Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based retelling. The Sly Cooper series is created, and owned by Sucker Punch, and Sony Entertainment. Please support the official releases.

"Okay Carmelita. Murray is in position to make a run for that key. You must give him some cover from your shock rifle as he makes his way towards it." Bentley said from the Bino-cu-com.

"Roger that, Bentley." Carmelita said as she had her rifle aimed at the section of Mesa, as she was crouched on a high place that was overlooking a small city, that had more buildings in disrepair, some derailed, empty train cars that also were used like bridges, garages that looked rusty, and even a crane with a wrecking ball. Not to mention the metallic barrels that was full of Hazardous waste.

And she was alone, as Sly was somewhere else.

Sly agreed to split up with her, (Albeit with some reluctance.) as she goes to the place in the lower section of Mesa, where she provides some cover for Murray, who was able to drive his way to the other section of Mesa City through another path, and was now in the lower section of Mesa City, that Carmelita was in, as he was ready to take a risky trip through the city, that is bound to be filled with dangerous gangster dogs, that could also be loitering the place.

All while Sly was in a casino section of Mesa City, to sneak through it for another Key to grab, before reuniting with her at the entrance. They both hoped that they'll be alright once they reunite in front of Mesa, once they have their keys, and once Carmelita is able to help Murray through the city that he was about to run through for the key.

And Murray had to admit, he was getting nervous at the thought of running through that section of Mesa City. But he had to do it, in order to get the next Key from Muggshot. To help Sly, and Carmelita in stopping him.

That is where Carmelita comes in. As his protector, as he makes the trip through the other half of the city that was in the lower sections of the Mountainous region that Mesa city was in. Sure, she could do that herself, but she was in a tall place that overlooked the city due to ending up there from climbing down a ladder that was in one of the buildings not too far from the entrance to Mesa City, and it was quite a distance from it to where her grappling hook attachment wouldn't reach.

So, it was up to Murray to take it while she covers him.

"Just be sure to keep your scope on Murray. That way, you won't lose him as he goes through the city." Bentley said.

"I'm on it. I'll do my best." Carmelita said with a smile, as she ended up ensuring to also go into a crouched position, (Which would also increase her accuracy compared to standing up straight, but not to the extent of going prone.) before she now had her scope focused on Murray. Who also was waving for her, as he was by the door that was blocking his way. It looked like it was a wooden door. And it looked like it was weak enough for Murray to break through it.

Which he did, when he noticed that her scope was now on him. "I'm going in, Carmelita." Now he was on the move as he was jogging through the path ahead of him. Until he was quickly set upon by a 2x4 wielding guard. Whom he proceeded to clobber.

But there was another such guard that was also trying to sneak up from behind Murry to clobber him with his 2x4 as he fights his fellow guard. It was too bad for that guard, that Carmelita was there, as she shot him with her shock rifle. Electrocuting him into unconsciousness.

Now Murray was jogging ahead after he was done with the guard. Showing that even though he is a bit of a coward, he is stronger then his foes believe. And he would fight back if push comes to shove.

But considering that he isn't that good of a fighter so far, and was merely winning those fights by his own strength alone, she knew that she had a reason to be there for him. But she was sure that Murray will get better if he trains in his fisticuffs, or in other boxing skills. But right now, he needed some help from Carmelita.

Case in point, a pair of 2x4 guard dogs were coming out of the garages, trying to clobber Murray. He was able to hold them off, but Carmelita noticed that there was one coming out of the train car that was near the garages. And he was trying to clobber him from behind, before he is able to notice. Only for Carmelita to shoot him before he could. Before Murray was able to take one of them down, before taking another down with her help when she stunned him with another shot from her rifle.

Now he was crossing a foot bridge, where he met another pair of 2x4 wielding guard dogs on the other side of it. Thankfully, he only dealt with one as the other was shot by Carmelita. Thus lightening the weight of his fight through a section of Mesa City.

After dealing with the guards, he was coming up to a row of train cars. Where there was a guard dog that he was able to beat in one of the cars, before continuing onwards through the next car into the next section of the city after defeating another one of the guards.

Which was where he had to deal with another pair of 2x4 guards. But Carmelita was able to take one of them down before he could fight Murray. While Murray fought the other one, and won the fight after a moment of fisticuffs.

All while he was avoiding knocking the guard into some nearby hazardous barrels that he was near. After all, what if they end up blowing up and badly hurting him if they get into contact?

Carmelita thought the same thing, as she was making sure to carefully aim, so that she won't hit the barrels, and blow them up. Which would take Murray with them if they end up blowing up while he's close.

So Murry was careful as he was jogging towards another foot bridge in the city, which was around the hazardous barrels that he was running between. When another guard tried to fight him, his own life be damned.

Thankfully, Carmelita was able to take down the guard before he could touch Murray, who continued onwards.

"I'm almost halfway there." Murray said, jogging on the bridge, then into the train car that also acted as a bridge that was going upward to the high section of the section in Mesa City.

Where quickly after leaving the train car, the garage doors were opening while he was in front of them, making him yelp as he flinched and ran away a bit from the garage door, hoping that a strong guard wasn't going to clobber him after leaving the garage. Let alone, Muggshot himself.

Only to then see that there was nothing inside, but some hazardous barrels. Much to his relief, and partial embarrassment as he continued.

Carmelita was also relieved, as she was also chuckling at what she just saw. "Never change, Murray." She said humorously, before she was now taking down another guard dog that was coming around the corner of the garage. Just barely missing Murray, who was just under the shot that she hit the guard with.

"Nice shot." Murray said, praising Carmelita as he was running through the path that was leading him to a crane, which had a platform that connected to the wrecking ball.

"Gracias." Carmelita said, keeping her scope on Murray, as he ran to the crane's wrecking ball platform.

Which he used as an elevator platform that pulled him upwards, until it reached the roof of a building. Now he was on it as he jogged on it, and through the path that he was taking to the Key.

Only to yelp, as he flinched when he saw another guard dog that rounded the corner, who was a gun toting guard dog in a Trench coat. Much to his horror, since the dog could shoot him before he could even attempt to come close to the guard, to punch him, and knock him out. And that fact was about to come to be, as he was now being focused on by the guard's flashlight.

Thankfully, Carmelita was fast on the draw, as she shot the guard down before he could even entertain the thought of shooting Murray down when he found him. Much to his relief, before he continued to run on the building for the key.

Only for another guard dog with a machine gun to pop out of nowhere around the corner, and was fast enough to try to shoot at Murray, as he ran around the corner to cover. Thankfully, none of the bullets got him, and Carmelita was able to take down the guard dog before he could cause more harm. Now Murray was continuing onwards through the path.

"HALT! Get on the ground, or your dead, pal!"

Only to suddenly see another guard dog. Who was now chasing after Murray, intending to shoot him too. And unfortunately, he was running towards the right of Carmelita's vision, making it a little difficult for her to snipe him down, before he could hit Murray. So she had to lead her target, as her instincts were telling her.

And soon, she shoots her electric bolt, hoping that her target on the mark, and that she's able to hit the guard mid run.

Thankfully, she did hit the guard, before he could pull the trigger. Saving Murray's life by a margin, much to his relief. "Thank you, Carmelita! I'm glad that you're a member of our gang." Murray said.

Carmelita smiled, as she was touched at what he said. After all, she was fond of them both after they became friends with her, after she befriended Sly back in the Orphanage. So, she was happy that she was pulling her weight in terms of giving help to her friends. Even if she does feel a bit ashamed that she was working with a gang of thieves while she's at it, and despite being an inspector herself. Especially, where her ancestors, and her family's line, are concerned.

But still, she wasn't stopping in this quest that she put herself on, with Sly, as she was keeping her focus on protecting Murray until he can get that Key.

"I'm almost there!" Murray said, seeing that he was getting close to the needed Key.

Then Carmelita saw that another guard was on another taller building that was behind the ones that Murray was on, which Murray also noticed, as he was now fearing that since there was no cover, he was going to be turned to Swiss cheese at this rate, when the guard notices him.

Thankfully for Murray, by the time the guard did notice him, it was too late for him to shoot, when Carmelita zapped him beforehand. Giving Murray a clear shot for the Key.

Only for one last guard to come out of nowhere, and was about to shoot Murray, who was able to notice, and get into cover before the guard was able to hit him. The guard tried to round the corner to shoot him down, but Carmelita shot him down first, giving Murray a clear shot towards the key.

Now the Key was in Murray's clutches, much to his joy at the little journey that he was on, as he was now holding the Key. "We did it! We have the Key!" He said in joy.

"And it's thanks to you Murray. I'll meet you at the entrance door to that section of Mesa, that you're in. After that, get back to the Van, and drive a small distance from Mesa. You, and Bentley will be safe from there, just in case things go pear shaped in a handbasket for me, and Sly." She spoke.

"Roger that." Murray said, as he made his way down to the way he came in, while Carmelita was finding her way to the same place that she mentioned she'd meet Murray, once he's there, then see if she can reunite with Sly, once he was done with the Casino.

Meanwhile…

"FWEEEEE-" *POMF*

"What's going on there?! Hey boys! Let's get over there, we might have some company!" One of the guard dogs said, running to the location with his pack.

There was a pack of dogs, that was patrolling a section of the Bonyard casino, making sure that there is no intruder inside, trying to steal from them. When they heard a whistle briefly blowing, before suddenly getting cut off.

Which caused them to run their way to the source of where the whistle was blown, around the rows of slot machines. Once there, they were looking around, only to see that one of their fellow guards is nowhere to be seen.

"Pongo?! Where'd you go?" One of the guards asked.

None of the other guards were able to find him. It was like he was knocked out, and was kidnapped from his post before any of them were able to get to him. And they were all angry at that fact. Not knowing that he was laying under the plants' leaves.

"You cannot get away with this so easily, thief! Come out with your hands up! Or we'll be blasting you to kingdom come!" One of the guard dogs said.

Silence was his only response, as they continued to look around at their surroundings, trying to find the thief, when they ended up looking down to see a blue hat on the floor. Much to their confusion as one of them picked it up.

"Which one of us wore this?" One of the guard dogs asked in confusion.

All of them just shrugged, knowing that none of them wore a blue hat like that. Not even the guard they were looking for. All while a figure was looking on with a grin from around the corner of the slot machine row, before he was now making his move.

*Tap*

"What was tha-"

*BOOOOM*

The hat in their hands suddenly exploded in a dust cloud, knocking them all out. Much to the delight of Sly's, who was around the corner of the rows of slot machines, seeing the whole thing, before continuing onwards through the casino building. He was quickly starting to like the Hat Mine skill as he ran forward.

"Thank you for the trick, Rob." Sly said, referring to his ancestor, as he ran onwards.

He ran around the other slot machines, and the gambling tables, where he ended up coming across more of the floor sensors that was trying to detect him. But he knew how to get past them, as he was jumping around, trying not to land on the floor sensors.

Where after he got past them, he ended up seeing some spotlights ahead of him. Which he wasn't surprised at seeing, as he moved around them to the Siren. Which he broke before moving on through the casino. Where he saw more guard dogs, only their flashlights were illuminating almost all of the floor in front of them. And he knew that he might be unable to move through there.

But there was another way past them, as he was now climbing upwards, until he got onto the shelves that had plenty of apple gin on them, with a bone sign in between them, leaning back and forth behind the guard dogs. He knew what to do, as he was now shimmying on the edges of the shelves, then on the bone sign, as he was sneaking behind them. With neither guard dog having a clue that he was behind them, until he was long past them.

Now he was climbing up a fallen dollar sign shaped light fixture's rope, until he was jogging on some more of the hanging dollar fixtures that hung over the water. (As if, as Sly guesses, Muggshot wasn't enough of a jerk that is obsessed with money.) Which Sly guessed, was deep.

He also noticed some submerged slot machines in the water too, showing him that some of the casino, particularly the lower parts, was flooded too. Which had him feeling some pity for who owned the Boneyard casino for Muggshot, as it seemed that even the casinos were currently in disrepair in Mesa.

He had a job to do though. So he continued onwards until he was on the other side of the water.

Where he was near one of the largest slot machines of the casino, much to his amazement. And he was also not far from another guard, who was patrolling around in circles while in between a pair of rope barriers, and gambling tables. Almost like he'd see Sly coming if he dared to attack, and that he'd be slowed down by the rope, and tables, giving him enough time to shoot back at him if he tried to take him out.

Sly begged to differ though, as he was able to use another hat of his, as a mine to blow the guard up while his back was turned, knocking him out as Sly was now running onwards through the casino. Where he was now running over the floor with the floor sensors that was under the upper section of the casino.

This one though, had a bit more difficulty, in that a guard dog was at the end of the path, focusing his gun at the direction of the path that he's taking, shining his flashlight left, and right in hoping to catch the intruder with the help of the floor sensors, before turning him into Swiss cheese. Sly had to admit, Muggshot's security was starting to get harder than Raleigh's.

At least, if by a little.

Sly was continuing to run through the path, while ensuring his chance to pass, by running towards the guard dog, when he moves his flashlight to the other end of the path, expecting him to run to him from that side. Only for Sly to choose the other side, while keeping his attention on the floor, making sure to stay away from the yellow lights on the floor, if they are solid, and to jump off of them before they end up switching to his side of the path.

The guard dog tried to move his flashlight to his side, but he was able to get to him, before knocking him out in the nick of time, before he could see him. Now Sly was safe on the other end of the path as he was now breaking the siren.

Which was where he saw a large cutout of Muggshot himself, showing off his full physique, as well as his white tank top that he wore, showing off his massive arms that he was currently using to stand on the ground, while his little legs were hanging in the air, showing how top heavy he happened to look. And how over the top strong he looks too.

"I've heard of top heavy, but this is ridiculous." Sly said to himself, humorously shaking his head at how much of a musclebound meathead that Muggshot seems to be, if going by his looks. And judging by his voice on the intercom, and the files, that's what he indeed is.

And he was going to kick his butt, alongside Carmelita, by the time he ends up getting to Muggshot, as he continued through the casino. Where he was in the hall, where he ended up turning the corner to see a different guard dog, that was like the others that also wore purple, and had cards, who was quickly throwing his cards at Sly. Who was able to jump over the cards, before dashing to the guard dog to knock him out.

Now he was running into the room, past the pair of slot machines, that happened to be flooded too. With some crescent poker tables being the only things that he could stand on, as well as the roulette wheels that he was also seeing, that was still spinning in circles, like if the water current was pushing them into spinning around.

Sly had to admit, he was really starting to pity the owner of the Boneyard casino, as he obviously seems like he has no funds to repair, and clean up the casino that Sly was currently roaming around inside of. He even admits, a part of him wants to give the poor guy some mercy, and let him leave, so he'll no longer deal with the burden of having to run the casino that Muggshot was seemingly unable to afford to repair.

Sly kept on going though, as he was jumping onto the crescent roulette table, which was able to float on the water, before he then hopped onto the roulette wheels, that he was now jumping on a row of, to the other side of them, where another crescent roulette table was floating. Along with some crescent poker tables that also floated in the water.

All of which, he jumped on, until he got to the stairs, which was the few sections of solid ground to walk on, that isn't the tables, or roulette wheels. Which lead to more water, and another roulette table. But this time, the water was shallow. However, it was also electrified, due to a live red wire that was dangling down into the water.

*Zap* "Ouch! Damn it!"

And Sly learned it the hard way, when he dipped his toe in the water, only to feel a shock, much to his dismay as he nursed his foot for a moment.

At least the roulette table wasn't electrified, along with the wheels, due to them being wooden, as he was now jumping on them.

But now, the roulette wheels also had floor sensors on them too, much to his dismay as he had to now carefully jump on them one by one, in order to get to the other end. Which luckily, was where the alarm was, as he was now breaking it, before going onwards through the flooded casino, by going back down into the other lower section of it.

After going past the floating tables, there was another Cent sign shaped light fixture, that also fell to the water, with Sly using the rope of the light fixture to climb upwards to the other light fixtures.

Where he jumped on them, making them swing around a bit like the previous ones did, before getting to the higher sections of the casino. Which was also a little flooded with water. And happened to also be electrified, much to his dismay, as he had more tables to traverse.

And to make it a bit worse, one of the gun toting guard dogs was also on it, looking around for the intruder. So Sly had to cautiously jump down, and dash to him before he gets seen, and shot.

Or, he had this idea instead. As he was now using another hat mine, which he tossed onto the table, where the guard saw it, and was confused, as he curiously walked to it to pick it up.

*Tap* *BOOOOM*

The hat exploded, as the guard was unconscious from the explosion, leaving Sly's way forward to be unobstructed, as he was now on the table, and was making his way past the table to the roulette wheels.

Where he saw that the wheels had security lasers on then, as well as the floor sensors on some of the numbers on the wheels. Which showed Sly, that Muggshot's security was indeed getting a bit harder than Raleigh's. Guess Raleigh wasn't bluffing about how well Mesa was guarded.

But that didn't bother him, as he was now traversing the wheels, while avoiding the lasers, and the floor sensors, before he was past them, and was now on the other end of the row of roulette wheels, on a table, where he broke the siren to deactivate the security, before coming across more of the roulette wheels, with lasers, to traverse.

"This is getting annoying." He said to himself, as he was jumping on the roulette wheels.

At least he was now near the end, as he was now on the crescent table, where he was now seeing the largest roulette wheel of the casino. Which had him surprised at the size of it. It seemed like it was a centerpiece of the Boneyard casino if that was going to be large. And Sly had to admit, he was impressed.

He also saw, that there was a key in the dome that was in the center of the wheel. Which had him glad that he was now at the end of the casino, as he was able to get onto it, after jumping off of the light fixtures above it.

Now he was on it as he was wondering how to get through the dome, to the Key.

"Hey Sly, according to my calculations, the giant roulette wheel has a little puzzle on it, that can be used to unlock the dome to get the key. See the green panel?" He asked from the bino-cu-com.

Sly had to look around a bit, as well as jump around on the wheel, until he is able to find the green panel, which had three golden musical notes on it. "I see it." He said.

"If you land on the panel, you can take away one of those golden notes. If they're all gone, the dome will be busted open, and you can receive the Key." Bentley said. "But you're going to have to jump in the other direction, as it's spinning to fast for you to jump counter-clockwise on it." Bentley then said.

"I'm on it." He said, ending the call, before jumping around on the wheel, until he was able to land on the green panel after a few moments of jumping, taking away one of the notes on it.

Now he had to do it again at least two more times, to break the dome. Which was annoying to say the least, due to the wheel continuing to spin around.

What also didn't help him, was that the other panels suddenly had sensors on then. Now he had to avoid them if he is to not get hurt by them if they turn orange, as he continued to jump around, until he landed on the green panel the second time.

And after a few more moments of jumping around, trying to land on it, and avoid the other panels, he was finally able to land on the green panel the third time. Which indeed broke the dome into pieces, which meant that the Key was now free for him to take from the casino.

Now they should have enough to open the locks.

"Thank goodness you're not hurt. I was feeling a little worried that I'd lose you." Carmelita said, hugging Sly.

"Well, here I am. And I'm glad to be back with you too." Sly said, smiling at her as he returned his hug.

Sly, and Carmelita were now together again, as they were now back outside of the entrance to Mesa City, after Sly made his way back out of the Boneyard casino, while Carmelita made her way back to the rocky path to the Van, where Murray was able to give her the Key, before she got back to the entrance, to meet Sly there. Where they were now next to the car that was held up by the jack.

"So Sly, what's going to happen once we unlock those key locks?" Carmelita asked.

"The car will be our key, into the city, of course." Sly responded. "Observe." He then said, unlocking the locks, freeing the jack's lever.

Which he proceeded to pull down. Which caused the car to get lifted downwards by the jack. Then suddenly, it started reversing at a fast rate into the barricade, breaking it into several pieces. Much to Carmelita's surprise.

"¡Santa vaca! (Holy cow!)" Carmelita said when the car crashed into the barricade, since the back wheel was still moving. Then was pleasantly surprised at that move that Sly made with that car. "Well, so much for subtlety."

"But we're in now, so it isn't a complete loss." Sly said, still proud of his handiwork.

Carmelita couldn't argue with him, as they were now headed on through the barricade, entering Mesa City's lobby building, which is the entrance into Mesa from their side.

Once in the building, they were past the double doors, until they were in the foyer of the lobby, which had stairs, a pair of large fountains that was under the stairs to the upper sections of the room, and at the top of the stairway to the second floor, was a guard that they could clobber.

And behind the guard, was a giant figure, of a head of Muggshot's, which also had a cigar in its mouth. Which was obvious proof that he seems to have an ego, and that he wants all of the people of Mesa to know, that he is in charge of the city.

Suddenly, both members of the Cooper gang was being contacted by Bentley on their bino-cu-coms.

"Are you looking at that ugly mug?" Carmelita asked.

"I am. And I find it to be quite fascinating." Bentley said.

"And why is it?" Sly asked curiously.

"According to my X-ray detection devices, they reveal that a secret elevator, that directly leads to Muggshot's penthouse room is contained within that giant head." Bentley responded.

That response brought delight to both of the members, as it narrowed down their search for where they can find him, if he's in the penthouse room. "That's good. But how can we get in?" Carmelita asked.

Bentley had both members looking behind them to the right of the entrance to the lobby. Where they were looking at the check-in table, and shelves there, which had a wall that was nearby, with at least five locks on it. Showing that it was locked. "Behind that locked wall, is a lever that summons the elevator. But you guys need at least five keys to open it."

"We're on it." Both Sly, and Carmelita said in unison, as they were ready to venture through Mesa.

And they were also ready for their upcoming battle against Muggshot himself, if only so that they can end his attempt at making his gambling empire, and so that they can get his mug off of Mesa City.

They were confident, that Muggshot's days in power, were numbered, now that they were here.

And done.

Here's another chapter released for Sly's fic. I hope you enjoyed this.

And to let you guys know, yes, I didn't add in the race that Murray would do for another key. It doesn't make any narrative sense for him to be jogging around in a city of Mesa, in one moment, and suddenly, he would be racing around with some of the gangster dogs. And I wanted to put Carmelita's sniping to use, so I didn't add in the race. Sorry for the disappointment. But I can still have him race later on.

And finally, once Muggshot is going to be fought, Carmelita is in a disguise. So don't worry, she's thinking her fight through.

Finally, one more thing.

I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,

please give constructive criticism,

do not forget to read and review,

and once again, I do not own Sly Cooper, it is created, and owned by Sucker Punch, and Sony Entertainment. Please support the official releases.

Theodore The Poet signing off.