Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based retelling. The Sly Cooper series is created, and owned by Sucker Punch, and Sony Entertainment. Please support the official releases.

*Flashback, A few days Later*

It was now midday, as the kids were outside, with Sly with Bentley, and Murray, as they were going over their little reports on Ms. Puffin's classes. All while the trio was also feeling admittedly proud of themselves for the heist that they pulled off on Ms. Puffin. Which was successful, as they got all of the cookies from her, and was able to take some of them for themselves.

While giving the rest to the other kids. All of whom, were thankful to him for the gifts of Cookies, including the elder ones. And Ms. Puffin was unaware the whole time. Which did put a smile on Sly's face, as well as his recently made gang's own, at how they all got away with that. And even now, they were still confident that this could be a start to Sly's own journey as a future Master Thief.

For now though, they were all looking over their report cards.

To no one's surprise, Murray was at best, a D- on his reports. And it's mainly because of Bentley's help that he was able to get the grade.

While Sly, was a B+ on his report cards. Which showed him that he was pretty smart himself, at least compared to the other kids, and especially Murray. But he admits, he did some copying from other students (Including Bentley.) with no one noticing.

Other than Bentley that is, whom, to Murray's lack of surprise, was A+ on his report card, showing just how intelligent he is.

"I'm telling you Sly. No matter how sneaky you are, Ms. Puffin is bound to notice your copying cheat. And you know how 'fond' she is of cheaters." Bentley said, putting sarcastic emphasis on one of the words.

"Well then that gives me extra incentive on how to be sneaky then, doesn't it? After all, you do know how hard some of her tests can be, and how uncaring she is about that fact. Plus, even you must agree, her rules are sometimes tyrannical to where not even I could resist breaking them. Especially when it came to those cookies we robbed." Sly said smiling.

Sly got Bentley there, as he was looking annoyed at how true it was. Although he ultimately felt proud of the cookie heist that they did together, too. But still. "There's a reason studying, and homework exists, you know. Sure, they are hard, but they aren't impossible. And I should know."

Before the conversation could continue though, Carmelita joined in, facing Sly.

While also showing that she too has a B+ on her own card, showing that she too is pretty intelligent herself. Even if she isn't as intelligent as Bentley is. But she didn't care, her ambition wasn't to surpass Bentley in smarts. And he was relieved, and a little bit disappointed about that.

Now though, he was currently feeling tense. "I just wanna let you know that I tried to stop him. It's just-" He said, feeling that there could be a fight.

But she held up her palm while facing him with a gentle look on her face. "Tómalo con calma, (Take it easy,) Bentley. It's not that."

Bentley was relieved to hear that, before Carmelita faced Sly again with a serious look on her face. "I came to talk to you, about what you shown me, and your friends." She quietly said. "I did some thinking. About what you've told me, and what you descend from."

"And you don't mind the fact that I descend from thieves?" He asked.

Carmelita shook her head. "Only for the most part. After all, like you said, compared to the eviler people, I feel that indeed, you and your family, are the more honorable thieves, and the more tolerable people in my life. Especially compared to that gang." She said, scowling at who she was referring to.

"I just want to let you know, that once we're ready, and before we're bringing our fight to them, and especially after we win, I want you to promise me this. Please. Don't become a thief." She then said.

Sly was surprised at what she said. "Don't become a thief? But why?"

"Because it's like I said about thieves, and what I said about my descendance from my blood. I know that you have a capability for good. But becoming a thief like your family before you, isn't what a hero like you, or me, should do. Besides, someday, I'm going to be an officer. And if I do good, I shall become an inspector. That is what I dream to be. But if I end up learning that I'm about to chase you around, because of your profession, then I'd die a little inside." Carmelita said.

"And by that, you mean you're going to be very disappointed?" Sly asked, getting a nod from her.

"I admit. You're my friend. And I don't want to chase you and arrest you. You're not meant to be chased by me and arrested. Instead, you deserve to be my constable. Especially after we beat that gang of five."

"Would it be because you love me?" He asked in a teasing sense.

Carmelita was shocked at what she heard. "WHAT?! No no no no no! It's not that… I admit I'm fond of you, just not in the way you think." She said blushing. "But it's because you're my friend, along with your friends too. And I love you all as such. So please, you must let your family's thieving tradition end. And become my partner instead. I know we can be great partners, especially after we're done with that gang." She said, taking his hands into her own. "I just know you can. And I just don't want to arrest you because of you keeping true to your thieving line. So please, don't spend your life, as a thief, even before we go after that gang, and don't become such after we succeed in putting them in their place. Can you do this for me?" She pleadingly asked.

Sly was reluctant to do that, since he didn't want to leave behind his line, and live a normal life, making him probably one of the uncommon members of the Cooper line that became normal people, or lived normal lives either before, or during their prime as thieves, or before they could pull off their biggest, greatest heists of their time. But on the other hand, he did grow to love Carmelita as a friend. And even though he could find enjoyment out of being chased by Carmelita once she becomes inspector, he also felt reluctant for such too, if it'd hurt her feelings in doing so.

Besides, his own children, or his own grandchildren, could pick up his thieving traits, and pick up where he left off, when it comes to thieving.

On the other hand though, he could simply tell her that they should be partners too. Where even though they could be enemies to everyone else, they could be friends only between each other, and his gang. (If Bentley, and Murray decides to become his gang members as well. Which was very much likely after the heist they pulled together.)

Sly decided to make a fake promise, that he hopes won't end in blood, or tears, if she were to meet him as an inspector. Besides, he doubts that they could see each other once they become such, before they go after the Fiendish Five.

"Okay. I'll do it." He said, hiddenly crossing his fingers.

Much to Carmelita's joy, as she hugged him for it. Which had Murray looking on in delight, even though Bentley was cringing since he noticed the crossed fingers. Which had the latter hoping that Sly won't meet her again, once she becomes a cop, while Sly becomes a thief in the future, alongside both of them.

Little did they know, they were going to meet again. But at least they weren't going to have it end in a long life of rivalry, that would overshadow their careers as thief, and cop.

*Present*

Back in Paris, France, and back in the train Car, the gang was inside it as they were looking over the map to where they can find the third member of the Fiendish Five, who goes by the name of Mz. Ruby.

As they did though, Bentley was wanting to talk with Sly, and Carmelita about their books, which has their pages back in, or rather almost half the amount of them was inside of the hard covers. Before their travel back to France, Bentley asked to read their books' pages that they rescued, so that he can learn more about them.

They didn't mind him doing that, as they gave him their permission. Which led to him reading them both, during their time relaxing in the U.S, and during their journey back to Paris, France. Sure, Sly, and Carmelita could've read the pages themselves, but they felt that they have no time to read the whole pages, let alone read the details of their life story since they were focused on the Fiendish Five's members. So, they let Bentley read their pages for them.

Which was where he found something that had him wanting to talk to both Carmelita, and Sly about it. So he was behind his desk, talking to both Sly, and Carmelita, while Murray played on his slim PS1, with a portable LCD screen attached to it.

"So, Bentley. Is there a reason why you called us up to you?" Sly asked. While he, and Carmelita had some bandages on them from the bullet grazes that they suffered, as well as gauze wrappings on his tail, where Muggshot had a tight grip on him there, intending to then clobber him, had Carmelita not distracted him into letting go, so Sly can turn the rest of the mirrors and burn Muggshot with the sunlight.

"Why yes, I have a reason. You see, I have been reading through the pages of both of your books, and I came across something that startled me. Yet it was also interesting nonetheless. And I don't know if either of you are ready for the news." Bentley responded.

"Well then out with it. What did you find?" Carmelita asked curiously.

"Well, as you wish. You see, from what I found from your books' pages, was mentions that Carmelita's ancestors, has been chasing after a clan of thieves throughout the world, and their lifetimes. And that they all descended from the same clan of raccoons. Which led me to realize, that yours, and Sly's ancestors… has met each other before."

Both Sly, and Carmelita was surprised to have heard about that from Bentley. Apparently, their books mentioned that their ancestors have met each other before, according to Bentley. And they knew that he was honest in his news.

"Our ancestors has interacted?! Even met each other before?!" Carmelita asked in shock.

Bentley nodded his head. "Indeed, Carmelita. Your ancestors have met Sly's ancestors throughout their lifetimes."

"That's amazing." He spoke in surprise.

Bently however, had something to say. "What is not amazing however, is that none of their interactions were positive." Bentley said somberly. "And that's what startled me. Being the fact, that the ancestors of yours, and Sly's, seems to have had a rivalry against each other. One that has spanned throughout their lives, and the lives of their descendants. And even navigated throughout the globe."

Both Sly, and Carmelita was now more shocked after hearing what Bentley said, and even Murray was surprised after pausing his game to hear the conversation about their ancestors fighting against each other too. And did he say, across the globe?

"You mean… that's why they traveled across the globe?" Sly asked.

Again, Bentley nodded. "Yes. Apparently, these pages mentioned that they traveled around the world, as it is due to the Cooper Clan getting chased by the Fox Clan, and vice versa. They each had a rivalry, since the Fox Clan was determined to bring the Cooper line to justice, while the Coopers wanted to either kill them, or wanted to make them too powerless to be a major threat to them. And so far, there was no major success on either side of the Clan, since the Coopers continued to avoid their arrest attempts, while the Fox clan never lost their trail, or continued to cheat death, or already had sons or daughters by the time they did die. Either way, it seems to answer the question of why your ancestors traveled around the globe. Though I noticed that they utterly despised each other as well. And I wonder why."

The news that they just learned, left both Sly, and Carmelita speechless. Apparently, they have not learned about their ancestors' rivalry against each other throughout their lives until now. And until they ended up becoming friends back in the orphanage, it seemed to have remained strong against each other.

But with the info that they just learned, could it be possible that they could be the first of their clans to not only have no legitimate rivalry against each other, but also become friends, and lovers instead of rivals? And could their friendship, and romance remain strong? Or could it eventually devolve into an eventual rivalry, thus following in their ancestors' footsteps, and continuing the rivalry that spanned multiple generations?

They hoped that it'll be the former.

And not only that, but Sly hoped that Carmelita will still say yes if he goes through with proposing, once they beat the Fiendish Five, regardless of what they heard.

"But why would Carmelita's ancestors chase mine around? And why did they hate each other? Surely, they eventually had the idea to leave them alone and focus more on the other criminals that are more deserving of their time, than mine." He asked.

"I'm afraid I don't know the definitive reason why. All I can theorize is that it could be out of revenge for what they might've done. But so far, the answer why, is a mystery, at least until we receive more of the pages." Bentley said.

"And I know that you're both shocked at what you've both learned about, but I want you to know this. Try not to reflect about the past too much if it'll start to interfere with your friendship, let alone your quest against the Fiendish Five. Instead, you must instead keep looking ahead, and think about what is to come in the future. Like maybe your strengthening relationship? In fact, I heard someone that said this best. 'We don't look back for very long. Instead, we keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we're curious. And curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." Bentley then said hoping that there won't be a rivalry against each other.

Sure, he was weary of Carmelita due to her career as a Cop, despite also being part of their gang as a fellow thief, but he knew of Sly's love for her. And he was too fond of Sly as a friend to break them up, so he hoped that he isn't inadvertently doing that in telling them of their ancestors' stories.

Meanwhile, Sly and Carmelita still felt shocked about their discovery, but they listened to Bentley, and they knew he was right. The fall of the Fiendish Five comes first. And they must not fight, or have hatred towards each other just because of their ancestors' past.

"Besides. We have another member to go after. Like Mz. Ruby, who according to my research, and also Muggshot, she is in the Swampy Jungles of Haiti." Bentley said.

"Then we're going there next. She is quite evil after all, considering that she is an evil priestess of Voodoo." Carmelita said.

"Indeed. Which makes her the Mystic of the Fiendish Five. But, like Raleigh, her physical strength should be pretty lacking as well since she is mainly a wizard. So if you guys are able to take her on in a one on one, or one on two fist fight, she'll surely go down, despite being an alligator." Bentley said. "But being a Mystic herself, her magic shouldn't be taken lightly as it should make up for her lack of strength."

"Oh, do not worry, not even her magic is going to stop us from our quest." Sly said.

"And soon, we'll have only two of them left once we're done with her." Carmelita said in agreement.

"I sure hope so. As the jungle she should be in is probably going to be a dangerous journey to go through. So, try not to expect me to join you in there." Bentley said.

"Ah don't worry, both of us will handle whatever that jungle will throw at us." Carmelita said, brave of the dangers that she and Sly was going to face.

Meanwhile… in Haiti

In the dark jungles, there was a certain Mz. Ruby that was in her HQ, as she was looking into her Crystal Ball. She was currently smiling at her work that was being done as she broke the laws of nature to sneak her minions into the bank that she targeted. While her rat guards were in the HQ patrolling her lands for any trespassers to exterminate.

Sure they could've been her simply at a wrong place at the wrong time, and could've done nothing to her. But she didn't care much, she just ensured that nobody that isn't her guards, or her workers are going to be here, unless they die first.

For now though, she was using her magic of Voodoo to steal from the wealthy banks of the whole globe, robbing them of all of the riches for the Fiendish Five.

After that, she was going to take over the world with the other members of the Fiendish Five by her side. So that no one shall forget about her anytime soon.

"I'm going to enjoy making my mark on this world. Once my minions, and my only friends shows those people what happens to those that has feared me throughout my life. Afterwards, I'm going to make them dance, or play by my rules. Such deliciously good Juju." He said to herself, looking at the building in her crystal ball that she was

Only for her crystal ball to darken, like black smoke was filling it up to the brim, making her frustrated at what was happening inside it. It was like something was interrupting the signal in her magic. She concentrated hard to go back to the bank that she was looking at. But it didn't work, as the crystal ball remained black colored. Much to her chagrin as she was trying to see what was going on with her mojo.

It was like whoever the interrupter was, wanted her attention.

And at that point, she feels that she might as well let him have her attention as she focused on the source of the black mojo that emanated her crystal ball to see what, or who it was.

Only to suddenly see glowing yellow pupilless eyes glaring back at her. Such a sight of those eyes left her looking at the ball in shock and terror at what she saw.

"There you are, Mz. Ruby. I've been looking for you." A mechanical sounding voice sounded from the ball. Putting a chill up her spine.

"C-Clockwerk!? Could it be you, our leader?!" She asked with a little stutter. Knowing who the voice was. And that the owner of that voice was not to be trifled with. Making her bow to him out of loyalty.

"Indeed, Mz. Ruby. And I've come with a message for you." Clockwerk said. "You see, Raleigh, and Muggshot has been taken out, and robbed of their pages."

Mz. Ruby was shocked to hear that from the leader of the Fiendish Five. "Both of our brothers got whacked?! Such disgusting Juju!" She then said scowling. Before she got back to bowing. "Who would do such a thing?!"

"Why it would be the same fools that are coming for you, next. Which is why I came to deliver this message. They shall not win. Kill them once they're in your turf. And take back what they have stolen from our allies." Clockwerk proclaimed.

"As you wish, Clockwerk! Those thieving scum will not win, while going up against the likes of me! I'm gonna make them dance to their graves if they dare try!" She spoke.

"I'll hold you to that, otherwise if they win, then you had it. And whatever punishment they deal out, would be because of your undoing." Clockwerk said before his eyes faded out from the ball, before the ball focused back onto the bank that she was concentrated on.

Soon, she was left to her own devices as she prepared for their visits in her lair.

Going back through the streets of Paris, the Cooper Van was speeding through as it was on its way through the directions it took towards Haiti.

"The Roadtrip gave me the time I needed to learn more of the third member of the Fiendish Five, being the infamous Voodoo Priestess, Mz. Ruby."

"Born into a family of Mystics, she was a lonely child who hadn't had much friends, as the other children found her… scary. Teaching herself to summon the undead provided the few friends she had, in her life of growing up."

"A career in crime allowed an adult Mz. Ruby to punish the world for fearing her as a child. Now a chief Mystic for the Fiendish Five, her powers allowed her and the gang to break the laws of both man, and nature at the same time."

"Yet despite her whirlwind success of her youth, she managed to slip into obscurity. Where the last known sighting of her, claimed that she was headed out deeper into the Haitian jungles."

The team was now in the jungles of Haiti as the van traversed the path in the jungle that was one of the few lands that it could drive on, due to the murky water that also took up the jungle of Haiti.

Soon, their scary journey through Haiti was about to begin.

Sly and Carmelita in:

Vicious Voodoo

And done.

Here's another chapter that I've done for this fic. Which would begin their journey through the Vicious Voodoo level. An arguably more haunting level in the game.

Which could be the reason why this is the second chapter in the game, to not have a 'Carmelita chases you' level in it, with the first one being Raleigh's chapter in Tide of Terror. Which could be, because she could've learned of Sly's presence there, and could've been too nervous to go there until she built up her courage to do so. And by then, Sly already beat Mz. Ruby, and left before she could catch him there. (And for Raleigh's chapter, the storm could've been too strong for her, and the local police to enter the Isle of Wrath until once Sly put the storm machine out of commission.)

Also, this is my second twist with Sly and Carmelita's books. And that is the fact that Sly, and Carmelita's ancestors has met before, and that they went around the world since her ancestors chased after Sly's ancestors. I'm sure a couple of you might've expected it, but I'm sure that the others didn't see that coming. But I would like to give a shout out to InformalFallacy on AO3 for the idea.

But what could it mean for Sly, and Carmelita's relationship? We'll have to wait and see.

Finally one more thing.

I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,

please give constructive criticism,

do not forget to read and review,

and once again, I do not own the Sly Cooper series. It is owned by Sucker Punch, and Sony Entertainment. Please Support the Official releases.

Theodore the poet signing off.