Gamelover41592- You're about to find out how the Contessa gets exposed.
Shadow Joestar- And it's only gonna get harder from here…
Avatoa- No kidding….Also, yay! New reader!
So much like Gwen, I'm going to call this Duncan's first major change to the Sly Cooper story. Anyways let's get going.
After learning about the Cooper Gang's escape, the Contessa had fled back to her castle, which was giving Duncan the creeps. Despite this, the gang had still attacked her prison, looking for anything that they could use as payback. However, the only thing they could really find was another vault with a technique that was only good for throwing things longer distances.
And then help turned up in the most unlikely of ways.
Flashback
"Hey, Cooper! We heard you and your crew were trying to find some dirt to blow the whistle on the Contessa," Muggshot said when he and Mz. Ruby found the gang. They had been eating at a diner, which, thankfully, didn't have a lot of people there.
"Yeah, we raided the prison, but we still couldn't find anything," Bentley admitted.
"Well, I was able to connect with some of the mojo in the Contessa's castle and I was able to learn that she and that new constable are both members of that no good Klaww gang," Mz. Ruby explained as Muggshot handed Bentley some papers. Everyone leaned over and saw that using her powers, Mz. Ruby had managed to get images of the Contessa with the Clockwerk eyes and Neyla talking to Arpeggio, the leader of the Klaww gang.
"Bentley, do you think you could upload these to the internet?" Duncan asked, still eager for a little revenge against Neyla and the Contessa.
"How about we wait on Neyla's?" Sly said. When everyone turned to face him, he just smiled. "Think about it, if we blow the whistle on the Contessa, let Neyla get the credit for locking her up and then…"
"She gets humiliated!" Murray finished. "Let's do it! The Murray is ready for some payback!"
"Royal payback," Sly confirmed. He then turned back to face Mz. Ruby and Muggshot. "Thanks for the help,"
"No sweat! After all, your boy's the one that kept me and the Mz here out of her jail in the first place," Muggshot said as he put his arm around , who blushed. Duncan was the first to connect the dots.
"Are you guys dating?!" Duncan asked with glee. When Muggshot smiled, his smile got bigger. "Congratulations!"
Duncan was still thinking about that as he made his way to the vault. As Sly had expected, as soon as the Contessa was exposed, Interpol practically launched a war against her, with Neyla at the forefront. Duncan wasn't sure what would be funnier, when Neyla was revealed, or when her smug smile would be wiped off her face when she realized who did it.
"Gah!" Duncan said as he narrowly avoided a tank. The place being a war ground made everything a lot more dangerous. Finally, he reached the vault.
"Security around the Contessa's castle is tight, she must have something really good in here. Punch in...9-6-9," Bentley said. Duncan did what he was told and punched the code in. The vault opened and…
"Bomb rage?!" Scruffy exclaimed. (Rage bomb?!)
"Um, Uncle Bentley? I think this would be best for you," Duncan said over his binocucom.
Job 1: Know Your Enemy
Out of fear, Sly had waited for Duncan before leaving for the re-con job and Duncan had wanted to join in.
"Okay here's the plan. First, take some recon photos around the area then make your way up to the re-education tower," Bentley explained. Duncan shuddered as he looked at the tower. It looked even more freaky then the other places in the castle, which already looked like a horror movie set.
"Looks... pleasant enough," Sly said as Duncan grabbed his free arm.
"Oh and stay clear of tanks. You know, so you don't get blown up into little sticky pieces," Bentley added.
"I like being in one piece!" Duncan complained as he let go of Sly.
"Let's just go," Sly said. The duo had the list of what they needed to find and the only real talk was Bentley giving his expositions on each item.
"The Contessa has these boats out on patrol against Neyla's army. They could be useful to hitch a ride,"
"That's the blimp the Contessa used to escape from the prison. Maybe we can use to our advantage around all these high towers,"
"The Contessa's all geared up for war. Just our luck,"
"Neyla's made a headquarters out of that old bank. It's a pretty secure location. It'll take some doing to drive her out,"
"Okay, head up to the re-education tower. I suspect that's where we'll find the Clockwerk eyes," Bentley said once they had all the pictures.
"Roger that," Sly said with enthusiasm. Duncan knew where that was coming from.
Carmelita was most likely there.
"Let's hit it!" Duncan said as they duo made their way to the tower.
"I think I get why she needed to lock the door," Duncan growled once he and Sly took in the scene in front of them. The Contessa was attempting to use the eyes to hypnotize Carmelita. As Duncan and Sly started taking pictures, it took all of their willpower not to burst in and save Carmelita right then and there. The conversation between the two women wasn't doing that any favors.
"Why are you doing this?! Neyla, she set me up, I'm an honest cop!" Carmelita begged. Despite her trying to hide it, both Coopers could hear the fear in her voice.
"Of course you are. I read your psychological profile, I know that you're honest," The Contessa replied dismissively. Both Sly and Duncan were gritting their teeth.
"Then why are you doing this to me?" Carmelita asked.
"Because dear... you're honest. You see, by chasing after Sly Cooper you learned too much about the Klaww Gang and its spice operation. It was only a matter of time before you found out that I was a secret member. So when Neyla gave me the chance to put you in custody I took it," The Contessa revealed. Duncan had fire in his eyes and Sly looked ready for murder.
"Coward! You're a disgrace to Interpol! I'll make it my life's work to destroy you," Carmelita snapped as she struggled against the straps holding her down.
"Oh, I'm afraid your life, let alone your "life's work" isn't going to last much longer. Once I integrate the Clockwerk eyes into this device your "life's work" will be whatever I tell you," The Contessa replied.
"I won't be brainwashed that easily," Carmelita bragged.
"Quite right, it won't be easy... or painless. But I will reprogram your mind and you will take the fall for me at Interpol. Now, just lay back and relax, go to your happy place and stay there forever," The Contessa said. Now, both Coopers were struggling not to murder the Contessa and keep their vomit in. The only thing that broke up the thoughts of murder was Bentley commentary on their photos.
"That old terminal should be hardwired to the systems in this tower. We need to find a way to get it online,"
"The Clockwerk eyes! They seem to be routed through that control board. Get a shot of the console so I can decipher its make,"
"That's... that's a mind shuffler. I didn't think they were real. It's made of equal parts science and black magic... indestructible to conventional weapons,"
"Interesting. Carmelita is restrained in an old Irontech 2-50. Crude, but effective," Duncan and Sly started getting enraged again.
"Those are the Contessa's elite Shadow Guard. "Tough" is too sissy a word to describe those guys,"
"Alright, head back to the safe house and we'll get a plan together," Bentley ordered. Duncan and Sly pulled themselves away. But before they left, Sly could hear Duncan say something back to the captive Carmelita.
"We're coming, mom,"
Job 2: Ghost Capture
Because Duncan and Sly both were ready to kill something, Bentley had sent them off together, hoping that they would balance each other out. And if that didn't work, Scruffy was with them.
"So what's the plan?" Sly asked.
"Alright guys, there's your new objective. Sneak inside and smash the coffin of the Evil Wolf Priestess," Bentley said.
"Sounds pretty harsh. Does the old girl really deserve that sort of treatment?" Sly replied.
"Weren't you listening? She was an Evil Wolf Priestess. Once you smash the coffin, it'll free all the ghosts trapped in there with her,"
"Okay, I don't know where you're going with all this but freeing trapped ghosts sounds vaguely heroic," Sly replied.
"Minus freeing the evil wolf lady," Duncan pointed.
"Except her," Sly joked as he smashed the coffin. Ghosts started flying out.
"Nice work. Now head outside, and I'll fill you in on phase two," Bentley said. Duncan and Sly raced outside.
"What's so plan the?" Scruffy asked. (So what's the plan?)
"I've modified the imager in your binocucoms to capture ghosts," Bentley said.
"Didn't we just set these guys free? Why would we want to capture them again?" Duncan asked.
"Not to worry, it's only a short-term confinement. Gather all the ghosts then set them free down the chimney of Neyla's headquarters," Bentley explained. Duncan and Sly started grinning.
"I get you, she'll think it's a sneak attack from the Contessa," Sly said.
"Correct. If I did my math right, and I always do my math right, Neyla should respond to the assault by purchasing more firepower," Bentley said.
"Anything bad for the Contessa is good for us... and we get to really freak out Neyla," Sly noted.
"That's going to be the best part. I can't wait to see her face!" Duncan cheered as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Both Coopers split up, capturing all nine ghosts with ease.
"Okay Sly, you have all the ghosts. Now just make your way to Neyla's HQ and drop them down her chimney!" Bentley ordered. With wicked grins, the Coopers dropped the photos down Neyla's chimney. When she came sprinting out, Duncan snapped a photo of her terrified face. One thing he noticed was that she had a very noticeable bandage covering the spot he smacked with his cane.
"So, the Contessa wants war, eh? Perhaps it's time I purchased a little air power; a few bombers should put that old charlatan in her place," Neyla said once she calmed down.
Job Complete
Job 3: Stealing Voices
When Duncan and Sly were in position, Bentley called.
"The Contessa plans on taking control of Neyla's army by fooling them with a prototype voice modulation device. To get the thing working she'll have to jack it into the satellite connection beneath Neyla's headquarters," He explained.
"So, I'm guessing you'd like us to steal the device and hook it up for our side... giving us control over Neyla's mercenaries," Sly realized.
"Sounds great!" Duncan said. Any chance he could take to mess with Neyla or the Contessa was one he was taking.
"You'll have to steal a few keys here and there to get access to the more secure areas of the castle," Bentley said.
"If there're pockets to be picked, I'm your man," Sly said.
"And I'm your little man!" Duncan added, causing the older men to laugh.
"Okay, first, steal a wiretap and the voice modulator, then head for the sewers beneath Neyla's HQ," Bentley ordered.
"Let's get pickpocketing!" Duncan said. He and Sly were able to get the keys from the two guards carrying them with ease.
"Of guard lots!" Scruffy panicked as Duncan and Sly started sneaking around. (Lots of guards!)
"Oh relax buddy," Duncan said as he and Sly had their way to the wiretap, stole it and made it out, all without the guards seeing them. "See? Told you there was nothing to worry about,"
"Still it scary was!" Scruffy hissed. (It was still scary!)
"Oh yeah, that wiretap is perfect!" Bentley awed. "Another set of guards are up in your binocucom. Rob them of their keys to get at the voice modulator,"
"Got it," Sly replied. Once again, the duo were able to steal the key sets with no problem.
"Nice job. The room with the voice modulator is marked in your binocucom," Bentley explained. Much like the keys, they had no problem stealing it.
"I'm Neyla and I'm an annoying backstabbing bit-" Duncan began to say once they got outside, the voice modulator changing his voice to sound like Neyla. Before Duncan could curse, however, Sly stopped in.
"Okay, first off, language and second, that was a good impression," Sly interrupted.
"The Contessa's guards have locked down the entrance to the sewers. Find the guys in charge and steal their keys," Bentley said.
"Why does the Contessa have so many keys!?" Duncan whined. Even still, it didn't take very long.
"That's some quality thieving, guys. Now head for the runoff drains near the riverside. They should lead to the sewers," Bentley said.
"I'm taking a bath when we get back to the safehouse," Duncan groaned.
"Ditto," Sly agreed.
"You'll need to crawl through one of the runoff drains to get to the sewer entrance," Bentley said, causing groans yet again. Either way, both did as they were told.
"Why can't Bentley do something like this?" Duncan groaned as they crawled around the sewers, looking for the satellite. There were a bunch of guards, but those were easy to take care of.
"Isn't he Cooper a?" Scruffy offered. (He isn't a Cooper?)
"He could fit into pipes," Sly replied for his son, causing laughs.
"Laugh it up, you two," Bentley said. "By the way, according to my blueprints, this sewer should take you underneath Neyla's HQ," The duo found the satellite quickly.
"Looks like we got lucky, the Contessa's men have already excavated Neyla's satellite cable. How should we proceed?" Sly asked.
"Splice in the wire tap then attach the voice modulator. I'll broadcast from the safe house to make sure it works... this is going to be so cool!" Bentley gushed.
"I wish I could say some stuff," Duncan said as he and Sly left the sewers.
"Uhh, hello mercenary tank forces... would you mind spinning your turrets for me?" Bentley ordered in Neyla's voice. Sure enough, the tanks did as told. "Gads, this is cool! I mean... you are all... really cool. Carry on,"
Job Complete
Bentley could already tell that everyone(namely Duncan and Sly) was antsy, but luckily, he already had a plan.
"It's time to wage war on the castle and in the confusion pull off a heist I've named Operation: High Road. First, Murray will take down the spotlights on the main gate with the codes provided by General Clawfoot. Then, with the help of the voice modulator, I'll order Neyla's forces to attack. Sly and Duncan will then paraglide the two of us over to the Contessa's getaway blimp and we'll use it to get inside her re-education tower. The assault on the castle will undoubtedly draw the Shadow Guards from their post and if we free Inspector Fox she's sure to clear out the Contessa. With the mind shuffler exposed, I'll plant the bad mojo bomb and presto, the Clockwerk eyes are ours! So if the two of you are ready let's take our positions and get this thing started!"
"Let's do it!" Murray cheered.
"Time to get some payback!" Duncan added.
"Be fun should," Scruffy said as he rubbed his little legs together in anticipation. (Should be fun)
"We're coming, Carmelita," Sly said a bit more subdued then the others.
Job 3: Operation: High Road
Once Murray had finished with his job and Bentley had called for extra "backup", he had met up with a waiting Sly and Duncan.
"Now that you're done being a warmonger, feel like paragliding over to that blimp?" Sly joked.
"Just make sure to grab the rope hanging off that thing... I don't want to drown," Bentley said nervously. Admittedly, Duncan was a little nervous himself. He had never used his paraglider before. Either way, he was still able to make it with Sly and Bentley.
"Hey!" Two wolf guards were on board the blimp.
"Hold on pal," Sly said as he pulled out his cane.
"This could get ugly," Duncan added as he repeated his father's action. Between the two of them, the guards went down fast.
"Alright, let's head for the re-education tower," Bentley said.
"What! The mercenaries have breached the castle defenses! All of you go, defend this tower to the last man!" The Contessa ordered her shadow guards, who headed off. She turned back to Carmelita. "Don't worry my dear, I still have time to finish with your 'readjustment.'"
"Let me out of here and I'll readjust your face!" Was Carmelita's reply.
"Okay partner, looks like the Shadow Guard is out of the picture. You ready to free our violent little princess?" Sly asked Bentley.
"I thought mom was a queen to you?" Duncan asked while Sly just stammered to find a way to explain pet names to an eight old.
"Affirmative, that Irontech 2-50 is a fully integrated system; access to Carmelita's restraints has to be in this old terminal somewhere," Bentley said once he finished laughing. In a few minutes, Carmelita was freed. How she still had her shock pistol just confused everyone.
"Ah-ha! I've isolated the brain pattern... you and I are about to become the best of friends," The Contessa said, oblivious to the fact that Carmelita was now free.
"Okay, new best friend. Hands up, and I mean all of 'em," Carmelita ordered.
"My dear you really…" The Contessa began to say, only to turn around and see that Carmelita was already freed. "Shadow Guard! Shadow Guard!" She called as she raced off, Carmelita hot on her tails.
"Come back here you witch!" Carmelita snapped as she fired off shots from her shock pistol. Why the Contessa didn't take that from her, no one understood.
"That was priceless!" Duncan howled, letting out the laugh he had been holding in. "Scruffy, did you get a good picture of that?"
"Yes heck, did I!" Scruffy said as he uploaded the pictures to Duncan's binocucom. (Heck yes, I did!)
"Stand clear, this might have a larger blast than anticipated," Bentley said as he armed a bad mojo bomb he had created earlier. It blew up and knocked the eyes free. However, it had the side effect of making the room hard to see. Bentley started coughing.
"Uncle Bentley! You okay?" Duncan asked in concern.
"This is no place for an asthmatic... but I've located one of the Clockwerk eyes, can you find the other?" Bentley said as he picked up one of the eyes. The voice that answered was one that none of them wanted to hear.
"No worries chaps, it's safely in hand,"
"Neyla!?" Duncan and Sly exclaimed.
"Thanks for clearing out the Contessa... nothing I did could pry her away from the Clockwerk eyes. Hmm, one should be enough for the old bird. Ta-ta," Neyla said as she raced off, the other eye in hand. Duncan had already started running after her.
"Bentley! Take the eye and escape on the blimp... we're going after Neyla," Sly called back as he took off after his son and Neyla.
"Attention all bombers: focus your attack on the Contessa's blimp!" Neyla ordered once she had gotten outside.
"Heads up Bentley, you're about to come under fire. Get to the blimp's turret and stay sharp!" Sly radioed to Bentley.
"Get back here!" Duncan yelled as he continued to chase Neyla. Much to his glee, Neyla got herself trapped in a spider web, causing him to take another picture.
"You really should watch where you're going, this place is dangerous," Sly chastised her as he grabbed the eye.
"Don't you dare! That eye is mine! It's mine!" Neyla demanded as she struggled in vain to free herself.
"Actually Mr. Cooper... the eye belongs to me," The Contessa said as Carmelita jumped over to Sly and Duncan.
"Mom! You're okay!" Duncan cheered as he gave his mother a quick hug. Carmelita hugged back.
"Did you really think that witch could brainwash me?" Carmelita asked.
"I'm standing right here," The Contessa pointed out. Everyone turned back to her. "That eye belongs to me... and I want it back,"
"No way. You think we're crazy? Actually, on second thought don't answer that, I really don't want your 'professional opinion'," Sly replied.
"Not crazy, just stupid. You're an ignorant child playing dress-up in his father's legacy. Oh I know all about you and the Cooper Clan. And that mutant son of yours," The Contessa replied. Duncan felt his heart sink a little. No one else looked like him. Maybe that was why he was abandoned.
"Leave Duncan out of this!" Carmelita snapped as she pulled out her shock pistol. Duncan pulled out his cane, his spirit returned.
"Then you'll understand why this eye needs to be destroyed," Sly tried to reason with the Contessa.
"Short-sighted fool. I've no interest in your narrow interpretation of morality. I'm above all that, above good and evil," The Contessa bragged.
"Ego much?" Duncan snarked.
"And you think we'd give the eye to someone that's 'above morality'" Sly asked as he pulled out his own cane.
"Enough talk insects! It will be just as easy... and more fun to pry it from your cold, dead hands," The Contessa said as she prepared to fight.
"The only bug that needs to get stepped on is you!" Duncan replied. The Contessa tried to take them on, but even with her skills, it was still three to one. Even when she was able to steal the eye, she was fast to take down.
"You've got strong mind Coopers. I never would have guessed!" The Contessa said before passing out.
"...and done!" Bentley said as he uploaded the pictures of Neyla to the internet.
"Let's see how she likes being on the run," Murray laughed.
"This won't restore my career, but it makes everything worth it," Carmelita said as she sat down next to Duncan. He couldn't bring himself to face her. "Duncan, are you okay?" Duncan threw himself into his mother's stomach.
"IT'S ALL MY FAULT! If I hadn't slipped up, you would still be a cop! I'm so sorry mom!" Duncan said, tears flowing. Carmelita forced her son to look her in the eye.
"Look at me, Duncan. If this was anyone's fault, it's Neyla. I don't blame you for anything. Heck, if you hadn't saved your father and your uncle, who knows what could have happened?" Carmelita comforted her son as she brushed his tears away. Duncan just gave her another hug.
Finally got this done! So I really like giving Duncan and his parents cavity inducing moments, but eh. Also, can someone try to make this series a page on TV Tropes? Anyways, I LOVE the Contessa! She is easily the best female villain in the series. I could have done without chapter 4(hence why I skipped it here, only like two missions were fun) and her boss fight was kinda easy, but it was her personality that won me over. Always sounding so cool and creepy and managing to keep that up even when things weren't going her way. Despite the fight being easy, it was still fun and it kinda makes sense that she had an easy fight. She isn't a fighter, she's a manipulator. Next time, it's off to Canada to take on Jean Bison and maybe trigger something for Duncan? Who knows?