Natasha: (on stage with Cooper affiliate banners, posters, etc. and a setup like a radio station) Welcome back to S-A-A-C! Your place to hang with the Cooper gang! …Okay they're not here, but you can still hang!
SQ: ...Okaaay then... Now, besides Natasha going DJ after the last chapter, I have official pre-chapter author's notes. They are: (1) any loose ends from the last chapter will be tied up here (they always are, :P) and (2) I substituted "God" for "gawd" in some dialogue in the beginning because I believe in not using His name in vain (I think Sucker Punch did that in the first game too…). Why not "gosh"? Well let's see: Sly, Murray, and Rexus are gone, Neyla was just seen as a traitor last chapter, everyone's upset, and, oh yeah, they're out in the middle of nowhere! Not to mention that, since the world is no longer a game, anything can happen. Yeah, like it would really be easy to keep your cool in those conditions. Note number three: I was stuck on this chapter for some time until a certain person gave me some ideas on how to progress the story in an e-mail (you know who you are; just not saying since we're not suppose to "talk" to readers in the fanfics). Note number four: my Windows 95 computer has been replaced now by an XP, meaning that I'm now able to continue writing without fear of losing everything. Here's hoping I never have to cancel this, or any other, fanfic. Note five: I will be breaking this chapter into at least two parts since it has enough words as is (besides, this is a looong time filler, taking up the days before the jailbreak). And note number six: I currently have a bunch of things going on right now. I'm surprised I have time to pull this fanfic up and continue it with everything else as hectic as it is. Ah well...Can't be helped.
Audience: (Silence)
SQ: …Can we get something random please?
Natasha: And now for the top song of the week!
SQ: Oh no… Not-
Natasha: "The Murray!" Give it up, ya'll! (music pounds in BG)
SQ: That's it. On with the chapter before people start to hear it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sly Cooper or any relayed copyrights. If I did, I would probably put in a song called "The Murray" in the next installment…(…I hope to someday, though I might be on my way towards working for Sucker Punch if all goes as planned…Or I'll just be an author. Yeah, I'll be an author/writer.)
Important Notes: (Sorry for their abruptness.) The counting of days in the chapter goes by what Bentley says in the setup of Episode 4: "It took a sleepless week of data crunching…" So basically, they have a week to get to Prague (over a week, actually, since it would have taken time from when Bentley originally found out about cell block 'D' to get to Contessa's prison). Plus, I've found out that it's "Safe House" not "safehouse". Also the so-called "song" on day two (the spontaneous one) is mine. I made it so I'm not breaking any rules on the site.
Now, please enjoy this long over-due chapter (which took longer due to the outdated computer and life).
Chapter 20: Unwanted Presence
/Day one…/
The Cooper getaway van screeched and jerked along the off-road trail of dirt as Bentley attempted to drive stick shift away from the jungle. Faye sat shotgun as Natasha sat in her lap - for safety - with Josie in her sweatshirt. Natasha was in tears, softly sobbing as the vehicle stalled repeatedly, making the trip bumpier than usual. Faye held Natasha close, knowing the next few days would be rough, if not impossible, to bear on the hearts of the individuals in the van. Bentley grunted, trying to figure out which position was best for the stick shift as he drove to get them all to refuge.
"Bentley, ugh," Faye grunted as she was jerked back into her seat, "try - er - keeping it - oof - in - uh - one place!" Hands shaking, Bentley left the stick shift in one position, only having trouble reaching the pedals. "Maybe some cut-off stilts or blocks can help?" Faye suggested spontaneously off the top of her head, seeing her companion trying to press the gas pedal and steer the van at the same time. Faye let go of Natasha now that it was safe and unbuckled her seatbelt. She reached into the back of the vehicle and brought up some books bound together with less-than-durable rope. Natasha buckled up in Faye's place, still clutching the poor kitten in her sweatshirt.
"I'll fix these to the pedals. Just keep driving," Faye said, ducking below the seats and leaning towards the gas and brake pedals. It took some doing, but after rearranging the ropes to fit over the slabs of metal, Bentley's feet were only inches from the books and thus being able to control the vehicle better. Making her way into the back of the van again, Bentley said a bit nervously,
"T-Thanks, F-Faye." The young panther sniffled and somewhat spoke in a somber tone,
"It's not your fault, Faye. They were strong…and there wasn't enough of us…and…" She broke down again into tears, making poor Josie struggle to escape from her grasp.
"Yes, it is," returned Faye, moving aside objects in the back here and there, "I knew what was going to happen, but no matter what I did, things just…" She found another two books and rope and sighed, "…Fell apart…" She gingerly picked up the items and climbed back into the front seat.
"But you saved me," insisted Natasha, "If it weren't for you, I'd still be alone in Bollywood or caught by the Contessa and that deranged Neyla." She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue and let out a small, but just noticeable chuckle in her slowing sobs. Seeing a chance to cheer her up, Faye, while adjusting and tying the books to the other ones, commented,
"She's the one who should be in the Contessa's prison. Imagine all the crazy things you could make her do." Natasha, her weepy eyes having a chance to dry, blinked as she tried to see Neyla's reactions in her mind's eye. She chuckled again as Faye added, "Imagine being able to convince her that she was a monkey…or an elephant…or a desk." Natasha said laughing a bit,
"A desk?" Faye finally set the books so that Bentley's feet could reach them. She sat next to Natasha and went on though her voice was not elated,
"So you could tell her that she had once been a tree and that she is reliving the experience from tree to desk." The van screeched and abruptly jerked, hurling Faye forward into the dashboard. A sickened thud of rigid plastic and forehead reverberated in the vehicle. The teenager cried out in sudden pain and held her head with both hands, grunting as her head throbbed in terrible torment. Natasha reached over to put her paws on Faye's right shoulder, Josie jumping out of her arms, and said first,
"Faye! Oh my gosh!"
"Oh my gawd!" Bentley burst out along with the little panther. "Faye, are you okay?" The van slowed as he leaned over to check on her, glancing to the road to see where he was going.
Images flashed before Faye's eyes, or at least on the inside of her eyelids. It was a volcano. She could not remember the name, but it was the same volcano that the foul Clockwerk had been stationed at in Sly's first adventure. She saw the chamber with Carmelita, trapped in the same glass capsule as she had two years ago. A mature Sly was rushing indirectly towards her, passing the various snares to reach her. In another flash, he was across the booby-trapped floor in front of the Inspector. At once, a cylinder cage came down, entrapping the thief. Another flash and she was looking at Murray, chained down like some monster. Shackles were placed around his ankles and wrists and to add to his imprisonment, he was in a cramped enclosure with unusually thick bars that seemed unbendable and unbreakable.
"Three down," said Neyla, appearing before her, the tigress' face enlightened by the glow of nearby lava.
"And one to incarcerate," Faye heard herself say, although it had a slightly more adult tone.
"Faye? Are you okay?" Natasha's voice was distant, but it was enough to bring her back to the present. Faye shook her head and sat back in her seat, her head aching less. She rubbed it a bit and said,
"Heh. I'll live. I'll have a headache, but I'll live… Shouldn't we get going?" Trembling, Bentley nodded and pressed the gas pedal to continue rolling along. Natasha sat back as Faye pushed the images away from her mind. "Go to sleep, Natasha," she said. "It was a long walk and it's going to be awhile before we get to where we're going." Natasha gave a slight groan of protest before settling in her seat and closing her eyes, Josie deciding against huddling in her lap but in a bundle of covers in back. Faye turned to Bentley and put a hand on the wheel, steadying the route the brainy guy was taking.
"We'll get to them. I know we will," she said sensitively with confidence.
'It freakin' hurts! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!'
"I…I know," Bentley said, his voice quick and shaking, "but who knows what's happening to them? Neyla could be planning to use Sly, Murray, and Rexus to trap us!"
'I curse Neyla with a thousand pounding headaches!'
"Neyla has bigger plans than petty kidnappings, but I'll tell you everything at Prague like I promised." Faye let go of the wheel and sat back in her seat, the bumps not as bad as before. It was like a rocking motion, cradling Faye to sleep before a sharp jolt would awaken her. It seemed to occur for hours until the van halted and the engine quieted. Dead tired, Faye peered out the windshield at blurry figures of brown and green in the light of the afternoon sun. Bentley's form climbed over the front seat and into the back, though Faye could not pay enough attention (or at least stay awake long enough) to hear the click-clacking of keys as she passed out.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
A slightly younger Faye was standing next to her raven-haired, bright blue-eyed companion under a group of trees in the moonlight. Both had donned similar black clothing of shirts and pants, blending into the shadows that swept over them and the ground beneath their feet. The dark of night made it difficult to notice the two as they spoke quietly to one another.
"Now," said Trinity, "try again. Try to kick the same area as I have." She swiftly moved a leg and struck a tree trunk roughly five feet up from the ground. Glancing at the stricken area, Faye said to her friend,
"I'm not the most flexible person around, you know. Besides, we've been doing this for months!" The other nodded and crossed her arms,
"Yes, but I have seen what you can do. Your physical ability lies in precision, not swiftness." Faye shook her head.
"I'll never get it, Trinity," she said, each word - save the last - directed with a little oomph. The other merely blinked, unfazed at all by Faye's words.
"I do not, and will not, believe such a thing, Faye. Now kick." Faye sighed exasperatedly, stood sideways to the tree and lifted her right leg off the ground as she kept her balance. Then in one near-fluid motion, a tad hesitant as she tilted herself to one side, Faye hit the standing timber with her foot just about three inches off the mark that had been set. "Almost there. Again," said Trinity. Faye repeated her actions, slowing down a bit to focus on the destined spot, and struck closer to where she was aiming. Trinity nodded. "Good. Again." For what seemed over an hour and a half the night went on, each blow with the foot becoming more and more accurate until Trinity uttered,
"Perfect." Faye smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.
"I did it… I did it!" She chuckled then turned to her friend. "Thanks." She brought down her foot and stretched her aching and worn out limbs.
"Now, try here." The instructing acquaintance kicked higher than before. Faye's jaw fell upon observing the new area almost six feet up the tree. "Remember, it is precision, not swiftness, that is your goal. Concentrate, take your time, and be patient." Faye's eyes dragged over to Trinity.
"You're cruel, you know that?" she said, sarcasm evident in her tone. Trinity replied simply,
"Just as was done unto to me, I will see that your potential is not disregarded."
"Yeah, yeah…" Faye grumbled, already getting tired of being out so late. As she continued to hit the area marked for her, Trinity abruptly grasped her foot in mid-blow after several minutes.
"That is all for now," she stated, letting go of the ankle. Faye returned both feet to the earth as she went on, "Do not fill your life with monotony. In the next interval we assemble we will work on your mental and physical responses. Until then I suggest you rest and recuperate well." Faye unwillingly yawned and blinked, trying to pay attention. "There is no use in pursuing something if your body is not yet ready to carry on, fore it would only injure you." Faye wearily nodded and waved,
"See ya later then." Trinity put her palms together, closed her eyes, and bowed.
"May peace be within your thoughts tonight." She rose. "Just as the moon rises…"
"…the sun sets as they meet in twilight." Faye finished. In unison they spoke,
"Twilight is the origin. Twilight is the end. Where two beings part they will meet again." Everything went black and Faye once again found herself in the darkness of her subconscious. This was evident by the sight of Yami abruptly appearing in front of her face. So abruptly in fact that Faye yelped and staggered backwards (though she did not know how in that space), her heart swiftly beating at the sight of such a scarred face. It resembled a war-worn façade like that out of a documentary of a nearly devastated, yet living, soldier who would assuredly have shell shock. There were no words that could describe such horror of the injured and misshapen face, and Faye could not think of anything scarier or more appalling than what she was gazing upon at the moment. No doubt that it would have haunted her for over a fortnight if it had not reverted back to the familiar visage of her older self.
"Sorry," murmured the other, "I tried not to reveal that to you." Yami did not seem to be terribly upset, yet her tone was sincere. Perhaps that was because it was…natural? The image of something to cause such distortions to permanently wound someone even in death made Faye's stomach twist and churn. Yami disrupted her thoughts as she spoke,
"You saw that, correct? The image of the Gang being captured?" Faltering, Faye nodded in acknowledgment although in truth she was suppressing the contents of her stomach. Yami withdrew from her place, turning her back to the teenager. "That was the beginning of the end. We had arranged to catch Carmelita and use her as bait to lure Sly to us. Once he was close and Bentley was rupturing the firewall for the gas chamber, I drew Murray into the clutches of the Klaww Gang with sustenance, something he desperately required after such a tiresome journey. Within the hour that the Cooper Gang had arrived at the volcano, Sly, Carmelita, and Murray were…incapacitated." The familiar silence of acknowledgement and reflection followed and pervaded the void, both knowing, yet never speaking, of a future that was ill with chaos; a tomorrow that reeked of death; an era in which Clockwerk, fused with a deranged member of the Klaww Gang, ruled a hate-filled world with an iron talon.
"I'll stop it," said Faye, shattering the stillness of the moment. Yami's eyes slid to her left, but she did not turn her head. "I'll stop the Klaww Gang…and I'll help Natasha." Faye's eyes darted to the dark ground she stood on. "…Somehow…" she peered up, "then I'll get home."
"…And Rexus?" Yami fully turned towards Faye, hands behind her back. A small whisper of a "huh" was uttered by Faye proceeded by a low "oh." The thought of the brainwashed golden retriever in custody passed through her mind, making her stomach lurch and her head droop slightly.
"I guess…" said Faye, finally breaking free of her monosyllabic mumbling, "I'll save him." She rose her head up. "What happens from there depends on his attitude and what he wants to do." Yami nodded.
"That is all you can do for him right now. Just trust in yourself and your instincts and keep the Cooper Gang close to you. Good luck." The darkness began to vanish in exchange for a dim light. "You will need it to oppose Fate's design." The light became brighter and more brilliant until it reversed and dulled to a gray.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Faye opened her eyes to the midday glow of the sun's beams piercing the surrounding trees around the team van. Her eyelids threatened to close with the strain of weariness upon her, but she fought against it in a rush, pushing herself up from the position she had woken up in; lying her head down on a small white pillow in the driver's seat with the rest of her body lying where she had been sitting earlier. She sat up, shaking her head and rubbing her closed eyelids with the lower part of her palms. A small groan of exhaustion escaped her lips; three hours of walking through a damp jungle was not exactly relaxing. Rapid clicking and clacking finally reached Faye's ears as she became adjusted to her surroundings. She turned her head - and consequently her torso - so that she could peer into the back of the van. The brainy turtle was still at his laptop, typing away without pause.
"What are you doing, Bentley?" she asked, fatigue clear as day on her face and in her voice. "Our next stop is Prague." Bentley, without glancing away from the screen, replied,
"I'm attempting to identify the location of where Sly and Murray are going to be held." Faye wiped her right hand down her face and yawned,
"I believe it was…cell block 'D'."
"Are you sure?" Faye rested her arms on the top of the seat and lay her head on them.
"I know it isn't 'A' or 'C'." Bentley took a glimpse of Faye then returned to his typing.
"What about 'B'?" Still worn-out from their failed operation, Faye simply answered,
"I dunno anymore." The intellectual turtle halted his fingers and turned to Faye. He said with a hint of urgency in his tone,
"Well we have to know the right one, Faye. Was it 'B' block or 'D' block?" Something in Faye's brain clicked and she blinked. Eyes growing a little wider despite her tiredness, she responded,
"'B' block doesn't sound right. …I believe… No - I know it was 'D' block that they're in…" Faye shook her head and muttered, "Sorry, I mean, that they'll be put in." She blinked and groaned, trying to fight back her exhaustion as Bentley grew silent for a moment, perhaps thinking of whether or not to be convinced of Faye's information. He shook his head and sighed.
"I trust what you're saying," he said, "But I still need to locate a layout of the Contessa's prison to establish a satisfying Safe House." Even in her weary state of mind, Faye could detect the trembling in Bentley's voice. Faye sank in her seat, her eyes and nose appearing just over the top of it.
"Just go to sleep," she muttered wearily. "As long as we get there in a week, we'll be fine."
"But -"
"I'll take care of it. Just get some sleep." Faye's head continued to droop and eventually she curled up on the pillow, falling asleep once again.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
When Faye opened her eyes again, it was still light out, despite the fact that the sun's light was dimmed. Bentley could still be heard typing away on his laptop, a series of jumbled computer jargon escaping his mouth. The passenger side door opened with a small groan. Natasha stood there as her kitten leapt up onto the car seat.
"Oh, hi Faye," she said, "I just had let Josie out for a little bit." Faye sighed and pushed back her bangs with her right hand. All too real was the severity of the situation. So much so that it sent chills down the teen's spine. Sly, Murray, and Rexus were being held captive under the Klaww member Contessa in a heavily guarded prison. Carmelita was going to be hypnotized into being the Contessa's personal slave and most likely sent to kill Faye; no blood on the hands of the Klaww. Would things go just as they had in the game in her world? Would Sly be in solitary isolation when they got there? Would they be too late? And what about Natasha? What awaited her at journey's end? Certainly not to go back to her stepfather who would kill a poor defenseless kitten to establish dominance. Just what would he do to Natasha…? The little panther's voice broke the intensity of the moment,
"Faye?" Faye muttered half-heartedly,
"Yeah…" There was not much on Faye's mind except one thought that she let be fully known, "We've got to go as soon as possible. There's no telling what's happening to the others right now." Faye peered over the back of the headrest. Mr. Never-Stops-Typing seemed like he was going to collapse with his constant mumbling. "Bentley, we need you to drive. We should find a good place for a Safe House if we go there personally to scope it out, so you can get off that laptop." Reclaiming some rationality, he looked up.
"I suppose you're right," said Bentley, suppressing a yawn with his right hand, "but I'm too tired right now… You'll have to drive and Natasha will have to give you the directions." He turned and showed his laptop to Faye as Natasha peeked over the seat to see it. "Just follow the route I've charted and we can get there in approximately four and a half days provided we don't run into any trouble." Bentley restrained another yawn from escaping, though it was futile on his behalf.
"Easier said than done," said Faye, reaching out to receive the laptop. She sat up, sitting the computer on her crossed legs, and looked at the blinking scarlet curves that led to a small, circled island in Prague. Wearily, the brains of the band inquired,
"Can you drive?" Faye looked up and shook her head.
"I never learned. I never even got my learner's permit."
"Me neither," chimed in Natasha, climbing over to Faye's side. Bentley rubbed his head and groaned,
"I'll drive then-"
"After," Faye sternly interjected, "you get some sleep. It does us no good to try and get to the Contessa if you're tired." She wagged her right index finger at him, "There is no use in pursuing something if your body is not yet ready to carry on, fore it would only injure you." Natasha blinked, her mouth open slightly at a phrase that would be expected of Bentley to utter.
"Where did you hear that?" she asked in awe. Faye glanced downwards at the seat as if searching for an answer. She said,
"Not sure… Strange though since I just remembered it. …Think it had to do with some…divine thing…" After a few seconds, something clicked in her head. "Trinity. Trinity…" Faye said slowly, as if trying to recall it completely. She shook her head. "How could I forget that? …My long-time friend…"
"Well…" murmured Natasha. Faye peered over and gave a 'hmm' as the little panther went on, "I might be wrong, but…remember what you wrote in your last journal entry? Something about the Klaww Gang and memories?"
"Memories…" Faye murmured, her eyes darting here and there and finally on the steering wheel as she turned to think, ignoring the fact that Natasha had invaded her journals and was currently taking the laptop from her.
'The Klaww Gang's Dimension Disrupter failed, didn't it? I remember a lot of things, but why not Trinity? She helped me when there was trouble at home. Yelling…' Faye let out a small gasp. Try she might, she could not see two important images in her mind's eye. Again and again she failed, breathing faster under she was hyperventilating. Faye jerked her hand without warning to the car door handle and wrenched it open. She scrambled out of the van, holding her head with both hands. Her breathing wouldn't slow. The word 'no' escaped from her mouth repeatedly. Her mind ran rampant until she breathlessly said to herself, slowing down her breathing a bit,
"Why can't I remember them…? Why…?"
"Faye?" came Natasha's voice. The van's back doors squeaked opened.
"What seems to be the problem?" Bentley's voice questioned. However, the two were not answered. Faye fell to her knees, eyes closed tight in the small clearing amongst the trees. A multitude of voices reverberated within her mind from those she had once heard before.
"Yes, the Dimension Disrupter failed but only partly."
"So how are we going to handle this mishap?"
"You told us that she would lose all of her memory except for her name, the Cooper Gang's weaknesses, and our plan."
"Yes…the Klaww Gang brought you here because they knew about your knowledge of the Cooper Gang."
"Then this means the entire thing is made of Clockwerk parts."
"Maybe that's how the Dimension Disrupter works, by obscuring key components in someone's mind."
"You both have similar energy signatures matching to only one being currently incapacitated. …The disassembled bird, Clockwerk."
"There is more than one kind of prison."
"Faye is a member of the Klaww Gang."
"You're a pitiful excuse for a thief."
"You can't help anyone. Not even yourself."
"I shall rule supreme and the Cooper Gang and Interpol shall fall."
"Kill them."
The final voice was deep, metallic, and full of hatred and as soon as it was finished speaking, the rest of Faye's being fell to the ground. Just before her body hit the dirt, her vision darkened and everything went black. The sinister voice cackled and Yami screamed in defiance, yet the forest did not take notice of them and neither did the little panther and the weary turtle looking over the collapsed form of their companion.
/Day two…/
Faye was angry, although the reason evaded her. She faced Sly and the gang in their Safe House near Rajan's temple, her fists beside her.
"I thought wrong," she said, her hurt voice echoing.
"Faye -" began the raccoon, but Faye cut him off.
"Goodbye, Sly Cooper." She turned on her heel to the door, slamming it behind her as she left. She stomped off towards her left and hopped over the edge, landing on the mushroom and then the ground, safely in one piece.
"I try to warn him," she said to herself, "and how does he repay me? He says I'm a liar. Puh. That's life." Faye began to walk, though to where she did not know. All she knew was that she had to get up to a higher place. All the while she spoke silently to herself, "He accuses accusations; he thinks he can blame me. All because of Neyla who tries desperately to shame me." Her words gained a steady rhythm even though she knew not of where the words came from. "I've kept my temper down in front of that treacherous snake. Everything I've done, I've done it for their sake." In the teen's mind, she suddenly witnessed Natasha standing away from the others near the window. She said to herself as Josie leapt up on the sill,
"How did this come to be? My mentor and idol fighting. She runs off, he's in a huff-" A bolt of lightning came down from the heavens with a tremendous force. "Ack! I hate lightning!" Faye was viewing through her own eyes again.
"He thinks he's right, he thinks he's tough." Somehow Faye had made her way to a sloping vine and leapt onto it, water splashing off of it.
"Well this girl has had enough." Landing on ruins, she continued in a slightly different rhythm,
"I'll go off on my own; leave them all behind.
I'll find my own way home. I can very well use my mind." Another vine, this time leading up to the top of the skull Safe House. She made her way up the vine, still caroling to herself,
"I don't need Sly, that arrogant fool,
Or that Bentley and his unique tools.
I don't need Murray, always eating and snoring.
I'm almost insane; at least it's not boring." Arriving on the unknown remains, a grin creased her face, although it was more of a sneer as she kept her insane rhythm and words flooded from her lips,
"So let Neyla throw away the key!" She tossed her hand to the side and then knelt down,
"Let the Contessa turn their heads in threes!" She spun a trio of stones then rose to her feet and shouted,
"Let the cry of their defeat howl like the weather!
Cut loose the ties that bind them together!"
'Faye!' echoed Yami, but Faye did not cease her rabid rantings. She raised her arms to the thunderous heights above and chanted,
"Let the earth consume their flesh;
Let their bones be crushed and meshed!"
'Faye!' yelled Yami again, receiving only more of the same insanity.
"How glorious it will be when Clockwerk is revived!
And it doesn't take much effort to summarize:
The world as they know it will not survive!" Faye's hands became fists,
"It will be covered in darkness forever more
And Clockwerk's anger shall be the core." A dim, disturbing hue of red resonated as an aura around Faye,
"And then the Cooper Gang shall be no -"
'Faye!' screeched Yami, finally gaining Faye's attention as she lowered her arms and covered her face with her hands. The scarlet color left and the damp and dank surroundings flashed repeatedly until something snapped, ripping the scene in two. As it faded from sight, Faye moaned and peered up to see Yami once again.
"Wha, what is it? What happened?" she asked with some exhaustion hanging on her voice.
"Do you realize what you were saying?" Faye shook her head, trying to recall what had occurred. She said,
"I zoned out after the first few verses…ending shortly after Natasha…and…it felt like something wanted to scream in anger at Sly." Faye peered up, recognizing the stern look Yami was giving her, as if she were worried about something. "…What…is it…?" Yami slowly inhaled, sighing as she steadied herself. She gulped and said carefully and solemnly,
"…It's…Clockwerk's energy. It...seems that...it has remained dormant in you...since the Dimension Disrupter brought you to this world...and it seems...that..." she gulped again, taking another breath of air and attempting to steel her nerves as she continued, "it temporarily emerged in you," Faye's jaw began to drop. "…and it most likely...accelerated the memory erasing process." The teen's eyes bulged to the size of saucers, beginning to well up.
"W-w-w-what are saying?" she stuttered, "I thought the Dimension Disrupter didn't work? How come I'm losing my memories! I can't even remember my parents. I can barely remember Trinity and now I can't remember what they look like." Faye slowed down, speaking a bit calmer, "And the more I try to remember my world, the more I realize I've forgotten. What's happening to me? Why is this happening?" She screeched out the last of her words, clutching her head with both hands. She breathed quickly, beginning to hyperventilate. Slowly, Yami spoke,
"…The memory erasure process part of the machine must have been delayed. I am unsure how Clock-"
"So, what, I'm going to forget everything?" Faye burst, anger evident in her voice.
"Don't say that -"
"Will I?" An awkward silence instantly filled the void. Yami turned away, gritting her teeth and thinking for several seconds before giving an answer derived of joy,
"It's…possible..."
"Then what will I do?" Faye wailed with despair. A thousand questions sped through her mind, but none stayed long enough to be registered as an inquiry. There was only the impression that an answer was needed and nothing more.
"Calm down!" Yami returned her attention to the utterly distressed teenager, moving her hands in a downward motion. "Do you think I like this any more than you do?" For once her tone was unsteady without her usual confidence. Faye, her lips now quivering, said shakily,
"So what do I do now?" Yami blinked.
"Well…" Yami paused for a moment, then said, "First you must regain your composure. Do not fill your mind with woe. You will accomplish nothing by remaining in such a stressed state." Faye almost immediately reacted in irritation,
"Don't tell me not to be stressed!"
"Fine," her older self said firmly, "But think of it this way: people usually have better luck thinking out situations when not under stress. And you are right, I cannot command you to halt your feelings. Emotions do not operate that way." She crossed her arms. "The best I can say is to try and think of what you can do." Faye opened her mouth to speak, yet Yami went on, "I know you wish to free Sly, Murray, and Rexus, but you must take the necessary steps. For instance, let's assume Jean Bison is close to finding the Safe House. If you wish to manipulate him and lead him astray, then you must decide what your options are. If you need to relocate, do so discreetly. If you need to distract him, then make a distraction large enough for him to leave the Safe House's area alone for awhile. If he's too close, then make him leave. It can be with a teammate acting as decoy or, if you are desperate, a Clockwerk part to lure him away. Now, I ask you, what are you protecting?"
Faye muttered a small 'huh,' not expecting a question when her mind was so full of confusion.
"Um," she began, trying to fight words through her jumbled mind and nearly choked-up throat, "the Safe House, but...it's our headquarters and place of operations." She sniffed, a companion that always came with teared up eyes. "We need it to plan our - I mean, their - heists."
"And...?" Yami tilted her head towards the other, wanting more of an answer. The younger of the two, still distraught, muttered,
"Um, I don't know."
"Think," Yami said gently, "what else does the Safe House serve as?"
'It's just like they say in books and video games, I think. There's no time to cry when there are other things to do.' Faye let out a shaky breath of air, breathed in, and said,
"The Safe House..." A flash of a small memory fragment was pulled from the depths of her consciousness. Controller in hand, she was running from a guard in the game. It was close, so very close, but the Safe House was near. A push of a button and she was in, the dumbfounded vulture guard left to tilt its head in curiosity as to where the little irritating turtle had gone to. "...Lets us hide from the guards. It protects us." Then, the answer dawned on her, eyes brightening a little. "And that's what I protect! I'm protecting the Gang from being cap-tured..." The last of her sentence fell in tone. That was the current problem: she still needed to save Sly, Murray, and, of course, Rexus.
"One step at a time young one," said Yami. "One step at a time. Now," she uncrossed her arms, "the timer has truly begun. In order to save them all, beat the Klaww Gang, and get back home, you must -"
"Faye..." It was small and far, but both of them heard it; the little voice of innocence that would snap Faye back to reality at any moment. Yami turned her head to the left and peered into the darkness around them.
"We haven't much time." She turned back to the adolescent occupying the same space. "Faye, can you recall anything about what is suppose to occur?"
"Faye..." A bit louder this time.
"Quickly!" Faye was speechless for awhile, her eyes jerking back and forth, concentrating on the floor. Everything was just too fast for her and her mind was still buzzing from what she had just learned. Clockwerk, Clockwerk; the name making her eyes well up. Too long was the silence though; it was enough for that small voice to grow in volume, once again calling her name. It was like the ringing of a clock tower, signaling the end of her body's unconscious state. Yes, it was fully possible to communicate with Yami outside of her subconscious, but there was no telling just when they would be able connect and time was essential now than ever. Finally, just as Faye's name was being called for the fourth time, she looked up into Yami's eyes and said a bit quickly,
"Yami, can you remember some things for me?"
/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Coming back to reality, Faye's vision had to yet return as her ears picked up mumbling that slowly became clearer as if the volume of the world was being turned up.
"...eeks. If she doesn't come out soon we'll have to take her to a hospital." Her eyes finally began to reveal themselves, the blurred image of the van's metallic ceiling coming into focus. Still, being as dark as it was, seeing was difficult with only a few dim lights to make things visible.
"Wait...I think she's awake," the young familiar voice piped up. A small groan escaped Faye's lips as she sat up, her hands planted on the ground for support.
"Ahh..." sighed a nasally tone in relief, "Thank goodness. ...We were barely able to get this far without being noticed. It would be near impossible to get to a hospital without being picked up on Interpol's radar." But Faye barely heard him. Her mind was still spinning as she lifted a hand and held her head.
"What's wrong?" questioned Natasha, tilting her cranium to one side as Josie stretched her body to relax. The teen could only mutter as her thoughts began to focus,
"It's time you guys knew." Turning from Bentley near the back of the driver's seat, Faye fumbled her hands in the near-darkness towards the van's back doors.
"Faye, what do you mean?" the turtle inquired as she opened the doors and scooted to the edge of the vehicle, letting herself out. She avoided the duo's gaze as she hung her head a bit. Taking a breath and slowly letting it out, she turned to face Natasha, now sitting on the van's back edge, and Bentley, standing beside her.
"I mean," she said, inhaling once more to steady herself, "...That it's time you guys knew the truth."
SQ: (looks through mail) Huh… Fanart for Sly as a Cooper. Go figure. (sees end of chapter) Oh, yeah. Cliffhanger! Gotcha! Ha ha ha! Now you must read the next one! Mwahaha!
Faye: (looks at fanart) Whoa! Nice. I like being popular. :D
SQ: Alright, post-chapter author's notes. The whole "physical ability lies in precision, not swiftness" has been seen a few times in the past (there's a little more behind these reasons, but more on that later on). Examples would be (1) when Faye threw her crowbar in the Counterfeit Room and it came back to her (Sly's world seems to mimic some of the aspects of a cartoon world and it was something that happens in cartoons), (2) when she danced with Rajan (she had to follow every step exactly as she saw Neyla do) and, of course, (3) when she performed Cooper family thieving moves without injuring herself (with thanks to Trinity). It has also been seen that Faye is quick to react (mental and physical responses together) like when she had to fight the brainwashed Rexus. Apparently Trinity has played an important part in Faye's life by improving her strengths. A side note here that is not known (I'd be surprised a bit if it was) is that Faye has played video games most of her life making her…not exactly athletic, unlike Trinity who is very athletic from years of training. I don't know why I'm telling this now since it might be mentioned at a later time. (To answer my own problem since I can…) Probably because it gives relevant information on Faye's prowess and why some of her actions may be a bit unbelievable at times. (Trinity's past is even more unbelievable, but more on that in the sequel.) I'll answer any questions that may arise regarding Faye's abilities and the training she received from Trinity (heck, any questions I'll answer if I can connect directly with the reviewer), but only if it does not spoil the plot for SaaC or SaaC 2. …I think I know how to do it too, but I will not say it here since I don't want to be in trouble at this site and get kicked off. (Whew…Sorry about that long note.)
Faye: (from under letters) There's a shirt in here!
Natasha: (looking at dictionary) Hey, did you know 'bungee' isn't in the dictionary? Weird…
SQ: It's from 1988. Of course it won't have it. Then again neither does this darned 'Word' program…
Faye: (muffled) This is awesome! Ooo, candy!
SQ: No candy; you'll turn into Anti-Faye! (reaches into pile of letters; pulls out bag of sweets)
Natasha: Huh… Oh well… (puts on DJ glasses) And now for the top hit of the week!
SQ: Please not-
Natasha: "The Murray!" Give it up, ya'll!
SQ: (quickly) Until next time! (pulls Faye from under mail)
SQ, Faye, Natasha: May the light of the moon lead the way to the Master Thief!
Faye: Candy!