Instead of going back to the safe-house like we usually did, we went straight to Russia (after a few pit stops in search of the final member of the Fiendish Five. I looked over Sly's shoulder as he looked through the files he had stolen in the beginning of our trip, but I don't remember much considering I fell asleep basking in the warmth of the van.

When I woke up, it was sweltering hot. My clothes were sticking to me. I kicked off my shoes to see it would change anything, but it just felt stuffy and sticky. I looked through the back of the van searching for whatever I could use to tie up my hair. When I had found a stray hairtie, Bentley greeted me good morning.

As if on cue I heard a turret go off, and explosions spurring in front of us, I realized Sly was already up there gunning down whatever was there. Murray said something about landmines and falcons. Then I heard Bentley cry out about a Death Ray. My head was spinning just from the heat, and the van felt stuffy because of it. I slumped back into the corner that I napped in, trying to calm my nerves and prevent myself from puking.

"Nice shooting, Sly! Looks like we're in the clear." Murray praised Sly as went straight ahead into the cave.

"Uh Murray, that cave doesn't look tall enough for the turret to make it all the way thro-" Sly immediately came crashing down into the van. What followed was the sounds of the turret being crushed, and ultimately falling off.

"Uh oh" Murray uttered as he continued driving.

"There's no time to waste here, we gotta keep going!" Bentley started typing away at his laptop like mad. "We got to get throught that security door on the far side of the cavern. The only way to unlock it is to analyze at least 60 of those hanging computers."

I sat up to look over Bentley's shoulder to see what exactly he was going. Sly slipped back into the shotgun seat, disappointed that we lost the turret.

"It won't be a problem with or without it. I can hack the computer's connection couplings so they'll fall to the ground. The Murray just has to run over them with the van."

I made the poor choice not to hang onto anything as Murray swerved around at full speed try to crush every single computer before whatever sludge monsters tried to get to them first. I've stopped questioning it at this point.

Sly was clutching to the seatbelt for dear life, Bentley was huddled into the corner with his laptop safe at hand, and now I was lying face up, nauseous, in the middle of the mess. Old blueprints, first aid kits, calling cards were flying around. Maybe we should clean up every once in a while.

I sat up, and crawled my way over to the front, hugging the head rest of Sly's seat.

"Are we still alive?" I grumbled.

"Oh well at least you're awake," Sly looked over at me smirking.

"I've been awake the entire time. I was just busy trying not to let loose of my insides."

"Now we have enough data to get through the security doors!" Bentley nearly jumped up to his feet he was so excited. "Just past them is the control room to Clockwerk's death ray tower... I think it's time for some Cooper thieving and sabotage, dontcha think, Sly?"

"No doubt about it," Sly leaned back, twitching his leg as he was getting ready for action. He undid his seatbelt and got ready to leave before I stopped him.

"Should I go too?" Sly paused for a minute. He was already out of the van when he looked down the room and saw something almost unbelievable. I say almost, because wherever there's Sly there'll always be-

"That's Carmelita! She looks trapped." Sly had already forgotten about what I'd asked, and Bentley decided to give his two cents.

"Serves that cop right. She's been dogging us from the start." Sly had slammed the door shut, shaking the rest of the van.

"It's just a misunderstanding. We've got to free her."

"And let her arrest you as soon as you do?" I couldn't help but side with Bentley. I didn't mean to be so cold, but as soon as we were done with Clockwerk, I had no doubt she'd be able to find her own way out. My question was left unheard.

"Are you crazy, Sly? Clockwerk probably stuck her there to trap you!"

"But if I don't do anything Carmelita is doomerd. Besides, stealing just wouldn't be any fun without her."

I shared a look with Bentley, both agreeing without words that Sly wasn't making any sense. Bentley sighed, giving into his pleas, he helped find some sort of way to get through the security. I looked over at Bentley's binocucom footage, and watched Sly jump from point to point. He was so determined to save Carmelita, I suddenly felt like I wasn't the only one anymore (But I'll admit it was quite funny to watch him sneak around in a barrel). As soon as he jumped into the chamber it was locked down.

"Sly Cooper! I should have known you were behind this." Carmelita glared down at him, ready to use her shock pistol.

"You got me wrong, Ms. Fox. I'm here to rescue you" Hm, 'Ms. Fox'. That was a new one. That was when a strange gas started to seep into the chamber, causing Sly to faint. I stood up immediately, wanting to go out there and do something, but I didn't know what to do at all. A robotic laughter echoed through the room.

"You sentimental fool! Empathy has always been the downfall of the Cooper clan." I could almost see the smile on Clockwerk's face, and it made me sick to the core.

"Bentley, what do we do about Sly?" I looked over at him, but he was already typing away.

"Looks like I'm going to have to do some fast and furious hacking to shut down that gas before Sly's brain is turned to cheese."

"Can I do anything?" I was desperate. I've been sitting in the back of the van for the entirety of this heist so far, and everyone has been able to put some work in. I wanted to do something. I needed to save Sly.

"Just sit tight, we will save him." Bentley tried to reassure me, although he was focused on hacking his way through Clockwerk's system.

I had several dreams. I was passed out on the floor, barely breathing. I knew it was a trap but I went for it anyways. I knew everyone would be panicking, Bentley trying to figure out quickly how to get me out of here alive. Murray would be in shock. Marie would probably kick herself for not following me, although there would be no way for her to get her anyways.

The first one was about the break in, my dad, and then the orphanage. A promise. It was because of Clockwerk that I lost everything. I needed to take back was mine and end what should've died a long time ago. Lucky for me, I got my best friends to back me up. A promise Marie made to me after her brother left.

The second one played off on that. I'd always been by her side, since Skylar left the orphanage. Authorities took up most of her time, and she began to fear adults. She wouldn't talk or play. She'd sleep most of the day if she could. I started following her at one point, something in me worrying about how she was holding up. I wanted to make her smile again, and tell her everything was alright. Eventually it worked, and she's here with us now.

The last one was focused of Carmelita and Marie leaving, not looking back once. She'd want to go after her brother as soon as this was over, I'm almost sure of it. The gang and I would probably continue after new heists.

If this was the end, would Marie still stay. She kept her promise. She doesn't really have any point in staying. Maybe it'd be best.

My chest was hurting, the gas continued to flood the room. Everything was starting to sting. I never got to tell her how I really felt. I don't even know how she really feels. Does she even feel anything for me? If she doesn't know, I don't think I'll ever know. If she leaves for her brother, I'll never know.

Is it time to let go?

I was starting to breathe easier. I coughed a couple times, gasping for air. I pushed myself up to face the ceiling. The gas was dissipating and the chamber was opening.

Can I make one chapter in the last 15 minutes of this game. Probably. -Mirai Akemi