I don't own Sly Cooper, Sucker Punch does. I do own the characters that are not in the series, however. I hope that you will enjoy this new chapter and get some answers you had from the last one. Please review to tell me what you liked!

Paris, France. 4:21 A.M.

In downtown Paris, an old railway station stood by itself, long since deserted after going out of business almost a century ago. The white and green paint had peeled off its walls, the windows of the ticket booths covered in cobwebs and frost. Though it seemed as if no one had been there in years, besides the occasional delinquent with a bottle of spray paint. Abandoned train cars still stood on the rusting tracks hidden behind the old building bulk. Out of all of them, a lone train caboose's was lit up like a large lantern.

This was not just an old train car, but was really the Parisian hideout for the Cooper Gang. Despite its grungy appearance, the inside was comfortably furnished with a T.V and video game console, a shelf full of stolen DVDs and books, and two tatty couches. In the very back of the car there was a couple of green hammocks and a small private bathroom complete with a toilet and shower.

Near the front door to the caboose Murray was talking to a short green turtle who was sitting at a computer console: the Cooper Gang's brain, Bentley. He was bald with thick brown eyebrows, and wore a pair of large thick glasses on his big nose. The clever turtle wore a yellow shell with white sleeves, and had a red bowtie around his long scrawny neck.

"Alright, alright, play it again!" Murray laughed.

Bentley chuckled "Okay, here it goes." He pressed a key on his computer, replaying the recording the gang had gotten of Louie St. Leon. The chameleon's sputtering came out of a speaker hooked up to the console.

"YOU…YOU…VERMIN! I WILL NOT BE OUTWITTED!"

The sound of him shooting at Sly and instead getting knocked out filled the room.

"Ugh.."

"HA, HA, HA! Man, I wish I was there to see his face when you pummeled him Sly!" Murray laughed so hard, he was practically crying as he held his sides.

Sly was lounging on a worn out green couch on the other side of the room. "Yea, I wish you guys could have seen. It was like this!" Sly made a goofy bug eyed face that sent his buddies into more hysterics.

Bentley was the first to calm down. He started looking up different news reports on his computer and was not pleased with what he had found. "Well, despite a very successful evening, it seems the Prestidigitator has yet to be apprehended." He turned to Sly and looked at him nervously through his broad specs. "Aren't you worried Sly? The guy did say he would get revenge."

Sly just smirked as he lay down on the couch with his hands behind his head. "What have we got to worry about, Bentley? The guy was a total pushover. He was all bark and no bite! Plus, now that I know he's able to turn invisible, he won't surprise me again so easily. My family practically invented that trick!"

The turtle frowned. "Maybe so, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be cautious. This fallen illusionist might get desperate if he really wants that Seal back." Bentley looked around the shabby interior of the Cooper Gang hideout. "Where'd you put the darn thing anyway?"

Sly took off his hat and pulled the jade and gold artifact out of it. He then tossed the egg to Bentley. "Here ya go."

Bentley caught the Seal and placed it carefully onto the old desk his computer was set up on, along with piles of discarded plans and candy wrappers. Murray, who had been sitting on a stool that seemed ready to collapse under his weight, got up and looked at the ancient treasure. "Wow! This thing must be, like, a bajillion years old or something!"

"Actually Murray, if I did my math right, and I always do my math right, the Imperial Seal is amazingly over ten thousand years old!" Bentley corrected his large friend with excitement.

Sly got up from the couch, curious. "What? That can't be right. I've stolen a lot of loot before and anything as well made as that was usually only around two thousand years old at most!" He picked up the Seal and examined it. When he turned it upside down to look at the base, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Huh, Bentley, isn't there supposed to be some engraving on the bottom of this?"

"WHAT!" Bentley cried out in alarm. He snatched the Seal out of Sly's hands and looked at it himself.

Sure enough, where there would have been an engraving in the gold base for marking documents in ink, there was only a hexagonal hollow.

"This is horrible! The Louvre won't pay us a coin if we return this thing damaged! How could this have happened?" The turtle started breathing so hard he rummaged through a drawer in his desk until he found a white plastic inhaler and took a deep breath of it. He then turned and glared angrily at Sly. "Did you do this while you were playing 'Cops and Robbers' with Inspector Fox?"

"Huh? No, I was real careful with it!" Sly peered closely at the vacant space in the Seal. "Besides, this doesn't look like it happened recently. More likely it lost that part years ago."

Bentley saw he had a point and breathed a sigh of relief. "That's fortunate. I was really panicking there for a second."

Sly rolled his masked eyes. "Well, it wouldn't be the first time."

Bentley gaped at the raccoon. "That's ridiculous. I don't always behave like that!" The bespectacled turtle protested in his nasally voice.

"Sure ya do Bentley." Murray confirmed. He counted out the examples on his pudgy fingers. "There was that time when you were freaked out about all the germs and stuff when we were in Haiti. There was that other time when we went to India to steal that one Fire Stone and you almost passed out after tasting some curry. And when we went to Mesa City in the Southwest you covered yourself in, like, a barrel of sunscreen and wouldn't leave the van. And in…"

"OKAY! I GET IT!" Bentley shouted. He took another breath of his inhaler and got to work on planning how to return the artifact to its resting place at the Louvre, while at the same time getting a descent 'finder's fee.' Sly went back to the couch to rest up after the long night, while Murray adjusted the antenna on their television so he could watch a wrestling match that was on.

Meanwhile, outside the abandoned caboose, a lone figure in a high collared black and white cape was watching the Gang from across the old railways.

"Well, Cooper, I did say I would take something precious of yours," Louie St. Leon whispered as he held up a small black remote which had a single dark red button on it. The disgraced chameleon then smiled viciously. "I suppose it will have to be your life."

Paris, France. 4:21 A.M.

Carmelita Montoya Fox stormed into Paris' Interpol Station, her face so full of anger that the other officers that worked there quickly formed a path for her, not wanting to get in her way. Making her way up to the fourth floor, she threw open the red door to her office and slammed it shut.

"NOT ONE LEAD! NOT ONE SINGLE LEAD ON COOPER OR ST. LEON! DIOS MIO! WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO CATCH A THEIF IN THIS TOWN!"

She punched the wall, leaving a large crack in the plaster, but also bruising her knuckles. Cursing in pain she sat down at her desk and tried to calm down. She had been trying to bring down Sly Cooper for about two years now, but whenever she got close to catching the thief, he somehow ALWAYS managed to get away! That raccoon was really obnoxious, especially when he flirted with her all the time.

As if she would actually like that criminal!

Sighing, the vixen grabbed a can of cola from the mini fridge she kept in her office. As she sipped the fizzy drink she looked at the diplomas and photos she had framed up on her wall. Carmelita had been one of the youngest inspectors in Interpol history, passing all courses with flying colors. She had brought down counterfeiters, terrorists, and psychopaths. She was adept in hand-to-hand combat, knew how to drive practically any kind of vehicle, and was a sharp shooter with her Shock Pistol. And yet she couldn't catch one nineteen-year-old thief!

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in." Carmelita called as she sat down in a wooden rotating chair. Lieutenant Barkley opened the door, as always wearing suspenders with a button down white shirt and black tie while smoking a cigar. Though Carmelita never dared say so to him, she hated how his cigars stunk up the place. Following the old badger were two men Carmelita did not recognize, though it seemed as if they were also in law enforcement.

One of the men was a cat with grey fur and dark stripes running down his ears and face. He looked around his early to mid thirties and was wearing black pants, a white collared shirt with a dark blue tie, and a brown trench coat. Despite his age, he seemed about as tough as Barkley, with a hard look in his green eyes.

The other man was, to Carmelita's surprise, about the same age as she was, maybe younger. He was a Golden Retriever, though it appeared he might have had some Husky ancestry because of his icy blue eyes and curled tail. He wore an outfit similar to the cat, though he had no tie. He looked friendlier then his associate as well, though he seemed to be very curious about his surroundings, glancing at everything around him.

Barkley was the first to speak. "Fox, these guys are from the French government. It seems that the robberies committed by that chameleon have a lot of countries riled up." He took his cigar out of his whiskered mouth and blew out some smoke into the air.

Carmelita resisted the urge to cough.

"Since you were the first at the scene, and have experience with this sort of ciminal activity, they have a few questions for you. I've got to finish the paperwork on St. Leon, so I'll just leave you three alone to talk." The short lieutenant left the office, leaving behind a trail of smoke.

The grey cat shook hands with Carmelita. "Bojour, Inspector. I am Agent Marcus Doyle." He pointed a thumb at the dog. "This is my associate Agent William Zheng."

Agent Zheng for some reason, started to bow to Carmelita, and then stopped when Agent Doyle cleared his throat deliberately. The Golden Retriever straightened up with a sheepish look and instead shook her hand as well. "It is an honor to meet you Inspector Fox. We have heard many great things about you and your fight for justice."

"Um, thank you." Carmelita replied, puzzled by this odd greeting. "If you don't mind me asking, isn't Zheng a Chinese name or something?

"I am adopted."

Carmelita's face burned red with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry! I just haven't gotten much sleep lately because I've been tracking this one criminal for, well, way too long. I can't seem to get my head on straight."

Agent Zheng seemed confused by this, but remained silent and merely smiled and nodded in acceptance of her apology.

Agent Doyle cleared his throat to get Carmelita's attention. "Inspector, first things first, we need to know why you were at St. Leon's home before the confession was released to Interpol. Was he the criminal you have been tracking?"

"No, that would be Sly Cooper."

"SLY COOPER!" Agent Zheng exclaimed, his blue eyes wide with amazement. Agent Doyle glared at him forcibly, quieting his young partner.

Doyle turned back to Carmelita as if nothing had happened. He put his hands behind his back and looked carefully at her. "So Sly Cooper was working with St. Leon?"

Carmelita thought for a moment, remembering what Cooper had told her on the balcony. "No, I guess not. I thought he had been the one who had stolen the Imperial Seal from its exhibit at the Louvre." She then furrowed her brow in annoyance. "But he sure didn't hesitate to steal it then! By now, he's probably at his hideout bragging about it, that lowlife!"

The cat raised an eyebrow inquisitively at her response. "So I take it you dislike Cooper for personal reasons?"

"Personal reasons? What are you getting at exactly, Agent?" Carmelita asked with a warning tone.

"What my partner is possibly trying to ask Inspector," Agent Zheng quickly explained. "Is if you know that much about Sly Cooper as a person. Do you know if he would be one to keep such an artifact as the Imperial Seal? Or whether or not he is an honest man? Someone you could trust?"

"Well…" Carmelita did not know how to answer that question. Sure, Sly was a thief, so that made him a criminal that had to be arrested. On the other hand, he never seemed to steal from those who didn't deserve it. He had also saved her from being killed by Clockwerk after the malicious owl had captured her, even when the raccoon didn't have to. As much as Sly infuriated her, she could not help but admit that deep down, he was a descent person.

Carmelita then realized something. "What a minute…Why are you asking if Cooper can be trusted?" The agents did not answer her, though she could tell Agent Zheng was nervous by the way he glanced at his partner, as if expecting him to do something. "Alright, what's going on her?" She turned to Agent Doyle. "Okay, gato, what's your angle? What aren't you telling me?"

The grey cat's face was expressionless, as impassive as stone. He just stared at her with a steely look in his green eyes.

"Doyle," Agent Zheng said carefully. "Maybe we should tell her. She could be of more help if don't have to hide what we're doing."

Agent Doyle looked back at his partner and shook his head. "You know the rules. 'Secrecy is key to our cause.'"

"I may have been working with your organization for only a few months, but I do remember the rules also say 'If we and our cause are threatened, aid must be found, no matter the source.' If we want to succeed, we will need her."

Agent Doyle glared at the dog, but this time Agent Zheng stood his ground. The cat sighed in defeat. "Fine, kid, I'll let this slide." He turned back to Inspector Fox. "We are not really with the government."

Carmelita crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Oh? I never suspected."

"Please save the sarcasm for later Inspector." The agent reached into his coat, making Carmelita swiftly take out her shock pistol from her holster in case she needed to defend herself. The cat looked at her weapon with little concern. "Inspector Fox, believe me, even if I wanted to hurt you, that would not do you much good." He took his hand out of the folds of his coat, showing the item he was reaching for was a silver badge. It was triangular with an eerily lifelike open eye staring from within it. "We work for an classified organization that is supported by every country within the United Nations. We call ourselves 'NEXUS,' and it is our job is to make sure certain…. phenomena do not endanger the general public.

Carmelita lowered her pistol and looked at him quizzically. "Phenomena?"

"Magic, psychics, mystics, monsters, demons, spirits, alternate dimensions and realms of existence, and such related things, if that is more accurate for you." Agent Zheng explained helpfully.

Carmelita looked at the two with skepticism. "Seriously? That sounds more like something out of a television show then real life."

Agent Doyle smirked. "You would be surprised of how strange 'real life' is if you just pay attention. After all, just last year you had to deal with a Mz. Ruby. Wasn't she a Voodoo priestess who had a nasty habit of raising the undead?"

Carmelita frowned. He did have a point there.

Agent Doyle placed his badge back inside his trench coat. "The real reason we are here is that the artifact that Mr. Cooper stole from Louie St. Leon is actually a powerful talisman of currently unknown origin that was discovered by the First Emperor of China millennia ago. Over time, not knowing of what they possessed, the Imperial dynasties reduced its use to stamping proclamations. I am asking you if Sly Cooper can be trusted because NEXUS is not the only one aware of the Seal's uniqueness."

"Who else could possibly know something like that?"

"A bunch of filthy, dishonorable BEASTS!" Agent Zheng growled furiously, his friendly face replaced by one of hatred. He clenched his fists tightly as he looked to the floor and bared his teeth. "They call themselves 'OUROBOROS,' after an ancient symbol of eternity, and wish for nothing more then for their dark wills to be obeyed!"

Shocked by the agent's personality change, Carmelita began to wonder who she should be more cautious of: him or Doyle.

"Anyway," Agent Doyle calmly continued for his partner. "They are a secretive group, with near limitless resources at their disposal, so we have been unable to discover any of their members besides St. Leon. If Sly Cooper still has the Imperial Seal with him, they will try to get it back. In any way they can."

The vixen's eyes widened, processing what he said. "But that doesn't make sense! If they're so rich, what could they stand to gain from the Seal? Why would they want it that badly?"

"Because, Inspector, though it might sound cliché, they want to rule the world, with every man, woman, and child under their unquestioned dominion. And the Seal could be the key to them getting their wish."

Barkley burst into the office, his brown mustached face panicked. "Fox, you've got to get out here!" He looked over at the agents. "I'm really sorry boys, but we need as many officers as we can get right now. There's been a huge explosion downtown at the old train station and it looks like it was a bomb!" The badger ran back into the hallway to alert the rest of the floor.

Inspector Fox nodded. "Sorry, guys. We'll have to finish this later!" She ran towards the doorway, but was stopped by Agent Zheng.

"Ms. Fox, we have to come with you. It can't be coincidence that something like this happens so soon after OUROBOROS lost the Seal. I know their methods, and this could be a way to lure you to them since you have knowledge of the Cooper Gang."

"Fine, just don't slow me down." The three ran as fast as they could down to the stations' parking lot. The agents climbed into the back of Carmelita's police car, while she took shotgun and turned the key in the ignition, bringing the vehicle to roaring life. "Hold on!" she shouted over the engine as she slammed her foot on the gas. The Interpol Inspector and two NEXUS Agents raced off towards downtown Paris, the car's sirens screaming to the flashing of blue and red lights. Due to the time of day and the recent blizzard that had swept through the city, little traffic got in their way, though Carmelita had to do some quick turning to prevent them from sliding on the icy roads into a lamppost or shop window. Finally making it downtown only after a few minutes of speeding, they stopped with a screech in front of the train station's entrance. Carmelita looked behind her to the back seat. "You okay back there?"

Agent Zheng had been holding onto the leather cover of his seat for dear life, his eyes shut tight as he silently prayed that the Latinia would not kill them. He opened his eyes when he heard Carmelita and relaxed, looking embarrassed. "I am now, thank you. I am not quite used to such forms of transportation." He replied quietly.

Agent Doyle, as usual, showed little emotional response. "You'll get used to it." He unbuckled his seat belt and waited until the other passengers followed suit before he left the police car.

"Not very warm, is he?" Carmelita asked the dog as they left the car and followed him towards the station.

He chuckled. "Not really. He's a great man and an even greater mentor, but when it comes to social skills he, well…"

"Has about as much personality as a wall of bricks?"

The Golden Retriever nodded. "Pretty much."

Catching up with the cat, the found themselves in front of a terrible sight. Where behind the station there had once been a series of railroads and forsaken train segments, there was a large smoking crater. Metal wreckage and glass shards were all over the place, slowly being buried by newly fallen snow. Carmelita got over the shock and started walking among the debris, searching for any clues as to tell who or what made it. Spotting someone trapped beneath what looked like the remains of a couch, she ran up to it and pulled away the scorched furniture. The vixen cried out when she found that the person was Sly Cooper! The raccoon had been spared the full force of the explosion thanks to the couch, but was badly hurt and from wounds in his right shoulder and leg. "Cooper. Cooper! Sly, can you hear me?" she shouted, fearing the worst. To her relief, he groaned and opened his eyes slightly.

He struggled to smile, despite the pain he was in, when he saw her. "In..Inspector? Am I in Heaven?"

Carmelita quickly wiped a few tears from her face before he could see she had started to cry. "No, ringtail, you just survived being blown up by a bomb. Figures you wouldn't even follow the laws of nature."

"Heh, well, I'm not really one for going by the rules." Sly tried getting up, but suddenly cried out in pain, putting his hand on his shoulder's injury. Agent Doyle and Agent Zheng heard him and ran up behind Carmelita. Agent Doyle kneeled next to Sly and took a small case from his coat pocket. He popped open the lid and poured a blue powder onto the thief's cuts. Sly hissed in pain as a twisting vapor came from where the powder landed.

Carmelita grabbed the cat's hand, holding him back from using anymore of the azure grains. "Es tu loco! Are you crazy? What the heck are you putting on him!"

The agent, with incredible strength, pulled his arm out of her grasp and continued what he was doing. "This is a disinfectant designed by NEXUS in case of injuries in the field. If you'll stop interrupting me, I can make sure he survives these wounds." He looked down at Cooper. "I realize you are in a lot of pain right now, but what happened here? Where is the Imperial Seal?"

"The..Seal? Bentley was looking at it and then there was this big explosion. It threw me in the air and…next thing I know…" Sly, without warning, got halfway up and looked around him searchingly. "Where's Bentley! And Murray! Are they okay!" He tried to get to his feet, but started falling into unconsciousness. Agent Zheng, thankfully, was able to catch the raccoon before he met the ground. He brought Sly up and carefully put the thief's unhurt arm around his neck to help support him. The sound of sirens from other Interpol vehicles started approaching them.

Agent Zheng turned to Doyle. "We need to get him out of here, NOW. His friends aren't here, so OROBOROS must have taken them with the Seal."

Agent Doyle nodded and took out the NEXUS badge he had shown Carmelita earlier. He rubbed his thumb on the metal eye three times and cupped it in his hands. "I request the Seelie, by star and stone and blood bound oath, to provide us safe passage in this fateful hour." He whispered over the badge.

Fizzling green energy shot out of the eye's pupil and formed a ring around the group. A faint haunting melody and the smell of fresh grass filled the air as Sly, Agent Zheng, a very startled Carmelita, and finally Agent Doyle, glowed with the same light and vanished in a burst of light particles.

Hope you liked this chapter. Please review and look out for the next one, where Sly and Carmelita learn more about NEXUS!