It was time for the Contessa to feel their wrath. Having escaped her own prison before getting what she truly deserves for her sick and twisted ways, the gang has found out she's hidden away at her castle estate – it's a well-fortified Gothic nightmare that would make any thief run in terror, but terrible or not, that's where they were headed. Now that they knew she too was apart of the Klaww Gang, the gang also found out she was in possession of the Clockwerk Eyes. Both the Thievious Raccoonus and the Thievious Foxus have stated that these eyes can stop any thief dead in their tracks, transfixed in their hypnotic gaze, and with a powerful hypnotist like the Contessa, it's a recipe for evil and dastardly plans just waiting to happen. Plus, with Neyla and Kisara closest to the case, they were given a large payload to hire an army against hers, making this a full-blown war zone. Now the gang has to figure out how to stop the Contessa and snag the eyes before things get more out of hand than they already are. This isn't going to be easy...

"Here, Rai." Bentley said as he handed something to the fox.

"Hm? What is it?" She asked, taking the item from him.

"It's a paraglider." Bentley replied.

"A paraglider?" Rai raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. You're going to need it for the heist."

"What, why?"

"If Neyla and Kisara decide to escape, you'll have to follow them, and it's an easier way of getting around."

"Umm, alright..."

"I took the liberty of making one for you and Sly with your designated logos on them. Sly, you take yours too." The turtle said as he handed Sly the same item.

"Thanks, pal." Sly thanked.

"Now yours will be blue with your logo on it, and Rai, yours is going to be red with your Scarlet Rose symbol in the center – I figured you two might like it better if your logos were on it just to make it more...you, I suppose."

The fox, grinned. "Yeah, thanks, Bentley."

"Don't mention it. Now then, with this new item, I will need both of you to go get some recon photos for me. Do you think you can do that without getting spotted by the Contessa's or Neyla's tank?"

"Sounds simple enough. Where to?" Asked Sly.

"Sly, since I know how much you just love to be out in the open and piss people off, you can go around the area for the photos I need. And Rai, since you prefer sneaking around without getting caught, I'll have you head to the Contessa's Re-Education Tower to get some shots of what's in there. I've left you some targets to get pictures of, but if there's anything you think I should know of, go ahead and snap it if you can. Are we clear on what to do?"

"Crystal." Sly smirked.

"Yes, understood." Rai nodded.

"Good. I'll see you guys soon then." The two then took off.

"We'll meet back here once we've finished, alright?" Rai asked.

"Sounds good to me." The ringtail tipped his hat. "See ya then, love." He then winked and pecked her on the cheek before dashing off.

Rai rolled her eyes. "Do you have any shame...?" She then put the backpack on Bentley had given her before taking off herself. The backpack was small and black in color to help blend in with her outfit as she grabbed her binocucom and checked for where to go. Now with her target, the fox made her way up the buildings to the rooftops, quietly dashing along as not to be noticed. However, when she reached the tower, Rai pulled on the door only to find it wouldn't budge, not even a little as she huffed.

"Locked..." She examined around when she noticed a hook on the side. "Hello... What are you?" Rai smirked and flipped her cane in her palm, latching it onto the hook as she swung to see a thin metal rail, but the ends were curled in for some strange reason. She quickly detached her cane from the hook and grabbed the rail, clamping said cane to her hip as she climbed up until she reached the roof. She carefully walked around until she noticed a small balcony with a window that was cracked open. "Bingo." She smirked again as she got on the balcony and climbed in through the window, however, what she saw was all but what she was expecting. The fox scanned around when she saw the Contessa, her Shadow Guards, the Clockwerk Eyes, some sort of strange device controlling the eyes, and...Carmelita!?

"Rai, what do you see?" Bentley asked.

"Umm, Bentley, there's more than just the Clockwerk Eyes up here." She replied warily.

"What do you mean?"

"Look for yourself." She took out her binocucom and scanned the room.

"Oh my gosh! That—that's Carmelita! The Contessa is trying to brainwash her using the Clockwerk Eyes!"

"You know, as much as I don't like Carmelita, I hate the Contessa more... We've gotta do something to help her, Bentley."

"Yes, I know, and we will, but we can't do anything until we figure out how to free her from that old Irontech 2-50."

"Such a crude device, don't you think?"

"Indeed, but most certainly effective." He agreed. "Just get those photos and go, then we'll figure out a way to free Carmelita."

Rai sighed. "Alright..." The fox then disconnected before snapping the photos. "Hmm... I wonder what that device is... Better get a photo anyway." She said as she snapped a picture. "Hey, Bentley, check this one out. Do you know what it is?"

"That...that's a Mind Shuffler! I didn't think they were real... It's made of equal parts science and black magic; indestructible to conventional weapons."

"That must be what's keeping the Clockwerk Eyes integrated."

"It would seem so."

"It also looks like she's trying to brainwash Carmelita too, though knowing how headstrong she is, I doubt it'll be easy."

"Nothing is ever easy with her..."

"Don't I know it..."

"Anyway, hurry and get those pictures back here before you're spotted."

"Alright, I'll be there shortly." The line then disconnected.

"Hmm? Is someone there?" The Contessa glanced over to the wall with a cage in front of it, Rai gasping softly as she quickly hid by the old terminal. She pressed herself against the wall, using the terminal as her shield when the spider shrugged, returning to her work. "Probably just my imagination."

"If someone was there, you'd better hope to God they get to you before I do, otherwise I'll be the one to kick your sorry ass myself." Carmelita hissed.

I can't say I blame her... Rai thought to herself before slipping out the window. As much as she annoys the hell out of me sometimes, I despise the Contessa more than I ever will that cop, so if there's a chance I can help her and screw that damn hypnotist over, I'll take it in a heartbeat. Heh... I can't believe I'd ever see the day when I help the cop who hates my guts over anyone else...

Rai climbed out of the window and climbed up to the top of the tower, balancing on the small point. She scanned over the area, finding the view rather amazing before she remembered the paraglider Bentley gave her. "Well, might as well test it out. I really hope this works..." The fox took a deep breath before leaping. As she began to fall, Rai quickly yanked the string as the backpack removed itself from her back and transformed into the paraglider. Rai grabbed the ends on either side, using them to control her direction. When she finally got the hang of it, the fox grinned, enjoying the wind in her face. She flew along the darkened sky until she was nearing a building. Rai let go of the tassels as she rolled onto the rooftop, the paraglider quickly folding up into a small cube before it landed in her palm, the fox smirking slightly. "Hm. Compact size, huh? That could come in handy." She said before stuffing it in her pouch and heading for the Safe House.

"Wait, you found Carmelita?" Sly asked while the two were dashing along rooftops, heading for their next mission.

"Yeah. The Contessa has the Clockwerk Eyes on some device, using a Mind Shuffler to try and brainwash her."

"Damn... Was there any way to get her out?"

"I saw an old terminal, but we have to find a way to turn it on before we can free her. Actually, once we free Carmelita, she can help to drive out the Contessa."

"That just means we'll have the chance to get the eyes."

"Yeah, but first, what are we doing again?"

"Freeing some ghosts." The raccoon answered.

"Okay, why exactly?"

"Don't know, Bentley didn't say."

When the two reached the graveyard, Sly located the tomb Bentley told him about. "Hey, Rai, I think it's that one."

"Are you sure?"

"Looks like the picture he showed me. Now let's go free some ghosts!"

"You say that like it's a good thing..." Rai rolled her eyes as they snuck into the tomb. "Hey, I see the coffin."

"Then let's get the party started." He smirked as the two lifted their canes, smacking the top of the coffin open.

Crash!

A huge gust of wind escaped the coffin, knocking the two canines off their feet as several ghosts flew out of the smashed coffin, heading for the exit. "Man, those ghosts got some kick... You okay over there, Rai?"

"Ugh... Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just go see what the damage is outside though." She said as the two got up, heading outside when their binocucoms went off.

"Sly, Rai, you read me?" Bentley asked.

"Loud and clear, pal." Sly replied. "We freed those ghosts for you."

"Good, now I need you both go capture them."

"Wait, we just freed them, so why would we need to capture them again?" Rai asked.

"It's only for a short time. When you've caught all the ghosts, you're going to drop them into Neyla and Kisara's headquarters."

"I get it! If we drop those ghosts into the building, they'll think it's a surprise attack from the Contessa." Sly said.

"Then with them thinking the Contessa's trying to start a war, this should inspire them to purchase some extra firepower." Rai added.

"Precisely." Bentley nodded.

"Plus, we really get to freak those two out." Sly chuckled.

"Now that you've got the gist of the plan, go ahead and catch those ghosts so we can keep things moving. I've pinpointed the ghosts' locations to make things easier. Catch all nine ghosts then drop them into Neyla's headquarters." Bentley said before disconnecting.

"Nine ghosts, huh? I'll take five if you take four." Sly suggested.

"Are you sure you wanna do it that way?"

"Sure, I don't mind. We'll meet at their HQ and combine the ghosts before dropping 'em in."

"Sounds good to me. I'll see you soon." Rai nodded.

"Don't miss me too much." Sly winked.

Rai rolled her eyes with a smirk. "I don't think that's possible."

"Oh, I'm sure it is."

"Think what you will, Ringtail. I'll see you at Luna's HQ." She then stole a quick kiss before dashing off, catching Sly off guard for a moment before he smirked.

"Slippery vixen she is..."

Rai dashed along, trying to stay on the rooftops as she snapped three photos of the ghosts, carrying them in a small lantern, but now she had one left, though was having trouble finding it. "Where are you...?" She questioned out loud until a ghost suddenly flew in front of her, causing her to gasp as she took a step back. "Jesus... I really hate ghosts... Better get this and go so I can meet up with the ringtail."

Click!

"There we go. Now to go find Sl—ahh!"

Another ghost suddenly appeared right in front of Rai as she quickly backed up. "That was clo—" Not watching where she was going, Rai accidently slipped off the edge of the building she was on, falling backward as she was heading straight for the ground. The fox frantically reached for her paraglider in her pouch, but wasn't quick enough as she slammed into the ground. "Ahhh!" She screeched as she landed right on her shoulder before bashing her head, everything going black.

"...ai! ...Rai! Rai, can you hear me?!"

"Nnn...!" Rai's eyes slid open, feeling lightheaded, her vision clouding for a moment. She slowly pushed herself to sit up, gripping her throbbing head as she scanned around before looking up. "Oh yeah... I...fell." She muttered.

"Rai! Hey! Rai, are you there?!"

"Sly?"

"Rai, are you okay? I heard you scream before your earpiece cut out. What happened?"

"I, uhh... I fell..." She said, still trying to regain herself.

"Fell? From where?"

"The rooftop I was on..."

"What!? Are you alright!? Are you hurt!?"

"I landed on my back and hit my head, but I'm fine."

"Where are you? I'm coming to get you."

"Umm, near the graveyard, I think... I can see a ghost floating around on top of the building. There's also a dock behind me, but I'm alright, Sly, really."

"Okay, I see the ghost. I'm heading your way now."

"Sly, I said I'm fine."

"I don't care. You're only saying that so I don't have to worry about you. I'm coming to get you, Rai, whether you want me there or not."

She sighed. "Fine, whatever..." The line then disconnected, Rai rubbing her head.

Once disconnected, Rai gripped onto her head as she lifted her face back up to the building she had fallen from, sighing heavily. "Man, that really hurt..." She muttered.

"Yeah, I'll bet it did."

"Wha?" Rai followed the mysterious voice to see Sly above her as he crouched down in front of the fox. "That was...quick."

"I was close by." He replied. "Where'd you hit your head?"

"The right side, I think, near the back."

Sly reached over, gently feeling around Rai's head until she suddenly winced. "Right there." He noted. "Can you stand?"

"Yeah, I think so."

Sly got up, grabbing the fox's hand as he helped her onto her feet. She gripped her head when her vision blurred again until she shook it off. "You might have a slight concussion."

"Sly, I'm fine. I just fell and hit my head, I'm not gonna die." Rai reasoned.

"I just don't want you swaying and falling off another building, Rai."

"I won't. I'm alright, okay?"

The ringtail sighed. "Alright, fine." He just dropped the subject. "Did you get the photos of the ghosts at least?"

"Yeah. I got my four, you?"

"I just gotta get that one." He said before quickly snapping a picture. "There we go."

"Here." Rai handed Sly her lantern as he added her ghosts to his, closing it off. "Alright, time to get this war started."

"Right." The two then ran off, heading for Neyla and Kisara's headquarters.

Sly was the first to leap onto the building with Rai following close behind as the raccoon pulled out the lantern filled with ghosts, sending a smirk to the fox. "Bottoms up."

"Let 'er rip, Ringtail." She returned the smirk before the lantern was dropped into the small opening, ghosts escaping as they flew all around.

Moments later, both the violet leopard and the black feline ran out of their headquarters in a panic only to glare as the two thieves quickly hid. "So, the Contessa wants war, eh? Thinks droppin' some ghosts in on me is funny, is that it?" Neyla folded her arms.

Kisara placed a hand on her hip. "Perhaps it's time we purchased a little air power, don't you think, Neyla?" The feline smirked.

"Hmm... A few bombers in the sky? Sounds good to me, Kisara, dear."

"That should definitely put the old charlatan in her place."

Sly and Rai gave one another a high five before quickly dashing off, heading back for the Safe House. "The look on their faces was priceless." Rai smirked deviously.

"I couldn't agree more. We should prank them more often."

"Indeed we should. I'd love nothing more than to piss them off, especially Kisara."

Sly laughed. "Man, I love it when you get cynical!"

"Yeah, I bet you do." Rai winked.

"Aww, come on now, don't tease me like that, Vulpes."

Rai chuckled. "What? Afraid you can't take it?" She teased.

Sly smirked. "Is that a challenge?"

The fox shrugged. "Only if you want it to be."

"Heh! Then in that case, challenge accepted."

"Come at me then, darling." Rai dared.

"You'll regret saying that!"

Rai leapt onto another building just ahead of Sly. "Come get me then!"

Sly smirked again. "You asked for it!" He said before chasing after the vixen.