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Chapter Text

“Another Clockwerk part had surfaced in India, so the boys and I loaded up the van and zeroed in on our next target: a mysterious spice lord known as Rajan. A self-made man who grew up poor on the streets of Calcutta, he started his life of crime selling illegal spices in the black market, eventually growing his small outfit into a sizable operation and earning himself a seat in the prestigious Klaww Gang. He's since crowned himself "Lord of the Hills", and while he goes to great lengths to convince others of his royalty, it's mostly to convince himself. True to form, he's holding a lavish ball in his newly-purchased "ancestral palace". The reason? To show off his latest acquisition: the Clockwerk wings. The symbol of my enemy. If you saw the wings silhouetted against the night sky, it was already too late for you, especially if your name was Cooper. Rajan believes displaying the wings will bring him prestige, and maybe they will, but they're also bringing me.”

Chapter Text

Sly Cooper entered the Guest House of Rajan’s palace.

“OK, Bentley, I’m in position inside the Guest House. Have any intel for me?” Sly asked.

“Ah, well, I’d recommend searching all the rooms. It’s statistically probable that each should hold at least one portion of a tuxedo,” Bentley explained.

Sly looked around the entry area, “What do I look for inside the rooms?”

“This isn’t an exact science; ransack the place until you find part of a tuxedo.”

Sly smirked, “Any plan which involves ransacking is OK with me.”

As Sly searched the rooms he found Bentley was correct, each room contained a piece of the suit he needed.

Sly swung his cane as he exited the final room, preparing to leave the Guest House.

“That is hardly subtle.”

Sly startles, not having known anyone was left.

Leaning against a wall was a female raccoon with grey fur that was darker than his own. She wore a dark purple two piece bollywood style dress. Her dark grey hair was braided over one shoulder.

“Ah, hello,” Sly greeted, carefully gripping his cane in case there was a fight.

“Trashing guest’s rooms is hardly polite and not subtle at all,” the female raccoon said.

Sly blinked, “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

The female smirked, “What do you think?” She tilted her head, brown eyes shining.

Sly froze, memories from twelve years ago surfacing.

Memories of hiding in a closet with his older sister as the Fiendish Five broke in and killed their parents.

“Katia?” Sly gasped.

The female grinned, “Been a while, hey?”

Sly stuttered, “Wha-? I-”

“Sorry but I have to go,” Katia stepped away from the wall, “See you round brother.”

Sly blinked, watching her walk away.

“-Can you hear me? Sly?” Bentley asked.

Sly swallowed, “I… Hear you.”

“Who was that? She called you brother?” Bentley asked.

“I’ll tell you back at the safehouse,” Sly replied, mind reeling over seeing her again.

Chapter Text

Sly approached the front door of Rajan’s ballroom and knocked.

The slot slid open.

“You got your tuxedo now… “Sir”?” The doorman asked, clearly aware that Sly was not a ‘sir’ due to his previous appearance when he knocked earlier.

“Of course, I do,” Sly replied, raising a brow, “I’m here to dance.”

“Then come on in,” the doorman said.

Sly entered the ballroom, dressed in the tuxedo.

“Your tuxedo disguise is working perfectly; no one will recognise you in that outfit,” Bentley said.

Sly walked behind the statue that held the Clockwerk wings and approached the main floor.

“Now, during the heist, you’ll need to dance with Carmelita to keep both her and the crowd distracted. The only problem is she’s picky about dance partners, so you’ll need to impress her first,” Bentley explained.

Sly spotted Constable Neyla in front of the statue with Carmelita nearby.

“All right, I know just the girl for the job,” Sly told him.

He approached the Constable, “Constable Neyla, you look lovely this evening.”

Neyla crosses her arms, “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“I used to chase after you back in Paris,” Sly replied, referencing their previous interaction.

“Paris…?” Neyla tilts her head before she realises, “Sly Cooper!? You aren’t by any chance here to turn yourself in? Old Ironsides would fall out of her dress,” Neyla glances back at Carmelita.

“As good as that sounds, how about a dance first?” Sly holds a hand out.

“ Enchanté,” Neyla accepts his hand.

Sly and Neyla began dancing together.

As they moved they made brief conversations and Sly eventually spotted Katia walk by the statue.

Katia stopped and stood by Rajan and Jean Bison.

“That fellow is very graceful,” Rajan commented.

“If only you moved spice shipments as well,” Bison snarked.

Katia rolled her eyes.

Rajan growls, “Silence!”

Katia puts a hand on the tiger’s arm, “Easy.”

Rajan glances at her with a small smile.

Eventually Sly and Neyla finished their dance.

“Thank you, that was delightful,” Neyla smiled slightly.

“Thank you, Constable Neyla. After all, it takes two to tango,” Sly replied.

“Yes,” Neyla agreed as Carmelita reached them, “And three is always a crowd.”

“Neyla,” Carmelita began, “Your friend here is quite an accomplished dancer.”

“I tried to make him look good.”

“Please, Neyla, his skills far surpass you,” Carmelita narrows her eyes at the Constable.

Sly looks at Carmelita, “Perhaps later you and I might share a dance, miss…?”

“Miss Fox. Carmelita Fox,” Carmelita introduces herself, “... And I accept.”

Chapter Text

“Okay, synchronise your watches. This heist is going to take extreme precision.

Here's the plan. I'll start things off by demolishing the palace's main bridge. That should cut off reinforcements from the guest house and hopefully distract the ballroom guards standing watch over the Clockwerk wings. Sly will then take Carmelita up on her offer for a dance, and while the crowd is transfixed by their tango, Murray will lower into the ballroom on the electronic winch. Once down, he'll cut the wings free and then winch back up for an exit. Murray should then make his way out of the palace. I'll cover his exit with the RC chopper. Once he's past the drawbridge, we're home free.”

Chapter Text

Sly and Murray headed off to move into position as Bentley went his own way to deal with the bridge.

“OK, Bentley, Murray and I are moving into position. You still think you can demolish something that large?” Sly asked, viewing the bridge through the binocucom link.

“It doesn’t take an engineer to figure out how to blow up a bridge,” Bentley replied before explaining to Sly his plan to destroy the bridge.

“Just watch your head when that thing becomes unstable…” Sly cautioned the turtle, “... We need that brain of yours in one piece.”

“OK, Sly, the bridge is down,” Bentley said after a few minutes, “I’ll warm up the van and get ready with the RC chopper… Good luck.”

Sly stood nearby, dressed in the tuxedo, as some of Rajan’s guards informed him of the bridge.

“What, the bridge is destroyed? Take all the manpower you need and look into it,” Rajan ordered his men.

Katia, who was perched on an armrest on Rajan’s throne, glanced over at where Sly was.

“Murray, you in position?” Sly asked.

“Check!” Murray replied, hanging from the winch.

Sly gazed around the main floor looking for guards, “It looks like Bentley’s little distraction did the trick. Initiate phase two: I’ll take care of Carmelita and the crowd, you handle the heavy lifting.”

Sly spotted Carmelita waiting on the main floor and crossed past Rajan and Katia to reach the fox.

“Miss Fox, I believe you owe me a dance?” Sly asked, adjusting his tie.

“About time, I thought you had left,” Carmelita replied.

“Just waiting for the perfect moment,” Sly said, holding his hand out.

Sly and Carmelita began to dance together.

Throughout the dance he could see Murray getting lowered behind the statute, he also saw Katia watching Murray too.

She didn’t look concerned nor did she tell Rajan, who was immersed in watching the dance.

Eventually after some chatting throughout the dance, he and Carmelita finished.

“Tell me, stranger,” Carmelita said, “What’s your name?”

“Why ruin the moment?” Sly tilted his head.

“Huh? I… I don’t understand,” Carmelita shook her head, confused.

Rajan stood suddenly, realising, “The wings! What happened to the Clockwerk wings?!”

Sly took that as his cue to leave, but not before leaving a rose with his symbol behind.

“-Cooper!!”

Chapter Text

“After the gang and I got away with the Clockwerk wings, Carmelita blew her cover and started making arrests left and right. With his reputation in shambles, Rajan was forced to flee from his own party. He's now in hiding, somewhere deep in the jungle. And with Katia in the picture too… That changed things. I don’t know how she’s changed since our parents died but she might be a problem. Clearly she’s close with Rajan, they were by each other's side the whole party and they fled it together, so she might pose a threat to us.

The gang and I took a break and headed for Bollywood. It took some doing, but we eventually snuck Murray onto the set of a full-blown Indian musical. I was happy the guys got to unwind, but Rajan and Katia were still out there, and somehow, I knew things were about to get tough.”

Chapter Text

“It took some detective work, but the Gang and I managed to track down where Rajan and Katia had gone into hiding. Somehow, they managed to transform a long, forgotten temple into the thriving centre of his spice operation, and it's there where we'll find them.

The jungle, too thick to drive through, forced us to walk the long distance to our target. We ran into a few problems along the way but pushed on. For the temple was more than just Rajan's hideout. It was also home to the Clockwerk heart, a pump so strong and tireless it could increase spice production tenfold. Good for Rajan but awful for the rest of the world. Hope he's not counting on that heart too much because tonight, it comes home with me.”

Chapter Text

First order of business was to take recon photos.

After navigating Rajan’s spice growing facility to reach the top, Sly found himself in the upper parts of the facility.

He pulled out his binocucom to take photos.

First one of Rajan, who carried a stick around.

“Check it out. Rajan’s carrying half of the Clockwerk heart on that stick.”

He took a photo of a hanging piece of the Clockwerk heart.

“Looks like half the heart is being used to super-irrigate the spice plants.”

He took a photo of the crane controls.

“Hmm, that crane is keeping half of the heart suspended.”

Sly saw the entrance to the room and took a photo.

“There’s the entrance to this level, only I can’t figure out how to get in here from the temple’s exterior.”

Sly lowered his binocucom as he spotted someone had entered.

Katia, dressed in a matching set of deep purple shorts and short sleeved shirt, entered the room.

She looked for Rajan before approaching the tiger.

Sly lifted his binocucom up as Katia began speaking, looking upset.

Rajan raised his hand, gesturing, and Katia appeared to yell.

Sly took a photo.

“Are they arguing? Do you think she might help us if we talk to her later?”

“I don’t know, she might listen but it probably depends on what she’s getting out of helping him…” Sly replied.

“Hmm, bring those photos back to the safe house… We’ll really need to think about this one.”

Chapter Text

“The Clockwerk heart is under some steep security. Heck, Rajan is carrying half of it at all times. To get at the goods I'll need to gather some more information. We should attempt to speak to Katia if we see her without a guard, she might be willing to help us and could prove incredibly helpful. Sly will plant a bug in Rajan's office while I lift the spice operation blueprints off the spice lord while he makes his rounds. Unfortunately, while we're collecting intelligence on him he'll be collecting data on us with an elephant-driven satellite array. Take it out, or he'll be able to intercept all of our communications.”

Chapter Text

As Sly went about completing missions, he’d occasionally catch a glimpse of Katia but was never able to reach her quick enough before she vanished.

Or at least he couldn’t until Bentley retrieved three of Rajan’s blueprints from the tiger.

Sly was doing a search for clue bottles when he spotted Katia exit the temple followed by a guard.

“Paranoid bastard!” She mumbled loudly.

“He only wants to look after you,” the guard replied.

Katia huffed, “I can look after myself.”

Sly watched as Katia and guard walked across the bridge where she then leaned and peered over.

Katia sighed.

Sly took this opportunity.

He smashed a pot that was near.

Katia’s guard turned.

“Go check that out,” Katia told the guard.

“Yes Miss,” the guard ran off towards the noise.

Sly traversed the lilypads to reach the other side of Katia.

“Hey sis,” he greeted, casually, leaning like she was.

She turned her head, “I almost didn’t hear you coming.”

Sly grinned.

“What do you want, Sly?” Katia asked.

Sly frowned, “Why are you working with Rajan?”

Katia looked down.

“Katia…” Sly peered at her face.

“Don’t try and give me a speech,” Katia told him, “That’s my job.”

Sly let out a laugh, “I wasn’t going to… But… Just tell me this… Where did you go? After our parents died…”

“I travelled… I researched…” Katia slowly explained, “I… Wanted to know more about Clockwerk… He’s immortal, powered by pure hate…”

“So that’s why you’re here?” Sly wondered.

“We both know what Clockwerk can do…” Katia said, “I’m with the Klaww Gang so I can stop them if they try to do something bad with him.”

Sly slowly nodded.

“My guard should be returning soon, you should go before he comes back,” Katia advised.

“Sure,” Sly stepped back, spotting the rhino guard approaching, “See you ‘round sis.”

“Sure,” Katia sent a small smile before Sly jumped away.

“How’d the search go?” Katia asked the guard when he returned.

“Could not find anything,” the guard replied.

Katia hummed quietly, eyes following Sly’s figure as the raccoon traversed the trees.

Chapter Text

“I've got some bad news: Rajan has gone into hiding somewhere in the temple with Katia. I guess the destruction of his satellite array and my invasion of his personal space to get the blueprints spooked him. To get his portion of the Clockwerk heart we'll need to drive him out into the open. Given Rajan's spice-addled temper, I recommend making him angry. First, we'll destroy the centre of his operation, the spice grinder. Then, we'll demolish the dam above the temple in an attempt to flood him out. If that doesn't work, I've made arrangements to exchange one of the temple's façade rubies for some high explosives which, if necessary, we can use to flood the whole temple grotto. If my psychological profile is accurate, Rajan should pick up the other half of the Clockwerk heart before making his escape with Katia. Effectively, bringing it to us.”

Chapter Text

Katia sat perched in a tree, binoculars in her hands, watching as Sly broke the ruby of the front of the temple.

She watched as Murray approached and picked up the ruby.

Katia smirked, wondering what they were needing the ruby for, as Murray followed after Bentley.

Chapter Text

“Partial flooding didn't work, so it's time to go the distance. Blowing up the temple's elephant mouth should turn this grotto into a swimming pool. I'll cover Murray from the chopper's gun turret while he pries the mouth open. Once that's done, Sly will need to walk the Cherry Bomb 500 into the throat, then get to high ground as fast as you can. Rajan is sure to show up and be extra angry. Jump him, snag his half of the Clockwerk heart and we're out of here.”

Chapter Text

When the Gang flood the temple Rajan exits with Katia at his side.

They jumped up to stand where the ruby had been.

“Black Clouds and Thunderbolts! My spice temple… Ruined!” Rajan growled.

Katia watches as Rajan points at the Cooper Gang, “I will no longer hide while you villains destroy my hard-won empire. This place is mine…” He snarled, “Here I am King! Come, face me, Cooper. With Clockwerk’s black heart, I will show you true power. You are nothing. Come, face the might of Rajan, lord of these hills.”

Katia watches as Sly talks to Neyla, before the purple tiger jumps on to posts and leaps across them to reach Reach and herself.

Sly follows moments later.

“Neyla, now!” Sly shouts.

“Sorry,” Neyla says.

“What are you doing?” Sly calls as Neyla jumps away.

Katia tenses as Rajan strikes Sly down.

Sly’s body falls into the drained lilypad pond.

Katia’s peers down, seeing Murray jump down, and watches Rajan jump down to face the hippo.

Katia watches as Rajan and Murray banter before they begin to fight.

It takes minutes for Murray to knock out Rajan.

Katia sees Neyla approach the pit, “Happy day!”

“Whuh? Neyla? Throw down a ladder Sly’s hurt real bad!!” Murray shouts.

Katia bites her lip.

Neyla makes no move to help.

“Can you hear me? I said Sly’s hurt!” Murray shouts.

Katia sees Contessa and Inspector Fox approach Neyla.

The raccoon can’t hear what they say.

Katia watches as Sly, Murray, Rajan and Carmelita are all arrested.

‘Where’s the turtle?’ Katia looks around.

Chapter Text

“Though statistically improbable, I had to face the facts: Neyla had betrayed us, my teammates were captured, and I was all alone. While intellectually inferior, Sly and Murray had always been a rich source of sociological interest. The long walk out of the jungle gave me time to reflect, and with each passing step, my sense of isolation grew. Shockingly, my comrades' absence had a profound emotional effect on me. This was it. This was the true test of friendship. Upon reaching the van, my resolve was hardened. I had to save my friends... but first things first, I had to learn how to drive a stick shift.”

Chapter Text

“It took a sleepless week of data crunching and some helpful unaddressed notes, but I eventually tracked down the location of my friends: locked away in the mysterious towers of Prague. At the moment they're the unwilling guests of Interpol's most renowned prison warden: the Contessa. While still a criminal psychology student, she entered into a whirlwind romance and married a wealthy aristocrat. Sadly, the union was short-lived, as the general "suspiciously" died a few weeks after the ceremony. The widowed Contessa put her education and newly acquired estate to work, by opening a criminal rehabilitation centre. Her pioneering use of hypnotherapy has produced some good results and subsequently earned her a prominent position within Interpol.

My friends are locked up somewhere in the clinic, and are slated for the Contessa's "good samaritan" brainwashing. If I don't bust them out soon, they'll be working a 9-to-5 job selling shoes, and I'll be out two best friends!”

Chapter Text

Bentley exited the safehouse.

“I should make my way over to the Contessa’s house,” Bentley said to himself, “Maybe I’ll pick up a few leads on the location of Sly and Murray.”

Bentley made his way through the town carefully, minding the guards.

Eventually he reached the Contessa’s house and positioned himself on top, in front of a satellite dish.

A figure dressed in black climbed up and perched on the dish, “You arrived in time.”

“Wah?” Bentley stared wide eyed at the black clad figure.

“The Contessa is making her rounds,” the figure says, voice seemingly feminine, “I would suggest you use this opportunity.”

“Are you the one who left me the notes?” Bentley asked.

The figure nodded, “Forgive me for not giving my name but if I get spotted helping you that will mean a lot of trouble.”

Bentley nodded and began formulating a plan, “... The feathers on my sleep darts vibrate near sounds. If I maintain my position on top of this parabolic dish I should be able to hear that frequency at a distance. If I tag the Contessa with my darts I'll be able to listen in on whatever she says... I might even learn where she's locked up Sly and Murray!”

The figure nods, “Good plan.”

The figure watches as Bentley tags Contessa with his darts and points out the spider’s location when she moves.

“Inconceivable! She's no health care professional,” Bentley begins, after hearing everything she says, “Why, that's the most heinous crime I've ever heard of! Putting inmates into hypnosis so they'll tell her where they've stashed their loot. It dishonours both law enforcement and thieves at the same time! I should get to work and figure out a way to break Sly out of "the Hole."

The figure nods, “I will assist how I can. If she gets her hands on the Cooper clan secrets it could spell the end for many.”

“The Cooper clan?” Bentley looks at her.

“Return to your safehouse,” the figure advises, “You wouldn’t want to get caught now.”

Bentley nods, “Right.”

Chapter Text

The black clad figure followed Bentley, traversing rooftops and powerlines.

The turtle reached a waypoint for a mission and pulled out his binocucom, focusing on a computer alongside the train tracks, “That computer is part of a control system for the electromagnetic train. By hacking all the terminals along the train tracks, I should be able to reverse their polarity…”

“...You’ll turn the train into a massive projectile,” the black clad female realised.

“And, its impact on the prison wall should create a hole big enough for Sly to escape through,” Bentley finished.

“Brilliant,” the female seemed to smile under the black cloth that covered her face.

Bentley carefully ran across the track while the woman leapt up onto the powerline for the train.

She watches quietly as he begins to hack the computer.

After a couple of minutes Bentley steps back, “That’s one down. The train should be picking up speed.”

“Be careful Bentley,” the woman told him, the pair racing towards the next computer.

The pattern repeated.

Bentley would hack a computer while the woman kept an eye out and the train would speed up.

And when Bentley hacked the final computer the train flew out of the tunnel alongside them and launched into the air, slamming into the prison wall.

“Yes!” The woman cheered.

“What a beautiful trajectory! Bullseye!” Bentley grinned.

The woman and Bentley began their next plan.

The guards on the wall.

Bentley sent his chopper into the air while the woman scaled the wall of the prison to wait on the other side of the broken wall.

It didn’t take long for the guards to be dealt with and the woman listened.

Sly climbed over the train and dropped down.

Sly looked at her, “You’re the one who’s been helping Bentley?”

“Yep,” the woman waved, “Bentley sent you the safehouse coordinates?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s get going,” the woman stepped away.

“Right,” Sly nodded.

Chapter Text

“Okay, here's the situation. I've done some deep database crunching and, with some help from our new friend, figured out that Murray is doing time in Cell Block D. Getting him out is going to be tough. As you know, he's not very light on his feet. First, we'll need to get Murray into an isolation cell away from the other inmates. Second, I'll need you to get a sample of the Contessa's encryption algorithm. Don't worry, I'll explain later. Third, you'll need to pickpocket a few keys from the Contessa, but watch out for her pack of bodyguards! And fourth, you'll have to deactivate her giant attack robot. No really, Sly, I'm serious. The Contessa has a giant attack robot. It just looks like a water tower. Now, once you've pulled off all these jobs, we'll be ready to make a play for the big guy.”

Chapter Text

As Sly snuck through a pipe that allowed him to talk to Murray, Bentley and the black clad woman began working on the cutting power to the prison security systems.

“So, what do you need me to do?” She asked as they reached the top of the bridge.

“As you know, the bridge is heavily guarded,” Bentley told her.
“Ah, right, you want protection while you set the bombs,” the woman nodded, “I can do that.”

Bentley began setting his bombs while the woman dealt with any guards that showed up.

The woman grinned as she and Bentley crossed past each other to alternate locations, “Like a well oiled machine!”

Bentley let out a laugh.

Chapter Text

The woman remained in the safehouse as Bentley and Sly completed missions in order to help get Murray out.

After a while Bentley returned from getting information and later Sly returned, grinning, having robbed the Contessa of three tank keys.

“Are you OK?” Bentley asked her.

“I think I would like you to know who I am,” the woman answered.

Sly perked up, “Really?”

She lowered the hood keeping her hair concealed, revealing dark grey hair.

Sly and Bentley blinked, ‘Have they seen that hair before?’

Then she lowered her mask.

“Katia?” Sly gaped.

“Oh!” Bentley said, “That makes sense actually.”

“It does?” Sly looked at his friend.

“She’s with the Klaww Gang but she’s been giving me information about the Contessa’s layout,” Bentley explained, “And I suppose it’s also why you didn’t want to be seen by others.”

“Yes,” Katia clasped her hands on the table.

“Why are you helping?” Sly wondered.

“I’ve seen the Contessa’s work,” Katia told them, “I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone. Bentley would’ve lost two friends and I… Would’ve lost the last of my family…”

“Thank you,” Bentley said to her, “I am grateful for your help.”

“Yeah same,” Sly waved, “I might still be in “the Hole”.”

Katia smiled.

Chapter Text

“Thanks to our recent efforts, we're ready to attempt a Murray rescue. I call this plan the "Trojan Tank." Step one: we use the Contessa's keys to steal one of her tanks. I'll jump in and drive while you, Sly, keep out of sight by crawling underneath. With some luck, the guards won't notice anything out of the ordinary and open the prison gates for us. We casually roll in and then blast the security doors to Murray's cell block. Once inside, you'll need to improvise your way up to the guard control centre and open the doors leading down to solitary confinement. Let's hope Murray hasn't cracked under the Contessa's hypnosis.”

Chapter Text

Katia waited outside the cell block, perched on a point on the prison wall, dressed in black.

She sat up, noticing the Contessa, and carefully sat in the shadows.

Sly and Bentley ran out, with Murray,

“You lousy, no good head shrinker!” Murray shouted.

“Oh, come now, Murray. We were making such progress during our sessions,” the Contessa replied.

“The only mental help that I need is to never be reminded of you again,” Murray stated.

“Such displaced hostility,” the Contessa shook her head, “If you insist on getting angry, why not be psychologically productive and channel it at your so-called friends?”

“I’m done talking with my mouth!” Murray declared, “Now I talk with my fists!” He raised his arms, hands fisted.

“Sorry, but our time is up,” the Contessa replied and began running away.

The gang followed after her, destroying the spiders she dropped, while Katia leapt across the points, not sure if she should be seen or not by the Contessa.

The Contessa reached a blimp and began flying off.

“Ghahh! She’s getting away!” Murray said.

“Don’t worry pal, we’ll find her,” Sly reassured the hippo, crossing his arms, “With the three of us back together, she doesn’t stand a chance.”

Katia watched the blimp until it was out of sight.

Sly turned to look up at Katia, “Will you be joining us?”
“Wah?” Murray looked up and spotted her, “Who’s that?”

“A friend,” Katia replied.
“It’s Katia,” Sly told Murray, “She was helping Bentley while we were both trapped.”

“Oh, cool,” Murray nodded, “Thank you!”

Katia smiled.

“Will you be staying with us Katia?” Bentley asked.

“I will not be able to,” Katia answered, “I’ve been called back.”

“Back?”

“I have to, Sly,” Katia told her brother, “I’ll be fine.”

Sly frowned, worried.

Chapter Text

“It was great! The Gang had been reunited and it was all because of me and Katia, even the van ride out of town was like a party! Murray had to pull over twice because he was laughing so hard, but despite all the jokes, I think something had changed. Since childhood, the three of us had never met apart, and our recent isolation gave us all pause for thought. And Katia, Sly was worried for his sister, so was I! She had been a great help in getting Sly and Murray out. Knowing that she had to leave… To go back to the Klaww Gang leader… Needless to say, we took a few weeks off before getting back to work. And for the first time in my life, Murray let me drive!”

Chapter Text

“Following the trail of spice shipments, we made our way up to Nunavut Bay, Canada, the secret hub of Jean Bison's shipping empire. As a young man, he trekked across Canada to strike it rich during the Gold Rush of 1852. An avid prospector, he took some chances and ended up buried alive in an avalanche. Miraculously, the quick freeze kept him alive, and 120 years later, thanks to global warming, he thawed out. A product of his time, he dreams of taming the "Wild North," damming every river and chopping down all the trees with progress delivered at the sharp end of an axe. Shipping spice for the Klaww Gang proved a lucrative way to bankroll his one-man war against nature. And yet, I have to feel a little sorry for him. He's just a normal guy from the 1850s. Back in his day, he'd be a hero, but today, he's a villain. Either way, that man's got more than his fair share of the Clockwerk parts. What a low tech guy like Jean Bison is doing with robot parts is a mystery. I almost don't want to know. But as always, it's only a matter of time before I find out.”

Chapter Text

Sly exited the gang’s safehouse they’d set up.

“I’ve got a lead on the Clockwerk parts,” Bentley told him, “Head through town and out into the wilderness.”

Sly navigated through the small town and followed the waypoint for his mission.

When he reached the waypoint he pulled out his binocucom and looked up at a cabin above him.

“That cabin may seem rustic, but don't be fooled, it's the control centre for Jean Bison's train empire,” Bentley explained, “Sneak inside and raid his files, you're sure to find out where he keeps his Clockwerk parts.”

“Ransacking his files doesn’t sound hard, now climbing up a sheer rock wall,” Sly said, “... That’ll be a challenge.”

Sly stared at the wall hooks in the rock as Bentley told him how to use them to scale the wall.

Sly scaled the wall with the hooks and approached the cabin, entering quietly.

“Jackpot, Sly, that’s Jean Bison!” Bentley stated.

Sly looked at the old bison, “Looks like he didn’t notice me come in.”

Movement caught Sly’s eye.

“Hey, Bentley?”

“Yeah?”

“Katia’s here,” Sly said.

“She is?”

The female raccoon stood alongside the fireplace, dressed in a fuzzy tan coat and purple leggings.

Katia waved slightly at Sly and gestured for him to get on to the beams above them.

“Just stay out of sight and take a picture of each of his train routes... they should narrow our search for his share of the Clockwerk parts,” Bentley told him.

“Yeah, Katia’s telling me the same,” Sly replied.

“Hello, Arpeggio here,” a voice over the intercom greeted.

“Salutations, Mr Arpeggio,” Jean Bison responded.

“Hey Arpeggio,” Katia also said.

“Miss Cooper,” Arpeggio replied, “I do hope you’re enjoying your time.”

Katia hummed in response, carefully watching Sly.

He quietly manoeuvred around Jean Bison as the man circled the room and leapt on to some boxes to reach the beams.

Sly photographed the first train route as he listened to the conversation. He turned around and zoomed in to photograph the next route, before jumping across the fireplace where he then photographed the final one.

“Sly, did you hear that? Bison's hidden the Iron Horse blueprints in his trophy bass. Head for the fish on top of the fireplace and steal those plans,” Bentley pointed out.

Sly snuck back across to the fireplace where he snagged the Iron Horse blueprint.

“Excellent. Now get out of that cabin before you’re spotted,” Bentley told him.

Katia waved slightly to Sly as he left the cabin.

After going through the other two cabins to collect the other Iron Horse blueprints, Sly navigated to the top of the mountain.

After climbing up, he spotted a figure dressed in a purple bodysuit looking down the mountain.

“Katia?” Sly approached her.

Katia turned around, “Hey Sly.”

He raced over and pulled her into a hug, “Oh, it is really good to see you.”

Katia smiled and patted his back, “Good to see you too. You here for the satellite dish?”

“Yeah,” Sly stepped back, “How’d you know?”

“Just a feeling.”

Sly interacted with the satellite.

“This is great. We've got total access to the trains' GPS system. It's all on my computer. Head back to the safe house. I'll crunch some numbers and give you and Murray the rundown,”

“You coming too?” Sly asked Katia.

“I can’t,” Katia shook her head, “Jean Bison doesn’t like me and if I’m missing too long…”

“He’ll try and blame you for things,” Sly nodded, “See you later then?”

“Yeah.”

Chapter Text

“Thanks to Sly's efforts we now know the location of all three of the local Clockwerk parts: two lungs and a stomach. Jean Bison has grafted each piece to the engine in one of his Iron Horse trains. This improvement allows the trains to run all night and all day. We won't have the luxury of sneaking in while they're stopped. While they're in motion the only way aboard is through a hatch on the caboose roof, which unfortunately has been locked down. These need to go. First, collect spice gas from the balloons above town, and then land on the back of the caboose to blow off the locks. Once the way is cleared I'll suit up and jump into Iron Horse number one while it passes near town. With some luck, we'll have the first Clockwerk lung in a few hours.”

Chapter Text

Katia sat on top of the mountain and stared out.

She watched Sly as he glided between the spice balloons.

She watched as Sly saved Murray who had been locked up by the disgraced Inspector Fox.

Katia watched as Bentley jumped on board Iron Horse 1.

She laughed as she realised, while getting the Clockwerk parts, they were also ruining Jean Bison’s spice shipping.

Chapter Text

“Things are going great. We've already stolen one of Jean Bison's three Clockwerk parts. However, Iron Horse two and three are going to be a little tougher to crack. First, I'll need to hop aboard Iron Horse two and do a little preemptive RC chopper strike to clear out the air defences. Once cleared it'll be up to Sly to work his magic in the interior to get at that second Clockwerk lung. Murray, you'll need to trap some of the local bear cubs in order to unlock a nearby handcar. We're gonna to need it to catch up with Iron Horse number three, but don't worry, the cubs won't be hurt, although I can't say the same for the guards.”

Chapter Text

Katia stood in a carriage on Iron Horse with Jean Bison.

The man grumbled about no one getting past him as he paced.

Katia crossed her arms and leaned against the door.

She blinked as she saw a figure of grey and blue sneak along the outside of the carriage.

She looked at Jean Bison, ‘Is he blind? How does he not see Sly? He says no one’ll get past him but Sly is…’

Katia shook her head.

‘I think I’ll ask Arpeggio if I can join him on his blimp.’

Chapter Text

“The Gang and I had pulled off the impossible. We'd successfully robbed all of Jean Bison's Iron Horse trains and we were walking away with 3, count them, 3 Clockwerk parts. And as a bonus, we shut down spice distribution in all of North America. Needless to say, we were pretty pleased with ourselves. Can't say the same for Katia or Carmelita. After we got away with the stomach, Katia disappeared again… I can only hope she’s safe. As for Miss Fox? Once again, the framed police woman had to run from the cops, which was fun at first, but I'm starting to feel a little sorry for her. I mean, what if they replace Carmelita with someone else? I don't want another cop on my tail. She's a big part of why this is all fun. Sooner or later, I'm gonna to have to figure out a way to clear her name... some way other than turning myself in.”

Chapter Text

“There we were, heading east across the Atlantic Ocean. Stowaways on a giant airborne fortress. Though time was short we made sure to study up on our unknowing host, Arpeggio. While attending a prestigious boarding school, the young Arpeggio excelled at all subjects, but he never managed to keep up with the other boys physically. Sadly, his wings, due to their small size, were useless for flight. Furious at his feeble body, he focused his powerful mind to search for a cure in the works of the Italian Renaissance masters. Their notebooks provided the springboard for this sinister young genius, and it wasn't long before the Klaww Gang took him on as chief inventor. His talents must have been at work repurposing all the Clockwerk parts for their criminal schemes, and now this mastermind is in possession of all the parts. It's only a matter of time before he puts them back together, and when that happens... well, I'm not going to let that happen.”

Chapter Text

Sly exited the battery they had turned into a safehouse and made his way to the mission waypoint.

The blimp was eerie.

The wind howling, a general cold atmosphere and the sounds of the guards walking.

Sly opened his binocucom and looked over at a small blimp separate from the main one.

“My instruments have picked up large magnetic fields radiating from inside that blimp. If Arpeggio's already started re-assembling Clockwerk, that's where you'll find him,” Bentley informed Sly.

“Sounds good,” Sly nodded, “I’m on my way.”

“Don’t waste any time here Sly,” Bentley warned him, “Get to the blimp and take some recon photos. To build a plan we need to know how close they are to reviving Clockwerk.”

“Relax Bentley,” Sly shook his head, “I’ve got it under control.”

(No he didn’t.)

(He really didn’t.)

Upon entering the blimp he was met with an intact Clockwerk.

“I… I had no idea they could reassemble Clockwerk so fast!” Bentley panicked.

“Calm down, Bentley… He might be in one piece but he doesn’t appear to be, you know, “alive.” Let’s stick to the format here, how about some recon photos?” Sly calmed Bentley.

“You're right, we need to be informed to create a plan of action. Try to get a shot of Clockwerk's head, a mech egg and one of those spinning magnetic inducers... they seem important to the procedure,” Bentley planned out, “But stay away from the guards... if you get detected we won't have time for a second chance.”

Sly closed his binocucom.

The raccoon traversed the area easily.

He got a photo of a magnetic inducer.

“These magnetic inducers seem to be holding the Clockwerk parts together.”

A photo of Clockwerk's eerie face.

“Clockwerk appears completely inanimate. We might still have a chance.”

And a photo of the eggs.

“I’m sensing radioactivity from inside those mech eggs. I wouldn’t get too close.”

“Sly, I’m detecting voices from the front of the blimp. I think it’s Arpeggio.”

Sly swiftly reached the front of the blimp.

He peered inside the room.

“Neyla? Neyla’s here too! An-and Katia!”

Arpeggio, Katia and Neyla all appeared to be speaking to each other, about what Sly couldn’t tell.

He pulled out his binocucom and snapped photos.

Of Arpeggio.

“There he is. The mastermind behind this blimp and the source of all our problems.”

Of Neyla.

“I can’t believe it. She must have been working with Arpeggio all along!”

And of Katia…

“Is this where she would disappear to? Do you think, if she wasn’t here, Clockwerk might be functional?”

Sly wasn’t sure.

Sly turned back around and looked at Clockwerk.

“I don't need to study those photos to see the writing on the wall. Clearly, Neyla and Arpeggio have conspired together to rebuild Clockwerk and it looks like they are dangerously close to realising their goal…” Bentley explained.

“Look, Bentley, I know it’s not your style, but I need a quick plan of action,” Sly requested, “Try to think of a way, any way, to stop Clockwerk from getting reassembled.”

“Well... those magnetic inducers seem to be holding the parts together. If you reversed their polarity, it should pull Clockwerk apart,” Bentley planned on the fly, “Unfortunately, the inducer speed control station is locked down tight. Pickpocket keys from the four patrolling guards to get at it. Then... you'll need to manually reverse the polarity of each inducer deck at the top of their rotation.”

“Consider it done,” Sly nodded.

And it needed to be done.

Sly easily pickpocketed the four keys and warily walked across Clockwerk’s wings to reach the speed control station. He glided to each inducer after climbing the ropes holding Clockwerk in the air.

And reversing each inducer caused Clockwerk to fall to the floor.

Loudly.

Sly ducked behind cover as Arpeggio, Katia and Neyla exited the room at the front of the blimp.

“What's all this then? The magnets have been reversed?! But? By Jove, it seems to have locked the Clockwerk parts into place! Excellent!” Arpeggio wheeled down the walkway.

Sly entered their view.

“Sly Cooper!?” Neyla gasped, “Of course this’d be your doing.”

Katia frowned at Sly.

“Ah, Mr. Cooper,” Arpeggio smiled at him before looking at Katia, “Did you know he was here?”

“No,” Katia crossed her arms and shook her head, “Last I saw him he was in Canada.”

Arpeggio tilted his head before resuming addressing Sly, “No doubt you believed a reversal would pull the old bird apart, eh? But it seems to have had quite the opposite effect. I'm truly grateful... When fully powered up I'll join myself to its circuits and be born anew.”

“All this… Because you can’t fly,” Sly pointed his cane at the disabled bird, “You’re pathetic.”

“Immortality!” Arpeggio stated, “Immortality is what I seek. The other Klaww Gang members were much too short-sighted. They were satisfied using the Clockwerk parts to drive their various trivial schemes. But not me. No, I saw them for what they really were, the keys to life eternal!”

“So... what? You had Neyla put me on the scent back in Cairo and then waited while I stole the parts from the other Klaww Gang members... all the while not arousing any suspicion that you were behind it all?” Sly wondered.

“You make it sound easy, Cooper,” Neyla sneered, “I had to carry your pathetic gang through that first set of heists. I was overjoyed when Arpeggio let me toss you in jail, I could finally go after the parts myself.”

Katia glared at Neyla.

The female raccoon kept her arms crossed and head down as Arpeggio revealed his plan to Sly.

Of hypnotising those who’d consumed Rajan’s spice into becoming angry so he could power Clockwerk’s immortality.

“-Ah… well, my new body awaits me,” Arpeggio said, “Be dears, Neyla, Katia, and keep him covered. Ta-Ta!”

Arpeggio begins wheeling himself towards Clockwerk’s open beak when Neyla knocks him over.

Katia tenses, uncrossing her arms.

“Stupid Arpeggio,” Neyla stared down at the fallen bird, “I double crossed the Cooper Gang, Interpol and Carmelita. What made you think I wouldn’t do the same to you?”

Katia moved when Neyla began to approach Clockwerk. Katia pressed her hands against Arpeggio’s mechanical cage.

Neyla leapt into Clockwerk’s open beak.

Katia looked up as the beak closed and the mechanical bird’s body rose up.

“This is preposterous!” Arpeggio stated, “You’re my protege, not the next candidate for my immortality. I demand you leave the Clockwerk frame or… Or!”

Katia vaulted backwards as the mechanical bird struck Arpeggio.

Arpeggio’s monocle rolled towards Sly’s feet as Clockwerk became airborne.

“Behold, Clock-La is born!” Neyla’s voice came from Clockwerk’s body.

Katia and Sly both watched as ‘Clock-La’ smashed through the front of the blimp.

The siblings shared a look.

Chapter Text

“As we all know, things are looking grim. Neyla has joined herself to the Clockwerk frame and the union has produced... Clock-La. She's out and free to terrorise the world. This blimp is still in motion to Paris. I can only assume Arpeggio's autopilot will activate the hate hypnosis light show. If that happens, there'll be no stopping Clock-La. She'll be immortal. But we still have a chance. In her new form, she'll need to draw a lot of energy from this blimp's engines to stay strong. If we can disable the engines, that should be enough to weaken her to a state in which we can attack. Getting at these engines will require all three of us to work together in perfect harmony. We've pulled off some tough jobs in the past, but they were just the warm up round for what we'll be going through tonight.”

Chapter Text

Sly exited the safehouse and quickly spotted a figure dressed in purple on top of one the balloon-like structures.

“Katia?” He whispered.

The figure waved once.

Sly ran over and scaled the balloon.

“Hey Sly,” she greeted him.

He blinked, “What’s with the new accessories?”

She looked down at the thigh holster strapped around her waist with a pocket on her thigh, “Can’t a girl accessorise?”

Sly gave her a dry look.

She let out a small laugh, “You remember who I was named after?”

Sly pursed his lips as he thought, “Uhhh…. It started with a ‘T’, I remember that…”

Katia smiled, “I was named after the partner of Tennessee Kid Cooper.”

Sly clicked his fingers, “Yes! Her! What’s she got to do with the belt?”

“It’s a holster,” she pulled out what appeared to be a flintlock pistol with a cane-like handle.

Sly’s brows rose, “I’ve never seen you with that before.”

Katia looks down, “I… Didn’t want to have it with me while I was with the Klaww Gang… It’d… Feel like I was disgracing our family…”

Sly slowly nods, “I get it…”

“Anyway…” Katia shakes her head, “I’m here to help. Where are you headed?”

“Uh, Bentley’s put a waypoint for me, something about dealing with one of the engines.”

“Engines? Why…? Clock-La,” Katia realised.

“Yeah, why don’t I tell you on the way?” Sly suggested.

Katia nodded, “Sure.”

Together the siblings made their way to the waypoint.

“So, Clock-La is drawing power from the engines until we reach Paris because then she’ll be immortal,” Katia summed it up, “Great…”

“Yeah.”

Katia keeps watch as Sly pulls out his binocucom to speak to Bentley.

“I hope you’re carrying some heavy explosives, Bentley, because that engine isn’t small,” Sly replied to whatever Bentley told him.

Katia spins her flintlock around her finger.

“Sounds easy enough, what’s the catch?” Sly asked Bentley.

Katia stared up at the engine.

“Alright, let’s blow stuff up!” Sly grinned.

Katia turned to her brother as he put his binocucom away, “What?”

“We won’t be able to get into that engine so we’re blowing it up,” Sly explained.

“With what?” Katia wondered, “Arpeggio didn’t really bring many explosives on board.”

“Bentley told me we can use that explosive barrel and some magnetic chargers,” Sly said.

“I get it,” she nods, “The chargers would add to the power of the explosive… Only that could become very dangerous for the one transporting it…” She looks at Sly.

“That would be me,” Sly sighs.

“I’ll watch your back while you get the chargers on the barrel,” Katia reassures.

“Thank you,” Sly says before jumping down and climbing into the barrel.

Katia stays up high and follows Sly as he makes his way to the chargers. She shoots any guards that might become a problem for him.

Katia watched Sly make his way on top of the engine building and jump out of the barrel.

“Go!”

The barrel explodes, Sly turning to watch.

“That should be the last time anyone puts that engine to use.”

Chapter Text

Katia ran surveillance on Clock-La while the gang worked in twos to destroy the engines.

Katia followed Clock-La as best she could while avoiding the spotlights.

The sounds Clock-La made caused the blimp to feel even more eerie.

Katia blinked, watching as Clock-La swooped on a guard, knocking him off the blimp.

She cursed under her breath, quickly dodging to the side to avoid the spotlight.

Chapter Text

“In an unexpected windfall, I've been contacted by Inspector Fox over the short-wave radio. She's well aware of the dire situation we all face if Clock-La becomes immortal and has agreed to join forces with us so that we can destroy the robotic bird. The only catch is that she's unable to locate this blimp on her radar. To help her hone in on our position, we'll need to boost the strength of four local radio towers. Once Inspector Fox is in range she'll take one of us on board to act as a tail gunner in a dogfight against Clock-La. This is it. We don't have time for another plan. We're almost over Paris and if that hate hypnosis light show goes off... well, you know the story.”

Chapter Text

Katia sat in the safehouse, doing her best to keep track of where Sly was as he boosted the signal of the blimp for Carmelita.

The towers he had to climb were definitely the highest points of the blimp, and while she trusted Sly’s abilities, if he fell… He could fall off the blimp completely.

Sly traversed each tower with help from Bentley’s mega jump pack. Eventually all the towers were done.

“Aha, it looks like Carmelita has picked up on our signal,” Bentley cheered, “She’s now headed on an intercept course directly for us.”

Katia clapped.

Sly quickly headed off to meet with Carmelita.

Katia fidgeted with her flintlock as she waited.

Eventually she saw a helicopter fly by with Clock-La chasing after it, “There!”

She watched as the helicopter fired on Clock-La.

After some minutes Clock-La went and slammed into the main rotor of the blimp.

“Oh no…” Katia whispered.

“Sly! Sly!” Bentley called Sly, “We've got a serious problem here. Clock-La is looking mighty upset and I think she's going to take it out on us.”

Katia, Bentley and Murray all tumbled as Clock-La grabbed the safehouse with her talons and flew off.

“Sly! We need you!” Katia shouted, hoping he’ll hear through the binocucom.

“I’m coming guys, hold on!” Katia inhaled, hearing Sly.

“I’m hyperventilating!” Bentley gasped, “I need a paper bag!”

Katia looked around the mess of the safehouse, “I can’t find one!”

“Oh, I feel sick…” Katia looks at Murray, cringing when he actually vomits, “Sorry, Bentley, Katia…”

Katia looks up, “What’s that?”

“You want a piece of me?” Clock-La says, “Don’t worry, there’s plenty to go around.”

“I think Sly’s here!” Katia smiled, “He reached us!”

“Be brave while you can, Cooper,” Clock-La states, “I might not have the immortality born of pure hate... but I feel something... some power growing within me.”

“Oh… That doesn’t sound good…” Katia looks at Bentley.

After a while the safehouse jolts and Katia gets a feeling in her stomach as the safehouse drops.

Chapter Text

Katia climbs out of the safehouse with Bentley and Murray, finding themselves on the water near Paris with Sly nearby.

“Sly!” Katia throws herself at him, hugging him.

Sly hugs her before pulling away, keeping an arm around her and looking at the others, “We… We did it!”

“Right on!” Murray gestures with his fists.

“It’s an emotional moment,” Bentley pats his chest.

“Die insects, die!” Clock-La shouts suddenly, “My hate will smash you!”

Sly points, “Watch out! That thing’s still kicking!”
The gang ran to avoid lasers that Clock-La powered on.

“Clock-La mentioned something about a hate chip,” Bentley stated once they were on safe ground.

“Arpeggio spoke about it too,” Katia nodded, “It sounded like it powered Clockwerk.”

“If we remove it, she might stop attacking,” Sly added.

Murray fisted his hands, “Then let's do a little open head surgery… I’ll pry open so Bentley can go to town with his bombs.”

They watched Murray navigate the field of lasers before reaching the beak which, with some effort, was lifted to reveal a digitised version of Neyla’s face.

“I hate you, Cooper Gang!” Neyla stated, “I will find you in your sleep and I will destroy you. You'll never know a moment's peace for the rest of your short miserable lives. The Clock-La will know revenge... I am revenge... I am the Alpha and the Omega. Clock-La!”

Katia felt a shiver go down her spine as Bentley began moving, “I’ll come with you.”

Bentley looked at her, “I only need to place my bombs.”

“I’ll help,” Katia says before swallowing, “I have a bad feeling.”

Sly turns his head to look at her.

“I have a bad feeling Daddy…”

“Everything will be fine sweetheart.”

“No! Something will happen I just know it!”

She had spoken those words, years ago, just hours before the Fiendish Five broke into the Cooper’s home and killed their parents.

“Let her come with you,” Sly said, staring at her.

Bentley looked between them but nodded, “Sure… Here,” he handed her a couple of bombs.

“Let’s go,” Katia and Bentley easily avoided the lasers.

Together they placed a bomb at the base of her head, where the laser came from.

Clock-La’s defences broke and she began speaking again, “I still have my hate chip! You will not defeat me… Ever !”

Neyla's face vanished and Katia saw a computer chip in the back of Clockwerk’s mouth.

Katia knelt inside the beak and with Bentley they removed the chip.

“Got it!” Katia smiled at Bentley.

“Let’s get out of here… She’s about to explode!”

Bentley took a step and the beak dropped.

They both cried out.

“My glasses…” Bentley whimpered.

“Whuh?” They heard Murray, “Bentley, Katia! I’ll save you!”

Sly raced over as Murray began lifting the beak.

Bentley was laid on his stomach while Katia was on her side, both looking uncomfortable and in pain.

“Pick me up…” Bentley asks Murray, “I can’t walk!”

Murray scoops Bentley up into his arms while Sly helps Katia stand.

“Ow…” She winces.

“What hurts…?” Sly asks her.

“My head, my arm and leg…” Katia winces, unable to move her leg and arm.

“Come on, let’s get out of here!” Murray urges.

They get away from the metal bird’s body just in time as it starts blowing up.

Chapter Text

“And there we were, at the end of the road. The Klaww Gang had been defeated and the Clockwerk parts lay scattered around in heaps. Yet, despite the explosion, they remained pristine. It was as if nothing could ever hurt them.

Carmelita cursed herself for showing up too late to get a few shots in on Clock-La. So, she took it out on what was close at hand: the Hate Chip. And just like that, it was over. Without that core piece, that essential centre of Clockwerk, there was nothing left. The parts aged before our eyes, as if time had finally caught up with the ancient bird. How ironic that Carmelita, a police officer, would be the one to lift the curse from the Cooper family. The menace of Clockwerk would never again rise to threaten me, or my children.

True to her nature, she informed us that we were all under arrest. But one look at my gang told me that we were in no shape for a fast getaway. So, I offered to go peacefully in exchange for letting my friends walk. They'd taken some bruises through all of this, but I was surprised, shocked really, to see them leave their gear behind as they walked away. Their wounds were deeper than I'd imagined. They were hurting. Carmelita's old police unit soon arrived. With me in custody, her name was cleared, and she even got a well deserved promotion. It was the least I could do.

The ride to HQ started with us sitting in silence, trying to read each other's thoughts. As the reality of my capture started to sink in, she began to relax, and we got to talking. We spoke freely about our previous adventures; comparing notes and even getting in a few laughs. Then we started talking about, well, everything; books, music, art. It was like we were on a first date. She even showed me the bottle she'd been saving for this special occasion of my arrest. My heart sank when she realised that our short flight across town had already taken two hours, a fact I'd kinda clued into after seeing the Eiffel Tower float by 17 times. She went forward to ask the pilot what was up, and it looked like my pals had left me a little going away present before taking off. Floating away on the night breeze, I could faintly make out Carmelita's voice.”

The end…

For now.