Sly Cooper

And the Gang in...

A Night To Remember: Part I

The name's Sly, Sly Cooper. I'm a master thief who comes from a long line of thieves. My lineage is infamous for it's use of unique techniques to acquire the world's most priciest treasures. However, while my family has a highly known reputation, it can also leave a bad taste in others mouths. Did I mention that we only steal from other thieves? (most of the time, the rest is based on whatever catches our eyes). My gang and I have been to almost every place you can think of! Spoiling others' operations left and right. Our recent operations concluded in us taking down a guy named "Cyrille Le Paradox." Le Paradox was a guy who held a grudge against my father for beating his to the punch of an heist. The guy was a total lunatic, he literally tried to eliminate my lineage by traveling to the past and stealing my ancestors' canes. As usual, we didn't let that ride. In fact, as of today, Le Paradox is serving a very long sentence. He sure got what he deserved! Anyways, we're now residing in our hideout in Paris. Awaiting for the launch of our next heist.

Paris, France, Hideout. 3:45 AM.

"Hey Sly! Look!" Bentley yells as he reads the newspaper.

"Uh, yeah Bentley?" I call back.

"Carmelita's been arrested for stealing!"

"What? Absolutely no way Bentley! Let me look at that! That can't be right!" I took the paper and read it.

I was speechless, every feature of the lovely policewoman's face has been perfectly presented in this paper.

"N-no! I don't think she would-"

"Sly! Wait a sec! Carmelita is the one WHO'S arresting the perp!" Bentley reassured. "So...that's not her?" I asked wanting to feel relief.

"Nope! That's the woman who's considered her "Doppelganger"." I sighed feeling relieved.

"OK! You had me scared for a moment, Bentley! And Carmelita has a doppelganger? I didn't know that! Let me look again!" I held the paper close to my face this time, reading carefully.

"She looks so much like her! I couldn't even tell them apart!"

Then that's when Murray busts through the door with pepperoni and cheese pizza boxes at hand.

"YO! Sly and Bentley! I got 7 boxes! 3 for you guys and 4 for me!" I couldn't help but smile at Murray.

"Uh, hey Big Guy, we only asked for 1, but-"

"Oh no worries Sly, The Murray bought extra for the nights to come!" Bentley sighed out of disbelief.

"Murray, we're only having pizza for tonight!"

"Oh, we are? Oh, well I guess I'll eat them then." Murray said with sadness.

I nudged Bentley in the shoulder. Bentley looked at me.

"Ow! What was that for?!" I worded to him:

"You know how he feels when he's treating us for dinner! Be nice to his choices!" Bentley read my lips and nodded in agreement.

"Fine! Fine!" I called out to Murray.

"Hey, big guy, we'll take it! 3's...uh, more than...uh, 3's a party!" I chuckled.

Murray's face widened with a bright and successful smile. He opened a box of Gardino's Pizza and munched away. Bentley wasn't really tied to having pizza again. He regretting one bite. It was Murray's turn to pick what he were having for dinner and so he picked an all-time favorite, pizza. Out of all due respect, I was tired of pizza too, but that didn't mean I had to go and hurt Murray's feelings. However, Bentley's just being totally candid, I mean he just broke Murray's heart for the moment. That's why I checked him!

About 30 minutes later, we all finished our pizza and soda, just to hear a very loud and obnoxious police horn! It was the kind of alarm that signifies a jail bust or robbery! I can hear Carmelita's guards yelling, "GET BACK HERE!" and or "FREEZE!". Similar things they've told us when they would "bust" us on the scene. I went to the window to see what's going on. I saw a familiar silhouette on the rooftops searching for some kind of cover. I instantly thought, "Carmelita?" Then I remembered she has some sort of "Doppelganger" going around—HEY! That might be her! I grabbed my cane and made way for the door. I wanted to know what's up with this "Doppelganger" of my girlfriend going around and getting her into trouble. As I was about to leave out, Bentley called to me.

"Sly! Where are you going?!"

"I'm going to ask a few questions to Carmelita's Doppelganger. Is that of your approval, mother?" I answered in sarcasm.

He rolled his eyes before waving me off, "I advise you to be careful, Sly. You don't know what that woman is capable of! Also, be aware of Carmelita's guards!"

I nodded and gave him a smile and went on my way.

As I followed the woman, she seemed to ended up by the Eiffel Tower, a cottage-like home with only candle-lit lanterns. Police sirens were closing in and I could hear Carmelita's voice fading closer and closer. Then that's when I got spotted by the woman. She seemed to have a similar weapon to Carmelita's, but a little more..."customized".

"Ahh, the Infamous Sly Cooper! What could he want with a woman like me?" asked the Doppelganger with her perfectly polished nails on her hip.

I recognized that heavy Spanish accent. I choked at first, then I answered.

"I didn't know that Carmelita had a twin. I could've sworn that she was a..."only child"?"

The woman laughed and then she put her pistol down. "I'm in NO relation to that cop hag!"

"Ouch, you know, she's my girlfriend, right?"

"Haha, no, but now I know! Besides, a cop and robber? Last time I heard, those two don't mix!" She laughed.

"Eh, let's just say our relationship is complicated!" I reassured her.

Carmelita jumps her way onto the scene. She looks at me with a evil glare, already assuming what she thinks that I might be doing. I nod in response.

"Eh, hey Carmelita! I was just-"

"Don't you "hey" me, Sly! I know what you're doing!" Then she winked at me.

"I was asking your Doppelganger why is she running away and may I mind you that she looks just like you, Carmelita?"

"Don't tell me you're going to fall in her trap of charms, eh, Ring-tail? If I know you well, you are not as gullible as other thieves! Besides, no one can match me in beauty, unless you think so, Ring-tail!" Carmelita armed herself with her primary weapon, the Shock Pistol.

The Doppelganger armed herself and then aimed her mysterious pistol at Carmelita. I held on tight to my cane and asked the Doppelganger a question.

"What's your name?"

She gave me a non-trustworthy glare and then she answered carefully.

"My name is Melina Amerie Fox."

"Such a beautiful and sassy name. Similar to-"

"STOP COMPARING ME TO HER, SLY!" Carmelita yelled.

I nearly stop breathing when she yelled. I rose my hands in the air and that created a opening for Melina the Doppelganger to make her getaway. She reached into her back pocket and threw a smoke bomb onto the ground. Then she ran over towards me and hit me in the head with her pistol. Unfortunately, my head isn't made out of steel, so I passed out. The last things I heard was a sound that sounded like the spinning of a dial, and Carmelita yelling.

"RING-TAIL!"

Melina had collected my body. She then threw another smoke bomb, completely covering the whole area worst than it already was, and used shot a grapple hook that extended far past the Eiffel Tower.

"Until we meet next, Inspector Fox!" And with that she laughed victoriously.

For those who aren't clear of the "spinning-dial" noise mentioned above, you will have to find out in the next chapter what Melina's gun does. Just know it has multiple functions and it requires a spinning-dial to access each one. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review!