I got some really good reviews about Sly finally showing up. And, yeah, you do start to feel sorry for Carmelita after a while. Well, I'm only putting in two more chapters after this. Then, off to the sequel! Here's Chapter 5!
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Chapter 5
Sly silently crept into Neyla's office. No one...ornothing was going to stop him from saving his only love. He had to admit, Neyla wasn't dumb. A bitch, maybe, but not a dumb bitch. He had to stop a second and count how many guards there were guarding the basement door leading into Carmelita's cell.
"One, two...six...thirty...? THIRTY?" He whispered to himself in disbelief. Thirty guards...against him. 'Right, maybe if I was Murray.' Sly thought as his eyes scanned the area for a way...any way...to get to Carmelita without giving himself away. There was absolutely nothing. It was like every angle of escape had been pre-thought and blocked. No air ducts...no pipes big enough even for him...no weak spots in the walls...shit. He formulated a plan. Mind you, he never was one for the direct approach, but hey, drastic times call for drastic measures.
He had to see Neyla.
Much as it pained him to do so, he had to see her face-to-face. He sauntered into her office, making sure she could see him (how could you not? He went in through the front door for cryin' out loud!). Sure enough, she looked up to the crafty raccoon, giving him her most sinister smile she could summon.
"I knew you'd come. You brought the Thievius Raccoonus, did you not?" Sly said nothing, but reached into his leg pouch and pulled out a tattered, age-worn blood red book. Neyla's smile only grew darker. She made a grab for the ancient book, but Sly was quicker than that, side steping her and bringing the book under his arm securely.
"Not so fast, bitch. You may have put a shock collar on Carmelita, but you can't force me into anything. As of now, I'm in control of the situation. You got that, ya free prostitute?" Neyla's jaw dropped for two reasons: a) he had never used that kind of language before, not even with Clockwerk and b) he was right. Well, she wasn't a free prostitute, but he had control of the situation. He had the book, the ability to run faster, more stealth, more strength, not to mention he could destroy the book and save Carmelita at once. She gritted her teeth.
"What do you want, Cooper?" She said as her body began to shiver. Not from rage, but from rage, but from something new...something she had rarely felt before.
Fear.
"What do I want? Easy. A fight. You and me. One-on-one. If I win, you will free Carmelita. If I lose..." Sly trailed his voice for a second, then looked back at the basement door. Just beyond there was his love...Carmelita...she was going to be freed, whether he won or lost. He'd make sure of that. He turned back towards Neyla, a fiery rage visible in his eyes.
"Should you, by a stroke of luck, beat me...you still have to let Carmelita go. However, I'll take her place AND you'll get the Thievius Raccoonus. Deal? No weapons, to tag teams, just us." Sly took off his leg pouch and threw it aside, along with his cane (gasp!). Neyla threw her whip aside as well. Both of them readied themselves...one fighting for power and greed...one fighting for something greater...
Love.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oooooh! So sorry to cut it short, but I'm still thinking of how the battle will go! R & R!