Cooper's creed 3 The Assassin's vault

by Creativity is king

Clockwerk is finally gone and a year later Sly discovers his inheritance from his Assassin's ancestors is waiting for him to claim it, however he's not the only one looking to get his hands on it, to claim what his Assassin ancestors have left behind he must recruit new members to the Cooper family, join him and the others in this story of trust, family, loyalty and secrets

6. Chapter 6 A cold alliance

(A smokescreen is seen and a great, golden dragon flies out of it, breathing fire before it turns in a barrel roll formation then turns into a man made entirely of gold with one Perfect Sharingan eye, the other a Rinnegan eye and a third eye on his forehead)

Long live the KING

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE and BOY do I have a GOOD one here for all of you who have been waiting for the next chapter of "Cooper's creed 3 The Assassin's vault" last time we recruited Penelope from Holland but now it's time to head to somewhere where not just the weather is cold

Also, I will be adding new faces as well as a twist I'm pretty sure will knock your SOCKS off along with the story behind the mysterious apprentice who has been keeping an eye on Sly and his family but with what I got in store for you

So, without further delay

Let's get STARTED

Chapter 6 A cold alliance

(1 week later) (Sly's P.O.V)

"I gotta say, that "special time" with Neyla was the BEST night of my life, though we were both as soar as if we fell out off of a horse during bronco busting still…WORTH it, after we got back home, we got to work and after a careful, week-long analysis of the blueprints of Dr. M's fortress, Bentley, Penelope and Aria came to the difficult conclusion that the demolition skills of our genius in a half shell just wasn't gonna cut it…if we wanted to get into the Assassin's vault, according to our genius's we would have to recruit a FULLTIME demolition specialist, an individual who has had years if not DECADES worth of experience in the field of demolition…I was all for it but then Bentley nearly gave me and uncle a heart attack when he proposes a candidate for the position…he suggested of ALL PEOPLE my old enemy…the Panda King…as a member of the Fiendish five, the people who ruined my childhood, he had a part in killing my mom and dad, burning the Homestead to the ground and stealing pages from the Thievius Raccoonus…eventually I caught up with him and not only took back what he had stolen, originally I planned to kill him, only…doing so would be taking a daughter's father away from her, so I spared him, there was NO WAY IN HELL that I was gonna let that monster on my team, but Bentley was firm, he told me that the Panda King had been released from prison a year ago due to cooperation with the police to seize all the assets of his former Fiendish five teammates and good behavior, as to what he was doing now, he was living a life as a monk in quiet meditation, high up in the China mountains…I still wasn't fully convinced and neither was Mario nor Neyla, but there was no denying that he had the skills that we needed if we were to succeed, so we packed up our things, put on our disguises and headed East…to China"

(End of P.O.V) (High China mountains)

Sly, Neyla, Bentley, Mario, Jasmine, Aria, T'Challa, Helen, Zak, Cammy, Guru, Shazza and now Penelope hiked a LONG way up to the Panda King's retreat, it was a long hike since they no longer had the van but they had to admit some of the sights they saw along the way, it was beautiful but they weren't there to sight see they had someone to see, though if it were entirely up to Sly, he would say to hell with the Panda King and just leave him, but for the inheritance left behind for him plus the possibility to help Bentley walk again, he had to swallow his pride

"Alright everybody, stay sharp and keep your wits about you, for all we know the Panda King is as dangerous as ever" Sly said

"I agree with Sly, the Panda King might be clean now, but back in the day, he was a monster" Neyla said

"How can you two SAY THAT, JUST LOOK AT HIM, have you ever seen someone more at peace with the world" Bentley said pointing at the Panda King who was in deep meditation

"Even I have to admit master he looks…pretty zenned out" T'Challa said

"Yeah, he looks pretty chill, boss man" Zak said

"Then by all means, try and talk to the guy" Sly replied

"Yeah, go on Challa" Shazza added, T'Challa then shrugged his shoulders before he stepped up then cleared his throat

"PARDON OUR INTRUSION, HONORABLE PANDA KING BUT WE HUMBLY ASK IF WE CAN SPEAK WITH YOU" T'Challa called out to the Panda King but no response

"Doesn't look like he wants to talk" Neyla said

"Like I said, Bentley this was a waste of time and energy getting up here" Sly said

"Be realistic Sly, he's obviously in a deep meditative trance" Bentley said

"Or high on his ass on something" Zak said

"So, what's the plan here" Jasmine asked

"Yeah, what are we doing here" Shazza asked, Bentley then looked around and came up with something

"Well…it'll take some doing but…I think I see a way to get the team up to his shrine" Bentley said

"GOOD, the walk up here tired me out, I don't wanna turn around how…MAN…I miss the van, we NEVER had to walk anywhere back then" Murray said

"Ah, the good-old van" Jasmine said

"Yeah, who knew I would miss something that much" Aria said

"Van, what van" Helen asked

"The team van, Murray's pride and joy that van has been with us since we went after the group Panda King used to be a part of…she was a reliable van she was" Mario explained

"So, what happened to her" Zak asked

"Sadly, she…floated away on an iceberg in Canada" Mario said

"What were you guys doing in Canada of all places" Penelope asked

"That my girl is a LONG story" Mario replied

"Bentley, do we REALLY need Panda King's help" Neyla asked

"Yeah, he would sooner throw fireballs at us instead of seating down and having a cup a tea with us" Sly added

"Do you wanna get into the vault" Bentley asked, Sly paused before he sighed

"Alright, alright, let's just get this over with" Sly said

"Murray, you're up first, if you use your ball form at the top of that pillar then you should be able to bounce all the way up to the Panda King" Bentley told the hippo

"Okay…bouncing is A LOT easier than more walking, seriously, you guys wanna see my blisters" Murray asked

"EEEW" Neyla, Aria, Jasmine and Cammy said at once

"NO WAY, is he serious" Penelope asked

"DUDE, WHY would you ask that" Zak asked Murray

"What, tough ladies like you creeped out by a couple of blisters" Shazza asked the other girls

"You're NOT" Aria asked

"I grew up in the outback, I had blisters the size of pancakes and calluses on my hands before I was even a teenager" Shazza explained

"Right, sorry I asked" Aria said

"O…K" Cammy muttered

"Murray, please go before you make us lose our lunches" T'Challa said

"I agree with T'Challa, Murray, you have a task to do" Guru added

"Yeah, okay master, bouncing, pillars, PEACE OF CAKE" Murray said before he jumped of the ledge the group was on

"Oh Murray, he can be a bit much" Mario said

"Maybe so, but you can't deny his heart" Guru said

"Heart, yes, muscles, yes but manners…he's a little lacking in that department" Jasmine said

"No, seriously was he for real about the blister because…I don't know, it's…YEESH" Penelope said

"Girl, you SAID it" Cammy added

"You girls need some toughening up" Shazza told Penelope and Cammy

"I agree" Helen said

"I'm tough enough with my Microbots, thank you very MUCH" Cammy said, Murray then positioned himself on top of one of the pillars and used his ball form to bounce up to where the Panda King was

"OKAY, I'M IN POSITION" Murray shouted to the team

"Penelope, you're up next, I'm not sure if your aware yet but, Sly, Neyla, Jasmine and T'Challa can all jump onto small points, those bamboo shoots would be PERFECT as a means of ascension if they weren't spaced so far apart" Bentley said

"HOLD ON, hold on…let me see if I can figure this one out for myself" Penelope said

"It's uh…got to do with the ice" Bentley said

"Alright then, it's clear we need more points in order for Sly to ascend" Penelope started

"And us" Neyla added, pointing at herself, T'Challa and Jasmine

"The problem, where we're gonna get em, the answer, split each shoot down the middle thereby doubling the point of ascension however the ice down appears there is thin, 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 said

"Perfect…that's it, EXACTLY" Bentley said as Penelope brought out her remote-control car which had a miniature turret attached to it

"GREAT, I can't wait to Sly pull off those athletic moves" Penelope said as she sent out her RC car to split the bamboo shoots

"Neyla, I think our house-mouse girl might have a crush on your man" Aria whispered to Neyla

"I've noticed" Neyla whispered back

"Jealous that someone else is gunning for your man" Shazza asked in a whispered tone

"Not at all" Neyla said without even a HINT of doubt

"Oh, really and why is that" Shazza asked, Neyla then gave the girls a look that gave them their answer and their eyes widened after they put the pieces together

"You…you two" Helen was about to ask, Neyla simply nodded

"GIRL, YOU DIDN'T" Aria asked

"We did" Neyla answered

"Wh-when did you" Cammy was about to ask

"Back in Holland" Neyla answered

"DAMN GIRL…how was it, like on a scale from one to ten" Jasmine asked

"We, we can't just ASK HER something that personal" Cammy said

"So, sue me I wanna know…just between us girls" Jasmine replied

"Let's just say…he's performance wasn't even ON the chart" Neyla answered

"OOOOOOOOOOOH" The girls, minus Penelope said at once, good thing the boys were too focused on something else to notice the girls talking, soon Penelope's task was done

"YES…there you go Sly I hope it's everything you could have wished for" Penelope said

"They look great Penelope, thanks" Sly replied

"My pleasure, really, anytime" Penelope replied

"Time to join the big guy, master" T'Challa told Sly before he and Jasmine left to join Murray

"Shall we my love" Sly asked Neyla as he took her hand

"We shall" Neyla replied before shooting a look at Penelope that told her "He's mine" before the four performed Ninja spire landings and easily got up to Murray's level

"Welcome to Frozen-city, population…us" Murray said

"You're just a little cold because you don't have a fur coat like some of us do" Neyla said

"You can say that again" Murray replied before Sly came into view of the rest of the team

"WHACK THE SUPPORT UP ON THOSE PINWHEELS" Bentley shouted

"REALLY" Sly shouted back

"PINWHEEL DESTABILIZATION IS THE CORNER STONE OF THIS PLAN" Bentley shouted, Sly and T'Challa then each climbed the poles leading up to the firework pinwheels before they got the supports off them

"GOOD TO GO BENTLEY" T'Challa shouted to Bentley

"Perfect, with the pinwheels now unstable, I just need to light their fireworks up with my darts, one shot per rocket will do the trick" Bentley said before he took aim and fired at the rockets, after lighting up all six

"Man, just LOOKING at those things makes me dizzy" Cammy said, now it was Guru's turn

"Those pinwheels are about to go…Guru, you feel up for a challenge" Bentley asked Guru

"Of course" Guru answered

"Excellent, think you can "persuade" the guards to help you up to those rockets on the Panda King's hut" Bentley asked

"It shall be done" Guru answered as he took control of a guard and used him to leap up to the top of the Panda King's hut and used them, one of them struck one of the spinning pinwheels which then hit the large, flat sign connecting where Sly, Neyla, T'Challa, Jasmine and Murray was to the Panda King's meditation spire and the other rocket hit the other pinwheel which landed on the lower ground near the rest of the team

"Strong work Guru, that fallen pinwheel should make a PERFECT makeshift elevator for the rest of us" Bentley said

"It was my pleasure" Guru said before the rest of the team used the makeshift, pinwheel elevator to join the rest of the team and approached the Panda King

"OOOOH, you were right, Bentley, the Panda King is in a VERY deep meditative trance" Guru said

"Agreed" Bentley said

"Then let's just shout in his ear" Sly suggested

"I'm afraid that's not gonna help in the least bit, Sly" Shazza said

"Why" Sly asked

"Because I've seen master in a meditative trance similar to this one, it's almost impossible to snap them out of it by force" Shazza told Sly

"I've seen it myself a few times in mine and your mother's glory days, nephew, even if you were to put them in the middle of a K.I.S.S rock concert, they wouldn't wake up" Mario said

"What's K.I.S.S" T'Challa and Shazza asked, Sly, Neyla, Cammy, Bentley, Murray, Zak and Mario looked at them

"REALLY" Cammy asked

"Oh, you POOR children" Mario said

"Yeah, how can you guy's LIVE with yourselves" Zak asked the two

"Hey, remember I grew up on the streets, I was too busy figuring out where my next meal was gonna come from" T'Challa said

"And I grew up my ENTRE life in the outback without any technology" Shazza added

"Oh, right, forget I asked" Zak said

"Anyway, like Mario said, we can't wake him up the normal way, we'll need to delve into his mind" Bentley said

"A hacksaw then" Sly asked

"SLY" Neyla said

"What" Sly asked

"Look, I know you don't like the guy, but we don't wanna kill him" Neyla said

"Alright, alright" Sly muttered

"It'll require channeling" Bentley said

"I believe I can be of assistance in this situation, I can bridge Sly's mind with that of the Panda King's using my Dreamtime magics and allow them to speak to each other" Guru explained

"That's a great idea Guru, Sly seat beside the Panda King, the Guru will bridge your minds" Bentley said

"Wait…you want to BRIDGE my masters mind with the mind of the person who MURDERED his family" T'Challa asked

"Yeah, that sounds HELL'A dangerous" Zak added

"Unless you have another option" Mario said, T'Challa remained silent, Sly then sat in front of the Panda King before Neyla stepped up

"I'm going with him" Neyla said

"Are you sure about that, love" Sly asked

"Hey…we're in this together, till the end of the line" Neyla said before she kissed Sly's lips, which unknown to everyone but Neyla and Aria, made Penelope puff up her cheeks in anger a little

*Now THATS marking territory* Jasmine, Aria, Cammy, Helen and Shazza said in their minds at once without each other knowing it

"How did I ever end up with someone like you" Sly asked as Neyla sat beside him and held his hand in hers

"Thank your lucky stars for that one" Neyla said

"Amen…do it Guru" Sly told Guru

"Seat in front of the Panda King" Guru told Sly and Neyla who then sat in front of the Panda King

"Now…clear your minds, my friends and be wary, who knows what you may find in the mind of the Panda King" Guru warned as he used his Dreamtime magics to bridge the minds of all three people simultaneously

"How will we know if this…channeling thing even works" Zak asked

"Don't worry, master has done this hundreds of times" Shazza said

"And what if things don't go so well" Cammy asked

"If something goes wrong, he can pull Sly and Neyla out of there" Shazza explained

"I just hope the Panda King is willing to talk…otherwise this is gonna get ugly" T'Challa said

(In Panda King's mindscape)

Once Sly was inside of the mindscape with Neyla by his side, it looked like the first time that Sly meet and fought the Panda King three years ago

"I have heard whispers on the wind that an assassin was eliminating members of the Fiendish five…have you come here for revenge for an injustice we brought upon you" Panda King asked, saying the same words that Sly remembers him saying all those years ago

"Love, WHERE are we" Neyla asked

"WHOA…talk about déjà vu" Sly said

"Your face…it was twenty years ago…but I remember those eyes, you are Sly Cooper, are you not" Panda King asked, repeating more familiar words

"This…is THIS where you fought Panda King three years ago" Neyla asked

"And so, you have come for your precious book" Panda King said

"You got that right, this was just like the time I beat the SHIT out of him…Panda King, we need to talk to you" Sly tried to talk to the Panda King

"Why should you care if I burry a few, worthless villages in the snow, if you truly ARE a Cooper then you are not just an assassin, you are also a thief…just like ME" Panda King replied

"Um, yeah, are even listening to what I'm saying" Sly asked

"INSOLENT CHILD, you will pay dearly for you disrespect, still to honor your thieving ancestry, I will send you to your doom with the beauty of my new firework technique…FLAME-FU" Panda King told him as his fists suddenly caught fire

"I don't think he's listening" Neyla said

"What forms are you trained in" Panda King asked

"It looks like he's in some kind of loop, remembering the day I took him down over and over again" Sly said

"Then by this battle may the God's favor whosoever's cause is better" Panda replied

"Which means WHAT for us" Neyla asked before Panda King started throwing fireballs

"HIT THE DECK" Sly shouted as he and Neyla ducked for cover as Panda King continued his volley of fireballs, Sly and Neyla tag-teamed their large opponent with a couple of hits before he used his belly to project the two away from him

"Um, Sly, I'm afraid to ask this but…what happens if we die…in here" Neyla asked

"I dread to even think about it, Panda king KNOCK THIS SHIT OFF WILL YA, this is all in your head" Sly told Panda King

"My mind is clear, focused on your DEATH" Panda King said

"We gotta snap him out of this" Neyla whispered to Sly

"Probably easier said than done, but I'll give it a try…look Panda King, I know we've had our differences but I'm gonna help you get your mind out of this rut" Sly said

"If you truly wish to aid me…STAND STILL…and let my fireballs COOK your flesh" Panda King replied

"We BOTH know that's not gonna happen, I've already beaten you once and I've only gotten stronger over the last three years…I am MORE than capable of beating you again" Sly said as Panda King attacked them again and again, they attacked as a tag team pair before Panda King sent both of them flying again with his belly

"Um, care to try again love, second times the charm, right" Neyla asked

"We can only hope, look we both know why you're here Panda King, your fixated on the moment of your greatest defeat" Sly told the Panda King

"You should have KILLED me that day, Sly Cooper at least I would have died with honor" Panda King said

"But you had a daughter, if I did then she probably would have ended up an orphan, like I almost did when you and your gang took my parents from me, is your pride and honor more important that your ONLY relative" Sly asked, Panda King paused

"N-no" Panda King muttered

"I BEAT you and forever after you've wondered how it all fell apart" Sly said

"I HATE YOU, SLY COOPER, you RUINED ME, you ruined MY ONCE PROUD NAME" Panda King shouted, Sly then decided on something that he needed to do…something he needed to do for a long time, he then sheathed his weapons before taking his hood and mask off, he then walked up to the Panda King, staring him face to face

"Are you done running, are you prepared to accept your DEATH with honor" Panda King asked

"No…not today, but I'll tell you what I'm ready to do…I've hated you for what you did to me…I hated you…SO MUCH that sometimes I wished I DID end our life three years ago, but…that wouldn't have changed anything, it wouldn't have made my pain go away, it wouldn't have brought my parents back…all it would have done is brought on more pain and…although I didn't want to but eventually, I had to do this" Sly said

"DO WHAT" Panda King asked, Sly then took a deep breath inward then outward before he spoke

"I forgive you" Sly said

"Sly" Neyla muttered, proud of her love for finding it in his heart to forgive what the Panda King did to him and his family

"YOU…what" Panda King asked

"I forgive you, Panda King, at first I didn't want to because of what you DID…in fact I actually didn't wanna come here because of that hate I held for you for SO DAMN LONG" Sly growled as Neyla joined the two and she took Sly's hand in her's, giving him support

"You…I…I remember you" Panda King said upon seeing Neyla's face

"I was that little tiger girl you and the others of the Fiendish five meet in the Homestead forest" Neyla said

"Are you as hateful as Sly" Panda King asked

"For a while, I was…but, if Sly is willing to give you a chance…I guess I am to" Neyla said

"I knew I had to say something, I've carried this hate for too long…like Clockwerk carried his hate and look what it turned him into" Sly said

"An unfeeling monster…like I once was" Panda King said

"I WON'T let hate turn me into something that I'm NOT…so come out of this trance, let's meet each other face to face as the people we are NOW and let go of who we were when we last faced each other" Sly told Panda King

"What makes you believe I would listen to you" Panda King asked

"Then…if you feel the need for vengeance…do as you wish, I won't stop you, but I BEG you to let go of your hatred for me, not for yourself…for your daughter, show her that you've moved on from your past and drop your hatred" Sly replied as he left himself vulnerable to Panda King's next, potential attack, Panda King reeled back a fist that was flaming as he thought about it, Neyla was ready to pounce just incase

"YOU ARE" Panda King growled as he looked like he was about to attack Sly

"Correct" Panda King said as he lowered his fist

"You are right, Cooper…forgive me, my mind is not always my own" Panda King said with a bow and Sly did the same

"You HAVE moved on…yet I seem to have not, but why have you both come here" Panda King asked

"That's um…a long story" Sly replied, soon they exited the mindscape, as the three were ready to meet each other in the real world

(Sly's P.O.V)

"The Panda King wasn't any more excited about the thought of him joining the gang than I was, he would have probably refused us or worse attacked us right then and there and the whole deal would have been a bust had it not been for the Guru who for some odd reason really hit it off with the old guy, that night as we rested, Panda King explained everything, as he promised me three years ago he left his life of crime and went back to his daughter Jing King, but we could tell things didn't stay that way…we could see the anger BURNING in the Panda King's eyes as he told us that she was abducted by a powerful general called Tsao from the Northern mountains, according to many across China, Jing King was considered the most beautiful woman in China and this other woman, Tsao was a descendant of an immensely powerful family line, so naturally she took that claim VERY hard and adding salt to an open wound, Jing King was engaged to be married to a man that Tsao herself had planned on marrying for years, she kidnapped Jing King and offered her fiancée, Wong and ultimatum, marry her instead of Jing King or Jin King would die, Panda King was exiled shortly after she was taken and powerless to do anything about it, so a deal was made, we would help the Panda King recover his lost daughter in exchange for his skills in the Assassin's vault job, even though I forgave him, I was worried about what the Panda King said "My mind is not always my own" which made me wonder if it means that he could lash out at any moment, but a deals a deal, however Panda King had something else to offer us, turns out he had been teaching a pair of students he found about a year and a half ago and had been training them in the Internal arts ever since, these students of his by the names of Genji and Hanzo half-brothers, though they maybe young…Panda King says they have potential, it looks like this deal has three for the price of one, let's just hope it's enough"

(End of P.O.V) (SURPRISE BABY…that's right, General Tsao…one of the most HATED Sly Cooper villains of all time is a female in this story, why you may ask, well, I wanted to do something unique and ever since I saw a Deviant art rending of a female General Tsao, I started thinking and came up with this twist on the cannon story to separate my retelling of the Sly Cooper cannon from the others around Fanfiction, so if you don't know what she looks like, look her up at gender bent Sly Cooper characters and you can find her)

(A day later)

After the team rested and had breakfast, they traveled to the Norther mountains of China where they meet Genji and Hanzo, after quick introductions, they found a new safehouse and quickly set up shop while Bentley put together a plan of action

(Slideshow)

"Okay, we all know our objective here is to rescue the Panda King's daughter, Jing King who's being held against her will by THIS woman, General Tsao, a REAL princess this girl is, during surveillance, I actually witnessed her kick a PUPPY…TWICE and from rumors around China, she may look like a princess on the outside but inside she like the wicked witch of the WEST, she kidnapped Jing King out of pure jealously and spite because she's meant to marry her fiancée, Wong next Saturday but unless Wong agrees to marry her instead of Jing King then Tsao will KILL her, so as usual time is against us, here's the plan, first I'll approach Tsao in disguise and attempt to convince her to hire me as her wedding planner, with a guy on the inside, things will go a lot smoother and hopefully get some news on Jing King but, we'll still need more information on the situation, so Sly and T'Challa will need to work together to get at a couple of keys leading to Tsao's house of business, from there me and Aria will need to use some new technology she invented to circumvent their ultra-tight security and gain access to Tsao's information node and get the goods on her operations, finally thanks to Penelope's aerial surveillance we've picked up an unusual radio signature out in the freezing water, Murray, I want you to take Genji and Hanzo to check it out and see what it is, we can't leave ANYTHING to chance when dealing with Tsao or both Wong and Jing King lives unhappily ever after"

(End of slideshow)

After the slideshow was done, Sly and T'Challa were sent out first and got into position, Bentley then contacted them both

"Alright you two, General Tsao's center of business is protected with a special double padlock, if we can get inside and get past all the security, we should have access to the purchase records for the wedding" Bentley told the master and student

"Then, what are we waiting for, let's get started" T'Challa said

"Hold your tail T'Challa, I'm afraid it's NOT that simple" Bentley said

"I kind of had a feeling he was gonna say something like that" Sly said

"The key's you two will be fishing for are designed with a self-destruct feature and the guards carrying them are in constant radio contact with each other" Bentley said

"Oh, I get it, if one of the key's is pulled then he'll call it in and tell the other guard to destroy his copy of the key before we get a chance to pull it" T'Challa said

"That's correct, for this to work, the keys need to be stolen at almost EXACTLY the same time" Bentley answered

"And since I'm far more experienced at this than you are, T'Challa, you should probably go first, I'll take up position behind the second guard" Sly said

"Right, once I've made my pull, I'll call in and you take the second one" T'Challa said before the two moved out, while Sly took position behind his guard, T'Challa moved in behind his guard and using the technique Sly taught him in pickpocketing he managed to get the key but the guard noticed him

"WHAT IN THE" The guard shouted as T'Challa made a run for it

"I GOT THE KEY MASTER, MAKE YOUR PULL" T'Challa called through the earpiece then Sly quickly moved in and swiped his key

"EXCELLENT thieving you two, now meet at the house of business and let me and Aria in" Bentley called through the earpiece, both student and master meet up with Bentley and Aria at the house of business

"You sure you two are gonna be okay in there" Sly asked the two

"Of course, with my new Grapple-camera and these keys, me and Bentley are all set for the inner office" Aria answered

"You sure neither of you will need us once inside" T'Challa asked

"Sorry, but this is a problem only technology can solve" Bentley replied

"Well, okay…have fun with your…tech" T'Challa said before he and Sly went back to the safehouse, Bentley and Aria then went to Tsao's house of business and broke inside using the keys

(In the house of business)

Once inside, it was EASY to see how paranoid Tsao was about protecting his property, there was security features EVERYWHERE

"WOW Bentley, you weren't kidding about the security system in this place" Aria said

"When do I ever kid about stuff like this, can your Grapple-camera lure that guard on the ground floor over to that pressure plate" Bentley said as Aria deployed her Grapple-camera

"I can but, why the pressure plate" Aria asked

"So, I can put him to sleep, otherwise we're NEVER gonna get to the upper level" Bentley answered before the two got to work, Aria used her Grapple-camera to lure a guard onto the pressure plate where Bentley sleep darted him, opening up the upper level door

"Nice shot" Aria said

"Nice work on the Grapple-camera, now according to blueprints we pulled up there SHOULD be a top-level guard, lure him onto the pressure plant on the upper walkway and that will deactivate the laser barrier" Bentley said as Aria managed to get the top guard on the plate after a couple of minutes, Bentley then quickly sleep darted him, turning off the laser barrier

"ALRIGHT" Bentley said

"Get in there, I'll watch the exit just in case" Aria said as Bentley moved in and using his afterburner in his turbo chair, he got to the upper level before he made his way to the computer node and started hacking

"Don't be scared little computer…this won't hurt a BIT" Bentley said as he hacked in, after getting past the defensive systems of the computer node, he got the goods

"How we doing Bentley" Aria called over the earpiece

"We got it Aria, the database is WIDE open, I'm a capital "G" GENIUS" Bentley said

"Good, then let's get out of here before the guards wake up" Aria replied before the two got the hell out of dodge and while Aria returned to the safehouse, Bentley went to Tsao's palace and put on his disguise, Mario then contacted him

"General Tsao's palace, if we're going to get at Jing King then we'll need to get the inside scoop on the wedding" Mario said

"I'm all set with my disguise, with some luck he'll hire me on as wedding coordinator" Bentley said

"And if you can Bentley try and get some of the rest of us some jobs, don't know when having more than one person on the inside might help out in a pinch" Mario said

"Roger that" Bentley replied before he headed inside

(In Tsao's palace)

Bentley entered the palace in the middle of Tsao yelling at Jing King

"NO, you will STAY in there, Jing King" Tsao was heard yelling at Jing King

"But…please, my father will be so worried, just let me tell him I'm alright…I BEG of you, LET ME OUT OF THIS PRISON" Jing King replied

"Not until Wong and I are married" Tsao replied

"But Wong doesn't even LOVE you" Jing King replied

"He WILL after our honeymoon, once he and I unite with each other he will forget ALL ABOUT YOU and only ever want to lay with ME, until then you will remain in there so your father doesn't get any cute ideas" Tsao replied as Bentley approached Tsao

"Greetings honorable, General Tsao, I have heard of your impending marriage and have travel afar to humbly offer my services as wedding coordinator" Bentley said

"HOW INSULTING…I need no HELP" Tsao said

"My apologies, I mean no disrespect to you or your humble house" Bentley said

"Given my genius intellect matches my Goddess-like beauty, I am of course, MORE than capable of organizing my own wedding…however, I might be interested in hiring a photographer, a day of such monumental importance should be captured for future generations to marvel at" Tsao said

"I have one of the world's best photographers on retainer" Bentley replied

"REALLY now…well…if he truly IS world-class then he might get the honor of chronicling the event however, I will need to see some samples before I give him the job" Tsao said

"Of course, your excellency, I'll have him come by right away" Bentley replied

"You'd better not be wasting my time wedding planner…I get very, VERY uncharitable when people waste my time" Tsao replied, Bentley then bowed before he left

(Outside)

Once outside Bentley contacted Sly

"How did it go" Sly asked Bentley

"We got in but there's a catch" Bentley replied

"When is there not" Sly asked

"Tsao is interested in hiring a wedding photographer and I've elected you to be the guy" Bentley said

"Sounds up my alley" Sly replied

"But, before she gives you the job, she'll need some samples of your "work" good thing I had something planned on the side just in-case of such a situation" Bentley said

"What's that" Sly asked

"A disguise, you'll need to track down good places around here with photographic potential, approach the guards whilst in disguise and they'll probably pose for you" Bentley explained

"You got the passwords" Sly asked

"Right in front of me, good luck" Bentley replied before Sly picked up the disguise from the safehouse and moved into position where he quickly changed and approached the guards

"HALT, what's the temple password" The guard asked as Bentley relayed the password to Sly

"Day, Sun, Day, Moon" Sly said

"Sorry, just being careful" The guard said

"Listen up you two, the general wants some photos of her staff, so big smiles all around" Sly said as the guards posed for him, and he took the photo

"Excellent shot boys" Sly told the guards who then walked off

"Great shot, Sly but you'll need a few more before talking with Tsao" Bentley called in the earpiece, Sly then moved to another location and approached the guard's

"STOP, what's the crypt password" The guard asked, and Bentley gave Sly the password

"Night, Night, Night, Night" Sly answered

"Sorry, didn't recognize you" The guard replied

"Alright you two, get in a nice pose and give a big smile" Sly said as the guards posed and Sly took their picture

"Nice" Sly said before the guards they then walked off to continue their patrol

"That's a good picture Sly, one more should be enough to impress the general" Bentley said over the earpiece, Sly then moved to Tsao's palace where he approached the guards

"STOP THERE, tell me the sunset password" The guard said, Bentley then gave the password to Sly

"Day, Night, Sun, Moon" Sly answered

"Yes sir, my mistake" The guard replied

"Okay you two, look happy, the general would like a nice couple shot" Sly said before he took the photo

"Thank you, boys" Sly thanked the guards before they walked off

"Really Sly, that's some lovely photography…show those shots to the general, I'm sure she'll be impressed and while your inside, get a few photos of Tsao it's always a good idea to study your enemy" Bentley called over the earpiece before Sly entered the palace

(In Tsao's palace)

Sly entered the palace before he approached Tsao

"AH, the paparazzi will I EVER know a moment of peace…make sure you get my good side, it must be quit amusing to observe the effects of power and beauty" Tsao said as Sly took her picture

*Keep telling yourself that* Sly said in his mind

"Why is it that I'm ALWAYS the center of attention" Tsao asked as Sly took more photos

"OH NICE, here check out this pose…IMPRESSIVE, I know" Tsao said as Sly took more photos

*Man, this girl is WAY too full on her own hot air* Sly said in his mind before he approached Tsao while he had her buttered up with the photos

"Greetings most radiant general Tsao, as you have no doubted guessed, I am the world-class photographer, and I am hoping to play a humble role in your upcoming, magnificent wedding" Sly said with a bow

"Hmm…perhaps but first, let me see a sample of your work, I have a keen eye, a great sense of artistic value, I can tell at a mere glance if your world-class" Tsao said

"But of course, your excellency" Sly replied as he showed a sample of his "work" to Tsao

"Ah, hmm…you have a strong sense of compositional regularity and forced perspectivism, these are…adequate, you may have the honor of photographic my wedding" Tsao replied

"A THOUSAND thank you, my lady, I'm sure that this will be a wedding none of us will forget" Sly said before he took his leave of the general with a bow of his head

(Outside)

After Sly shed his disguise, he had to spit out all the nice words he said to Tsao

"WOW…what a witch" Sly said before he went back to the safehouse and Murray and the half siblings, Genji and Hanzo were sent out (Both stood about the average height and weight of boys they're age with Genji being the youngest of eighteen and Hanzo being twenty, Genji is a dark-red colored spider monkey with hair that was tied in a Samurai top, he has a 6-Ft long tail and apposable feet while his half-brother, Hanzo on the other hand is a Japanese Akita dog with dark blond hair, Hanzo wore the loose-fitting kimono of Muichiro Tokito from "Demon slayer" and Genji wore the clothing of the Blue spirit minus the mask and boots from "Avatar: The last airbender" both outfits for the siblings had belts on with several pouches aligning them with Genji having four rolled up scrolls on the sides of each of his thighs hanging from his belts, Genji carried a six foot long bow staff with golden glamps on either side and for Hanzo's weapon he has an umbrella but it wasn't as simple as it appeared to be) (And yes, I know that Genji and Hanzo are references to the brothers in "Overwatch")

"My readings show the source of the mysterious signal was close to your positions, somewhere on the water's surface" Penelope told the four

"We're not seeing anything" Genji said

"Yeah, all seems nice and quiet out here" Hanzo added

"Keep scanning, these readings are clear" Penelope said before Murray spotted something that completely SHOCKED him

"GREAT SNAKES ON A STICK" Murray shouted all of the sudden

"WHAT" Genji shouted

"What is it" Hanzo asked

"I DON'T FUCKING BELIEVE IT…um…pardon my language" Murray said

"What is it, is it the source of the signal" Penelope asked

"IT'S MY VAN, MY SWEET, SWEET VAN" Murray shouted

"Your what" Genji and Hanzo asked at once

"THE TEAM VAN, last time I saw it, it was floating away on an iceberg in Canada…AND NOW IT'S HERE" Murray said

"Highly probably given the ocean currents" Penelope said

"I GOTTA GO GET IT, DON'T WORRY BABY, MOMMA'S COMING TO GET YOU" Murray shouted as he was about to dive into the water but then Genji wrapped his long tail around Murray's hulking torso

"HOLD IT BIG GUY" Genji grunted as he held Murray back

"Don't even THINK about it Murray, that water's freezing, you wouldn't last even a MINUTE in there" Hanzo added

"If you tried you would turn from pink to blue" Penelope added

"BUT…BUT MY BABY" Murray said

"Hold tight, I'll see if I can drag the van to shore with my RC chopper" Penelope said

"BLESS YOU PENELOPE…bless YOU and your bag of remote-control gizmo's" Murray said

"Anything we can do on our end" Genji called to Penelope

"As a matter of fact, yeah, take care of any guards that might be in the way of my chopper's flight path, okay" Penelope asked

"You can count on us, let's go brother" Genji told his brother

"Right" Hanzo replied as he followed Genji, Penelope sent out her RC chopper, while Genji used one of the Taoist arts he had been learning about, enabling him to store a large amount of items in his scrolls using Fuinjutsu (Sealing arts) which included using special sealing scrolls that were rolled up inside of the golden clamps on his combat staff to which he could summon and throw like Fuma shuriken, regular shuriken and regular and explosive Kunai blades at guards that were trying to take the RC chopper down he also used his combat staff with Bojutsu (Staff sighting) to beat down any guards at melee range, while Hanzo surprisingly used his umbrella, he designed a miniature air riffle into the umbrella that shoots small cartridges which release a number of things upon impact they released harmless things like smoke, sticky goop, blinding powder, itching powder and hallucinogenic gas and even lethal things like gusts of flames, shards of ice as sharp as glass, electrical discharges and poison gas, he also designed the umbrella with other features such as the handle of the umbrella being able to be separated from the umbrella's rode to show a chain and a when the chain is being used, a half moon-shaped blade pops out of the top of the umbrella's curved handle and the flaps of the umbrella itself was durable enough for the umbrella to be used like a club, the half-brothers took care of the flashlight guards who spotted the RC chopper and decided to use it for target practice, eventually the RC chopper brought the van to the shore where Genji and Hanzo and Murray were

"WHOA, I gotta say Murray you have yourself a NICE van here" Genji said

"OH, MY SWEET VAN, how I've missed you, don't worry I'll BREAK you out of your icy prison" Murray said as he started smashing apart the ice that surrounded the van

"Guys heads up, a few of the locals are on to you" Penelope called through the earpiece's, the siblings and looked around to see guards incoming

"Oh boy, trouble" Genji said

"We need to take care of them" Hanzo said

"You said it" Genji said before a bunch of guards showed up only for them to get gunned down by something or someone, it was Cammy

"Cammy, what are you doing here" Hanzo asked

"I heard what was happening, thought you boys could use a hand, Murray you keep smashing away at the ice, we'll hold off the guards, right boys" Cammy asked

"RIGHT" Hanzo and Genji said at once

"Gotta love a lady who takes charge" Hanzo said, the three thanks to their training in the martial arts along with their arsenal they managed to defeat about three waves of guards, but it was getting messy REAL fast

"We're clear…for the moment" Hanzo said

"Murray, it's no use, this area is too dangerous, we need to recover the van later" Penelope said over the earpiece

"BUT…I CAN'T lose her again" Murray said

"FORGET the van you'll never make it" Penelope replied

"Look, big guy I get this thing means a lot to you, but you have to admit, we're NOT in a good spot here" Genji said

"Maybe…but, no…NO, EITHER HELP ME OR GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY, I'M BRINGING HER HOME" Murray shouted as he took some rope out of the van and tied one end to himself and the other to the van before he started pulling

"Um, Penelope, what do we do" Hanzo asked through the earpiece, Penelope then sighed

"Stay on him and cover him from the ground" Penelope answered

"You gotta admire his determination" Genji told his brother

"I didn't say that…though I question his…reasoning" Hanzo replied as the three covered Murray from the ground as guards started charging him, Cammy, Hanzo and Genji all worked together from the ground while Penelope covered Murray form the air with what little fuel that she had left in her RC chopper even though Cammy suffered some damage to her Microbot mech suit they were just about home free that was until a bunch of spikes popped out in front of the three, stopping them in their tracks

"WHOA" Genji and Hanzo shouted at once as they backed up

"AH, RATS" Murry shouted

"Sorry Murray, but my RC chopper is out of fuel" Penelope called through the earpiece's

"BUT WE'RE SO CLOSE" Murray shouted

"Can't you blast these things out of our way, Cammy" Hanzo asked but then as Cammy was about to her suit started powering down and then it withdrew into her backpack

"DAMN IT…no good, the hits I took must have done more damage to my suit that I thought" Cammy answered

"I'm sorry Murray, you did your best, but we just ran out of options" Penelope said

"She's right, it's too DANGEROUS where you guys are now, get out of there" Bentley called through the earpiece

"Murray, come on use that brain of yours" Genji told the hippo

"I don't' like giving up on something you set your heart on any more than you do but, we're NOT safe out here, we're way too exposed" Hanzo added

"NO…I WILL NOT…I REFUSE TO LEAVE HER BEHIND AGAIN" Murray said, standing firm in what he said, meanwhile the Panda King was listening in as he mounted a stationary rocket launcher

"Words to tear at a father's heart, would that I had such passion when they came for Jing King…FEAR NOT BRAVE HIPPO, I shall destroy the spikes, blocking your path" Panda King called out as he tarted shooting at the spikes blocking Murray's path

"MASTER" Genji and Hanzo shouted out

"BE CAREFUL with those fireworks, Panda King, a careless shot would SERIOUSLY hurt Murray" Bentley called out over the earpiece

"Cammy, stay behind me and Genji" Hanzo said as Cammy was defenseless at the moment, Genji and Hanzo held off many of the guards looking to get at Murray and Cammy as the Panda King covered them from the tower, after everything was clear, Murray couldn't have been any happier

"MURRAY, YOU DID IT, you saved the van" Penelope called out

"Whew…that was rather…intense for our first assignment on the team" Hanzo said

"Yeah, but it was sure FUN" Genji said

"All in all, you two did pretty good for your first time with us" Cammy told Genji and Hanzo, Panda King then joined the four

"Indeed, they did" Panda King said

"Thank you, master" Genji and Hanzo said at once as they bowed to their master

"Well DONE brave hippo, you've lit the flames in my soul…I feel awake for the first time in YEARS" Panda King told Murray

"No, THANK YOU, Panda King, you can ride in my van ANYTIME…you've got shotgun for like a MONTH" Murray said

"A great honor…I accept, come students, let us rest for now, we still have much to do" Panda King

"I wanted to ride shotgun" Genji said

"First come first serve brother" Hanzo replied much to the humor of Cammy who laughed a little, the group then went to the safehouse and seeing as how the previous jobs went by so fast and yet went without a hitch, Bentley went ahead and formulated a plan and presented it to the group

(Slideshow)

"Well, the operation is moving along smoothly, so smoothly in fact I think we better strike now while the iron is not so to speak, with access to general Tsao's database and Sly successfully hired on as wedding photographer, we're ready to make an attempt for Jing King, given the complexity of Tsao's downloaded data, I've modified my Thief net computer to automatically analyze the"

(SUDDENLY Tsao breaks into the safehouse and stole the Thief net computer!)

"WHAT THE…G-GENERAL TSAO, she's…SHE'S GOT MY COMPUTER, OUR ENTIRE OPERATION IS ON THAT COMPUTER, HOW DID SHE FIND US, WE'RE DOOMED"

(The P.O.V suddenly shifts to Sly's)

"Whoa, whoa Bentley, calm down, I need you sharp, listen up everyone, obviously we underestimated just how intelligent this General Tsao, as of this moment, we have only ONE objective, steal BACK the Thief net computer, the time for subtlety is over, so this is what we're gonna do, Bentley break into the palace and ransack her personal computer, she might have linked it to ours and if so, that's where we'll start, the rest of the team will stand ready…who knows where this is gonna take us"

(End of slideshow)

After calming down, Bentley moved out and went to General Tsao's palace

(In the palace)

"Okay Bentley, General Tsao's computer has GOTTA be around here somewhere, no need for stealth here, let's just get the job done" Sly called through the earpiece, Bentley then looked around before he found a computer node

"Okay Sly, I've found General Tsao's personal computer, this shouldn't take me very long" Bentley called as he began his hack, he expected it to be easy seeing as how it was standard O.S security but he came across a STRONG, defensive avatar that Tsao set up to protect her more private information, but Bentley eventually defeated the Avatar and got at the information

"A-HA, I think I've got something Sly, according to Tsao's diary there some kind of a hidden passage through the prayer bell…then a walk across the heavens, you getting this Sly" Bentley asked through the earpiece

"Me and Neyla are heading to the bell right now" Sly answered

"Good, good, but you better bring the Guru along to, this sounds like HIS department" Bentley replied

(With Sly, Neyla and Guru at the prayer bell)

The three arrived at the prayer bell

"Alright Bentley, now what" Neyla asked through the earpiece

"It says here to stand under the bell…I'll have to set off the transfer sequence from here" Bentley answered as the prayer bell rose up allowing the three to stand under it before it descended, onto them, surrounding them

"This should be good" Sly said before the bell chimed and somehow teleported the three to the highest point on a nearby mountain face

"Guru, you wouldn't happen to have a clue as to that "walk across the heavens" part, would you" Sly asked Guru

"Hmm…I MIGHT have some idea" Guru answered

"What is it" Neyla asked

"Observe my friends" Guru said before he used his Dreamtime magic to make a random guard fly up to their position, levitating in the air

"WOW" Neyla said

"That's…AMAZING" Sly added

"Truly, your powers never cease to amaze me" Neyla said

"However, I will need to ride on one of your backs to keep the levitation going" Guru said

"Of course, if you need to ride on my back then be my guest…I'm not the biggest fan about falling to my death" Sly said as Guru jumped on his back

"Neyla, stay close to me" Sly told Neyla

"Right" Neyla replied before the three made their way "across the heavens" using randomly levitated items and guards to act as footholds, after crossing said heavens, the three got to a cave system high in an unreachable place near the safehouse

"You alright Guru" Sly asked as he helped the Guru on the ground

"UGH…the greater the magic, the more is saps me of my strength, I must rest" Guru answered

"Then you get some rest here Guru, me and Sly will push on ahead and look for Tsao" Neyla said before she and Sly proceeded forward through a crawl space

(Hidden forest)

After getting through the crawl space, the lovers ended up in a hidden forest

"WOW, it's…beautiful" Neyla said

"Yeah, and there's…something about this place, I can feel it" Sly said

"Yeah, it's making the hairs on the back of my NECK stand up on end" Neyla added, suddenly Tsao appeared across form the lovers, balancing on one of the many bamboo shoot tops

"SLY" Neyla shouted as she pointed

"I see her, come on" Sly said before he and Neyla to jumped on top of and balanced on the bamboo shoots using Ninja spire jump

"AH, the famous Sly Cooper, I've heard SO much about you, though I must say what I'm seeing isn't very impressive" Tsao said

"If you don't think I'm impressive then how come we found you" Sly asked

"Please, I left that trail for you and your little gang to follow…and who is your companion" Tsao asked

"Neyla, his lover" Neyla answered as she drew her whip

"It doesn't matter, both of you will be useless without your pathetic friends, as you'll both soon discover" Tsao said

"I'm not ashamed to rely on my friends, lady, OR Neyla, they've never let me down before and I don't think they're planning on starting now" Sly said

"WHO NEEDS FRIENDS WHEN YOU CAN HAVE SERVANTS, WHO NEEDS AFFECTION AND LOVE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE OBEDIECE AND POWER and I have all the servants, obedience and power I WANT, not to mention the beauty of a Goddess" Tsao said, stroking her hair

"Has anyone ever told you that your BEYOND self-centered" Neyla asked

"Those who FARED to have been put to death" Tsao answered

"You put people to death JUST for that…wow, I was right, your not just self-centered, you've got a God complex" Sly said

"YOU INSOLENT, you will PAY for that" Tsao said

"Two against one, odds ain't in your favor" Sly said

"Count again" A new voice spoke up before the apprentice showed up and like the others balanced on the tops of the bamboo shoots

"Who's this guy" Neyla asked

"Good question, who are you" Sly asked, the apprentice then removed his mask to show his face

"Look familiar" The apprentice asked as Sly and Neyla looked at the apprentice's face

"Um…no, not really" Sly answered

"Sorry but, no" Neyla answered

"While I'm not surprised that YOU don't remember me Sly, but I'm surprised that you don't remember me Neyla especially since we've known each other since we were kids" The apprentice said

"Kids, Neyla, what's he talking about" Sly asked

"Think back to the homestead…YEARS ago" The apprentice said

"The homestead…how do you…wait…YOU'RE from the homestead" Sly asked

"The home YOUR DAD brought RUIN TO" The apprentice said, pointing at Sly with his sword

"My DAD, what are you talking about" Sly asked

"Your dad, if he wasn't a master thief then the Fiendish five WOULDN'T have attacked and BURNT OUR HOME TO THE GROUND…my mother and father DIED BECAUSE OF THE TROUBLE THAT YOUR DAD BROUGHT TO OUR HOME…and if that wasn't enough…you took HER away from me" The apprentice said as he pointed at Neyla

"ME" Neyla asked

"What's this gotta do with my love" Sly asked

"There has been ENOUGH talk, I brought you two here to KILL YOU" Tsao said

"Remember our deal, Tsao, I help you keep your prisoner and I get to take Neyla" The apprentice said as he put his mask back on

"Just be sure to hold YOUR end of the deal" Tsao replied

"Oh…I guarantee that Sly Cooper will DIE today" The apprentice replied

"Indeed, and what better place to his death…this sacred forest has been the battleground for hundreds of my ancestors as they crushed ANY who got in their way…neither you, Sly nor your lover will be any different" Tsao said

"Bentley, are you getting this" Neyla asked into her earpiece

"Yeah, what's she babbling about" Sly asked

"Sly, it's Genji, sorry Bentley can't answer right now, he's already working on another plan, but me and Hanzo have read about these types of battlegrounds before…the energy that's gone on in battles past STRENGTHENS the live combatants, making them stronger, faster and allows them to soar for long distance's" Genji answered

"You two could probably jump across the whole arena with just ONE JUMP, so use that as an advantage against Tsao but be careful she knows these battlegrounds VERY well, so keep on guard the both of you" Hanzo added through the earpiece

"Thanks for the heads up, boys" Neyla replied

"I knew I could feel something up with this place" Sly said

"ENOUGH TALK COOPER, face me NOW and prepare for the end of your legacy" Tsao said as she raised her razor shield

"My thoughts EXACTLY" The apprentice said

"His legacy won't end here, but YOURS WILL, that I PROMISE YOU" Neyla said as she cracked her whip

"Oh, I've been WAITING for this" Sly said as he drew his Rapier and then pulled out his dagger from inside the Rapier's handle, while Neyla and Tsao went at it, Sly and the apprentice clashed in a fierce, two on two battle, Tsao attacked with fireballs as she jumped around the arena and even tried attacking the lovers with her razor shield being used like Captain America would use his shield in combat and the apprentice Sly and Neyla could tell by the way he fights and wields his sword, he was EXTREMELY well trained and kept up with Sly in swordsmanship, like Genji and Hanzo told them, Sly and Neyla could soar for long distances with a single jump across the top of the bamboo trees, in all honesty they felt like they were in a Kung-Fu movie, they coordinated their attacks perfectly with each other and managed to land in some SERIOUS blows on Tsao but after they though they got her, she fell to the forest floor laughing to which the apprentice descended to th forest floor as well

"THERE THEY GO" Neyla shouted

"COME BACK HERE" Sly shouted as he and Neyla slid down on the bamboo trees until they got to the ground and came face to face with Tsao and the apprentice

"Hmm, not bad esteemed "wedding photographer" I'm surprised either you or your pet cat lasted this long" Tsao said

"Believe it, my master told me that Sly was no pushover" The apprentice said

"If we wanted compliments, we wouldn't want them coming from you" Neyla said

"Stop this madness Tsao, let Jing King go and this fighting can end" Sly said

"NO, JING KING STAYS until Wong is MINE in marriage, once our bloodlines cross, it shall be GLORIOUS, with the blood of Wong's ancestors in the veins of his daughters that my womb will grow and birth, our family line will be the most POWERFUL and RICHEST family in the WORLD" Tsao said

"Why is Wong so important to you" Neyla asked

"So…you don't know" Tsao said

"Know WHAT" Sly asked

"I assumed the Panda King told you…but I guess I expected a little too much for peasants" Tsao said

"Wong is the heir to the THRONE of China, he is the LAST living descendant of the FIRST CHINESE EMPEROR" The apprentice said

"REALLY" Sly and Neyla asked

"Indeed, he IS" Tsao said

"Makes sense, many past emperors claimed they have dragon ancestry, and the dragon is a symbol of imperial power and divinity since the Chinese Long were either mounts or companions to God's…or were God's themselves" Sly said

"Very good Cooper…could you imagine the influence and power our daughters, granddaughters, great granddaughters and vast descendants would possess, he would be better off marrying someone that he DESERVES, an intelligent, strong, influential and BEAUTIFUL woman of status, not SOME PEASANT GIRL" Tsao said

"But he's in love with Jing King, that's REAL love, you only wanna marry him for power and status, that's not real" Sly replied

"He probably doesn't even LIKE YOU" Neyla added

"He will after I give him THIS" Tsao said as she pulled out a bottle of something

"What's that" Neyla asked

"A potion made from the Phoenix flower, a rare flower that only grows in this special grotto, once eaten or injected the person will become so sexually hungry that Wong won't be able to RESIST wanting to breed with the FIRST woman that he sees which WILL BE ME, in fact he'll be doing it for DAYS nonstop…I made SURE of it with this powerful mixture and I'll make sure he doesn't waste a SINGLE…DROP of his royal seed" Tsao said

"You would SERIOUSLY DRUG HIM" Neyla asked

"Oh, MORE than that, that bitch Jing King thought she was the most beautiful woman in China well, after I FORCE her to watch Wong impregnate me OVER…and OVER…and OVER again I will give her permission to die with the fact that her former lover…is the father of MY future daughters, NOT HER'S" Tsao said

"You are one SICK FUCK" Sly said

"You can say THAT again love, how could you be this cruel" Neyla asked

"Don't pretend that you're not the same" Tsao told Neyla

"WHAT" Neyla asked

"I can tell you are like me, a powerful, strong, intelligent and independent woman, but unlike other, lesser women when I see something that I want…I TAKE IT, that includes men that I desire and I crush ANY woman that gets in the way of me GETTING said man, to the women of my family line, men are nothing but breeding studs to be tossed out as soon as they serve their purpose, women in my family line controlled the REAL POWER in their time and through my daughters they will AGAIN" Tsao replied

"Breeding studs" Sly asked

"That's right, men in this world have held power for too long…it's time for the WOMEN to take their rightful places at the TOP once again" Tsao said

"You keep saying daughters…why not sons" Neyla asked

"Because I will only accept strong girls that my womb will birth and eventually the wombs of my daughters, granddaughters and great granddaughters will birth, not WEAKLING boys" Tsao answered

"So, you would just plan to forsake any boy you would give birth to" Sly asked

"Only the women of the Tsao name will be allowed to stay in power, the men will be where they have always and always WILL stay, beneath my HEEL, they have no use in MY family or in MY domain" Tsao answered

"Cold, HEARTLESS BITCH" Sly growled as his hand balled into a fist in anger

"You DARE to insult a GODDESS, YOU FILTHY MAN-THING" Tsao growled

"SOMEONE SHOULD AFTER ALL THE SHIT THEY MUST HAVE TAKEN FROM YOU" Sly shouted back in anger, making Tsao studder back a bit

"Well, let me tell you something, Tsao, you might have the power to get or do almost anything you want, but you CAN'T BUY LOVE…Jing King didn't have to be rich or powerful to have Wong love her, she didn't have to force him to do anything" Sly said

"The Tsao's do what we do for our own reasons, DO NOT…question them" Tsao said

"And, besides you should ask yourself why you do the things you do" The apprentice said

"What's that mean" Sly asked

"You help the Panda King, one of the people responsible for putting your PARENTS in the grave, BURNING our home to the ground and RUINING our childhoods" The apprentice said

"He SWORE that he wouldn't harm another innocent person if I let him live, I STAND by my choice to spare him" Sly said

"Mercy is a sign of weakness, you should have killed him, at least he could have died with honor" Tsao said

"And what would YOU know about honor, Panda King has more honor in his little pinkie finger than YOU do in your who body" Neyla said

"And your WILLING helping someone who sees men as just disposable, breeding studs, whoever you are" Sly asked the apprentice

"You still don't remember me, do you" The apprentice asked

"I'm drawing a blank here" Sly answered

"Same" Neyla answered

"Now that hurts…that REALLY hurts Neyla, especially since I gave you that red rose for your seventh birthday" The apprentice said

"Red…rose" Neyla muttered before it suddenly HIT her like a bolt of lightning

"No way…can it…BE" Neyla asked as the apprentice removed his mask again

"NOW do you remember me" The apprentice asked

"It…it IS you…Kion" Neyla asked

"Huh" Sly muttered

"Yes, my love, it's me" Kion said

"Who are YOU calling my tigress "my love" pal" Sly asked

"Kion, I can't believe it, it's you, I thought you were" Neyla was about to say

"Dead, I know, no thanks to THAT son of a bitch" Kion said, pointing at Sly

"CAREFUL who you call names, BUDDY, Neyla, who is this guy" Sly asked

"Remember back on the homestead, there was a white lion kid who we were friends with…Kion Lone-eagle" Neyla said, suddenly it hit Sly

"K-Kion…is that really you" Sly asked

"About time you remembered" Kion said

"How is this possible…I thought only me, Murray, Bentley, Mario and Neyla survived the homestead attack" Sly said

"I did…well" Kion said as he showed his robotic arm

"About ninety percent of me did anyway" Kion said

"Kion, why are you here" Neyla asked

"Tracking you down my love" Kion answered

"Okay, first off only SLY is allowed to call me that and two, how did you survive the homestead attack" Neyla asked

"I believe you already know my master by name…Dr. M" Kion answered, shocking the two

"M" Sly and Neyla asked at once

"After the attack on the homestead I was left in a burning building, my arm crushed beyond repair under rubble and my parents dead, I SCREAMED for help for HOURS and then…my uncle showed up and took me to a man who could help me, Dr. M, he not only patched me up but took me in, he told me the TRUTH" Kion said

"What truth" Sly asked

"That because of what your father was…it was HIS FAULT that the homestead was attacked, if HE wasn't a master thief then the Fiendish five WOULDN'T have attacked but most of all…I blame YOU for not only destroying my HOME, but for taking Neyla away from me" Kion explained

"From you" Neyla asked

"Sly wasn't the ONLY one who love you when we were kids, I was trying to tell you that when I gave you that ROSE, WHY did you choose HIM OVER ME" Kion shouted

*Hmm, a love triangle, this is…strangely entertaining* Tsao said in her mind

"Tell me Neyla, why would you love the guy who's father DESTROYED OUR HOME" Kion asked

"That wasn't Conner's fault" Neyla said

"Tell that to my DEAD…PARENTS…M and my uncle have been training me for the day when I FINALLY have my revenge" Kion said

"And how do you plan on doing THAT" Sly asked

"First, I figure I KILL you Sly, make you PAY for the sins of your father, if HE didn't come around my parents would still be ALIVE and second…after I kill you I will be MORE than happy to take your place as Neyla's lover, the way it was ALWAYS MEANT TO BE" Kion said, Sly then moved in front of Neyla

"Too bad Sly already has my heart" Neyla said

"Your heart yes…but after I kill him…I'll have the honor of taking your BODY as mine" Kion said

"Only over my DEAD…ROTTING…CORPSE" Sly growled in protective anger before Kion put his mask back on

"I was HOPING you would say that, leave Sly to me Tsao…he's MINE" Kion told Tsao

"Hmm, suit yourself…now, prepare yourself GIRL, up until now, I've gone EASY on you, now YOU SHALL TASTE THE ANCIENT, BLACK ARTS OF THE FAMILY TSAO" Tsao shouted

"PREPARE TO DIE SLY" Kion shouted as the four charged at each other, while Sly and Kion went at it blade to blade, Tsao and Neyla went at it hand to hand, Sly using the seven styles that he studied while training with Mario and he could see what kind of styles Kion was trained in for the last thirty years, Sly could see techniques from Systema, C.Q.C, Wing Chun, Tiger Kung Fu and Jujutsu and most of all was Kion's skills with his blade was some of the best that Sly has ever seen as their blades clashed, they cut down several trees without meaning to meanwhile Tsao was using traditional Kung-Fu styles against Neyla who tried to keep her distance and attack with her whip but Tsao was too quick with her shield and blocked her attacks, Sly then decided to take to the trees as he rained down Flechette's on Tsao left and right but she was able to easily dodge and block them with her shield before

"GET BACK HERE SLY" Kion shouted as he kicked the bamboo tree that Sly was holding onto in half forcing Sly to jump down but before Tsao could toss her razor shield at Sly, Neyla moved in and using a kickboxing style she managed to pick up over the last year she was able to put up a good fight before Sly jumped on Tsao, trying to pounce on her but Tsao quickly dodged only to use her dark magic and make these zombie-like hands rise from the ground to try and grab Sly and Neyla

"TO THE TREES" Sly shouted as he and Neyla quickly got to the top of the bamboo trees to avoid them, once they were gone Sly then hung upside down and started shooting at Tsao and Kion with his arrows and Neyla tossed Senbon needles only for Kion to sped in and deflect them with his sword

"You won't win THAT EASILY" Kion said before he held out his robotic arm and from the palm shot flames like a flamethrower to which Sly and Neyla had to move quickly to get away from

"BURN THEM TO A CINDER" Tsao said before Neyla jumped on Tsao before the two went tumbling on the ground and Sly moved in and started clashing with Kion again before Kion's robotic arm extended curved, retractable blades from the side of the metal arms forearm, it caught Sly off guard for a second because it nicked him a few times but he managed to keep out of range thanks to quick reflexes and a couple of backflips

"I see you've got some tricks up that robotic sleeve" Sly said

"More than enough to send you to HELL" Kion growled as the top of his robot arm opened up to show a crossbow, a repeating crossbow which fired at Sly only for Sly to throw down a smoke bomb and vanish from sight

"No use hiding Sly" Kion said before he raised his left hand and caught an arrow that would have hit him in the side of the head

"First trick M taught me" Kion said before the arrowhead released a burst of sound

"AAAAAAH" Kion shouted as he covered his ears which were ringing before Sly moved in and did a spinning heel kick and sent Kion flying before he turned to see Neyla and Tsao going at it before Tsao grabbed Neyla's attacking arm and used her knee to hit Neyla in the chest, knocking the wind out of her before she grabbed Neyla by the neck and lifted her up

"Now you DIE YOU ANNOYING WINCH" Tsao said as he was about to kill Neyla with the razors on her shield only Sly shot at Tsao with an arrow and pierced through her right forearm

"AAAAAAAH" Tsao shouted in pair as she was forced to let go of Neyla

"YOU FILTHY MAN-THING" Tsao shouted before Sly TACKLED her to the ground and armed himself with his brass knuckles before he tried to pound on Tsao's face with them, but she managed to weave her head out of the way and even block them

"GET OFF ME" Tsao shouted before something wrapped around Sly's wrist, he looked to see it was Kion and it was a fiber-cord whip which came out of the bottom of his robotic arms wrist

"We're not through YET" Kion growled as he yanked Sly towards him and whipped him so hard he was sent into a large boulder, Kion then moved in with intent to kill as his sword suddenly began to glow a bright red color before he tried to slice Sly in half only the raccoon ducked and rolled out of danger, couldn't say the same for the boulder though which was cut in half, where it was sliced it looked like it was cut in half by a plasma torch

"Whoa" Sly muttered

"Nice huh, High-frequency technology, makes my blade vibrate at intense speeds to cut through almost anything" Kion explained

"I see M's got some interesting toys of his own, but it ain't the gear, it's the user" Sly said

"You won't be saying that after my blade CLEAVES you in two" Kion said before the two started trading blows again, so Sly had to energize his Rapier with electricity to enhance it so it would stand a chance against Kion's high-frequency blade meanwhile Tsao tried more dark magic to release energy black dragon head at Neyla but she leapt from one tree to the next to avoid the dragons before using a smokescreen to drop out of sight, Tsao lost sight of her

"Come here little kitten, why are you running…not equipped to handle a perfect warrior like myself" Tsao asked before Neyla came down on Tsao with an axe kick which hit its mark on her face and left a scar on her left cheek even drawing blood

"Not so "perfect" now are we Tsao" Neyla asked as Tsao grazed her new scar and hissed in slight pain

"YOU…YOU RUINED MY FLAWLESS SKIN, NOW YOU SHALL PAY FOR THAT WITH YOUR LIFE" Tsao shouted as she tried to attack Neyla but she could read her angry and reckless chain of attacks like a book before Neyla did a rising knee to Tsao's face, staggering her before Sly and Tsao ended up back to back, Sly then grabbed her from behind and tossed her into Kion who was about to attack Sly, the two collided and then were sent flying back a bit and where they landed, they triggered a trip mine bomb that Sly laid out hopping to catch Kion off guard but better yet, he caught two off guard at once, though Tsao's armor protected herself from most of the blast and Kion was on top of her when the bomb went off, he was unharmed with but a few strains of his white hair burnt a little, Tsao on the other hand was bleeding, Neyla and Sly then cornered the two

"You two had enough" Sly asked

"GAH…your even more skilled than M told me you would be…Mario taught you well" Kion said

"You both may have won this battle…but the WAR RAGGES ON, take your foolish computer" Tsao said as she tossed the Thief net computer to Sly

"It won't help you, WONG AND THE CHILDREN I WILL BIRTH FROM HIS LOINS WILL BE MINE AND MINE ALONE" Tsao said

"Like HELL that'll happen" Neyla said

"Wong is a PERSON not property and sorry you spoiled, little rich girl, but we're ending this RIGHT now" Sly said

"DITTO" Neyla said as she as Sly went in for the kill and hopefully a quick end only Tsao whacked Neyla out of the way with her shield before she threw down a smoke bomb to blind Sly before Kion grabbed Sly by the throat and his metallic hand shocked Sly making him scream out in pain

"I'll let you live just a LITTLE bit longer, Sly, so Neyla can see that I'M SUPERIOR TO YOU and you're UNWORTHY OF BEING WITH HER…I AM THE ONLY MAN WHO IS WORTHY TO BE WITH HER" Kion growled before he threw Sly to which he impacting on one of the sides of a nearby rock wall

"SLY, SLY" Neyla shouted in fear as she ran over to Sly and checked if he was okay but he was just out cold

"YOU…YOU BASTARD" Neyla shouted with anger in her eyes, pointed at Kion

"That's the man you fell in love with Neyla, PLEASE, he can't even defend himself, come with me and I'll give you EVERYTHING he never could" Kion said, holding out his hand to Neyla

"FUCK YOU" Neyla growled

"Looks like you still need some convincing…very well, tend to your pathetic lover, when you eventually change your mind, come to Tsao's palace, I will be waiting" Kion said before Tsao threw down another smoke bomb

"BEWARE, BEWARE THE POWER OF TSAO" Tsao said before she and Kion vanished in the smoke

"Jasmine…JASMINE, DO YOU READ" Neyla yelled into her earpiece

"What is it, what's happened" Jasmine asked from the other side of the line

"Sly's been hurt, get the medicine ready NOW" Sly replied before she picked Sly up as best as she could and rushing him to the safehouse

"Kion…what have you BECOME" Neyla asked under her breath as she carried Sly to safety, after getting him some help from Jasmine, Sly was being taken care of as night rolled on it was a much more serious atmosphere rather than the usual laid back feeling as Sly rested and Jasmine healed him up, Bentley worked on a plan throughout the night as Neyla regaled the team about what happened, needless to say Mario, Bently and Murray were SHOCKED to hear about their other friend from the Homestead, Kion trying to kill Sly and worse, is the apprentice of Dr. M, but that would have to come later, right now they needed rest

(The next day)

The next day Sly was still knocked out and recovering but they couldn't wait for Sly to get better the team had a monstrous woman to take DOWN

(Slideshow)

"Thankfully Sly and Neyla managed to retrieve the Thief net computer, but we're temporarily down three members of the field team, Jasmine's working on Sly's injuries while he rests and Neyla REFUSES to leave his side until he's better, but he's pulled through worse than this, meanwhile, we need to stay focused here, while we did get the computer back, all the plans on it have been compromised, the wedding is still on and Jing King still remains Tsao's prisoner, yes, we are going to free her as we promised Panda King but we just need to be a little more cautious especially with Kion around, according to Neyla he EASILY kept up with Sly which means he's been extremely well trained but even with him around we got a job to do and personally…we need to hurt Tsao where it really hurts and for THIS heist, we're gonna put the screws to this lady, she's MORE than earned it, so I suggest that we empty out her treasury, a feat IMPOSSIBLE without the use of Murray's van, however all that time in the ice has ruined it poly-cellular battery, Zak I'll need your help in finding a new one which is easier said than done since Tsao's gone all OUT with security since her encounter with Sly and Neyla in the hidden grove, including black, magic dragons and hopping VAMPIRES patrolling the streets, they're all OVER the place and they NEED to go to even the odds before the wedding, Mario, you, Panda King, Shazza, Cammy, Genji and Hanzo will break into a firework cache and then destroy the crypt Tsao used to raise her undead minions, without it, they'll be NOTHING but a pile of dust…let's get it done…for Sly and Jing King"

(End of slideshow)

Mario, Shazza, Cammy, Genji and Hanzo were sent out first and went to a fireworks cache for the wedding, Bentley then contacted the group

"That's it, one of the firework stashes for the wedding ceremony" Bentley said

"The lock on this thing should be no problem, I've cracked a couple of safes in my time but I'll need help carrying the load" Mario said

"That would be a task for our master" Genji said

"He's right, Panda King's strong, good with explosives and capable of dealing with multiple opponents" Bentley said

"And when he gets enough fireworks, he'll have NO problem blowing that hopping vampire crypt to kingdom come" Hanzo said

"Agreed" Bentley said

"Look, Bentley I trust your word and I know Sly already forgave him but…that was MY sister he helped Clockwerk murder all those year ago…I'm, not sure if I'm ready to forgive him" Mario said

"Mario, with all due respect…do we REALLY have any other option here" Bentley asked, Mario paused before answering

"No…no, we don't" Mario answered

"Then you three just wait, I'll send him your way" Bentley replied

"Well tell him to hurry his big ass up, this cold weather is KILLING me" Shazza said

"Maybe if you changed into warmer clothing" Mario said

"I like these clothes, besides have you SEEN how beefy I am" Shazza asked

"You can say THAT again" Genji said as the eyed Shazza

"Something wrong with your eyes monkey boy" Shazza asked

"Not a THING" Genji answered

"Well, throw those goo-goo eyes somewhere ELSE" Shazza said

"Feisty, my kind of lady" Genji said

"What does he have a fetish for beefy ladies or something" Cammy asked Hanzo

"Everyone has their own preference" Hanzo said pinching the bridge of his nose

"And…what do you prefer" Cammy asked

"Why do you ask" Hanzo asked, Cammy paused before turning her head away from him

"Just…curious is all" Cammy answered

"I am SO sorry about my brother, Shazza, he can be…a little much sometime" Hanzo told Shazza

"Oh well THAT'S love for your brother" Genji said

"Looks like the young monkey has their eyes set on you" Mario told Shazza

"GREAT, just what every girl wants, a teenage boy with raging hormones crushing on her" Shazza said

"Eh, he's young, he'll grow out of it" Mario said

"So, Mario, you knew the guy who hurt Sly" Hanzo asked Mario

"Afraid so" Mario answered

"Did Neyla said he used to be friends with Bentley, Murray and Sly back in their childhood days" Hanzo asked

"They were" Mario answered

"Then why the HELL is this guy trying to kill Sly" Genji asked

"Apparently my nephew wasn't the only one who loved Neyla before he even knew what love was…jealously can make people do extreme things" Mario answered

"He obviously thinks that he deserves Neyla more than Sly does" Shazza said

"Well, I say good FREAKING luck with that, Sly and Neyla are practically joined at the hip" Cammy said

"That still ain't gonna stop him from trying, is it" Genji asked

"Not likely brother, when motivated by desire, jealousy or hatred, people are sometimes willing to go to hell and BACK just to get what they want" Hanzo said

"Well said" Shazza said

"So why aren't we taking on this guy right NOW" Genji asked

"Because from the way Neyla described him and Sly's injuries, M has trained Kion VERY well, I'm surprised he managed to equal my nephew, this M knows his stuff" Mario said

"And Sly has TWENTY years of training under his belt, if someone can match him, he's no DOUBT dangerous" Cammy added

"So what, we just…wait and see" Genji asked

"Until we come up with some plan to deal with him…looks like it" Hanzo replied as the group waited for the Panda King, Bentley went to his small home right in front of the safehouse

(In the Panda King's home)

"This is it Panda King, we need you for a field mission, Mario and your students are trying to break into a fireworks cache and they'll need a hand" Bentley said

"Very well, I shall be there presently…you may go" Panda King said

"Look, I don't mind telling you I'm putting my neck on the line here…we're all counting on you" Bentley said

"I…will mind your NECK" Panda King said before Bentley left, Panda King then looked in a nearby mirror and saw his former, past glory as the one, true Panda King, a manifestation of his past anger

"Hello old friend…I am about to work alongside Sly Cooper's uncle and I cannot carry you with me on the journey" Panda King told his Yang half

"YOU FOOL, this is your chance for REVENGE, his nephew HUMILIATED US, RUINED US, MADE US WEAK" Panda King's Yin said

"Humiliation was a crossroads I have chosen to walk the path of humility" Panda King replied

"HULIMITY THAT COST YOU YOUR DAUGHTER…DESTROY COOPER AND HIS UNCLE, NOW" Panda King Yin growled

"Cooper is a teacher of humility…we killed his parents, burnt the place of his birth to the ground and ruined his childhood…but, despite all we have put him through, he not only manages to trust us but also forgave us for what we did, by studying him, we shall become whole" Panda King said

"I have NO desire to join with my WEAKER SIDE, you are NOTHING but a shell of your former self and a FAILURE, I am the strength that used to be the once GLORIOUS PANDA KING" Panda King Yin said

"You are strong, and I am humble…BUT, only through cooperation can we be the father than Jing King needs and deserves to have" Panda King replied

"The Yin and the Yang" Panda King Yin asked

"If strength were all that mattered, then perhaps we LET Tsao marry Wong and leave our daughter to eternally suffer a sting worse than any blade or weapon could POSSIBLY create" Panda King said, Panda King Yin thought about it for a minute before he answered

"Very well…Cooper and his uncle shall live" Panda King Yin replied

"Thank you…old friend" Panda King replied before he headed out

(Outside)

Panda King left his home and made his way to Mario, Shazza, Cammy, Genji and Hanzo locations

"Master" Genji and Hanzo greeted their master with a bow

"About time you got here" Shazza said

"Forgive me, I…had a slight delay" Panda King said

"Well, you're here now" Cammy said before Panda King locked eyes with the brother of the woman he helped to murder years ago as they stood in front of each other

"Mario" Panda King greeted the elderly raccoon

"Panda King" Mario replied, the other three felt SO much tension in the air

"WOW, suddenly things got MUCH colder here" Shazza said

"Well, you did tell us that master did terrible things to Sly and Mario in the past" Hanzo said

"He's not the same man he once was…me and Hanzo can tell" Genji said

"Before we begin…I must say something" Panda King said

"And that is" Mario asked, Panda King then got on his knees and bowed to low to Mario that his forehead touched the snowy ground

"I…I humbly ask…for your forgiveness for the terrible things I have done to your family in the past…I was misguided by my anger…PLEASE…forgive me" Panda King said, the group was stunned, even more so for his students

"MASTER" Hanzo muttered in shock

"I take it he wasn't bowed like this to anyone before" Cammy asked the two

"Not to ANYONE, he's told us…not even his old boss, Clockwerk could get him to bow like this" Genji answered, Mario knew it was SERIOUS what Panda King was saying

"I know I have no RIGHT to ask for your forgiveness, but I SWORE to your nephew that I wouldn't harm anymore innocent people if he only spared my life…and for the last three years I have kept my word, now I wish to not only to be better than I was before but also be someone that my daughter can be PROUD OF…forgive me or not Mario, know that I will do RIGHT by both my vow and my daughter" Panda King said, Mario paused as Panda King held his bow

"Rise" Mario said as the Panda King got back up to his feet

"Let's…get this job done while I…think about it" Mario said

"Of course, Genji, Hanzo, I want you to guard Mario with your lives, understood" Panda King asked his students

"YES MASTER" The two replied at once as Mario got to work on opening the safe while Panda King brushed up on his old skills, seeing as how he's at least three years rusty, after getting the first collection of fireworks Mario handed them to Panda King

"That's number one down, onto the next cache" Mario said

"Excellent, I shall make good use of these" Panda King said as he loaded the fireworks into the launcher on his back, the five then made their way to the next cache and while Mario got to work on it, Bentley called

"Guys HEADS UP, the undead guardians are heading your way, protect Mario while he unlocks the fireworks" Bentley called through their earpiece's

"FINALLY, some excitement" Shazza said

"I'm gonna be honest here I thought we would be fighting PEOPLE not vampires" Cammy said as she activated her repaired Microbot mech suit

"Relax, Cammy you ain't alone here" Hanzo said as he brought out his Sai's

"Remember your training students" Panda King said as Genji armed himself with Kusanagi

"Never thought I would be a vampire slayer" Genji said

"Life keeps us on our toes with all the curve balls that it throws our ways" Hanzo replied as the hopping vampires were upon them, the master and students held them off by attacking with fireworks, Flame-Fu from the Panda King while Cammy covered the group from a distance with her Light guns and dealt with vampires who got too close to her with her battle fists, Genji not only used his seemingly unmatched Bojutsu even when he only had one arm (Well if you don't count his apposable feet) and he even washed many of them away with VAST amounts of water he stored in some of his staff's scrolls along with medium-sized, spiked iron balls that either crushed or impaled the hopping vampires or even sucking them into his scroll using Fuinjutsu and Hanzo used his flaming capsules to set the vampires on fire while also using his natural athleticism and agility to avoid the vampires who got too close to him, along with Shazza using her boomerang like a club and as a throwing weapon to attack from a distance, eventually Mario got into the second cache and handed Panda King the fireworks which he loaded into the firework launcher

"One more cache to go" Mario said

"We're doing great" Genji said

"Yeah, but can we hurry it up" Shazza asked

"Cold getting to ya again, I could, uh…give ya a nice, warm hug" Genji said, Shazza then Gibb's slapped the back of his head

"AAH" Genji shouted

"Keep your head in the game boy" Shazza said

"Brother, PLEASE focus" Hanzo said

"I couldn't have said it better" Panda King said

"Yes master, sorry" Genji replied before they set out for the last cache

"SWEET MOTHER OF PEARL" Bentley shouted form the earpiece

"What is it, what's wrong" Cammy asked

"M-MORE HOPPING VAMPIRES, MY SCANNER'S TH-THERE EVERYWHERE" Bentley answered

"Not good" Genji said

"BACK-TO-BACK, NOW" Panda King said as the master, students, Cammy and Shazza stood at each other's backs in a circle and stood their ground against the LARGER group of hopping vampires that tried to kill them, it was a tough fight and one that included SEVERAL close calls, but the trip defended Mario as he worked on the safe and eventually got it open, Mario then handed Panda King the last firework bundle

"Are you all alright" Mario asked

"It was close, but yes, we're fine" Hanzo answered

"This is the last of the fireworks, take them to the crypt that Tsao used to raise these unholy monstrosities and" Mario was about to say

"KA-BOOM" Genji shouted

"No more hopping vampires" Hanzo said

"And good thing to…the dead deserve to be left in peace and respected, NOT to be used for an insane bitch's playthings" Shazza added

"I agree, this ordinance will suffice" Panda King said

"THERE'S GONNA BE FANGS ALL OVER THE PLACE" Genji shouted, earning a pause of silence form the older members of the group

"Um…sorry, got…carried away" Genji said

"Ugh, what a kid" Shazza muttered

"I'm NOT a kid" Genji said, feeling insulted

"No…it's refreshing to have such young blood on the team again, after all…we were once young as well, eh Panda King" Mario asked Panda King

"Hmm, yes, we were" Panda King answered

"After this is done…I think it's time we talked Panda King…say over a nice cup of tea" Mario asked

"As you wish, you should head back to the safehouse while me and my students handle the rest" Panda King told Mario

"Shazza…make sure the young one's don't get into trouble" Mario told Shazza

"Seriously…BABYSITTING these kids" Shazza asked

"We're not kids…well, I'm not as much as my brother is" Hanzo said

"HEY" Genji snapped

"We can be mature" Hanzo said

"I don't see it" Shazza said

"Anyway…be careful all of you" Mario told the group

"Don't worry about it, with the brother's skills and this much firepower we have, that vampire crypt is as good as blown to KINGDOM COME" Cammy said before Mario returned to the safehouse whilst the others headed for the vampire crypt that Tsao used to raise them, while the vampires tried to stop Panda King form using the fireworks collected, Shazza, Genji, Cammy and Hanzo fought them, protecting the demolition panda, eventually after enough damage was dealt, the vampires were done for

"KA-BOOM" Genji shouted

"BACK to the earth where you belong" Hanzo said

"THE DEED IS DONE" Panda King shouted

"We work pretty well together" Hanzo told Cammy

"Yeah, you two sure know your Kung Fu" Cammy replied

"And your Microbots are certainly impressive as well" Hanzo replied

"Well, despite being low-tech, your umbrella is VERY well constructed" Cammy replied

"About time this job is over…now I can get out of this cold" Shazza said before the group got out of dodge before guards came around to investigate the explosions, once they were back and safe, the Panda King joined Mario in his home to talk about things over a nice, hot cup of tea, meanwhile Bentley and Zak were up

"Yo big brain, you, Murray and Aria finished with fixing up the van" Zak asked

"Yes, but there's a problem, it'll need a new power source, the old poly-cellular battery has lost its core" Bentley answered

"Then is there one around here that I can get for ya" Zak asked

"Thanks to Penelope's RC chopper we've located one but, due to th delicate nature of the work, I should be the one to uncouple it" Bentley answered

"Then, what am I here for, do you even need my help at all" Zak asked

"Stay close, I'm gonna need your help charging the battery" Bentley answered

"Got it" Zak replied as the two headed out for the poly-cellular battery which was near the waterfront

"Hello there, my PRETTY" Bentley said as he looked over the battery before Zak arrived

"We all good to go" Zak asked

"Yes, but it still needs to be charged" Bentley answered

"And how are we gonna do that, I mean it's not like we can just plug it into a wall" Zak said before Bentley motioned for him to come closer to whisper something in his ear, after explaining his charging method, his eyes widened a little

"You CAN'T be serious" Zak said

"I wish there was another way" Bentley said

"Oh BOY…I'm REALLY gonna be taking one for the team here" Zak said before Carmelita showed up on a higher vantage point above the two

"Hold it RIGHT there you two" Carmelita said before Bentley made a run for it and Zak was about to as well

"DON'T YOU FUCKING MOVE…where's COOPER" Carmelita asked

"Sorry he's…well "indisposed" at the moment but I can take a message to him if you'd like" Zak joked

"VERY funny kid, he and Neyla got a hot date or something" Carmelita asked, training her shock pistol on Zak

"Why don't you ask the queen bitch who runs this place" Zak said

"What's that supposed to mean" Carmelita asked

"Sly's been hurt" Zak answered, Carmelita's eyes widened a bit

"Wh-WHAT…who hurt him" Carmelita asked

"Why do you even care, you're trying to arrest us" Zak said

"I ASKED YOU A QUESTION" Carmelita said before Zak quickly took the battery and placed it on his back before jetting off on his rocket0powered skateboard

"FREEZE" Carmelita shouted as she shot at him but he dodged

"SORRY, COP MOMMA, GOT A HOT DATE" Zak shouted as he zoomed off

"FINE…after I ZAP YOUR ASS, I'LL MAKE YOU TELL ME" Carmelita growled as she chases after Zak who took several of her shock pistol blasts but he eventually fell on his stomach

"YES" Carmelita shouted before she walked up to Zak who looked to be unconscious

"DAMN IT, he's out cold…ah well, at least I got one of them" Carmelita said as she was about to slap the handcuffs on Zak but then her wrist communicator went off

"Carmelita Fox here" Carmelita answered

"Carm, it's Nick" Nick's voice spoke from the device

"Nick…where the HELL have you been, I thought you were my partner in this chase" Carmelita said

"I did but after the Australia incident I did some digging and managed to find out what Sly and his gang are after" Nick answered, meanwhile Zak secretly picked the lock to his handcuffs before he slowly got up, careful not to make even so much as the tiniest of sounds

"Nice acting Zak, the battery is fully charged, plug it into to one of the mainline outlets to stabilize it, then we'll attach it to the van, but BE careful, now that the battery is full, it won't absorb anymore of Carmelita's shots" Bentley whispered into Zak's ear through the earpiece

*Hmm…might be a good time to try out Bentley's new toy* Zak said in his head

"Well, what ARE they after" Carmelita asked Nick

"They've been recruiting additional members of their gang for something BIG, I'm talking MEGA BIG, apparently Sly is looking to collect his inheritance" Nick answered

"Inheritance…from where" Carmelita asked

"An island in the North-China Sea called Lian Yu, I managed to get some dirt from a couple of old friends in the military that owe me a few favors, on this island is what's called the Assassin's vault and it's containing the inheritance from Sly's heritage on his mother's side, he's looking to claim it" Nick answered as Zak snuck up behind Carmelita

"But why is he recruiting additional teammates" Carmelita asked

"Apparently, they ain't the ONLY one's looking to get into the vault, someone ELSE is trying to crack open the vault and he's built a fortress around the island to ward off intruders, my guess is Sly, and his team are looking for talent to better their chances at getting into the vault" Nick answered

"Well, that's interesting, I've managed to capture one of Sly's new recruits, as soon as he wakes up I'll ask me what this is all about and contact you later with my results" Carmelita replied

"Rodger" Nick replied before they hung up before she felt a hand on her shoulder

"Huh" Carmelita muttered as she turned her head to see Zak had his right hand on her right shoulder

"Sorry about this" Zak said before she felt electricity coursing through her body

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH" Carmelita shouted before she fell to the ground, she then looked up as she saw that Zak's right glove was outfitted with a taser and she could feel herself losing consciousness

"HEY…you…you were" Carmelita was about to say before she passed out

"I'll make sure to tell boss man you were concerned about him…or at least I think it was concern" Zak said before he dragged her to a safe area where the guards wouldn't see her before he went to take care of the battery, after stabilizing it with an outline, Zak then plugged it into another connecting to the team van

"EXCELLENT, the van is ready to go" Bentley said through the earpiece

"YOU ROCK ZAK" Murray called

"That's right, the Zak boy's AWESOME" Zak said before he returned to the safehouse and Murray was sent out for an assignment, once in position, Penelope contacted him

"Hey Murray, check it out, that strong box should be the primes router for the hard wire phone lines" Penelope said

"Yeah, hard phone lines" Murray said in a tone that said "I don't understand tech talk"

"You're the only one on the team strong enough to open it, CRACK the lid and I'll be right down to do a little rewiring, with a little luck we'll be able to listen in on Tsao's conversations" Penelope said

"Sure thing Penelope, easy for a muscle man like MYSELF…just stand back and let old "Murcules" work" Murray said before he went to crack open the lid but then after getting it open, a green gas spewed out and incapacitated Murray

"AAAH, OH, GAAH…that's BAD GAS" Murray said as soon guards came by to deal away with him as they strapped him to a rocket, meanwhile Penelope was hauling ass as fast as she could

"OH NO, THIS IS ALL MY FAULT, hang in there Murray, I'm coming" Penelope said, but it was too late

"Quickly, take the foreigner to the highest peak and BLAST him to pieces, be sure to leave a trail of gunpowder, all must be done according to tradition, or the ancestors will be displeased" Tsao ordered her men over their radio's

"I'M TOO LATE…Murray's as good as DEAD" Penelope said

"No, we STILL have a chance, use your RC car, it might be fats enough to beat the lit fuse up the mountain, it's the only tool we've GOT to save Murray" Bentley called over the earpiece as Penelope quickly sent her RC car on its way, it raced this way and that way, over and under obstacles and even taking out black magic dragons that were in its way but eventually it beat the fuse up the mountain

"Hang on Murray, this MIGHT BE CLOSE" Penelope told Murray over the earpiece before the RC car CRASHED into the side of a nearby building which created a chain reaction which in tern sent a large piece of ice down in front of the burning feus and put it out

"YES…THE MURRAY LIVES, I will NEVER forget you, brave little RC car, we will be friends FORVER…you can ride in my van" Murray said before Penelope got up to where he was and cut him loose of the rocket, the two then returned to the safehouse where Bentley put a plan together to take Tsao down but not before getting a good rest for the mother of ALL paybacks

(The next day)

To the gang's surprise and delight, Sly was awake and had healed up enough to go along with the plan that Bentley worked on half the night

(Slideshow)

"Okay guys, it's time to save Jing King, rob General Tsao blind, stop the wedding and send this witch up the creek without a paddle, and given the nature of this job, I'm calling it "Operation: Wedding crasher" this will be a multi-pronged job with five, separate teams working simultaneously, I'm sure I don't need to explain the importance of the schedule to ANYONE, thanks to Jasmine's work, Sly is back on his feet which means that we're back at our full strength, so first up, Sly, you, Murray and Penelope will break into Tsao's family treasure temple, get past the security, get at the goods then hand them off to me and Aria and Zak to load into the van, meanwhile Neyla and Jasmine will head to Tsao's palace for phase two which is when Panda King, Cammy and Guru will tunnel beneath the palace and bust a hole wide enough for Jing King to escape through, Neyla and Jasmine will have to make sure that no alarms meant to detect subterranean assaults are triggered while they're blasting when that's done, Aria will use her Grapple-camera to lure Carmelita Fox into the palace where with some trickery thanks to a new toy Penelope made will take Jing King's place in the bridal chamber not only fooling Tsao into thinking she still has her "leverage" as her prisoner but also gets Carmelita out of our way for a while, so hopefully she can't screw the plan up like she did back in Venice, Helen you'll be our eyes in the skies so make sure you get a GOOD vantage point to call out for anything that looks bad or out of place while we're working our magic, Shazza, Genji, Hanzo and T'Challa, you four will be on standby just in case trouble comes knocking and by trouble, I'm talking about Kion, he's still in the area I'm SURE of it, Mario on the other hand will be on standby so we can make our escape after we got the girl and the gold in hand"

(End of slideshow)

After the slideshow the teams separated and moved out, once in position on top of the treasury temple, Sly called it out

"Alright guys, I'm in green light position, let's get ourselves a role call" Sly called through the earpiece

(With Team 1 on one of the stilt houses)

"Ready" Bentley answered

"All set" Aria answered

"Let's rock boss" Zak answered

(With team 2 on a high vantage point)

"Eyes in the sky are up" Helen answered

"Ready to go" Genji said

"Onboard" Hanzo answered

"I'm here" Shazza said

"Ready master" T'Challa answered

(With team 3, in front of the treasury)

"In position" Penelope answered

"LET'S ROCK" Murray shouted

(With team 4 near Tsao's palace)

"Standing by" Jasmine called

"Ready love" Neyla added

(With team 5 under the palace)

"Right here" Cammy answered

"I am ready" Guru called

"I to stand ready…even if we fail, it will have been an honorable attempt…Jing King…is NOT forgotten" Panda King said

(With Neyla)

"Love, are you sure you're up for this, I mean Tsao hit you pretty hard days ago" Neyla told her love

"I'm fine Neyla…trust me, I've had worse injuries training with Mario" Sly replied

"You can take his word on that Neyla, one time in the mountains of Tibet when he was twelve, he fell and broke his arm…yet he persevered…made it to the top anyway" Mario said

"Seriously" Hanzo asked through the earpiece

"True story" Sly answered

"That's badass man" Genji said

"I know right" Zak asked through the earpiece

"Trust us you haven't even seen the HALF of what he's capable of" Helen said

"That's a hell of a pressure to put on a twelve-year-old boy" Neyla said

"Point is, I'm a tough guy, they're gonna have to try a HELL of a lot harder to take me away from you" Sly replied

"Okay, just PLEASE be careful" Neyla replied

(With Sly)

"Give the word, Sly we're ready" Bentley said

"Right Bentley and you have my word my tigress I'll be careful…alright everyone, mission is a GO" Sly said before he proceeded through a crawl space

(In the treasury temple)

After getting in the temple, Sly went to the front door and opened it for Murray and Penelope

"Opening the door for a lady and some say chivalry is dead" Penelope said

"Momma didn't raise no manner-less mook" Sly replied

"So, what's the plan" Murray asked

"According to the blueprints, there's a security computer on the far side of the room beyond that laser wall up ahead, under the dragon statue, I should be able to reach and destroy it with my RC car…provided I don't trip any of the blue security beams along the way" Penelope said

"BLUE SECURITY BEAMS…OH MAN" Murray said

"Well, that's why we recruited an RC specialist, show us what you got Penelope" Sly told Penelope

"Right" Penelope said before she sent out her RC car, she moved at a slow pace being EXTREMELY careful not to trip anything, eventually she made it to the computer under the dragon statue where she blasted it to pieces

"Nice work" Sly said, Penelope blushed slightly at his compliment

"Thanks, the laser beams should be going…away" Penelope said in confusion as the laser grid wall didn't go away

"HUH, what happened" Murray asked

"I…I don't know" Penelope said

"Maybe there's another computer somewhere" Murray said

"But the blueprints showed only one" Sly said

"This is BAD guys, the security nodes are still active, if that secondary computer fully boots up, there's NO WAY we'll get in" Penelope said

"Penelope, me and Sly have been doing this a LONG time and if there's one thing I've learned is that when things go wrong, ALWAYS fall back on the golden rule" Murray said

"Yeah, what's that" Penelope asked as Sly and Murray looked at each other with a smile

"BREAK STUFF" Sly and Murray said at the same time

"You…YOUR RIGHT…if I can destroy all the security nodes before the other computer comes on-line, the laser door should deactivate" Penelope said

"Les talk and MORE BREAKERY" Murray said

"GO GIRL, GO" Sly added as Penelope moved as fast as her RC car could go and destroyed all 30 of the Blue security beams, after making sure they were all destroyed, the laser door vanished

"YES" Penelope shouted in victory

"WOW…your pretty good at breaking things…I, I can respect that" Murray said

"Seriously, nice job Penelope" Sly added

"Thanks, you guys, now come on, let's get that treasure" Penelope said before the three moved to the dragon statue

"Looks like a double button trap door" Penelope said before Murray took one switch and Penelope took the other

"Call it out, I'm ready" Murray said, Penelope then called it and they pressed the buttons at the same time but then black magic dragons showed up

"DRAGONS, I GOT EM" Murray shouted as he easily took care of the two, magic dragon heads who tried to roast him with their fire breath before they tried the double button trap door again, this time it worked

"YES, we're in" Penelope said, Sly then shot his rope launcher at the bottom of the dragon statue preparing to lower himself down into the trap door

"Come on" Sly said as he held out his hand to Penelope which she took, and he lowered both of them down into the trap door to see a MASSIVE collection of priceless items

"WOW…look at all this" Penelope said as she and Sly looked around

"Yeah, quit the collection Tsao and her family line has kept over the years…what a hoarding lot" Sly said before he spotted something and he pulled it out of a pile of gold

"What'cha got there" Penelope asked as Sly looked over what looked like a combat fan (Think of Madara's Gunbai armament fan from "Naruto Shippuden")

"It's a Gunbai" Sly answered

"Huh" Penelope said

"Basically, it's a fan…although a bigger than traditional fan" Sly answered

"THAT'S a fan" Penelope asked

"An oversized, weaponized one, usually made of metal and is durable enough to be used as a blunt weapon or a shield…you know what…this is my new toy" Sly said

"What do you guys see…is it AWESOME" Murray asked

"There's plenty of loot…but the foundation looks rotted out…TOTALLY unstable" Penelope answered

"Master heads up" T'Challa called through the earpiece

"What is it" Sly asked

"Tsao is strutting her way to your position, how's it coming with the treasure" T'Challa asked

"WE'RE DOING AWESOME, stand aside guys, CANNONBALL" Murray shouted before Sly's eyes widened

"OH NO" Sly muttered, knowing what Murray was gonna do

"NO WAIT/MURRAY STOP" Penelope and Sly shouted but it was too late, Murray Thunder flopped down into the hole where all HELL broke lose

"Uh-oh" Murray said

(Before Murray's "cannonball" at the palace)

Neyla and Jasmine were waiting for the green light

"Alright, Sly, Murray and Penelope are working on the treasure, Neyla, Jasmine head into the palace, once you're inside the Panda King, Cammy and Guru will start BLASTING" Bentley told the two

"Ready" Jasmine asked Neyla

"Let's" Neyla replied before they both went to the front of the palace but Neyla stopped

"What is it" Jasmine asked as Neyla pulled something out of her jacket

"Just a little something to make sure Carmelita comes inside, curtesy of Cammy" Neyla replied as she showed Jasmine a card of some kind and on it, there was writing that said "Read me" (Its Sly's calling card from the games)

"That…that looks just like Sly" Jasmine said

"Exactly" Neyla said

"Who knew Cammy was an artist" Jasmine said

"She's a girl of many talents, why do you think I picked her to be one of my apprentices" Neyla asked as she pinned it to the door of the palace with a throwing needle before they entered the palace to get started on phase two

(Inside the palace)

Once inside Neyla called the Guru, Cammy and Panda King

"Alright, Jasmine and I are in position, what now" Neyla asked

"The vases around you two are used in an ancient Chinese security technique to detect subterranean thieves, our tunneling to free Jing King will shake the palace" Panda King explained

"So, if one of them tips over and breaks, I'll set off an alarm" Jasmine asked

"Correct, don't allow them to fall…I am…placing my trust in you both" Panda King said with a bow, Cammy then placed a hand on Panda King's shoulder

"That trust is well-placed" Cammy told Panda King

"We'll get your daughter away from that BITCH Tsao and she'll be reunited with Wong soon…I SWEAR IT" Neyla said

"Bitch isn't a strong enough word for someone like her, but we WILL get her Panda King" Jasmine added

"Thank you, both of you" Panda King replied

"Come now, my friends, we MUST hurry" Guru said

"He's right, we're on a time schedule here, let's get started" Cammy said as she activated her Microbot mech suit

"We're standing by" Neyla called as Cammy and Panda King started blasting and like was said, the palace shook from the blasting, so Neyla and Jasmine had to make sure none of the vases tipped over and broke, it was tricky, and more than a couple of times one of two vases were NEARLY broken, but the two girls managed to keep all vases intact

"SUCCESS, we're directly beneath the bridal chamber just a few inches from Jing King" Panda King called

"Next step is a go, repeat, next step is a GO" Cammy called to Neyla and Jasmine

"Hear that Aria, your up sister" Neyla called into the earpiece

"Right, make sure to have Penelope's "special toy" ready for Carmelita" Aria replied

"Now it's time for a little…misdirection" Jasmine said as he pulled something out it looked like a tiny projector that could latch onto a wall, the two then made their way to the wedding room to set up their trap

(Outside)

"Alright Aria, the trap has been set, now all we need is the fox, I left that little calling card Bentley made at the palace door, lure Carmelita to the front of the palace and she's SURE to see it and come inside…we'll handle the rest" Neyla explained through the earpiece as Aria got her Grapple-camera ready

"On the way" Aria said as she maneuvered her Grapple-camera around the place and using it's speaker she lured Carmelita who was out there looking for Sly and his gang, after luring her to the front of the palace, she saw the card

"Huh" Carmelita muttered as she took the card and saw what was written on the front, she opened it and saw more writing

"You like my new calling card" The message was sight with an "S" but Carmelita could TELL who it was from

"COOPER, he thinks this is a game, UGH…they have to brag even when they're running away" Carmelita said before she entered the palace

(In the palace)

Neyla and Jasmine hid behind cover, waiting for Carmelita meanwhile the Panda King got to his daughter

"OH FATHER, you have rescued me from Tsao, I almost lost hope for such a thing" Jing King said

"Yes, my daughter…you are safe now" Panda King replied as they got her out of there, Neyla and Jasmine smiled at the father and daughter reunion

"Heads up girls, sprint the trap" Bentley called over the earpiece, Jasmine then activated the projector and a hologram image of Sly appeared right before Carmelita got to the wedding room, hologram Sly then changed into a disguise of Tsao

"Okay, uh, Bentley, secret plan "Alpha" is underway, you know the one where I disguise myself as General Tsao to slip past the guards and steal the veiled bride during the wedding ceremony…yeah, make sure the WHOLE gang is there…okay, I'm heading to the rendezvou point now, over and out" Hologram Sly said before he "exited" the room, Carmelita heard everything

"Sly Cooper and his secret plans, who's this veiled bride he's so interested in anyway…well, he's not the ONLY one who can play the disguise game, I'll give him and his crew a shotgun wedding they'll NEVER forget" Carmelita said before she took Jing King's place in the bride chamber, meanwhile Neyla and Jasmine nodded at each other before they took off, then General Tsao showed up who came to investigate the rumblings made from Panda King and Guru

"What strange rumbling have disturbed my meditation and on the very eve of my wedding…don't worry my "honored" guest…I will not let anything prevent this GLORIOUS day, not even your misguided attempts to escape…ah well, perhaps my meditation will be more focused amid the splendor of my treasure temple" Tsao said before she moved on

(Outside)

T'Challa, Helen, Shazza, Genji and Hanzo were at their vantage point looking out for any trouble, more specifically Kion

"Anything" Genji asked Helen

"Everything is as silent as a tomb" Helen answered

"That doesn't mean there isn't trouble lurking about somewhere" Hanzo said

"My thoughts exactly, keep alert for any sign of trouble" T'Challa said

"From the guards or Kion himself" Helen asked

"Both" T'Challa answered

"Right" Helen replied

"This is NOT exactly what I signed up for when I agreed to come along with master" Shazza said

"You got one to" Genji asked

"The Guru is my master" Shazza answered

"Looks like we got something in common after all" Genji said in a flirty tone

"Oh BROTHER" Hanzo muttered

"Other than that, ONE, little thing, name another" Shazza said

"Um…we're…BOTH damn good-looking" Genji asked

"Nice try but you DO realize that I'm OLDER than you" Shazza said

"By how many years" Genji asked

"I'm twenty-seven" Shazza answered

"Just nine years apart" Genji said

"Call me in nine years" Shazza replied

"Aww" Genji said as his tail dropped a little

"Anyway, you two have some impressive skill sets, I heard from Mario what you two are capable of" T'Challa said

"Internal arts, comes in handy once you get the hang of it" Genji replied

"Brother was always drawn to the art of Bojutsu" Hanzo said

"Just like you were obsessed with making that umbrella of yours" Genji asked

"You damn right" Hanzo replied

"Guys, Carmelita took the bait and she's out of our hair for a bit, Panda King where are you with Jing King" Neyla's voice was heard over the earpiece

"We're in the van with Mario waiting for the treasure and the escape" Panda King answered before Helen spotted trouble

"T'Challa, we have trouble" Helen said

"What is it" T'Challa asked

"Trouble" Genji asked

"Trouble we can take on" Shazza asked

"It's Tsao" Helen said

"No way we can take on someone who put master out of commission for a spell, speaking of which, master heads up" T'Challa called through the earpiece

"What is it" Sly asked

"Tsao is strutting her way to your position, how's it coming with the treasure" T'Challa asked

"WE'RE DOING AWESOME, stand aside guys, CANNONBALL" Murray shouted

"Oh no" Sly muttered

"NO WAIT/MURRAY STOP" Penelope shouted

"Uh-oh" Murray said, suddenly the treasure temple started rumbling and wabbling side to side

"That CAN'T be good" Genji said

"Is THAT supposed to happen" Shazza asked

"Something tells me NO" Hanzo said

(With Bentley and Aria)

"Okay guys parachute down the treasure to us, we're ready" Bentley called over the earpiece, not yet noticing the tumbling treasure temple until

"Um…guys" Zak said

"What" Aria asked before Zak pointed upwards and the two looked to see the trouble

"RUN" Zak shouted as he, Bentley and Aria ran for it, as the temple fell down, Bentley, Mario and Neyla were all thinking the same person

"MURRAY" Neyla, Mario and Bentley said at the same time, Tsao then ran up the ramp to her treasure temple only to see it fall and seeing Penelope, Murray and Sly with the last of her treasure in a chest seeing as how the rest was sunk beneath frozen water…Tsao…was BEYOND PISSED OFF

"My family temple…DESTROYED…never have I SUFFERED SUCH AN OUTRAGE…you shall ALL PAY WITH YOUR WORTHLESS LIVES FOR THIS" Tsao told the Cooper gang members below her

"EAT IT TSAO, I broke your temple and now I'm gonna BREAK YOUR FACE for messing with the Cooper gang" Murray said

"Not after I get myself a little pay back for that CHEAP shot you gave me and Neyla back in the Hidden grotto" Sly added

"None of you FOOLS can hurt me, I am INVINCIBLE" Tsao said arrogantly

"I'd like to TEST that statement" Sly said

"BENTLEY, ARIA HEADS UP TREASURE CHEST COMING DOWN" Murray shouted as he picked up the treasure chest and tossed it down to the two

"How's THAT HURT YA" Murray shouted

"THE OUTRAGE…KION…KION…WHERE THE HELL IS THAT LION" Tsao shouted

"Looks like Kion baled" Penelope said

"UGH, useless MAN-THING…FINE, I will do this myself…stone dragon of the temple, I summon you, FROM ROCK TO FLESH, aid the family Tsao in this hour of need" Tsao called to something then…the gang saw something BIG come out of the mountain

"What is THAT" Aria asked in shock

"SWEET MOTHER OF PEARL" Bentley said

"By my ancestors" Mario muttered upon seeing this thing

"Well…THAT'S something you don't see too often" Jasmin said

"What on EARTH" Helen muttered

"Oh DAMN" T'Challa said

"SWEET STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE" Murray shouted

"HOLY HELL" Shazza said

"THAT THING IS HUGE" Cammy shouted

"And here I thought living in New York, I had seen EVERYTHING" Zak muttered

"OH SHIT" Genji and Hanzo shouted at once

"COME ON, LET'S GET DOWN THERE" T'Challa said as he, Helen, Shazza, Genji and Hanzo moved out, what they saw was a GIGANTIC, Chinese dragon, summoned by Tsao's dark magic who blew fire at Murray and Sly, Sly managed to dodge out of the way, but Murray took a fall over the cliff, but he managed to grab ahold of something before he fell into the frozen water, the dragon then grabbed Penelope in one of it's large, clawed hands

"NO, LET GO OF ME, HELP" Penelope shouted

"HA, HA, the Tsao family are GODDESSES in this place, HEAR ME SLY COOPER, MY LINEAGE FAR SURPASSES YOURS IN EVERY WAY" Tsao shouted before she made a run for it

"NEYLA, SEE IF YOU CAN SAVE PENELOPE, I'M GOING AFTER TSAO" Sly called into the earpiece as he sprinted after Tsao, meanwhile Neyla and Jasmine were stunned at the sight of the dragon flying about the place

"How are WE supposed to take on a dragon, let alone, get up there to fight it" Jasmine asked

"Neyla" A voice called out, the girls looked to see Kion

"KION" Neyla growled a little

"So, you're Kion" Jasmine asked

"And you must be the daughter of Rajan that I've read about, it's of little matter, I see Sly's back on his feet" Kion said

"No thanks to YOU" Neyla growled

"Why do you still continue to be loyal to a man who I've proven to be superior to Neyla, come with me, LEAVE that bastard behind, your rightful place is by my side" Kion said

"Because I'm loyal to the man I LOVE" Neyla answered

"I BESTED HIM" Kion snapped a little

"Because of Tsao, if you went up against him one on one you wouldn't stand a CHANCE" Neyla replied

"Forget Sly and come with me Neyla" Kion said

"Get the hint, buddy, she's telling you to back the FUCK OFF" Jasmine said before Neyla looked around and spotting some fireworks she could latch onto and that gave her an idea

"Jasmine, gather the others and meet us at the van" Neyla told Jasmine

"What about you" Jasmine asked

"Dragon slaying" Neyla answered before she took off running

"NEYLA" Kion shouted, Neyla then latched onto and was launched into the sky to battle against the dragon and rescue Penelope

"She's just as hardheaded as Sly now" Kion said

"And I think she's proud of that one" The voice of Shazza spoke up before she, T'Challa, Genji, Helen and Hanzo showed up, weapons ready

"So, you're the one who hurt my master" T'Challa asked Kion

"You chose a poor master, T'Challa" Kion said

"You know my name" T'Challa asked

"I know all of your names, if one is to take down their enemies then they have to KNOW them inside and out" Kion replied

"Well guess what Romeo wanna-be, we're gonna KICK your ass for what you did to Sly" Genji said

"If only saying it made it so, little boy" Kion said as he drew his sword

"LITTLE BOY" Genji snapped back

"Oh, you've done it now" Hanzo said

"Surrender, your outnumbered" Helen said

"But not outmatched" Kion replied

"TAKE HIM" T'Challa shouted before he, Jasmine, Helen, Genji, Shazza and Hanzo attacked Kion, looking to get some revenge for what he did to Sly

(With Sly and Tsao)

Meanwhile Tsao was trying to get away

"GET BACK HERE TSAO" Sly shouted as he gave chase, Tsao then tried shooting several fireballs at Sly who easily dodged or blocked them using his new Gunbai fan

*Damn this thing makes a GREAT shield* Sly said in his head

"YOU DARE to use one of my families relics AGAINST ME" Tsao asked

"YOUR FAMILY PROBABLY STOLE IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FIRST PLACE, WE'RE EVEN" Sly replied before they started throwing hands with each other, this time Sly fighting even more ferocious than before, meanwhile Neyla was working on getting Penelope back as she Ninja spire jumped on the dragon's spines to make it to its head where she took several shots with her whip and avoided his huge palms that tried to smash her and a flaming tongue that it whipped out at her

"HOLD ON LITTLE SISTER, I'LL GET YOU OUT OF THIS" Neyla shouted to Penelope, meanwhile Sly and Tsao were still going at it, but not for long, after Tsao tried to decapitate Sly with her razor shield, Sly had enough, Tsao tossed her shield at Sly hopping to decapitate him only for Sly catch the shield while it was in mid-air and THREW it back at Tsao which impaled her on the right shoulder

"AAAAAH, I GROW TIRED OF YOU RACCOON" Tsao shouted as she tried to cast fireballs but Sly shot at her left, casting hand with an arrow and pinned her to a wall, before taking several more shots, pinning Tsao to the wall through her thighs, knees, ankles and arms

(Scene slows down)

"GRAAAAAAAAAAH, DAMN YOU COOPER, MY LENIAGE IS SUPERIOR, MY LENIAGE IS UNSTOPPABLE, damn you…DAMN YOU" Tsao shouted

"Well, look at the so called "Goddess" Tsao now, bleeding like a PIG" Sly said, Tsao then screamed in Sly's face

"YOU INSOLENT RAT, why couldn't you just leave WELL ENOUGH ALONE" Tsao asked

"Because it was FAR from well enough, Wong and Jing King along with the locals that have been under your iron fist for too long are now safe from you" Sly said

"It would have been MAGNIFICENT, the Tsao name would have RULED FOR A THOUSAND YEARS AND YOU AND YOUR PATHETIC GANG HAD TO RUIN IT" Tsao shouted

"Wong would have only married you to protect the woman he TRULY loves, besides with an attitude like yours, he would have probably left you after the first DAY of being married, no…scratch that…the first HOUR" Sly said

"YOU DARE TO MOCK ME, I AM SUPERIOR, MY FAMILY LINE IS BETETR THAN YOURS IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE, WE ARE GODDESSES COMPARED TO YOU AND EVERY OTHER FAMILY LINE OUT THERE, THEY ARE ANTS, NO DUST BENEATH OUR NAILS COMPARED TO US" Tsao shouted, Sly then gripped her face before coming face to face with the female general as her blood seeped onto his gloved hand

"Hmm…funny, Tsao…since when does a "Goddess" bleed" Sly asked as they looked into each other's eyes

"YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS YOU INSECT…I will ERASE your heritage from this EARTH IF IT'S THE LAST THING I EVER DO" Tsao swore

"If you had that kind of power then you wouldn't be pinned to the wall, BLEEDING and screaming your mouth off like the BITCH YOU ARE" Sly replied with fire in his eye, something Tsao had never seen before in any man she's ever meet in her life

"Power is my BIRTHRIGHT this is MY LAND and I control everything and everyone IN IT even who lives and who DIES" Tsao growled

"Not after today it won't" Sly replied

"You cannot kill me NO MAN CAN MURDER ME" Tsao shouted

"Who said anything about murder" Sly asked as he backed off

(Scene speeds back up)

"What is this GAME YOUR PLAYING COOPER" Tsao asked, Sly then took out one of the new calling cards before he pulled out a pen and started writing something down before he stuck it in the valley of Tsao's breasts

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH" Tsao was about to say before he clamped her beak shut

"I figured death would be too EASY for the likes of you, I want you to ROT in jail for the rest of your life, I want you to live EVERY…SINGLE…MOMENT of EVERY year of your life you have left thinking about how me, A MAN robbed you of your treasure, your lands, your power, your pride, your status and of your so called "future" I want you…to marinade in the thought of the ULTIMATE shame…for a person like you…living with the shame of defeat is a fate WORSE…than death" Sly said before he pulled something out of her attire, it was the bottle containing the Phoenix flower mixture before he uncorked it

"Not to sound too cliché here but…how about we give you a taste of your OWN medicine for good measure" Sly said before he forced Tsao to drink the very potion she was going to use on Wong, forcing her to drink all of it

"NOW SWALLOW" Sly grunted as he held her beak closed and she had no choice but to swallow the elixir before long Sly let her go and he breathed in the breath she couldn't take with both her beak closed before Sly turned to walk away

"I will make you SUFFER FOR THIS I WILL get out and when I DO, I WILL HUNT YOU DOWN" Tsao promised, Sly stopped in his tracks as she felt the effects of the elixir kicking in

"Pains an old friend…and if you do…I'll be MORE than happy to put a BITCH like you in the place you BELONG, not in a maximum-security prison cell…but in HELL" Sly replied before he walked away by now Neyla had dealt with the dragon and pried Penelope out of the dragon's grip as he slowly descended out of the air

"GRAB ON LITTLE SISTER AND LET'S GET OUT OF HERE" Neyla shouted as Penelope hung onto Neyla and they paraglided down to ground level, meanwhile T'Challa, Jasmine, Helen, Genji, Hanzo and Shazza were still going toe to toe with Kion who to their surprise and shock was keeping up with all six of them all on his own, against T'Challa's martial arts, Helen's Gun-Fu, Shazza's physical strength, Jasmine's battle gloves and boots, Genji's unpredictable movements and Bojutsu and even Hanzo's surprise weaponry, he was holding his own and slowly beating them

"Is it me or are we getting our asses kicked" Genji asked

"It ain't just you brother, Neyla wasn't kidding, this guy IS good" Hanzo said

"I have to say, Sly certainly picked a skilled bunch of people…for a bastard" Kion said

"If I wanted your compliment, I would BEAT it out of you" Shazza said

"And just for that insulting comment about my master I'll make SURE to make killing you as SLOW as possible" T'Challa told Kion

"You can't beat me, none of you can, I've spent YEARS training in the arts of killing, sharpening my skills" Kion replied

"LOOK" Genji shouted as he pointed to the falling dragon

"Looks like your friend, Tsao has failed" T'Challa told Kion

"She wasn't my friend, just a means to an end…damn bitch is as useless now" Kion said

"Boy, I'd sure hate to be your friend then" Genji said

"Guy's time to GO" Sly called to the others through an earpiece

"Yes, master, time to fall back guys" T'Challa told the others

"RUN AWAY" Shazza asked

"We got Jing King and Tsao is dealt with, we're out of here…but MARK my words Kion, you come after us again and you will REGRET it" T'Challa told Kion

"This is not over" Helen told Kion

"What she said, Simba knockoff" Genji added

"That's a PROMISE" Hanzo added

"On THAT we agree, tell Sly that he won't keep Neyla away from me forever" Kion swore before T'Challa, Genji, Hanzo, Helen, Jasmine and Shazza left the white lion

"It's only a matter of time, Neyla, either by your choice or force I will make you MINE" Kion told himself

(At the van)

The family all meet up at the van along with Jing King

"GET US OUT OF HERE MURRAY" Sly shouted

"WITH PLEASURE" Murray replied before they took off, Murray happy to be back in the team van's driver seat, Panda King and Jing King happy to be reunited and Sly satisfied he made Tsao pay for what she's done if not at his hands, at the hands of the proper authorities, more specifically, Carmelita

(Hours later)

Carmelita and Interpole showed up and arrest all of Tsao's men as well as the general herself to which Kion was overlooking the situation, Kion then contacted his master Dr. M

"Ah, Kion my boy, what is there to report" Dr. M asked

"Tsao has been taken down" Kion answered

"She's dead" Dr. M asked

"No master, Cooper let her live for some reason" Kion answered

"And Cooper himself" Dr. M asked

"He is…more formidable than I gave him credit for master" Kion answered

"But did you…humiliate him in front of who you desire" Dr. M asked

"Yes, master" Kion answered

"Then all is not lost, fret not my boy, revenge is something you shouldn't rush, make sure to savor the fact that you showed up Cooper in front of his little girlfriend" Dr. M replied

"Yes, master and what of the Cooper gang" Kion asked

"Let them have their victory, let Cooper marinate in his defeat at your hands a little while longer" Dr. M answered

"Yes, master" Kion answered before the connection was turned off

"Next time Sly…you won't be knocked out…you'll be sent away in a body bag" Kion said

(Sly's P.O.V)

"Like usual, things didn't go as planned but we rescued Jing King, the Tsao treasury was at the bottom of the sea and Tsao…she was taken into custody, I figured her living with a wounded pride like her's would be even more painful than death, Carmelita I imagine would have probably been MORE than a little pissed off it wasn't ME she busted but I doubt she wouldn't have arrested Tsao, after all she was found guilty of kidnapping, attempted murder, attempted a forced marriage and plaguing the streets with the undead, from what I heard around China, the locals were OVERJOYED to see her go along with more than a handful of her own men, the next week, Jing King and Wong invited us to their wedding it was a shock but one we accepted none the less, it was a beautiful wedding and I gotta say I had more than a smile on my face when Neyla caught the bride's flowers, if only she knew what I had planned for her, after words, Panda King insisted that Jing King stay with her new husband for the time being, saying that he needed to pay off his deat to the gang and although he tried to order his students to stay back and protect Jing King, they decided to tag along with us, I was…honestly surprise that he let them come with us, though I wasn't complaining they helped us in our China operation and they've more than proved that they can take care of themselves, between myself and the others we have seventeen in our small, growing army what's better is that uncle and Panda King have been talking and it's too soon to tell but…I think he might be on the road to forgiving Panda King, eventually, but there's one thing that I'm concerned about, Kion, what has Dr. M been filling his head with for the last twenty years that my dad's family lineage is to blame for the Fiendish five's attack on the Homestead and him trying to take Neyla from me…NOT…HAPPENING, NEVER, well…we'll deal with him later, somehow but before we went back home, we lived it up in the backstreets of Shang High, I mean, what kind of gang of half thieves would we be if we missed out of a golden opportunity like THAT, we'd have to be insane in the brain not to"

(End of P.O.V) (Interpol China H.Q, Tsao's holding cell)

Tsao, no longer royalty or a general sat in her cell in a maximum security wing for dangerous women as she looked at the calling card left by Sly, NEVER before had a man bested her the way he did nor treated her like HE was in command and a man who took EVERYTHING she had, her fortune, her honor, her pride as a strong, independent woman, EVERYTHING and gave her poetic justice by forcing her to drink the powerful elixir that she intended to give to Wong…and if either by the effects of the potion or herself she couldn't help but…feel her heart throb in her chest as she felt herself getting warm as she thought about how Sly manhandled her…and she desired for him to do it to her again and go even FURTHER than that

"You humiliated me Cooper…no man has EVER done that to me, made me feel like a girl needing to be put in her place…oh, how I've WAITED for a strong man who can match me to FINALLY come around…who needs Wong, I hope your ready Sly, because when I get out…you WILL be my husband, even if I have to KILL that Neyla to get to you…SO BE IT, YOU WILL…BE MINE" Tsao said before she chuckled sinisterly with a new goal in life…make Sly Cooper her husband and she would take him by force and kill ANY other woman in his life that would hold even so much as a CRUSH on him

WHEW, that was a long chapter my friends, but I think it turned out to be a good one, don't ya'll think so but WAIT…can you guys FEEL IT…we're nearing the end of this story, but like all good things they gotta come to an end eventually and I do so hope you join me next time as we take to the high seas and recruit our last two (Yes, I said TWO) last members of the gang before taking on Dr. M and getting into the Assassin's vault

Also, a little disclaimer, the way I went with Tsao's women superiority attitude and Sly's response to her before he left her, I am NOT a sexist kind of guy I believe that women are JUST as capable as men are if not a little more in specific areas if I'm being completely honest, I just thought though said personality would fit a female General Tsao in this story (Cool?)

And how did you guys like that little twist I put at the end of the chapter, now Sly has an admirer, but not just that…a LOVE UPSESSION, lord save him the next time he crossed paths with that unhinged Carine

But what do you guys think of the twists I put in this chapter and what do you think of Kion the white lion hellbent of having Neyla for himself, let me know what you think in the review corner (But for the love of all that's good and decent keep it friendly would ya?)

Until the next time my friends, it's been a pleasure to entertain you, thanks for stopping by

NINJA VANISH BABY!

(Smokescreen exit)