Yyyyyeeeaaahhhh,... this might be a little troublesome (for me) in the long run, but I'm doing it anyway. For those following my Shrek fanfic do not fret: I'm not going to abandon it. It's just that I'm into a ridiculous amount of fandoms and since I began writing my first fic that I've felt confident enough to create other fics for other fandoms.
The story takes place in the second Sly Cooper game, as I described in the description, so I'm going to include the events it contains and some original side-plots and perspectives. Yes, this is a OC-insert fanfic. And that's all for now, folks!
I don't own Sly Cooper nor all the other characters from the franchise, they belong to Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. I just own the characters you won't recognize.
Enjoy!
Episode 0
That awkward moment
Cairo.
'The city of a thousand minarets'.
'The Mother of the World'.
These are just three of the many names the capital of Egypt was given throughout the sands of time. Rich in many years of History, traditions, a unique cuisine and architectural marvels (both ancient and modern), it is no surprise that the exceptional amount of tourists that pass by only seems to keep growing year after year. Even if you are with a lover, your family, friends or other students, one of the places you must visit to truly prove you have been in this mysterious country is, without a doubt, the Museum of Natural History.
Commonly known as the Egyptian Museum because of its location, the great building is home to the most extensive collection of ancient worldwide antiquities and artefacts in existence, including the ones representing 5000 years of Egyptian History. Displaying nearly 160 000 items, with many more hundreds of thousands in its basement storerooms, millions of visitors cross its numerous halls and peek inside the spacious exhibition salons, eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge or a simple spark of curiosity.
Recently though, there has been some disappointment lingering in the air too. Due to the many years the construction has celebrated and the many people that get in and out in a daily basis, some corridors have been interdicted its circulation and some rooms had its entrance covered for maintenance or to have its far too valuable treasures replaced/restored. During the day, the workers try to not make too much noise with their activities (it's still a museum, so silence is naturally required), and, during the night, guards make sure nothing is taken away nor disturbed.
For many weeks, the ordinary reigned inside those strong walls and the inhabitants of Cairo blissfully let the routine take over their lives, since their cultural inheritance was safe inside the maroon unbreakable 'castle'.
Well... not anymore.
In a particular starless night, a long rope fell from the roof near the museum's glass entrance, clearly announcing the presence of an intruder. Doors are too mainstream anyway. The trespasser sliding down the same rope, however, was far from average: a grey male raccoon, whose age should be between the late teens and early 20's, with a fluffy grey and black stripped tail, grey pointy ears, a pair of tawny brown eyes and a black cloth mask over them; he was wearing a blue british underground service hat (please, do not question the accuracy on this one), a blue turtleneck lookalike with a yellow collar and sleeves that reach a little past the elbows, blue gloves that turned yellow from the wrists, a red pocket attached to his left thigh, a yellow belt with a black and grey raccoon-head shaped buckle and blue boots that made no sound once they touched the ground.
No pants could be found.
Still confused about the odd raccoon's identity? Maybe his cane can give you a clue.
...
Yes, a cane.
Composed by a wooden pole, its golden metal head formed a 'c' that kept shining under the peaceful moonlight.
Oh! You've recognized him?
...
That's correct! It was no other than Sly Cooper, the master thief himself, who was tiptoeing across the museum's lobby with eyes constantly scanning for any sign of trouble. Finding none, he finally picked the binocucom (an apparently harmless pair of blue and yellow binoculars) from his pocket and looked through it, this way activating the original device with a faint beeping sound. Besides the background view of what was beyond the many windows the building owned, the binocucom provided two small screens. The one on the bottom right corner displayed the blue-clad thief from his shoulders up. On the bottom left, however, it showed something different.
Or rather someone.
It was a turtle. Clearly male, the serious expression he had on made him appear to be far older than his obvious partner, which could or not be true. Perhaps between the middle 20's and the early 30's. His reptilian (not amphibious, like it's sometimes mistaken for) skin was a shade of olive green and his of-unknown-colour eyes were behind a pair of thick 50's glasses. He had a british-style safari hat and was wearing a dark-blue safety vest with white short sleeves. Other than this nothing else was observable.
"Breaker Alpha Foxtrot this is the Wizard, do you read me Sitting Duck?" came as the turtle's nasal and somewhat statistic voice, his seriousness never wavering.
"This is Peking Duck, I hear you Blizzard." the raccoon playfully replied with an equally straight face.
Albeit a fake one.
"No Sly, I'm 'the Wizard' and you're 'Sitting Duck'."
"I read you loud and clear Lizard."
"No I'm..." he paused when he noticed the mischievous grin and raised furry brow on the mammal. "... forget it, you're not taking this seriously." the turtle finished revealing his frustration and impatience towards such childish behaviour.
"Yeah, I'm not." Sly bluntly admitted. "Look Bentley, I know this is your first time out in the field but you've got to loosen up." he explained in a calm and understanding tone. "If we're going to get those Clockwerk Parts I need you on your toes. So, in plain talk, what's your status?".
After taking a deep breath to ease his nerves the reptilian proceeded "Well, I've established myself in the basement and I'm pretty sure I can rewire the service elevator if..." he emphasised as his partner focused the binocucom on the elevator's closed door. " ...you can power it up from that security station.".
Security station? Must be the one on the second level by the lobby's left.
The unfazed raccoon, though, simply nodded once he noticed the power switch he had to activate. "Hang tough pal, it might take some time, but I'll figure out a way to get up there." Sly assured before turning the device off and putting it in his pocket. "Now, what are the chances that a nice and forgetful worker left his stairs around here?".
For the looks of it, none.
While scratching his head a little in thought, he finally noticed the gigantic round prehistoric drum residing on the lobby's center. Finding no traps or whatsoever, he put some pressure on the stretched skin's surface and found himself smiling in satisfaction. It could totally be used as a trampoline. But was he really going to drag the (most likely) heavy thing all the way to the security station's balcony? Of course not!
Sly was going use the suspended and, must remind you, enormous whale skeleton as a bridge to his destination.
... No biggie.
"That drum sure wasn't made in China." the mammal joked after jumping on said instrument and landing on the boned structure with enviable grace. Once he crossed its long spine, he took a leap and executed a midair somersault (what a show off) towards the balcony, which was where the raccoon soon found himself silently walking to the elevator's side. Without a guard within sight, he passed his cane to his left hand and pulled the switch down with the other one.
"Okay, I'll splice the wires..." resonated the turtle's voice through Sly's earpiece.
BZZZTTT!
"OUCH!".
"Whoa! Are you alright, Bentley? That sounded like quite the shock...".
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Aren't you the comedy genius...". ZAPzapZApzapZaP! "... Just hold on... There it is." the reptilian warned before a screeching-metal noise erupted from the opening elevator door. The ascending box stopped at the desired floor, despite some struggling, and the elegant safety metal bars promptly allowed the solo occupant to exit it. Inside, before a control panel which had its multiple wires torn apart in all directions, stood the turtle in full view: he was a short fellow, barely reaching half of his partner's chest; his shell had a pleasant navy-blue shade and a brown strap went across it along with his front; a pair of brown gloves covered his hands and bandage hid part of his small feet.
...
If he had a weapon? Oh, yes he did.
I was a wooden crossbow already loaded with a unique kind of darts.
...
What? It's not wierd. Specially if it has something to do with Bentley, the brains. "Glad to have you join me in this lovely evening. Now, would you be a sweetheart and take care of that gate?" the raccoon pointed with the cane towards his right where the entrance to his next destination was sealed with a gate compose by iron bars and behind it were many lasers, lights and other sorts of security devices.
The reptilian rolled his eyes as a first reaction to Sly's remark. "Okay, okay... Let me just hack that security computer." he declared at the same time he tip-toed until stopping in front of the systems fuzzy blue screen. The blue-clad thief patiently waited by his companion side and he did his tech-wise magic. "The spotlights are offline..." Bentley announced as the lights disappeared. "... there goes the lasers' security system..." came the second notice as the red lines slowly faded into nothing. "... aaannnddd we're now working on the security gate.".
CHANK!
TIKTIKTIKTIK!
"Presto, all clear." the turtle whispered with a content nod.
"Thanks pal, for your first time out you did pretty well." Sly sincerely complimented with a hand on the reptilian's shoulder.
"Oh shush!" he exclaimed with an equal smile after playfully brushing off the raccoon's arm. "This operation is far from complete." Bentley continued as he turned back to proceeded with his work. "Now that the lasers and spotlights are offline, Murray should be moving into position for your rendezvous." he briefly paused to give the mammal his attention. "I'll stay here and provide computer support while you go on ahead. If I find something out of place I'll warn you guys pronto.".
Sly replied with a mocking salute. "Sir, yes, sir!".
This... was going far too easy.
Half an hour had quickly flew by as the master thief went through the maze of corridors without a worry (he had already studied the fastest way to reach the Clockwerk Parts), avoided the pig guards as if only a shadow disturbed the air (they had been notified about some subtle changes in the security system) and run along ropes as not a soul batted an eye about it (which should had been impossible since he even run on top of some traffic along the way).
"Something is wrong about this place..." was the raccoon's voiced thought as he scratched his chin in suspicion.
"What about it?" questioned the much bigger and taller partner after he stomped the ground so the rock bird-god bust from the corner of the balcony they were currently at would jump and then land on his hands.
This new companion of his was certainly another piece of work: a chubby, and yet muscular, hot pink male hippopotamus whose age should be around Bentley's if not for the friendly look he had, despite the missing large front tooth, this way giving him a youthful aura. He had a pair of black goggles protecting his light marron eyes, racer-style red gloves, a red mask that only covered the top of his head and the back of his neck, a baby-blue T-shirt and boots, a white scarf and like the other two...
... no pants.
"I just don't get it... There were no guards in the lobby, they didn't react when the museum's own 'head administrator' made an announcement at..." Sly paused to check on his hidden watch. "... two and a half in the morning about the change in security and... and...".
"...You can't shake off the consuming feeling from your stomach that there's something more to it... something bad." Murray, the brawl, the last but not least member of the Cooper Gang, completed with his poetic justice.
The master thief's eyes grew wide with surprise.
"Exactly! How did you know? Do you feel it too?".
"Why, of course! In face of my greatness, one could make the mistake of thinking I am perfect...".
"It's an understandable mistake...".
"...but even I get... hmm... preoccupied that our missions might go astray and one of you guys might get hurt.".
Sly really had to smile to that.
"Thanks, Murray. And I'm pretty sure Bentley feels the same..." he trailed off for a bit to lean on his cane. "It could be just paranoia, though. I mean, the administrator could just be one of those excentric rich guys that can't sleep at night without making sure that his public image remains untouched. Thieves don't give much of a help to the cause.".
The hippo nodded in agreement. "Totally! Besides, in my case, it could just be my belly. It has been making funny noises since those kebab we had for dinner." he finished with a hand on his tummy and the other still balancing the bust in the air.
A head shake and a sigh followed. "What did we tell you about going easy on foreign food? You have a strong stomach, but you don't what kind of spic-".
"Sly, can you hear me?" erupted from said mammal's earpiece before he put two fingers on it.
"Loud and clear, Bentley. Did something happen?".
There a small moment of silence as if the turtle was trying to find the right words.
"Well, I hope not... at least not yet... anyway, how are you guys? Is Murray done with his part?".
BANG!
CRASH!
"He just obliterated the last gate I needed to, in case you couldn't tell, so I'm going to play it safe and say 'yes'".
"Right..." he commented with an unaffected tone before clearing his throat. "What I wanted to report to you, though, is about the security in the salon where the Clockwerk Parts are resting.".
Sly's tail twitched in anxiety.
"What? Is it too strong? Too tight?" he asked more seriously.
Although the gang was only about to complete two years in this line of business, his computer genius had yet to come across a system that could survive his hacking skills. Sure, sometimes it took more time to do so and he isn't always 100% efficient (he's still human) but other than that...
"No, it's worse... It has already been deactivated.".
For the second time that night, the raccoon's eyes bugged in surprise which was quickly replaced with a mix of stress and anger. Were they too late? Had someone found out the truth hidden in those parts? Were they planning to rebuild the eternal nightmare he had believed to have defeated not a couple of years ago? No, all their efforts couldn't have gone fruitless. He would personally make sure of that.
His grip tightened around the Cooper cane at the same time he gave a quick look at Murray's then worried features.
For all of them.
"I'm not sure if they have been taken, Sly. And I'm the self-entitled pessimist in this team." Bentley admitted, giving the impression he was actually reading the young man's troubled thoughts.
One of his furry brows rose as some of the blue-clad thief's distress was replaced with confusion and curiosity. "Is there something else to it that makes you think otherwise?".
"Yes, there is. I can't afford the time to determine the exact point when our target's security was shut down,..." the reptilian justified with the sound of keys being pressed. "... but I can tell it wasn't the only division of the museum whose security has been tempered.".
Now, that sure is something.
"The building is full of pieces worth millions of coins in the Black Market, but if someone is after the parts then they also know those antiquities mean nothing in comparison. So what salon or hallway could possibly hold just as much importance?".
"That's the catch, my friend. It's not a simple exhibition room or corridor. It's the head administrator's private office.".
Silent.
Empty.
Untouched.
This is how one would describe the museum's own headquarters once they entered there. Then, as they took a walk around the room, they would notice the four pure white walls, the two roman columns by the middle of the division, the polished wooden floor, the typically long egyptian carpet that went from the center to under the administrator's antique Neo-Egyptian French Empire style desk (no questions), the enormous red and golden curtained window behind the latter, the two red and golden chairs placed for guests, the Oxford University diploma on the wall by the right, the many photographs of archeological expeditions around the world, the four white marble busts representing an ancient god from different mythologies (Egyptian, Greek, Aztec and Indian), the national flag by the left wall and other things the average office would posses.
ZZzZzZzzZzZzZzZt!
Ohmygoodness! What was that noise?... It was so faint it could had been easily taken for a mosquito.
ZZzzZzzZzZZzZzzt!
There it is again! Did you hear it? It's was coming from... the air vent?
"Good Lord... This thing is drier than the Sahara desert." someone whispered at the same time a black gloved hand slowly opened the vent's ornamented lid in a downward motion.
It didn't keep it from producing a small irritating whistle, though.
The hand retracted back to the shadows before a whole body descended from the high improvised entrance, which landed on its feet and gloves with a very soft thud. Getting into a somewhat crouched position, the figure raised its head only to reveal a pair of round white orbs that narrowed in the way normal eyes would. It remained still for a couple of seconds before pacing towards the center of the room. There the moonlight properly illuminated the intruder who then rose to his/her/their feet, in this fashion standing exposed in all of its dark glory: it was using a simple black leather hooded jacket which went a little past the hip line and whose sleeve-ends were hid by the gloves, black pants that were neither tight nor baggy, black boots reaching a bit over the ankles, black not-see-through goggles and a piece of black fabric that covered both mouth and nose. The only visible biological parts were a pair of (yet more) black slightly round ears sticking out from the raised hood and a not-so-fluffy black furred tail.
...
Don't look at me like that.
...
I'm the narrator not the writer so I don't know who this fellow is.
...
I'm telling you the truth! He wasn't even on the script!
"There you are..." the trespasser continued in a low voice as he (the voice sounded male thus this assumption) headed to the right side where one of the marble busts was supported for everyone to see. It stood with its back to one of the columns, which was how the other three marble figures were placed. "Horus, the God of Knowledge... and, of course, he was a falcon..." the black body stopped to sigh and shake its head with some annoyance. "Give someone a Ph.D in Ancient History and they think they're the bloody Merlin.".
On top of the emotionless bird's head was sculped a 'u' shaped support for a circular mirror positioned perpendicularly to the ground. Since the bust was facing the mentioned large window, if one put the mirror at the right angle, it would reflect all the light to their face and so resemble the famous Sun Disk of Horus. In full attention for the possibility of an unwanted surprise, the intruder unzipped a third of his jacket and took a folded piece of paper from the inside. After closing it, he unfolded the same piece and read its content before carefully grabbing the upper side of the small mirror.
"Alright,... it's 45 degrees downwards...".
CLicKcLiCkClIck!
"... 225 degrees upwards...".
CLicKcLiCkClIckcLiCkClIck!
"... 135 degrees back...".
CLicKcLiCkClIckcLiCk!
"... and, the grand finale, a full 360 degrees spin upwards."
CLicKcLiCkClIckcLiCkCLicKcLiCkClIckcLiCkCLACK!
That one last sound, unlike the others, didn't come from the unusual mirror. In fact, from the way the uninvited guest's ears twitched, it resonated from behind him, where a secret small door on the desk's front had unlocked on its own.
His tail flickered in excitement and satisfaction.
"Just like in 'National Treasure'... and I'm loving it.".
With no hesitation of any kind, the dark figure got on one knee in front of the once hidden door and gently opened it completely to reveal an equally hidden dark blue safe.
The white orbs produced from the shadow the hood provided fell in a way that suggested disappointment.
"Really? A modern safe? Of all things?" he stopped with a facepalm. "Mr. Know-it-all owns a TV from the freaking 60's and yet he uses a modern safe? The old thing still plays in black and white, fortheloveofGod!" finished with a sigh. "Unlucky for him, though, I've come prepared.".
After unzipping his jacket one more time, the trespasser put the piece of paper back inside (trash could still be used for evidence) and took out a metallic circular device by the size of his hand. He placed it on top of the safe's keypad and hold it there with his left hand as he used the other one to press the power bottom placed under the small screen it possessed. The machine came to life before three metallic suction cups emerged from its sides and glued it to the safe's surface.
"Perfect. Now it's just 5 minutes of waiting for the DNA particles detector to do his job.".
Patiently staring at the progress bar on the screen and giving the occasional glance at any small noise besides the detector's faint humming, the stated time passed and the device let go a 'beep' while it presented the safe's opening code. Pressing once more the power button, the (now obvious) thief turned it off and placed it back, without resistance, inside his jacket.
Where he finds the space for such things and how he makes it unnoticeable is beyond me.
"Now, the magical numbers: 9-2-5.".
CHANCK!
The black figure stood with apprehension to the abrupt sound as the safe's handwheel span by itself, this way removing all the locks and pressure from its door. The latter innocently exposed the several different contents which were present inside, ranging from paperwork to a box of rare and (probably) highly expensive ancient jewelry. However, all this was ignored when he went to grab his target, one that happened to be hidden under some letters and documents.
It was a simple CD in a nameless plastic case.
"Bingo." he whispered in a dangerous tone at the same time his white orbs narrowed in equal fashion. After opening the plastic case and placing it on the carpet, he summoned a different case that happened to have an identical CD to the one from the safe. As expected, the disks were switched and the plastic compartments were retrieved to their original spots, the thief making sure the papers inside appeared undisturbed. Pleased with his handiwork, he rapidly stood up, took a deep calming breath and placed both hands on the safe's door.
"Let's do this...".
BANG!
"مهلا! ماذا كان ذلك؟*" was the reaction of one of the guards outside the office to the closing of the safe's door.
BANG!
"مرة أخرى! انها قادمة من مكتب ! هناك شخص داخل!*" came as the response to the closing of the desk's secret door.
Hearing the growing footsteps towards the room's double wooden doors, the criminal rushed to the Egyptian flag where a small camera was hidden.
Oooohhhh, so that's how he found out how to get to the secret safe.
Once he had it inside his jacket, he turned to the air vent and, with a mighty jump, reached its ledge. Hoisting himself up, the intruder got inside, pulled the vent's lid and started screwing back the top with the mini electric screwdriver he had left there.
"دعونا إسقاط الباب!*"
"لا! المدرب ستقتل لنا!*"
"غرامة! ثم فتح الباب، سريعة!*" signaled the rattle of keys tempering with the many locks the door was secured with.
"Mission accomplished."
BANG!
"SSSTTTOOOOP!" the dozens of the museum's guards shouted as they entered with a rumble into Mr. Hawkins private office, batons and lanterns pointing in every direction to locate the possible thief. But what was there for the confused security unit to stop? Afterall, there was no one there and everything was in the same way it was left by the head administrator.
Silent.
Empty.
Untouched.
Just like the air vent.
"This WASN'T part of the PLAN!".
"Yeah, but this is when things get FUN!"
If by 'fun' the confident raccoon meant running from one of the best Interpol agents there is to avoid being electrified by her shock pistol, then sure.
Bentley and Murray, on the other hand, weren't big fans of it.
But we are going ahead of ourselves, so, for clarification purposes, let's make a brief recap of what led the Cooper Gang to this troublesome, yet (somehow) humorous, predicament. With the possibility that the Clockwerk parts had already been taken, Sly had lost no time in getting to where they had last been stored, only to find out their worst fear had bitterly come true.
The parts were gone without a trace.
However, that didn't mean the master thief had been alone in the exhibition room, for the two many-thousands-years-old sarcophagus had suddenly opened and (instead of mummies) two female Interpol agents had come out from hiding.
Alright! It's introductions time!
The first one to go is the lovely red and yellow fox, whose sharp ears' tips were black, owned beautiful navy blue and curly hair which was partly secured by a long braid, a long fuzzy tail, chocolate-brown eyes, thick eyelashes, painted red thin lips, a small nose and a beauty mark under the corner of her left eye. She was wearing blue pants, a black belt, a pair of brown mid-shin combat boots, a blue laceless cropped top with a zipper on the middle, a yellow jacket and gloves, a blue-collar around her neck with a dangling golden Interpol badge and a ring of the same colour on her left ear. Known for going nowhere without her special red and yellow shock pistol, the athletic, yet curvy, Latin woman was the famous Inspector Carmelita Montoya Fox, here also labeled as the girlfr-No,wait...
Someone scratched this and wrote 'the Ex-girlfriend' instead.
...
I hate it when I'm not warned about these last-minute changes on the script.
Anyway, let us go on with the second agent: a bengal tiger with a lavender and purple striped coat, a long thin tail, emerald-green eyes, thick purple lips and a triangular nose. Her black hair and ears were completely covered by a red and yellow ornamented head covering and a golden tiara with a small ruby rested on her forehead. She was also using a light blue cropped top, brown shorts with a blue belt and golden buckle and dirty brown explorer boots. As for weaponry, there was a rope whip on one of her hands and a hunting knife was strapped on top of her left boot. This muscled and exotic Indian beauty was Constable Neyla, the recent partner of Inspector Fox on the stolen parts case.
Sly had had no trouble in recognizing the women, despite the little he knew about the tiger. The fox, however, had left no room for a warm welcome when she had directly accused the raccoon of the robbery that had happened the previous night. Denying with all sincerity, even if the master thief had wished he had been the one taking the parts, was no use, seeing his confession fall in the determined Inspector's deaf ears. Constable Neyla, surprisingly, had shown a different opinion by pointing out the fact that the crime's circumstances were more relatable with a Klaww Gang job. An argument between the two officers had followed, providing the (albeit short) opportunity the young man had needed to get away from there.
And this is how we got to the initial situation.
"You can't run forever!" Carmelita shouted as she jumped from one side to the other to get better shots, her shower of electrical 'bullets' never ceasing.
"Doesn't mean we won't try!" Murray shouted back, his tiredness starting to show itself as he struggled to keep up with his short legs.
The chase continued for a little longer before they were able to get some distance from the enraged fox. At that moment, they found themselves in one of those corridors which were getting fixed. Incomplete walls, along with several white covers and scaffoldings to protect everything from the curious turist, were almost everywhere and no artifact or antiquity was within sight. Using the new scenario for their advantage, the blue-clad thief reached an exit door and opened it for the other two. "This is getting a little too hot for you, guys. So I would appreciate if you went ahead and warmed up the van." he mentioned with his head. "I'll keep Carmelita busy. We'll meet up later at the rendezvous point.".
They both nodded in agreement.
"Be careful, Sly..." Bentley whispered with a worried expression as he got first through the door.
"Don't take too long, okay? My belly still has that wierd feeling..." the hippo said with equal care to which the raccoon smiled.
"I won't. I promise, big guy." he assured him before finally closing the door to the two retreating forms.
BLAST!
BOOM!
"You're all going to jail!" the Interpol agent emphasized after having shot at Sly's head, who thankfully had dodged the blow just in time. Giving a quick glance at the still sizzling hole on the door (that could had been him seconds ago) and the threatening female just some feet away from him, the mammal tried to calm his horrified heart, with his cane clutched to his chest, and smooth his fully stood up fur. Specifically his tail which looked like a frizzled mess.
Taking a final deep breath, the thief regained his cool and put on his most charming grin.
Warning: all fangirls should be tied up, right now, in order to prevent a threat to the public health.
Thank you. You may continue.
"Now, now, Carmelita, I thought you only wanted me and no one else." the master charmer began his attempt of a spell as he took small steps towards the end of the hall they were just crossing.
Inspector Fox narrowed her eyes in response, her pointed gun simply coping his movements. She planed to attack the moment he bolted into action. "I'm after the three of you and any other law-breaker I may come across. That doesn't put you in any special position.".
Sly pouted in sadness, his ears folded. "Ouch... That's harsh. I can feel the goosebumps coming from how cold this place got." he joked whilst he rubbed his arms as if he was trying to get warmer.
Instead of fuming in frustration and irritation like she normally would, the fox smirked in a way that could only mean trouble.
For him, that is.
"Oh, you're feeling cold, ringtail?" she started with no concern, the smirk always present on her face. "Then allow me to warm you uuuuuuuuuuupp...!" Carmelita trailed off as a result from having taken a step forward and slipping on a lost steel pipe. Understandably, she lost her balance and was about to fall on her bottom, but, just before the latter happened, she accidentally pulled the trigger and one of the pistol's powerful bolts was fired.
What did it hit?
BLAST!
BANG!
The long and exposed ventilation duct going from one side of the ceiling to the other.
"Oops..." the thief said as both him and the Latin still sitting on the ground eyed the enormous hole the shot produced on the duct.
CRACK!
CRACK!
Alarming metallic sounds resonated through out the extensive hall when something disturbed the weight distribution on the mentioned duct which easily broke into two segments. The segments' new openings began to descend for a couple of seconds before they stopped moving, thanks to the pieces that bolted the rest of the duct to the ceiling.
Inspector Fox moved first. "Great. Just great. I can hear the major bill and the lecture I'm getting for this already." she finished with a sigh at the same time she got up and brushed off the dust from her pants, her pistol still pointed to the young man.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you but that's not what I'm hearing right now." he mentioned, ears straightened, in the damaged ventilation system's direction with his cane. The same thing that allowed the duct to crumble seemed to making the noises one would make if they were going against its walls or, dare say, sliding it.
"..aaaaaaaAAAAAAHHHHHH!" grew the scream just before someone came out from the segment on the left. Due to the stranger's reflects, though, he or she was able to grab the ducts irregular edge with his or her left hand.
"There's someone up there!". Sly turned to the agent. "We've got to help!".
Without him noticing, Carmelita had lowered her weapon and had summoned a walkie-talkie from her jacket.
"This is Inspector Fox requesting back up, I have a civilian about to fall from a life-threatning height, I repeat life-threatning, do you copy?" she ordered with great speed and urgency but only got static as an answer. "Damn it! It's not working. We'll have to improvise with what we have around here." the Latin said, walkie-talkie back inside her jacket.
The master thief raised a furry eyebrow as he went to grab a large white cover from one of the walls.
"We?".
"Don't push it, ringtail.".
While things on the ground buzzed with activity, the anonymous 'civilian' was trying to maintain his/her/their rapidly weakening grip and at the same time reach inside his/her/their partly opened black jacket.
"Don'tlookkdowndon'tlookdowndon'tlookdown..." repeated the mantra before he/she/they finally took with a shaky hand the desired object. White orbs shifted into a hopeful expression. "YES! I've got it!".
It was a black grappling hook gun.
CRACK!
Which needed to be used immediately if the stranger didn't want to turn into black soup.
"PULL, NOW!" Carmelita barked as she and Sly watched terrified, from their respective scaffoldings, the figure's hand slipping after the abrupt shake the duct had made. A cover was already stretched between them to easy his/her/their fall.
But there was no need. For when the strange person began to descend with his/he/their back to the ground, the hook was shot and successfully got stuck to the stone ceiling. After going through some meters (feet if you prefer), a tiny switch was flicked on the gun's side and its rope suddenly ceased unwinding, gravity greeted the so-called 'civilian''s body in full force. He had reached half the distance from the ceiling to the ground, so, due to the fact that they had yet to get down from the scaffoldings, the raccoon and the fox could once and for all fully see who exactly they had been about to save.
It was the black-clad thief.
"Oh my..." he said sheepishly as his white orbs darted from a shocked face to the other, gloved hands refusing to let go the grappling gun.
"What an awkward situation...".
Hey! What was that? = مهلا! ماذا كان ذلك؟
Again! It's coming from the office! There's someone inside! = !مرة أخرى! انها قادمة من مكتب ! هناك شخص داخل
Let's bring down the door! = !دعونا إسقاط الباب
No! The boss will kill us! = لا! المدرب ستقتل لنا!
Fine! Then open the door, quick! = غرامة! ثم فتح الباب، سريعة!
DONE!
Review or message, if you please. Tell me your constructive opinion! Forgive me for any spelling/grammar mistake you may find.
See you next time!