We've hit a milestone, people! 50 chapters!

*SLY POV*

We traveled to Ancient Arabia to find Salim Al-Kupar. An ancestor said to possess the stealth of forty thieves. No surprise then when Bentley's research revealed that this guy was a charter member of the infamous Forty Thieves. For once, it appeared we'd have plenty of back-ups to help out with this job. When we arrived, however, we were shocked to find that most of the thieves had already retired. Having made their fortunes and gotten older, these great thieves have decided to call quits, and enjoy their golden years in peace.

What wasn't shocking was the unmistakable presence of Cyrille Le Paradox. Nasty-looking guards patrolled everywhere, and it was clear that something sinister was going on. After some detective work, Bentley had even worse news; no one had seen Salim Al-Kupar for some time. He had been working with the few of the remaining thieves but had simply vanished. So where was he? That was the first thing we needed to figure out.

Sly, Ben, and Neyla had all split up and were moving through the Arabian town in order to find Salim Al-Kupar's whereabouts. Sly was using a new modification Bentley had made in his Binocucom in order to scan DNA traces left behind by Salim.

As Ben and Neyla searched on their end of town, they heard whispers and noticed a feminine figure in robes beckoning them to enter a small shack. Seeing no danger, the couple headed inside as the figure pulled off her hood, revealing an elderly woman's face with tin skin, crystal blue eyes, a red bindi on her forehead, and greying black hair.

"Hello? What'd you bring us in for, miss?" Neyla asked with a hand on her hip as the old woman made a shushing gesture before gesturing for the couple to sit down.

"I know who you are, boy. I sensed your arrival." The woman said to Ben, who pointed at himself awkwardly as she smiled and nodded.

"Yes, earlier the sands of time had shifted in a disturbance. Clearly, it is the work of strange visitors. But as luck would have it, they also brought you."

"Um...okay, so you know we're time-travelers. But who are you, a fortune-teller?"

The old woman grinned, revealing a gold tooth. "I am Dahndi Shigura and you are my relative from the future. The spirits of above told me of who you were and that you would aid me and my dear friend Salim."

"So you're Ben's Arabian Ancestor? You look good for your age." Neyla complimented as Dahndi gave a wisened old chuckle.

"Ah, don't flatter me, darling. My golden years have long since passed. But that old devil rat Salim is in a slump. I've been trying to snap him out of it but he's been stuck like that for days on end."

"I see. And what do you suggest we do?"

"The spirits told me that only a person of Cooper bloodline can arouse Salim from his hapless despair. I don't suppose you brought one along on your travels through the cosmos?"

Ben smiled and nodded. "Yeah, we have. His name is Sly Cooper and I'm pretty sure that he's talking with Salim as we speak."

Salim entered a tent on a boat to see Salim Al-Kupar himself, laying on a bed and eating snacks.

"Greetings. You're Salim Al-Kupar, aren't you?"

Salim turned to acknowledge this mysterious intruder. "And who are you?"

"Uh, Well that part's kind of... complicated. I'm a thief like you, but I'm kinda new in town. How about you come back to my gang's Hideout and I can explain myself?"

"How about...you go lick a camel's hump!" Salim retorted, not exactly trusting of such a stranger.

"Oookaay. Look, I know you're in trouble. I'm here to help. I can explain everything but let's go where we can talk safely." Sly said as he noticed Salim had run out of snacks in his bowl and got an idea. "Besides, you look hungry. How would you like some food?"

"Food? Haha!" Salim laughed as he got up. "It was foolish of you not to mention that in the first place. Let's go."

As Sly and Salim made it back to the Cooper Gang Hideout, they ran into Ben, Neyla, and Dahndi along the way. Salim winced as he noticed his friend giving him the stink eye.

"Honestly, it's about time you got up off your الحمار كسول!"

"Ah, sorry, my dearest صديق, but this fellow made a good bargain."

"He offered you food?" Dahndi flatly said

"I offered him food," Sly affirmed as Salim rubbed the back of his head sheepishly while Ben and Neyla laughed.

*BEN POV*

Back at the hideout, introductions went quickly as Salim stuffed his face. He and my ancestor Dahndi told us about their problem. Some new player calling herself Miss Decibel had rolled into town and started throwing lots of money around. It didn't take a genius to figure out who the time-traveling lieutenant was here.

Salim, Dahndi, and the three remaining thieves had decided to pull one last heist before disappearing into retirement, Miss Decibel being the target. Of course, with her technology, she had easily captured their thief brothers, and Salim and Dahndi had been trying to come up with a plan to free them ever since.

Bentley uncovered some interesting background information. Miss Decibel had come from a wealthy British family. Her true love was classical music. Unfortunately, her complete lack of musical talent, coupled with an extreme temper, made for a volatile combination.

After suffering a freak accident during a tantrum, she was left unable to play music...normally. However, when she discovered she can control people with her hypnotic tones, a new criminal was born.

She began using her devious tones to control others, forcing them to commit crimes for her. We told Salim and Dahndi about Le Paradox, and the whole thing made some strange kind of sense to them. The bad news was that Salim wasn't completely convinced that we were there to help him, even when Dahndi vouched for us. I could see Sly was going to have to prove himself...again.

I'm rooting for ya, brother!

Next Time: Open Sesame!

Translations:

الحمار كسول: Lazy Ass

صديق: Friend