Hello again everyone. It is time for chapter 9! and we are now heading to Venice! Forgive me if it does not live up to your expectations, I was going through a nasty case of writers block.

disclaimer: I do not own Sly Cooper or Neyla.

Chapter 9: Lost and Found

After three months of searching Bentley was finally able to learn of Murray's current whereabouts. Once he was ready he called Sly and Neyla to the living room to tell

them the good news.

"Alright Bentley what do you have for us today?" Sly asked the turtle.

"After over three months of searching I have now figured out where Murray is." Bentley said. This really got Sly's attention.

"Really? Where is he?" Sly asked.

"If I did my research correctly and I did… Venice, Italy." Bentley said.

"Why would he be there?" Neyla asked.

"I don't know but right now that's the least of our worries." Bentley said.

"What do you mean?" Sly asked. Then Bentley turned on the his projector and the image of a lion in a suit and mask appeared.

"Who's he?" Neyla asked.

"This is Don Octavio. He's the local mob boss in Venice. According to what I was able to scrounge up about him he was once a major Opera singer. But just as his

career was about to take off, there was a change in music interest. Before long modern music took over and Octavio was out of a job." Bentley said.

"How did this guy become a mob boss?" Sly asked.

"Apparently several of his fans had connections to the Venetian Mob and after his career was shot down they brought him into mob." Bentley said.

"Exactly how does a has been singer count as a threat?" Sly asked.

"Does the fact that he owns most of Venice's criminal firepower qualify?" Bentley asked. Then Sly was silent for a moment.

"So then what's the plan?" Neyla asked.

"For now we just need to find Murray. I already purchased three tickets for the next flight to Venice." Bentley said.

"So when do we head out?" Sly asked.

"First thing tomorrow afternoon. Are you going to be ready for this?" Bentley asked.

"If it means bringing Murray then you bet I am." Sly said. Neyla nodded in response to Bentleys question.

"Alright then. Start packing and I'll have everyones disguises ready in the morning," Bentley said. They both nodded and Neyla left the room but Sly stayed to talk

with Bentley.

"You were awfully kind to Neyla." Sly said.

"Don't get me wrong I still don't trust her, but this is going to be new territory. We'll need all the help we can get." Bentley said.

"Also is it ready?" Sly asked. Bentley sighed. About two months prior to the meeting Sly went to Bentley and asked him to create a new weapon for Neyla. He was

against it at first but after a week Bentley gave in and agreed.

"Yes Sly it's ready. It's in my workshop would you like me to give it to her?" Bentley asked.

"I'll do it. and thanks for building it." Sly said to him. Bentley just nodded.

"Just be careful with it." Bentley said. Sly nodded then headed to Bentleys workshop to pick up the package. In Neylas room she was busy packing her clothes. As

she did this she was thinking about how this would play out. While she was more than happy to help bring Sly's friend back she was worried about how Murray would

react to seeing her.

"What if he bears the same resentment towards me that Bentley has?" Neyla thought. Then she was shaken from her thoughts when she heard a knock at her door.

"Can I come in Neyla?" said the voice of Sly.

"Sure thing Sly." Neyla said. Then the raccoon entered the room carrying a long black case.

"What's in the case Sly?" Neyla asked.

"I had Bentley whip up a little something for you to use in the field." Sly said as he put the case down.

"I thought he was mad at me?" Neyla asked.

"It's a long story. But for now could you close your eyes?" Sly asked. Neyla was confused by his question but she did as she was told. She heard two clicks as Sly

opened the case.

"Now hold out your hands." Sly said. Neyla did and before long Sly placed something in her hands.

"Open your eyes." Sly said. She did and was amazed at what she saw. In her hands was a cane similar to Sly's cane but the shaft was black rather than brown and

the metal that formed the "C" shaped hook was silver in color.

"What does it do?" Neyla asked. Then Sly asked for the cane. She gave it to him and then he examined the upper part of the cane. Then he found what he was

looking for: a small red switch. He pressed it then she heard a click. Then Sly grabbed the top of the handle and pulled it to reveal a long gleaming katana.

"Whoa." Neyla said as Sly handed her the sword then stepped back a few feet. Then Neyla felt how light it was. Then she took a few practice swings.

"I love it Sly. Can you tell Bentley I said thank you?" Neyla said as she put the sword back into its sheath. Then she heard another click as it locked back into place.

"I will. Also now that you have your own cane I can take your training further. But for now get some rest." Sly said. Neyla nodded then resumed her packing.

Soon the next day was upon them and Bentley made sure everyones disguises were in good condition. Once that was done they headed out to the airport to catch

their flight. Before long they were off to Venice.

After a few hours they had arrived just as night had fallen. After retrieving their belongings the trio headed out into Venice to find a hideout. As they looked for it they

saw that the streets were constantly patrolled by Octavios forces. Eventually however they were able to find shelter in an old abandoned building just a short distance

away from the police station. Once inside they began to get things set up. After a few days everything was ready. Then once everything was situated Sly headed out

of the hideout to look for Murray. Once outside he pulled out his Binocu-com.

"That massive dome marks the Venetian police station." Bentley said.

"Cops around here really like to make an impression." Sly said.

"I'm afraid it's a losing battle. Don Octavio runs the show in this neighborhood. It's his "security forces" patrolling the streets, not the cops." Bentley said.

"Noted… Hmm. Looks like I found my way inside." Sly said as he zoomed in on an opening at the top of the police station.

"That dome is covered in glazed tile, there's no way to climb up there." Bentley said.

"Aw come on pal, there's always a way." Sly said as he pointed his Binocucom to a nearby rope that connected to the station. Then he put his Binocucom away.

"Mind if I join you?" said a voice from behind. Sly turned around and saw the voice belonged to Neyla.

"May I ask why?" Sly asked her.

"Well I will have to confront Murray eventually, I might as well do it now." Neyla said.

"Does Bentley know you're here?" Sly asked.

"No…" Neyla said. Then Sly smiled.

"Don't worry it'll be our secret." Sly said. Then Neyla smiled.

"Do you have your cane-sword with you?" Sly asked. Neyla responded by lifting up her arm to show the silver and black weapon.

"Follow me." Sly said. Neyla nodded as she fixed her hood so her face was hidden. Then the pair headed for the rope and after a few minutes the pair arrived at the

top of the dome.

"Nice climbing partner. I've got the blueprints to the vent system in front of me. I should be able to guide you to the jail cell. Also have you seen Neyla? I can't find

her anywhere." Bentley said slightly miffed. The two of them had to use all their will power to suppress a laugh. After they calmed down they proceeded. Sly entered

first then Neyla followed. After about ten minutes the pair arrived at the jail cell. There was a person in the back.

"Hey, Murray… Is that you?" Sly asked. Then the figure growled slightly.

"Murray? That name's a stain on my pants Bro… whuh?!" said the figure as he turned around and entered the light. Once there Sly and Neyla saw that it was not

Murray but a tall purple lizard, with beady red eyes, wearing green clothes and a red shirt smoking a cigar.

"Cooper! You've got some fuzzy dice to come around here." said the lizard.

"Dimitri, long time no punch. See you're still in jail." Sly said. Neyla just simply looked at the lizard feeling like she had met this lizard before.

"And you're still a cracker-box!" Dimitri whispered.

"Let's get past the name calling and get to business." Sly said.

"Looking for main man Murray, eh? Sorry but I'd rather see you get busted big time! Guard! Politizia!" Dmitri said. For fear of discovery Neyla spoke up.

"Hey! Pipe down! If we get caught, who will bust you out?" Neyla said. This caught Dimitris attention.

"That voice… Don't I know you?" Dimitri said as he got a closer look at Neyla, his beady red eyes examining her emerald ones. Sly moved Neyla behind him

defensively.

"Like she said, We can bust you out but please be quiet." Sly said.

"Perhaps… But even if you get this cell door open the cops would throw down and bust me on the way out! And then I'll gets the double sentence, grief!" Dimitri said.

Sly thought on this a moment then he gave his answer.

"How about I get the cops' attention then run for it. Once they're all outside shooting at me, you can slip out no problem." Sly said. This idea horrified Neyla.

"Sly are you sure about…" Neyla started.

"Don't worry. This isn't my first rodeo." Sly said to Neyla reassuringly. Neyla just nodded in agreement,

"So what do you say Dimitri, do we have a deal?" Sly asked.

"I love it! Dimitri is free and Cooper is cooked. Key for cell is in head cop lady's office." Dimitri said.

"OK great. This other lock won't be a problem… I should be able to crack it by hand." Sly said.

"Get me out of here and I'll find Murray no sweat. Just keep on the down low and outta sight near them coppers Bro… They're a bad bunch of bunnies." Dimitri said.

Sly nodded then turned to Neyla.

"Can you keep an eye on this guy?" Sly asked. Neyla nodded.

"Just be quick I don't like the way he's looking at me." Neyla said. Sly nodded then went on his way. While he did that Neyla got a look at the guards. Dimitri wasn't

kidding about them being tough. Each one was wearing a combat suit and carrying a huge rocket launcher type weapon. They were more like mercenaries rather than

police. They all appeared to be watching some sort of slide show in the front of the room.

"So who are you anyway?" Dimitri asked Neyla.

"That's none of your concern." Neyla replied.

"You sound very familiar…" Dimitri said. Then he reached his arms through the bars and towards Neylas hood. Before she realized it Dmitri pulled her hood down

revealing her face.

"What the heck?!" she said then Dimitri finally recognized her.

"Now I remember. You were with the cop that busted me back in Paris." Dimitri said. Upon saying that something flashed in Neylas mind. It was an image of her and a

fox charging a building and when they did they had found Dimitri stuck in a barrel.

"Hello… Anybody there?" Dimitri asked. Then Neyla came back to earth. Then she pulled her hood back up.

"So tell me what are you doing with that cracker-box?" Dimitri asked.

"It's a long story now leave me alone." Neyla said. Then suddenly the lights came on.

"Let's get back to business. Now where was I…" said a female voice. Neyla turned in that direction and saw that the voice belonged to a female fox. She was wearing

a different outfit but she recognized her as the fox from her dreams. Then the lights went off.

"Hold tight boys, the power is on the fritz again… It'll calm down in a few minutes." she said. For the next few minutes the lights went on and off and several of the

guards were complaining. After a while Sly finally came back with the key in hand. Then he went to the cell door and opened the padlock.

"Can you really crack this coconut?" Dimitri asked.

"Sure, just takes a light touch." Sly said. But before he started he turned to Neyla.

"Neyla, I need you to go with Dimitri." Sly said to her. She was surprised.

"Why?" She asked.

"I think you'll be safer with Dimitri." Sly said. He was worried Carmelita might see Neyla and come after her.

"Forget it. I'm not letting you face them alone." Neyla said. Sly was ready to argue but a brief stare from Neyla shot that plan to hell.

"Alright." Sly said. Then Neyla gave him some room so he could break the second lock. After a few moments the cell door was open. Then Dimitri stepped out.

"I'll do like I promised and distract the cops so you can make your escape." Sly said.

"Solid. Don't worry no mind, straight way I'll pass word for Murray to find you. Meet at Rialto Bridge, big Italian landmark." Dimitri said.

"OK… Guess it's show time." Sly said as he faced Neyla who nodded. Then the both of them jumped over the table and entered the room. Sly was the one who got

their attention.

"Hello assorted meat heads… and lady. Anyone feel like some exercise?" Sly called out getting the attention of the fox. She turned with a face of surprise not only to

see Sly but also that he was not alone.

"Cooper? Grab them men!" She said raising a dangerous looking pistol. Then she ran after them.

"And we're out." Sly said as he and Neyla bolted for the door. Once outside the two of them were able to jump onto a boat leaving Carmelita on the shore.

"You've got some serious nerve showing up in my squad room." Carmelita said. Then she saw Neyla.

"And who is this?" Carmelita asked.

"I'd tell you but I don't think you would like the answer." Sly said.

"Well I guess I could find out the hard way once I zap you both." Carmelita said.

"Run." Sly said to Neyla. Then they both ran as she fired off her first shot. It was a long way to the Bridge. But luckily for the two of them there was plenty of points

and boats for them to use as a shortcut. Soon they arrived and as if right on cue a huge pink form wearing white paint, a blue shirt and a green head dress yellow

cloak and a rock type necklace jumped out of a nearby sewer.

"Greetings old… Inspector Fox! Man, you're in it again!" said Murray. Then he saw Neyla.

"Who's she?" He asked.

"I'll explain in a minute. Run!" said Sly as he, Neyla and Murray jumped into the sewer.

"That's right, hide in the sewers like the rat you are!" Carmelita called out.

Once everyone was out of harms way they re-emerged in a different part of the city.

"Thanks for the quick escape. I owe you one, again." Sly said.

"Of course searcher we are all in need of peace." Murray said.

"You're really whole hog on this Dreamtime stuff huh?" Sly asked.

"My mind is clear, like the wood land after a forest fire." Murray said then he turned to Neyla.

"Seriously who is this?" Murray asked. Sly looked at Neyla for a second then looked back at Murray.

"Murray I'll tell you but you need to promise not to freak out." Sly said. Murray nodded in response. Then Sly nodded to Neyla who pulled down her hood. Murray was

shocked at what he saw.

"Neyla?!" Murray exclaimed. Neyla was worried about his reaction.

"Sly why is she here?" Murray asked doing everything possible to prevent his anger from taking hold. Then both Sly and Neyla explained the situation to him. Once

that was done he calmed down.

"Well if there's one thing my training's taught me it's not to hold a grudge. Though I'm guessing Bentley wasn't too happy?" Murray asked.

"Speaking of which we need you back Murray. What happened with Bentley wasn't your fault. He doesn't blame you for the wheelchair." Sly said.

"Sorry Sly, I walk a different path. My Guru, in his wisdom, told me to lose myself and not return until the black water ran pure, so here I stay." Murray said.

"You sure he didn't tell you to get lost and not come back until you'd cleaned out the water filter?" Sly asked. This seemed to make Murray a little angry.

"Come on! I'm on a real spirit quest here!" Murray said in almost a shout.

"Whoa! Calm down big guy. He didn't mean it." Neyla said trying to calm him down.

"Yeah sorry about that Murray. Tell me everything, I've missed you pal." Sly said.

"Well it's a long and awesome story… you got any gum?" Murray asked.

When they got back to the hideout Bentley was furious that Neyla left without telling him first. After he simmered down, Sly and Neyla told him the information

Murray told them as well as the information Sly was able to gather in the police station.

"I see. Well get some rest you two. I'll work on a plan and fill you guys in tomorrow." Bentley said. Then both of them headed to their rooms for the night.

Well everyone that's it for Chapter nine! I'll see you guys next time! Also I will be looking for romantic opportunities for Sly and Neyla while they are

in Venice. Read and Review. Also I apologize if this disappointed you guys.