Gamelover41592- Relax my friend, I will be removing BOTH of the things Sly 4 is hated for(Even if it's my favorite game in the series). And the pirate mission is my favorite in Sly 3 so I have plans to make it work. Notice how the gang said they own Muggshot a favor now
Shadow Joestar- Sorry Dimitri will not be in the story. As funny as he is, I wanted to use what I set up for Muggshot and Mz. Ruby instead.
Okay, you all know the drill at this point. Let's go.
Once again, Bentley had decided the gang needed another member. This time, it was a demolition specialist. The choice for said member didn't surprise anyone. The Panda King was the best option. His skills with fireworks were rivaled by none. Carmelita was already on another case, so the gang chose not to bother her. Either way, they packed up and headed for the chinese mountains. The Panda King was rumored to have become a monk there.
Job 1: King of Fire
"Can he hear us?" Duncan asked. They had seen the Panda King atop a large pillar, but he was not responding to anything.
"He must be in a deep meditative trance," The Guru realized.
"And how do we get him out of that trance?" Sly asked.
"We'll need to get up there. Hmmm, it'll take some doing, but I think I see a way to get the team up to his shrine," Bentley explained. "Murray, you're up first. If you can get to the top of that pillar, you should be able to use your ball move to bounce all the way up to the Panda King,"
"You got it Bentley!" Murray said. He quickly curled himself into a little ball and managed to bounce himself up to the Panda King. "Okay, I'm in position!"
"Penelope, you're up next. I'm not sure if you're aware, but Sly and Duncan can jump onto small points. Those bamboo shoots would be an ideal means of ascent if they weren't spaced so far apart," Bentley said.
"Hold on, hold on... let me see if I can figure it out for myself," Penelope insisted.
"It's, uh... got to do with the ice," Bentley hinted.
"Okay, so clearly we need more points in order for Sly and Duncan to ascend. The problem: where're we going to get 'em? The answer: split each shoot down the middle, thereby doubling the points of ascension. However, the ice down there appears too thin to walk on, so there's no way to do it by hand. So, I'll need to use my lightweight remote control car to split the trees for us," Penelope realized.
"Perfect, that's it exactly!" Bentley said. Pulling out said car, Penelope got right to work, quickly splitting the poles in half.
"Thanks rookie!" Duncan joked as he and Sly used the bamboo to work their way over to Murray.
"Whack the supports up on those pinwheels," Bentley said.
"Really?" Sly asked.
"Pinwheel destabilization is the cornerstone of this plan!" Bentley insisted.
"Whatever you say, Uncle Bentley," Duncan said with a sigh.
"Jump into my hands and I'll throw you up there," Murray offered. Duncan and Sly were quickly able to get them destabilized. Bentley lit the rockets on the pinwheels and the Guru knocked them over, making a bridge all the way up to the Panda King.
"So now what?" Duncan asked.
"He is deeply focused in his meditative stance," The Guru said.
"I agree, he's in a super-meditative state," Bentley agreed.
"So let's just shout in his ear," Duncan said.
" No, to break him out of this trance, we'll need to delve into his mind," Bentley explained.
"A hacksaw then?" Sly offered.
"No, it'll require channeling," Bentley explained.
"I believe I could channel their minds together," The Guru said.
"Sly, sit beside the Panda King. The Guru will bridge your minds," Bentley ordered. Sly did as told and the Guru bridged their minds. No one knew what was going on in there, but soon, both men were awake.
"Ah, so you have found new members," The Panda King marveled as he looked over the Guru and Penelope.
"Listen, we actually have an offer for you," Sly said. "We need a demolition expert for a really big job and we were wondering if you would like the job,"
"Plus, your skills are unmatched by anyone else," Duncan added in. Flattery was one of his favorite tools to get away with things at home. Or to steal the last cookie from under Hunter's nose.
"I cannot leave yet. I have someone who needs me," The Panda King said sadly before turning to Sly. "You are not the only one with a child, as I'm sure you remember me saying at our duel. I, however, failed to protect mine. A war general from the northern mountains took her from me and banished me when I tried to resist. She is to be his bride in order to increase power to his family name," All the other gang members had sympathetic looks on their faces as the Panda King recounted his tale. However, none looked more upset then Sly. He glanced at Duncan, then turned back to the Panda King.
"Listen, speaking as someone who is a parent and had to watch their own parent….you know, I know the pain that you are going through and would be happy to help you rescue her," Sly said in a rare moment of maturity.
"So if you help me save Jing King, then in exchange-" The Panda King said, only for Sly to stop him.
"There is no 'in exchange', this is just something we are doing to help out another parent," Sly explained.
"Very well then. Come, I will show the village that she is being held in," The Panda King said.
Job Complete
"We all know that our objective here is to retrieve the Panda King's daughter, Jing King. She's being kept against her will by this man, General Tsao. A real asshole, this guy. During surveillance, I actually witnessed him kick a puppy, twice!"
"The monster! Who would do that?!" Duncan asked.
"He plans on forcing Jing King to marry him next Saturday. Clearly, time is of the essence. Here's the plan: First, I'll approach Tsao in disguise and attempt to get hired as his wedding planner. Hopefully, with a man on the inside, we'll get some news on Jing King. Still, we need more information! Two of us will need to work together to steal a pair of twin keys and break into Tsao's house of business. Once inside, I'll need to utilize some new technology to circumvent their ultra-tight security. We can't leave anything under chance here, or Jing King lives unhappily ever after,"
"End the!" Scruffy joked. (The end!). Duncan replied by flicking his pet across the room. He crawled back onto Duncan's shoulder and glared at him. Duncan just replied by smiling and trying to ignore the adults(Minus the Guru, who just looked confused) who all thought it was the funniest thing ever and had burst into laughter.
Job 2- Grapple-Cam Break-In
"Okay, General Tsao's center of business is protected with a special double padlock. If we can get inside, and past all the security, we should have access to the purchase records for the wedding," Bentley explained to Duncan once they met up.
"So what are we waiting for?" Duncan asked. "Let's go,"
"I'm afraid it's not that simple. The keys are designed with a self-destruct feature and the guards carrying them are in constant radio contact," Bentley explained.
"Oh, so if I get one, the other will have been blown up before I can even move," Duncan realized.
"That's right. We need to steal the keys almost simultaneously. Since you're better at this than me, I should probably go first," Bentley said.
"Okay, I'll get behind the other guy and I'll let you know when to go," Duncan said as he made his way behind the guard with the other key, turning invisible just to stay safe. "Okay, I'm ready,"
"I've got the first key! Go for the second before the guards call in!" Bentley ordered. Duncan quickly grabbed his own key and made a break for it.
"Excellent, the key's intact! Let's meet in front of the general's statue for the hand-off," Bentley said.
"Roger that," Duncan said as he made his way over to the statue. In his mind, Duncan was already coming up with ways to destroy it or vandalize it. Bentley was waiting for him already and Duncan handed the key over.
"Nice work. With this second key and my Grapple-Cam, I'm all set up for the inner office," Bentley said.
"Are you sure you don't need me there with you?" Duncan asked.
"I'm afraid this is a problem only technology can solve," Bentley said.
"Okay then...have fun with your...technology," Duncan replied as he made his way back to the safehouse.
Job Complete
"The operation is running smoothly. With access to General Tsao's database, and Sly successfully hired as the wedding photographer, we're ready to make an attempt for Jing King. Given the complexity of Tsao's downloaded data, I programmed my computer to automatically analyze the—what the? G-General Tsao! He's... he's got my computer! Our whole plan is on that computer! How did he find us?! We're doomed!" Bentley panicked. Duncan just shoved a paper bag into his mouth, which he quickly started breathing into.
"Bentley, calm down! I need you sharp. Listen up, team, this Tsao character is more clever than any of us thought. As of this moment, we have one goal: steal back the ThiefNet computer. The time for subtlety is over. Bentley, break into the palace and ransack his personal computer. He might have linked it to ours. If so, that's where we'll start. The rest of the team will stand ready. No telling where this might take us," Sly ordered as he took over.
Job 3: Laptop Retrieval
"General Tsao's computer has to be around here somewhere... no need to be sneaky. Let's just get the job done," Sly said as Bentley rolled up to him and Duncan.
"Understood, I'm heading in," Bentley replied as he headed inside. A few minutes later, he radioed the,. "A-ha, I think I've found something. His diary mentions a secret passage through the prayer bell... then a 'walk across the heavens.' You getting this, Sly?"
"We're en route to the bell right now," Sly said as he and Duncan ran towards the bell.
"Better bring along the Guru. This sounds like his department," Bentley said. After making a quick detour to pick up the Guru, Duncan and Sly reached the bell.
"It says here to stand under the bell. I'll need to set off the transfer sequence from here," Bentley explained. As soon as all three of them stood under the bell, they were on top of a high cliff.
"I'm beginning to think that Tsao doesn't just have an army," Duncan said.
"This was most certainly black magic," The Guru agreed.
"Moving on, got any ideas about that 'walk across the heavens' thing?" Sly asked the Guru.
"I believe I have an idea," The Guru said as he used his magic to levitate a nearby guard.
"That's amazing!" Duncan marverled.
"Also and humiliating really the for guards," Scruffy added. (And also really humiliating for the guards)
"Sly Cooper, I will need to ride on your back in order to keep the levitation going. I can keep one or two going behind us for Duncan Cooper, but I could only raise one ahead at a time," The Guru explained.
"Of course! If you need to ride on my back to keep the levitation going, be my guest... I'm not a big fan of falling to my death," Sly said. He knelt down and the Guru jumped onto his back and the group started their trek across. After a few minutes of jumping they had reached a mountain with a crawlspace.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to join you. I require rest," The Guru said.
"No problem. Wait here and rest. I think we can handle Tsao," Duncan said as he and Sly crawled through the crawlspace. On the other side was a forest of bamboo with a mist covering the tops. Duncan and Sly each spire jumped onto one, just before Tsao came out.
"Ah, the famous Sly Cooper and his son, Duncan Cooper. It seems you and your little gang were able to follow the trail I left for you. Of course, you'll be helpless without them, as you'll soon discover," Tsao taunted.
"We're not ashamed to rely on our friends and family," Duncan replied.
"Who needs friends when you can have servants? Who needs affection when you can have obedience? Ah, why try to convince you when I can simply destroy you? This sacred forest has been the stage for hundreds of battles, as my ancestors crushed anyone who got in their way, and you will be no different," Tsao ranted.
"Bentley, are you hearing this? What's he talking about?" Sly asked.
"I've heard of these types of battlegrounds before. The energy from all the fighting that has gone on before strengthens the combatants, allowing them to soar for long distances. You should be able to fly all the way across the arena with one jump! Plus, you can probably change directions in the air with your double jump," Bentley explained.
"Awesome!" Duncan cheered.
" Enough chit-chat, Coopers! Face me now, and prepare for the end of your legacy," Tsao said before leaping towards them, shield at the ready. However, as good as he may have been, it was still two against one and Tsao was knocked into the forest below, laughing.
"Get back here and take your beating like a man!" Duncan said as he and Sly jumped after him.
"Well done, esteemed wedding photographer. I'm impressed you've lasted this long," Tsao said, almost sounding legitimately impressed .
"You never would have learned that if you hadn't taken the laptop," Duncan taunted.
"Stop this, Tsao. Release Jing King and this fight can end," Sly offered.
"No! Jing King is mine. Once our bloodlines cross, it shall be glorious. The Panda King, in his day, was magnificent. With the Tsao name, a new generation of Kings will be unstoppable!" Tsao explained. Duncan cringed at what he was implying.
"But she doesn't want to marry you!" Duncan pointed out.
"She's a woman! She doesn't know up from down! Once I 'convinced' her father to take up meditation, she was ripe for the picking," Tsao said.
"I can't wait for you and mom to meet," Duncan snarked.
"The cop?! The best she could manage would be to kiss my feet!" Tsao replied, not realizing that he had just royally pissed off both of his opponents even more then they already were.
"I've faced a lot of bad men in my time, but you sir, are the worst," Sly hissed as he and Duncan readied out their canes.
"Oh, it gets worse, Cooper. Up until now, I've gone easy on you... but now, now you'll sample the ancient black arts of the family Tsao!" Tsao said as he pulled out his shield. Once again, he put up a good fight, but the two Cooper's defeated him.
"Now whose bloodline is stronger?" Duncan bragged as he flexed.
"You're not even a real Cooper!" Tsao replied as he stood up. "I don't know why Sly even took a weakling like you in!" Duncan was about to reply, Sly beat him to it.
"He may not share our blood, but Duncan is a true Cooper," Sly countered. Behind him, Duncan smiled. Tsao growled
"You have won this battle, but the war rages on! Take your foolish computer. It won't help you. Jing King is mine," Tsao said as he tossed the computer to Sly.
"Jing King is a person, not property. And sorry pal, but we're ending this right now," Sly said. Tsao just threw a smoke bomb down and made his escape.
"Beware... beware the power of Tsao!" He declared.
"Coward!" Duncan called after him.
"Thankfully, we've managed to retrieve the ThiefNet computer. However, all of the plans stored inside are now compromised! The wedding is still on; Jing King remains Tsao's prisoner. Yes, we are going to free her, but that's not enough. No, for this heist we really need to put the screws to this guy. He's earned it. So we're cleaning out his treasury as well, a feat impossible without Murray's van. Unfortunately, Tsao sabotaged it by ruining the polycellular battery. I'll need Duncan's help to acquire a new one, which won't be easy, as the General's gone all out with security. He's even resorted to black magic dragons and hopping vampires patrolling the streets. We'll need to even the odds before the wedding. Sly, you and the Panda King will work to gather some fireworks and blow up the vampires' crypt. No crypt, no more vampires," Bentley said after he had finished making sure that everything on the computer was still working perfectly.
Job 4: A Battery of Peril
"Is the battery complete?" Duncan asked as he met up with Bentley.
"Yes, it just needs to be charged," Bentley explained.
"Do you have a charger?" Duncan asked.
"Carmelita is in the area. All you need to do is have her hit a few times with her shock pistol," Bentley explained. "Since Sly is busy helping the Panda King, I figured you'd be the next best person to speak her,"
"On it!" Duncan said as he strapped the battery to his back. It didn't take him too long to find her. But, in an attempt to surprise her, Duncan ended up slipping and falling face first into the snow.
"What are you doing?" Carmelita asked between laughs.
"Making snow angels," Duncan lied as he pulled himself out of the snow. "I actually need you to help power this battery. Uncle Bentley said for you to hit it with your shock pistol a few times,"
"I think I can help you with that. My aim has been getting better with all of Tsao's guards. They all seem to share his stance on women and what they are good for," Carmelita explained.
"You shoulda heard what he said about you," Duncan said as placed the battery against the wall, allowing Carmelita to shoot at it without knocking it over. "Something about you only being good to kiss his feet," The next blast came out a bit harder then last ones.
"I can't wait to arrest him. The look on his face when he sees that a female officer will be great," Carmelita said as she finished filling up the battery.
"I wouldn't miss that for the world," Duncan said as he slung the battery back over his shoulder. "Later, mom!"
"The battery is fully charged. Plug it into one of the mainline outlets to stabilize it, then we'll attach it to the van," Bentley explained.
"Got it!" Duncan said. It didn't take him too long to find one and even less time to get back to the safehouse with it.
"Excellent! The van is ready to go!" Bentley exclaimed.
"You rock, Duncan!" Murray cheered.
"Time to free Jing King, rob General Tsao blind, and send him up the river! I call it "Operation: Wedding Crasher." This will be a multi-pronged job, with two groups working simultaneously. I'm sure I don't need to stress the importance of the schedule to anyone. First, Sly, Penelope and Murray will make their way past all the security in Tsao's Treasure Temple and then drop the goods off to me for loading into the van. Meanwhile, the Panda King and Guru will tunnel beneath the palace, creating an escape route for Jing King. Then, with the girl and loot in hand, we run for it!" Bentley said with another slideshow. Everyone was excited to bring Tsao down.
"I'm not even surprised at this point," Duncan deadpanned as he watched the scene before him. Murray thought it would be a good idea to belly flop into Tsao's very old wooden vault, destroying it and bringing the temple it was in down with it. In a rage, Tsao had summoned a dragon which had kidnapped Penelope.
"No! Let go of me!" Penelope begged.
"Penelope!" Bentley panicked.
"Ha-ha! The Tsao line is master in this place! Hear me, Coopers? My lineage surpasses yours in every way!" Tsao bragged to Sly and Duncan.
"It's not about the family name, pal," Sly began.
"It's what you do with it!" Dunan finished as he and Sly shared a fist bump. Sly then ran over to some fireworks and launched himself up to the dragon.
"You Coopers will pay for your-!" Tsao began, only for a blast from Carmelita to hit him in the back.
"Thank you!" Duncan said. "I was getting sick of hearing him talk!"
"My pleasure," Carmelita said as she handcuffed him before stepping on his head. "Who's the foot kisser now?" Tsao just growled as he slammed his face into the snow. By this point, Sly had saved Penelope and Murray and the Panda King had finished loading the loot into the van.
"Jump in quick and we're outta here!" Murray ordered.
And that's another episode down! General Tsao is one of my favorite love-to-hate villains. He was so evil that beating him down was a blast. Sadly, the level itself was pretty bland and the same goes for the missions. The only ones I remembered were the ones that dealt with fighting Tsao and where Murray had to save the van. That's it. As for the Panda King, I loved him in Sly one and I loved him here. The idea that he was a father added to his tragicness. Anyways, I think I'll keep it a secret next time. See ya!