeared into the sunset…once again. She had failed to catch them. No matter how any times she chased them or thought she had them in a dead-end they would always escape her grasp. She fumed while throwing her hat on the ground, and stomped on it like an angry baboon.
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" She fumed. "Keep running, Wolf! One of these days, your luck is gonna run out!"
Now that they'd successfully dodged their way through a second cop chase, they headed for the lair. They zoomed into a river aqueduct, crossed through an abandoned tunnel, then finally arrived at an unmarked set of doors that opened automatically for them. Wolf steered the car into the parking lift, and the doors to the lair's entrance sealed up behind them. Safe and sound at home, hidden among the streets of Los Angeles.
They all sat and leaned against the hood of the car with bags of money while Piranha munched on a snack. Boy managed to get out and hide behind the car without any of the Bad Guys noticing him. He then turned his attention to the fourth wall and he shushed them.
(SHUSHING)
"Okay," Boy said, quietly. "So, moments ago, I was just minding my own business, right? Suddenly I start listening to monologuing in the back of someone's car and now here I am…in this strange elevator…being taken to—wherever here is here"
Barks poked his head out from behind his master's backpack and squealed loudly, before Boy shushed him.
(SHUSHING)
"Quiet! Not so loud" Boy whispered to his pet, "They don't even know we're here. We don't know who these people are but—something tells me we're about to find out"
When the elevator reached the top, the doors opened automatically revealing the hideout. Inside Wolf's lair, all their prized, stolen possessions were on full display. The roomy loft had plenty of space to display jewels, cash, priceless works of art, and all the other treasures they'd acquired over the years. When Boy saw this…he was speechless.
"Whoa!" Boy said, whisperingly, "So much loot!"
As soon as the kid saw the driver and his companions, he gasped. He suddenly recognized them for who they are. For most people, they'd scream and run away. But for Boy…he didn't seemed frightened at all. He was calm for a boy his age and he was yet determined to see what they were doing this evening.
"The Bad Guys? No way! I'm actually inside the infamous Bad Guy's lair" Boy said, happily and turned to the fourth wall. "That makes me the first human EVER"
Wolf bounced across the room to deliver the cake to its rightful spot on the table. Boy did his best to creep around so the other Bad Guys wouldn't hear or see him. The child then hid behind a medieval suit of armor. Opening his backpack, he allowed Barks to perch himself on his master's shoulder as the two watched the criminal animals gather around, preparing to sing to their grumpy snake pal.
"All right, Piranha, you're up" Wolf said
He knew Snake wasn't expecting this, but who wouldn't love the chance to have everyone celebrate you? Snake was annoyed. He definitely looked like a Mr. Grumpy Pants…only he didn't wear any. Like he said, he hated birthdays and yet he was celebrating with these guys.
In a surprisingly clear and lovely voice, Piranha began to sing.
"Oh" Piranha sang, "Happy Bir…"
Piranha's voice sounded like an angel singing, but before he could even get through the first line of the classic birthday song, Snake blew out the candles on the cake and glared at his friends, immediately killing the mood and his pal's song. Boy snickered at the reptile's stubborness.
(PIRANHA GASPS)
"Seriously?" Webs groaned
"I don't blame him" Boy whispered, to the fourth wall. "I'm not a big birthday fan myself. Six not-so-good birthdays and it's about to become a seventh this year. But don't tell anyone—that's when they start caring"
"Snake, come on," Wolf said, raising his glass up. "At least make a toast!"
(SNAKE GROANS)
"Toast! Come on!"
"Come on!"
"Okay, okay" Snake said, "All right. A toast"
"Whoo!"
"Fine" Snake said, as he began making his speech. "I've made a lot of enemies in my time…I mean, a lot…but out of all the people in the world, I hate you guys the least"
The other four were caught off-guard by this extreme compliment. Coming from Snake, that kind of sentiment meant a whole lot.
"Awwww," Webs cooed
Piranha began to tear up, overcome by his friend's emotional words. "That was actually kind of beautiful"
Shark nodded. "You're a poet, man"
Wolf lifted his glass into the air while Snake crossed his nubby snake arms in defiance. "To Mr. Snake," Wolf cheered. "And his strange dislike of birthdays"
(OTHERS WHOOPING AND LAUGHING)
Wolf, Webs, Shark, and Piranha all cheered loudly while Snake waved them off—he was totally overcome with embarrassment. Snake always hated this kind of attention.
"Snakes have birthdays?" Boy questioned, raising a brow. "Now that's something you never see at this universe. I'd call it an omen"
As Wolf lifted his arm in front of them while holding a camera, preparing to take a selfie to capture the big moment, he cried out, "Everyone say, 'Robbery!'"
"Robbery!"
Wolf inspected the picture, grinning at the result. "Oh, look at those dimples…Happy Birthday, buddy"
Snake gestured to the cake, "Okay. Now, dig in, fellas"
"Yes!" Piranha cheered
Piranha jumped up and buzzed through the cake—munching wildly and licking the frosting off his fishy lips—not leaving a single slices for any of his friends. He was indeed a hungry little maniac. Boy's face scrunched in disgust by the sight which made him remember the car ride he had taken. The kid covered his mouth with one hand and hid away.
"Piranha!" Webs yelled
"Don't do that" Wolf told him
(PIRANHA SLURPING)
"That was so gross" Webs commented
"That was my lunch!" Shark moaned
"You snooze, you lose" Piranha shrugged, smacking his mouth
Across the room, Snake hardly even noticed the cake argument happening at the table. He slithered away to stick his newest group selfie in the middle of the fridge, admiring this one lined up next to all their other Bad Guy "family" photos. They'd really had some good times over the years, he and the guys. This made this reptile smile. When Boy noticed too, the kid couldn't help but express a small sad look on his face. While growing up, all he's ever known was that he was never able to get adopted by a family who wanted him—to love him and to protect him. Even when he's mostly caused trouble in his life he wished someday that "family" moment would finally become a miracle. He just didn't know where to find it.
Snake was about to open the freezer until something caused his nose to twitch. The reptile took a few suspicious sniffs with his forked tongue—he smelled something odd.
(SNAKE SNIFFING)
"Do I smell…" Snake said, tasting the air, "…a guinea pig?"
Boy's eyes widened in fear before glancing to both his shoulders. Barks—he was nowhere perched on him. It wasn't long before the child caught sight of his furry friend scarring towards the group of criminal animals.
"Barks!" Boy quietly, grumbled. "Get back here!"
Boy slid on his stomach and snatched Barks in his grasp and scurried back behind the suit of armor again. He then shoved the guinea pig back into his backpack and zipped it shut not allowing his friend to leave his sight again. The child quietly peeked behind to see if Snake was still trying to catch his scent before he decided to change his mind.
Snake moaned, "That's too bad. Would've made a better dessert than cake"
(BOY SIGHING WITH RELIEF)
Snake then opened the freezer and reached to grab his own favorite treat—a frozen push pop.
"Nice" Snake said, looking very happy
But before he could even open the thing, Shark popped up behind him and started moaning and drooling with hunger.
(SNAKE GASPS)
"Ooh..wow" Shark moaned, "I forgot we had those Push Pops. Man, my tummy is rumbling like a kraken right now"
"Yeah," Snake knew the push pop was the last one in the box. And his friend wanted it. This suddenly gave the reptile a sneaky opportunity. "Want it?"
Webs called out, "You know he's not gonna give it to you"
Shark shook his head. "No, I believe that deep down, Snake is a kind and generous soul"
Shark commented with a smile causing Snake to grow an even more sinister smile of his own.
After a pause, Webs asked, "Why?"
Snake held out the push pop, waving the icy treat in front of his friend's nose. "Here…take it"
Shark grinned and jumped with excitement before opening his mouth wide, "Oh, yeah! Pop me, please!"
But before Shark could get his first row of teeth on the push pop, Snake tossed it into his own gaping mouth and swallowed it whole. Shark's jaw hung low saddened to watch the push pop go down Snake's stomach instead of his.
Laughing, Snake teased, "Sucker!"
"Come on, man!" Shark whined. "Now you're gonna make me get all aggressive"
He growled and pounced on his friend. The two Bad Guys began to brawl, fighting over a push pop that was now long gone. The other two Bad Guys joined in just for fun. Boy chuckled by the sight, covering his mouth trying to hold in his laughter. Watching this fight made him realize some things that were satisfying: Fighting over a Push Pop? And these guys are supposed to be the infamous Bad Guys? More like big dummies—in his opinion.
"Man, that big dummy sure wanted that push pop," Boy commented
Gazing fondly at his two best friends, fighting over an icy treat like a couple of brothers, Wolf murmured, "Animals"
"Spit it out! Spit it out!" Shark growled
"Never!"
Wolf made his way over to settle on the couch and snapped on the TV as he said, "Let's see what they're saying about us today."
On the TV, there was a banner that read: BREAKING NEWS! BAD GUYS STRIKE, POLICE STRIKE OUT. A young, ambitious, and nosy news reporter named Tiffany Fluffit was standing in front of a staircase behind her. Anytime or anywhere the Bad Guys spread chaos, she would always be the one to give details.
Boy just rolled his eyes, "Ugh! That suit—that hair—that woman needs to get a life and a new face"
"What's up? It's Tiffany Fluffit, Channel 6 Action News" she chirped into the microphone, "The Bad Guys have struck again…"
Wolf smiled and called out to his pals, "Guys, guys, stop it! We're on TV"
Everyone stopped fighting with Shark trying to punch Snake, who wrapped himself around while biting his fangs in the big predator's nose, Webs stopped from slapping Snake with his hat, and Piranha was spat out from Shark's mouth.
"…proving once more that they are the most diabolical criminals of our time," Tiffany finished
Everyone quickly crowded in grabbed a seat on the couch to see what news was reporting about them after today's bank robbery
"Ooh, diabolical," Webs said, rubbing her eight legs together. "That's new"
"Know what it sounds like? A cologne" Shark giggled. He switched to a suave, cologne-ad voice. "Diaboooolical…"
They all chuckled and continued listening to the TV, as the reporter continued, "To address this heinous crime spree is the newly elected governor, Diane Foxington"
"Governor?" Wolf gasped, amazed that they'd gotten attention from someone so high up in the government. This was big time!
On the television screen, a sophisticated-looking fox who wore a powerful grey suit over a white collared shirt with black tie, thin framed glasses—with a dark silver piercing on the left eyebrow, a diamond necklace, a diamond bracelet on her right wrist, grey dress pants, and black high-heels.
Boy gasped and smiled, "DF!"
The child knew the governor-looking fox very well. To him, she was family to him…or at least he thinks he knows. Just by looking at her in the TV made him remind himself to check his cell phone. Unlocking the screen with his finger he discovered a text was left a couple of hours ago. It was from Diane.
The text said, "DF: Hey, kiddo! Just checking to see how everything's going. Hope you're doing well. Be safe. Miss you. I'll visit you soon"
Boy then turned to face the fourth wall, "DF and I go back a bit. You see, I've known her since I was a baby. And if I'm being completely honest…she's kind of the only person I know as family. Let's just say—her mother and my mother were both mothers! Kidding! She claimed that she knew my parents very well, said that they were her true friends while growing up. Of course, she wasn't really the "mother-type" of gal because she wasn't around to take care of me (which God I don't understand why). She was always a night owl—well, night fox—but you understand where I'm going at here. When she told me she would be getting his governor job and promised to see me again with a special surprise. I can't believe it really paid off!"
Boy continued to watch the TV as a gaggle of reporters fired questions at the governor, Diane held up her hands calmly trying to get everyone to settle down.
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
"Okay, yeah. I hear you, I hear you" Diane said, "Listen, listen. We all know how dastardly the Bad Guys are"
Wolf leaned forward, and answered. "You bet we are!"
"But more than anything," Governor Foxington continued, "I feel sorry for them"
Wolf stared at the screen in horror. "WHAT?"
The governor continued, "These so-called Bad Guys are really just second-rate has-beens. Behind their amateurish antics and, frankly, unoriginal capers…I mean, really…another bank?…is nothing but a deep well of anger…"
"I ain't angry!" Piranha shrieked, angrily. "You're angry!"
"—denial," the governor added
Webs crossed her arms and snapped, "Not true!"
"—-and self-loathing," Diane Foxington continued
"The only one I self-loathe is you!" Snake hissed
Unable to hear them through the TV, obviously, the governor just rambled on with her ridiculous word vomit. "And those are holes that no amount of cash or priceless art can ever fill."
As she finished her monologue, the Bad Guys all looked uncomfortable—glaring at the governor through the TV with murder in their eyes. They were used to people fearing them, sure. Hating them, sometimes. But no one had every pitied and felt bad for them. That was low. Wolf was mad—he wasn't expecting this kind of reaction from their bank robbery—especially from a fox. Boy just giggled to himself watching the Bad Guys getting roasted on live television.
"What's on the Food Network?" Snake asked
Glaring with anger, Wolf turned to face the fourth wall, "Who-Who is she to judge us?"
Looking back at the television, the canine growled.
Boy peeked from behind the armor and smirked, "Yep, same ol' DF"
Still watching the television, the governor had more to get out. "So, let's forget about the Bad Guys," she said confidently. "And focus on more positive things! And what could be more positive than the annual Good Samaritan Awards, where tomorrow night I will present the Golden Dolphin to this year's 'Goodest Citizen.'"
Wolf flicked off the TV, fuming. He didn't need to hear any more of her garbage about him and his friends.
"I can't believe I voted for her," Webs muttered
"You voted for her?" Piranha asked, incredulous
Webs shrugged, "What? She's good on climate change"
Wolf's scold suddenly turned into a mischievous smile spread across his face. That smile that Snake knew only meant one thing: an idea—a plan—a bad, bad plan.
"Wait—What's going on?" Snake asked, "You've got that twinkle in your eye"
Wolf's grin grew wilder as he got up and walked to the window. "Guys, who's up for another job?" he asked, removing the shades. "A BIG ONE"
He opened one of the shades in the apartment, revealing a giant billboard announcing the "Good Samaritan Awards," with a picture of the famous Golden Dolphin trophy in the center of everything. The dolphin itself was solid gold, with precious emeralds for eyes. It was the ultimate prize, the greatest heist possible in all the world. Boy, who understand what Wolf was talking about, stared at the billboard in awe. He knew at that moment that Wolf and the others were planning on stealing the Golden Dolphin as their next mission. The wheels in the kid's mind began to turn, realizing that this could be his fresh start to villainy. If he could get his hands on the statue, first…he'd be making history! Or in Shark's case—diabolical history! Boy's smile grew sinister.
(ALL GASPS)
The Golden Dolphin?" Snake asked, "Seriously?"
Piranha was shocked by the idea. "Oh…I thought I was the crazy one"
Snake slithered off the couch. "That job has broken every criminal who's tried it: The Bucharest Bandits, Lucky Jim…"
"The Crimson Paw," Shark added
"Actually, the Crimson Paw was never arrested" Webs corrected him
"Yeah," Snake said, "But he never stole anything again"
Wolf shook his head, undeterred. "Snake, what better way to wipe that smirk off the governor's fuzzy face, than stealin' the Golden Dolphin from under her whiskers?" He paused, looking around to try to gauge the rest of the group's opinion. "This is the holy grail of thievery. If we pull this off, we'll cement our legacy as the greatest criminals of all time!"
Snake wasn't convinced. "Whoa, whoa, buddy. I thought we weren't supposed to make things personal. Besides, we've got a good thing going here. Friends, freedom, and just look at this loot!"
Boy scoffed by the reptile's words. "I'd like to take their loot and have it all for myself"
Sure, it could be an amazing heist…but what if it all went wrong? They'd lose everything they'd built up until now. Snake didn't want to do this and risk everything, just to prove some politician wrong.
Wolf, looking disappointed, sighed. "All right, you're right. Forget it. The Dolphin job is off"
"Good," Snake replied, slithering away
But Wolf, however, had another trick up his sleeve…
"I guess the pig will get his trophy after all," Wolf added
"Yeah, I guess he would…" Snake stopped, then swung around to look at his friend for clarification. "What do you mean, 'pig'?"
"Oh," Wolf said casually. "Yes, did I not mention that? That's weird. I thought I mentioned that it was…"
He lifted another curtain, revealing the rest of the billboard outside their secret lair's window. It showed that this year's recipient of the Golden Dolphin award was none other than Professor Marmalade, the cutest—and most delicious-looking—guinea pig on Earth!
"The tiny weirdo?" Boy said, in his thoughts. "Him? They should've awarded him a kid-sized toilet seat instead"
Shark's giant mouth hung open wide, revealing rows and rows of shiny, sharp teeth. "The Good Samaritan is…"
"A guinea pig?" Webs added
Snake's tongue flocked out of his mouth, tasting air at the mere thought of guinea pig. The frozen push pops had done nothing to curb his appetite. What he wouldn't give to have a nice, tasty, hairy guinea pig right about now. He snapped backward, but even just looking at the giant image of Professor Marmalade's delicious picture was making him drool.
Wolf could tell by Snake's hungry expression that he got him right where he wanted him. The canine smiled. "What do you say, Snakey? Better than cake"
The rest of his friends laughed teasingly causing the reptile to slap his tail over his forehead.
Snake growled, "Arrrrgh, okay, fine. But he better be delicious"
Everyone else smiled. It was a plan. A big bad plan. Wolf rubbed his paws joyously before putting his left paw in the middle of his group of friends.
"Are we all in this together?" Wolf asked, glancing at each of them in turn
Piranha and Shark both put their fins in. Webs put four of her legs in. And finally, Snake put his tail in. It was on.
"Let's do this!" They all cheered in unison
Boy peeked from behind the armor with an evil smile on his face. Barks, too, made the same expression as his master.
"We're going to get that Dolphin, first" Boy declared. "Dummies or no dummies"
Barks panted his tongue out with excitement. The Bad Guys may have had a plan but Boy had a better one. One that would elude Wolf and his friends from right under their noses.
Boy then turned to face the fourth wall, "If you think they're clever? You just wait and see. I'm gonna give them a heist they'll never forget. I won't explain it, though. You just watch…listen…and learn"
Wolf nodded. He couldn't wait. "So here's the plan: Just like every year, the ceremony will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts…"
Oh boy! Looks like the job for the Golden Dolphin is on! But the question is…who will steal it first? The Bad Guys or Boy? To find out…stay tuned for chapter 4 soon! And please leave a review.