Well, here's something I just wanted to write just because. I haven't seen a lot of fics where Shadowsan catches up to Black Sheep, so when I saw one, I had to write my own version. Hope you like it.
If I feel any inspiration, I may make another story about another moment, but don't count on it. It'll only happen if the muse decides to bless me with a script that I think would be interesting.
'Black Sheep is clever, but that will not be enough to leave VILE.' Shadowsan thought as he grabbed his katana. 'Not alone.' He had been watching her from a distance since he brought her to VILE as a baby. He never wanted her to be a villain. As harsh as he was with her, he couldn't bear to see the baby that he rescued become a thief and killer. At least he could properly protect her now.
Making his way to the helicopter, he quickly cut the wires at the engine, grounding it for a good while. The Cleaners wouldn't be able to follow her, even if he didn't make it to her in time. Now all he had to do was provide her a way out. He was aware of the way she escaped last time and how it was now blocked. If she hadn't tried that way yet, he could open it for her.
Suddenly, a bit of bright red caught the corner of his eye. Looking at the figure running towards the docks, he realized that Cookie Booker wouldn't be running to get off the island. She would be taking a more leisurely pace, even after the island was put on lockdown. Stealing her coat to fool the Cleaners… Clever, Black Sheep.
He ran up behind the cleaners as they came out of the building, drawing his katana again.
"She's nearly gone! Prepare air support!" he called behind him as he ran down the stairs. He kept the ruse up as long as he could, but if they failed to get away, then they could figure out what he did, and they both would be dead. He saw from a distance as she flipped and knocked out the captain, then he became internally relieved when she struggled to start the boat. She had forgotten the keys.
He could make it.
As the young thief jumped down and grabbed the keys from the unconscious body of the captain, he willed his legs to move faster. Any delay and he could miss his window of opportunity.
"BLACK SHEEP!" he yelled to her. She looked back briefly, then jumped back in the boat. He was almost there. Just a little farther. The boat started to back away from the dock. It was his last chance. Taking a gamble, he took a leap… and landed on the lower deck of the boat. He could hear Black Sheep's gasp, but he just leapt up to the upper deck, standing in front of her as she whirled around, back now to the controls.
Holding his katana out to the side, he looked the girl over. Her breathing was fast and shallow and her eyes were wide, staring at him. Her short frame was almost completely covered in a red coat that was too big for her and shaded by the red hat.
How had the cleaners mistaken her for Mrs. Booker? Yes, she was wearing stilts before knocking out the captain, but surely they should have realized that she was not the woman.
"Black Sheep…" he started, noticing how she tensed in apprehension. She was preparing for an attack. "You pass."
Black Sheep blinked in surprise and confusion as he sheathed his katana, walking forward. She stumbled to the side when he reached towards her, only to put his hands on the controls and turn the boat away from the dock, speeding away.
"I-I don't understand." Black Sheep finally said after a minute to process what was happening.
"I was hard on you, Black Sheep." he sighed, turning away from the controls for a minute to look at her. She seemed so small and unsure. "I may have taught you, but I never wanted you to be a thief for VILE."
"But why? Why are you helping me get off the island? Why-" The question caught in her throat. He could probably guess what she wanted to ask. It was likely about her final exam that he failed her on. "I thought you hated me…"
"As unlikely as it may seem, even I cannot turn away from an abandoned baby." As Black Sheep suddenly realized the implication of what he said, Shadowsan focused back on their escape. Even though they were out, that didn't mean they could completely relax.
"Aren't the Cleaners supposed to be coming after us?" she asked, looking behind them, towards Vile Isle. He shook his head.
"They will not. I made sure of it." He refused to elaborate any more. She didn't need to know how, but it should reassure her a little. Seemingly satisfied, he saw her pull out her stolen phone and press a few buttons.
"Player, I made it! I'm out!" she said into it. A second later, a young voice came from the phone. How she had made contact with someone outside the island and made friends with them he didn't know.
"That's great! I was worried when I lost connection with you."
"Yeah… I had some help getting out." She looked over at him with a smile. It was still a little unsure, but it was something. "He's with me right now. But I need to know where in the world I am."
"Canary Islands." Shadowsan said before her friend 'Player' could. He could hear the tapping of keys on the other side.
"Yeah, looks like your friend is right. And you're heading to the mainland." the kid (the voice was young, it had to be a kid) said. He could hear Black Sheep sigh in relief.
"It was an interesting place to grow up." she said wistfully, but her voice hardened in determination. "But it's time I see the rest of the world. No more bookkeepers and no more VILE."
"If you wish to travel, Black Sheep, you will need a new name." Shadowsan said, keeping the ship on course. He could just use his old name for his identification, but she didn't have that luxury.
"Yeah, I don't think 'Black Sheep' will work on a passport." Player's voice agreed through the speakers. "Even if it was accepted, it would raise more than a few eyebrows." There was silence for a minute as Black Sheep thought. He considered names that he might give her as well. He had never been the best with names. His code name of Shadowsan was evident of that. After a while, he considered asking Player if he had any ideas, but then the girl spoke up again.
"Carmen. Carmen Sandiego." Shadowsan looked back to see that she had taken off the hat and was looking at it. When she looked up at him, he gave a nod of approval. It was better than anything he would have come up with. As she smiled, she turned back to the phone. "Now Player, about this 'white hat' thing that you told me about… Does it have to be white?" she asked while putting it back on.
By the time they made it to the mainland, Suhara had a plan. He and Black- no, he and Carmen Sandiego would travel for a while, letting her experience the world and learn to live outside of VILE Isle. Then, they would begin their mission to take them down. It would be dangerous, but he would make sure that she was as safe as possible. The baby that he saved was right there, and he would protect her until she was ready.
The two of them were all they had now.