Chapter Twenty-Five: The Beauty of Paris

Isabella, Bentley, and Penelope watch the hippo carry the unconscious raccoon in his arm. His head was laying on the right side of Murray, his right arm hanging out. Sly's eyes were closed as Carmelita walked beside Murray. Isabella kept seeing the fox glance at the raccoon anxiously.

"She really needs this right now..." thought Isabella. "Well, at least he's alive and here. We can see and feel him again... but who knows when he'll wake up to do the same..."

The raccoon, happy to see her brother, didn't feel super excited. "I wonder if he'll remember anything... or me... If he even wakes up..."

Bentley opened the back door of the van, seeing Murray, Sly, and Carmelita. The mouse stared at Sly with her mouth open. Her eyes became bigger as butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Carmelita threw a nasty look at Penelope, who was enjoying Sly's view.

"You!"

The mouse's eyes promptly scanned Carmelita's face, making her slowly close her mouth.

"Why don't you sit in the front with Murray. Don't worry, he won't bite!"

Carmelita made a devilish smirk as Penelope climbed to the passenger seat.

The fox crawled in the van, laying her back against the driver seat. "Murray, you can give him to me, gently though. I'll make sure he doesn't get hurt again."

Carmelita reached her hands out as they are reunited with Sly's body. She wrapped her arms around the raccoon's skinny waist, pulling it to hers. She pulls the rest of Sly on top of her, that way he is laying on her. His head rested on Carmelita's left shoulder as his legs lie together in between her two legs. His stick yet furry legs extended past her slim and shiny ones. The fox removed her black heels, covering her bare feet on his. Carmelita hugs Sly tighter as her face pressed against his.

Bentley and Isabella watched the fox from the other side of the van cuddle with her love as Murray closed the back door. Isabella remained to look at Sly but as for Bentley, he turned his head hopelessly towards Penelope. He brought his two eyebrows together going in an upwards position as his lips moved to the side of his face. He moved his chair closer to the passenger seat and lays his head on the seat.

The hippo shook the van just to get in. "So Bentley... aren't you going to do stuff with your time traveler?"

Bentley's head shot up from the chair as he turned to the 3-D Timing Projector. It's projection still viewed Sly, only now he was in the van. "Take us to present day, Paris. Drive Murray."

The outside of the van starts to spark with light blue sparks as Murray's foot pressed against the gas pedal. The faster the tires glided with the sparkly sand, the more sparks covered the van. So much covered the van, eventually sealing the van with the lights. A huge flash replaced the van, removing it from the warm and sandy Ancient Egypt.

The van was transferred to a very bright area as it floats around. Nothing is seen but a gaping hole in front of the gang. The closer the van came to the hole, the more pressure everyone felt. Isabella's brown eyes still remain on the couple as Sly's cane lies next to her. Bentley grips the passenger seat, getting ready to be vacuumed inside the hole. The van gets sucked into the hole, making Penelope a little worried. "Woah... wo-... AHH! What's going... ON?!"

The mouse's body was forced into the chair, Murray was gripping tightly on the wheel. Carmelita dug her fingers into Murray's seat, making her stay in place. Isabella's body flies to the back of the van, unable to move as her body was being pinned to the wall. The raccoon's eyes widened as the van was being shot out of the hole. Carmelita looked over to Isabella, giving her a beatific expression.

The van roughly landed making Carmelita hold Sly's head. The car dribbled a few times before actually stopping. Isabella's body fell from the wall, landing on her face. "That... WAS AWESOME! I felt the rush inside me! So exciting!"

"Yeah!" yelled Murray. "I agree Isabella! I can tell we will be good friends, I know it!"

Penelope's eyes were filled with terror, staring into space. "Wh-what j-j-just... h-happened-d...?"

Bentley let go of the seat as he looks out the front windshield through his broken glasses. "Penelope, Isabella... welcome to Paris. It looks like the afternoon out there. Let's go to the hideout!"

Isabella climbed in the front on the van, pushing Penelope aside. The raccoon's face and hands pressed against the window. Isabella was flabbergasted with the beautiful view of Paris.

Their van seemed to land in a parking spot off the beautiful road. Sidewalks where very wide, engraved with small and dark grey squares, and full of animal-like people. Each tree was evenly placed in between each street light, which were black, tall, and skinny. The streetlights held three lights in each. Each light was inside a white sphere container, topped with a shiny black vine-like design. Maroon park benches had a black outline on them as they sat on the sidewalk. Many stores such as coffee shops, perfume stores, food markets and more were on the right side of the van, being connected to each other. Different people were laughing, talking on their phones, kissing, and walking down the sidewalk holding hands. Most of them where wearing hats. Isabella heard some people talking in an unknown language to her. Others she recognized were talking English, but with a different accent to her. The raccoon climbed off of Penelope and sat on Murray's lap, looking on the other side of the van. Various cars passed by, driving on the smooth, sleek and black road. Some people were driving on their own motorcycles. She hears cars drive by, motors running, tires causing friction on the road and car horn beeping, altogether making an endless amount of noise. Isabella saw more buildings next to the road.

They were breathtaking to the raccoon. The building was milk-white, covered with numbers of windows that can open to their own mini patio. That building, including the ones next to it, was about a story tall. Traffic lights blinked, the sun was barely seen behind the big white cotton balls of clouds. The raccoon rolled down Murray's window, inhaling her first chilling scent of Paris. Isabella could see many other buildings, finely decorated with swirls and patterns. It was really astonishing to the raccoon.

"I never seen such a beautiful place... is this the real world? What it's like?"

Bentley smirked at Isabella.

"This is just part of the world Isabella. Different places look different and some look same. Although Paris is best known as the most romantic city. You should really see this place at night-time from the hideout. Sly wanted the hideout near the great Eiffel Tower to look at its beauty at night. He always loved to climb on it too. Murray, we should head out there to the hideout now."

"Got it buddy."

Isabella shared the passenger seat with Penelope as the van entered the busy road. Various cars of all colors drove with the van as it headed to the Cooper hideout. Carmelita chose not to look at the beautiful sight, but instead keeping all her attention to Sly. Her fingers were in between Sly's as she held him closer. The more the van drove around, the more Isabella seen. She saw stores that were entitled with words in french. The road they were on felt never-ending but to Isabella, it felt like a never-ending dream.

*After minutes of dreamy thoughts later...*

The six arrived at the apartment that held the hideout. The apartment was dark brown, decorated with bricks. Some bricks were dark red wine color, but the most were brown. There were two doors paralleled to each other, about a foot apart. Windows covered most of the building, all evenly spaced out. The van parked in front of the two doors.

Bentley moved his wheel chair to open the back door as he yelled out, "We're here!" Isabella shot out Penelope's door and her feet landed on the hard ground. She walked into the street as she held her hands high in the bright sky. "Wow! So amazing!"

Bentley came out the back, looking over to the raccoon. "Get out the road before you turn into roadkill!"

The raccoon ran towards the Cooper van, jumping into the air. She makes a front flip whilst in air and effortlessly landed on top of the van. "WHOO HOO! YEAH! No sand, no time machine, no van, no Paradox family, no Klaww gang, no China house! Civilization! Actual beauty! The outside! I want to explore everything!"

Bentley pointed his one finger as Penelope and Murray got out of the van. "Isabella, I know you're excited that you are well... actually out... but we need to bring your brother inside the hideout so he can be officially safe. Carmelita, you can leave Sly in the van, but you can choose to stay or meet him in the hideout."

Isabella gave Bentley a puzzled look. "What do you mean? How will Sly be in the hideout, when you're leaving him in the van?"

The turtle held out a button attached to keys. "With these!"

Isabella raised her eyebrow as she put her right hand on her hip. "Car keys?"

Bentley smiled. "Not any ordinary car keys..."

"Sorry! I meant SHINY car keys."

Bentley's face turned annoyed. "Wow, being jocular really seems to run in the family huh..."

The turtle sighed as he continued. "No... watch and learn..."

His thumb pressed on the button as the van disappeared right before Isabella's eyes. Her mouth dropped, surprised of what happened. "H-how did you do that?! Where is it? Carmelita and Sly was in there!"

"I told you, they weren't any ordinary keys. Every time I lock the van it transports itself in the hideout. You didn't think I'd leave the van, including the time machine on the side of the road did you?"

Penelope grinned at the turtle. She held her hands together in front of her as she tips her left foot up. "You made that too Bentley?"

The mouse covers her mouth with her right hand, releasing a tiny giggle. "I like smart guys like you."

The turtle looks over to Penelope, smirking. "I know you do Penelope. I'd like to show you things we made together before you... hit your head."

"I made things too?! We made things together!"

Isabella and Murray looked at each other, bored as can be as the two continued to talk.

"Yes we did. I don't know if you remember anything but I would be glad to teach you some things..." Bentley paused, blushing. "If you wanna..."

"I'd love to!"

"Okay lovebirds..." Isabella rolled her eyes. "I think it's time we get inside and see the other lovebirds inside. It's a little cold out here."

Bentley nodded, still smirking at Penelope. "Affirmative. Let's go."

Isabella opened the door, not expecting what to see. The door opened to a short and dark hallway. She saw a ping ball table five feet away from the end of the hallway. Next to the Ping-Pong table was another table, but very cluttered. Books were left open, a laptop, some chocolate bits, tools such as screwdrivers and wrenches, blueprints and a couple of candles were flaming on the table. There were three medal chairs surrounding the table. Behind the cluttered table was an open wooden patio door. The curtains around it were rich crimson red, and almost reached the floor. The walls where mostly covered in a blue Byzantine Swirl wallpaper, although in some areas it was ripped off. Behind the wall paper were wooden walls. Outdoor sunlight shined into the area from the patio. The floors squeaked, made of engineered wooden planks. Some planks were missing and others were broken in half.

The raccoon walked out of the hallway and closer to the Ping-Pong table. A picture of a strange purple koala carrying a pink moonstone tied to a wooden staff caught Isabella's attention. The chair underneath the hanging picture was covered with a couple sweaters, dirty shoes, and a crumbled up blanket. To the left of the big and cluttered table was a huge shelf stand that carried very valuable treasures. Each shelf was covered, not having any more space for more. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, each next to both sides of the shelf case. The ceiling was wooden too. Stained bars of wood covered the whole ceiling with a snowflake shape.

Suddenly, as Isabella strolled towards the treasures, the raccoon tripped over the missing wooden plank in the floor. She picked herself up and flipped over seeing Bentley watching her. He put his right hand on his left arm as he spoke. "Yeah... the hideout needs a little... work on it... but what can I tell you... it's old!"

"A little work?!" yelled a voice from behind.

Bentley, Penelope, and Murray turned to a fox. "Bentley, dust and random junk covers everywhere."

"Hey!" Penelope scolded. "Bentley is a busy man, he doesn't have time to fix everything."

"Then can you please explain how the floors are missing parts, and other parts are split in half?!"

Murray looked down as he itches the back of his neck. "It's... embarrassing. Please don't mention it..."

"You men are so sloppy, I mean it!"

The fox stomped back to the van as Isabella gets up. On the other side next to the hallway was an arcade machine. Isabella ran towards it, her heart pumping faster with excitement. "Cool! What games do you have on it?"

Bentley smiled, Penelope holding his arm. "That has all of my hacking mini games on it. My name is written on every high score! I remain undefeated!"

Penelope giggled to Bentley's exhilaration. "It won't be for long once I play on it."

Bentley looks at the mouse, grinning as both of his eyebrows raise. "Is that a challenge I hear?"

Penelope gives a teasing look. "I think your smart enough to figure that out."

Isabella rolled her eyes as she walks towards the direction Carmelita went.

During the walk there she sees two doors at the end of the walkway. To her left she saw five raccoon mannequins, all wearing different costumes. Isabella looked to her right and saw the Cooper van. The trunk was open and surrounding the van were tools and a gas torch inside a bucket. The raccoon spotted a picture of Le Paradox on the wall with three darts in it. One on Le Paradox's forehead, one on his right cheek, and one missed him.

"Ha-ha! That's hilarious!"

Carmelita came out the back with Sly's body in her arms. She seemed to be struggling to Isabella. "Agh... he seemed to be lighter when he was missing some of his parts... obviously..."

"Do you need help?"

"You can close the back doors... I'm taking him to his bed... if he has one in here. I'll be staying with him for the rest of the evening and night. I don't think i'll stay here long after that."

"Okay. Nice knowing you Carmelita."

"Same with you, Sly's sister."

Carmelita smirked at the raccoon as she walks towards Bentley and Murray. "Does Sly have a room?"

"Yes, it's the door on the right behind you."

"Okay... thanks."

The fox carried the unconscious raccoon to the door, kicking it open. She carefully sets him on the blue double mattress bed. She was really cautious with his head. The fox stood beside him, just staring at him. Eventually, her eyes drifted away to see his end table against the wall, a dresser across the bed, and a window on the wall facing her. She crawled in with the raccoon as she covers him with a blanket. She lies her left hand on Sly's chest, her eyes slowly closing.

. . .

Isabella closes the back doors of the van as she sees Carmelita carry Sly to one of the doors. She walks towards the turtle, mouse and the hippo. Bentley was having a conversation with Penelope as Murray was eating the chocolates on the table.

"... and next door is my lab, where I carry all the things you and I made. Our other gang member, Dimitri, lives in the apartment but not the same room as us. I need to inform him about us being here..."

"Okay, after we go over there, can we check on the stuff we made?"

"No problem... beautiful."

Penelope giggled as the two left the hideout. Isabella decided to walk to the patio behind the table. Isabella looked out to the astonishing view of the outside. A hotel was right across Isabella's sight, but the thing she observed the most was the Eiffel Tower. "It's so beautiful... but I don't want to go without Sly..."

The raccoon sighs as she leans towards it. "I hope Sly is okay... I wish he would wake up soon... I miss him..."

The sun starts to turn a darker orange as it gets closer to the horizon. Lights start to turn on, Isabella continues to watch the view start to involve more beauty.

*Wow that took a long time, sorry folks. I had to watch an hour-long video of Paris just to see what it looks like. For those of you who live(d) in Paris or been there, if I'm missing something please tell me. Other than that, I hope you liked it and five more chapters left until the story is complete! Thank you for reading so far!*