Chapter 7: Pride is his folly

Greg and Will walked through the airport and switched their planes. Once on the next airplane both sighed slumping in their chairs. The cat and bat hated traveling it was no un-obvious thing, both hated the air, and hated being up in it in a giant metal death trap.

Both were stressed by this mission; it wasn't often they did any thieving unless it involved museums, villains, and other matters then giving most of it the needy. This was way out of their character to be going some big adventure to stop world domination…they never imagined they'd be doing something so important.

Even if they helped people they never got anything in return for their efforts. Nobody really cared if they were helped or not anymore these days. William and Greg were really nervous about this whole venture, they wouldn't admit it but they weren't used to this yet.

Greg was mostly stressed for the fact he worried they weren't prepared like the Cooper Gang was. They had so many gang members, sleek new tech stuff, and LOTS of money to waste on anything they needed from the heists Cooper had been pulling to get the money for the adventure in the first place.

William wasn't as stressed as his nerdy friend, but wondered how this would all turn out. He'd talked to Cooper somewhat about how he'd dealt with his adventures, and was shocked at how many things the raccoon thief had encountered. Of course he was sure he wouldn't run into half the stuff that raccoon did.

They had the talent, and Greg sure in the heck could build anything they needed, but it was so nerve racking they forgot about those things. They just felt jealousy for the Cooper Gangs well being, and for the fact that they weren't secure in their abilities, when in all reality they were just as capable as the gang they'd teamed up with.

Will cocked his head towards the window and heaved a sigh. His bat friend looked at his childhood friend knowing that he was stressed just like him and decided to relieve the stress by talking.

"Cooper is strange." Greg finally said starting up a conversation, "I mean…who falls in love with a cop?"

"I can't understand it either." Will admitted, "But I guess whoever a man loves, he loves."

"True enough." Greg replied, "You realize that he is a little over the top with it…maybe you could teach him the ropes after this…adventure."

Will became tensed, "He is very over the top Greg…I caught the fool trying to turn himself into the cops for the sake of the girls happiness."

The bat's eyes widened, "Seriously?"
Will nodded in response, "I think I should have told Bentley…but the raccoon at the moment probably didn't need to hear a lecture…I think he was actually crying, and I'm still not entirely sure."

"Hm…" Greg bit his lip, "You should get a lady love, Will."

"Where did that come from?" The cat laughed, "And no, I'm not turning into a hopeless romantic seeking the approval of some female…"

"It couldn't hurt." The bat shrugged, "Maybe you'll meet somebody at the ball…hey even Trish on Cooper's team. She looked nice, beautiful…intelligent…and deep…"

"You sound like you already have dibs on her." Will laughed into his paw, "Plus she's not my type, and this isn't really the time to think about getting a girlfriend. Clockwerk could very well already be built for all we know."

"Whatever, Will." Greg rolled his eyes.

The truth of the matter was that William couldn't ever be with anyone. His life style was far too dangerous for any sort of family. He would only be doing damage to any children he'd have, much less the lady he'd choose. She would be stressed out of her mind!

"Lets concentrate on this heist. I want to make sure I'm just as good as Cooper, so we're going to try and be done by tonight." William said, "I can't have the twerp showing me up."

"Will! Sly Cooper's gang is large and full of different specialists, that's the only reason he gets things done so quickly!" Greg whispered harshly; he didn't like the idea of having to put together such quick plans.

"Come on, we are world class pal…and I'm sure any plan you make crushes his whole teams plans in the dust." The Felidae smooth-talked.

"Okay, Okay, fine." The bat hissed as the plan began to lose altitude to land.

After settling themselves in a comfortable abode, the two thieves got work on their plans of thievery. To get into the ball and make this a fast job, William would need a disguise. Greg had already found out were the prints were stored, so it was all up to Will to get the keys to the door, plus get in without getting caught.

Getting a fake identification wasn't too difficult in Moscow. To the regular resident, it was just a regular town but to thieves it was a power house of opportunity. The black market in Moscow offered many things for William and Gregory. William was given the name Michael Ignatof and used that fake identification to get an invitation to Boris's ball.

Prior to going to the ball, William was sitting in his home preparing to put on his disguise. He was studying Boris's document, focusing more on his history.

Boris was never a wealthy child. Rumours went out that he inherited his great fortune after the fall of the soviet union. Though the truth of the matter was, that he was in the Russian Mafia and worked his way up to the top. William was not only dealing with a great criminal mastermind, but the head of the Russian Mafia. He was one of Interpol's most wanted, which meant William might even pull in extra revenue if he could turn the mob boss in!

Boris's mansion was atop one of the finer areas of Moscow. The huge white mansion was covered in snow, almost blending in with the environment in general. It was night time, so it was a tad bit colder then Will expected.

The handsome cat strode into the ballroom were the first villain, Boris Polivstof was throwing a party in honour of himself. William surveyed him as any great thief would; he was medium sized wolf, dark black fur with a white-streak going down the side of his face as if he'd been struck by lightning. Big blue eyes that looked as if the ocean created them, made the highlight of his whole face, the only thing that really stood out. As the rest of the men in the room he was wearing a tuxedo; this brought Will comfort in knowing that they couldn't run fast if something happened, even the guards had the tux's on!

The cat had successfully gotten through with his own personal tuxedo, and had used extra precaution by putting in contacts that made his eyes glow a dark purple. Perplexed by the eyes, people looked as if they wanted to approach him, but even William had to admit he always looked intimidating to everyone, even himself. Broad shoulders, thick strong long legs, a powerful looking chest, and even his face was enchantingly wicked with strong features.

He was handsome, but at the same time not a person that any one wanted to "tango" with.

Striding in with his head held up high and not with his nose in the air like most made the ladies coo with awe. Even if he didn't want a girlfriend, he could get one at anytime of his choosing. Though he had the power to get any fine woman in the room of his choosing, he wasn't a pig like most men, he was respectable, and a gentlemen.

The men had also noticed him, including Boris. The wolf strode up to him with arrogance and spoke in a sneering tone, "Well looked what the 'cat' dragged in." He then laughed with his associates.

William mentally panicked. Was this to indicate Boris was expecting a visit from a Felidae or just being a rude host? William calmed down after he realized it was most likely the second one. No one other then Interpol knew about the Coopers.

William straightened his tie, "You don't look so good yourself." With a fake smile so exaggerated the cat turned away from the wolf and began to walk in the opposite direction when he bumped into somebody.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" A female said with a desperate tone, "Please don't tell Mister. Boris!"

The cat chuckled but then his mouth slightly dropped open, "Um…not to be rude but…your gorgeous…"

The female waitress blushed, "You're not so bad yourself, mister…?"

"You can call me, Michael, belle dame." He smiled a charming toothy smile.

"Vous savez le francais, Mister William?" Her reply in perfect and fluent French. She was beautiful, Will couldn't describe in words how beautiful she actually was…words were common, and she was anything but…

"Dites-moi…Pensez-vous ca ici?" William cocked his head in question, "You seem too beautiful to be working for such a low man."

"You seem to be too mysterious, and nice to be one of his birthday guests." She replied with a wink.

"The lady is very smart, ah?" He waggled his eyebrows.

The vixen rolled her eyes but none the less walked past him before whispering, "Door 67, Mister William."

Once the Vixen made her ways away, William's eyes widened slightly. How on earth did she know? She was employed under Boris so it was most likely a trap. Did that mean that Boris was onto him as well? Who was his informant?

William's eyes narrowed slightly as he sat down near a table against the wall. The ballroom music was quite loud so it would be a bitter sweet effect if he attempted to converse with Greg. William pressed the button on the earpiece within his ear.

"Greg. There is a problem. I think Boris KNOWS I'm here. Lots of signs point to that." William whispered into his bow.

"Well, Will that could be a possibility. I just did some quick research on who we bought our supplies and that invitation from...They have a direct lead to Boris! He knows what your real name is, and that you have the invitation! In fact, I think he is trying to bring you here for some reason!"

"Attention everyone!" Boris said as he walked to the center of the room, and hit a glass with a fork gently. The music stopped and everyone looked to Boris.

"I would like to introduce you all to a fantastic lady that chose to accept my invitation to this great ball! Rosalia! Make your way over here!" Boris shouted in his hard Russian accent.

William's eyes narrowed as he took his hand off his ear piece, cutting off Greg in the middle of his explanation for the situation. He watched with great interest as none other than Rosalia De Lupe stepped out from the crowd. William's mouth was almost hitting the floor as he saw that she had REALLY made herself up for this ball of Boris's hubris!

She was wearing a marvellous purple dress, and her hair was curled at the tips. She wore a scarlet red lipstick and she was on heels. If William didn't know better, he wouldn't even believe it was Rosalia.

"Come here darling. Give me the pleasure of a dance!" Boris said with a grin. William's heart rammed his rib cage, out of infatuation for Rosalia and out of jealousy for Boris! He did not deserve to dance with her! He just wanted to look good!

The orchestra began to play a slow, but beautiful tune and Boris took Rosalia's hands. The two were slow dancing and Rosalia kept the same expression as she danced with the proud Russian Mob Boss. Many were just watching with awe at the grace that the two were showing. In the middle of their dance however, there was loud clapping from within the crowed.

Everyone turned to see that William was the one clapping, and he knew he was definitely going to regret his next sequence of actions.

"Comrade Boris. I have to admit you have a very fine ornament hanging from your hands. Though it's better to treat a fine piece of art with care not brutish strength." William said in a heavy Russian accent that almost mimicked Boris's. Boris growled and glared towards William.

"Who are you to call me Comrade? I don't recall even remotely knowing you. What's more is that you come to MY ball and tell me how to dance?" Boris snarled.

William said nothing more, and merely made his way through the path the crowd had made to the dance floor. He kept a bold smile plastered upon his face.

"Let me show you Comrade. Let me show you how to treat a lady." William said as he offered his hands to Rosalia. Rosalia hesitated for a moment but then looked to Boris with a snort.

"He has a point mes amis. You tend to throw me around like a rag doll." Rosalia said with a slight smirk at William's boldness to challenge the mob boss.

"Play something BEARABLE my friends. How about something I can dance to hm?" William asked with a grin, looking towards the orchestra. The players shrugged and began to play a speedier song with a higher pitch. It turned out to be jazz, and Will looked to Rosalia.

"I hope you can keep up." William said with a grin as he quickly spun her and reeled her back into his arm.

"Quite the thing to say to a lady." Rosalia said with a raised eyebrow as she and William continued their marvellously intimate and almost obscene jazz dance. Once they it had ended, and William held her close towards the ground with a single arm the crowd clapped. Will was exhausted, and Rosalia was surprised.

"My oh my. It seems you aren't all talk. I can't help but...Think I've met you before." Rosalia murmured as she was helped to stand up straight.

"Perhaps we have met earlier. I like to travel." William said with a grin, forgetting to apply his accent. Rosalia's eyes narrowed as she heard his REAL voice. Boris smashed a wine glass in his hand, without cutting his palm.

"Kick him...out...now!" Boris snarled to one of his guards. The huge polar bear guard nodded and with swift motion managed to get William by surprise on the dance floor right after he spoke his last sentence to Rosalia.

Rosalia was shocked for a moment, and when she came back to her senses with fury burning in her eyes it was too late to react. William was being taken out by a guard.

William groaned as he was thrown into the snow outside the mansion. The tuxedo was bought with a security deposit, and now it could not be returned because it was now damaged. Will sighed as he stood and pat himself free of the powdery white snow.

He activated his ear piece again as he slowly walked his way back to the hide out. "Greg. We got a problem."

"Oh, besides the fact that you hang up on people before they finish talking!"

"Yes. Besides that. We will need to find a way into the mansion again. Got kicked out of the party."

"What? How! Why?"

"None of that is important. Just start brain storming." William murmured as he slowly began to climb the metal ladder that lead to the room he and Greg were renting for the week.