Knock, knock, knock
Slowly, Rai lifted her head just as Bentley peered into her room, a worried expression etched on his face. By this point, she had changed back into her thief outfit after she had managed to patch up the wounds on her arm, hiding them with her jacket. "Hey, Rai? Are you, uh, doin' okay?"
Rai gave a slow nod. "Yeah, I'm alright..." She replied. "He just cut up the cloth over my face, so I'm fine."
"That's not what I meant..." Bentley said, stepping into the room.
Rai sighed. "Then in that case, no, not really, but...I managed to escape, so that much I'm at least grateful for."
"I know, but...what happened, it was..." Bentley paused.
"I know you're worried about me, Bentley, and I appreciate it, but after it happened, I vented all of my feelings when I practically bawled my eyes out for, like, twenty minutes, so there's really not much left in me at the moment... Besides, we've still got a job to do, that hasn't changed." She said, getting up from her bed.
"Are you really sure you're okay to keep going? Shouldn't you at least get some rest?"
"I can rest later, because it's as you've said, we don't have a lot of time. I'm well enough to do a mission or two for now." Rai replied.
"Well, at the moment, I still haven't figured out how to get to where the second half of the Clockwerk Heart is. Ever since I snagged those blueprints from Rajan's person and your recent visit, he's gone into hiding, so I have no idea where in the temple he could be." Bentley explained.
"If you can't find Rajan, then I can recommend that you try flushing him out." Rai suggested.
"Meaning?"
"Well, he's a tiger, and biologically speaking, cats hate water, so maybe by flooding the temple, it could drive him out into the open."
"Hmm... Good idea, Rai, I hadn't even thought of that."
"I've known Rajan long enough to know some of his weaknesses." Rai replied. "Try destroying the temple dam first, then we can try flooding the entire temple later on."
"Alright, well, I can work around that. But then comes the issue of getting the first half of the Clockwerk Heart, the one Rajan is using for spice production."
Rai paused for a moment, only to sigh. "Just leave that half of the Clockwerk Heart to me."
"But we don't even know how to get to it, Rai." Bentley reasoned.
"I'll figure that part out." She said. "I'll find a way to get to it, so just leave that half to me, alright?"
Bentley stared up at the fox, determination shining in her emerald eyes, which caused him to sigh. "Alright, I trust you."
Rai nodded. "Thanks, Bentley." She gave a small grin. "Now, you should go ahead and tell the others, I'm gonna get ready."
Bentley gave a nod. "Okay, I'll leave it to you then." And with that, Bentley turned and exited the room.
Once Bentley was gone, Rai sighed, reaching into her pouch as she pulled out that same cellphone given to her by Kisara. She stared at the device, her eyes narrowing, only to close them for a moment whilst exhaling through her nose. When Rai opened her eyes again, she took the phone and dialed a number, pressing the device to her ear as she listened to the rings. It rang maybe three or four times before someone finally picked up. "Well, well, look at who decided to finally give me a call."
Rai exhaled through her nose again. "You said you knew how to get to the first half of the Clockwerk Heart, right?"
"Yes, I did indeed." Kisara replied.
The fox drew in a breath. "I need you to take me to it."
Kisara let out an amused chuckle. "As you wish. Just meet me by the waterfall and I'll be happy to show you the way. See you soon, Rai~" The line then disconnected, Rai lowering the phone as she stared at it for a long while.
One more time... Just one last time, then I'll never have to work with her again. Rai told herself. Just let her lead you to where the Clockwerk Heart is, nothing more. After this, you don't have to associate with her ever again...
Rai exited her room, her cane at hand and ready to make her leave. "I'll be back." She stated, placing her mask on her face.
"Where are you going?" Sly asked.
"Just...out." She replied. "I'll be back soon." And with that, Rai dashed out of the Safe House.
Sly, however, seemed a little suspicious. "That was strange..."
"Rai is just going to try and find the first half of the Clockwerk Heart." Bentley spoke up while he was typing on his computer. "She said that she would handle it, so just leave her be, Sly. Besides, I have something else for you to do."
"Like what?"
"I need for you to destroy Rajan's spice grinder." Bentley replied. "I can give you instructions on what you need to do after I get back, because I have to go destroy the temple dam."
"And how exactly are you going to manage that?" Sly asked.
"Rajan had a special attack helicopter shipped in recently, so I'm just going to, quote, "borrow" it for a little bit, so stay out of trouble while I'm gone." Bentley said as he fixed his hat, grabbing his dart gun off the table as he made his leave.
Once Bentley was gone though, Sly stood up from his chair, grabbing his cane as he head for the door. "Where're ya goin', Sly?" Murray then asked from the couch while munching on a snack.
"Just out." Sly replied. "I'll be back, but don't tell Bentley, 'kay?"
Murray shrugged. "Um, okay?"
"I'll be back soon, big guy, so hold down the fort while I'm gone." Sly said before making his leave.
Just what is Rai up to, and why did she seem so distant about telling us? Sly wondered as he dashed through the jungle, trying to find out where Rai had gone.
However, as if some random stroke of luck, Sly just so happened to stumble upon Rai, but she was standing by the waterfall, just waiting. Sly didn't want to be seen, so he quickly hid himself in a nearby tree top canopy, gazing down at the unsuspecting fox. Rai ended up waiting around for a good ten or fifteen minutes before low rustling had caught her attention. She turned just as the ebony feline herself leapt down right in front of the fox, Sly raising an eyebrow.
Kisara? What is Rai doing with her? Last I checked, she was adamant about not even associating with her, so why now? Sly wondered confusingly.
"If you want me to meet up with you, at least be on time." Rai said, sounding impatient.
Kisara chuckled softly. "Sorry, but sometimes I get lost here in the jungle."
Rai rolled her eyes. "I didn't come here for you to waste my time, Kisara, I came here because you said you knew where the part was."
Sly perked up. "The part"? Does she mean half of the Clockwerk Heart? He wondered.
"Yes, well, it's come to my recent attention that I've managed to discover a secret entrance leading to that half of the Clockwerk Heart. Now, legally as an officer, I can't enter the premise without a warrant, but, well, a thief like you—"
"—Can go wherever I please, yeah, I know." Rai cut in.
"If you know, then don't fall behind, because standing still in this area could be lethal." Kisara warned.
"I don't need you to tell me that, Kisara. Now let's hurry up and get this over with."
The cat chuckled. "Right, well, let's be off then." She then turned and took off in the opposite direction, Rai quickly following after the feline.
The two ran through the jungle, Sly closely trying to follow after the two without being spotted by either them or any of the guards lurking around the area. For the most part, Rai was easily able to keep up with Kisara, especially since she was using the whip attached at her hip to take out most of the thugs in their way. However, Kisara had decided to ignore one of the guards, Rai frowning as she quickly used her cane to smack the monkey in the face so she could move on, though the moment she did, the fox paused, gripping onto her arm. Kisara glanced back, quickly halting as she placed a hand on her hip. "Hey! I said to keep up!" Kisara said impatiently.
Rai just glared. "Shut up! Just...give me a second!" She hissed.
Kisara frowned, until she noticed Rai gripping onto her shoulder, which caused her eyes to narrow a bit. Her arm... She's been injured, that much is obvious, but the question now is how exactly? I've got a feeling I already know the answer to that question though... This could prove problematic...
However, just before Rai got moving again she could help but notice a certain raccoon off in the corner of her eye. He was perched in a nearby tree, trying to use the leaves to hide himself, but Rai wasn't easily fooled as she frowned again. She brushed off the pain in her shoulder as she got ready to catch up to Kisara, until the feline appeared in front of her.
"What are you doing?" Rai asked.
"You're hurt." Kisara stated.
The fox frowned. "I'm fine, it's not your concern." She brushed it off.
"It becomes my concern when you can't keep up with me."
"We can worry about this later, Kisara." Rai then leaned in toward the feline. "We're being tailed." She muttered.
Kisara perked up. "Ringtail?"
Rai nodded.
Kisara just smirked. "Don't worry, we can lose him. Just follow my lead." She quietly reassured. "Now come on." Kisara then took off, Rai quickly following after her.
The two continued their way through the jungle, Sly still hot on their tail. However, just as they got ready to leap down from a small stone building, Kisara signaled Rai. She gave a quick nod as she reached into her pouch, pulling out a small sphere. Rai yanked the pin out with her teeth before slamming the sphere onto the ground just as she leapt, red smoke clouding around her. Sly gasped, quickly pausing before he ran up to the red smoke. He swat his hand around the area, but the moment the smoke began to clear, his eyes narrowed when both Rai and Kisara were no longer in sight. "Damn... I lost them..." He cursed. "Why doesn't Rai want me following her? Just what is she planning?" Sly let out a small huff before turning, dashing off in the opposite direction.
Moments later though, Rai and Kisara started running again in the other direction away from Sly, but Rai couldn't help but glance back with a sympathetic look on her face. I hate to do this, but I can't have him following me... I just don't want him to get involved with Kisara, because she's my problem to deal with, not his...
After a little more of navigating through the jungle, ensuring that Sly still wasn't following them this time, Kisara had finally stopped by a stone door on a small structure that was hidden underneath a large tree trunk, Rai coming to an abrupt halt. "Well, this is it." Kisara gestured. "Oh, and if push comes to shove, I never showed you this door, 'kay?"
"Noted..." Rai acknowledged. "Thanks for showing me."
"Not a problem. Now then, will that be all?"
"Just one more thing..." Rai turned to face the feline, a determined expression etched in her face. "This doesn't make us friends or allies, got it? You are just a means to an end, that's all, so don't go getting it twisted."
Kisara chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, I'm very much aware, Ali."
Rai suddenly glared, clutching her hand into a fist. "What did I say about calling me that?"
"Sorry, I just couldn't help myself." Kisara mused.
The fox narrowed her eyes. "And if you call me that again, I'll ram my cane straight down your throat. That's not my name, not anymore, so stop calling me that."
Kisara chuckled again. "Have it your way." She replied nonchalantly. "Well, you should head inside then before Cooper catches wind of us. I'll be seeing you, Rai."
"Yeah, whatever..." Rai brushed her off as she approached the stone door, causing it to slide open.
"Oh, but before you go, I should mention something to you." Kisara spoke up.
"Make it quick." Rai rushed.
"When you reach the first half of the heart, there are two guards with keys to the wench suspending the heart. You'll need those to get access to the wench so you can drop the part."
"Is that all?"
"That's it."
"Then I'm heading inside." Rai said. "And remember, under no circumstances are you to associate with Sly or the others, because if I find out, I will come for you."
"Oh, I don't doubt that. But until then, I'll be seeing you, Vulpes. Till next time."
"Yeah, sure..." Rai brushed her off.
"Oh, sorry, just one more teeny little thing." Kisara spoke up again.
Rai groaned. "Damn it, what now?"
"It's about your arm; show it to me." Kisara pointed.
The fox tensed up for a moment before sighing as she slid her jacket off her shoulders to reveal the bloodstained bandages around Rai's left arm. Kisara frowned as she approached the fox, lifting a hand as her fingertips just barely grazed the bandages. "What happened?" She then asked.
"It doesn't matter, I took care of it..." Rai replied coldly.
Kisara sighed, lowering her hand. "Given that response, I can only assume it was Rajan who's responsible for this considering there's no one else who could've done something like that to you."
Rai tensed up again, shrugging her jacket back onto her shoulders. "Well, you're not wrong..."
"What did you even do to piss him off?"
"He just...found out who I was, and things went south." Rai replied. "He got my arm, but that's all... I'll be fine."
"I sure as hell hope so." Kisara placed a hand against her hip. "I should kill the bastard myself for this bullshit."
Rai rolled her eyes. "And since when have you ever cared up until now?" She asked, sounding annoyed. "Look, this doesn't concern you, Kisara. This is my problem to deal with, so let me handle it on my own. I don't need you meddling in my business. As it stands, I've already associated with you too much..." She said, turning back toward the entranceway. "Now, if that's all, I'll be on my way." And with that, Rai disappeared into the entrance, the stone door closing behind her.
Once the stone door closed, however, Kisara sighed. "So stubborn, just as she always has been... Well, no matter, because irony will be on my side in the bitter end." Kisara let out a small chuckle to herself. "She says I was her means to an end, but... Heh, oh, if only she knew... Well, soon enough, she will. Best not spoil the fun yet though. All in due time..." The feline let out another chuckle before she turned and dashed off back into the jungle.
When Rai was alone again, she glanced up, and sure enough, the first half of the Clockwerk Heart was suspended right above the center of the pathway just above where one of the guards was standing. Rai drew in a breath to calm herself before she began to move, creeping along the broken stone paths where some small plants and sprinklers were placed. When Rai was close enough, she snuck up to the unsuspecting rhino and gingerly helped herself to his key. Now with the first key in her possession, Rai moved on to the second guard, who was pacing along the pathway. She quietly crept along through the plants again before finally appearing behind the guard. Rai easily managed to snag this rhino's key as well as she tucked it away in her pouch with the first before quietly backing away. The fox then turned, heading over to the wench suspending the Clockwerk Heart. She quickly grabbed both keys and removed the locks around the crank, and once they were removed, Rai threw the lever, the heart immediately dropping down. Upon impact with the stone ground, it caused a strange shockwave of energy, Rai holding her arms up over her face to try and shield it from the blast, but anyone in the nearby radius was instantly rendered unconscious, this being the two guards since they were in the vicinity when the heart dropped. When the blast cleared, however, Rai lowered her arms from her face, and right dead center of the stone platform sat the first half of the Clockwerk Heart, still beating. Rai slowly began to walk up the path, and upon approaching the first half of the heart, she realized it was a lot bigger than she first thought. The fox removed the bag from her back as she crouched down, gathering up the heart as she somehow managed to stuff it into her bag before zipping it up and lugging it back over her shoulders, but not before grimacing in pain from her injured arm.
Rajan's recent attack on me has made it difficult to function properly, but at the same time, I can't just sit around licking my wounds, not when I've got a job to do. I'll just have to bare with it for now... Rai thought to herself before making a hasty retreat.
"Damn it... Just where the hell did those two go?" Sly cursed in irritation, still not able to find Rai or Kisara.
"Looking for someone?" A voice suddenly chirped.
Sly gasped, quickly whipping around, but his eyes narrowed when he saw the ebony feline herself sat atop a tree branch, smirking. "You must be Kisara..."
She chuckled, hopping down from the branch she was perched on as she strut towards the wary raccoon. "Kisara Bombay, nice to make your acquaintance, Sly Cooper."
"Where's Rai?" Sly then asked, cutting right to the chase.
"Rai? Hmmm...dunno." She shrugged.
"You can cut the act, because I know I saw the two of you together." Sly said, folding his arms. "Rai has made it blatantly clear to me that she doesn't want to work with you, so why did I see the two of you together not even ten minutes ago?"
"Just catching up, for old time's sake."
"Then why were you trying to get rid of me?"
Kisara chuckled. "Well, well, perceptive, aren't you?" She mused. "And that was because we didn't want you interrupting our girl time together, that's all."
"It looked to me like you were leading Rai somewhere." Sly pointed out. "Also, I heard you mention something about the Clockwerk Heart, so don't think you can try to stray me from the issue here, Kisara."
"Well, you certainly know how to charm a girl, I'll tell you that." The feline smirked. "And I was just telling Rai that I knew what Rajan was using half of the heart for."
"That doesn't explain why you were leading her somewhere before getting rid of me." Sly said adamantly.
"Just showing her around the area." Kisara replied. "Anyhow, as much as I'd love to play twenty questions with you, I should really be on my way."
"I've just got one more question for you then, since you obviously don't wanna tell me the truth."
Kisara chuckled. "Well, I've humored you for this long, so why not? Ask away." She gestured.
"What is your relationship with Rai?"
"My relationship?" Kisara questioned. "That's a pretty broad statement, don't ya think?"
"I mean, what is your connection with her, because she obviously wants nothing to do with your existence from what she's told me." Sly clarified.
"Ah, well, her and I used to slum it together back when we were just starting out as thieves, making a name for ourselves and such. Granted, I ended up slipping my way into Interpol, so feel free to take that as you may, but the fact of the matter is that her and I used to work together, but now, because of the choices I've made for my own personal benefit, she chooses not to associate with me anymore, plain and simple." Kisara explained.
"Then why would she just suddenly agree to work with you now?" Sly asked, folding his arms.
"Don't get it confused, Cooper. It was simply the fact that I just so happened to have had some information that she wanted, so I gave it to her, because let's be honest here, when it all comes down to it, Rai is simply a means to an end for me."
Sly frowned. "And what is that supposed to mean exactly?"
Kisara giggled. "Whoops, I guess I've said too much. Well, I'd best be on my merry little way now, if you don't mind. Oh, but before I go, I would really appreciate it if you didn't mention this conversation, or even our meeting to Rai, 'kay? Ciao for now, Cooper." And with that, the feline took off, Sly sighing.
"A means to an end?" What exactly does Kisara mean by that? What is she planning on doing to Rai? Sly wondered. Well, whatever it is, the least I can do is try to protect her, but...I just can't mention anything about me even encountering Kisara. I don't know what she'll do if she ever finds that out...
When Rai had arrived back at the Safe House, she let out a sigh while removing the backpack around her shoulders. "So...where did you run off to?"
"Huh?" Rai lifted her gaze, only to find Sly leaned against the nearby wall, his arms crossed over his chest. "I told you, I just went out."
"To do what?" Sly asked.
Rai let out an irritable sigh, practically slamming her bag on the table. "This, so you're welcome. Now then, are we done here, because I would really like to get some rest, please and thank you." The fox then brushed past Sly, heading for her room.
"Hang on a sec." Sly said, grabbing onto Rai's arm.
"Nugh!?" Rai gasped.
Sly immediately paused when he saw Rai grimace in obvious pain. "Whoa, hey, what's the matter?"
"Just get off me." Rai hissed, shoving his hand away from her as she continued for her room while gripping onto her shoulder before closing the door behind herself.
After the door to Rai's room closed, Sly turned, approaching the bag on the table. He quickly pulled the zipper back, but upon opening her backpack, his eyes widened. Sly then reached into the bag, only to pull out the first half of the Clockwerk Heart. "She...got this?"
"I told you that she was, not my fault you don't listen to me." Bentley said, his eyes trained on his laptop as he spoke.
"Then explain why she had to work with Kisara to get this." Sly then said, sounding annoyed.
"Feel free to ask her that. However, at this current point in time, I honestly wouldn't recommend that, but I digress..."
Sly sighed, setting the first half of the heart down as he head for Rai's room. He didn't even knock before practically bursting in, but upon doing so, he was not prepared for what he witnessed. Just as Sly had barged into Rai's room uninvited, he watched as she was removing her jacket, grimacing in pain as she did so, which then revealed the bloodstained bandaging around her upper left arm.
"R...Rai?"
The vixen turned her gaze over toward Sly, frowning. "Do you not know how to knock?" She asked, annoyed.
"Y-your arm..." He pointed, completely ignoring Rai's question. "What happened?"
Rai glanced down at her bloody bandages for a moment before gripping onto her arm, averting her gaze. "Who else?"
"Kisara?"
"No, not her. I would've gut her first – you know that already..." She replied.
"Then that can only mean..." Sly paused, dreading this answer. "No, don't tell me... Was it...?"
"Rajan, yeah..." Rai replied. "When he attacked me, his claws almost cut my face. Instead though, they cut the cloth as well as my arm... I was hoping I could avoid you guys seeing this altogether, but...I suppose that doesn't really matter, especially since I already know why you came in here."
"I just wanna know why you were working with Kisara, even after all the things you've said about her. I don't understand why you would just suddenly work with her after swearing that you'd never do it again." Sly said, trying to understand her motive.
Rai merely sighed. "Don't get it confused." She said. "I didn't work with Kisara because I wanted to, I did it because she knew where that first half of the heart was located, so...I made an exception, this time. Trust me, if I didn't have to, I wouldn't have worked with her, but it's like I said, she knew where the heart was being kept and we were desperate, so I allowed her to lead me to it, nothing more."
"I mean, I guess I understand your reasonings, but..."
"What else was I supposed to do, Sly?!" Rai suddenly snapped. "We had no leads on how to even get to the damn thing, so I took a leap! I got the Clockwerk Heart, so does it really matter why I had to go through Kisara to get it?"
Sly sighed this time. "No, you're right, I'm just overthinking this... Sorry, I'm just a little on edge, I guess..."
Rai's eyes flicked over to Sly for a moment. "Honestly, I feel like I should be the one saying that right now..."
Sly chuckled softly. "Yeah... Guess we're all kinda anxious, huh?" He said. "Come on, let me at least change your bandages."
Rai sighed, a small grin appearing on her face. "Alright... Dumb raccoon..."
Sly chuckled again. "Sly fox..."