[I do not, and NEVER WILL, own Sly Cooper]

Chapter 4: Operation: Gold Digger

Once we were back inside the Safehouse, Bentley gave us the rundown for what we were gonna do:

'Okay, eyes front everyone; The clock is ticking on this one, so we don't have time to monkey around. Toothpick's gold train is already rolling, and with the incorporation of our van, it's virtually impossible to stop. Thankfully, Tennessee was able to divert the train's route, which gives us the chance we need to catch it. First, Murray, you're going to get the van back. It's positioned near the rear of the train acting not unlike a booster rocket. It's going to take your considerable fighting skills just to reach it. The catch is, that it's been secured with a set of special magnetic locks, which can only be broken by someone of your own immense strength. Once the van is free, you'll be able to catch the train and pick each of us up as we complete our tasks. Carmelita, you and I will tackle the next set of cars, I need you to use your peerless marksmanship and cover me, while we make our way forward. It won't be easy; The train is crawling with guards, and they'll be gunning for both of us. Our goal is to reach a computer terminal near the middle of the train, where I'm going to do a little hacking. As we already know, Toothpick cannot stand high-pitched frequencies, particularly whistles. So I'll reroute the power control of the steam whistles on the train engine. Something tells me this will come in handy when we finally reach him. Sly and Tennessee, you're up next. To ensure we stop Toothpick, we'll need to cover all possible escape routes; so Sly, you'll take the roof of the train; Tennessee, you'll move through the cars, where we should be able to reclaim your gold along the way, but your gunslinging will definitely be put to the test. You both should reach the engine around the same time, where you can take Toothpick down. The rest of us will catch up with you in the van. One last thing, don't forget we're a team, and that's the only way we're going to be able to pull this off. Everyone needs to execute their part of the plan perfectly, if we're going to get the van, steal the gold, and stop Toothpick. Now, let's move out!'

We moved out and headed toward the bridge.

Of course, I was still unhappy that I was working with that no-good lying thief Sly Cooper, but, it was the only way to stop that vicious Toothpick and get back to Paris.

Almost immediately, we saw Toothpick burst outta the mine, riding his new 3-track gold train. How could a train take up 3 whole railway lines, anyway?

Anyway, we had to get on, so that's what we did.

First, Sly and Tennessee jumped, then, Bentley and myself, and last, but certainly not least, Murray.

We waited for Murray to get his van free.

And, judging by his strength, it didn't take him very long, for immediately, we soon heard him say, "The "Murray" is back in the driver's seat!"

I saw Murray drive his van right up alongside the train. Good work, Murray.

Now, it was time for me and Bentley to initiate our part of the plan.

"Okay. Carmelita, we need to get to that terminal in the forward car. I just hope you brought plenty of ammunition." he said.

"I can't believe I'm helping you steal this gold!" I said, still concerned I was helping a gang of thieves steal. This totally went against everything I, an Interpol officer, stood for!

"You really should think of it as correcting history." Bentley said to me.

What was he talking about?! Did it have anything to do with Sly stealing that dagger from Cyrille Le Paradox's museum?

Well, I put it all outta my mind as I helped Bentley by shooting the guards. It was like that shooting gallery in town, but different - and, needless to say, more deadlier.

Soon, we reached the terminal.

"With your shooting and my hiding, we make a great team. Now to jack that terminal!" Bentley said, and then, he started hacking.

I kept my eyes open for any more guards that would possibly try to thwart him, just to be on the safe side.

Eventually, he was finished. "Yes!"

"Okay, Bentley. Glad I could help out." I said, as me and Bentley leapt into Murray's van.

Whilst that was going on, Bentley kept tabs on Tennessee, as he made his way through the cars of the train and reclaimed the gold.

He reclaimed the first lot of gold easily. "Great job, Tennessee. We'll keep this safe for now."

Then, he reclaimed the second lot. "OK, Tennessee, we'll grab the rest once we stop the train!"

Soon, he reached Toothpick. He said, 'Why don't you bring your little runt self down here and take your whupin' like a man, sheriff?'

Toothpick said, 'Oooh, blast you, Tennessee "Kid" Cooper! Ima gonna lock you in the deepest darkest hole, And I is going to throw away the key!'

And Tennessee said, 'Give it up, Toothpick! The fat lady has sung and you are done!'

and Toothpick said, 'Oh, am I?'

"My gun! No!" I heard Tennessee yell as Toothpick rolled down and rammed into him, taking something that looked a bit like the ringtail's cane, but with a gun revolver on it.

and Toothpick said, 'Thanks, "Kid". Le Paradox sends his regards! Adios, Idiot!'

I saw Sly Cooper ran up to Tennessee and said, 'Relax pal. I'll take care of this.'

I saw Sly face off against Toothpick. I saw him put on a jail uniform, complete with it's own ball and chain. How he got it, I think it was certainly a mystery.

Eventually, a very burned Toothpick popped outta the funnel of his train. And Tennessee was able to get him off. 'Looks like this here's our stop.'

For a no-good lying thief, I must admit, Sly did pretty well. Not quite as good as Tennessee woulda done, but still.

Immediately, my own satisfaction of a job well done was rudely interrupted when Bentley suddenly said, 'Sly, we got a real problem!'

'I think I just took care of that, Bentley.' I heard the ringtail say.

Then Bentley said, 'No, Sly, the train! It's headed for a broken bridge!'

And I saw that's where Murray's van was heading too! Thankfully, the clever ringtail jumped onto the van in time.

'Murray, hit the brakes!' Bentley cried.

But then, we had another real problem - Murray couldn't hit the brakes!

'They're not working! And I can't shut down the rockets!'

I couldn't believe it. I think that nasty Toothpick musta sabotaged them before he put Murray's van on the back of his train! And now, because of that loco armadillo, Me and that lying ringtail and his gang were about to head on a one-way road trip - to our deaths!

'What?! You idiots!" I shouted. "You call this a plan?! Ugh! I knew this was a bad idea! I knew I should've had you send me back to Paris! Ugh! I can't believe it's going to end like this!'

We hurtled closer and closer to our impending doom, drove off a rock, hung in the air for a while, and waited for the inevitable.

And then, this happened:

'Sorry, Murray! This has to work!' I heard Bentley say.

Suddenly, I saw Bentley grab something from around Murray's neck, and throw it into the time machine chamber.

'Hey, that's my necklace!'

'Here goes nothing!'

Immediately, I saw Toothpick's train plummet with us into the canyon.

Everything seemed to go into slow motion.

I could feel my heart beating in slow motion too.

And then, I felt a strong force pulling me back into the seat, as everything seemed to be spinning round and round, faster, and faster, and then...

Everything went black.

For the second time in my life.

-Author's note-

HOLY SHIT!

What will happen to the Cooper Gang now?!

WILL THEY BE OK?

WILL CARMELITA & SLY EVER MAKE UP?

DID THE CHICKEN COME BEFORE THE EGG?!

find out all the answers very very soon.

Reviews are appreciated.