One: The Rolling Ball

The moon shone so brightly, it almost blinded him like the sun. But even without the moon, Paris just emitted radiant lights in the summers. There was a certain 'crème de la crème' quality to it all: the open balconies, the curly arches, the medieval gargoyles. And to top it all off, the prestigious Louvre ball to celebrate the arrival of some new art from Egypt. Yes, mass grandeur surrounded the city of love; but so did the urge for thievery.

His classic, blue boots got so worn out from over the years, and so didn't attract any rubble when he ran on the rooftops. The cane created sparks when it drifted against an electrical wire leading to the museum. When within jumping distance, he leaped from the wire onto the windowsill and rolled inside through the open window. When will people ever learn to make these things a bit more challenging for him? Now upstairs, he passed the lasers without breaking a sweat and finally reached the balcony, which had a view of the ball.

'Sly! Sly! Are you there, Sly!' Bentley's familiar, but irritating at times, voice chimed in through the Binocucom.

'Sly Cooper is in the building'

'Yeah, yeah, cut the flirty chitchat for Carmelita, who, according to the computer, is making her way towards your position. She's probably on duty tonight'

'It's been a while since we crossed paths…' Sly scratched his chin, reminiscing about his last meeting with the Inspector.

'Snap out of it Sly, we've got work to do! I need you to take some pictures for me'

'Go ahead, I'm listening'

'I've got the guest list here: Madame Beverly D'Oinkeau, one of the event's organizers'

'Where have I heard of her before?'

'She was Dimitri Lousteau's ex-fiancée, we stole from her last year? The 2004 Monaco Heist?'

'I remember. Let me just adjust the zoom so that she actually fits in the picture'

'Don't be so vulgar. Now take a picture of Inspector James Barkley'

'I'm assuming he's waiting for Carmelita. But for him to be here…' Sly speculated in silence.

'They must be undercover'

'Exactly'

'Don't even think about getting yourself into trouble. We're here to steal the Austrian Hunchback Emerald, nothing else. Stay out of it'

'Whatever you say'

'Why do I know this is going to end badly?' Bentley swallowed down what felt like big knot in his throat.

'Stop worrying Bentley, everything will be just fine'

'Fine… Lastly, I need you to snap a shot of Señor Garras, the actual owner of the emerald'

Señor Garras, a Brazilian panther, emerged from behind a marble pillar, sporting a brooding, mysterious look whilst wearing a tight tuxedo. His whiskers remained still as he made his way towards the centre of the room.

'Tall, dark and handsome: Is that him?' Sly focused on the panther with the Binocucom's lenses.

'That's him alright'

'What's the background on this guy?'

'Garras was born in a shanty town, shut down away from society. By the age of 16 he became the community's best wrestler. But he saw past the traditional fighting and close-minded ideologies of his people, and travelled towards the city, where he studied Law and eventually opened up his own million-dollar law office: Garras International'

'Borderline stuff, Bentley; get to the interesting part'

'He's rumoured to be associated with the mafia, corruptly defending drug-dealers and such. He'd gone off the radar for a few months back in 2002, and when he returned, his claws were replaced with iron ones'

'Now that's good storytelling'

'Cut it out Sly, this is serious: don't pick a fight with that guy, he'll rip you to shreds'

'You're exaggerating'

'I'm not! Now get to the next floor and find the security room so we can get the van into the underground parking space'

'On it'

But before Sly creeped off the balcony, Murray's voice was heard on the line.

'Bentley, Sly, are you there?' the dripping sweat from Murray's forehead was audible.

'What is it Murray?'

'I think Carmelita just spotted me in the van, and is now rushing right towards me'

'Crap'