*Chapter 3: Jim McSweeney*
"Hello?" Sly called through a cave. He had no idea how he got here. He's walking through the darkness of a cave, listening for anyone or anything. A noise is heard behind the darkness. Sly's ears perk up and face the dark. The noises sound like metal. Two yellow lights flash before the raccoon who stumbled back. Then, the eyes turn red. Sly could feel his fur rise in fear, his eyes grow big. Something is wrong here. Sly couldn't move from his spot. Those red eyes stare back with hate.
"You are next, Cooper." A voice said. It didn't sound familiar to Sly. "After your death, there will be no more Coopers." The dark figure let out a roar and lunge at Sly. The raccoon shields himself, yelling when a creature lunges at him. Sly felt something grab his arms, voices screaming his name.
"Sly! Sly! Wake up!" Bentley cried out, shaking his friend awake. Sly opened his eyes and pant. He's sweating. Murray and Bentley watch Sly with worry. Sly wiped his forehead and face his friends. "Sly, you okay?" Bentley asked.
"You must've had a very bad dream." Murray said.
"I...I..." Sly stuttered. So it was a nightmare. It felt so real. Sly never a nightmare this bad before. The raccoon jumped off his bed and went in the kitchen to get himself a glass of water.
"You were talking in your sleep, and you started screaming." Bentley said. Sly took a big gulp of water.
"Was I?" He asked.
"Yeah. You woke us up as soon you scream for your life." Murray told him. "What was the nightmare about?"
"I...I don't know." Sly replied, not facing his friends. "What time is it?"
"Almost 6 in a morning." Bentley said. "Look, if you need more rest before we head out to the US-"
"No." Sly spoke. "I'm fine. I'm...wide awake now." He went to the bathroom to shower. Murray and Bentley look at each other in silent. They never see Sly look so spooked by a nightmare before. This one must've been a real bad one that scared him.
"Well, guess we better pack up." Murray said. "I'm gonna give the van more gas."
"Alright. I'll just...pack up everything we need." Bentley said walking over to his desk with gadgets and blueprints lying around. This will be a long trip to the United States.
XX
Sly's head was low as the warm water hits his fur. His mind was in pieces after a nightmare he had. Those red eyes full of hate gave him chills. He could've sworn he saw wings spread out and a figure lunge at him. What is that creature anyway? The raccoon shook his head and continue to wash. Maybe the nightmare meant nothing. He needs to focus on a journey today.
*United States - Heathrow Penitentiary*
In prison, a purple walrus is sitting in his cell quietly one night. The only light is from the moon, but a shadow appeared in his cell. The walrus looked up at the barred window to see a dark silhouette.
"Who's there?!" He growled.
"Shh! Relax." A voice said. "Are you Jim McSweeney?"
"Who wants to know?" A walrus asked, raising a brow. A figure hands over a photo of his father to the walrus. The criminal took it and examine it. A male raccoon holding an infant son caught his attention. "Conner Cooper." He spoke. Before he could ask a figure about a picture, the silhouette was gone. "Hello?" The walrus called.
"Psst! Jim!" Another voice whispered outside his cell. The criminal turned around to see Bentley disguised as a security guard along with Murray. "Don't worry, we're not real guards. We're criminals like you!"
"So, you knew Sly's dad?" Murray asked.
"Wait, hold on. Who are you guys?" Jim asked. Joining Bentley and Murray, there is Sly, also disguised as a security guard. When Jim took a better look at Sly, his jaw dropped. "Wait a second..." He spoke. He looked at the picture again, then at Sly. "You...you're Conner's boy." Sly grinned at him.
"It's been a very long time, Jim." He said. "I was afraid that you forgot all about me."
"How could I forget about you, Sly?" Jim ask with a grin. "Man, I haven't seen you since you were a tiny little rascal. You used to climb on my shoulders a lot, trying to learn how to climb like your dad." Sly chuckled a little. Of course, he was a small child and barely remember anything that involved Jim.
"Sorry to ruin a little reunion, but we need your help, Jim." Bentley spoke. "You see, we're going to get the Thievius Racconus back."
"The book was stolen?!" Jim gasped. "By who?"
"We don't know, but he killed my father and took it when I was eight." Sly said. Jim was silent for a moment.
"Do you know anything about these guys?" Bentley asked, handing over the criminal files over to Jim. "You must know who they are." Jim flip through the files of the criminals and look up at the three.
"They know Conner well, but they probably don't know about his death." Jim spoke. "Sly, you sure you're ready for this kind of heist? I know the book means so much to you and your ancestors, but...this could be a dangerous heist."
"I've been practicing and practicing, Jim." Sly told him. "Hey, you could help us along the way if we get you out of this dump."
"Yeah! Maybe we could give some baddies a punch!" Murray said, cracking his knuckles.
"You can't do that, guys. If you guys are serious about this, let me give you some tips before you go on." Jim said with a serious look in his eyes. Sly, Bentley, and Murray listened to Jim's advice about tracking down the five criminals who are enemies of Conner. Muggshot the guy they should track down first since he lives in Mesa City. Second is Dimitri. Third is the Contessa. Fourth is Jean Bison. And the last member is Mz. Ruby. They all should know who took the Thievius Raccoonus. Sly will not rest until he got his book back.
"Guys, we better leave soon." Murray said, looking down at the first floor to see the guards with flashlights searching the place. Bentley gave Jim a earbud in case they get in contact for more tips and updates.
"Be careful out there, boys. Always stay in contact with me, ya hear?" Jim said.
"Will do. See you soon, Jim." Sly said. They both shake hands before the gang left. The walrus smiled and look at the photo of Conner. The Cooper Legacy will continue on. But frowned when a thought came to him.
"I hope he won't get to Sly first..." The walrus walked away from the bars and put away a photo when the guards pass by with flashlights.
In the van, Bentley got a photo of Muggshot and told his friends about heading to Mesa City that is hours from this prison. Murray started up his van and drove off when Sly and Bentley are planning of how to get close to Muggshot.
"The first thing is that we need information and have his so-called town taken down. He calls Mesa City his own town." Bentley said.
"He could be pretty tough to take down, but I got ways to get him on a leash." Sly said with a smirk.
"Look, we got time to think this through. Just be prepared when we arrive Mesa City." Bentley suggested.
"We hear ya loud and clear, chum." Murray said, nodding. "And Sly, you always have me as your muscle! That bulldog won't stand a chance against 'The Murray'!" Sly chuckled a bit. So, the gang drove down a long road to Mesa City to take down the first member.