Greetings my fine readers! I present to you: A Tangled Web Part 2
I don't own Sly Cooper or any of the known characters or game scenes. That honor goes to Sucker Punch and Sanzaru.
Read Review Enjoy!
(Bentley POV)
Once I got back to the safehouse, I quickly put together the slides and presented the next part.
"Alright fellas, let's get down to business. The first steps to escalating the war between Neyla, Carmelita, and the Contessa have gone well. We're down to the final setups before we spring our trap and rescue Regina. Sly, I need you to steal a voice modulator from the castle and install it underneath Neyla and Carmelita's headquarters. If all goes as planned, we should be able to give orders to their mercenaries without being detected. Unfortunately, Neyla and Carmelita's recent bomber purchase, has made their army over-enthusiastic and they might strike before we're ready. Which leads me to Murray. I need you to hot-wire one of the Contessa's tanks and go to town on the mercenaries. We just need to intimidate them a little. And finally, I'll venture back into the crypts to power up that old computer in the Re-education tower. We'll need it to rescue Regina. Oh and Sly, if you haven't gotten it yet, you'll need to purchase a paraglider for the heist. Ok let's move out!"
(Sly POV)
With the bombers shooting up the area, we all decided to go out one at a time. I went out first. While Bentley was building his bomb, I was out collecting clues that were scattered all over the place. Since Bentley didn't find the Crystal in the crypts, I really hope that I'll find it on this job. I had the feeling that I would need all the clues. Anyway, my waypoint was close to the safehouse, but I had to avoid the patrolling tanks while climbing to the rooftops. Arriving in no time, I contacted Bentley to get instructions.
"The Contessa plans on taking control of Neyla and Carmelita's army by fooling them with a prototype voice modulation device. To get the thing working, she'll have to jack it into the satellite connection, beneath their headquarters."
"So I'm guessing you'd like me to steal the device and hook it up for our side… giving us control over Neyla and Carmelita's mercenaries. Sounds great!"
"You'll have to steal a few keys here and there to get access to the more secure areas of the castle."
"If there's pockets to be picked, I'm your man."
"First, steal a wire tap and the Voice Modulator, then head for the sewers beneath Neyla and Carmelita's HQ."
"I'm on it." I said before hanging up. My Cooper senses were tingling so that meant my targets were nearby. Looking down, I saw 2 guards. One was just standing there and the other was patrolling around him in a circle. I had to be quick with this one. First I got the key from the one that was moving before he got in front of the other one, then I took the key from the still guard.
"Smooth work, now use those keys to break into castle and get at that wiretap." Bentley instructed. I nodded and followed the waypoint in my mask to my target. Once I entered the room, the guards were on me instantly. All I had to do was take them out and I did so in no time. The gate on the far side of the room lowered and I got the Wire-tap and beside it was a vault.
"Bentley, I found the vault. Have you deciphered those clues."
"Sure did pal. It was challenging though. The Contessa is smarter than I thought. The code should be 586." I entered the code and the vault opened. Inside was a glowing white crystal.
"THAT'S IT SLY! That good mojo crystal will suck in the bad mojo from my collector and change it to Good Mojo. Then we'll use it to take the collar off of Regina when we rescue her!" Bentley exclaimed, making me happier than I have been lately.
"Great, I'll bring it back when I'm done." I said while leaving the room. The guard with one of the next set of keys was close by and I took the key quickly before sneaking around the tower to find the other guard with the other key.
"Great Sly, the room with the Voice Modulator is in the front of the castle." Bentley said.
With both keys in my possession, I headed to the front door, unlocked it and headed inside. The security was tight in here. I had to use noise to get the guard from his post to sneak around him to the next room. The only way to the Voice Modulator was crawling beneath a rack of swords, but there was a vulture guard shining a light in my way. So I smashed a torch and quickly crawled to the other side as he went to investigate the noise. The Voice Modulator was hanging on the wall and I snatched it, took out both guards and headed out.
"The Contessa's guards have locked down the entrance to the sewers. You'll need 2 more keys to get in. Find the guards in charge of the sewers and get those keys from them." Bentley instructed. Using my Cooper Senses, I found the guards patrolling around an old Guillotine. Shivering with disgust, I quickly stole the keys and then headed under the well, used the boat to get to the other side, crawled into the hole, followed the path into the sewers and unlocked the door. The Sewers were flooded so I had to slide on wires to get across. As I slid, tentacles attempted to grab me, so I had to jump from wire to wire to avoid them. In short time, I made it to the wire, which was already revealed.
"Looks like we got lucky. The Contessa's men already excavated Neyla and Carmelita's satellite cable. How should I proceed?" I asked Bentley.
"Splice in the wiretap, then attach the voice modulator. I'll broadcast from the safe house to make sure it works… this is going to be so cool!" Bentley instructed. I nodded and followed his instructions then headed out in time to hear Bentley have his fun. It at first sounded like him and then it quickly turned to Contessa's voice.
"Uhh, hello mercenary tank forces… would you mind spinning your turrets for me? Gads! This is cool, uh I mean you are all very cool. Carry on!" I laughed in victory as the turrets spun around on his command. With my part done, I headed back to the safe house. I handed the crystal to Bentley and he gently placed it into his collector and we watched as the crystal changed to a pale red color and then turned back to white.
"Perfect, the bad mojo has been transformed into good mojo. Now we can use it on Regina's collar! Murray, you should go next so I don't have trouble with the tanks." Bentley said.
"You got it, pal!" Murray exclaimed before he headed out.
(Murray POV)
I watched the crystal do it's thing before heading out. That was so cool! Now it was my turn. I crossed the bridge to get to my target and then called Bentley.
"Murray, the tanks are controlled using 2 levers. Use both to steer the tank. Press them both forward to move forward, pull both back to reverse and in opposite directions to turn. There should be a button on one of the levers that fires the turret." Bentley instructed. I nodded, hung up and headed into the hangar to get in a tank.
"Oof! Ouch, guh..Here we go, the seats gotta go farther back than this!" I groaned out trying to get comfortable.
"Ok guys, I'm in a tank!" I informed them. I had no time to practice as a tank came into view so I quickly moved forward and fired twice to take it out.
"Sorry Pal!" I exclaimed as the tank exploded to pieces. Once I crossed the bridge, another tank got in my way and fired at me. I quickly took that one out too.
"Fear the power of the Murray!"
2 tanks down, 4 to go. I stayed in the tunnel as 2 tanks patrolled close by. I fired at them as they passed me, knowing they couldn't fire from behind them.
"SUCKAS!" I shouted out as I took out the final tank as they were all patrolling around the HQ.
"Nice work Murray, that should cool down those mercenaries for a while" Bentley said. I parked the tank back in the hangar but kept the keys. I had a feeling I was going to need that tank later. With my job done, I headed back to the safe house.
(Bentley POV)
Finding the Crystal lifted Sly's spirit and now he can help me with my job: breaking into the crypt on the west side of the castle, and powering up the computer that controls Regina's restraints and set her free. Breaking into the crypt was a cinch with the codes the General gave me. There was a computer close by but it was completely dead. Right on time, Sly called.
"How are you going to hack into that old computer with no power?"
"According to General Clawfoot, a mobile power source is stored at the end of this hallway."
"'Hallway' is a pretty kind term for what looks to me like a complex medieval gauntlet of death."
"Yes well, while the idea of jumping down a crypt filled with whirling, razor sharp spikes might scare me, in fact terrorize my every fiber, it's the only way to power up that old computer in the re-education tower. Without that thing online, we'll never be able to get at the Clockwerk Eyes or free Regina."
"You're a good man Bentley, just make sure those traps don't rip you into a hundred little turtle pieces"
"Why'd you have to say that?!" I groaned out before hanging up. Sly was right, this place was a medieval gauntlet of death. To get to the end of the hallway, I had to avoid all sorts of spikes, logs, swinging axes, and giant tentacles to get at the battery.
"Aha, this should do just fine. Just walk close to the computer and voila!" I said to myself. When I approached the computer, it powered on and I got to work
"Prepare to be hacked, you knave!" I exclaimed while I began hacking. I simply had to blast the firewall while avoiding the security codes that fired at me and got in my way. In no time, I was through.
(Regina POV)
"I'll get you Contessa!" I growled as I continued to struggle while focusing on blocking out the Clockwerk Eyes.
"How many times must you say that… it's never going to happen." Contessa groaned as she continued messing with the panel.
"I'm dead serious, I'll get you!"
"'I'll get you, I'll get you." She mocked me, making me angrier and more determined.
"I mean it, I'll get you!"
"Yes yes, so I've heard." She mumbled. Unknown to me, a dial switched on the computer to green.
(Bentley POV)
"That's one down, 2 to go. I'd better be careful and not take any damage. This battery is filled with acid after all. Ready for another round of hacking mastery." I said to myself. I had to be extra careful while crossing the water and avoiding the spinning spiked logs. To avoid the spikes on the floor, I had to jump onto the bald spots on the floor while avoiding the logs. Finally I made it to the 2nd computer and quickly hacked it.
(Regina POV)
Sly was using our telepathic connection to keep me calm. Even though it was working, I was still getting restless and wanted to get out of here and get the Contessa.
"Hmm, maybe I should approach this through your ID (Inner Desire) instead of your conscious mind. It might help to get pass your super ego!" The Contessa taunted, making me angry again. Instead of retaliating, I stayed quiet and kept my focus as a 2nd dial turned green.
(Bentley POV)
"One more computer, and I can get out of here." I said to myself. My first obstacle was the swinging axes. It was times like this that I wished I could climb onto the handles like Sly could. But no matter. I calculated the timing of the axes and jumped past them. All that's left were the rotating logs. I easily got past them and arrived at the last computer. The security on this computer was no match against my hacking talent.
(Regina POV)
Ok now I was starting to get a little anxious as the Contessa got closer to finishing her work.
"Ms. Vulpez, why fight it? Don't you want to be my friend?" Contessa asked, pretending to be friendly.
"Noo! You horrible eight-legged COW! NO!" I growled out as the computer turned on.
(Bentley POV)
That should do it!
"With that computer powered up, my work is done!"
"You're right, the system shows that the computer for the gate and Regina's restraints is powered up and ready for your hacking magic. Head back to the safe house and let's get going!" Sly exclaimed as I headed back. As soon as I got back, I got the plan together.
"It's time to wage war on the castle. And in the confusion, pull off a heist and rescue that I've named 'Operation High Road'. First, Murray will take down the spotlights on the main gates using the codes provided by General Clawfoot. Then with the help of the voice modulator, I'll order Neyla's forces to attack. Sly will then paraglide the 2 of us over to the Contessa's blimp and we'll use it to get inside the re-education tower. The assault on the castle will undoubtedly draw The Contessa's shadow guards away from their post and once we free Regina, she can clear out the Contessa! With the Mind Shuffler exposed, I'll plant the bad mojo bomb and presto, the Clockwerk eyes are ours. So if the 2 of you are ready, lets get into position and get this thing started." I explained. Understanding the plan, we all headed out to our positions.
(Sly POV)
Bentley and I made it to our positions, just as soon as Murray shut down the spotlights.
"Oh yeah! The lights are down Bentley. Time to call in the Calvary! I'll grab the tank from earlier. I've got a feeling I'll need it." Murray exclaimed. Now Bentley took over with the Voice Modulator copying Neyla.
"Attention blood thirsty Mercenary forces-the castle defenses are down! Seize this opportunity for aggressive military action by pressing an attack on the castle! CHARGE! For victory, for glory!" Falling for the trick, all of Neyla and Carmelita's mercenaries charged towards the castle.
"That should do it" Bentley confirmed.
"Now that you're done being a war monger, feel like paragliding over to that blimp?" I asked, pointing over to the blimp.
"Just make sure to grab the rope hanging off that thing! I don't want to drown!" Bentley exclaimed before climbing onto my back. Paragliding over to the blimp was easy and I landed on the platform. Bentley jumped off and guards started bursting out of the door.
"Hold on pal, this could get rough." I warned him before I started smashing skulls. Luckily I just had to knock them off the blimp and there were only a few. Bentley quickly took over and we made it to the Re-education tower. We both headed inside and back to Regina just as the Contessa was ordering her shadow guards.
"WHAT? The mercenaries have breached the castle defenses? ALL OF YOU GO! DEFEND THIS TOWER TO THE LAST MAN!" She ordered. The guards saluted and left as the Contessa returned to the panel.
"Don't worry my dear, I still have time to finish your readjustments." The Contessa cooed out, making me and Regina growl.
"Let me out of here, and I'll readjust your face!" She threatened, making me chuckle before I turned towards Bentley.
"Ok partner, looks like the shadow guard is out of the picture. You ready to free my violent little princess?" I asked. I groaned when I felt what seemed like a mental smack to the back of my head.
I heard that, Ringtail!
"I'm guessing she heard you say that. Anyway, that Irontech 2-50 is a fully integrated system; access to Regina's restraints has to be in this old terminal. While I hack into it, relay the plan to her so she can get the Contessa out in the open and away from the Mind Shuffler so I can destroy it. Tell her to watch out though, while the tanks charged, I saw Carmelita sneak into the castle. We don't want her to get caught." Bentley instructed. I nodded and then linked up with Regina while Bentley got to work.
Hey there, princess
Call me Princess again and you'll get more than just a smack Sly! Since you're back and I hear Bentley with you, I hope that means you've got a plan to get me out of here.
He's working on setting you free as we speak. Once you're free, we need you to get the Contessa out of here so we can get the eyes, then meet us outside the castle so we can get that collar off of you. Watch out though, we saw Carmelita sneak into the castle. She's most likely looking for you.
No problem, Ringtail. I'll chase the Contessa away from the Clockwerk Eyes and I'll meet up with you once I shake off Carmelita.
Excellent, see you soon sweetheart
I disconnected the link just as Bentley finished hacking the system.
"That should do it"
Sure enough, I turned to watch as Regina was released and she jumped off the table. She shook her head, looked around and grabbed her shock pistol off the nearby table.
"Ah-ha! I've isolated the brain pattern… you and I are about to become best friends" The Contessa said cockily.
"Alright new best friend, I've got a shocking surprise for you, why don't you turn around and see?" Regina said while aiming her shock pistol at the spider.
"My dear you really…" She gasped and started running away calling out to her shadow guards with Regina chasing after her.
"Come back here, you witch!" Regina shouted, firing after the Contessa, completing her job. We jumped into the room as my fox left my sight.
"That's my girl! Trying to solve everything with a shock pistol." I said with a smile. Bentley shook his head and planted his bomb on the machine.
"She is rather truculent. Stand clear Sly, this might have a larger blast than anticipated." Bentley warned as we ran away from the bomb as it went off. The machine exploded and the room was flooded with red smoke.
"Bentley! You OK?" I shouted out.
"This is no place for an asthmatic, but I've located one of the Clockwerk Eyes. Can you find the other one?" Bentley asked.
"No worries Chaps, it's safely in hand" said a pink tigress I never wanted to see again.
"Neyla?!" I gasped out, causing her to smirk.
"Thanks for clearing out the Contessa, nothing Carmelita or I did could pry her away from the Clockwerk Eyes. Hmm, 1 should be enough for the old bird." I heard her mumble to herself before she took off.
"Bentley, take the eye, and escape on the Blimp! I'm going after Neyla!" I ordered before taking off with Bentley yelling back at me.
"But… the plan! This isn't part of the plan!"
Neyla ran out of the castle, just as soon as Carmelita's voice came through the speakers.
"ATTENTION ALL BOMBERS: FOCUS YOUR ATTACK ON THE CONTESSA'S BLIMP!"
"Heads up, Bentley, you're about to come under fire. Get to the Blimp's Turret and stay sharp!" I warned while chasing after Neyla. She was harder to chase this time since she wasn't leading me anywhere. She threw webs down to jump on then paraglide away. Then, she used her whip to destroy all the explosive drums to try and stop me. Nothing she did deterred me though. Eventually, I came to a stop when I saw the eye on the ground and Neyla was tangled in a web.
"You really should watch where you're going, this place is dangerous" I teased while picking up the eye.
"Don't you dare! That eye is MINE! IT'S MINE!" She whined out before finally breaking free.
"Actually Mr. Cooper, the eye belongs to me!" Contessa growled out from above me.
Meanwhile…
(Bentley POV)
"ATTENTION ALL BOMBERS: FOCUS YOUR ATTACK ON THE CONTESSA'S BLIMP!"
Uh oh
"HEADS UP BENTLEY! WE'RE ABOUT TO COME UNDER FIRE! GET TO THE BLIMP'S TURRET AND STAY SHARP!" Sly yelled out just as I climbed onto the blimp.
"Ok, I can do this…I can do this" I said as I started firing at the bombers as they flew around, firing at me. I had to make sure to take them out before they got close enough to where they can't miss me. I realized that they flew around the castle before heading straight for me, so that gave me time to take them out. The coast was clear after taking out all 20 bombers.
"That did it, the sky's all clear. Ok, guys I'm heading out for our rendezvous." I said. But while I was entering the coordinates, a shot was fired and it hit the blimp.
"COME BACK HERE CONTESSA, REGINA! THAT GETAWAY BLIMP WON'T PROTECT YOU FROM ME!" I heard Carmelita shout out.
"MERCIFUL HADES! Sly, can you read me? Carmelita's shot out the guidance system and the blimp's descending at a decidedly unsafe rate! I'm going down, Down, DOWN!" I shouted before the blimp crashed.
(Back to Sly POV)
"That eye belongs to me, AND I WANT IT BACK!" The Contessa demanded.
"No way – you think I'm crazy? On second thought don't answer that, I really don't want your professional opinion." I said.
"Not crazy, just stupid! You're just an ignorant child playing dress-up in his father's legacy along with his equally stupid and ignorant soulmate! Oh, I know all about the Cooper and Vulpez Thief Clans."
"Then you understand why this eye must be destroyed! And don't you dare insult my soulmate in front of me!"
"Short-sighted fool! I've no interest in your narrow interpretation of morality. I'm above all that, above good and evil."
"And you think I'd give the eye to someone who's above morality?"
"Enough talk you insect! It will be just as easy and more fun to pry it from your cold dead hands, and then your precious Vulpez will no longer be protected from me!" She swung down and began battling me. I had to avoid her when she charged at me with her fists and whenever I had the chance, I smacked her with my cane and she groaned with every hit. Sometimes I managed to knock her off the tower. She jumped back up and threw spider eggs down. When they hatched the spiders attacked me so I had to take them out while avoiding the Contessa's attacks. While this was going on, I heard Bentley crying for help.
"Hello, is anyone there? I'm still alive! What the…"
"Hands up, Turtle! Give me the Clockwerk Eye! I said give it here! Now keep your hands up 10 minutes after I leave. I'll be watching you!" I heard Carmelita say until…
"What the…"
"Sorry Carmelita, but I'll be taking that eye. And leave my friend alone!"
"REGINA!"
"Sly, Carmelita tried to take the eye, but Regina has it. Carmelita is chasing her!" Bentley cried out, just as soon as Regina linked up with me.
Sly! I managed to get the eye from Carmelita before she could hurt Bentley, but she's hot on my tail. I'm in a tank but she's right behind me.
Don't worry sweetheart! Murray knows how to drive a tank. I'll get him to disable Carmelita's tank and help you escape!
I disconnected and contacted Murray on the double.
"Murray! Regina's in trouble. She's got the eye and is trying to get away from Carmelita. They're both in a tank. Take out Carmelita's tank and help Regina escape with the eye and take her with you."
"Don't worry, you're soulmate is in good hands!" Murray said before I finally knocked the Contessa off her feet.
"Enough, you've shown me the error of my ways." She said, relenting.
"I feel sorry for you. All your education and you still don't know right from wrong." I said. Suddenly she jumped onto her feet, knocked me away and snatched the eye off me.
"I know enough to not let my guard down around an intellectually superior opponent." She said before webbing away. Gathering myself, I realized…
"She's got the eye? SHE'S GOT THE EYE!" I growled out before chasing after her again.
Meanwhile
(Murray POV)
"Murray! Regina's in trouble. She's got the eye and is trying to get away from Carmelita. They're both in a tank. Take out Carmelita's tank and help Regina escape with the eye and take her with you." Sly said, scared.
"Don't worry, your soulmate is in good hands!" I exclaimed before I saw 2 tanks drive by. The one in front of me fired at the one it was chasing.
"That must be Regina and Inspector Fox!" I exclaimed before chasing after them. Inspector Fox got a few hits on Regina before I hit the tank a few times, disabling it.
"Oh yeah!" I said while climbing out of my tank and then knocked on Regina's. The top opened to reveal a disheveled fox.
"You ok, Regina?" I asked while helping her out of the tank.
"I am, thanks to you Murray. Here's the eye." She said handing me the Clockwerk Eye.
"No problem. Sly told me you needed help. Now let's get out of her while your sister is stuck in her tank and pick up Bentley for a quick exit." I said. She nodded and we both ran for it.
"Sly, Regina is safe and sound. Now do what you can to get the other eye. We'll hook up at the Rendezvous for a quick exit." I said to Sly as we picked up Bentley from the crash site and headed to the Rendezvous.
(Back to Sly)
"Sly, Regina is safe and sound. Now do what you can to get the other eye. We'll hook up at the Rendezvous for a quick exit." Murray reported.
"Thanks Murray, keep her safe and I'll meet you guys there." I said as I arrived on the rooftop of the topmost tower, in front of the Contessa.
"There's nowhere left to run! We both know I can beat you in a fight… so why you just hand over the eye." I demanded.
"You're right, Cooper, in a battle of strength you've proven yourself. But with this Clockwerk Eye, I can battle you in your mind!" She growled out before the battle recommenced. True to her word, she tried to shoot a beam with the ClockWerk eye to hypnotize me and I had to avoid it, along with the smaller spiders and her charge attacks. She's managed to get me a few times and hypnotize me once to get more hits on me while I stumbled around like a fool but eventually, I managed to take her down for good.
"You and your soulmate both have strong minds, Cooper. I never would have guessed." She groaned out. Without saying a word, I snatched up the eye and made my escape. I finally caught up with the others and at long last, pulled Regina into my arms, relieved and happy that she was back where she belonged, free and by my side. Bentley used the Crystal's power to fight against the bad mojo in Regina's collar and it quickly stopped glowing. Regina ripped that collar off her neck with a sigh of relief coming from both of us as our soulmate bond strengthened back to the way it was.
Things hadn't gone exactly to plan, but the Contessa was beaten, Regina was free and the Clockwerk Eyes were finally mine! The Contessa was arrested and brought to trial for the crimes she committed while working at Interpol. Neyla and Carmelita, being closest to the case, were deemed the Heroes of Prague, and earned promotions to the ranks of Co-Captains. This made Regina hurt and angry to know that Carmelita no longer considered her as her sister and now she was on the run. So to my eternal delight, I got to help my lovely and favorite police woman escape the cops. Even though I thought it wasn't a good idea, Regina split from us, to try and lead Neyla and Carmelita away from us. She promised that she would meet up with us in Canada knowing that would be our next destination. I tried to put it all out of my mind, but this Klaww Gang business was spiraling out of control, putting Regina in more danger by the second and I knew that my gang and I were in the center of it all. We'd be back in action soon, but for now, we just laid low for a while.
I hope this was worth the wait! Things are busy with work so I don't have a lot of time to write but I make it work. Thank you for your support. The next chapter won't be out for a while as it's peak time at work for me. I ask that you remain patient and let me do it when I can.
Til next time
SSF-18