"Alright, Bentley, now that I'm inside, what exactly am I looking for?" Sly asked into his earpiece.
"I heard from a reliable source that the guards keep their security code to the laser grid underneath one of the brake tables. So, I need you to crawl under each one until you find the code, then type it into the keypad and pull the lever to let all of us in." Bentley explained.
"Roger that, I'll see ya in a bit, pal." Sly replied before disconnecting.
Once the line had ended, Sly easily managed to avoid all the flashlight guards that were pacing around the room and crawled under each one of the tables. Nothing though. He crawled another. Blank. Then another, and another, but still nothing. The raccoon was becoming slightly annoyed as he crawled under each table, only to find nothing for every single one. He sighed irritably, until he crawled under the last table, his eyes lightning up with glee.
"Bentley, I found it!" He whispered joyfully.
"Great, now go and enter it into the keypad and let us in."
Sly crawled out from under the table and went over to the laser entranceway, avoiding guards as he went. He gave a small smirk before entering the code he had found, the laser wall in front of him disappearing. His ears perked up when he saw the lever at the other end as he made his way over to it, pulling it down as the double doors upstairs opened and the three entered. But the moment Sly spotted Rai as soon as she entered, a smirk began to curl on his lips. He quietly snuck around behind her, straddling her hips as she glanced back to see the ringtail, frowning.
"So, is there something I can help you with, sir?" She asked sarcastically.
Sly chuckled. "Well, well, what good fortune has been brought upon me to see such lovely vixen before me, hm?" He teased.
Rai raised an eyebrow, seeming unimpressed at his flirting. "Funny, but my answer is still no." She said, brushing his hands off her hips as she began to walk away.
"Oh, come on! What do I have to do just to get you to swoon over me?!" Sly whined.
Rai smirked, now purposely swinging her hips as she strut away from the raccoon. "You seem to forget that I'm not like every other girl who's fallen for your charm." She chuckled. "It's almost cute how you think I'll just fall head over heels for you so easily though."
Sly paused, frowning as he chased after the fox. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?" He huffed.
"All in due time, Ringtail, all in due time." She replied as she turned to face Sly again, patting his cheek almost mockingly.
"Okay, now you're just toying with me..." Sly frowned, propping a hand against his hip.
Rai chuckled again. "Well, duh." She winked, cracking a snarky smirk.
Bentley then cleared his throat, getting everyone to turn towards him so he could explain the plan. "Alright, everyone, now that we're all inside, it's time to put my hacking skills to the test and gain control of the electronic wench above the Clockwerk Wings in the ballroom."
"So...why are all of us here then?" Murray asked, confused.
"As soon as I hack into the security mainframe, they'll be onto us. Your guys' job is to cover me until I hack all five levels."
"Hey, uh, Bentley?" Rai then spoke up. "Would you mind if I helped you hack? I mean, I'm pretty good with bypassing security firewalls, so we could get this done faster if you allow me."
"Ah, yes, I completely forgot that you're a skilled hacker as well... Mmm, sure! Two heads are better than one, as I always say!"
"Great. Let's get started then." Rai grinned.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Bentley grinned while Sly was trying not to laugh.
"Something wrong, Ringtail?" The fox asked, glaring a bit at the smirking raccoon.
"No, not at all. I just forgot you actually had brains in that pretty little head of yours." He winked.
Rai just rolled her eyes. "You're such a child... Just make sure you watch my back."
"Oh, I'll do more than that, sweetheart." Sly winked.
Rai just rolled her eyes. "Try anything funny and my cane is getting hurled into your skull." She warned.
"Ooh, scary!" Sly joked, Rai frowning.
"You're pushing it, Ringtail."
"Ahem!" Bentley cleared his throat again. "Starting level five hack." He then announced, Rai quickly joining him at the other terminal.
As soon as the fox and turtle duo started their hack, guards were pouring in as Sly and Murray were doing their best to fend them off, but suddenly, as Rai had her back still turned, a monkey ran up behind her. However, before it could blow its flames at her, she whipped out her cane and turned it into a blade, throwing her katana as it hit point blank in the chest, killing the monkey instantly all the while her gaze was focused on the computer screen. She then somersaulted backwards over to her weapon, which Sly just so happened to be standing near as she landed on her feet in front of the smug raccoon, leaning in so they were face to...mask?
"Watch my back, Ringtail or I'll just do it myself..." She said in a low, intimidating tone, though it didn't really affect Sly either way as Rai flipped back over to the computer. "Level four is a go."
Minutes later, Bentley's voice sounded. "Level three is going down!"
Suddenly, something was launched into the air, nailing Rai in the shoulder as she got on one knee. "Nugh!"
"Rai!" Sly looked back at the fox on her knee, gripping her shoulder.
Rai quickly grabbed ahold of the computer and pulled herself up. "I'm fine, but what part of "watch my back" wasn't clear, or do I have to fucking spell it out for you?" She hissed.
Sly and Murray continued fending off the guards while Rai and Bentley did their hacking. "Level two." The fox said.
As if on cue, another object was hurled at her, but Sly quickly caught it as the vixen behind him flinched slightly. Sly then glanced back at the masked fox with a smirk curved on his lips. "I'm not doing what now?" He teased.
She rolled her eyes. "Keep acting like a smartass and you'll find out just what when I shove a baton down your throat, you smug prick."
Sly chuckled. "Alright, chill. I'm just teasing, you know."
"Not while I'm in the middle of something." Rai replied, her gaze focused on the terminal in front of her. "Now go watch my back."
"Yeah, yeah..." Sly waved.
"Level one!" Bentley and Rai then said in unison.
Suddenly though, while Rai was focused on the task at hand, she didn't even notice something flying at her as it hit her in the back, Sly narrowly missing to grab the flying object. She grunted upon impact but kept going, until something else decided to hit her in the back of the head as she fell right to her knees. Rai grunted again, gritting her teeth, and she was about ready to go break someone's neck simply out of sheer spite and utter rage, but she had a hack job to finish first, so she had tied down for the moment. When another object was hurled at her, the fox growled, swiftly snatching the brick that was being thrown at her from the air, only to get up and throw it back, nailing a monkey square in the face. After a few choice words from the angered fox, Rai turned and returned to the computer, finishing her hack. After a few more seconds that seemed to feel like an eternity, Rai finally managed to break through the firewall, letting out a sigh of relief. With the hack now complete, all the remaining guards exited the room as the door closed behind them, and everything soon fell quiet.
"Yes! I'm unstoppable!" Bentley announced proudly. "All five levels have been hacked and I now have complete control over the electronic wench above the ballroom! Thanks for the help guys, you too, Rai. ...Hm? Rai?"
"Rai!" Sly exclaimed when he saw the fox down on her knees, leaned against the nearby railing as she let out ragged breaths. "Rai! Are you okay!?" Sly panicked as he rushed over to the injured fox.
"I'm fine..." She breathed. "It's...just a little scratch..."
The two got to their feet, but as soon as Rai tried to take that first step, her legs gave out from under her as she collapsed into Sly's arms. A wave of dizziness washed over the fox as her vision began to swim, her head beginning to throb. "Shit..." Rai cursed, gripping her head.
"You can't even walk without stumbling," Sly stated, "and on top of that, you're bleeding. Come on, I'll just carry you back to the Safe House."
"No, I can walk, Sly, I'm not helpless." Rai tried to push him away.
"And I'm telling you no, Rai. I'm carrying you back to the hideout whether you like it or not." Sly said firmly, causing the fox to huff.
"Fine, whatever..." She regrettably agreed, despite her protest.
"Once we get back, I'll figure out a plan for tonight. Until then though, Rai needs to get cleaned up and lay down for a bit." Bentley said as he pushed his glasses up on his oversized nose.
"Sounds good to me." Sly nodded.
"Come on, little buddies! Let's get back to the hideout!" Murray's voice boomed, causing Rai to flinch, gripping onto her head.
"So loud..." Rai murmured under her breath.
"Maybe just not so loud, 'kay, big guy?" Sly chuckled nervously.
When the four had returned to the Safe House, Sly cleaned the wound on Rai's forehead before bandaging it. He then had her lay down after Bentley had given her something to help her sleep at least for the next few hours. But just before Sly was to leave the room and let the fox sleep, he felt a slight tug on his shirt, causing him to turn towards the fox.
"Hey, Sly...?" Rai croaked, trying to keep her heavy eyes open. "Thanks...for being there, and..." She paused for a moment, almost to try and regain her focus. "...sorry for...being such a...pain..." Rai finished as her eyes fell closed, her grip on the hem of Sly's shirt slowly releasing as her hand dropped.
Sly exhaled softly, crouching down in front of the now unconscious fox as his thumb grazed over his cheek. "Always..." He whispered, getting back on his feet. "Sleep well, Rai... I'll be back soon." And with that, Sly turned and made his leave.
Rai's eyes fluttered open to find herself in a dark room, if that, with a single spotlight shining down on her. She glanced down at herself when she noticed her mask missing from her face and that she was bound to a chair. She struggled a bit, trying to wiggle her hands free from the rope binding her, which proved to no avail, only hurting her the more she squirmed from how tight the rope was. Suddenly though, another spotlight came on to reveal Sly, but someone was holding him by his shirt collar, his cap on the ground below. It was then that Rai's eyes widened when she realized the Indian tiger, Rajan, was the one holding the unconscious raccoon, a devious smirk on his face as he held a scimitar blade in his free hand.
"First I will kill this annoyance off, then I shall deal with you." He snickered. "Maybe even have a bit of fun with my beloved rose before I get rid of you."
Rai gasped at those vengeful words, fear clearly displayed in her eyes just from the threat alone. H-he'll...take advantage of me? She thought frighteningly. N-no...! Not again!
Rajan then began to stab and slice at Sly's body, Rai gasping again as she tried to shout in protest. "No, stop! Leave him alone, please!" She begged.
All Rai could do was watch helplessly as Sly was being stabbed and sliced to death, at the mercy of this damn heartless tiger. Rai continued to scream her pleas, but Raman clearly wasn't listening. In fact, he could care less about all of Rai's begging. He was too engulfed in making Sly's blood spill as Rai could do nothing but watch as this horrible scene played out before her. "Stop it! He did nothing to you, Rajan!" Rai shouted, tears beginning to burn in her eyes. "Just let him go! I don't care what has to be done, just please-"
ROAR!
Gasp!
Rajan roared, causing Rai to yelp as she gazed up to see the rage burning in his eyes. He growled, throwing Sly onto the ground as blood slowly began to pool around him. Rai just stared fearfully as the raccoon began to bleed out right in front of her while he lay there, completely motionless. Suddenly, Rajan went behind the fox and sliced the ropes that were binding her to the chair before grabbing a chunk of Rai's hair and throwing her to the ground. Rai grunted as she stumbled forward, hitting the floor, but before she was even given the chance to react, Rajan hurled his foot straight into her gut.
"Aahh!" Rai exclaimed, quickly wrapping her arms around her stomach.
Rajan then reached down and grabbed Rai by the hair again, forcing the fox back onto her feet before spinning her around and pulling her into his body, Rai's back hitting his chest as he held that same bloodstained scimitar that was just used on Sly not even two minutes ago up against her throat. Rai gasped when she just barely felt the blade press against her neck, her whole body tensing up.
"You have become such a thorn in my side..." Rajan growled. "How fitting for a rose, I should say, as you are the Scarlet Rose." The tiger then scoffed. "I'm almost certain that you should be dead, for that is what that blasted cat was tasked to accomplish, yet here you stand, getting in my way."
Rai gripped onto Rajan's arms, trying to pry it away in a feeble attempt to free herself. "L-let go of me...!" She struggled.
Rajan scoffed again, pressing his blade further against Rai's neck, which seized her meek struggling. "How in the name of Shakti you survived, I will never—hm?" Rajan suddenly paused.
Rai seemed confused for a moment, until she was suddenly spun around again, only to be grasped by her throat. The fox cringed, gripping onto Rajan's wrist as her feet hovered above the ground. However, Rai immediately tensed up when she saw Rajan holding his blade up, preparing to be struck, until she felt the very tip of the blade press against the side of her top, only to push it back just the slightest bit. It was there that Rajan finally understood how Rai survived, his eyes narrowing as a frown formed on his lips. "Ah, now I see... It seems that damned cat didn't finish the job properly, which would explain how you survived. Well then..."
"Urgh!?" Rai grunted when Rajan, with his hold still around her neck, slammed her onto the floor, clutching onto her throat tighter as the fox began to gasp and sputter for air. "G-get...off...!" Rai weakly tried to protest, causing Rajan to chuckle.
"My, my, you certainly don't know when to give up, do you, my precious little rose."
Rai still glared, despite being choked. "D-don't...call me...th-that...! Bastard...!"
Rajan growled, clutching into Rai's throat again. "Gaahh!" Rai exclaimed, now trying to pry his hand away in another feeble attempt.
"Shame... I only wish you weren't so stubborn, otherwise I would've treated you as the beloved queen I had dreamed you could've become. Well, no matter, there will be others." Rajan said, flipping his blade around in his hand before holding it above his head, Rai gasping. "May the afterlife treat you well, for the living has not, Scarlet Rose."
Rai's eyes widened, and just as that scimitar came barreling down, she quickly slammed her eyes shut. "NOOOO!"
"Aaaahh-aaahhhhh!" Rai's eyes shot open as she bolted upright, letting out a blood-curdling scream.
Her breathing became ragged, Rai's whole body trembling more than she ever had in her life. It was strange... For the first time in her life, Rai was more terrified of the thought of Sly being killed than when her own family was right in front of her. She hated it... Rai, more afraid of losing Sly than when she lost her whole family? She felt sickened by the thought of it, mainly because she didn't understand why. Upon the realization though, Rai grit her teeth together, balling her hands into fists until her claws began to dig into her palms. In a fit of anger, Rai threw the covers from her body as she practically pounced to her feet, only to walk over to the nearest wall, and—
Slam!
"Goddamn it!" Rai bellowed, slamming her fist into the wall. "Damn it! Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it!" She shouted through her rage whilst repeatedly slamming her fists against the wall. "Stop tormenting me! Haven't I suffered enough!?" Rai then pressed her forehead against the wall, only to arbitrarily sink down to the floor, tears beginning to burn in her enraged eyes. "Please... I just want a moment of peace..."
Suddenly, Rai could hear incoming footsteps before the door to her room was flung open, lifting her head only to find a panting Sly in the doorway, worry clearly displayed on his face, just as before. "Rai! Hey, what's the matter?! I heard you scream and came as fast as I could! What happened?" He asked in rushed concern.
Rai just stared at Sly for a moment before pressing her forehead back against the wall. "It...it's nothing... Just another nightmare..." She replied, shaking her head a bit.
Slowly, Sly began to approach the fox, crouching down next to her. "Rai, what happened?" He asked calmly this time.
Rai clenched her teeth together for a moment, visibly tensing up. "I thought..." She sucked in a short breath, trying to keep it together as best she could. "I thought he killed you..." She said, her voice trembling slightly.
"Who did?" Sly asked.
"Rajan..." Rai replied, though tense. "He wanted to kill me next, but...I woke up just before he did, barely..." She choked out. "It just felt so damn real..."
Sly cautiously lifted his hand, placing it against Rai's shoulder, which caused her to flinch violently. "Hey, it was just a nightmare, and I'm alright, so try to calm down, alright?"
Rai shook her head. "I can't, not after that..."
"Come here..." Sly cooed, gently trying to turn Rai towards him as he pulled her into his chest, the fox gripping onto his shirt with her shaky hands. "It's alright, Rai, I'm right here and Rajan is still at the palace. No one is going to hurt you here, I promise." He tried to reassure her.
"I know, but..." Rai clutched onto Sly's shirt tighter. "...I just can't stop shaking."
Sly wrapped his arms around Rai, placing his hand on the back of her head as if to keep her close. In that moment, it almost felt like Rai was ready to fall apart right at the seams if he left her like that, as she was barely able to keep herself together as it is. Damn him, damn the whole Klaww Gang! Just how deep do her wounds run, and what'll it take to free her from these shackles chaining her down? Sly thought woefully, holding onto Rai tighter. If she doesn't do it, then I'll kill the bastard myself, just for making her constantly suffer like this...