Hello my fine readers. It's been quiet lately so I've had time to write up the next level. Miraculously, I got it done and I hope you like it.
I don't own Sly Cooper or any of the known game scenes or Characters, only Regina.
Read, review, enjoy!
(Carmelita POV)
After all the criminals were arrested at the ballroom, we were all dismissed, and I went back to my room in the guest house while searching for Regina. Along the way I had some time to think and cool down. It was then that I realized that I was too harsh on Regina. My gut is telling me that Sly Cooper is involved with my sister, but I shouldn't have jumped her throat like I did. Sly may just be using her to get at the Clockwerk parts. And that thought is what enraged me, and I took it out on my own sister. I shouldn't have assumed that she was involved, but I know in my heart that something is up. I just hope it's not what I'm afraid of. I'm an honest cop and if Regina is involved with Sly and is helping him, I'll have no choice but to lock her up. It breaks my heart, but I have no choice
. Finally reaching the guest house, I changed out of my dress and back into my uniform. Unable to find my sister, I pulled out my phone and hesitated. I was so harsh on Regina, she might just ignore me, but I must try and mend it with her. We're sisters and we're all we have left. I took a deep breath and dialed her number.
(Regina POV)
I stirred from my sleep slowly with a groan. I sat up and rubbed my eyes to find myself in the Cooper van. Looking around, I suddenly remembered what happened; from my fight with Carmelita to finding Sly. The rest was blank. I guess I fell asleep and the gang took me with them. The van was empty, so I guess the guys were outside. I opened the van and they looked up at me before Sly sprung to his feet and rushed over to me and covered me with a blanket.
"I'm glad to see you're awake, Regina." Sly said as he escorted me over to the campfire. Murray cooked up a hotdog for me. I smiled in thanks and leaned against Sly.
"So, what happened after I slipped away?" Sly asked. I took a deep breath and told him everything. As soon as I finished, tears came to my eyes and Sly pulled me into his lap and I cried into his chest. No words were spoken as Sly rubbed my back and I got all the emotions out. After finally calming down, I sat in silence until the sound of ringing filled the air. I rushed back to the van and grabbed my phone. It was Carmelita. I was feeling torn. Her words hurt so much but I'm not one to hold a grudge against anyone. Looking at Sly, who followed me, he gave me a sad smile and nodded to go ahead and answer. He then sat beside me as I answered the call.
"Captain Fox speaking" I said my usual greeting.
"Regina?" Carmelita asking in a shaky voice.
"Yes, Carmelita. It's me. Who did you think it was, Cooper?" I asked sarcastically. I heard her sigh in the background.
"Guess I deserved that. Listen, I wanted to check in with you. I got worried when I couldn't find you. I shouldn't have attacked you like I did, and I have no excuse for it. I think Sly is using you to get at the Clockwerk parts and after I found his card in your hair, I lost it! I saw the way you two danced and it looked like a match made in heaven. I was afraid your affections were being played with." Carmelita said. I had to cover the mouth part, so she didn't hear Sly growling in the background.
"I was just as shocked when the wings were stolen, but you had no right to come at me like you did! Ever since that day in Russia, you've been treating me like a criminal and not like a sister or even a partner!" I snapped at her, still angry about before. She sighed again.
"I know, and I promise I'll make it up to you. Just please come back to the palace. I need to know you're safe." Carmelita asked yet demanded at the same time. I was torn. I wanted to stay with Sly, but I needed to patch things up with Carmelita. She's the only family, if not by blood, that I have left. I looked over to Sly, seeing him smiling at me sadly before nodding his head. I smiled back at him and placed a paw on his cheek in adoration, which he kissed the palm of.
"Alright, I'll be there soon. Just don't freak out again like you did last time I space jumped!" I teased, causing Carmelita to giggle on the other end, our bond coming back to life.
"You still won't let me live that down?" She asked. I shook my head with a smirk.
"Nope! I'll be there soon, hermana." I said before hanging up.
"Sly…"
"Don't worry, Regina. I understand. She's your family and you shouldn't hold a grudge against her. I would be doing the same. Just please be careful." Sly said, pulling me into his arms in a hug. I squeezed him before we climbed out. I said goodbye to Bentley and Murray before stepping away.
"I'll be in touch guys." I said before I opened a portal on the ground and jumped through, landing in Carmelita's room.
"Hermana! I'm so glad you're safe." Carmelita cried out as she threw her arms around me and we hugged each other tightly.
"I just needed some space; you did hurt me." I said, making her look down.
"I know I did, and I'm really sorry. I'm just glad you're ok." Carmelita said. I smiled and nodded. She sighed in relief. We then went over to her desk to plan our next move.
(Sly POV)
When Regina jumped through the portal it closed, causing Bentley to drop his mouth in shock.
"Uh Sly, what was that?" Bentley asked. I scratched my head until I remember Regina saying she did that to Carmelita, causing her to freak out.
"I think she called it Space Jumping" I said. Bentley then grabbed his computer and started typing away. What he found amazed all of us.
"That's amazing! Regina can open a portal and teleport herself from one place to another. That must be her Vulpez skill! It probably awoken when you helped her get her memory back!" Bentley explained. I shook my head in amazement.
"My girl is amazing!" I smugly said. Causing the guys to groan. I chuckled as Bentley pulled out a map.
It took some detective work, but we managed to track down where Rajan had gone into hiding. Somehow, he managed to transform a long-forgotten temple into the thriving center of his spice operation. And it's there, where we'll find him. The jungle, too thick to drive through, forced us to walk the long distance to our target. We ran into a few problems along the way. In fact, Murray wasn't paying attention and managed to step right into quicksand. It was a miracle that we managed to get him out. But either way, we pushed on. According to Regina before she left to join back up with her sister, the temple was more than just Rajan's hideout. It was also home to the dreaded, Clockwerk Heart! A pump so strong and tireless, it could increase spice production ten-fold! Good for Rajan, but awful for the rest of the world. I hope he's not counting on that heart too much. Because tonight, it comes home with me!
SLY COOPER AND THE GANG IN: A PREDATOR AWAKES
(Sly POV cont.)
Arriving at the temple, the gang and I quickly settled in a giant tiger head cave. It was quaint, but good enough for a safehouse for this location.
"Sly, I need you to go scope out the area. We need to know what we're up against, if we're going to get the Clockwerk Heart." Bentley instructed. I grabbed my cane and rushed out. It looked like security was tight here. More of Rajan's guards patrolled everywhere. And not far from the safe house, was what looked like an elephant pushing a satellite around. The jungle was so thick, I had to climb up somewhere to get a better view. Cautiously while avoiding the guards, I climbed up to an unbalanced tower that miraculously swayed to and fro without falling over. Looking around, I saw something peculiar. It was a small opening to a tunnel behind the waterfall.
"Sly, sneak into the temple by going through that hidden passage behind the waterfall and take some recon photos so I can assess the situation. Just be careful, if you get hurt, the closest hospital from here is 106 miles away." Bentley instructed.
"I'm on it, Bentley. I'll take a hidden passage over the front door any day." I said before hanging up. After taking out any guards that got in my way, I opened the barrier to the tunnel and crawled inside. On the other side, there was an irrigation system and the place reeked of spice.
"Bingo, you found the spice growing facility. Now from what I know of Photosynthesis, all the expensive equipment should be found at the top of this room. That access tube above and across the way from you should get you up there." Bentley instructed.
"Alright, I'll head for the top." I said. I looked around and saw that the guards were too close together and if I took one out, it would alert the others that I'm there. Then I noticed the blue auras that I see on the pinwheels in the water. I easily used them to my advantage and got across without being detected. I got past the monkey guards but I still had to avoid the big rhino guards. So I jumped into the buckets of water and hitched a ride up to the top of the room where I then slid on some vines, arriving at the tube. When I climbed up the ladder, I arrived at an area closed off. I looked around and took pictures of the Clockwerk Heart. It was split in half, one part was used to super irrigate the spice plants, and Rajan was carrying the other half on his staff, making it look like a scepter. I followed the rope that suspended half of the heart to the crane controls, which were locked down tight, and took a picture. I then looked around and took a picture of the entrance.
"Hmm, that's the entrance, but I can't see the way in from outside. Bring those photos back to the safe house. We'll really need to think about this one." Bentley instructed. I nodded and made my way back.
(Bentley POV)
Sly made it back to the safehouse with the photos he took. This was going to be a challenge. Rajan has hidden half of the heart well. I'm going to need some help to find a way in. Perhaps Regina can help us with that. Sly's not going to like the fact that I'm getting her more involved, but I don't think we'll have a choice. I told Sly to go and rest while I came up with a plan of attack. While he was sleeping, I contacted Regina by using her encrypted earpiece she gave to Sly.
"Regina, it's Bentley, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear, Bentley. What can I do for you?"
"I need your help. We've managed to track down Rajan and the Clockwerk Heart. He's using half of it to elevate his spice production."
"*Sigh* I was afraid of that. What do you need me for?"
"We found where he's keeping it, but the entrance can't be seen from the exterior. Do you think you can help with that?"
"I'll see what I can do. Neyla and I just happened to be heading that way now. I'll keep in touch." She said before hanging up. Satisfied with that answer, I started analyzing the photos and coming up with a plan.
(Regina POV)
After patching things up with Carmelita, we got called into a meeting with the Contessa and Constable Neyla.
"Listen up, as you know, Rajan is still on the loose and we still have yet to retrieve the Clockwerk Parts. Sources say that Rajan is hiding out in the jungle. I need 2 of you to scout out the temple until you locate him. Wherever Rajan is, the Cooper Clan shouldn't be far behind." Before I could respond to the Contessa, Neyla jumped in.
"I can navigate this jungle no problem. And Regina should come too. Cooper seems to be paying close attention to her so maybe we can use that to our advantage." Neyla said, causing the Contessa to smirk.
"That's a marvelous idea, Constable Neyla. Very well, I'm sending you and Captain Fox to the hidden temple. Gather as much information as you can so we can get a warrant to arrest." Contessa instructed. Neyla nodded and took off with me following her. Halfway there, my earpiece for Sly was ringing. I stopped to see that Neyla left me behind before I answered, only to hear Bentley on the phone and not Sly.
"Regina, it's Bentley, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear, Bentley. What can I do for you?"
"I need your help. We've managed to track down Rajan and the Clockwerk Heart. He's using half of it to elevate his spice production." I gasped at this and shook my head in exasperation.
"*Sigh* I was afraid of that. What do you need me for?"
"We found where he's keeping it, but the entrance can't be seen from the exterior. Do you think you can help with that?"
"I'll see what I can do. Neyla and I just happened to be heading that way now. I'll keep in touch." I hung up and then continued through the jungle to catch up with Neyla. We finally made it to the temple to see it crawling with guards.
"Ok Captain, what's next?" Neyla asked.
"Scope out the area, Rajan is here, we just need to find him. As part of the Klaww Gang, he should have another part on him. It must be found and taken from him." I ordered.
"And what about Cooper?" She asked with a smirk and poking out her hip. I glared at her, not trusting her one bit.
"Cooper is after the same thing we are. We bust Rajan, we bust Cooper!" I ordered before getting away from her. She's up to something for sure. She's constantly asking about Sly and I don't like it. Something is not right here and when I see Sly, I better warn him.
(Neyla POV)
Every time I bring up Cooper, I can tell it gets under Regina's fur. It is so much fun to irritate her. As for Cooper. Watching him dance with Regina at the ball made me realize that the stupid bond would never be broken no matter what I try. He will stay with Regina until the end of his days. Sadly, for him, that won't be very long.
I have orders to make sure Cooper and Vulpez were captured and I'm close to having enough evidence to put them away. Contessa promised to separate them when they are captured. Perhaps I can convince her to hypnotize Sly into breaking the bond and joining me. HA! The broken-hearted look on Regina's face will be priceless! Now I just need to set a trap for the 2 of them and then my job will be complete.
(Sly POV)
After the well-deserved nap, I made my way into the main room where Bentley began his presentation.
"The Clockwerk Heart is under some steep security. Heck, Rajan is always carrying half of it around. To get at the goods, I'm going to need to gather some more information. Sly will plant a bug in Rajan's office, while I lift the spice operation blueprints off the Spice Lord, while he makes his rounds. Unfortunately, while we're collecting intelligence on him, he'll be collecting data on us, with an elephant driven satellite array. Take it out, or he'll be able to intercept our communications." Bentley instructed. Seeing as I had 2 jobs to do, I went out first.
"Rajan is able to monitor all of our communications out here with that elephant driven satellite array. If it's not taken out, he'll be able to hear everything and possibly be able to track down Regina when you talk to her." Bentley warned when I called him for instructions. I growled at the thought.
"That can't happen, Bentley! You got a plan for shutting it down?"
"Don't I always? Now, the local spice plants are illegal for a reason. Consume too much, and you'll go into a fit of uncontrolled rage." Bentley explained.
"Tell me about it. The smell coming from the cave from earlier was already making me irritated. And keep that stuff away from Murray… Oh wait, wait, I get it. I put some spice plants in the elephant's feed bag, he chows down, gets all crazy, and presto, the satellite's in pieces." I guessed.
"A crude interpretation of the plan, but accurate. Now the plants only grow up high in the jungle canopy, so you'll need to do some serious climbing to get at the goods." Bentley said. I nodded and then got to work. It was a little difficult but also fun. I did a lot of climbing, sliding and jumping to get all 6 spice plants. The smell alone was irritating my nose but I controlled myself and was able to gather all the plants. I snuck them into the Elephant's feed bag just as he was coming my way. He stopped for a bite, and suddenly, his eyes turned red and he pulled away from the satellite, smashed it to pieces and trampled everything in his way while trumpeting loudly.
"Sayonara satellite array!" I smirked out looking down at the demolished satellite.
"Nicely done, Sly. Now head over to the top of that unbalanced tower and I'll give you more instructions." Bentley said. Having already been there, I quickly made my way back where a small purring blue bug swim in a pool of water. True to form, Bentley called me on the Binocucom.
"Sly, the insect in that pool, is a rare Indian Water Bug. If you can carry it to Rajan's office, its' wings will transmit local sound waves at a frequency that I can monitor." Bentley instructed. I scratched my head at the plan.
"Let me get this straight, we're gonna bug Rajan's office, with a bug?"
"It is a delicate plan, I agree. Now pay attention, that water bug can only survive in stagnant pools. If kept out of water too long, it will become unhappy and likely draw the attention of local guards." Bentley warned. I remember seeing a lot of shallow pools everywhere and came up with a solution.
"There seem to be a few shallow pools along the way. A short swim every now and then should keep our little friend quiet." I stated before I grabbed the bug and placed it on my back. Instantly, the pitch in the bugs sound changed. I had to move fast and get him in water. Sometimes it started screeching and sounding like an alarm, alerting the guards. I had to get it in water, so I didn't risk the bug getting killed. Then I had to take out all the guards around me before continuing. Eventually, I made it to Rajan's office. Security was tight, so I had to avoid the cobra baskets and floor lasers. I finally got the bug in the pool next to Rajan's desk.
"Excellent! I've already tuned into the bug's wing vibrations. I'm a genius!" Bentley exclaimed. I shook my head and glanced over at the vault on the other side of the room.
"Regina already sent me the code to that vault. Here ya go." Bentley said and sure enough, the code appeared in my thief mask. The vault held instructions for a shock attack. With this I'd be able to shock my enemies when I hit them with my cane. Cool! I made my way back to the safe house just as Bentley was heading out.
(Bentley POV)
Now that Sly finished bugging Rajan's office, it was my turn to go out. Just as I headed out, I received a call.
"Hey Bentley"
"Regina? Never thought I'd hear from you so soon."
"Very funny, anyway, I'm calling to let you know that I'm in the area and I've found the secret entrance to half of the Clockwerk Heart. When Sly is ready, tell him to meet me by the Waterfall and I'll take him to it." She said, making me excited.
"Excellent! Thanks Regina. Actually, I could use some more help. I need to get at Rajan's blueprints without getting caught. You got any intel that could help me with that?" She paused on the other end for a moment.
"Hmm, I've done some digging on Rajan and discovered that he can't resist Indian Watermelons." She stated.
"AHA! That's perfect! If he eats them whole, he'll be forced to sleep for a while. Once he's out, I can sneak in and snatch the blueprints and get away before he wakes up!" I exclaimed in excitement, causing her to laugh.
"Getting him to eat the melons shouldn't be a problem. They can be found all over the place. You just need to figure out how to get him to see them."
"That's no problem. Thanks Regina, you are a real credit to this team. I'm sorry I ever doubted you." I said.
"Don't worry about it Bentley. I would've been the same way. I'm glad I can help." She said before she hung up. Suddenly Sly came on the Binocucom.
"Bentley, was that Regina on the phone?"
"Uh yeah? I'm sorry Sly. I've contacted her so she can help us. Don't worry though, our communication line was encrypted so she shouldn't be trackable." I said. He sighed and shook his head.
"I wish you wouldn't keep stuff like that from me, but as long as she's safe. Anyway, what did she say?"
"Well she's in the area and was sent to gain intel on Rajan and she shared some of it with me that we can use." I said just before the door to Rajan's office opened and he stepped out.
"As I expected, Rajan is out for his daily tour of the operation. Regina claims that he carries three blueprints on him. Which when read together, tell you everything about his spice operation" I said as I zoomed in to see that he doesn't have the Clockwerk Heart with him this time.
"Too bad he doesn't have that section of the Clockwerk Heart we saw during the recon. You could just pump him full of sleep darts we could all go home."
"Unfortunately, my sleep darts aren't powerful enough to affect Rajan."
"What? Then how are you going to get at those blueprints?" Sly gasped.
"I've had more of Regina's help on that one. While digging around for intel, she discovered that Rajan has an insatiable appetite for Indian Watermelons. If eaten whole, it will force him to nod off for a while. Once he's asleep, I'll creep in, snatch the blueprints, and get out of there before he wakes up." I explained.
"Thank you, Regina But how do you plan on luring him over to the watermelons?"
"I've fitted my sleep darts with a sonic disruptor. The strange sounds they make should be enough to lead the ever curious Rajan from place to place." I said before hanging up. Looking around I saw a watermelon just up the stairs from Rajan. Using the darts, I was able to lead him over to it. Sure enough, he smiled, and swallowed the melon whole. Then he yawned, laid down, and fell asleep. The guard around him was going to be a problem so I hit him with a sleep dart and he passed out. With both of them asleep, I crept up to the sleeping tiger and snatched a blue print and got away from him before he woke up.
The next Watermelon was by a delivery truck on a cliff. I used the truck as my vantage point so he didn't see me. I lured him away from the temple and onto the grounds. He followed the sounds to the next melon and quickly ate that one too.
"Sheesh! How does this guy eat these melons so quickly?" I asked myself after knocking out the guards protecting him. Then I snatched the second blueprint and hid behind the truck. Rajan didn't see me and continued his round. I ran up to the bridge above and bounced to the top of a spire. I had to be really careful this time. If I hit the wrong place, Rajan will catch me. I lured him over to the final melon on top of a building. He ate it quickly and then fell asleep again. I got the last blueprint and scrammed out of there while hearing Rajan scream in rage.
"WHAT?! THE BLUEPRINTS! THEY HAVE BEEN STOLEN!" Then he scrammed back into the temple and out of sight.
"That's the complete set of Blueprints! Great field work, Bentley! You're really getting the hang of this." Sly complimented.
"Thanks Pal. Get Murray ready. I'm on my way with some bad news." I said while making my way back to the safehouse where Sly and Murray sat waiting on me to display our next move.
Part 1 is complete. Tune in for Part 2 of The Predator Awakes.