This is it, the chapter where the truth of the Manta Heart is revealed. This will make everything clear. Enjoy!

Sly Cooper and the Space Thieves

Chapter 20- The Truth

After they had all sat down, Jacor began his story. "It all started when I was a child. My father, Naros, was Chancellor for my people, while my mother, Cara, was his secretary. Life on Dolphus was normal until one day, when an unidentified space ship crashed here, about 15 miles from this city. My father and a security team went to the crash site to investigate. It was enormous; it was big enough for over a thousand people to occupy easily. The vessel was a complete wreck; nothing inside could be salvaged. Well," he hesitated, "almost nothing. In that whole ship, only one member of its crew had survived.

"Inside of what appeared to be stasis chamber was an infant male child, maybe around the age I was. It appeared to be fishlike, yet it was different. My father had decided that he would take the alien child back to Cora and raise him as his own, in other words my stepbrother. My mother was both surprised and delighted about the situation, and she agreed to help bring him up along with me. The rest of our people didn't like the idea of an alien from parts unknown to be raised as an Aquian. My parents had made their choice, so they officially made him part of their family. They had named him Zarus."

Sly and his friends were listening and were surprised to hear the name of the adopted alien. Jacor continued. "Twenty years later, I had become Chancellor while my stepbrother, Zarus, became head of security for Cora. When we were old enough to be trained in combat, we would always train together. We were both very gifted fighters; we easily became the best fighters in our training facility. Zarus had become very strong both in body and spirit, and I was always able to keep up with him, unlike the other trainees. Zarus was given white and blue armor, while the rest wore aqua green and blue. Before long, we became the best warriors in all of Dolphus.

"Despite the hard and long training sessions, we became very close, like real brothers. When Zarus was made fun of by someone because he was different, I would defend him. Zarus would do the same for me. We loved to train together and we often try to see who the better fighter was. Every time we battle, however, we always end in a draw; neither of us could beat the other. We laughed about that afterwards. Yes, those were good times, good years. My parents were so happy that Zarus and I were getting along so well, yet sad because everyone else was still being prejudiced about Zarus. That, more than anything else, made me angry. One day, all that changed.

"Zarus and I were heading to our training facility for another hard day of practicing, when I overheard of few security guards talking about my stepbrother again. I was about to turn to them when I heard them say something that would change everything. "There is that alien again, he never gets tired of fighting, does he? It is almost as if he was born to be a fierce warrior." I heard the other guard saying this, "I know, maybe from where he comes from, they are all as big and brutish as him. If Jacor's father had allowed that alien to see what was recovered in the ship he was found in, Zarus would no doubt want to be rejoin his people. That would be perfectly fine with us. He does not belong here. He never has."

"The guards had walked away, continuing to talk about my stepbrother behind his back. I couldn't believe what I had heard; something was recovered from that ship other than Zarus and my father never told either of us about it. After I told Zarus what I had overheard, he was just as shocked as I was. We then went to our father, and demanded to know what he found and why he kept it from us all these years. He looked sad and told us he was sorry, but he didn't want them to know until they were old enough to handle it. He figures that the time has come for his stepson to know the truth about his origins.

"He had then led us to a top security chamber and there was a damaged looking computer, but it appeared to be still functioning. My father said that it contained history logs and star maps that were recorded on the ship. He viewed them after he had taken Zarus home. What he saw shocked him. He activated the history logs so that Zarus would finally understand where he came from, and what his people are like. When the screen came on, it had an image of a formidable warrior who looked similar to Zarus but was wearing gold armor. He spoke. "Attention! All aboard the attack cruiser Killer, this is Emperor Kanog from Plaxis Prime! I am very pleased of the progress you are making. Soon another solar system will be under the rule of the Mantian Empire! Let me know when the conquest of the system is complete."

"Zarus and I stood there, listening to the history logs. I was shocked about what I saw, but not nearly as shocked as Zarus. The screen then changed to a log about the ship, the "Killer", getting badly damaged from getting through the asteroid field that surrounds this system. It was totally demolished by the time it got through; no one had survived except Zarus. The ship just drifted in space until the day it crashed on our planet. When the computer was turned off, Zarus was on his knees, crying. He could not believe that he had come from such a savage race that conquers one planet after another! My parents and I tried to comfort him, but he wanted to be alone, so he went back home.

"Zarus was sitting alone in his room, still upset about what he had learned of his people. I walked in to talk to him. I told him that I was sorry about what he found out and wished his people were different, but they weren't. I told him that it didn't matter where he came or what his people are like, what really mattered was he was part of a great and happy family that loved him. Zarus looked at me and smiled. I told him that he is nothing like the rest of his race. He was brought up to be a good person with honor and integrity. Zarus thanked me for my comforting words. He said to me that he was happy that I was his brother.

"A week later, something completely unexpected happen: A Mantian ship had arrived. Unlike the first one, it was not a wreck and completely ready for battle. It began to attack Cora, but the dome that surrounds the city protected it from its weapons. Everyone was scared of these invaders. I had managed to get their attention and told them to get to the emergency shelters at once, while Zarus had ordered all troops to prepare for battle. Even though they still don't respect him, they did as they were told in this crisis. Me and Zarus got on our armor and weapons, and headed out to our attack subs. Before we got to the docking bays, a flash of light appeared before us. When it was gone, hundreds of Mantian soldiers appeared, with a very familiar face leading them: Kanog.

"Zarus immediately felt anger and hate to the evil emperor. Kanog spoke in a loud and confident voice. "I am Emperor Kanog of the Mantian Empire! Bow before me, or suffer my wrath!" I told him that we will never bow to a tyrant like him. Zarus told him to go back to his home world and never return. Kanog turned to him and looked surprised. "What is this? A Mantian preparing to attack his own people, planning to fight side-by-side with a small fish?" The other soldiers laughed at the fish comment. That made me made, but Zarus held me back.

"Kanog spoke again to Zarus. "Who are you, and why do you side with that fish?" Zarus answered with anger in his voice. "I am Zarus, and this fish is my brother. I was raised here along side him, and I do not wish it any other way!" Kanog looked him. "Don't be a fool Zarus! You belong with your people, with us. Join me, or die with your so called brother." Zarus then turned to me, smiled, and then turned back to Kanog. "I AM with my people, Kanog!" The Aquian troops appeared not far from their leader. They were close enough to hear what they were saying.

"Kanog looked disappointed. "Very well, then die with your people! Men, kill them both!" At the moment, the 300 hundred soldiers were charging after us. My soldiers were about to join us when I told them to stay back and let me and my brother handle them. They looked at me with complete shock and disbelief; they couldn't see how 2 soldiers were going to beat 300! I told them that they will be fine in a confident, strong voice. Zarus agreed with me. And then, we both charged at the incoming Mantian army with our swords while our men watched with awe.

"The battle was long and vicious, but in the end me and my brother had prevailed. We were far outnumbered, but we were more battle hardened and had unsurpassable teamwork. Within 15 minutes the fight was over, with Kanog's troops on the ground, defeated. Needless to say, Kanog was in complete shock. He couldn't believe that a Mantian traitor and a fish had beaten his whole army in minutes," he said with smirk. Sly and the others had their jaws dropped at this impossible feat. It was like listening to an old soldier who had just survived the biggest war of his life.

Jacor resumed his story. "Zarus and I were exhausted, but still ready to fight Kanog. Kanog got out his sword and stood ready and said, "You two are stronger than I expected, but you are too tired now to defeat me! Even if you were not tired, you will still lose, now you will face me!" Kanog charged at us and we held our ground. He wasn't joking; he was strong in combat. He was absolutely fierce and showed no mercy. No matter what Zarus and I have tried, Kanog was able to counter everything. After a few minutes Kanog knocked us down. He was about to kill me first.

"He said that "the fish should die first". Before he dealt the final blow, Zarus had blocked him. "You will not harm my brother, monster!" he said. He and Kanog resumed the fight, but it was different. Zarus fought him with renewed energy and determination to protect me and his home. Me and my men watched them battle and were amazed at Zarus' performance. Now Kanog was the one struggling while Zarus battled him with everything he got. It was amazing; I will never forget how he battled that day. After a round of fierce sword slashing and blocking, Kanog was knocked down with Zarus' blade at his throat.

"Zarus had won. Me and my people were astounded that Zarus fought with such spirit and loyalty to their planet. It was then that my people had finally come to admire and respect Zarus and accept him as one of them. To them he would be the hero from another world who saved their own. Kanog looked afraid. He stared at Zarus with fear in his eyes. Kanog then said to him, "Go on then, finish me, if you have the guts." Zarus then raised his blade and brought it down on Kanog's helmet, splitting it in half. "It is enough that you lost in battle and been humiliated by one who is superior to you. There is no need for murder. Now go, go and never return. If you ever have the nerve to return, I won't be so merciful," said Zarus.

"Zarus then turned to walk away, but I saw take something out of his belt and pointed it at Zarus. I yelled at Zarus to get down, but it was too late." He stopped for a moment as his voice broke. Beowulf, filled with sorrow, decided to break the silence. "Is that how Zarus died? He was killed by an underhanded sneak attack in the back?" Jacor looked at him with a startled look. "What are you talking about? I never said that Zarus had died." Now everyone was confused. Sly then asked, "If Zarus didn't get killed, then what happened to him?"

Jacor took a deep breath and gave his answer. "Zarus didn't die. He was transformed into a miniature statue." Sly and the others were shocked more than ever at this new piece of the truth. "Kanog used some device to turn him into a small, immobile figure. Kanog picked up the statue and smirked. Then he said something that not only didn't make since, but could be a bad omen. He said, "You have great strength and power, Zarus, enough to bring even me to my knees. It is a shame you fought against me, the leader of the world you come from. Don't worry, your strength and power will not be forgotten. On the contrary, you may be my greatest treasure and tool for total domination of every planet in the universe!"

"I tried to stop him, but Kanog, with Zarus in his hand, had vanished in another flash of light. I couldn't believe it; my brother was gone and I could not save him, even though he saved me. I was later given a report that the Mantian ship is retreating. My people thought that this day was a day of victory, but for me it was a day of loss. When I had told everyone of Zarus' capture after his honorable battle, they mourned and cried in misery. It was a sad day for Dolphus; we have been stripped of our greatest champion, and I have been robbed a member of my family.

"I would not give up on Zarus that easily. I gathered my best crew and took our fastest space vessel and followed the Mantian ship. We had a special cloaking device, so that the other ship cannot detect us. We followed them all the way to their home world: Plaxis Prime. We landed on one of its moons, still cloaked. My crew worked over an hour to find out exactly where Zarus was being held in. They finally located him in a high security room in the west side of Kanog's palace. I used my new teleportation device that had been developed here a year ago. Not only could it send me into any enemy stronghold undetected, but its energy patterns cannot be traced. I used it to get past Kanog's security and retrieve Zarus, and returned home without being noticed.

"So you see, Zarus is the Manta Heart that you have been sent to retrieve for that maniac emperor. He lied to you so that you would get the job done for him. He knew that if he tried to retrieve Zarus himself, we would be prepared to fight him to the finish. He is a coward. So he picked you guys to do his dirty work for him because you are, from what you have told me, the best gang of thieves on Earth. I am sure that if he gets Zarus back before we can restore him to normal, he will use him for an evil purpose."

Sly and his friends sat there in thought. 'So that is the truth of the Manta Heart; not only did look like Zarus, it was Zarus. But how was Kanog going to use a hero turned to statue gain more power than he already has?' Sly thought to himself. Carmelita thought the same thing and asked Jacor if he knew what that purpose was. He shook his head. "No, I am afraid I don't know his plans anymore than you do. All I know is that Kanog will do what he has to get Zarus back in his filthy hands." Carmelita nodded and asked another question. "Jacor, have you been able to change Zarus back since you've returned here?" He shook his head again.

"Again no, my scientists have had no success in restoring my brother to his former self." His hands shook in frustration. "If only I had the device that Kanog used to turn Zarus into a statue, then maybe he could be changed back." Sly then got up and walked to Jacor. He held out his hand. "Don't worry, Jacor. You said it yourself; my gang and I are the best on Earth. With our skills and maybe a little luck, we'll steal that gizmo and get your brother back to his old self." Jacor looked up and smiled. He stood up and took Sly's hand in gratitude with a smile. The others got up and put their hands on top of Sly's and Jacor's.

"I will definitely want to give Kanog a little payback for abducting us from our home." Carmelita said with a determined look in her eyes. "I will also help bring this tyrant down and restore your brother," said Beowulf. "Count "The Murray" in too!" replied Murray. Guru, in his native tongue, said he will do all he can too. Sly then said, "I have no doubt that the rest of the team will be just as eager to assist as well. Just say the word, Jacor, and we will be at your side to kick Kanog's evil butt." Jacor looked at everyone and smiled at them all. "All right, lets get to work!"