Greetings! I have had this idea stuck in my head while I was writing the previous chapter so I decided to write it while it was fresh in my head. I hope you all like it.

I don't own Sly Cooper or any of the known characters. I only take credit for creating, Lauren, King Arthur, the Le Beaux sisters, and Le Paradox's ancestor.

Enjoy!


(Galleth POV)

The sun was shining through the curtains and into my eyes. I blinked the sleep away slowly, to find my princess asleep on my chest. I smiled as I combed my fingers through her hair. She sighed contently and snuggled closer to me. In other circumstances, this would be forbidden and I would be hanged by touching the princess in such an inappropriate manner, but she was my mate and it is within my rights. I was so happy for Lauren. She finally has a family she has longed for and is now a princess that I shall protect with my very life. Especially from that pompous lord that had the nerve to grab for my love and then challenge me for her hand.

The thought of that filthy skunk touching my mate, angers me deepest. I shall not tolerate it. I shall rise to victory in the duel and show Lord Le Paradox the true valor of the Cooper name and that no one tries to steal a Cooper's mate, unless they want to perish. And then, before her, the King and the entire court, I shall ask for her hand in marriage. I reached under my shirt to pull out my gift to Lauren, after I succeed in the challenge. Inside a small box, rested a golden ring, surrounded by diamonds and sapphires. The center diamond had a symbol on the inside that looked like the Cooper Clan insignia. It has been passed down through the Coopers for generations, and now, it was my turn to give it to my one true love. I felt some stirring beside me and I quickly hid the ring before my princess saw it as she opened her beautiful brown eyes and smiled at me.

"Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well." I said as I stroked her cheek. She smiled at me and snuggled closer.

"When I am with you, I always sleep well." She said. I chuckled before pulling her into a kiss. I cupped both her cheeks between my hands as she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down closer to her. I then started to rub my hands all over her body, from her face, down her ample chest, and down her long legs to her soft and bushy tail. She moaned in my mouth before pulling away to breathe, but I continued by kissing her swan-like neck. She pushed my face into her neck and combed her fingers and claws through my fur, enjoying what I was giving her. If Lord Le Paradox thinks I was going to give her up without a fight, then he had another thing coming. We would've continued if it weren't for the fact that I had a challenge to meet. I smiled as I pulled Lauren to her feet. We were merely staring into each other's eyes, when a knock sounded at the door. We quickly pulled away and Lauren instructed to enter. It was my fellow comrade who was protecting the king in my place, now that I protect his daughter.

"Begging your highness' pardon, we were all hoping to help Sir Galleth prepare for the duel, so we can ensure that he is victorious." He said to us. We both nodded.

"Of course, I shall send him out shortly." Lauren said. My comrade bowed and then left. Lauren then sighed and turned in my arms.

"Please come back to me, Galleth." She begged. I smiled and kissed her forehead.

"I promise, my darling. I shall be victorious in this duel and Le Paradox shall bother you no longer." I told her. She smiled and went to get dressed when the servants arrived. Once I escorted her to the dining hall, I left her with the King and met my men in the courtyard to practice for the duel.

Hours later, midday, the courtyard started to fill up on the stands. It was time. Le Paradox arrived with a confident smirk on his face. I glared at him, determined to show him how a Cooper fought for those they care about. The trumpets sounded and we both turned towards the center and bowed down as the King and Lauren entered the stands and took their seats. I felt Lauren send a message to my heart, telling me she has faith in me and that she loves me with all her heart. I smiled as I sent her the same message. She smiled at me, then covered her heart with both of mine. I saw Le Paradox sent her a wink. I saw Lauren shudder in disgust and the King glared at Le Paradox, before rising to address the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to watch a duel, presented to our very own Sir Galleth Cooper by Lord Drake Le Paradox. Whoever wins, will have the option to ask my daughter, Princess Lauren Le Beaux Mason, for her hand in marriage. But the decision will purely be hers alone." He declared. I smiled knowing that even if I don't win, Lauren would never accept Le Paradox's offer. Lauren smiled at me and then her father. I could tell that Le Paradox was angry, knowing that Lauren still would have a choice instead of being forced to marry him. The spectator approached us.

"This will be a duel to first blood. The knight that draws blood first shall be the victor. Now shake hands!" We did as told, except it was more like finding out who could break the other's hand first. Walked backwards a few steps before drawing out my sword and Le Paradox did the same with an animalistic growl.

"Fight!" was shouted and we ran towards each other, screaming as our swords clanged together. I dodged as Le Paradox took a swipe at my head and rolled away from him. I blocked his sword with mine as it came down. I struggled to keep the sword away from my neck as Le Paradox growled out.

"Give up, Cooper! You know you can't win! The princess is mine!" He sneered out. I growled and kicked him in his chest, pushing him away from me. He growled loudly and raced towards me. I tried to dodge him, but he tripped me and I hit my head on a small rock. I was disoriented and Le Paradox approached me cockily. He then looked at Lauren in the stands

"What do you think of your knight, now, my princess?" He said. I could feel her anger, but then a wave of strength struck me in the heart. I felt stronger than ever. I knew it was Lauren, and I used my new found strength to pick myself up and swipe a legs through Le Paradox and knock him on his tail. He grunted in surprise and then quickly got up to swipe at me again, but this time, I dodged him and swiped my sword across his face. Le Paradox shouted in either pain or shock and covered his eye. He then tried to hide as he pulled his paw away, but I could see blood and so did the King when he rose from his seat.

"Stop! First blood has been drawn. The winner is, SIR GALLETH COOPER!" He announced and the audience went wild. Lauren rose from her seat and applauded politely and graced me with a smile of true happiness.

"NOOOO! THIS ISN'T RIGHT! I DEMAND A REMATCH!" Le Paradox shouted as he threw a tantrum. He had a scar on his eye wear I cut him. The king glared at him and drew Lauren closer.

"You are in no position to demand anything, Lord Le Paradox! You challenged Sir Galleth within your rights and he defeated you honorably. You must accept defeat, there is no rematch." The king said. I approached Le Paradox and offered my hand to shake. He just glared at me, slapped my hand away, and stormed off. I sighed and then turned towards the stands, only to have a beautiful princess fox, throw herself in my arms. I quickly caught her and hugged her to me. I was afraid she would be reprimanded for such actions, but the king only chuckled. I pulled away, took a deep breath and turned to the king with my arm around Lauren's waist.

"Your majesty, it is with great pleasure that I rose in victory today and for you to see my strength and the valor of my family name for yourself. I accepted the challenge, not only to restore your daughter's dignity and honor, but to show to you, how I will always fight for the love I feel for your daughter and that I will continue to love and protect her until the very end of time." I finished. The king smiled and nodded at me, knowing what I was about to do. I took another deep breath, turned to Lauren, and took both of her hands in mine.

"Lauren, I want you to know that I love you with my whole heart, and this challenge, thinking that I could've lost you to Le Paradox, made me realize that I cannot live without you. You first came to me in my dreams, but now that you are here with me, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, starting today." I knelt down before Lauren, who had tears building in her eyes, and held one hand with both of mine. "Princess Lauren Le Beaux Mason, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I proposed and revealed the Cooper ring. Lauren covered her mouth with her other paw and the tears in her eyes began to pour as the crowd awed at the moment. She wiped her tears away and presented me with a smile of pure love and happiness.

"Yes! Yes, of course I will, Sir Galleth Cooper!" She said before I placed the ring on her ring finger, stood up and spun her around in my arms, then kissed her with all the love I possessed while the crowd cheering for us, all except for an angry skunk watching us from the distance.


(Drake POV)

I watched in the forest as that wretched vermin kissed MY princess. I was so furious. I was certain there was either something wrong with my sword, or Cooper cheated. Either way, I should've won and that should be me with Princess Lauren and not Cooper! I need to get rid of Cooper, and then I can convince Lauren I'm the better man for her.

"Enjoy the moment, Cooper! Soon, you will meet your doom!" I sneered as I turned away to the woods. As I walked on a female voice stopped me in my tracks.

"So, you hate Cooper as much as I do?" I turned around to see a pink mouse with long blonde hair and clothing that was very odd.

"Who are you?" I sneered out. She just shrugged and walked forward.

"Just someone who wants to help." She said, standing a mere 5 feet from me. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion at her.

"Why would you want to help me? I don't even know you." I said. She only pulled out a picture and held it out. I snatched it and looked at it. My eyes widened at the skunk that looked exactly like me, smirking in the picture. I glared at the mouse.

"Who is this?" I pointed at the skunk in the photo. She smirked and crossed her arms.

"That, good sir, is your descendant, Cyrille Le Paradox, and my employer." She said. I gasped and looked down at the picture.

"I come from the future and my employer has ordered me to steal Sir Galleth Cooper's most prized possession, a cane." She said. I looked down, knowing precisely what she speaks of. "Aha, you know about it. If we work together, we can ruin Sir Galleth Cooper and you can have your princess. Do we have a deal?" She held out her hand. I immediately took it.

Watch your six, Sir Galleth Cooper! Soon you will meet your end, and your precious mate will be mine! Was all I thought as I shook her hand and she introduced herself as Penelope Mouse.


(Penelope POV)

That Fool! He was playing right into my hands. I can get Galleth's cane and he could lead Mason right to me. Not only was I instructed to steal the cane, but also to break Lauren to where she becomes malleable for Le Paradox and bring her back to him. Once I get the cane and Lauren, then I will get rid of Drake. He makes me sick the way he talks about Lauren. I wish I didn't have to do this to her, but I have no choice.

Le Paradox found out about me, he approached me with some amazing offers, that could make me well known. I took his offer, hoping to convince Bentley to join me. I plan to stay with Le Paradox until I can get enough money, and then get away from him so I could make a name for myself. Why, with my intelligence, I can make billions in weapon design. If only Bentley wasn't stuck under Cooper's thumb. Well, once I steal Galleth's cane, get Lauren, and remove Sly Cooper from the equation, I will convince him of how things can be and he will see things my way.


(Carmelita POV)

When I saw that arrogant little…that no good lying, UGH! I should've tied his mangy tail around his neck! I should've blasted that smug look right off his face! I, I, I, … I should probably just finish my story. After the Cooper gang escaped at the museum, I decided to follow my nose and take a look around. I have been investigating the trading of stolen antiquities on the black market. I was also keeping an eye out on anything that had to do with Lauren's disappearance. But I'd never guessed that two face ringtail was involved. As I was looking around, I heard someone asking if they had found Lauren yet. Shocked at the discovery, I turned the corner. When I did, I was stunned to see a stash of stolen treasure right there in the museum. And even more shocking, the very skunk I had been targeting, Cyrille Le Paradox unloading them and telling his men about the "punishment" he would give Lauren when he gets her back. I knew that it was his fault, but I never guessed that he was behind everything. I was so surprised that by the time I reacted, his goons had me covered. Then that slimy sod-off runt had me thrown in some vile machine. The next thing I knew, I was playing cowboys and criminals. The old west? Time Travel? It was completely loco! True Le Paradox did some time in his youth, but he'd been squeaky clean ever since and Interpol never considered him a suspect. But I was onto him like the stench that followed him. I knew that he kidnapped Lauren and did something to her. And now, I have the proof to put him in jail for good. The fleabag tried to feed me some story about having to rob the museum to save the future, but I was done listening to that liar. I needed to get back to Paris and force Le Paradox to tell me what he did to Lauren! But that toad, Toothpick had stolen Murray's van, and Bentley's time machine along with it! I finally cracked both cases and now I was stuck in this lousy dust bowl with the Cooper Gang! I don't know what made me angrier: not being able to bust the lowlife skunk for what he did to me and Lauren, being stuck here with that lying ringtail, or not having mi hermana here with me because of that stinking weasel! Sighs The only bearable thing about this whole mess was at least Cooper's ancestor was a gentleman.

After finally getting Sly off my back, I went outside the hideout for a breather. I now know that Le Paradox kidnapped Lauren, but he said something about her disappearing before he could get rid of her. I was really worried about her. Lauren and I got really close when Sly started to pretend he lost his memory. We were as close as sisters. I am wondering if Lauren knew that Sly faked amnesia. If she did, then why didn't she tell me? Something told me that Sly made her promise to not let it slip to me, and Lauren was truly known for keeping her promises, no matter what, unless it involved losing someone she cared about. That's what I loved about her, she always put others before herself. But that sometimes got her into trouble more times than not. I really missed my sister and I needed to know that she is ok, wherever she is. My attention was brought to the sound of footsteps. I turned around hoping it wasn't that lying ringtail, instead, it was his ancestor, Tennessee.

"You ok, Carmelita?" He asked standing beside me against the banister. I sighed and looked at the stars.

"I have a lot on my mind, Tennessee. First, the ringtail lied to me about losing his memory, then my best friend, who I consider a sister is missing, and then I finally solve the mysteries that I was casing, her disappearance and the black market case. I want to get back to Paris and blast that wretched skunk but I can't. I especially want to blast that lying ringtail for what he did to me!" I finished, raising my voice in anger. Tennessee took a step closer and looked at me.

"Well for one thing, I am very sorry about your friend. If it's any consolation, Sly talked about her all the time and is just as worried about her. Something tells me that she is perfectly safe wherever she is. As for Sly, I don't blame you for being mad that he lied to you, but I actually understand why he did." He said. I was shocked at this and turned towards him.

"What do you mean? He hurt me! He broke my heart by lying just to keep himself out of prison!" I exclaimed, but Tennessee shook his head.

"I don't think Sly lied to stay out of prison, Carmelita. I think he lied, because he knew that if he stayed a thief, then he would've never gotten a chance with you. Changing is not easy, but Sly was willing to try, because he loves you. No ordinary criminal would try to stop stealing for one gal. He did it for you, because he wanted to be with you." Tennessee explained. I froze. I never thought of it like that. I sighed and looked up at the stars.

"He still lied to me, Tennessee! I don't think I can forgive him for that." I said.

"Maybe not now, but give it time and think about it, Carmelita. You're the kind of gal that always knows what to do when the time is right." He said before walking back into the hideout, leaving me alone again. I wiped the tears I kept hidden out of my eyes.

"Lauren, I wish you were here. I miss you so much and I need you now. You would tell me what I should do. Please be ok, wherever you are. I will find you, I promise." I spoke, quietly and outloud. I then went back to the hideout to get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin planning how to stop Toothpick, retrieve the van so we can stop Le Paradox and find Lauren.


There you have it! Penelope is brought in the story. And don't worry, we have not seen the last of Le Paradox. He will play a big role in the story, and you will need to stay tuned and review to find out what happens.

In case you don't know any Spanish, Loco means crazy and Mi Hermana is My Sister

Til next time, Fare thee well!