Disclaimer/Author's Notes: I don't own 'Where On Earth is Carmen Sandiego?,' Dic does. However, I DO own Deric Storm and this story. Also, I don't know Zack & Ivy's last names so I made it up. This story was somewhat Inspired by the fan-fic 'Ties That Bind.' Some ages in this story: Ivy- 21, Zack-17, Carmen-31, Deric-21

Chapter 1: Enter the Storm

Paris, France

            "C'mon Ivy," Zack yelled to his sister as they approached the Eiffel Tower. Carmen had just stolen the crown of King Louis XIV from the Musee du Louvre and was now leading ACME's finest on a chase throughout the city. "This time, we got her for sure." Zack said enthusiastically. After over four years of 'cat and mouse' games, Carmen was going down. As the two detectives sped towards the Eiffel Tower, Zack and Ivy failed to notice a black motorcycle following them.

Screeching to a halt at the base of the tower, Ivy spotted Carmen entering an elevator heading up. "Go!" she yelled. "If we hurry, we can catch up with her." The two pushed their way through the crowd of tourists, hoping to catch the next ride up. As the door to the elevator starts to close, Zack and Ivy collide with a young man exiting the tram, causing all of them to collapse and caused Zack and Ivy to miss the elevator.

"Jeez, we are so sorry." Zack said handing the man his backpack. "We're ACME detectives. Carmen Sandiego was on a previous elevator heading to the top."

"No problem." the man said, reaching down to help Ivy. "It's my first time in Paris. Always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower." Once Ivy was on her feet, she glared briefly at the man, upset about missing the tram. Zack noticed the look on his sister's face.

"Ive, it was an accident." he said. "I'm sure…" Zack stopped for a second, realizing he didn't know who the man was. "Uhh…" Zack leaned over to their new acquaintance, "what's your name?"

"Deric." he said, looking at Ivy.

"I'm sure Derrick didn't mean to bump into us." Zack reasoned, trying to calm his sister down.

"It's not Derrick." Deric said. "It's a weird spelling. D-e-r-i-c. My family is Irish." Glancing at Ivy, he said, "I REALLY am sorry."

"No problem." Ivy grumbled. Looking away, she said. "We'll just get the next one. Maybe we'll get Carmen at the top." Deric smiled and walked away. Looking at his back, Ivy focused a little more on him. A minute later, Zack waved his hand in front of her face.

"Earth to Ivy," Zack said. "I said the tram's here. Let's go." Ivy blushed in embarrassment. On the way up, Ivy kept absently looking out the window. She was snapped to attention when she saw a large red fedora on the tram going the opposite direction.

"Damnit." Ivy swore, punching the armrest. "Zack, look." She pointed at the descending tram. The exasperated detectives immediately got the next tram down, and as luck would have it, spotted Carmen in the crowd. "There she is, Zack." she yelled, running towards the red hat.  Making their way through the crowd, Zack and Ivy were getting closer and closer to their target. Once out of the crowd, the detectives dashed after Carmen. Heading down a deserted side street, Zack and Ivy searched every alleyway and lot for a trace of Carmen. When they searched everywhere, Zack saw an envelope on a garbage can.

"Hey Ive," Zack said, showing his sister envelope. "look at this."

"Open it." Ivy said uneasily. The message said 'Open the can.' Zack shrugged his shoulders and went to open the can, believing Carmen left a clue inside. The instant Zack budged the lid, a net fired out of the garbage can, ensnaring both of the detectives. An apparatus rose out of the faux-garbage can, raising the net as well. As the two began to struggle, they could hear someone clapping. Both detectives looked to see a person in black sitting on a motorcycle.

"Well, well. If it isn't Zack and Ivy Darren, ACME's finest?" the masked man quipped, approaching the ensnared twosome. There was something familiar about the voice, as if the detectives had herad it before and recently. Once at the net, the figure removed his mask, revealing himself to be the young man Zack and Ivy met at the Eiffel Tower. "I must say I'm not impressed." Deric spat, mocking the two.

"Deric…" the two detectives stammered.

"You WORK for Carmen?" Ivy asked, fuming. "I should have known."

"Boy," Deric remarked, standing right in front of the net, an ear-to-ear grin on his face. "I wish you guys could see the looks on your faces. Absolutely priceless…"

"When I get out of this net," Ivy threatened as Deric put something on the ground and approached further. "I'm gonna wipe the floor with you, THEN I'm gonna put you behind bars." Ivy further accented her remark by shaking her fist at him.

Deric grabbed the shaking fist. "Has anyone told you that you look very pretty when you're angry?" he asked as he kissed the back of her hand. Ivy was caught absolutely dumbfounded. Zack looked at Deric like he was a loon. "Carmen gave me something to give to you two once you get out of there." Deric said, pointing to the box on the ground. "So, I bid thee adieu." Revving the motorcycle's engine, Deric sped away.

About ten minutes later, the Chief's face appeared in front of the net. "Jeez, Gumshoes. I thought you'd be out chasing Carmen, but instead I find you hanging around." The two detectives rolled their eyes at the bad joke. "Carmen did this to you?" Chief asked.

"No, Chief." Zack said. "It was a new henchman. Can you look up the name 'Deric Storm'? It's spelled D-E-R-I-C." The Chief accessed ACME's database as well as contacting the local authorities to cut the detectives down.

Once Zack and Ivy were down, they picked up the clue left behind for them. It was a CD player in the shape of the sun. Zack was trying to figure out how to start it. The Chief re-appeared with the info Zack and Ivy requested. "Wow, this guy is no slouch." Chief asked, amazed. Even though he was a few months older than Ivy, young Mr. Storm was basically a younger, male version of Carmen. Carmen had found herself a quality henchman this time, and it worried the Chief.