Chapter 18 of Wonderland! As of 02/14/12, 6:14, I'm working on four fanfics at once: Wonderland, Born This Way, My Best Friend's Sister (not up yet), and Fire (my newest Monster High fic). I'm a busy bee, I know. In this chapter, we start the beginning of the Contessa's end, and then we move on to Canada. Then we face off Jean Bison, then Clock-La, and then we're done. So, let's move along. Wonderland will probably be around 30-35 chapters. Maybe less.

Your POV:

After that three-week break (which, you defiantly needed from all of the stress from what's happened recently), you get back to Prague. The Contessa, now with Interpol being aware of her corruption, is hiding on in her castle. It's a fortified Gothic nightmare that would make any other thief run in terror, but unfortunately you've got no choice. The Contessa is in possession of the Clockwerk Eyes.

Reading up on the Thievius Raccoonus, you discovered that it's got details about each other Clockwerk part. The book describes the Eyes as heart-stopping; they leave their opponent motionless, transfixed in their gaze. It doesn't take a genius (a.k.a. Bentley) to figure out what such an accomplished hypnotist could do with them. You need to get the Contessa in jail-where she belongs. Total irony that the thieves are gonna get a cop thrown in jail when the cop runs a jail. Wow. That's a total loop.

You go over the list of Klaww gang members in your head. Dimitri's in jail, Rajan is behind bars, the Contessa is next, then Jean Bison, and then Arpeggio. Not to mention, you really want to get revenge on Neyla for what she did. You're not in your "I'm-so-hurt-how-could-she-do-this" phase; no, now you're way into your angry phase-very, very, angry phase.

And Neyla's here too. She's been granted a cash allowance to hire local mercenaries to get the Contessa behind bars. You're walking into a full-scale war. It's dangerous; the Contessa's even got tanks patrolling the area. You need to make sure you don't get caught by them-you know, so you don't get blow up into little sticky pieces.

At least Murray's okay. If anything had had happened to him or Sly, Neyla would've been in real trouble.

Thinking of him, Sly's been rather…affectionate lately. He's still a total pervert, but also…kinda sweet. You wake up every day, and he's cuddling you. It's…kind of weird for you. Most guys are too scared to talk to you, let alone lay right next to you when you're sleeping. It's almost routine now; almost normal. Sly has no problems at all with talking to you-in any way, might you add.

Speak of the devil. "Cinderella," Sly's calling for you. You were looking outside, just trying to get your thoughts in order. What are you going to do when this is over? Are you going to go home? Where is home now? You turn your head towards him. He smirks. "Cindy, it's time for bed. It's almost sunrise, and I won't have you sleeping on the window sill." In twilight, your new area looks even creepier than it does at night. At least then you can't see it as well. You groan and get off from the chair you were sitting n and before you can get past him, Sly grabs you by the wrist and pulls you into his arms. "Baby, c'mon, let's go to bed." You feel all of the color rush to your face, but you're too tired to argue. He pulls you to the couch you've been sharing. Only now do you figure out that Bentley and Murray are already asleep. He's been waiting until they're asleep so they don't know. Wow, he's not stupid.

He lays you down next to him and pulls a blanket over you.

…

You wake up the next day, and Sly's gone. It's Bentley that's calling for you. "Finally," He says. "I've been trying to get you up for fifteen minutes." You groan and sit up, stretching your arms and giving a yawn. You reach for the brush on the stand and comb through your knots. You realize how bad you need to bathe, because you've slept in your clothes for two nights now.

"What's up?" You start.

"Well, it's almost 2am. Time to get up."

You groan. "Stupid turtle, making me do stuff."

Bentley rolls his eyes. "Yes, I know, I'm just such a slave driver."

You go into the fridge, looking for something to get caffeine into your system. "Yes, yes, you are."

In a few minutes, you can hear Sly's voice through your earpiece. "Guys…there's more than just the Clockwerk Eyes up here."

Before you can ask what, your question is answered. "Why are you doing this?" That's Carmelita! She sounds like she's in trouble! With Neyla being the backstabbing bitch she is, Carmelita's starting to friendlier. "Neyla! She set me up! I'm an honest cop!"

"Of course you are. I've read your psychological profile. I know that you're honest." That's the Contessa! What's she doing to Carmelita?

"Then why are you doing this to me?"

"Because dear…you're honest. You see, by chasing after Sly Cooper, you learned too much about the Klaww gang and it's spice operation. It was only a matter of time before you figured out I was a secret member. So, when Neyla gave me a chance to put you into custody, I took it."

"Coward! You're a disgrace to Interpol. I'll make it my life's work to destroy you."

"Oh, I'm afraid your life-let alone you're '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."

"I won't be brainwashed that easily."

"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-relax-go to your happy place, and stay there…forever."

You stand there shocked-this is so messed in so many ways. How could the Contessa actually do that to somebody-brainwash them and turn them into an empty shell. You need to do something-and fast or Carmelita's done for.

"I don't think they've seen you." Bentley said. "Take a few photos and get out of there."

"No." Sly said quickly. "I've gotta help Carmelita, she's in trouble here."

"Bentley, Sly's right. I don't like Carmelita that much, but this is just messed up. We can't just leave her there!" You argue.

Bentley gives you a look that tells you you're not helping him, but he turns back to Sly. "There's nothing you can do now. Take the recon photos and get back to the safehouse. I swear, we'll find a way to help her."

…

When Sly gets back to the safehouse, the first thing Bentley does is go over mission briefings. "The war between Neyla and the Contessa has put the castle on high alert. To get at the Clockwerk eyes, we'll need to subtly manipulate this conflict to our advantage. Here's the plan: Murray, sneak into the castle and kidnap the head of security. I wanna ask him a few questions." He shows you a picture of an elderly-looking bat with a lot of scars and goggles. "Meanwhile, Sly and I are going to be getting a little paranormal." He shows you images of the crypts they have around here. You feel it's disrespectful to the dead, but in the situation, you really don't have a choice. I'll slip into the crypts and put together a "bad mojo bomb". It should be enough to destroy the mind shuffler. Cerlie, you capture a few of the local ghosts and drop them into Neyla's headquarters. I know how eager you are to get back at her." At this, you feel an evil grin on your face. "Hopefully, the near-death experience will inspire her to purchase more mercenary firepower. We've all got our assignments. Good luck."

Chapter 18, yes. I promise, next chapter will be longer and I'd update more (if the goddamn sign in was always being retarded *rage*) but like I said, we're almost in Canada now. Finally, we'll finish this and move on.

See you soon!

~Mimi