Authors Notes: And heres chapter 6 of Thieves United folks, lets hope Sly and Carmen can stand up to the paper cuts to come. Lets begin.
Sly Cooper (c) Sucker Punch Productions
Carmen Sandiego 2019 (c) Netflix
Cooper & Sandiego in:
The Chasing Paper Caper:
Slys P.O.V
In the night over Sydney Australia, both Sly Cooper and Carmen Sandiego in their casual attire were looking at the water front. The two of them were deep in thought over recent events. Such as the Scarlet Super Thief crossing paths with her former classmate Crackle, AKA Gray. Who apparently has no memory of her or their time at VILE academy.
"We stopped VILEs opera caper from ever reaching box office, but to me it seemed a little sour. Carmen decided to stand Gray up given how being seen with her former classmate could draw some unwanted attention. I couldn't really blame her, this Gray guy messes up a job and suddenly gets a fresh start and she can't be around him because of VILE. This made me wonder about how Carmelita was doing, and coping with my disappearance."
The following day the crew were exploring Sydney itself. Looking at the building and sights along the way. Soon they were on Sydney Harbour bridge. Zack was looking through some of the coin operated spy glasses on the bridge. Ivy, a little shaken from her heights experience with the rocket did try her best not to look down.
"To take everyones mind off things I decided to take the crew on a sightseeing trip round Sydney. Even took a look at the view from the Sydney Harbour bridge. I gotta be honest I'm surprised Ivy could stand heights after that rocketing experience we just went through."
Later that very evening, in the hotel room that Ivy was staying in she and Sly were talking with Player. They were looking over some of the raccoon thief's equipment and his cane. Ivy shared some ideas and notes on how he may upgrade his equipment.
"That night in the hotel, Ivy took my aside to talk upgrades. I realised if I was going to help Carmen and her crew take on VILE my equipment was gonna need some upgrades. So she and Player came up with some ideas."
Later Sly was outside the hotel in a lone ally and pulled out his one raise of his hand and the flick of a switch on his cane. The hook fired from it and split into a triple hook. This grappled onto the roof allowing Sly to retract it and soar up to the roof. He was most impressed as far below Ivy gave a thumbs up. In the Hotel room Sly was given a new backpack, and Ivy talked him through using a pull on the shoulder strap a large glider emerged from the back pack it was triangular shape, which sported his calling card.
"If Bentley could see this he'd be dead impressed with Ivy's ideas and Players skills. I know I was. And it seemed my new gear would be put to the test sooner than I thought…"
Carmen then comes into the room telling him and Ivy about another VILE caper going down. The crew were gathered round her laptop. The article was about a special exhibition at a museum.
"…Carmen called us all to her room where she showed us an online news article. Apparently some historical documents, named the Magna Carter were on display at a museum in Mumbai, India. But I was a little unsure, why would an all powerful secret crime syndicate be interested in what to them would be some useless documentation? But if Carmen thought this was important, then we booked the first flight to India."
Later the crew were on a red eye jet bound of the continent of India. On the flight whilst Zack and Ivy were reading magazines. Carmen took Sly aside to look something over on her laptop.
"During the flight my partner in red decided to bring me up to speed on the VILE faculty member she suspected was behind this caper."
The computer displayed some facts and a small image of a certain Professor Maelstrom. He was a middle aged man with pale skin, white hair and wore a black blazer over a grey turtle neck shirt.
"Professor Maelstrom, who as Carmen described was the most twisted of the Faculty. A professor of psychology and a skilled criminal master mind he taught the art of mind games in crime. Namely classic thieving maneuvers like the bait and switch."
Images of Professor Maelstrom next to what looked like a Rorschach ink blot appeared, showing off his psychological personality and educating students in the art of the bait and switch.
"To me this guy seemed to be the Contessa's long lost relative, the psychological mind games reminded me of her hypnotherapy techniques she used to find out the location of thieves loot. I have a feeling those two would get along like a house on fire. And is just the cunning mastermind as General Tsao."
Soon the plane landed in tropical India, and upon their arrival. Sly slipped into a disguise of a black turtle neck shirt, beige pants, black shoes and had a sari with sun glasses around his head to hide his raccoon face. Zack and Ivy were completely mesmerised by the sights around them and of course by the elephants.
"While Zack and Ivy decided to do a little sight seeing around the city of Mumbai. I went with Carmen to the museum hosting the Magna Carters. I was still a little unsure but my thieves instinct could tell something was up. And as always it would only be a matter of time before we find out what we're up against next."
Isle of VILE:
In the ever encroaching darkness of the VILE faculty Lounge, the Professor of Psychology, Gunnar Maelstrom was before his fellow faculty members with a Rorschach ink blot illuminated behind him moving in different shapes. As he gave his presentation.
"Esteemed fellow VILE faculty. As you know, I, Gunnar Maelstrom, have been called demented, deranged, psychotic even." The Professor described. "Justifiably? Perhaps. But I feel these are merely labels. Safe ways to categorise my unique intellect, which enables me to see opportunity where others do not." His fellow faculty members listened to his speech, Brunt looked a little uninterested, Cleo just maintained a normal expression. Bellum listened with interest whilst Shadowsan maintained his solum frown.
"So allow me to draw your attention to this. the very foundation of law and order in the Western world." He gestured to the large screen behind him.
"Looks more like a lion cub sniffing its own tail if you ask me." Coach Brunt said.
Maelstrom turned round and saw his inkblot was still on the screen instead of what he was trying to show his fellow faculty members.
"Uh, wrong slide." He said as he gestured his fingers to move the presentation to a photo of a historic document. "This. The Magna Carta!"
"You're saying words I don't understand." Brunt still wasn't getting it.
Gunnar sighed knowing she wasn't familiar with this document. "Ugh. Coach Brunt, I suspect you are familiar with the US Constitution?"
"Darn right I'm Texas proud!" Brunt said thumping her fist on the table.
"Think of the Magna Carta as the British version of it, written more than 500 years earlier." Maelstrom explained. "And for the first time in history, every known original copy of this historic document, all 17 of them, will be on display under one roof." The presentation then moved forwards to show seventeen copies of the Magna Carter itself. "Here, at this renowned museum, in Mumbai, India."
He showed an image of a well known museum in the western world of India the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.
"Which means we have an opportunity to steal it in the name of law and disorder." Maelstrom finished with the palm of his hand with twisted intent.
"Would I be correct in assuming that you have a particular operative in mind for this misdeed, Professor?" Shadowsan then spoke up getting the professors attention.
"The crime involves stealing paper, does it not?" Maelstrom said in a hinting way.
The master of stealth knew exactly which operative he was proposing for this heist. But he was unconvinced. "She is far from ready."
"Questioning my sanity after my compelling intro, dear Shadowsan?" Maelstrom questioned unfazed by his thoughts.
"Carmen Sandiego was unruly and undisciplined when she was a student here, and your newest star pupil is cut from the same cloth." Shadowsan explained with his evaluation.
"I do agree Shadowsan." At that moment a shadowy figure is present in the faculty lounge. "Which makes her the ideal operative for this crime. Not only does her skills set match our lost Black Sheep, but she may also prove a formidable adversary to a certain, raccoon accomplice of hers."
Shadowsan remained unconvinced whilst the other Faculty members wondered why the shadow in the dark was here at all. "I consulted Dr. Bellum's lab assistant on this matter and he agrees with my choice of candidate." The Professor explained.
"What makes you think she can match this Sly Cooper?" The ninja asked.
"Because, from where I am from, Cooper has faced many criminals, some that could match the five of you in many ways, and some that would have been ideal students at the academy." The mysterious figure said. "However, he has never seen the likes of her."
Shadowsan was still weary of what Bellums, lab partner was suggesting, and even more why the Professor allowed him access to the Faculty lounge at all.
"I concur with his thoughts, the raccoon accomplice of Black Sheep has proven to be just as a hindrance as she is." Maelstrom agreed. "But shall we vote, all in favour."
The professor raised his hand as did Cleo, Brunt and Bellum. Whilst Shadowsan still remained by his decision. However he was out voted.
"Hmph." He grumbled.
Mumbai, India:
Meanwhile just outside of the museum hosting the historic documents themselves. A certain scarlet super thief, and a certain gentleman their sat at a table in a cafe across from the museum, enjoying some hot tea. Carmen was clad in a blue shirt and shorts with her usual red vans sneakers. Her hair was tied in a bun.
"You sure about this, Red? I'm not picking up chatter about VILE operatives in India from any of our usual sources." Player chimed in still unsure of VILE's presence at this museum.
"Yeah I gotta agree Carmen. I mean as much as I love a visit to tropical India without dealing with an illegal spice lord to stop, what makes you think VILE will show?" Sly asked.
"They'll be here. I know how Professor Maelstrom's twisted mind works, and he'd never pass up an opportunity like this." Carmen explained to them.
Players Room:
Player meanwhile was looking at an online article about the museum and its exhibitions. Including the exhibition on the Magna Carter.
"Stealing the Magna Carta would be VILE's way of symbolising that evil can triumph over law and order. At least, that's what they'd tell themselves." Carmen explained.
"Well thats one way to get the message across, not like mind control with spice and the Clockwerk frame but this is a new one." Sly was beginning to see the picture. "So why the docs exactly?"
"Well let me give you a little history lesson Sly." Player began as he shared his facts.
"In the year 1215, England was ruled by some guy named John. And if he were alive today, he'd probably feel right at home on VILE Island with Carmens former teachers." Player explained. "King John figured he could take anything he wanted just because he was in charge, and he abused that power constantly."
"Wait King John?" Sly wondered. "Like Prince John from the story of Robin Hood?"
"That would be him." Player explained.
"So the king who took what he wanted from the poor only to have it stolen back by a master archer. This guy defiantly sounds like VILE material, and Robin Hood was the Carmen of that time."
"Yeah never really thought of it like that." Player continued. "Anyway. The Archbishop of Canterbury stepped in and helped shape a set of laws that gave citizens rights. Basic stuff like you can't be arrested for no reason, or have your horse taken away from you just because the king wants it."
The document was written up as the facts were being shared. "These combined laws were named the Magna Carta, Latin for "the Great Charter of the Liberties." It was the chief cause of democracy in England and a huge influence on the American Constitution." Carmen shared her facts.
"Speaking of democracy, India has more people than any other democracy in the world." Player shared as the globe shined on India.
"True Player, bet you didn't know that Mumbai India is also at the heart of the famous Bollywood musicals." Sly shared. "Using themes of music, dance and all other kinds of genres we see in the film industry."
"Wow someone knows his facts about Bollywood?" Carmen said impressed.
"Yeah snuck Murray onto one of their musicals once." Sly shrugged.
"Thats right Sly, which is where you and red happen to be sitting right now." Player said looking at a satellite video of the two thieves at the cafe.
"And since I favour democracy over tyranny, VILE won't be sinking their mangy claws into any historic documents on our watch." Carmen said paying the bill for the teas.
"Which means tonight we case the joint and make sure that VILE doesn't get those documents." Sly guessed as they got up from their table.
"Right. We'll do do one last perimeter check tonight… see if we can find any weak links VILE might exploit." Carmen agreed.
"You know sometimes I think we can read each others minds." Sly said rather impressed.
Night had now fallen on the museum. Carmen and Sly now geared up in their thief's attire, ran along the rooftop of the museum.
"Ready to shut down the security cams red?" Player asked as the two ran, but Carmen stopped as she saw something. This had gotten Sly's attention too.
"Someone already did." Carmen said as the two were looking at a destroyed security camera. Something was wedged into the cracked screen. Sly pulled it out and looked at it. Upon closer inspection he was all but startled.
"Paper?" He said feeling the material. "How can that do damage like this?" He showed the origami star to Carmen, and she instantly guessed the operative that was dispatched to rob the museum.
"She's here." She realised.
"Who's she?" The Raccoon thief asked not knowing the full story.
VILE Academy: Many Years ago:
A younger looking Carmen or back when she was known as Black Sheep was walking down the halls of the school for thieves. She had short red hair and wore a VILE Academy student heard the sound of whispering singing coming the opposite direction. And skipping past her was a girl about her age with black hair in long pig tails wearing a similar uniform.
"La, la la, la la... la, la la, la la…" She sang and it sounded like twisted music box music was playing in the background.
Carmen was a little weirded out by her fellow student as she skipped along to Shadowsan's classroom. "She was at VILE Academy during my holdover year." Carmen explained. "And had a reputation for putting her own spin on Shadowsan's origami lesson."
"What kind of spin exactly?" Sly wondered.
In the classroom the shadows of the master of stealth 101 and his student stood opposite from each other. They both bowed to each other. The student lunged forwards and tried to pick the ninjas pocket which he dodged. Then out of nowhere she threw an origami star across the room which cut right through the paper slide door. Which caused Shadowsan to frown grumbling.
"The kind that didn't exactly make her teacher's pet." Carmen explained.
Present day:
The two thieves looked at the origami star before Sly spoke up. "So any advice I should know about this one?"
"Just prepare for the worst. She won't be like Tigress or the others." Carmen warned.
"Good thing I welcome a challenge." Sly said confidently as the two hurried inside.
Inside the museum all was quiet and still. However that silence was then broken by the sound of whispering singing echoing through the deserted halls.
"La, la la, la la... la, la la, la la... la, la la, la la…" She sang as she skipped along and pulled out of the small satchels on her leg a piece of paper which she folded into an origami star which she tossed into the security camera destroying the lens.
The same was done on the other security cameras in the main lobby. She kept skipping through the lobby singing until.
"Museum's closed. We're here to give you your walking papers." Called a voice.
However all the operative did was slime as she drew a pink coloured square of paper from her satchel pouch. "MMM Papers."
The operative had black and neon blue coloured hair split into two side buns. Full pouting lips, with purple lipstick, dark brown eyes and peach coloured skin. She wears a stealth suit with a neon green spiked leather jacket and purple thigh high boots.
Suddenly high in the air two grappling lines were fired into the air, with Carmen and Sly swinging down from the upper floors. Paper Star formed the paper into a throwing star and threw it at the lines snapping them in half. The two thieves were able to land safely. On Sly's cane a new hook appeared to replace the one cut off by the two then looked at the operative hiding in the shadows.
"So what do we call you? Mrs Origami perhaps?" Sly said with a teasing manner.
"Paper Star." Carmen then spoke. "I see you haven't lost your touch."
Paper Star just smirked at the two thieves and gave a rather twisted smile. "Red is a smart colour for you. It will hide the stains." She said then turning to the raccoon thief. "Blue however, not very smart stains show on that colour. That fur must be itchy, allow me to shave it!" She said revealing another paper throwing star in her hand which was split into several multicoloured ones.
She threw them at the thieves. Carmen and Sly ducked in different directions as they avoided the stars. More were sent flying as Carmen dodged and flipped over the incoming stars. Sly ducked and flipped over the stars as one was perilously close to his face. More came in and he twirled his cane like a helicopter blade to block them.
Whilst Paper Star was distracted by Sly this bought Carmen the opening she needed. She ran towards her and kicked a vase in her direction. Paper Star dodged it only for Carmen to come in and kick her away. Paper Star recovered only for Sly to attack from behind with his cane which she dodged away. She looked at the two thieves smirking. Carmen and Sly took a fighting pose and smirked at the origami thief.
She drew more paper throwing stars startling the two thieves. The Origami thief tossed them towards them and Sly quickly twirled his cane to block them from hitting Carmen. But he wasn't prepared for the next wave and so the two of them ran as Paper star threw star after star after star at them with every intention of landing a blow on them.
"Split up!" Sly exclaimed as they split off in different directions. Carmen ran and bounced off a wall hiding behind a pillar. Whilst Sly ran and jumped over the incoming stars and hid behind a pillar not too far from Carmen. The stars hit the pillars they were behind.
"Whew!" Sly breathed in relief. However when he looks over to Carmen he sees she's about to be attacked by the thief who formed her paper into a knife.
"CARMEN BEHIND YOU!" Sly called. Carmen was just in time to avoid her slashing strikes. Only for them to turn into throwing more of her namesakes at the scarlet super thief.
Sly acted quickly and charged towards Paper Star who quickly threw a barrage of throwing stars towards the Raccoon thief who twirled his cane to avoid the shots. He saw an opening and slid under the operatives legs and then bounced off the wall to leap over her as she threw more stars laughing at Carmen who dodged the stars and Sly landed beside her.
Paper Star was ready to attack again. Only to find her satchels were empty. Carmen and Sly flipped over to the other side of the room avoiding the last stars. They stood up and Sly revealed in his hands were the last of her papers. The Origami thief glared at the raccoon as he tore up the papers into dust.
"Out of ammo that'll teach you to litter." Carmen said.
"Yeah I can see how you live up to your name Star." Sly agreed. "But what happens when your out of paper."
However their joy was short lived as the origami thief turned her attention to the leaflets in the museum. This brought a rather unamused frown seeing they weren't out of it yet. Sly really wished he'd kept his mouth shut.
"I really should reuse, reduce, and recycle." Paper Star mused as she went over to the brochures. "These brochures are chock-full of cutting-edge information."
She folded the brochures into rather large looking pointed stars. Much to the thieves startled horror. "Oh no." Sly grimaced.
The stars came flying as Carmen and Sly ducked and dodged out of the way. They chose to seek cover behind a statue in the centre of the room. They caught their breaths as they pulled her head out slightly to see if the coast is clear. However an incoming star shredded the front of her hat. It floated to the ground.
"Oh come on." Carmen groaned.
"Okay I've heard of paper cuts but this is ridiculous." Sly said.
However he heard another slice from behind him he looked and saw that the tip of his tail hairs had been sliced off as a clean slice. "GAHH!" He shrieked.
"All this talk about the great Carmen Sandiego and her mysterious partner Sly Cooper, but in the flesh, you're just a paper tiger. Mrowr." Paper star teased with an origami tiger.
"Oh yeah well I've seen a lot of crazy people in my time one was even a deluded general with sharper claws than that!" Sly called out only for the origami thief to toss the tiger across to the statue slicing the head clean off its stone shoulders. Only to be caught by she placed it down they looked around and could see that the paper thief was nowhere to be seen.
"Who knew paper could be that dangerous." Sly would be lying if he wasn't a little intimidated, she had more tricks than Lefwee and thats saying something.
They looked around for any sign of her but nothing. Just then Carmen just caught sight if her on the first upper floor of the museum heading through one of the doorways.
"Come on." Carmen called to her raccoon partner as they ran up the stairs to that very floor. They arrived at the archway but took a hint of caution as they stepped into the exhibition. Sly held his cane at the ready.
As they walked down the hall the two walked back to back keeping an eye open for any surprise attacks. Ahead of them lay a glass cabinet containing the 17 copies of the Magna Carter. They seemed untouched for now.
"La, la la, la la... la, la la, la la... la, la la, la la... la, la la, la la…" They could hear Paper Stars singing echo through the air like some kind of taunt like a leopard taunts its prey before going in for the kill.
High above were scrolls hanging from the ceilings. The two super thieves looked around, up and down even in the small cracks in the walls. Little did they know the origami thief was preparing for her move. Folding another brochure into thieves keep going at a cautious pace then look up to the scrolls in the ceiling. All of a sudden without warning, a flurry of paper throwing stars come raining from above.
"MOVE!" Sly yelled pushing Carmen to the side to avoid the strike just catching a glimpse of Paper Star leaping across the ceiling.
They looked around standing back to back. Then one of the scrolls fell from the ceiling. Caused by Paper Star who was holding it. In one swift motion, Carmen and Sly found themselves wrapped up quite literally in this case. They looked up at Paper Star struggling to get free.
"Such a pretty package. Hmm, think I'll keep you under wraps." She giggled.
"Paper quips really?" Sly said with a raised eyebrow. Whilst Paper Star used a paper triangle to cut a hole in the glass cabinet Carmen and Sly kept trying to cut free. However they could feel the scroll getting tighter and tighter like a Chinese finger trap.
"Mm-mm-mm. The more you struggle, the tighter it gets." Paper Star advised against what they were doing in a teasing way. She pulled out of her jacket a small tube which extended into a cylinder.
Carmen and Sly were still trying to get free. The Raccoon thief could see his cane was out of reach so he couldn't cut himself free.
"Any ideas?" Sly asked groaning. Carmen managed to get her hand free and pull out a knife tool and started to cut them free.
Paper Star meanwhile had finished packing the Magna Carters into the tube and strapped them across her shoulder. She skipped away as the scarlet and raccoon thief were still trying to free themselves.
"Bye bye little Black Sheep. Bye bye Ringtail." Paper Star pulled the fire alarm which sounded off all throughout the museum.
At last with some effort Carmen and Sly had managed to cut free from the tightening grip of the trap. There was no time to take a breath, Sly retrieved his cane and ran out as fast as they could hoping to try and catch the fleeing thief. They came out of the corridor and looked around for any sign of her.
"Where'd she go?" Sly exclaimed. Carmen caught sight of Paper Star leaving the main lobby. The two thieves had a glare in their eyes.
They hurried down the stairs and out of the main entrance. They looked around but there was no sign of Paper Star anywhere. It appeared their quarry had fled with the documents in tow.
Carmen looked at her destroyed hat and gave out a sigh of defeat, while Sly looked at the clean cut of his tail fur. He just couldn't believe that was possible.
"Well I'm defiantly not gonna look at origami the same way again after this." Sly merely said.
The Next Day:
The following morning. Agents dressed in black were present at the crime scene of the previous night. These weren't normal men in black these were agents of ACME. Among them was none other than Chase Devineaux and his partner Julia Argent. They were currently examining the display case where the documents once rested.
Chase picks up an origami bear that was left behind as a calling card. "It seems Carmen Sandiego and Sly Cooper have found some new hobbies: arts and crafts and stealing historic documents!"
"It is origami, the Japanese art of paper folding." Julia said examining the calling card left behind.
"Ugh" Chase groaned just tossing away the origami bear and walked away.
"Right. Dull facts, boring things." Julia remembered before she moved to a new subject. "But Carmen Sandiego's and this Sly Cooper's recent MO seems to be returning valuables to museums, not stealing them."
"Again with the Vermeer paintings, Agent Argent? That has not been proven, so please, do not romanticise the scoundrel or her furry accomplice." Chase two agents walked out onto the first floor of the museum to continue their discussion and to further examine the scene of the crime.
"The crime scene is also sloppier than Ms. Sandiego and Mr. Cooper normally leaves it. Wouldn't you agree, Agent Devineaux?" Julia then asked.
Chase looked around and could see the mess left behind such as the origami stars wedged into the walls and pillars. Not to mention the severed statue head. "Well... it does look like a monsoon hit in here. She must have been in a hurry."
"Or a struggle." Julia then theorised.
Before anything more could be said a beeping noise came from Chase's coat. He pulled out a certain pen pressed the top of it and dropped it on the ground. Only for the pen to stand up on its own and display a hologram of Chief.
"Greetings from Mumbai, Chief." The former Interpol Inspector greeted.
"Agents, I trust you were able to gain entry to the crime scene without incident." Chief asked.
"This toy is incredible." Chase said looking at his ACME keycard. "We were able to clear all local authorities away with one flash."
"Your ACME keycard will provide you with Level One clearance anywhere in the world and gets you 10% off your purchase at any company store." Chief explained.
"Where can I find these stores?" Chase asked with interest. "And do they carry bulk quantities of razor blades, cheese, or breath freshener?"
Chiefs answer however was a silent look, telling Chase to get to the point of talking about the incident that took place in the museum. "Ahem, yes the case." Chase said clearing his throat trying to act professional.
"ACME has just obtained this surveillance footage. It's taken from the cafe across the street." Chief showed the agents some footage from outside the museum. It zoomed in to show it was Carmen and Sly. However Carmens eyes weren't visible whilst Sly's face was clearly visible showing his Raccoon features. "Unlike the museum, their security cameras weren't disabled."
"Aha! Carmen Sandiego and Sly Cooper!" Chase said smirking.
"I need you to be certain she another copycat, like your snowmobile incident?" Chief said reminding him what happened in the Swiss alps. "You are the only ACME agent who has been face-to-face with the both of them Monsieur Devineaux."
"That is them. I am certain of it." Chase confirmed. Chief could see they now had confirmed footage of both thieves. She was most interested in Sly especially, clearly seeing he was indeed a raccoon man who walks and talks like a human being. But how this was possible she still didn't know.
"Can we roll it back 30 frames, please?" Julia requested tilting her glasses as if she had seen something.
Chief rewinds the footage back to the time requested which shows the museum front before Sly and Carmen exit the building. Just in the upper right corner a blur of colour is seen.
"Do you see that blur of colour?" She points out. Chief zooms in on that area of the footage. It maybe a blur but it is enough to show it is Paper Star making her escape.
"A third figure?" Chief guessed.
"An accomplice!" Chase deducted.
"I was going to suggest a rival, which might explain the debris." Julia surmised gesturing to the damage and paper trails behind them.
Chief turned round and was most taken aback. "Whoa. Who TP'd the place?"
Meanwhile:
Elsewhere on the waterways in India, Carmen was looking over her damaged Theodora hat which had the clean slice still present. She and Sly were back in their casual attire/disguises looking out on the ocean.
"That multicoloured freak show owes me a new hat." Carmen said angered as she watched the boats go by.
"Be lucky it was your hat she sliced Carmen." Sly reminded as he gestured to his tail showing the damage Paper Star had done. "This tail doesn't grow back over night you know!"
"Make her take you shopping and for fur extensions." Player then suggested.
"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that Player." Sly said a little grumpy.
"We would if she left a paper trail." Carmen reminded.
"Please don't say paper." Sly said grimly.
"Ha! If only." Player said.
Despite the bitterness of what happened last night Carmen decided to get the group back on track. "We need to find Paper Star before she hands off the Magna Carta's to the next operative."
"What?" Sly said in disbelief. "Why would she go to the trouble of stealing them just for someone else to take them back?"
"Sly has a point, why not just take them back to VILE herself?" Player agreed.
"Standard procedure on all VILE operations." Carmen explained as she and Sly stood up walking down the canal. "This way, no one operative knows too much about any given job. If they get nabbed, they can only divulge so much information."
"Ah, a bait and switch. If one operative gets caught by the cops it wouldn't matter because the other gets clean away with the goods." Sly was starting to get it. "Wow I honestly don't know if I should be impressed or insulted."
"Leaning towards the latter I guess?" Carmen wondered. "Besides haven't you met someone who thinks takes one step ahead?"
Sly had to admit its times like this he would think of his encounter with Lefwee the smartest man in the seven seas. When they tried to recover Dimitri's grandfathers lost diving gear. Only for Lefwee to take them by surprise at every turn. It was only through team work that his gang was able to defeat him.
Players Room:
Player was hard at work trying to track down the elusive thief, using facial recognition throughout the country whilst playing with a spinning disk.
"Well, don't sweat yet, guys." Player assured. "I'm scanning all local surveillance and pushing my new facial recognition software to the max. If she's still in India, I'll pin her down."
"Well thats something." Sly admitted. "I bet she's somewhere in New Deli right now laughing at us."
Later that night:
Sly couldn't be more wrong. For later that night in a lone Elephanta Caves somewhere to the east of Mumbai. Le Chèvre leaped down from the ancient landmark and entered the he walked around the cave shrines to the Hindu God Shiva. The VILE operative could hear the whispering sounds of singing in the air.
"La, la la, la la... La, la la, la la... la, la la, la la…"
He soon notices a shine of purple light coming from one of the pillars and statues of Shiva herself. He finds Paper Star sitting crosslegged between two shining lanterns doing origami and singing to herself.
"I see I am not the only one who admires Mumbai's historic Elephanta Caves." Le Chèvre got no response as Paper Star was clearly ignoring him.
"Ahem. The fish swims at midnight." He then pronounced a code, however Paper Star was busy folding up a small origami fish in her hand. "I repeat, the fish swims at midni…"
"No need to speak in code." Paper Star finally answered. "Tell me where to escort this. A designated safe house outside this country's borders, I assume?"
Le Chevre was rather taken aback, he was meant to pick up the package not let her deliver them. "What? That is not how this works. Protocol dictates that you give me the package to deliver." He approached her.
"Protocol exists to protect VILE should an operative get caught." Paper Star reminded as she looked at the goat operative. "You look like an operative who would get caught."
Le Chevre wasn't about to let this punk origami thief doubt his own abilities as an operative. "I have completed more successful missions than you, Pippi Punkstockings! Now give me the package." He finally demanded.
He tries to take the package from her only to receive the slash of a cut on his finger. He cried out in pain as he sucked on the paper cut on his finger.
"Perhaps the fish does swim at midnight." Paper Star said with a twisted smirk.
"You gave me a paper cut!" Le Chevre cried. Then suddenly Paper Stars origami fish was unfolded to reveal it was a different shape with folded spikes on it.
"Puffer fish. Very lethal." She approached her fellow operative with a very deadly intention and sadistic smile on her face. Le Chevre backed away with caution. "It will give you a thousand paper cuts unless you tell me the next drop location."
She slashes the paper fish at him which gave him another paper cut that pushed him to the ground. He now looked very scared.
"Ouch! No, not my hands! Not my hands!" He begged the last thing that could be heard from the caves was a begging scream as she slashed the fish down on him.
Isle of VILE:
Later Le Chevre reported the incident to the faculty, and as imagined they were not best pleased about this. The most displeased was Shadowsan for he predicted this would happen.
"Where is she now?" He then asked looking to the main screen showing the operative at another location.
"On her way to Agra City." He reported.
"And how did she learn of Agra?" Maelstrom questioned.
"I-I had no choice!" Le Chevre exclaimed practically whining. "She is psychotic!" He revealed both his hands were wrapped in bandages.
The rest of the faculty just looked at Gunnar with raised eyebrows. "Eh heh. Merely a label, you know." He chuckled.
Mumbai: The following day:
Carmen and Sly were walking down the path near the waterways. They still needed to find the missing documents, but had no idea where Paper Star was. Just then Carmens phone rang.
"Player." Carmen answered.
"What you got for us?" Sly asked.
A photo then appeared on her phone screen of a ferry in Mumbai harbour and Carmen zoomed in on one passenger in particular. It was Paper Star. "This was taken less than an hour ago, on a ferry coming into Mumbai Harbour." Player explained.
"Wow if she's trying to keep a low profile she's not doing a good job of it." Sly scoffed. "Could she be anymore obvious."
"Thats how VILE works, they hide in plain sight. No-one ever suspects whats right under their nose until its too late."Carmen explained.
That Sly knew all too well indeed, like how he was betrayed by Constable Neyla, in India after stopping Rajan's illegal spice ring. Only to later find out she'd been working with Arpeggio to get the Clockwerk parts all along. Fooling Interpol, even Carmelita. Hiding in plain sight the whole time.
"Looks like our litterbug is still packing the Magna Cartas." Carmen then said seeing the cylinder strapped across her back. "Can you access the passenger list?" She then asked Player.
"Coming your way." Player said sending over the passenger list. Carmen scrolled down the list until Sly spotted something.
"There." he pointed out at a name marked Tammy Origami.
"Tammy Origami. She's going by an alias." Carmen realised.
"That's not too obvious." Player said knowing this could be a trick.
"Yeah smells to me like a written invitation." Sly deduced instantly.
"Thats because it is Sly. It's Paper Star's way of saying, "Come and get me if you dare," which suits me just fine." Carmen realised looking out over the harbour. "Player, I need you to cross-check that name against any mode of transportation you can think of. Plane tickets, train tickets, car rentals…"
Players room:
Player typed on his computer looking over the records of different modes of transportation. Until finally he found a match.
"Found her. "Tammy" bought a one-way ticket to Agra City on the 9:30am express train. Guess she wants to see the Taj Mahal."
"Or maybe a safe house to deliver the goods." Sly realised. Whilst he and Carmen watched the waves of the water brush up on the rocks. "Well looks like we got a paper trail to follow."
"Then let's chase that paper." Carmen decided as the two left the harbour.
A map appears showing a route leaving Mumbai and leading all the way to Agra city. On the far side of the continent. As the train rocketed by on the rails. Carmen and Sly were onboard. They walked through the carriages keeping an eye open for their Paper thief.
Upon entering the next coach, Carmen motions to Sly, to draw his attention to the passenger at the far front of the train. It was Paper Star watching something on her phone. The two super thieves took a seat four chairs away keeping an eye on the VILE operative.
"Target spotted." Carmen relayed to Player via her earring com link.
"You gonna make a move?" Player asked.
"Not the best play, when dealing with someone like her direct confrontation or pick pocketing isn't a good idea." Sly realised.
"Right. close quarters like this, with a wild card like her? Someone could get hurt. We'll strike the moment she gets off the train." Carmen agreed. "Until then, we just need to stay out of her sight while keeping her in ours."
However at that very moment, a certain former Interpol inspector took a seat opposite the two of them with a rather smug smile on his face.
"Ms. Sandiego, I presume. And this must be Mr. Cooper." Chase greeted.
"Ugh." Carmen merely said.
"Well well Chase Devineaux, haven't seen you since the Swiss Alps?" Sly said smirking under his disguise.
"I almost did not recognise you both without your... evening wear or your raccoon features." Chase then said.
"You do appear in the strangest places Inspector? You come all the way here looking for us or are you here on vacation?" Sly questioned rather teasingly.
"Yeah Aren't you a bit out of your jurisdiction, Inspector Devineaux?" Carmen then questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I recently acquired greater authority." Chase merely said.
"That's awfully vague, Inspector?" Sly wondered.
"Is it even "Inspector" anymore?" Carmen then asked.
"Enough chitchat! Where are you hiding the Magna Cartas?!" Chase then demanded.
"Us? We haven't stolen anything…yet" Sly said a little surprised even though he was faking it.
"Don't play coy with me Blue Raccoonus I have seen footage of you and La fame rouge fleeing from the scene of the crime." Chase said to them. "Now where are they?"
"Nowhere. But they are closer than you think." Carmen then hinted as she and Sly noticed Paper Star leaving the train carriage.
Chase eyed the two thieves suspiciously. "You will take me to them." He then said.
"Or what you'll cuff us?" Carmen shrugged with a raised eyebrow.
Chase responded to that by pulling out a set of hand cuffs in his hand. "Why yes."
"You sure? Didn't work out so well the last time she was on a train?" Sly smirked.
"I lost the pair of you once before. Never again." Chase proceeds to arrest them only for them to go into a tunnel and the sound of clicking hand cuffs could be upon emerging from the tunnel. It wasn't Carmen or Sly that was hand cuffed, but rather Chase. He found he was handcuffed to the chair arm.
"Wh-what? No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" He cried as he noticed that his quarry had all but disappeared.
Outside the train carriage Carmen and Sly smirked at each other knowing they'd slipped away. "He never quits does he?" Sly said.
"You have no idea." Carmen said. "Still, the way he keeps showing up both in the alps and here means he's either been promoted or running with a new crowd."
"Good thing I swiped this then." Sly pulled out a certain white keycard that belonged to the inspector and handed it to inspected it and saw the large blue writing ACME. Labeled on the front of it.
"ACME, huh?" She mused as she placed it in her pocket. She could have Player look into it later.
The two then proceed into the next carriage which was actually the dining cart. Looking at the reflection in the glass she noticed Paper Star at the back being handed some dinner. So the two of them went to take a seat. Carmen saw one available seat on a table whilst the other was taken by a brief case so Sly decided to stand. He found a newspaper and covered his face reading it. Carmen meanwhile took a seat at the other table.
"This seat taken?" She asked the one sitting at the table and it was actually a certain miss Julia Argent.
"Actually, yes." Julia answered as Carmen took out her pocket mirror to watch Paper Star whilst Sly watched her through the newspaper. "But... feel free to use it until my partner returns."
"Partner?" Carmen then wondered and turned her gaze to the brief case in the other seat it was marked C.D. They could only guess who that belonged to.
"Ahem. Travel partner." Julia explained.
"I see. And you are?" Carmen then asked for her name.
"Julia." She replied.
"Julia, huh? Thats a pretty name for a cute girl." Sly said with a little charm. This did cause Julia to blush a little.
"Oh uh thank you." Julia said bashfully.
"Excuse my travel partner he's a bit of a charmer." Carmen said as Sly just shrugged. "So, Jules. Off to see the Taj Mahal?" She watched Paper Star through the reflection of the silverware on the table settings.
"Oh, I wish. The architecture, the history" Julia said with passion. "Sadly, I'm traveling on business." A little saddened.
"Don't like your job, huh?" Carmen guessed.
"No, no. I love my job. I just love history even more, I suppose." Julia said smiling.
"Hm sounds like you have two great lovers fighting for your affections, I'd say they'd be lucky to have you." Sly said. "I do admire that." This just caused Julia to blush even further by this gentleman's charm. Carmen just shook her head smiling.
"Then you must really be upset about the Magna Carta." She then said which snapped Julia to attention.
"What?" She asked.
"The theft. It's in all the news." Carmen explained as she looked to see Paper Star standing up from her table. She gave Sly a nudged drawing his attention to the fleeing origami thief.
"Wonderful chatting with you, Jules." Carmen said as she got up from the table and Sly went to bid his own farewells.
"Yes, I do hope we cross paths again sometime." He said as Julia received a kiss on the hand before he left. She was so flustered she then realised something.
"But I never did get your names…" She said. After looking at Carmen closely, she did seem familiar. Then she gasped as she saw just hanging out of the charming gentleman's trouser leg was a certain ringtail. Before he shut the door to the next carriage he gave one last wink to the spectacled ACME agent before shutting it.
With no time to lose she pulled out her phone and tried to call Chase with urgency. "Come on, come on…" She urged until she finally got through. "Agent Devineaux, I found Carmen Sandiego and Sly C…"
"You've reached Inspector Chase Devineaux. Please, leave a message." Sadly she only got voice mail. Not knowing that her partner was a little tied up at the moment.
"Oh dear." She said simply.
As the train grew ever closer to its intended destination of Agra City. Carmen and Sly soon arrived at the passenger compartments of the train. The two snuck carefully past the first two compartments just in case their target was occupying one.
The third one house the paper thief herself. She was placing the cylinder containing the stolen Magna Carters up in the luggage rafts. They kept a safe distance. However as Paper Star turned her head she could see their reflections and tossed several paper throwing stars at the entrance. Sly and Carmen quickly pulled back just as they scratched the door frame.
"Whoa! Another close shave!" Sly breathed.
With the element of surprise lost the two thieves jumped into the compartment. Carmen pinned Paper Star down to the seat whilst Sly reached up to the luggage rack to get to the cylinder. Suddenly he was pulled down by the tail. She kicked Carmen away whilst Sly was pinned down on the seat. They growled as they rolled over and it was now Paper Star being pinned down. Only for her to kick the raccoon thief in the gut, and sent him flying into the wall making him lose his head disguise.
Paper Star reached into her pouches to reload her paper ammo. Only to find they were empty. She was taken completely by surprise. She looked to see Carmen kick open the toilet door then flush her paper ammo down it.
"Stinks running out of paper." Carmen then said as Sly got back up on his feet. "Now can we try chatting without killing any trees?"
Paper Star had the cylinder now slung across her back. However she noticed something on the table. Sly and Carmen looked to see it was a pile of brochures on the table.
"Oh come on." Sly said under his breath.
"You should run." Paper Star threatened.
The three thieves stared each other down as if they were in a Mexican stand off. With one swift motion Carmen and Paper Star reached for the leaflets. Sly rammed the paper thief away from the brochures. She retaliates by swinging some punches towards Sly who dodges them. Carmen closes in for the attack whilst holding the brochures by leaping up to the lamp in the ceiling and swinging down from it.
Paper Star rolls out of the way only for Sly to try and make a grab for the docs. He pulls on the cylinder only for Paper Star to turn round to the front. She throws punches at Carmen only for her to dodge them. Sly attacks from behind to try and get the cylinder only for Paper Star to grab him by the arm and fling him into the chair. Carmen dodged more punches until Paper Star tried to reach for the brochures. Unaware that Sly was pulling something out of his shirt.
Paper Star steals away the brochures from Carmen as Sly went to her side. The Origami thief wasted no time forming the brochures into paper blades.
"Care to run now?" Paper Star asked bearing her paper blades.
Sly however could only smirk. "Fine you have the brochures." He then held out his cane and dangling off the hook was a certain cylinder. "We'll just take this."
He threw the cylinder to Carmen as the two thieves made their escape. Paper Star growled in irritation as she pursued after them. The two exited the carriage only for a paper dagger to strike the next door handle jamming it. They turned round to see Paper Star was close behind them.
"Okay time to go where we have the advantage." Sly eventually decided.
"This way!" Carmen called as she climbed up the carriage ladder on the wall with Sly close behind her.
They reach the roof and run, with Paper Star climbing up the ladder behind them. They reached the front of the carriage only to see it was a dead end with no way to escape.
"Nowhere to hide, not very smart." Paper star said as she closed in on her prey. She threw the paper dagger towards them only for it to fly right back getting caught in the gust of wind caused by the movement of the train.
"Oh really, wind beats paper!" Carmen called.
"Yeah coming up on a train roof with blowing, not very smart now are you!" Sly called smirking.
Paper Star snarled at the three of them charged towards each other Carmen and Sly were ready to throw a punch only for Paper Star to ram straight into them with her shoulder. She threw some punches towards Carmen only for Sly to intercept with a round house kick to try and knock her down. Paper star grabbed him by the leg and flung him across the roof. He would have fallen off if he hadn't used his cane hook to grip onto the trains roof.
Carmen was still battling the Origami thief, who threw a punch only for Carmen to grab her and flip her over onto her back. Weirdly though she could only smirk much to Carmens confusion. In one swift motion, the paper thief flipped over Carmen and grabbed the cylinder container trying to pull it off her back by swinging Carmen to the edge of the she grabbed the strap before she fell off the speeding locomotive.
"Carmen!" Sly called as he got back up onto the roof.
She looked ahead and saw the metal bridge fast approaching her. Sly quickly grabbed Paper Stars jacket collar with his cane hook and pulled her away then reached out and pulled Carmen in.
The three then played tug of war with the cylinder container for the prize within. Eventually Paper Star swung them around the train roof and flung them off the strap making them fall off the roof. Sly quickly extended his cane and hooked onto the roof then grabbed Carmens hand so she didn't fall. Thankfully the passengers inside didn't pay much notice as the two thieves climbed back up to the roof.
They saw Paper Star about to walk away. "You've got nowhere to run Star so hand over the docs and we'll call it a day!" Sly called to her.
However he couldn't have been more wrong. For approaching them was a bridge and a lone ladder hanging down from it. Paper Star smirked leaped up and grabbed the ladder as the train carrying Sly and Carmen rolled acted swiftly to run along the roof of the train until they reached a smoke plate on the trains roof. Carmen took Sly's cane and pried it off the holdings.
"Sly get ready to make the grab!" Carmen said to him which he responded with a knowing nod. He stood ready to make a running start.
"Here goes nothing." Carmen said as she swung the steel plate like a frisbee towards Paper Star but it cut the straps off the cylinder taking the thief by surprise.
Sly ran as quickly as he could to the end of the train and fired his grappling cane hook towards the cylinder which only just grabbed it in time. The hook retracted and landed safely in Sly's hands.
Carmen breathed a sigh of great relief. The two thieves stood on the roof with a triumphant smirk as he gave a two fingered solute bidding their farewells as the Taj Mahal homed into view.
Paper Star could only look with a hateful glare hanging from the ladder. With nothing but a squawking black bird for company.
On board the train Julia Argent arrived at one of the passenger carriages. She heard a sound of groaning. She looked over and saw her partner Chase Devineaux cuffed to a chair arm.
"Agent Devineaux?" She said in surprise. "How did you…?"
"Never mind that! The keys are in my briefcase!" He exclaimed to his partner in frustration.
As the train rolled into Agra City, Julia arrived back at the dining cart. She went to her table to retrieve Devineaux briefcase only to find a cylinder next to it. When she opened it and looked inside to her shock she found the stolen Magna Cartas inside. She gasped. In her shock she then noticed a lone red rose, with a certain red hatted raccoon calling card next to it.
She picked it up and looked at it. There was a message on the other side. It read.
We trust these historical items will be safe in your hands.
Until the next time.
-S & CS X
The train arrived at the station and Carmen with Sly in tow left the train carriage smiling. "So you have the docs?" Player called in.
"They're in good hands." Carmen said.
"Very good hands, guess your not the only one who cares for history so much, she looked kinda cute too." Sly mused at the ACME agent.
"Do you flirt with every girl you meet?" Carmen teased.
"Eh having charm this good is a curse." Sly teased back.
Carmen just rolled her eyes with a smile. "Though it seems our friend Inspector Chase Devineaux may be running with a slicker outfit these days. Picked his pocket. Think you can hack a keycard?" She then asked Player.
"Worth a try. Send it over." Player replied.
Carmen reach into her pocket to get the keycard Sly shipped. Only to her shock to find it wasn't there. She gasps realising it's gone. Sly could see Carmen had been pickpocketed but how and by who. The two looked at each other with the same conclusion as to who could have taken it.
"Clever girl." Sly said under his breath.
Slys POV:
"Despite loosing a clue to how our new police interest Chase Devinaux was following us around the globe. The Magna Carters were safe and sound in the loverly Jules hands."
Later the two thieves soon rondevu with Zack and Ivy in the city. Who were more than glad to see that their teammates and friends got to their destination safely. And with a win under their belts.
"After meeting up with Zack and Ivy we took a break and explored the sites, looking at the historical Taj Mahal. I had to admit I was starting to take a shine to the idea of knowledge being the real treasure thing. Plus it's a great way to see the world."
Soon the crew were in the set of a Bollywood musical stage. Zack and Ivy were dressed in traditional India garments dancing to the music as the other dancers did whilst Sly and Carmen dressed in their own Indian garments and dancing attire were dancing too.
"With the nightlife drawing in I had a real treat for the crew. It took some doing but we were able to sneak Zack and Ivy onto the set of a full blown Indian musical. Me and Carmen even got in on the act. She was glad we all got a chance to relax, but I could tell she couldn't stop thinking about the key card. Frankly I couldn't either. It was only a matter of time to see what surprises VILE would throw at us next."
End of POV.
Isle of VILE:
Meanwhile back at VILE Academy, the Faculty had heard of Paper Stars recent failure. On top of everything else her failure was due to her breaking protocol instead of handing over the package to Le Chevre. As the Faculty mused over this their mysterious associate was standing in the shadows.
"Did you not assure us that Paper Star was ready?" Shadowsan questioned Gunnar's choice of operative for this task.
"I never instructed her to break protocol." Maelstrom admitted before all eyes turned onto the figure in the shadows.
"And don't even think of putting the blame on me! How was I to anticipate she would turn rouge?" He said. Their debate was sadly cut short by the sound of whispering singing in the ever gathering echos of the Faculty lounge.
"La, la la la, la... la, la la la... la, la la la…" Sang the approaching Paper Star who skipped across to the Faculty desk.
"Faculty only, Sassy Pants." Brunt informed the young operative.
"But my ears were burning." She said smiling despite the fact she'd failed in her assignment.
"You failed to complete your mission." Maelstrom said rather displeased.
However what the Faculty didn't know was Paper Star had an ace up her sleeve. Quite literally in this case. "Guilty as charged. But I never come to a party empty-handed."
She then threw a small object onto the faculty desk right in front of Professor Maelstrom. Much to the surprise of the other faculty members. He picked it up and saw it was a white key card with the words ACME printed on it. It was the same keycard that Sly and Carmen had picked from Devineaux's pocket.
Outskirts of Agra City:
Meanwhile as the Night Life of Agra City was lively with lights and traditional Indian music. On the outskirts of the city, some static electricity was flying in the air. All of a sudden a large looking portal opened and zooming out of it was a rather large looking blue van with some kind of device attacked to the roof. On its side it had a certain raccoon calling card on the side of it.
Hopping out of the van, was a rather large looking pink hippo dressed with a red mask a blue shirt with a white had a brown belt with a gold buckle in the shape of a raccoon symbol. The Vans side door opened and it revealed a small green humanoid turtle with a grey hat and grey padded suit sitting in a futuristic wheel chair. He wore octagonal shaped glasses.
"You sure about this Bentley? I mean It looks like home to me?" Murray asked.
Bentley looked on the holo computer console and looked at some stats and readings on the device on the van. "If these tachyon readings are accurate. He's here, we've found him Murray."
Murray looked with hope in his eyes that at long last they had found their missing leader and best friend. "Well what are we waiting for we gotta find Sly! Hold on buddy we're bringing you home!"
He quickly hopped into the driving seat of his van, whilst Bentley reversed back into the van as Murray started the engine. "I just hope we're not too late." Bentley hoped.
The van zoomed away towards the city to try and track down their missing friend. Little did they know they had a stowaway. A certain loverly Interpol agent, Carmelita Fox. She was hanging from the back of the van. She looked at a ruined photo of a certain gentleman raccoon thief that gave her a peck on the cheek.
"I'm coming for you Ringtail wherever you are." She said silently as the van roared away into the night.
Authors Notes: Well thats a wrap on that chapter. Carmen and Sly have tangled with Paper Star and won, and have also had their first meeting with Julia. And now it seems some old friends will soon be joining the fray. Now onto the next chapter which will take place in several locations to end with an epic Casino conspiracy on the French Riviera.
Until next time. Where in the World are Cooper and Sandiego?!