The Cooper X Gang
By Mutitoon90
Chapter Fourteen: Operation: Weed out the Mugs.
Austin, 6:00 a.m.
Rad was in the kitchen and still up hours after the discovery of the identity of the person responsible for murdering Sam's parents, Neyla, who was not only supposed to be dead, but also Sam's aunt. Rage grew in Rad as he thought of the horror Sam might have felt that her own blood relative was killing her parents all because she could not reproduce.
"Rad?"
The raccoon turned and was face-to-face with Sam.
"Sam? I didn't hear you…"
"Rad, turn on the TV."
"What?" Rad asked, confused at Sam's request.
"Just do it." The feline said to the raccoon.
"All right." Rad said, unsure about Sam's demanded, but he obeyed and turned on the television.
Once on, the television showed a pink flamingo as the newscaster.
"On today's news, the wanted criminals Connie and Blyde were arrested this morning at five thirty by the Interpol detective, Carmelita Fox-Cooper with the help of her partner, Sly Cooper. The brother and sister gave no resistance when arrested. Rumors speak of the siblings being part of a underworld organization known as the Fiendish Klaws."
Sam turned the television off, and turned to face a very surprised Rad Cooper.
"How did you know about…" Rad started to asked, when Sam finished his statement.
"Your dad called."
"My dad?" Rad asked in shock.
"Yeah." Sam said.
"Does…?"
"He wanted you to know, but he hasn't revealed that he has been in contact with us to your mom."
"Good." Rad said, breathing in relief.
"And also, your dad suggested that we leave as soon as he gives us some information." The feline added.
"What?" The raccoon asked.
"Yeah." Sam said, "One of the Mugshots is really an undercover cop for Interpol."
"Wow!" Justin exclaimed, directing Sam and Rad's attention to him.
"How long were you standing there?" The cat asked.
"Since he heard the TV was on." Rad said, joking and honest at the same time.
"Really?" The cat asked.
"Yeah." The husky laughed sheepishly.
"Hey, guys!" Luna shouted to the three in the kitchen.
"Shh!" Hissed the cat.
Luna was confused.
"You're being loud, Luna." Rad explained.
"So?" The white wolf asked.
"We don't want the cops to find us." Justin stated.
"Oh, yeah." Luna realized that it was not a good idea to yell.
"But I have a question, if you don't mind me asking, Luna." Rad said.
"Go ahead." Luna replied.
"Why did Belle suggest your mom's place?"
"I don't want to talk about that." Luna answered.
"But I can."
The group turned to see Belle and Mar in the doorway, where Justin stood a few moments ago.
"Hi, Belle." Rad greeted to the green-haired mouse. Then he turned his attention to the brown rat and said, "Mar."
"Rad." Mar replied, while Belle said, "Hi, guys."
Sam, Justin, and Luna greeted back to Belle as also greeted Mar.
"As I was saying," Belle said after the morning greetings, "Luna's mom's house is the best place for three reasons. One: Luna is a member of the Cooper X Gang, making this house a base. Two: Her mother is too loyal to Luna to betray her or us."
"And the third reason?" Sam asked.
"My mom doesn't watch the news." Luna answered, finishing Belle's list.
An awkward silence fell into the room for a few moments, until Rad broke is by saying, "That's a very strong possibility."
Then, the telephone rang, turning the attention to the answerer of the telephone, which was Luna's mother, Victoria.
"Hello?"
Rad went to the kitchen telephone, quickly pressed the receiver, and listened to the conversation.
"Mrs. Lupinia-Lousteau, it's good to hear you."
It was Neyla!
"Who is this!?" Victoria demanded, which was very different than when she spoke to him and his friends.
"I have no reason to answer, but I do have a reason to call: tell Rad that if he wishes the safety of his parents or to himself, he will stay away from Samantha Down."
SLAM! RING!
The slam from Neyla's end of the telephone connection caused great pain to Rad's ear
"Ow!"
"Are you all right?" Justin asked, seeing the pain on his friend's face.
"I'll live." Rad responded, rubbing his ear.
"Where did you hear?" Belle asked, anxious about the conversation.
"I heard that Neyla wants me to stay away from Sam." The raccoon said.
"WHAT!?"
The gang turned to Sam, whose face was twisted and red with pure hatred.
"That monster had, has, and will never have the right or the power to demand what I should do with my life!" The furious feline frowned as she spoke.
"Sam," Rad said, coming towards the upset cat, "I'm not going to do what Neyla says."
"What?" Sam asked; her fury receding upon hearing the heir of the Cooper thieving line's words.
"You're right; she doesn't. And I'm not going to listen to that threat." Rad said, "You're a very important person to me, as well as Belle, Justin, Luna, and Mar."
"Is that true?" Sam asked to the friends.
"Of course." Belle said, "You're smarter than I thought you were."
"I like ya, because you're very self-dependent." Justin said in respect to the cat.
"You're a good friend." Mar said, kindly smiling.
"And you're one of the few people I truly considered to be family." Luna said, trying to be tough.
"And you still have more where that comes from." Victoria said, turning the attention to her and her company, Sly and Carmeilta Cooper!
"Mom! Dad! What are you two doing here!?" Rad exclaimed, truly shocked to see his parents.
"We came here for some news about Neyla." Sly said.
"Blyde told us about a call to this house, but you beat us to the other phone." Carmeilta said, somewhat blushing.
"Blyde!?" The group asked the fox.
"Yeah." Sly said, "He might not be 'book smart,' but he's smart enough to know that he doesn't want to go to jail."
"That's true…" Belle thought loudly.
"But he told us about Neyla's call." Carmelita said.
"But you two were late." Sam said.
"Yeah." Carmelita admitted.
"But we have a plan." Sly announced.
"What is it?" Justin asked bluntly.
"And what does it involve us?" Luna added.
"Yes, it does." Sly said with a grin to Luna.
"The plan." Mar reminded the elder raccoon.
"Of course." The fox nudged her husband.
"All right!" Sly said, "The plan is to capture Neyla."
That statement caught the gang's attention quickly, but Sam was the fastest.
"How?" The feline asked the law enforcers.
"It'll require for the gang to separate for a while." Sly explained, "It is so we can get the old Cooper Gang together to stop Neyla."
"Is that a good idea?" Sam asked Rad.
"Of course," The younger Cooper replied, "my dad's gang was the best."
"And in the Cooper gangs, teamwork is the most powerful tool we have." Justin added.
"That's how Clockwerk was defeated." Belle said with a proud look on her face.
"Sounds good." Sam said with a calm look on her face.
"It is." Sly said before resuming the explanation of the plan.
"Each one of you will go to the member of the old Cooper Gang that you know, and then, which is a month later, we'll meet up at San Francisco to begin the plan."
"That sounds like a plan." Justin said.
"But the rest of it will be explained at San Francisco." Carmelita added.
"How or where do we profit from this?" Luna asked, "I'm pretty sure we will not be paid in cash."
"You got it." Sly confirmed.
"But we're willing to give you six a clean slate, if you help." The vixen said, reminding the gang that they were still criminals.
"That's a deal." Mar said, silently hoping that it is true due to his parents' possible outrage.
"How's that?" Belle said.
"His parents are very strict, despite not being there for most of the time." Luna answered for Mar.
"Good point." Justin said.
"Yeah." Rad agreed.
"Now, here's the question: Are you guys in?" Sly asked.
The room fell silent.
"I understand." Carmelita said, "We'll let you guys think about it."
Then, the Coopers exited the room.
3:00 p.m.
Sam was in her room, sitting by the window, when Rad entered her room.
"Hi, Rad." The cat greeted without turning her attention away the window.
"Hi, Sam." The raccoon responded, a little surprised at his teammate's lack of response, "What's wrong?"
"Don't you remember?" Sam replied, still looking out the window.
"Sorry," Rad said, "I thought you were thinking of something else."
"That's okay." The cat said, finally turning to Rad with a bittersweet smile.
The heir of the Cooper clan saw the cat's red eyes and said, "You've been crying."
"Yeah."
Rad pulled out a neckerchief out of his pocket and gave it to Sam, who took it with grateful carefulness and blew her nose in it.
"Thanks."
"Not a problem, Sam." Rad smiled, but he was still worried about the feline.
"Is your mind on the offer still?" The cat asked, returning to the window.
"Yeah." The raccoon admitted.
"What's your decision?" Sam asked.
"Only if you tell me yours." Rad grinned.
Sam looked back at the raccoon; her smile vanished from her face.
"I don't know."
Rad's face exposed his great concern, causing him to ask.
"Why?"
Sam tried to explain, but she could not stop herself from crying.
"I don't…"
"What, Sam?" Rad asked, trying to figure out Sam's source of sadness.
Then, Sam quickly lunged to Rad's chest and went into tears.
"Sam?" Rad asked.
"I don't want to lose you!" Sam cried into Rad's blue shirt.
"You're not." Rad responded, "We're just going to be apart for a while."
"But I'm scared!"
"Of your aunt?" Rad said, feeling outraged at Neyla for turning her niece into an orphan.
"I have no aunt!" Sam said, still having her face in Rad's shirt.
"I meant…that monster." Rad replied, knowing Sam's hatred of Neyla.
"Yes."
"Then, I will not leave you." Rad said.
The cat looked at the raccoon face-to-face.
"What?"
"You don't want to be alone, and I don't…"
Rad stopped himself, because he realized that he was uncomfortable telling his feelings about Sam to Sam!
"What?" Sam mewed at Rad.
"I don't want you to feel that way." The Cooper said, thinking quickly.
"Really?" The feline asked, somewhat not convinced about Rad's words.
"Sure."
Sam turned from Rad quickly.
"What's wrong, Sam?"
"That's not what you were going to say!" The cat accused.
"But I did say the truth." Rad countered.
"But why did you chance your mind?" Sam asked, "I'm weird, strange, or worse?"
"NO!" Rad responded loudly, and then he cleared his throat and calmed himself before speaking again, "No, I like you very much; it's just a little hard for me to admit them."
"Them?" Sam asked.
"My…feelings."
"Well, Rad," admitted the feline, "I have feelings for you too."
Rad looked down to his feet, slightly blushing as Sam embraced him, giving the raccoon a small surprise. He returned the hug, and he held on few a few minutes.
4:00 p.m.
Rad entered the living room, where his parents were at talking to Victoria, Luna's mother. He looked around and saw the others with the exception of Sam, who was still in her room, waiting for him and Sam.
"Hi!" The raccoon greeted.
"Hey, Rad." Sly said, looking for Sam, "Where's your girlfriend?"
"Dad!" Rad rolled his eyes, "She's not my girlfriend."
"Not yet." Justin whispered to Belle.
"I heard that." Rad announced, startling the husky, while the others laughed.
"That's my boy!" Sly smiled.
Rad stretched the back of his head in embarrassment, before he asked his parents a question.
"Mom, Dad, can I talk to you two?"
"What is it, Conrad?" Carmelita asked, concerned about her son.
"Conrad?" Luna asked before she started laughing loudly with Mar.
"Yes," Rad growled at the white wolf and the brown rat, "my real name is Conrad. Blame my parents, not me."
"Sure, Conrad." Mar laughed.
"Left him alone!" Belle yelled.
"Give Rad a break!" Justin agreed with the mouse.
Rad walked to his parents, choosing to ignore the laughing duo.
"What's on your mind?" The vixen asked her child.
"It's something." Rad muttered.
"Is it Sam?" Sly grinned the Cooper smile.
"Yeah." Rad replied meekly.
Carmelita looked at her husband in confusion.
"Don't worry, Rad," Sly said, seeing his wife's concern on her face, "we'll understand."
"And you two won't take it the wrong way?" Rad asked.
"Of course, we won't!" The vixen announced loudly.
"At least not to your face." Sly added, earning a death glare from Carmelita.
Rad smiled a little, knowing what his father was up to, but Rad needed his father to be serious at that time.
"Sam wants one of us to stay with her."
The room fell silent…for a second.
"WHAT!" Belle and Justin was the first to voice their thought about Sam's thought.
"Not a chance!" Carmelita yelled at her son.
Sly, Mar, and Luna were quiet and seemed to not surprised of Rad's words.
"Carmelita, please calm down." Sly said to his wife, whose fury could be mistaken for a dragon's fiery breath.
"How can I?!" The fox roared.
Sly tried to speak, "If Rad said not to take something the wrong way…" but Carmelita stopped him by saying, "I know what he's going to say: 'And I was thinking that I would go with her.' Right?"
Rad rolled his eyes and said, "No."
"Then, what?" The vixen asked.
"It's just to keep Sam safe." Rad replied.
"It's true." Luna stepped into the conversation.
"She's always had that for a while." Mar agreed.
"You're kidding, right?" Carmelita asked the rat.
"No ma'am." Mar replied, "I'm not."
"You better explain." Belle said, while Justin nodded in agreement.
"Well, Sam has been alone before I met her." Mar explained, "Of course, with the exception of the Panda King and his daughter and son-in-law."
"The Panda King!?" Sly asked, surprised at Mar's words.
"Yeah." Luna said, "Mar and I knew about that for a little while, but we thought we would allow it to be her business."
"Okay…" Sly said, very unsure.
"Sly," Carmelita said, "Maybe it would be a good idea for someone to be with Sam."
Sly was shocked, but realized that what his wife said.
"As long as it's not Rad."
The vixen froze, but she did make a comment.
"That's what I prefer."
"But Sam has shown a fondness towards Rad." Belle admitted, hiding her fury.
"Really?" Sly said, impressed.
"It's nothing like that, Dad!" Rad said, knowing his father's thoughts.
"But it's enough to cause suspicion." Carmelita said.
"Ha ha." Sam said, entering the room.
"Hi, Sam." Sly said, in a teasing tone of voice.
"Hello, Sly." The cat greeted kindly, but when she saw Carmelita, she said, "Mrs. Cooper."
"Miss Down." The inspector replied.
"Mom, Sam, be nice." Rad said, feeling like he was playing the referee to the 'war' between his mother and his co-worker.
"Why should I?" The fox asked, sticking her nose in the air.
Rad tried to answer, but Sam was the faster of the two to answer.
"If you want my help, you should."
Belle 'coughed' the word 'burn', knowing that Sam was right, while the others laughed or giggled at the fox.
"You know, I didn't have to come to you." Carmelita pointed out, which was countered by Sam, who said, "Yet, you did. So, don't get mad at me."
The inspector glared at Sam, who stuck out her tongue at her.
"Watch it; I'm feeling that it's going to be worth the charge of police brutality, if I fight you, right now." The vixen said in a warning tone.
"Oh, like I'm scared." The feline taunted.
"Enough!" Rad yelled, "You two are acting really childish today."
"And here's the scaring part: I agree with Rad." Sly added.
"And we agree too." Luna said, while the others nodded in agreement.
"Okay." Sam complained, "We being really babyish."
"Agreed." Carmelita said, also tried of hearing the others' agreements.
"Now, back to business." Sly said.
"Yeah," agreed Rad, "Who's going to stay with Sam?"
"Not Rad." The vixen spoke out quickly and loudly.
"Not much chance of that." Sly pointed out.
"What was that?" The fox asked.
"Well," stated Sly, "It's not just your choice."
"That's right." Belle agreed.
"Yeah, Mrs. Cooper," said Justin, "most of us have families outside of the Cooper X Gang that were a part of the last Cooper Gang, while Sam doesn't, despite the fact that she's close to the Panda King's family."
"Yeah." Luna said, "I have my dad, and so does Rad and Justin, Belle has both parents, and Mar even has a father figure. Sam has no one."
"I prefer that Sam would stay with one of us, but she truly believes that she's alone without us." Mar stated.
Carmelita looked at Sam, who was looking at her own feet with a sad look on her face.
"I'm truly sorry, Sam." The fox humbled herself to the cat, "I thought you had something else in your mind."
"Like what?" Sam asked, truly clueless about what Carmelita was talking about.
Sly laughed out loud, but only after seeing his wife's confused face.
"Sam, you're telling us you don't know?" Rad asked, just as shocked as his mother.
"Yeah." The feline replied bluntly.
The others laughed loudly as an owl watched them, as well as the camera it had.
Somewhere else, a dark figure watched the events as her enemies talked to each other.
"Who would have guessed that Blyde would be the one to betray me. Oh, well, they did their job." A female voice spoke out.
Then, the figure pressed a button, which zoomed in on Sam.
"Well, Neyla," The figure spoke, "Your niece is as good as caught."
Next Chapter: The Big Plan.