4) A New Year in a New Place

AN:

NG:*Sitting at a present filled table with a birthday hat on her head* Happy (extremely late) New Year, and Happy Birthday to the twins. I said I would do a New Year's story, but technically, today is a new year to the day of their lives. Don't you love double meanings? Also I realised I forgot to add something, but it is mentioned here. Sorry.

Rachel: Cake is ready!*A group of screaming children run past*

NG: Ow, my poor ears. and I thought six and seven year olds were quieter than three year olds...don't ask. Anyway, since everyone is busy today, I'll be doing the disclaimers myself.

I do not own the Sly Cooper franchise (unfortunately) and everything besides my own OC's belong to those who do. While I will accept constructive criticism, I will take vengeance on any and all flamers with my trusty bucket of cold water and Joseph's Cane.

NG:*a piece of cake hits NG square in the jaw* Enjoy the story!

*The screen goes to the cooper symbol with a birthday hat on top and colorful balloons behind*

NG:*Off screen* Who did that?!

Sara: Run! *All kids start running with NG following*

Joseph: Don't kill or hurt anyone!

Paris, France two years later-10:00

Joseph's POV

Even if it is their birthday, my little thieves never change. Sara and Sly (now six and seven respectively) decided to have a day-long Hide and Seek game with their new friends. Sara was currently the seeker, and Sly was the only one left to find. Due to her enhanced senses, the others were easy to find, but Sly had discovered ways to trick her. I moved out of the way as Sly ran past, and gave a small chuckle as Sara went past a few moments later. As I watched her run acrosst the large yard, my mind went back to the move to Paris.

It was the day after Christmas, and the children were running to the NES. I intercepted them in the kitchen and herded them back in. After they were seated, Rachel and I set a large plate of pancakes in front of them. We waited for them to finish before we told them we were moving. Their response was understandable. They were both sad for a few moments, before Sara jumped three feet in the air, landing on the chandelier . Rachel and I were worried that she had hurt herself until she climbed down and continued to jump around in joy. I turned my head to Sly and saw a much different reaction. He had a shocked smile on his face.

After we had a going -way party, we packed the moving van, and hit the road. Though both of the kids were sad to leave their childhood home, they became excited at the new adventure after we got to Switzerland, almost half way through our trip.

Once we got into France, we knew we had to find a house quickly. Oddly enough, Sara was the one to find our one true dream home. We were driving to the park when she saw it as we drove by. "Look at that cool house daddy," she said. When I looked over I saw a two story Victorian style house painted with neutral colors outside. Even better, there was a forsale sign in the front yard. I called a real estate agent while we were in the park, planning a visit for the next day.

While we were getting a tour, Sly found the selling point for us; an entire secret layout in the walls. He was leaning against the wall and it flipped under his back. I told the girls to go on and went back, only to find a gap in the wall. I found Sly on his back when I checked, and we went on our own tour. The walls were pretty thin, so we just followed the girls on their tour. As it turns out, we practically have an entire second house hidden in the first floor. The second floor didn't have that hidden feature, but it did have two separate rooms separated by a "jack and jill" bathroom in between (which the kids instantly called if we got the house). That way, they were still kinda sharing a room, but they were separated by a wall. All the rooms were very large, as was the backyard. It had a huge pool, room for a play set, and still had yards and yards for a garden, with a free open yard to run around in. Needless to say, we made a very large offer with the cash I got from my retired thieving career.

"Found you Sly, it's your turn!" I watched as Sly dropped from his place on ceiling, and they returned to the living room. Rachel placed a cake from her new job on the table and walked over to me, leaving my old friend and colleague, James McSweeney, to watch the children. I looked at her, the old passion I always had for her filling my heart. We shared a quick kiss and served the kids the pastry. They played the new games they got for the rest of the day… or until the other kid's parents came.

We cleaned up the kids mess, scrapping cake form the floor due to an impromptu food fight and picking up forgotten wrapping paper. We were almost done when McSweeney came up to me, asking to talk alone. We went out to the screened-in patio together. He seemed tense as I waited for him to speak; however, when he did, I wished he had stayed silent.

"I'm going to turn myself in."

I turned in shock to my old friend, not believing what I obviously heard. "What?! I think I heard you wrong. Could you please repeat that?"

"I'm turning myself in Joseph. What happened on that last heist has me shaking to my bones, and I don't want to even be free when HE comes."

I gaped at him, sadness and shock mixing together in my heart. I turned away with a sigh. Once that blubbering walres makes up his mind, there is no changing it. I took a deep breath, trying to stay strong in front of my brother in arms, and turned back around. "Have you told Dr.M?"

"Yea, and he honestly agrees with me. He said that he is going to come with me to the police station, and urges you to do the same."

"I can't leave my family alone with no father."

"Would you want them all dead? I'm going, it's your choice what you do." With that he left, wishing me luck with my life.

I turned toward the back yard, and the tears came all on their own. My mind went to the night he was talking about.

We arrived in Rome with no problem and began to gather information. It turns out that the owner of the Emerald Racoon, the artifact we were going after, knew of my entire family history. That was a thing only Coopers have known throughout history. When I grabbed the large crystal, a large metal owl landed right behind me. He went by the name Clockwerk, and he was the most menacing creature I had seen in my life. He attacked me and my gang, but we safely got to the van and drove away with our prize. In what I can only assume was anger, he bellowed in a metallic voice that sent a chill up my spine, and said something that froze my blood.

"Beware Joseph Cooper. Your time is nearing, and your son will live in cold loneliness as an orphan, and a testament to my greatness. All you know will cease. Do not grow attached to anyone, for all will go down in cold blood. I will never rest until your name is gone from history, and no Cooper lives."

We may have gotten away with no problems, but my heart was shattered. I disbanded my team in hopes to keep them safe, and moved the family to France to get away from my now living nightmare. I swore from that day to when my children began thieving on their own, to be a law abiding civilian, taking nothing and giving to those who have less.

I continued to stare straight ahead, until Sara came running by me and tore me out of my thoughts.

"Where are you running to, my little thief?" She stopped and turned towards me.

"Mamma told us to stop playing video games for a while, so we are playing hide and sneak again." I give her a nod, and she ran off towards our large pool. A few seconds passed until Sly came running, stopping when he came to my side.

"Did you see where she went Dad?"

"Can't say I did, and even if I could, I wouldn't. I'm not allowed to tell, remember?" Sly gave a tiny pout, but ran on by, looking in every 'hidey hole' as he went by. Funnily enough, the moment Sly was across the yard, Sara dropped down right in front of me. I guess she came back around while I was talking to Sly. She gave me a large smile and dashed back into the house, leaving me to smile at her retreating back. I turned around to watch Sly, thinking. I may never know exactly what that demonic owl meant when he spoke those years ago, but I know one thing for sure; Sly will never grow up alone.

3:00 PM - Sly's POV

"YES," I yelled as a knocked Sara's out of bounds and won the match. "We are now at four to one, and the victor is me!"

"Don't yell in the house!"

"Sorry Mom." I yelled back, continuing in a mumble. "Even if you are yelling to."

"I heard that." I gave a small wince as Sara tried not to laugh, and failing miserably

"What ever Cocky Cooper." she said, continuing like that exchange with Mom never happened. "Let's go one more round. Winner take all."

"You are so on!" I yelled as the character select screen came up for our new Super Smash Bros. Melee game. We each selected our favorite character; Mewtwo for me and Peach for my sis. "One thing before we start, What will the winner get?"

"How about a slice of leftover cake?"

"NO! You get way too energetic when you have that much sugar in you. How about...um...um...I honestly have no clue."

"How about we decide at the end of the match."

"Agreed," I said as I set the stock to three and chose the "Final Destiny" stage for a fast brawl. Our characters came in calmly and I gave Sara a quick glance; seriously, it was only like one second. When I turned back to the TV, Mewtwo was flying off screen and Sarra was giving me a smug smirk. I knew she was over competitive among close friends and family, and I was paying for making that bet. When a prize up for grabs, she gets vishous.

"Get your head in the game Sly! If you don't, this will be far too easy."

I return with a string of hits, landing most of them and getting a good hit of damage on my character. The battle continued for a while, leading us to each character standing with only one life left and above one hundred percent. We gave each other a quick glance, and turned our focus back to the game. This last strike would determine the victor and who would get the mystery prize that was offered. Mewtwo attacked with shadow ball, straight in front of Peach, who Jumped in the nick of time. She returned with a 'booty bomb', as Sara calls it, and sent the purplish pokemon off the screen and ending the round. I gazed in shock at the TV for a moment before looking at Sara, waiting for what she thought of as a prize. I noticed that her ears were turned back towards the kitchen, where Momma and Pappa were talking. I couldn't hear anything, but I also didn't have ultra hearing, touching, or smell on my side.

"Well," I said, not looking forward to what she would say. "What will you have me do, oh victor of th…"

"Shush." Sara placed a finger to her lips and turned to the kitchen.

"Why?"

"Momma and Pappa are talking, something about clocks. Pappa sounds really scared." Now I knew that if he was scared it meant one thing; the family has been threatened and in danger. I placed a hand on my younger sister's shoulder, noticing that she was shaking a bit, and suggested the the first option.

"He's probably just going on a dangerous heist to get an ancient clock. We both know he will always return safely. Now, what will your reward be oh victor of the game." She gave me a half smile and sat up like a queen on her throne.

"You shall get me a...a… NO wait, I've got it! Go and get two pillows and blankets. We will have a kind-of sleepover right here in the living room!" I gave her a mock bow and went to get the requested items. My went back to what she said, and in all honesty, I was scared as well. I knew Pappa was retired and didn't do heists anymore, but Sara didn't. Considering how scared she was without knowing, it scared me to think of how frightened she would be otherwise. I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't leave her side unless circumstances forced us to do so.

AN-

NG:* Walks up to a very dusty desktop, giving a small squeak at seeing a spider before smashing it with her shoe. She finishes typing chapter four, fearing how people would respond to the long wait as she logs into . She goes to her profile and gives a gasp at all the PMs and reviews she has gotten. She slowly reads each one, smiling at the positive comments and hopeful question 'when is the next chapter coming?' She wipes away the tear that has begin to wet her cheek and turns to the readers, more tears ready to fall.* Wow. I honestly thought… I thought you guys had given up on this story with how long I've kept you waiting. I don't know how to thank you. *Wipes away another tear* I should explain my delay to those who don't already know. Well it started with last month when I got sick for two days. I spent the week afterwards trying to get my grade up before the Academic Decathlon (acadec) competition I had that Friday and Saturday. I got home around 10:00 pm and traveled to Tennessee to visit my bro over spring break at around 5:30am. I did get a bit of work done on this story during this time, but I was also caught up in a college visit along with hanging out with my brother. We returned home on that Friday for me to go back to school. I spent that week with my brother and doing homework. I've been focused on school ever since then. Yea… I'm way too busy for my own good, and it won't get better over this next month or summer. My brother is coming home in the first week of May, the end of the year is that same month, my birthday is close to the last day, and I'm working at a camp over most of break. I'll update when I can, but I will mainly be working on my phone and it stinks.

Well, after all that, I have two surprises for you guys. First one is an alternate ending to this story, actually how it was originally written. When I first wrote this, the family didn't know all of Sara's abilities. They knew of her super sight and hearing, but not her smelling (this will be explained in the future). When Sara won the last round, she was still scared by what she heard and asked for a cookie that her mom was currently making making. This led to a hilarious event and that ended this chapter. I changed it due to already having cake, and she is like me...yea. Just a funny tid bit about me… moving on. *Laughing is heard in the background* And now to introduce my helpers, Oh and spoilers for what I do in the fifth and sixth books. If you don't want relationships revealed, and children presented, don't read until you see a sentence of ALL CAPS.

*The camera turns to a sitting area where the entire Cooper gang is sitting. Sara holding a pair of twins and Sly is sitting on one chair (both grown up for the moment), gawking at their parents who are sitting in the chair to the right of them, trying to figure out who they are and looking for their young kids. Bentley, Murray, Carmelita (who is also holding a pair of twins), Jonathan, Ashlyn, Fiona, Koda, Alicia,, and Carson (the last six are OCs that come in a little later) are sitting in various chairs near the four. Sly turns towards NG*

Sly: Did you get a hold of the time machine, right?

NG: Yep, I did. Thought you would like to see them again, Sly.

Joseph and Rachel: SLY!

Rachel:So…* turns to Sara* That makes you Sara? *Sara just nods*

Bentley: Well, here goes a paradox.

NG: I'll fix it in a sec, *turns to the readers* Now the gang and I will answer PMs and Reviews. Bent, will you take the first one while I take care of them. *Bentley nods and NG goes to the family*

Bentley: *Looks at a tablet, a large packet of paper, and clears his throat* I will start with the reviews, if NG doesn't mind. *an "I don't" is heard in the background* Ok, Ms. cooperfan629, NG thanks you for thinking that it is cute, and would like to tell you and all her readers that she will not let this story die if she can help it. It may go into a coma for an extended period of time, but all the comments she gets keeps it on life support. *gives a small giggle* That was rather clever. *NG yells "Suck up" from behind him* Yes, now to continue… * both the tablet and the papers are yanked out of his hands by Jonathan:*Looking at the next comment and NG's response before turning to Bent* My turn turtle. This is to a girl named...ladylava? Ok then, well NG says that She honestly appreciates it that she was recommended to someone she personally considers an online friend and that you both think this is an amazing story. *muttering under his breath* Though it will get better when I come in. *gets a glare from the other characters, including Sly and Sara. he gives a soft cough and continues* She would also like to assure you that this will certainly get past seven chapters, probably closer to twenty. *looks impressed* Wow that's a lot of chapters. * Sara comes over now that the chat is done, and hands him the children, taking the tablet and papers at the same time*

Sara: Take care of them for a bit, K hun? *gives him a kiss and looks a the things she took before turning to the readers* Um… Can I do the next two?

NG: *still off screen* Who is it?

Sara: Fireheart1331

NG: * walking into screen and next to Bentley* Yea, go ahead. That one is already answered...kind of.

Sara: Ok, thanks! First off, NG apologies for the long wait. Second off, It has just been updated… if that wasn't obvious. As for Mr. Data Seeker, NG would like to thank you for all your reviews.

NG: Big Time

Sara: The compliments are appreciated and you are the first to give her constructive criticism in the reviews. She has two people looking over this story, and if anything has been missed, she asks that you, or anyone else for that matter, to tell her what it is and where it is. She would like to warn you and those who read this that "the event" is coming soon and it will be a little violent. She is planning to make it as clean as possible, but may change the rating for this and every story afterwards. There will be fights, and injuries in each one. Just take this as for warning for those events.

NG: And that will be the only spoilers in this segment. The next chapter has absolutely no violence, but the chapter after that is when "it" comes. Those who are true Cooper fans know what I mean.

Alicia:*walks over to Sara and asks for the items that have been passed around getting them before she goes back to her seat* Thank you. *looks down at the tablet and papers before looking at the audience* It seems like I have lordlava123. NG would like to personally thank you for all your support, and the recommendation. It truly makes her proud to be an author. *NG smiles*

NG: *to Alicia* Sorry for breaking in. *to audience* It's not just the recommendation I appreciate. I have an older brother, and I'm the kind of girl who takes his recommendations seriously. I used to take a close look at everything he suggested, and I have grown to like many of those suggestions. I't just because of this, that makes me truly glad that you suggested this to your sister. *Blushes and looks away* Um… can we move on?

Carmelita: Sure hon. * hands Sly one of their children and reaches for the tablet for the next one* Now for Belkasky. This one is short. NG thanks you for the appreciation and she will certainly keep the story up. *hands it off to Sly and takes back the baby girl, who has started winning. Carm whispers to the baby* Come on, time for a diaper change.

Sly: *gives the thing a quick glance before turning to NG* Wow, both of these last two are really short. Can I do two as well?

NG: *gives him an unimpressed look but sigh and nods* Fine.

Sly: *gives a small fist pump as everyone gives him an eye roll, even his wife, who had just re-enters the room* Anyway, this one is for a Ms. PhantomGIrl17. NG would like to thank you for thinking that Sara is cute and hopes that you review again. Last, but not least, as she was the first to review, Carmen Veiga! NG would like to thank you for such a kind comment to get everything started.

NG: THANK YOU EVERYONE! I truly do appreciate what you have all done to help me in writing. How you may ask? Just by encouraging me with all your comments. I started a while ago that I don't really like to show off, and doing this is actually hard. Thank you everyone. A huge thanks to TheClockworkStarling for helping, editing, and partly co writing. I will see you next update!

Everyone: Bye!