Hi. I hope you've liked the prologue. I do not own Sly Cooper or other official characters except the ones I made up in this story. Without further ado, here is the first chapter!

Sly Cooper and the Space Thieves

Chapter 1- The Reason

After the light had diminished, Sly and his gang got a good look at where they were. It was unlike anything they have ever seen. "Holy motherboards, Sly!" said Bentley. "It appears to be some kind of cargo bay with technology I've never seen before! I hate to say it, but I think we have been kidnapped by aliens!" When Murray heard this, he went ballistic. "Aliens! No alien captures "The Murray" without a serious confrontation!" "Calm down, pal." Sly said. "Maybe these guys are curious about us. Let's not be hostile to them." The moment he said that, a shock blast went straight past his right ear and barely scraped it. He looked for the source behind him and saw Carmelita. "The only one that is going to be hostile is me, Cooper!" Sly was both surprised and pleased that she was here, on this strange spaceship. "Inspector Fox, nice to see you here. I guess it is fate that we got sucked up here together, eh?" Sly replied. "Surround him, men! Don't let him or his bunch get away!" At that instant Commander York and his commandos were all over the Cooper gang. "Ah, Carmelita. Aren't you even wondering why were here, wherever here is?" Sly asked. "I'm just as confused as you are Cooper. However, I not going to let some dumb aliens get in the way of your arrest!" She replied. Before anyone made another move, a new voice was heard from the walls of the cargo bay. "Put down your weapons, Inspector Carmelita Fox, or these "dumb aliens" will terminate you all."

Everyone was surprised to hear the voice and tried to find out where it was coming from. "Who are you? How do you know who I am?" Carmelita asked, shocked that the alien voice knew her name. "Everything will be revealed shortly, Inspector. Now, I suggest you tell your troops to stand down and let Sly Cooper and his gang go before something unfortunate happens." Sly was just as shocked as Carmelita was when he heard that alien use his name. Carmelita thought for a moment. Then she gave the order. "Commander York, tell your commandos to stand down." He did what she said. "All troops stand down. Lower your weapons." Carmelita and the commandos put their weapons away. "That's much more like it. Now I want all of you to follow my chief of security, Yanor, at the passage on your left. He will lead you to my office." Sly, Carmelita, the gang and the commandos looked at their left and saw him. He was a big as Murray and was wearing slick, black armor with a manta-like helmet. He carried a 6 ft spear in his left hand and a blaster on his right. "Follow me." Yanor said.

'I got a bad feeling about this' Sly thought as he and everyone else followed Yanor to his leader's office. Penelope was scared about all of this, but Bentley reassured her that everything will be alright and held her hand tight. The corridor they walked through looked as huge and high-tech looking as the cargo bay, except it had fewer lights. Every now and then, Sly took a look a Carmelita and looked worried. He had to find a way to get her and his gang out of here and back to Earth before these guys hurt them. However there was nothing he could do at the moment. 'That Yanor fellow looks like he can rip us all apart in seconds. How much more intimidating could his boss be?' he wondered. Carmelita was also nervous but she remained calm and steady. 'Why do these aliens want me and Sly? Whatever the reason, I don't think it will be pleasant.' She thought. After what seemed like an hour, they finally arrived at a big door with a red and black manta with big, gold markings around it. "We are here. My master will speak to you inside." said Yanor. Immediately, the door opened and Sly and company went inside. They were amazed at what they saw. It was full of what seemed like trophies of other aliens. There were also a lot chairs fit for royalty and an awesome view of outer space. In front of them was a big, blue desk with an occupant sitting behind it with his back turned. As soon as they all entered the room and the door closed, he turned around. Sly was right; he WAS more intimidating than Yanor! Instead of black armor, he wore gold and white armor with a red cape. His helmet was also manta-like, but it was also gold with creepy blue eyes. On his chest was the same symbol that was on the door. He stood up and began to greet them.

"Welcome. I am Emperor Kanog, leader of the Mantians. I hope I didn't bring you all here at a bad time?" He said. At that moment, Carmelita stepped forward and slammed her hand on his desk. "A bad time? I was about to capture Sly Cooper when I was brought to this monstrosity! Of course it was a bad time!" Kanog did not move and seemed amused with her reaction. "This "monstrosity", Inspector, is the flagship of the Mantian Empire. I take great pride in my vessel. I expect more respect from you in the future." Carmelita couldn't believe what she was hearing. Sly decided to say something. "Um, Emperor Kanog, shouldn't you be telling us why we're here?" Kanog looked at Sly for a moment. Then he said, "Alright, I think it is time to tell you why you were transported here. Listen carefully and learn." He paused so that everyone was paying attention. Then he began. "About six months ago, a priceless artifact was stolen from the Empire. It was our greatest treasure and it is gone. It was the Manta Heart." Everyone listened intently, especially Sly and his gang. Kanog continued. "The Manta Heart was the symbol of peace for my people and they went mad when they learn it was taken. I swore to bring in the ones responsible for this outrage. So far, I had no luck." Panda King interrupted. "Wait, Emperor. I too understand what it is like to lose something precious to you and I sympathize. But that is no excuse to take others against their own free will." "I agree", said Murray. Kanog replied with, "I deeply apologize for my intrusion, but I felt it was necessary to bring you here immediately." He continued. "My reason to bring you here is simple: Help retrieve the Manta Heart from the criminals who stole it." Sly and the rest of the group were surprised when they heard this statement. Bentley asked, "How do you know about us, and how do you know we can help you?"

"Oh yes, I was just coming to that," said Kanog. "For the last three months we have been monitoring your planet with great interest. Soon we picked up satellite transmissions about "The Infamous Cooper Gang." We carefully copied information from your police archives, Inspector Fox, into our computer systems regarding the Cooper gang. The information was incredible. You and your gang, Sly, have pulled off the most impossible robberies on the planet. Nothing was beyond your grasp! I also know that you have been constantly pursued by Inspector Fox here, and eluded her time and time again. Recently, you have taken more recruits. Perhaps for another incredible heist?" Sly and the gang did not say anything about the Cooper Vault. "Oh never mind, it doesn't matter now. I need you, your gang, and the Inspector to steal back what was taken from us. If you do this one favor, I promise to return you all right where I found you. If not, you shall be locked away for life." Everyone was shocked about that, especially Carmelita. "Hold on, manta face! I do not work with criminals nor do I take orders from a fish head from another world!" Sly thought she had gone too far with that. Kanog simply said, "Temper, temper Inspector. I shall give you all a moment to decide." Sly got his gang and Carmelita huddled together and began to talk about the situation. "Look guys, looks like we got into another tight spot here. If we help this Kanog recover the Manta Heart, he'll send us home. If we don't, we're stuck up here. What do you think, Bentley?" Bentley thought about it, and said "I'm afraid we got no choice but to help him. Besides, he said he and his people were peaceful." "If Bentley says we should do it, then "The Murray" shall help!" Replied Murray. The Guru also agreed in his gibberish voice. "Count me in to, Bentley." Said Penelope. "I, to, am with you." Said Panda King. "This funky suit of scales is ready to dance out, baby!" replied Dimitri in his own way. Carmelita, however, was not so cooperative. "Forget it! I absolutely refuse to team up with criminals! I'd rather be locked up!" Sly knew how hard headed she was, and it happens to be one of the reasons he likes her so much: her stubbornness. He has to convince her to help, in a certain way. "Look Carmelita. I know you don't like this, but we have to work together. It's the only way we can get home." Carmelita said nothing. Sly thought of something and said "Don't think of this as a robbery, but think of it as "doing your job"." She looked at him with confusion. Sly explained. "Kanog said the only criminals right now are the ones he wants to find. Your Police and detective skills will be of great help. Besides, it wouldn't be the first time we've teamed up." 'That is true.' She thought. After a few minutes Carmelita made her decision. "Alright I'll do it, but when this is over you will be my next criminal arrest. Is that clear?" Sly gratefully accepted her terms.

Everyone then turned towards Konag, who was awaiting their choice. "Well, what is your decision?" "Emperor Konag, all of us have decided to work together to recover your lost Manta Heart." Sly replied. Konag was very pleased to hear that. "Excellent! Now, I am sure you are all tired from this ordeal. Yanor will show you to your guest quarters. Get some rest and my personal cooks will deliver some hot meals shortly. When we return to my home world, we will continue where we left off about the theft incident. Good evening." Sly, Carmelita, the gang and the commandos thanked him and followed Yanor out. When they are all gone, Konag turned to the view window and smiled excitedly. 'Everything is going as I planned. Soon I will be invincible!' Konag thought as he laughed out loud.

Note: I know Carmelita had mercenaries, not commandos in Sly 3. It is just one change I decided for this story, so don't think on it too much. This is my very first story, so please no flames! I appreciate any good responses. Thanks.