Chapter 4

I quickly climbed back down the pipe and made my way to Sly's room, it was locked of course but with three keys hanging on a peg right next to it. "This is way too easy" I thought as I grabbed one of the keys.

Twisting it into the lock, I found it wouldn't budge. Shrugging I tried the second key, and then the third.

None of them fit the lock.

I took a closer look at the keys, one was too big, one was too small, and one fit perfectly but wouldn't turn. Frustrated I banged my fist against the wall, causing the keys to fall down

I was about to go back to the roof when I saw something other side of one key seemed to fit in the lock, I tried it hearing a small click and the door opened. Inside was quite interesting, plastered all over the walls were clippings from newspapers, all seemed to show a very particular fox. A dresser sat against the wall near the door, a blue shirt peeked out of a drawer. A bed with blue covers was next to an open window, the Eiffel Tower a good distance away but it was still a nice sight, then on the bed was a book. It showed the calling card of the gang and on the cover it read Thievius Raccoonus, the book was old, with a worn leather buckle across it, when I opened it though, any thought I had was swept away.

Inside were techniques, tips and even documentary of the Cooper family, a whole history of thieves, I skipped around, going from the master ninja Rioichi Cooper, to the gunslinger Tennessee "Kid" Cooper. It was fabulous, I read about the Rail Walk and Slide, the Ninja Spire Jump, all of these techniques were created by Sly's and I's ancestors? This is incredible, and then I flipped to our current holder, Sly Cooper.

As I flipped the pages I read Slys story, about how this book was stolen by the members of the Fiendish Five, and how he defeated them one by one before defeating Clockwork. Apparently this was a gigantic owl who dined on his anger and jealousy to live for centuries, going so far to even convert his body into metal. Then he wasn't destroyed completely, his parts were scattered around the world, taken my members of 'The Klaww Gang' and using them for their own heinous acts. Then, after stowing away on a blimp, they accidently rebuilt Clockwork, only for Captain Neyla fused her body with Clockworks and became Clock-La. The gang managed to defeat her, but not without Bentley losing all feeling in his legs, then I turned the page and a note fell out, I grabbed it, feeling excited for my next clue, but all it had was an arrow pointing up.

When I did I saw Sly sitting on a roof, just watching me, one leg resting on the roof with the other hanging in the air, he lifted his cane and waved in a cheery sort of way.

"Nice book you got here," I say, lifting up the Thievius Raccoonus.

He smiles, then cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouted "Let's see what you learned, catch me if you can," then sprinted off on the rooftops of Paris.

I got to the edge of the window and without a hint of hesitation I threw myself out of the window, grabbing the ledge of the roof and after pulling myself up I saw he was a good ten feet away. I chased after him, feeling my feet pound the rooftops of the buildings as we ran, I climbed up a building clinging to a pipe like a tailed spider and leapt across roofs in the cool night of the City of Lights, after ten minutes I caught up and tackled the raccoon we went rolling across the rooftop of a building close to the Interpol station and breathing heavy of our recent sprint, I look at him before fist-pumping the air, "I win," I say.

We were just lying down on a roof, and then Sly said "Well that book has taught you well, to catch me is no easy feat,"

"Well I caught you so now what?" I ask, he got up in a sitting position and looked at me "I believe you were going to ask if you could use that cane you snagged from Interpol," he said "And my answer is yes, you can."

I thanked him and we spent a while looking at the city, "Well I'm going to head back, take this," he said, handing me an earpiece, "In case you need back up, or if a high roof, use this," then he handed me a parachute and left, hopping across the roof back to the hideout.

I immediately went off to the Eiffel Tower, longing to see the entire city and climbing it easily with the new skill I learned. I brooded on the recent events, from my world to a world filled with animals, I still had many questions but I was contented, I had a home, good friends and a great, new adventure laid out, filled with who knows what. Then Murray's voice in the earpiece said "Calder, were all going to start playing a new video game, you want to join?"

I asked "What game?" while rubbing my eyes, "A new game called Slugfest," he said. My eyes shot open, "The new game where you play baseball and you can punch players and catch on fire?!" I ask, excitement filling my veins,

"YEAH," Murray shouted,

"WAIT FOR ME, THEN GET READY TO BE SCHOOLED CHUMPS!" then I leapt of the tower, activating the chute, which safely descended down to a roof and I sprinted back to the hideout, time for my new life to begin.

I grunted as I lifted the weights, it's been two days since I joined the Cooper Gang; smiling I remember the events of that night. After I got back to the hideout, we played Slugfest until Sly brought out some root beer, we drank like crazy and when the next morning came, I woke up in a bathtub clutching the game console with my shirt flung off and my socks in the toilet. I got out and when I walked into the living room, I tried to contain my laughter; Sly was hanging from the ceiling held by some kind of bubbling adhesive, his arms dangling like Luke Skywalker from Star Wars.

Bentley was perched like a spider over the door, metal arms embedded into the wall, his head slumped and something smoking in the back of his wheelchair. Murray was the best though, his back against the fridge and his face was jammed in a bucket of ice cream, food and sodas were scattered on the kitchen floor. Apparently Sly accidentally grabbed a beer cache they had, so Bentley rigged up a detector linked to cameras all around the house so not only would it sense any tampering with the beer and record what happened to humiliate them about their hangovers. I stopped lifting weights and went to some tennis ball launchers,

Murray had got me into a vigorous training program he made after an interaction from some guy, anyway Sly got his two cents in and they made a program that would help me become stronger and lither. The first day was torture, between Murray's weight lifting and Sly wanting me to practice different techniques, flexibility and thief reflexes, Bentley had to use his sleep dart formula to make a sort of tea to help numb the pain in my body.

I flicked on the automatic machines and closed my eyes, there was a special technique called Thief Reflexes, made by Henrietta One-Eyed Cooper. She had learned how to sharpen her instincts and reflexes so even when bullets would come flying on the high seas, she could dodge or fight back, the body was filled with adrenaline and the Coopers could fight back or deflect. Since we didn't have bullets though, and didn't want to risk it, we used a mix of tennis balls and baseballs, Sly decided to use a blindfold to further the act. Darkness was all around due to my closed eyes; I concentrated though and heard a whistling in the air. I reacted, turning my upper torso and snatching the tennis ball from its mid-flight to my head, dropping the green sphere; I turned and snatched more balls flying from all directions with my eyes closed. I kept snatching until I heard a low whistle, I dodged the baseball as it flew over my head, the tennis balls were done, now to dodging the baseballs.

My body moved on its own, leaning back, forward, sideways, not one baseball touched my body. After a while, I heard the machines whir but no more whistles, I take of the blindfold before I go to the mini-fridge near the door and grab a bottle of water as I head to the roof to practice my cane skills. I quickly ascended the fire escape, and sprang onto the roof before bringing out my cane.

Bentley had done a great job when he customized it, it was collapsible and would spring into two parts, the baton, which I could easily hang on my belt due to the curved tip, it was mainly used for decoration, or a climbing hook if needed and no one would suspect it which was great for taking it into certain balls of parties in disguise (According to Sly, it would help when dealing with dancing couples). The second part was when it was fully extended; it was a little smaller than Sly's cane, roughly the fully extended cane would reach my chest if I placed it on the ground, it was used to help pick pockets or as an extension for the climbing hook. Both forms were helpful to fight criminals if I ran out of ammo for the shock pistol.

I swung the cane around before I began to practice; all I did was pretend I was sword-fighting someone, switching from the baton to the cane with a push of a button.

"If you intend to fight, try using Sir Galleths techniques."

I look and see Sly standing there, cane slung casually over his shoulder.

"Care to help?" I ask.

Sly grins before he takes his cane in one hand and goes into a fencing position.

"En garde," he shouts.

I adopted a similar position, the cane in my right hand and my foot forward before swinging an overhead blow at Sly. He blocked easily before shifting his cane into both of his hands and swung ferociously at me. I blocked, pushing his cane down with mine I gave a quick thrust, he skipped aside and attacked again, dodging his blow I ran up and flipped over his head, bringing the heel of my boot against his back.

He went with the blow, rolling forward before spinning around with a grin, "Nice job with the acrobatics," he complemented.

I saluted with the cane, "Thanks."

Sly grinned again before closing in the distance and began to unleash a fury of quick attacks, pressing me back with his quick swings and thrusts. I parried the best I could until he backed me up against the edge of the roof.

'CRAP!' I thought, with one foot resting on the edge roof and the other planted firmly in front of me, if I moved my position now, then Sly would knock me off the rooftop. I block another attack before engaging him into a blade lock while I looked around to see the corner, where the satellite we used was held by a tall pole. Thinking quickly, I disengaged before I turned my upper torso and grabbed the pole, leaping off the roof I swung myself around and back onto the roof and quickly struck out at Sly, causing him to get panicked and take a step back…and off the roof.

I rush forward and quickly grab his outstretched hand and pulled him back onto firm ground.

"You ok?" I ask.

Sly nods his head before head-butts me, crying out I stumble back, only to feel something to sweep my legs from under my feet. Blinking I see Sly extending the end cane with the 'C' near my throat, he looked at me with a grin before he pulls back the cane slightly, I then grab that end of the cane to pull myself up.

"Great job Calder," Sly complements, "you have good form as well as taking in your surroundings."

"I'm detecting a 'but' in there," I say, rubbing my face.

"…you need more work on your technique; it's too sloppy and easy to read against a skilled opponent. Try and mix it up and keep your enemy on their toes, and remember to stay focused, try not to let other people distract you unless completely necessary. When you pulled me back you got distracted on how my health was, what you did NOT know was that there was a pole that could swing me back up here."

I look at Sly in shock as he rubs the back of his neck rather sheepishly, "So I took that risk of knocking you off the roof for nothing?" I question rather angrily.

"Yeah well….like I said…um…let's get inside, Murrays making pizza," he stammered before hurrying inside.

"COOPER!" I shout chasing after him.

"Which one?"

I was reminded again by Bentley first heist was coming up, Mz. Ruby; a New Orleans crocodile was summoning up the undead and stealing priceless artifacts that would improve her juju powers. We hurried over and after the guys did some recon; Bentley put his plan into action.

"O.K., Mz. Ruby has been stealing 'mystical totems' that seem to enhance her powers, tonight she is going to steal the 'Animal' totem from the museum that belonged to Le Paradox,"

At that name, Sly growls. I look at Bentley confused, "Who's Le Paradox?" I ask.

Bentley says, "An old enemy who likes to make illegal trade of any kind of artifact he can get his hands on. Anyway the 'Animal' totem on display should give her the ability to bring dead people back to life!" Bentley explained, while we watched a clip by clip presentation. Murray was munching on some chips and gazing at the projection like it was some kind of movie. Sly was leaning back against the chair twirling his cane and I was watching intently for this operation.

"Murray, you're up first."

"ALL RIGHT," Murray shouted, flexing his arms.

"Yeah, anyway Mz. Ruby's army of the undead is going to be outside guarding the place. Using some recon, you need to knock their craniums off and disconnect it from the spinal cord, or else the dead will put themselves back together and make it a lot harder for you. Then position the van in the ally so we can make a quick escape."

"Meanwhile I will be infiltrating the security room to deactivate the sensors and lasers to the-"

"Wait lasers, there's going to be lasers!"I interrupt.

"Yes Calder, there is going to be lasers that can turn you into raccoon barbeque, so be careful. Anyway after I disable them, it's going to be Calder's and Sly's turn. Sly, you'll need to deal with Mz. Ruby, according to some observations the jewel in her bellybutton is the source of her voodoo magic. You will need to distract her long enough for Calder to steal the totems from her and then you strike, knocking her out and snatch that jewel. Then after we grab what we can, we make a quick escape, any questions?"

"I have one thing to say Bentley," Sly began, we all look at him confused.

"What's up Sly?" Bentley asks.

Taking a deep breath he says, "I'm really glad to meet you Calder, I've always wanted to meet a living Cooper. Anyway, the foes the guys and I have faced here may have a serious grudge against me, and may try to do whatever they can to try and kill me, if they discover that you're a Cooper too they might target you. So when we go out and pull of heists or whatever, call me Jack, that way we don't have to worry about anyone getting to you," Sly say.

"All right then Sly, let's go do this," Bentley says, then he puts his hand in, "All for one,"

Murray and Sly put their hands on top and I follow their lead, knowing the rest of the line.

"And one for all." We all say together.

That night at the museum, Sly and I were waiting on the rooftops of a nearby building, the totem plain in sight from a window.

"O.K. Mz. Ruby is heading inside now, Murray, you're up, go crack some skulls."

"HERE WE GO," Murray shouted, and then cracks and crunches sounded from the earpiece.

"That's cue, let's go Cal-Jack," Sly said and together we leaped from the roof. We soared across the night sky, bounding from rooftop to rooftop, the night smelled of smoke and food. Then we landed on the roof of the museum,

"There should be a ventilation shaft that will lead us to the exhibit with the totems," Sly said, looking around

"Found it," I replied, then with a quick whack of my cane the metal grate fell, revealing an air duct. Sly stepped forward but recoiled when he smelled the stench of the duct

"Euugh, it smells like a sweaty Murray," he exclaimed,

He was right; it did reek like a football locker room,

"So who goes first?" I ask, Sly and I look at each other after a quick debate we switch to Rock, Paper, Scissors.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot!" We both say, Sly throws out a rock; I unfortunately throw out a scissors.

"Ha," Sly says as he whacks my fingers with his already clutched fist, "Get going newbie,"

"Shut up Ringtail," I reply,

"Looks who's talking, Stripes,"

I was about to retort with a rather mean joke about his mom but then Bentley stopped us.

"Come on guys, get moving,"

Groaning, I crawl into the vent, going along the path to find that it leads all over the museum. Then I find the room with the final totem Mz. Ruby needs, in my haste I quickly knock down the grate and hop down, only to find lasers all along the floor. Panicking I wave my arms around as I fell, only to have Sly grab my hand just before I hit the floor, toes brushing the top of the lasers before Sly pulls me up, not fully because he can't pull me back into the vent.

"You forgot an important rule, look before you leap," he says. I looked around and saw some flags hanging from the ceiling, detailing about new exhibits, then I was struck with an idea.

"Hey, pull out your cane," I say, already out with mine and extending it to its full form.

"Why?" he asks but his cane already in hand. I link my cane with Sly's and let go of his hand, then after propping my feet against the wall, I leaned back before launching myself into the air and snag the pole with my cane hook.

"Nice moves, been studying hard?" Sly asks amazement in his voice.

"Yeah, and it's been no easy task with you and Murrays training," I reply. Then I hear, "Just got to the control room, the lasers should be going off in 3…2…1…"

Just then the lasers shut off like magic, "Quick, get to your position!" Sly says, leaping from the vent to a skylight above. I hop down from the flag and hurry across the room, until I'm on top of a jewel display, we were a good distance away from each other, after a while I hear thumps and the doors open. Glancing over a glass display, I see a poison green alligator walking up, with a sleeveless red vest and a red bandanna around her head.

"Hhhhhhhmmmmm… Le Paradox must be gettin sloppy, no security for this, strange," I hear in an accented Southern voice. Then Mz. Ruby moves around, muttering to herself when I hear a crash and I see Sly fall from the roof and lands right in front of the exhibits doors, the glass from the skylight closely fell behind him.

"Wwwweeeeelllllllll, Slllyyyyy Coooopppppeer, I was sensing your mojo earlier, and whose the other one? Your new scapegoat?" She says in an appalled voice.

"Well, that other mojo may just be your ego, which is way too big for this place," he says cockily, moving around her. Now's my chance, time to prove myself a Cooper.

Read, Have a great day and God Bless

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