Takes A Thief To Save A Thief

by puppydogs68

VILE will stop at nothing to capture Carmen Sandiego, a former student that betrayed them. We all know that Carmen's smarter, and that she's better...but sometimes, life just isn't fair. Carmen's captured, and it's up to Graham Crackle, now currently an ACME agent, to pick up the pieces. Who was he before, really? Rated T for violence; no cursing. (Cover art now up)

8. Chapter 8

Takes A Thief To Save A Thief Chapter 8: "Agent Stripes"

Guest: Thanks! I always try to engage my readers so that's why I was concerned it would be boring lol.

NaoSa: Thank you so much! :3

Drama Lover's Dream 513: Your welcome! Hope you're enjoying the story! :)

beehappy13108: Yeah Carmen x Graham is so cute! ;D

GiddyReflections: Hahaha thank you XD

StarWarsIsabelle: Thank you! c:

Enjoy everyone! Oh, and we're back to the whole Tigress drama! ;)

Tigress flipped her hair, looking proud as ever as she made her way to the meeting room. It was dark inside, though not so much that she couldn't see everyone else. The VILE logo stood ahead of them on the front part of the stage. She flipped her hair and told the other students inside, "I don't even need for the faculty to arrive. I already know that they're going to choose me as the new faculty member. After all, I'm the one who captured Carmen Sandiego." She snickered as the other students glowered.

"You did it with a team." The Troll insisted.

"Shut up, computer guy. Like you'd know anything."

The Troll narrowed his eyes at her and more students grumbled. Tigress' grin widened.

Imagine the endless possibilities, She thought thought to herself, I could be the future, sole leader of VILE! Everyone would do as I say. No more wasting my time with these dorky idiots. I could be a criminal mastermind!

"Greetings, students of V-I-L-E, Villains International League of Evil, or just VILE, academy." Maelstorm's pale form glowed in the dim light as he took a step forward on the stage, speaking into the mike, "Today we have gathered here to reveal who will be taking Shadowsan's place as part of the faculty. After Roundabout's utter, not-so-epic failure." He rolled his eyes and continued, "we are choosing only the best of the best to take Shadowsan's spot. Countess Cleo, Dr. Bellum, me, of course, and Coach Brunt have all voted..." He paused as someone handed him an envelope and then walked downstage from where Maelstrom stood center-stage.

"Thank you. Now, for our major announcement..." He paused again, "Ladies, care to join me?" Countess Cleo, Dr. Bellum, and Coach Brunt all stepped onstage.

"Ah yes...now...the student who will become a part of the faculty is..."

Tigress brushed out her hair and dusted herself off, very confident that this was her. After all, who else could it be? She took a step forward right as Professor Maelstrom said:

"Paper Star, will you come onstage please, as the newest addition to the faculty?"

Tigress felt enraged.

Silence followed not long after Maelstrom's statement.

"Uh, Paper Star?"

An eerie humming sound came from the corner of the room. A paper star flew and sliced through the banner on the top of the stage. The VILE student grabbed the paper star as it came flying back to her.

"I assume that's a yes..."

Paper Star smiled faintly, skipping onstage.

"I'd love to." She said, the paper star still in her hands. The razor-sharp corners gleamed in the faint light.

Maelstrom nodded.

"From now on, Paper Star is officially a part of the Faculty. If anyone has any objections to this, you may say so now." The three other faculty members remained silent.

"Okay, then, Paper St-"

"HOLD UP!" Tigress shouted, bristling with anger and rage, "HOW AM I NOT A PART OF THE FACULTY?!"

"What?" Maelstrom asked calmly.

"THIS ISN'T FAIR! I got you your stupid little present, and now, give me mine! I earned that seat at the Faculty lounge. She, did not." Tigress pointed an accusing finger at the girl, "And she's younger than me! I'm far more experienced."

"Yes, and you were also exposed to Black Sheep's unacceptable behavior." Coach Brunt argued, speaking up.

"Wh- but that's not fair! You can't possibly compare me to her! We're two very different people! PLUS, Paper Star had classes with her too during her second term."

"Paper Star found out nearly everything we know about ACME. Even though she failed her mission, and disobeyed instructions, the end results were satisfying. And for one, I think I've heard enough. Tigress, you will meet me in my office. Understand?" Maelstrom growled.

Tigress removed her mask, "Yes."

Maelstrom glared at her, "..that's 'yes sir' to you."

Tigress walked away, shutting the door behind her.

"Let me guess." Someone spoke, "You didn't get a spot at the faculty."

Tigress whipped around, "Who's idea was it to move the prisoner here?!"

Carmen smirked, staring at her through the bars of her enclosure, "Cleaners. They're taking me back soon though, so I can annoy some people downstairs." She replied smoothly.

"Good for you." Tigress longed to rake her claws across Carmen's smug face.

How could this have happened?! There was no way Paper Star was better than her. No. Way.

She pushed open the door to Maelstrom's office. The walls were white and the floorboards had been painted black. Maelstrom sat in his chair, elbows propped up on the desk in front of him.

"Tigress. Please, take a seat." He motioned to a stool. Tigress sat down.

"I know the faculty's decision seems unfair, but trust me, we had our reasons. If we made you a member of the faculty, you'd be too busy planning missions, and you wouldn't be able to participate in as many, which would be a shame, considering the mission I have planned for you."

Tigress seethed, "I don't want to go on another stupid mission of this. 'Oh Tigress steal this, Tigress steal that.' That's all you ever make me do. And I stole your most valuable asset yet, but did I get made a faculty member? No. Some creepy chick did." She said bitterly.

"I understand your concerns. But I promise, this mission is not like the last." He lowered his voice, "And remember: Paper Star can always be...replaced." He grinned, noticing that seemed to pique Tigress' interest.

"Remember our little friend Crackle?" Tigress bobbed her head up and down in affirmation.

"Good. He was spotted outside what is suspected to be an ACME building hours ago, wearing ACME gear."

Tigress' eyes widened.

"If he spills any information about VILE, the future of our organization may be at stake. It is up to you, to make sure that doesn't happen. I want you to get as close to him as possible. Learn everything you can about ACME. You will pretend to be working for them, but instead, secretly delivering information to me. From now, you are Agent Stripes."

OOF BET YOU DIDN'T EXPECT THAT!

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