Authors Notes: Hi folks where in the world has Cooper & Sandiego been I'm sure you've all been asking. Apologies for the late update I've had a lot going on in my life as well as some commitments that I couldn't avoid. I'm trying the best I can to make my story updates more frequent but I appreciate your patience. With patience comes reward so without further delay lets begin!
Sly Cooper (c) Sucker Punch Productions
Carmen Sandiego (2019) (c) Netflix
Cooper, Sandiego & The Gang In
:The Fashionista Caper:
Sly's POV:
In the darken city of Japan the Cooper,Sandiego Gang with Shadowsan in tow were now on a train leaving Japan. Carmen sat with Shadowsan who was quiet the whole journey, while Sly sat up front with Bentley who was hard at work helping Player decrypt the Hard Drive. While Zack,Ivy and Murray were fast asleep in their seats.
"So despite a few close shaves we recovered the short sword and reunited the Daisho with their rightful owner. But the whole journey Shadowsan barely said a word, no one could blame him…."
Sly looked towards the ninja master with sympathy as did Carmen, given how he thought returning the swords would regain some honour or forgiveness with his brother Heideio.
"He wanted to try and fix his relationship with his brother by atoning for a sin of stealing the long sword. But I guess its a long road to forgiveness for this kind of dishonour." Sly sighed as he thought about Carmelita and his own mistakes. "I know how he feels, and I couldn't help but wonder how Carmelita was doing…"
Later the crew soon arrived in The Japanese countryside as a quick detour. "We decided to take a quick detour to the Japanese countryside, and we had one heck of a time seeing the blossoms blooming especially by Taki Murray's taxi service…"
The crew were in an old fashion Japanese wagon being pulled by Murray as they explored the countryside. Carmen especially liked looking at the lotus blossom trees in full bloom while Zack, Murray and Ivy took in a normal culture of classic Sumo wrestling. Shadowsan however could see no point in this sight seeing diversion, but if it made Carmen happy after a job he decided to endure it.
Hours later the crew were now at a nearby hotel, as Bentley had called their attention to one of his holo presentations.
"Sadly it was not to last, since Bentley and Player dug up some new intel on the VILE hard drive. Apparently there was something going down in Greece, not the ancient ruins or Gods of Olympus sites though. But a lone air strip." Carmen, Sly, Shadowsan and the rest of the crew eyed each other with the same knowing looks.
"Now none of us needed pointy ears and a cape to figure out this was probably another heist. Apparently it was for a shipment of some kind, cargo unknown, contents unknown."
The crew picked up their gear ready to head out. Just then Sly handed Shadowsan a new sword it was a Nihonto Tanren Kai. It wasn't the same as the long sword but Shadowsan did appreciate the lone of a weapon he may need in the future.
"What this cargo was we didn't know but if VILE wanted it, it wasn't good. So we packed up loaded the van and headed for the first flight to Greece."
The van zoomed away from the hotel at top speed with Murray driving and Zack riding shotgun with everyone else in the back.
Hours Later: Greece:
The crew, armed with their disguises and fake ID'S soon arrived at the Greece airport. Soon they found a hotel to set up shop in. Carmen and Sly suited up in their thief gear and headed out.
"While everyone got settled into the Greek Hotel we were staying in me and Carmen headed out to the airstrip to see what special delivery had caught VILE's interest."
End of POV
Airstrip: Greece:
On a clear night under the glow of a midnight moon, over the Greek countryside, stood a lone airfield and storage seemed quiet until passing by in a flash the silhouetted shapes of two certain thieves run along the shipping containers. Carmen and Sly arrive at the scene to see two cargo planes with their nose cone cargo doors open. There was also a helicopter on the scene. The lady in red instantly recognised it as a VILE helicopter. The two pulled out their respective Binocucoms and observed the scene.
"How's the big fat greek caper going guys?" Player asked as he called in.
"Wish I was gazing upon the Parthenon in Athens, instead of an airstrip in the Boonies." Carmen replied.
"Don't worry Red, they'll be plenty of time for sight seeing after the job." Sly assured. "In fact what's say we hit the Coliseum after this."
"Hm its a date." Carmen smiled as she turned her attention back to the mission. "But Player yours and Bentley's intel was spot on." The Binocucoms showed an unconscious night guard and The Cleaners were on scene wheeling a crate with a symbol that looked like two sewing needles out of one of the containers. "VILE'S on the scene intercepting a package, contents unknown."
"Huh hey look if it isn't grim and gruesome." Sly joked referring to the cleaners. "So what do you suppose they're up to?"
"Don't know, but what's say we intercept their intercept partner." Carmen suggested, however before Sly could answer that question they heard a sound of spinning metal then out of nowhere something zoomed across like a bolt of lightning. Then our of nowhere the lenses of their Binocucom's fell out and hit the ground.
They looked and saw emerging from the shadows was the culprit. Dash Haber who had an eager smirk on his face, as he held out his hand and a blue glow emerged from it. Suddenly his hat hovered in place still spinning its blade and it shot back the opposite direction slicing through the metal of the storage container. Sly saw it was heading for Carmen and he acted fast.
"Look out!" He tackled her out of the way and she lost her hat. The bladed hat then returned to its owner as he placed it back on his head.
"Carmen Sandiego and Sly Cooper, you should watch your noggins." Dash said to them as they stood back up.
"Dash Haber." Carmen said as she put her hat back on.
"Well well if it isn't Mr Hat trick, still sticking with that lame hat. I see." Sly smirked.
"Still thats a neat little hattrick, is it just for show." Carmen then added. "Or are you trying to steal Paper Stars spot light?"
"Oh thats right, Carmen you haven't been introduced to the Buzzcut yet." Haber said as he took his hat off and the saw blade emerged. He tosses it towards the two super thieves and they quickly back flipped out of the way as Haber caught the hat and tossed it again.
Carmen narrowly dodged the hat blade while Sly drew his cane and as the hat approached. "FOUR!" He whacked it away with his cane only for Haber to use his hand magnet and catch it.
He tossed it at Sly only for Carmen to grab his arm and pull him behind one of the shipping containers. "Thanks." Sly thanked.
"That makes us even. But you never said his hat trick was this sharp." She said to him.
"Yeah he's really stepped it up a notch." Sly agreed. They narrowly dodged another attack from the buzz cut hat, and quickly ran into the shadow of the shipping containers. Only for the hat to strike one container close to them so they took cover behind another shipping container. Haber retrieved his hat while looking round for his elusive targets.
"Split up he can't follow both of us." Sly suggested and Carmen nodded in agreement. So Sly went to the right while she went to the left.
Haber looked around when suddenly. He heard someone whistling. "Hey Haber." He turned and saw Sly standing on one of the containers.
"Take your best shot!" Sly challenged. Haber smirked and tossed his razor blade hat towards the Raccoon thief as he leaped out of the way of the hat several times as it came back and fourth and every time Haber grew more and more irritated. Sly ran across the containers and he looked down to see Carmen heading towards the airstrip.
Just then another attack from the razor hat slashed a large gash into another of the shipping containers. Sly landed down facing Dash Haber. Now cornered within the confining walls of the shipping containers.
"Heh you know Dr.M told me you'd be tough to corner, guess he got that wrong." Dash said smirking readying his hat for another slash strike.
"Glad to hear M thinks so highly of me, but did he forget to mention this raccoon never travels alone." Sly smirked slinging his cane over his shoulders.
Haber looked confused at that statement when suddenly bursting through the shipping containers was a certain pink hippo wrestler who with his aboriginal ball form smashed through the containers unravels and swats Haber right through the crates leaving a man shaped hole in the crates.
"Nice entrance there pal." Sly said to his friend.
"Thanks besides that guy damaged my van, he deserved the retribution that is the Murray!" Murray said flexing his muscles.
"Hope thats bought Carmen enough time." Sly hoped but not wanting to take any chances especially after the Brunt encounter he hurried after his partner. "Come on." He said and Murray followed.
Meanwhile Dash Haber who somehow survived being smashed through two shipping crates miraculously with no broken bones. Managed to get up. He looked and saw that Sandiego was heading towards the Cleaners position.
"Grr bait and switch!" He growled. He then hurried after her in pursuit.
Carmen was about to get the jump on the cleaners when suddenly. She heard a whistle and when she turned round she saw Dash Haber standing atop a high shipping container. Removed his hat and tossed it towards Carmen who flipped out of the way to avoid it.
The Cleaners were still at work stealing one of the shipment crates. They saw the battle taking place but simply ignored it and continued with their work. Wheeling them away on the trolly.
Carmen sees the Cleaners are heading for the chopper realising Haber was a distraction. So she forward flips avoiding his hat blade strikes and performs the leaping Dragon and makes a ninja spire landing on one of the high lamps. Haber was caught completely by surprise.
Regardless he tossed his hat towards Carmen who simply made a Ninja Spire Jump across the lights. Haber tried and tried but he kept missing. So he tried a different tactic. He used his hat blade to slice the base of the lights which began to topple down like dominos. Carmen moved as fast as she could. Landing on them quickly one by one. Carmen saw she couldn't make the leap to the last one so she had no choice she landed to the ground and just as the last overhead lamp crashed down she slid underneath it.
Haber walked towards the smoke twirling his hat on his finger. Just as the smoke clears to reveal that Carmens coat tail is trapped under the overhead lamp. Tugging at it trying to get free. Haber sees this as an opportune moment to strike and tosses his hat with its blade skimming the ground. Carmen only just manages to free her coat tail and in slow motion she arches back to avoid the blade hat which barely touched the rim of her own Theodora. The hat was then moving to return when suddenly a golden hook on on a cable pierced it holding it still.
The two looked and saw it was Sly who fired his canes grappling hook to stop that hat. He smirked. Carmen smiled in relief knowing her partner had her back.
Dash Haber then tried using his magnet hand to call his hat back pulling on the cable. Sly pulled back and with just enough force he yanked the hat away and caught it in his left hand. He even took his own hat off and tried it on while striking a pose with his cane.
"Hm not my colour but I think it works." Sly smirked. Haber was about to get his hat back when he saw Murray appear behind Sly cracking his knuckles.
"Haber time to fly!" Called Boris as he loaded the last crate while his partner Vlad started the helicopter as its motors surged into life.
Haber seeing it was time to flee made a run for the helicopter. Carmen and Sly set off in pursuit with Murray close behind not wanting to lose that crate.
"Not so fast hat hair we have a date with that crate!" Carmen exclaimed.
Haber quickly jumps up to the helicopter and grabbed to the doorway and climbed in. "Catch!" Carmen tosses the bladed hat aiming for the choppers rear rotor. However before it could reach it Haber used his magnet hand to stop it, and return it to him. Sadly he saw there were three holes in the top of it, compliments of Sly's cane.
"YOU OWE ME A CHAPEAU!" He called namely towards the ringtail responsible.
"Next time you see the Countess bill her!" Sly called back.
The helicopter was climbing higher into the air. Carmen couldn't let them escape. "Murray I need a lift!" She said. Murray nodded and lowered his right hand and Carmen stepped onto it.
"ALLY HOOP!" He tossed the thief in red into the air and she fired her grapple cable attaching to the bottom of the helicopter. Haber saw this and just as Carmen retracted it towards the helicopter Haber sliced it with his hat causing her to fall to the ground. Luckily Sly caught her bridal style, only to see the helicopter fly into the air and disappear from view.
Sly put Carmen back on solid ground. "Nice catch." She thanked.
"Thanks Penelope always said I had a good catch." Sly said recalling the days before Penelope turned on them.
"Great but that hat trick guy who scratched my van got away!" Murray pointing out the obvious.
"Yeah and it looks like this whole things a bust." Sly realised in some disappointment. However despite this Carmen saw a glimmer of light in the gloom, namely what was in the storage container behind them.
"Or maybe not." She said directing their attention to the other crates that the Cleaners never bothered to steal.
Intrigued they took a look and inside were the same crates with the same logo. So Murray used his strength to open one of these crates to see what's inside it.
"What's in it?" Murray asked as Carmen took a look at the contents and most surprisingly it was.
"Fabric?" Carmen said in surprise. This was getting more and more stranger by the minute. However they noticed the fabric seemed to have tech like lines on it.
"So VILE went to all this trouble for crates of fabric?" Murray said confused.
"I don't know pal if there's one thing we've learned since riding with Carmen if VILE does something it's for a reason." Sly realised.
"Right." Carmen said as she pulled her phone out and took some pictures. "Player see what you and Bentley can dig up."
"On it." Player and Bentley said. But the thieves still wondered just what plan was VILE hatching that needed fabric but why?
The following day: The Acropolis:
The next day Carmen, Sly, Shadowsan and the rest of the crew in their disguises met at the Acropolis one of Greece's most famous ruins to compare notes. Shadowsan stood solemnly next to Zack and Ivy who lay/sat on the steps, while Bentley was hard at work on his tablet analysing the fabric photo from last night. Murray sat on one of the pillars.
"Why would VILE steal only one crate? Of fabric?!" Zack asked.
"Yeah thats what I thought I thought they went for big stuff?" Murray asked as well.
"Maybe Coach Brunt just needed enough material to knit Maelstrom a sweater." Carmen thought pacing. While Sly paced in the opposite direction.
"I don't know Brunt doesn't seem to be the knitting wooly sweaters and bake cookies type of person." Sly wondered as he paced.
"I like to think it's because Carm, Sly and Murray scared'em off!" Ivy voiced.
"Yeah they're wicked awesome!" Zack agreed.
"Scare off Dash Haber maybe." Carmen wondered.
"But the Cleaners do not know fear." Shadowsan agreed.
"Yeah with their mugs you can hardly tell how they're feeling." Sly had to agree.
"Look honey." Shadowsan's eyes turned to a small family who were looking around. It would seem they had noticed the ninja master. "A samurai." Said the mom.
As the father was about to take a picture zooming in on Shadowsan he gave a growl and a scowling face which made the family instantly go elsewhere.
"Perhaps it would be best not to discuss delicate matters in public." Shadowsan advised the crew. "Especially since my attire seems to be attracting unwanted attention."
"Come on Shadowsan, let me tell you something about tourists, you put a ninja in Greek ruins out of nowhere what do they do?" Sly asked the ninja operative. "They just walk past." He said pointing to the tourists.
"Besides we're at the Apocalypse, Ancient Greeks forte is here." Zack said in agreement.
"Uh Zack it's not Apocalypse its pronounced Acropolis." Bentley corrected while not taking his eyes off the tablet screen.
"Thats what I said Apocalypse." Zack then said which made Ivy shake her head smiling.
"If you didn't want to get noticed maybe you should've gotten a disguise?" Murray suggested.
"Clothes do not make the man." Shadowsan explained. "But I might still suggest retreating to the privacy of your headquarters."
"Pft as in HQ?" Ivy said surprised.
"Does that stand for something?" Zack asked whispering.
The ninja master could see they were not sharing the details of their 'headquarters' "I admire your desecration." He said. "I am not sure I would trust me enough to reveal its location just yet either." He started walking away.
"We would trust you Shadowsan." Carmen said walking up the steps after him. "If we actually had one."
Shadowsan looked back in genuine surprise to that answer. "Hard to believe but true." Carmen said leaning against one of the pillars.
This had the Master of Stealth completely taken aback, the Cooper & Sandiego gang didn't have a headquarters at all. "Why would you not posses a homebase?" He asked.
This then got Bentley's attention. "Come to think of it I am rather curious myself about that myself. I mean I can understand keeping on the move so that VILE can't pin us down." He said. "But even back home we had a hideout in Paris to return to after each job." He gestured to Sly and Murray.
"Well to answer both of your questions, I vowed if I ever left VILE island I'd see the world." Carmen answered gesturing to the historical site around them. "And here we are."
"Welcome to Carmen Sandiego's never ending world tour." Zack popped up next to Shadowsan putting a hand on his shoulder.
"And the wicked sweet part. VILE's footing the bill." Ivy agreed. Shadowsan just delivered a glare to Zack which told him to take his hand off his shoulder.
"Yeah because being cooped up on a tropical island base can be a bit dull for Carmen." Sly agreed with her. "Plus stealing from a super secret crime syndicate is a great way to see the world in my book."
Shadowsan had to admit they did have a point. He knew from back in Carmen's academy days she always wanted to see the world that they described to her. The fact she stowed away on Crackle and co's first caper was proof of that. However that didn't mean he'd let the matter of a headquarters go just yet.
"I guess if I knew more about my past, I might have a better idea of where I'd want to hang my hat." Carmen said sitting down still wondering if there was more to her past. "I mean home base should feel like home right?"
"Thats true me and my gang have saved some souvenirs from our past jobs at our Paris Hideout." Sly remembered.
"Yeah like the cookie jar from our days in the orphanage." Murray agreed. "Or those pictures we took. Hey rememeber when we're in Holland sight seeing and we took pictures while Penelope was flying the plane."
"Yeah its a miracle the Guru didn't fall out." Sly chuckled in agreement. However he noticed that Bentley looked a little sad by that memory. Namely Penelope, his first love who stabbed him in the back just because of her own ideas.
"Oh yeah, s..sorry Bentley I shouldn't have mentioned…"
"No no its okay Sly…I'm over all that and your right we have saved some good memories haven't we." Bentley said trying to sound like what happened with his ex sound like he was still hurting.
Carmen however could see differently. From what Sly had told her Bentley really loved Penelope and to have that person betray him like that for her own selfish reasons, was just low.
Just then Bentley's tablet screen started buzzing as it had completed its study of the photo Carmen took last night. "Oh heads up guys." So everyone gathered around Bentley. "According to my analysis of this fabric that VILE stole last night I can tell you it's not the kind that you'd normally find. It's lined with technology, and sensors. It's actually remarkable."
Just then Player called in on the tablet. "It should be Bentley, I've done some research and it turns out it's called Smart Fabric." He said.
Players Room:
"Its used for cutting edge wearable technology, designed to make the clothes on your back, smart as the phone in your pocket." Player explained looking over the specs he'd found.
"Sounds like a fashion choice even Dimitri couldn't criticise." Sly said.
"How true Sly." Bentley said. "But this fabric isn't just for show."
"He's right, imagine; pants that alert you when your packing on the pounds, golf shirts that track your swings." Player listed.
"Or running shirts that monitor your physical stamina while exercising." Bentley said getting the idea.
"Yeah or underwear that can monitor your…" Player was then cut off by the sound of laughter from Zack and Murray thinking what Player was about to say next.
"HAHAHAHHAHAAH!" They laughed.
"Ew!" Ivy gagged at that thought.
"Heart rate." Player finished his sentence.
"Oh thats not so gross." Ivy said.
"Pft, or hilarious." Zack scoffed.
"Okay, so it sounds like the kind of thing VILE would steal, but what's the angle?" Sly asks.
"A good question Sly, at first me and Player weren't sure but after some scouring into the VILE hard drive we might have a link." Bentley explained. "Player if you please."
"With pleasure." Player said as he brought up the data from the Harddrive and sent it to Bentley's tablet.
"The only thread we could pull was a passing mention of something happening in Milan Italy." Player explained as he brought up a map of said place. "This week."
"Fashion Fest." Shadowsan answered getting everyones attention.
Acropolis Greece:
"Where clothing designers show off their latest styles." He then said which brought about a raised eyebrow from everyone present. "Countess Cleo always took an interest." He explained.
"Makes sense, where there's fabric there's always a fashionista namely our dear contessa." Sly realised.
"And we know she was a failed runway model before turning to a career of crime." Carmen agreed.
"But the wearable tech does scream more of Dr Bellum." Player then added.
"An astute observation Player, however we shouldn't discount Dr M's involvement he also has knowledge of technology and robotics."
"But didn't you guys say he was more the Frankenstein's monster type of scientist?" Zack asked.
"Yeah and they were butt ugly guys two mix and matched body part goons too. Small and enormous!" Murray explained even stretching his arms out for emphasis.
"One of which I got rather up close and personal with near death." Sly concurred remembering his near death experience with one of Dr.M's monsters when they went to open the Cooper Vault.
"You have all made good assumptions, and this could very well be a team effort." Shadowsan then said. "Or the brainchild of someone new entirely." He walked to the right looking a little concerned and he was right to be. "It is inevitable that VILE will begin the process of seeking out my replacement. If they have not done so already."
Carmen knew he was right, since Shadowsan defected that left a vacancy open in the Faculty one that many of her old classmates or veteran VILE operatives would be all to eager to fill.
"Well come on your irreplaceable right it could take them weeks, or months to audition for a replacement Faculty member right?" Murray wondered.
"It is not that simple." Shadowsan turned with very serious eyes. "The position of Faculty is not simply given on a whim. It must be earned."
"And dare I ask what one has to do to get on the Faculty?" Bentley asked though he daren't know the answer.
Shadowsan sighed and looked away strangely he had a look of regret and disgrace. "Let us just say Bentley, there are some questions it is best to not know the answer."
That pretty much answered the tech turtles question. This did raise an air of concern over the group. Most of all to Sly for if there was a place on the Faculty to be filled, he knew there was only one person who'd be the first in line to fill it.
Isle of VILE:
Meanwhile at VILE Academy the Faculty were holding a meeting with a woman with darl gray hair with a white streak, circular glasses, she wore an oldstyle dark emerald green coat with a large red bow, and a dark emerald green Theodora hat. To look at her attire it looked very similar to Carmens, as it was Cookie Booker VILE's accountant, bookkeeper and financier for the academy.
The meeting was to discuss VILE's current financial situation and it didn't look good.
"The financial health of VILE is not looking pretty." Ms Booker explained. "Our profits are down and we continue to suffer losses, Rio being quite the fiasco not to mention our significant loss in Monte Carlo." She pointed to a diagram showing a red line going down showing the scale of the problem.
"Carmen Sandiego has been putting too big of a dent in our resources, and the arrival of this Sly Cooper has increased that dent exponentially. Which is why it would be beho of you to vill the vacancy left by Shadowsan." She gestured to the empty seat before giving a smirk.
"With someone who knows how to get VILE out of the red." Cookie Finished.
"Not only is Cookie stylish she's smart with money." Cleo said very impressed.
"Ah gratis mi contessa." Ms Booker thanked gratefully.
"And a team player." Dr Bellum agreed. "Our very own bookkeeper a numbers girl hatched a plan melding my technology with Cleo's fashion connections."
"Huh I for one champion comfort over freely thrills." Coach Brunt simply said.
"For once Brunt I am in full agreement." Called a familiar voice and dropping in from his new spider mech was Dr.M. "Comfort is of course a desirable attribute but I personally favour the math over comfort." He then looked to Cookie. "Hello Ms Booker I see you are doing well." He greeted very gentleman like.
"Doctor." Ms Booker greeted with a nod.
"Well well look who finally decides to emerge from the shadows." Coach Brunt smirked. "Why suddenly decide to show up now Doc, ran out of bananas." She cracked much to the Monkey scientists annoyance.
However he chose to ignore it. "Not at all Coach Brunt I merely wanted to wish the latest candidate for Faculty luck on her joint venture with Cleo and Dr Bellum, from what I understand it's a very interesting combination." He said almost like he was giving the bookkeeper a compliment. "Of course she can talk the math but the real challenge is delivering."
"Dr M is quite right." Professor Maelstrom agreed getting Bookers attention. "You will need to pull out all the stops Ms Booker. After all Black Sheeps escape from this island, her very look. Can be traced back to your failings on that fateful night."
Cookie remembered well how the student formerly known as Black Sheep, had humiliated her every time she came to the island to log in the hard drives with water balloon attacks. On top of that stealing one of said hard drives from her during her escape, tied her up in a closet and stole her red rain coat and hat impersonating her to escape.
"However this time she won't be dealing with just Sandiego she also must contend with Cooper." Dr M said in agreement. "Who up until now has shown himself to be quite an adversary to our operatives. Especially since he has now trained Sandiego in the ways of his clan."
"Let me assure the both of you." Cookie began. "No one steals from me, locks me in a closet and impersonates me without paying the price. And I didn't even mention the water ballon attacks. If Carmen Sandiego shows her face in Milan…she will become my first fashion victim. As for her Raccoon accomplice I will personally make sure he's delivered to our contessa as a coat." She said and so she left to begin her scheme.
"Don't be too over confident Ms Booker, I was once and Cooper took advantage of it. Tread the wrong way and you'll be joining Dokuso on the reject bench." Dr. M warned.
"Your concern is noted Doctor." Ms Booker said as she left the Faculty room.
"Well good day my dear Faculty members I must return to my work." Dr M said as his Spidermech carried him out of the faculty lounge and back to his and Dr Bellums lab.
However Brunt bore a look of suspicion by Dr M's recent behaviour. "I'm telling y'all that monkey boys up to somethin he come skulking in here just to wish Booker luck he's never this encouraging."
"Come to think about it he has been spending an awful lot of time in Saira's lab of late, normally I wouldn't mind not enjoying his company but his tinkering has been more frequent for weeks now." Cleo agreed. "Saira, do you have any idea what he's doing."
"I'm afraid not, normally M is very sharing of his work some of it could even enhance our operatives, but lately he's been rather secretive." Dr Bellum explained. "In fact he's even been acquiring equipment from my off site lab in the Himalayas."
"I've told you Saira not to let him travel there without supervision you have far too many toys there for him to play with." Cleo sighed with her hand to her head.
Maelstrom however became rather curious about the good doctors reasons for confining himself to the lab. "What exactly did he acquire from your lab Dr Bellum?"
"Very advanced components, high voltage power cells, inducers and other components to name a few." Dr Bellim listed.
"I'm telling ya Monkey boys scheming behind our backs I say we confront him and tell him the jig is up!" Coach Brunt insisted.
"Let us not be hasty Coach Brunt, I agree that our good Dr M's motives have been rather questionable of late. However maybe we should see how long he's willing to spin his web, and see what potential fruits his labour brings." Gunnar then said rather sinisterly if Dr M was doing something behind their backs it was for a reason and whatever it was could prove either a threat or possibly beneficial to VILE.
Secret Location:
Meanwhile in a secret location, Chief (her hologram) was with Julia, Carmelita, and Agent Zari looking at a photo of Carmen and Sly together with Shadowsan before they gave the two agents the slip in Rio. Given Shadowsan aided in Devineaux abductuion conclusions and questions were raised about the two thieves involvement with VILE.
"There has to be some explanation for why they were seen together in Rio." Julia voiced still not believing it. "Carmen Sandiego and Sly Cooper may've been information gathering or trying to keep an enemy close."
"Possible but unlikely." Chief said doubting her suspicions. "I'm afraid our girl and ringtail were recently seen in Japan, and in Greece." Agent Zari moved to show photos of the trio in both countries. "Care to guess who their traveling companion was?"
"They do seem like more than casual acquaintances." Agent Zari observed which brought about raised eyebrows from both Julia and Carmelita. "One agents opinion." She said.
"Our mystery man is one of two suspects your ex partner ID as his abductors that night in Poitier." Chief explained approaching Julia and Carmelita. "Yet ACME still can't put a name to the face, he's a ghost a shadow, in short he fits VILE's profile perfectly." She said looking at the image of Shadowsan.
"Chief, with all do respect while I agree with the assessment of the suspect, I believe we maybe jumping to conclusions regarding both Cooper and Sandiego." Carmelita explained. "I can't speak for Sandiego but collaborating with a phantom crime syndicate isn't Cooper's style he steals from criminals. In short I trust Agent Argents judgement and as I said not everything is as black and white as it appears."
"Perhaps Agent Fox, though if I recall correctly you said that Cooper once recruited a known felon from this Fiendish Five this uh Panda King?" Chief recalled one of Carmelita's stories from her recruitment. "Who according to you was responsible for the murder with his father. How can you be sure his time with Sandiego hasn't changed something in him?"
Carmelita couldn't help but let that thought crawl into her mind, true Sly was rather different from when last they met. But seeing him with a suspect who was ID'd as Chase's abductor was rather conflicting she wasn't sure what to think of this. Was Carmen connected to VILE? Does she work for them? Did she convince her lover to join them? So many thoughts raced in her mind all of which she had no answers.
"Now onto new matters, our Crime Net analysts indicate our two super thieves maybe bound for Milan." Chief then briefed. "Its Fashion Fest there agents, so you had better look sharp, as well as, sharpen your resolve to catch Carmen Sandiego and Sly Cooper."
Julia just stood their with a quiet look of conflict, she knew in her gut that the Scarlet Super thief and Raccoon gentleman thief was on their side but after all this she wasn't sure. Carmelita could understand as she too needed answers.
"Of course Chief, I have a feeling shock pistols are going to be big in Milan." Carmelita said loading her shock pistol which surged with power.
Meanwhile:
High in the sky a red eye jet soared across the sky inside was the Cooper & Sandiego Gang on course for Italy. Inside Zack was asleep in his chair while Murray was listening to music. Ivy was reading a magazine. Bentley was sat between Carmen, Sly and Shadowsan as they communicated with Player.
"Anything on potential VILE targets in Milan guys?" Carmen asked.
"Not yet, so far the prize of this job is proving hard to crack." Bentley explained.
"Yeah but we did learn a thing or two about fashion fest." Player explained.
"Well in that case Player feel free to enlighten us." Sly encouraged.
"Gladly." Player said as he shared his facts. "All the top designers show off their seasonal collections at certain times of the year in different cities in the world. Milan's a big one."
"Not surprising considering that Milan is very well known for its role in the fashion industry." Bentley added. "Every year the shows become more elaborate and much more competitive because in the fashion business big buzz translates to big profits."
"Thats right Bentley, but what fascinates me is Italy has a long history with fashion dating back to the Renaissance." Carmen shared her own facts. "A period of great artistic and cultural achievement, that began in the fourteenth century. Wealthy families like the Medici's didn't just sponsor famous artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci they cultivated their own sense of high style." She explained while images of the Medici family was shown.
"No doubt check out those threads, I gotta admit the Medici's defiantly did good in style." Sly observed.
"Yep just like our Red." Player agreed.
Soon the gang arrived in Milan walking past the great Milan Cathedral and basked in the Italian architecture. Sly and his crew now in their hologuises walked with Carmen and the others and luckily Shadowsan's attire didn't draw too much attention.
"At least Shadowsan's get up doesn't look so out of place here." Ivy said.
"Yes given its fashion fest anyone else would think that we're simply celebrating it." Bentley agreed.
However Zack suddenly noticed something that got his attention and stopped Murray with his hand showing him. "AH! Murray do you see what I see!" He pointed the disguised Hippo's attention to two carts, one serving Pizza and the other Ice Cream.
Murray looked in awe and drooling anticipation. "Pizza and Ice Cream! My two most favourite things in the world! We've hit the promised land!"
"I'll say its the four basic food groups, desert, toppings, crust and cone!" Zack agreed.
"Technically fellas its Italian Ice cream and it's called Gelato, like how Spaghetti Bolognaise is called Ragu here." Bentley pointed out.
"Yeah and you guys can feed your faces after we stop VILE." Ivy agreed throwing her arms over Zack and Murray.
"Awww!" They both groaned disappointed.
"Shadowsan will let us right?" Zack asked looking to the ninja master who simply grumbled.
"I'm not taking that as a no!" Murray said.
"Ahem focus people." Bentley called everyone to attention as he brought up his wheel chair tablet. "Given how fashion fest is in full swing there are many events taking place in every major venue in Milan, which means if VILE is here they'll make sure to cover all their bases."
"Which means VILE could already be here staking out the venues for the heist." Sly realised.
"Right which means we'll have to keep our eyes open." Carmen agreed.
"Agreed, we should separate to cover more ground." Shadowsan suggested.
"Then in that case we'll need to blend in, it shouldn't be too hard to find something sheik in my colour around here." Carmen said.
"You'd look good in anything Carmen." Sly joked. "And hopefully there's a tuxedo in my size that I can borrow."
So the group split up in different directions, Bentley and Murray went to the left while Zack and Ivy went to the right. Carmen and Sly straight ahead and Shadowsan to the south east.
Meanwhile in the air Italy airspace:
An ACME jet was approaching Italian airspace and inside the bathroom compartment Julia was alone, preparing for when they confront the two super thieves.
"Carmen Sandiego, Sly Cooper. You are under arrest." Julia said with her hand like a gun. However she sighed knowing that line didn't sound right. "Sandiego…you and Cooper just got beached." She then said more cocky she was moving to the door but hit the wall instead.
She exited the toilet but before she joined Agent Zari she heard Carmelita's voice coming from the other room. "Freeze Cooper! You're toast!"
Julia rather curious slowly opened the door to see Carmelita like her was also rehearsing her encounter with the raccoon thief.
"No no that's not it…uh…" She said cursing herself then she had an idea. "Sly Cooper! This is your unlucky day!" She said rather cocky. "Gah no!" She cursed then tried again. "Count your ringtails Cooper because your time is up!" She said but she still thought it didn't sound right.
"Come on Carmelita you got this, but knowing Sly he'll just come back with some flirty remark." The foxy agent then said, but then sighed. "Sly just what have you gotten into, there's no way you could be involved with VILE…could you?"
Julia couldn't help but notice the tone in her partners voice, it was that of genuine concern. She too had concerns about whether Carmen and Sly really were in league with VILE. However, the tone in her voice told a different tale could it be that there's more between Carmelita and Sly than first appears.
"Carmelita?" Julia said which made the Foxy agent jump in fright.
"Ah! Julia, you startled me!" Carmelita said in surprise.
"Sorry I heard some voices outside I'm sorry if I startled you." Julia apologised.
"No it's okay I should've checked if it was locked." Carmelita smiled as she exited the bathroom. "Besides we have to be ready. By the way you sounded pretty good too." She said.
Julia blushed in surprise did she really hear all she was saying. "You…you heard?"
"Yeah not bad, but you've got to put some heart into it a little omf." Carmelita suggested. With that the two headed to the passenger area of the plane where Agent Zari was on her laptop. "Agent Zari how long till we land at Milan?" Carmelita asked.
"ETA to Milan thirty six minutes twenty two seconds." She simply answered. "So you two ready to bag a couple of super thieves.
Julia clenched her fists with a look of determination. "Yes Agent Zari, in fact we are."
"More than ready." Carmelita said as she pulled out her Shock Pistol and loaded it fully charged.
Milan: Fashion Fest Venue:
As the night drew in the Fashion Fest events were well underway the stage was crowded with guests and investors ready to see the new fashion line. Tonights host was representing La Dolche Rita. Violet lights shone the venue all around. Within the crowds, Murray armed with his hologuise as an investor blended into the crowds. While Bentley discreetly made his way backstage.
He wheeled his wheelchair to backstage, and soon arrived at the security room. He then knocked on the door. "Coffee." He said and within seconds out came the security team, they looked around but could see no sign of anyone. Suddenly they felt a prick in their behinds and fell to the ground unconscious compliments of Bentley's sleep darts.
"Sorry fellas I just need you out of commission for a few minutes." He said as Murray picked up the security guards and hid them in the janitors closet.
"You gonna be okay little buddy?" Murray asked.
"Yeah I'll be fine Murray you meet up with Zack and Ivy, I've got security consoles to hack." Bentley cracked his fingers and set to work accessing the security cameras.
So the disguised hippo left his friend to his hacking. Meanwhile backstage the staff were moving clothing racks around while in the dressing room the event coordinator was talking to the six fashion models who were dressed in very fashionable white dresses while doing their make up.
"Ladies, you are representing La Dolche Rita, so please class it up." Said the coordinator who turned his attention to one of the fashion models. "Number two more mascara I want to see your lashes from space!" However he could see something was missing. "And where are your fascinators?"
The models looked at each other not knowing what the heck he was talking about. He soon caught on too.
"The hats! the hats!" He explained frantically.
"The linings being restitched." One model explained while doing her make up.
"On all of them?" The coordinator questioned.
"A haber dasher showed up said Rita herself sent him." The model explained.
"Some hottie with a hat." Said another model doing her eyelashes.
"Someone please make sure they're ready by showtime!" The coordinator said very distressed. "We're modelling with authentic Medici gowns tonight!" He said as he stepped out of the room. "Not one seam in our presentation can be out of place!"
He walked away from the dressing room but didn't even notice the two individuals close by. One was in a red dress with gold linings and an opening in the chest area with her hair tied in a pony tail black long gloves and heels. The other individual was dressed in a white suit, shoes and pants with a Michael Jackson style hat with a black shirt underneath and a purple neckerchief. He even possessed a walking cane with a gold hook handle. It was Carmen and Sly (now in his hologuise)
"Hottie with a hat, sounds like someone we know." Carmen said having over heard the whole conversation.
"Yeah if that doesn't scream VILE's resident mr hattrick I don't know what does." Sly said. "Though I had to admit white isn't my usual colour but I think it looks good on me."
"Kinda reminds me of the big bad wolf?" Carmen teased while Sly rolled his eyes.
"Player you and Bentley catch the part about the Medici's?" Carmen then asked through the coms.
"Yep." Player replied.
Players Room:
"It wasn't publicised but it looks like the costume gallery of PT Palace in Florence. Recently loaned their sixteenth century finds." Player brought up images of the gallery in question, as well as, what they had loaned to the Fashion Fest event.
"Four vintage Medici gowns." Player explained. "Their going to be displayed during designer label's La Dolche Rita's presentation."
"Guess this fashionistas nostalgic." Sly guessed.
"Yeah but not exactly what I'd call off the rack." Carmen agreed.
"More like dressed to the nines." Player then said as he looked further at the dresses description. "As in nine million Euros because thats about their combined worth."
Milan:
"Nine million, for some dresses man, sounds like Cleo's kind of crowd." Sly realised.
"True Sly, but it turns out the gowns weren't the only things being loaned to the fashion show." Bentley then called in.
"What do you mean Bentley?" Carmen asked.
Security Room:
Bentley was now fully hacked into the security system. "I'm in the security office, and I'm looking at the cameras in the entry to the fashion runway." The turtle hacker looked at the security monitor and saw a gold and red ruby necklace dated back to the 16th century was in a glass cabinet on display.
"And I'm looking at an authentic necklace." Bentley said.
"Let me guess an authentic Medici necklace?" Player asked.
"Bang on the money Player, apparently the gallery also loaned the use of a necklace dating back to the Medici era to showcase at the show with the gowns." Bentley explained.
"So it's a two way heist." Sly realised.
"Right the gowns and the necklace." Carmen realised as well before pressing the com in her earring. "Stage crew, be on alert we may have just learned VILE's this seasons must haves."
Runway stage:
Murray had met up with Zack and Ivy who were combing the hall for VILE operatives when they got the news. "You got it Carm." Zack replied over the phone.
"Guess that would make us the Fashion Police." Ivy joked.
"Yeah I call the bad cop." Murray joked as the trio headed into the crowds keeping their eyes peeled for VILE agents.
However just then Carmelita, Zari and Julia had arrived through the front entrance. "The Medici gowns are almost certain to be Cooper and Sandiego's target though they'll likely be under lock and key until showtime." Julia surmised.
"Right but one thing thats not under lock and key is that necklace we saw on the way in, if I know Cooper he and Sandiego won't just settle for the gowns they'll try for the necklace too." Carmelita suspected as well.
"Agreed, Argent search the hall, Fox take the entrance I'll have a look backstage." Zari said to the two and they split up to cover more ground.
From his station in the security room Bentley could see what was happening. "Oh boy, guys we may have company, its Carmelita and her new Acme friends."
"Well good now things are getting interesting." Sly said on the coms.
"Cooper take this seriously." Shadowsan called on the coms. "If this ACME are indeed present this could make things more complicated."
"Duely noted Shadowsan, but we maybe able to use this to our advantage, I'll keep monitoring them on this end." Bentley said as he monitored the security monitors.
"Thanks Bentley." Sly said.
Soon Carmen and Sly came across the models waiting outside the fabric room where their hats were being relined. With what Carmen had already guessed.
"Okay so what's VILE's angle they can't try and snatch the dresses their heavily guarded right?" Sly wondered.
"They wouldn't have to, not when they have the perfect pawns in play." Carmen said to him looking at the models from behind the clothes line.
"The models." Sly realised.
"I get it so you think VILE's hats are lined with the smart tech they stole?" Player guessed.
"I'd bet my hat on it we know Bellum loves her mind control experiments." Carmen said.
"Ah I get it Bellum needed the tech fabric to line the hats, thanks to Cleo's connections in the fashion world to pull strings to pull off this little heist." Sly realised. "And La Dolche Rita is the fashion victim."
Players room:
"Instant remote control thieves." Player guessed but still one thing didn't make sense. "Okay but why the models?"
Milan:
"The Medici gowns will be venerable for a brief window of time while the models are on stage, they'll be the only ones with clearance to be in reach of them." Carmen explained the scenario.
"In other words all part of the show, and we know VILE likes to hide in plain sight, and a fashion show is the best cover." Sly got where his new partner was going with this. "Its actually kinda smart."
Players room:
"Okay but it still doesn't tell us how they plan to snatch the necklace too, since its in the main lobby and the gowns will be in the fashion hall." Player wondered. "Two separate locations and only four models."
"Uh guys I think I might know." Murrays voice called on the coms.
Milan: Fashion Hall:
Murray was in the crowds when he noticed something out of the ordinary. "You guys remember that mime from San Fransisco, he's here." He was right Mime Bomb was skirting on the outskirts of the crowd wearing a trench coat.
From the security room Bentley zoomed in on that section in the hall and saw it was indeed a certain mime. "Its Mime Bomb alright and he's not looking very inconspicuous." Bentley confirmed.
"Huh didn't know mimes were big in Milan this year?" Sly said. "But I guess now we know how they plan to snatch the necklace. While the shows going, Mime Bomb snatches the necklace."
Backstage:
"Knowing Cleo she'll probably have an accurate forgery to replace it with." Carmen realised. "So we'll have to divide and conquer I'll take the gowns, Sly you take the necklace."
"Okay, but it will be hard to ignore those fashion models." Sly said rather slyly. "And their phone numbers."
"Go." Carmen chuckled and so Sly left.
"Before you bust the mime Sly meet me in the security room, I think I have an idea how to tackle this." Bentley called in.
Meanwhile:
In another part of the fashion venue, Cleo, Bellum and Ms Booker were on sight looking at a screen showing the runway hall, giving them eyes on what's going on.
"My hench-model Dash Haber is on site transposing La Dolche Rita's head gear with our own." Cleo explained.
"Belisimo Countess, those mindless waits will be dressed to steal." Ms Booker complimented. "And while they do our dear Mime Bomb shall secure the necklace to complete the set."
"Indeed." Cleo smirked.
"And now some head gear of my own." Dr Bellum said as she put on a green and black helmet with antenna on the top of it. Obviously some kind of mind control device.
Backstage:
The doors to the fabric room opened to reveal Dash Haber with the models hats. "Showtime ladies." He said to the models who entered the room and one by one picked up their hats. While Haber simply smirked knowing all was going according to plan.
From a distance Carmen began to approach the room to crash Habers plans when suddenly. "Hold it right there." Carmen turned and saw that Agent Zari was pointing her gas gun right at Carmen.
Carmen however could only smirk. "Funny, you actually have something right there." She said pointing to her right cheek which caused Zari to raise an eyebrow.
Suddenly the lady in red kicked the gas gun right out of the agents hand but not before it let out a plume right into Zari's face. She began to feel the gasses effects.
"Take five." Carmen said and Zari was knocked unconscious by the gas. Wasting no time Carmen left the unconscious agent and headed for the stage.
Meanwhile in the fashion hall, Carmelita was patrolling the area for any signs of their targets. She reached for her communicator pen and called into it. "Agent Zari come in so far no sign of Cooper and Sandiego." She said but got no response. "Agent Zari come in." Still no reply nothing but static. "Why doesn't she answer?"
Just then the room began to darken this meant the Fashion Show was about to begin seeing the bright violet lights shine from the stage.
While entranced by the light the foxy inspector suddenly caught sight of a certain ringtail leave the fashion floor. She knew instantly who it was. "Gotya! Ringtail!" She ran off in pursuit and as she went through the door he'd been though she deactivated her hologuise.
Meanwhile the fashion show coordinator began using the sound and light board to light the stage. He felt the harmony and rhythm flowing from the music. Just then four lights shone from the stage and emerging from below the stage was the four Medici gowns.
"In the beginning were the Medici's…" The coordinator began.
From the secret room Cleo, Booker and Bellem watched the show and the emergence of the gowns. The Countess couldn't help but admire the sixteenth century design.
"They're stunning." She said in awe.
"Today, La Dolche Rita brings a new fashion renaissance to Milan." After a mystifying light show the models emerged from behind wearing their fashion line. They were white and cream coloured but all very different. The hats harmonised with the models very well. However they weren't just for show. At least not in this case.
"Its show time." Dr Bellum smirked as her helmet activated.
On the stage one by one the models hats activated and their eyes turned completely white like they were under a trance. Which they were.
"Walk the walk." Dr Bellum ordered. "Then secure the gowns."
So the models did as they were commanded to. They began walking down the fashion runway. Close to the back of the stage Carmen was ready to make her move.
"Show time." She smirked, however she wasn't alone.
"Carmen Sandiego." Carmen's gaze shifted and saw behind her was Julia armed with the same gas gun as Agent Zari. "You are under arrest." She said but Carmen could only smile as she stood up.
"Jules right?" Carmen asked remembering her.
"Hands in the air now!" Julia warned only to be caught by surprise as Carmen swatted the gun out of her hand and caught it. She looked at the ACME agent for a while before walking up to her.
"You're not really dressed for the occasion but we'll make it work." Carmen said placing the gun back in Julia's jacket pocket.
"What?" The latter said in surprise.
"Come on I need your help." Carmen said taking her hand and pulling her to the stage.
"To do what?" Julia asked.
"The reason your here save those Medici's." Carmen answered.
"But wait if your here where's Mr Cooper?" Julia asked not seeing the Raccoon thief anywhere.
"Doing the same thing Carmelita is probably doing now, saving that necklace." Carmen answered as she quickly pick pocketed a couple of guests fashionable head dress and hat. They never even saw it coming.
Carmen then moved to put the hat on Julia's head as she put on the other head piece. "Keep it natural." She assured Julia as they headed for the stage. "Just imagine an invisible string pulling your head straight up from your spine."
Soon the two climbed onto the stage and stood side by side same as the four models. Julia looked awfully nervous with all the people looking at her. While Carmen looked very confident.
"Walk with long strides, and….smile." Carmen said confidently as she walked with Julia who smiled nervously. The buyers and viewers were in complete awe by the two of them and the models.
Meanwhile:
At the front of the fashion house. Sly had just arrived to see the necklace on display in a cabinet. From the looks of things it looked like Mime Bomb hadn't made the switch yet. He went up to the display cabinet to take a closer look just to make sure. He was in luck, it was the genuine article.
"Hello beautiful." Sly smirked as he slowly and carefully removed the display cabinet and set it aside. He was reaching out to grab the necklace when suddenly.
"Freeze Cooper! Not one more inch!" His gaze looked and saw Carmelita standing behind him armed with her shock pistol. He stood up and just smirked.
"Carmelita, sporting a new look I see." Sly said as he turned around to see Carmelita in her Acme suit. "But I gotta say, black really isn't your colour, not to mention those shades are really tough on the eyes."
"Save the flattery Sly, your under arrest." Carmelita said with conviction.
Sly just sighed at that. "Look Carmelita it isn't what you think, yes I am taking the necklace but only to keep a real thief from stealing it."
"You mean VILE?" Carmelita asked. "The ones who lured Devinaux out to Poitier thanks to your friend Carmen?!" Camrelita said in an interrogating way.
"What?" Sly questioned but could see the confusion. "No Carmen didn't have anything to do with that, yes she did take the card but she was pick pocketed by a VILE agent we stopped in India." Sly explained.
Carmelita remembered how Julia had told her of that incident in India where the Magna Carta was stolen and how Sly and his partner in red returned them. So to pick pocket Chase's keycard to lure him out for VILE didn't quite add up.
"Then why are you running around with one of his abductors the one dressed in Samurai attire?" Carmelita questioned.
"Ah well its…it's complicated." Sly tried.
"Huh everything seems to be complicated with you these days." Carmelita said. "I honestly don't know who you are anymore Sly Cooper, you steal only to return, your suspected of being connected to this crime syndicate along with Miss Sandiego. How do I know what to believe?"
Sly could see the air of confusion hung in the air for Carmelita about all of this. "Look I get it I know things between us are crazy right now, but believe me I have nothing to do with VILE I mean come on you honestly think I'd run around with a dishonourable crowd like that?" He asked which did make Carmelita question a few things. Sure he'd worked with Panda King one of the people responsible for his fathers death but it was a mutual alliance at the time. But having fought alongside his gang and ancestors she knew that Sly wasn't the kind of person to work with a phantom group like VILE.
"Look I know its hard to believe but you know me, if I trust Carmen then you know she's one of the good guys." Sly said to her. "Please."
The foxy agent wasn't sure what to believe with all of this, so far Sly's actions have been rather questionable as well as Carmens. However she could sense in her heart when something was wrong, just like how she had a feeling Sly really didn't have amnesia. She was having that exact feeling now and she could see that Sly wasn't lying. However what would she do?
Meanwhile the Fashion runway:
The fashion show continued unhindered despite the addition of two unknown models Carmen and Julia. They continued walking the runway in the admiration of the investors and viewers. Soon they came to a stop and made a hand on hip pose.
"Ready…and turn." Carmen signalled to Julia and they turned for a return walk to the gowns at the other end of the runway.
"Follow my lead and be ready to grab a gown." Carmen whispered to Julia who was rather taken aback by her suggestion.
"You want me to STEAL?!" Julia questioned.
"If we don't the models will." Carmen explained. "Is complicated but right now I need you to trust me Jules."
Julia was rather conflicted by what the thief in red was suggesting but she knew it must be for a reason. However there was a problem. "But there are four gowns?" She questioned.
"Got it covered." Carmen smiled confidently.
Right on cue, Zack and Ivy climbed onto the stage followed by Murray now out of his hologuise. The trio then started moving around like fashion models.
"Work it work it." Ivy said to them.
"Uh huh." Zack said looking elegant while Murray simply slide along the runway like he was skating.
"Skate and slide." Murray said. The Coordinator was taken by surprise he certainly didn't plan this just where did these guys come from.
"Oh yeah oh yeah." Zack chanted as he his sister and Murray made a conga line behind the hypnotised models.
"Dadadadadada conga!" Murray cheered.
Meanwhile Cleo, Bellum and Booker watched from the screen seeing what was going on.
"Who are they?" Booker asked.
Cleo just couldn't believe it as her eyes were locked on one particular person. She instantly recognised Zack as the Duke despite his rough appearance she recognised his face.
"One of them is obviously one of Coopers accomplices that M warned us about." She said but squinted her eyes at Zack. "And the other may or may not be The Duke." She said angrily before she contacted her operative. "Mr Haber report."
Outside the fashion venue:
Outside the venue Dash Haber was with a white van which would be used to transport the stolen goods. He opened the rear doors as he received the message.
"Ah the gowns are ready for carry out Countess." He replied.
"Do not be so certain." Cleo said over the com which told the VILE haber dasher that a certain someone was here to crash this fashion caper. So he hurried back into the venue.
Meanwhile inside the venue:
Elsewhere the necklace still lay undisturbed until a certain mime lifted the display case and took the necklace from the display and replaced it with an acurate forgery. Placing the display case back over the artefact, Mime Bomb contacted the Countess.
"Mime Bomb have you secured the necklace?" Cleo asked, and the mime responded by acting out he had the necklace in hand. "Good now rondevu with us the gowns maybe compromised." Cleo reported. So Mime Bomb ran from the scene. However the real question is what had happened to Sly?
Back on the runway stage the crowd were starting to like the surprise show from Zack, Ivy and Murray dancing on the runway.
"They like us!" Zack cheered.
"Hugo Zack and Ivy is gonna be all the rage bro." Ivy danced while Murray performed a classic moon walk.
"Man Murray way to rock it!" Ivy said to the hippo.
"Yeah say what you like you can't stop this smooth criminal!" Murray cheered. The coordinator wasn't sure what to make of this sudden change to the plan, but he saw how much the crowd was enjoying the show.
The models slowly approached the gowns at the start of the runway with their arms reached out to grab them. However the crew wasn't going to let that happen.
"Mind if we cut in?" Zack asked as he, Ivy and Murray slipped past them and joined Carmen and Julia on the platforms in front of the Medici's. Just then the platforms began to descend.
"Buh bye." Ivy waved as they descended to the underground, luckily for Murray the hole was wide enough for him to fit through.
Meanwhile:
Cleo, Bellum and Booker watched all of this, and Cookie gasped seeing a certain individual in red with the Medici gowns.
"Ah! Its her!" She growled. "Carmen Sandiego!"
"She can't get away!" Cleo exclaimed, just then Mime Bomb entered the room with the necklace in hand.
"Well at least Mime Bomb retrieved the necklace without incident." Cookie said with some relief. "And we can easily secure the gowns from Sandiego with no trouble Countess."
However there was something else on the Countess's mind namely if Carmen was on the fashion floor taking the gowns, there was one person that wasn't present with her. It dawned on her.
"Wait a moment, if Sandiego is here….Wheres Cooper!" She then gasped.
"Someone call my name." Said a voice which made everyone's eyes widen as they looked to see Sly with his Cane in hand in the doorway.
"Sly Cooper!" Cookie exclaimed.
"Yep thats me, and let me guess you must be this book keeper Carmens told me all about." Sly guessed from the attire and all of Carmens stories about her.
"Hm very observant and your everything that Dr.M described, but I must admit I was expecting more, because as you can see we have the necklace and soon we'll have the Medici's too." Cookie smirked.
However Sly's smirk didn't fade at all. "You sure about that? Why don't you take a closer look at that necklace." He hinted.
Rather curious Cleo took a look at the necklace that Mime Bomb swiped from the venue entrance. Examining it carefully she suddenly realised with shock.
"Its fake!" She gasped which surprised everyone else in the room including Mime Bomb. "But how!" Sly just smirked it looked like the plan worked.
Earlier:
On the fashion runway floor, Sly(in his hologuise) headed to the security room to meet up with Bentley. The door to the security room opened as Bentley let Sly in who deactivated his hologuise.
"Okay Bentley what's the plan?" Sly asked.
"Simple we know Mime Bomb's gonna switch out the necklaces during the fashion show." Bentley explained. "So we're going to play this the same way we did on Dimitri when we closed down his counterfeiting night club."
Sly smirked getting the idea. "So we're gonna take over their switcharoo with our own."
"Thats correct." Bentley explained and he then pulled out a necklace identical to the Medici necklace in the entrance to the fashion hall. "This is the best I could do on short notice its identical to the necklace only a skilled thief could tell the difference." He said handing Sly the necklace.
"Bentley you never cease to amaze me, you better get below and meet Carmen and the others when the Medici's come down." Sly said to him.
Hours later:
Carmelita still had her shock pistol trained on Sly, and the latter wondered if she believed him or if he was going to get a nasty shock from her pistol. After an hour of silence Carmelita broke it.
"You know what Cooper, I always thought I had you figured out, and I can tell when your lying." Sly grew nervous but then surprisingly Carmelita lowered her weapon. "Which your not, but stealing it can't be the only way to protect it."
"Yeah but you know me its the best way my friends and I know." Sly said to her.
"Okay…how can I help." Carmelita said to Sly who smiled in relief and pulled out his fake necklace.
Moments later Mime Bomb appears and switches the necklaces both are fake. Hiding behind a pillar is Carmelita and Sly watching the whole scene unfold.
"Hes a VILE agent?" Carmelita questioned.
"Yeah hard to believe right, like I said according to Carmen these guys aren't like the criminals we face back home." Sly whispered to her. They saw Mime Bomb leaving the scene while doing a performance of a flower being dropped. Before he left.
"Now the chase begins." Sly smiled and the two of them followed.
Present Day:
"You really shouldn't do the same counterfeit switcheroo tricks over and over my dear Contessa." Sly smirked.
Cleo couldn't believe it she'd been tricked with an accurate forgery of their own. She'd been fooled by a vermin raccoon and she wasn't going to let an insult like this stand.
"Gah…Y…you dirty son of a bitch!" She growled.
Sly just smirked as he pulled out the real necklace from his jacket. "And…heres the real one. Guess what your not the only counterfeiter in town Cleo."
"Grrr!" Cleo growled as she looked at Mime Bomb. "DON'T JUST STAND THERE GET HIM!" She exclaimed, Cookie and Mime Bomb were about to charge at Sly when suddenly the doors burst open to reveal Carmelita armed with her shock pistol.
"HOLD IT YOU'RE ALL GOING TO JAIL!" She exclaimed with her shock pistol.
The Countess, Bellum, Booker and Mime Bomb were taken completely by surprise. "You were followed!" Cookie glared at Mime Bomb who simply shrugged.
Luckily Bellum had a plan she pulled out a small bomb device and tossed it towards Carmelita, Sly looked with horror as he quickly tackled her out of the way as the device exploded in a bright light nearly blinding the two of them but it gave the four VILE operatives the chance of escape.
The light died down leaving the foxy inspector and the raccoon thief alone. "Gah damn it!" Carmelita growled. "I almost had them!" She was about to go after them until Sly stopped her.
"Carmelita no!" Sly exclaimed.
"What!" Carmelita exclaimed back.
"Forget it VILE knows how to disappear you'll never catch them in time and even if you do they'll be prepared and they don't play around." Sly said with every amount of seriousness in his voice.
Carmelita just couldn't let those thieves get away, but at the same time she remembered that Chief had been chasing them for twenty years which meant they could disappear before she could even arrest them.
"We've got the necklace we need to meet Carmen, Julia's probably with them." Sly said to her and so she nodded and the two made their way out of the room.
Elsewhere the four VILE agents and Faculty members had managed to escape. "She must have been one of those ACME agents!" Cookie exclaimed.
"Nevermind that! Saira we need a redirect get Cooper and Sandiego and get those Medeci gowns and necklace!" Cleo exclaimed.
"Ladies please I'm trying to focus here!" Bellum said as she focused her thoughts into the helmet. "Super Models stop those super theives…."
Fashion runway:
The supermodels hat rims glowed blue as Bellum gave their orders causing them to clutch their heads. "RETRIEVE THOSE GOWNS AND GET THAT NECKLACE!" Bellum's voice boomed.
The attitude of the models changed to rage, as two of them made their way to the hatches the other two models leaped off the stage and headed through the doors. The hatches closed and below in the basement the platforms carrying the gowns, thieves and agent landed below.
Just then a communication came in and Carmen answered it. "Sly?"
"Its me Carmen I've got the necklace, but Cleo and Bellum were here, and hey I met your favourite water-balloon target who wasn't as sweet as the Cookie she's named after." Sly relayed.
Carmen chuckled at that joke. "Yeah Booker wasn't one to be sweet." She said. "Meet us at the rondevu the gowns are secure."
"Got it on my way, and I have some foxy company." Sly said as he looked back to Carmelita who was behind him.
In the basement Carmen looked to her crew and Murray. "So what's the plan Carm?" Zack asked.
"Get the gowns to safety, Sly's got the necklace and is on the way, oh and by the way Jules is in charge." She pointed to Julia who was surprised.
"What about you?" Julia asked. Suddenly loud crashing noises came from above it sounded like something was trying to break open the hatches.
"Busy." Carmen said pushing Julia away telling her to get to safety.
The crashing noises were getting louder as Zack and Ivy had picked up the gowns from the dummies. "Get the gowns to safety!" Julia said to the Boston siblings. Murray could see whatever was breaking through was almost through. So he hurried to Carmen's side.
"You guys go I'll back up Carmen." He said to them.
"Murray you sure?" Carmen asked as she heard what he said.
"Yeah besides Sly would normally have your back so I'm here in his place." Murray answered, to which Carmen smiled she could see the giant hippo muscle looked out for his team-mates as Sly said he does.
Just as Julia was leaving two of the Fashion Models broke through the floor almost as if it was paper. She had thought of wanting to help but she realised the gowns needed to be safe, so she closed the door behind her and left with the Boston siblings.
"Whoa! Didn't know they were that strong!" Murray said in surprise.
"They aren't, it must be the hats!" Carmen realised.
"She's right, remember they're embedded with Smart Tech and Player said it can moderate peoples vitals Bellum must've modified it to boost their adrenaline levels." Bentley called in from the security room.
In a hallway in the fashion hall Sly heard the conversation as he and Carmelita ran to meet with them. "In other words Bentley?"
Suddenly the right wall exploded catching the two of them by surprise. The smoke cleared to reveal the other two fashion models.
"What on earth!" Carmelita exclaimed.
"They're now super strong!" Bentley's voice called.
Carmelita was readying her shock pistol to shoot at them. "Carmelita don't they're mind controlled they're not in control!" Sly said to her.
"This is just getting crazier and crazier!" Carmelita said.
"Eh just like old times huh." Sly smirked which Carmelita did give a slight smile to. "Bentley any ideas?"
"You're gonna have to try and destroy the hats, I'll see if I can hack Bellums control device if I can lock onto it." Bentley said from his position.
Sly turned to Carmelita and handed her the necklace. "Carmelita listen take this necklace and go head to the back exit Zack and Ivy are with Julia and they have the gowns!"
"But what about you?" Carmelita asked. Sly looked and saw the mind controlled models were staring him dead in the eye and not in a romantic way but with deadly intent.
"I can't leave my crew just go." Sly said to her.
"I'm not leaving you again!" Carmelita protested.
"Its okay this isn't like Le Paradoxe's blimp, your the cop I'm the thief now go!" Sly said to her before he kissed her on the head and turned to the super models with his cane at the ready.
Carmelita wanted to stay but she knew he was right she was a cop and she had a duty to do, so she took the necklace and ran to meet with Julia.
Bentley worked to try and lock onto Bellum's mind control signal but on the monitors he noticed another figure was about to come into play. "Oh boy Habers heading for Carmen and Murray." Bentley reported.
"I will handle that Bentley focus on control of them." Shadowsan called on the coms as he headed down the hallway.
"I'm trying but I can't get an exact fix." Bentley called.
"Try using a frequency of 1428.9 hrtz thats the frequency her creations usually work on." Shadowsan suggested.
The turtle hacker did just that and he changed his signal frequency to what the ninja had recommended. Instantly he found a match to the signal. "Got it, I'm gonna try and shut her down but it'll take some time." Bentley relayed.
Meanwhile, Dash Haber was closing in close to Carmens position but was halted when Shadowsan stood before him. "That is far enough." He warned.
"Sorry teach no deally-o." Haber smirked as he removed his hat ready to toss the saw blade, as Shadowsan took a fighting pose with his new sword in hand.
Meanwhile:
The two models against Carmen and Murray tore off the sleeves of their dresses and tossed away their cloaks yelling in a rage.
"Not too lady like." Carmen said as she took off her head piece and stood battle ready. "But I'm game."
"Lets dance ladies!" Murray said.
"Remember don't hurt them just get the hats." Carmen said to him.
"You got it." Murray nodded as the two models approached them and quickly rushed them, Carmen dodged one punch and a kick from the darker skinned long haired model while Murray dodged a punch from her almost identical twin. Murray tried grabbing her by the leg only for her to jump up and kick him right in the face.
"Gah!" Murray cried as it nearly broke his jaw. "Man these girls put the super in super models!"
Carmen dodged another attack from the model she was fighting and tried to grab her hat but she held her back while the other model rammed her away with her elbow.
Carmen felt her side was bruised, so she tried to delay them seeing a clothes rack nearby. "Clothesline!" She said as she wheeled it towards them but they ducked out of the way. "I don't want to hurt you ladies but your gonna need to lose those hats." She warned.
The two models came up from behind them as they swung their legs out to try and hit her, but Carmen simply slid under them and Murray quickly charged in his aboriginal ball form and rammed them back like a bowling ball to a skittle. The models crashed into the model dummies in the storage area. However they just got right back up again.
"Huh! That should've knocked the wind out of em!" Murray exclaimed.
"Their pain receptors must be dead because of the smart tech!" Carmen realised.
"Now you tell me!" Sly called in on the coms slightly in pain.
In the hallway Sly dodged several punches from the two models he was facing, when he tried reaching for one hat he was pulled away by the second model sent into a wall. He looked and saw his right sleeve was torn clean off.
"Oh come on really this is Dulchen!" Sly groaned seeing his suit was trashed.
The darker skinned model who tore off his sleeve simply dropped it to the ground as she lunged at Sly who dodged her attack. However little did he know the other model was behind him in the shadows she grabbed him from behind to restrain him.
"Hey didn't know you were so attracted to me." Sly joked before he flipped over her and landed behind her. He lifted his cane and on its hook was the models hat which sparked with electricity because the hook had pierced it. "But sadly I'm spoken for."
The model then just collapsed to the ground unconscious.
From her secret location Bellum looked angered at how the raccoon thief managed to disarm one of her creations but the game wasn't over yet.
The remaining models honed in on their targets which were Carmen, Sly and Murray.
"Uh Bentley any luck on shutting down Bellums model show!" Sly asked on the coms when he twirled his cane.
Security Room:
"Working on it Sly, Bellum's security codes are pretty impressive, but luckily I eat data bases like this for breakfast!" Bentley smirked as he kept typing on the tablet and his hacker avatar blasted right through all the anti virus softwares that the VILE scientist had in place.
Secret location:
While Bellum controlled the models she suddenly had a warning light come from her helmet. She brought up her computer monitor and saw what was wrong.
"Someones trying to hack me!" Bellum explained.
"What!?" Cleo exclaimed in surprise.
"But thats impossible!" Cookie Booker exclaimed in surprise. Bellum then set to work trying to fight back against the hacker.
"No one hacks me!" Bellum exclaimed.
Meanwhile:
Shadowsan and Dash Haber stared each other down in a Mexican stand off fashion. Haber struck first and tossed his saw blade hat towards the ninja. However he just jammed the hat into the right wall with only one hand. He didn't even draw his new sword.
Dash tried using his magnet glove to recall his hat but it refused to release itself from Shadowsan's grip, as the ninja held it in place. Realising he couldn't retrieve it he made a desperate retreat while Shadowsan kept the hat in his possession. He then hurried to go help his allies.
Meanwhile:
Sly blocked another punch from the remaining model with his cane and flipped away from her spin kick. Sly backed up towards the hall as the model ran forwards leaped into the air and tried to slam her fist into Sly's face but he quickly slid away and then he noticed the clothes line next to him.
"Heres the spring collection!" He explained as he threw it towards her only for her to leap over it and throw some punches at Sly which he dodged only for her to strike him in the ribs which seemed to hurt him a little.
"Gah!" Sly growled. "Bentley if your gonna do something nows the time!"
"I'm nearly through but Bellums putting up a fight!" Bentley called on the coms. Sly quickly dodged another punch and a kick from the mind controlled super model.
He twirled his cane and fired its grappling hook to try and pierce her hat too. However the model simply grabbed the cable pulled him forwards and was about to punch him until something slice off the cable which allowed Sly to flip over the model and land behind her. He looked and saw it was Shadowsan who sliced the cable with his new sword.
Bentley meanwhile was in a hacking war with Dr Bellum who did all she could to try and block his advances with every keystroke. Bentley's hacking avatar however blasted back all her countermeasures it was like a game of chess meets a war game.
Bentley was sweating like crazy as he tried to break through the very tight encryption codes. But the turtle hacker had over come great challenges before and he survived to tell the tale. He then had an idea, with several key strokes just as the model was about to attack Sly again, he hit one last key.
On her end Dr Bellum received a rather nasty shock to her helmet which knocked her down on the floor.
"Saira!" Cleo exclaimed.
Security room:
"BOOM and the database crumbles eat that VILE!" Bentley cheered in victory.
Hallway:
The models hat suddenly shorted out and the model regained her senses as she collapsed to the ground. Sly breathed a sigh of relief as his cane extended out a new hook. Shadowsan headed over to him.
"Cooper are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah I'm good." Sly breathed nearly exhausted. "Glad to see that souviner from Japan has come in handy."
"Yes though not like my former weapon, it serves its purpose well." Shadowsan agreed sheathing his new sword.
Sly then contacted Bentley. "Cutting it kind of close Bentley."
"True but you can't rush elegance Sly, plus Bellum was good but guess who's even better." Bentley said.
"Impressive work Bentley, very few people are able to crack Dr Saira Bellum's codes." Shadowsan said but then got serious. "But I would not let down our guard just yet."
"Why we shut down the models?" Sly questioned.
However as Saria regained her senses and repositioned her helmet she looked even more angered than before. "We might not get Cooper but we still have Sandiego!"
Security Room:
Bentley then heard a beep from his console and saw the footage from below the stage and it brought about a look of concern.
"Uh oh guys were not out of this yet!" Bentley said.
"What is wrong?" Shadowsan asked on the coms.
"I might've been able to short out the hat of the model you guys faced but now she has her full focus on the other two!" Bentley explained.
Hallway:
Sly soon came to the same horrifying conclusion. "Carmen and Murray!" He gasped. "Bentley can you short them out too?!"
"Theres no time for that I'm afraid the mental control on the hats now has her full focus they weren't at full strength because she was divided between the four but now there's only two she can focus her full efforts on Carmen and Murray!" Bentley explained.
"We gotta get down there!" Sly realised with haste.
"Let us hurry!" Shadowsan agreed as the two of them hurried to help the two thieves.
Below the stage:
Carmen dodged another punch from one model and narrowly avoided another attack from the other model. The long haired model tried to attack but Murray quickly grabbed her from behind only for her to grab his arm and toss him straight into some mannequins.
"Murray!" Carmen exclaimed only to be kicked away by the model who had tossed him. Carmen needed a way to even the odds and remove those hats. Then she noticed a fabric roll holder near her and she had an idea.
The first long haired model tried to punch her but Carmen swiftly slid to the side and trapped her arm between the fabric rollers. Pulled her forward and tried to take her hat. However a white high heel shoe struck her in the hand and another came spinning in. Carmen dodged it but the now second long haired bare foot model kicked Carmen away into the mannequins.
"Thanks for the tip." Carmen then took off her own heels.
Then threw them at the second model, while they missed her one heel hit the first models hat knocking it off her head freeing her from mind control as she fell to the ground unconscious.
Carmen smirked knowing she'd disarmed the other model while Bellum growled at this. The last standing model threw her fist forwards which the lady in red quickly blocked with a mannequin. Startlingly the punch had created a large cracked dent in the mannequin which showed how strong she'd become.
The model then punched the mannequins head clean off with one punch. Carmen pushed the dummy back knocking the model back. The model was about to attack when Murray charged in and swatted her to the side. Leaving a large dent in the wall.
"No one messes with The Murray!" Murray exclaimed. however the model just got up from the wall almost as if it didn't hurt one bit. "You're kidding! What is this woman made of!" Murray gasped.
The model charged forwards as did Murray who threw several punches at the model only for her to avoid them and land a punch right in Murray's gut. Carmen rushed to help by leaping on Murray's back then kicked the model in the chin. Only for her to grab Carmen by the ankle and toss her to the floor.
The model then kicked Murray to the ground with her immense strength, then turned her attention to Carmen.
The model walked towards her as Carmen regained her strength and stood back up again and took a fighting stance ready for anything. Just as the last model was about to attack the door at the rear end opened.
"Carmen!" She looked and saw Sly and Shadowsan in the doorway. The model turned her attention to the two in the doorway. "Heads up!" Sly tossed his cane to Carmen which she caught then at the same time Shadowsan tossed the bladed hat he acquired from Dash Haber which the model avoided by leaning back.
Carmen used the bottom of Sly's cane to twirl the bladed hat around her then slashed it across which sliced the models hat clean in half, then crashed into the wall. The model regained her senses and collapsed to the ground.
Carmen breathed a sigh of relief as she leaned on the Raccoon thief's cane to catch her breath. Sly hurried over to her side.
"Carmen you alright?" He asked as Shadowsan came over to the two as the model came around having regained her senses.
"Yeah I'm okay." Carmen said. "And thanks, my hats off to the both of you."
Murray came over and groaned as he stroked his jaw. "You okay Murray?" Sly asked.
"Yeah but I'm defiantly not looking at fashion models the same again, I think she nearly broke my jaw." Murray said.
"Heh heh, same her pal same here." Sly chuckled.
"Uh scusi scusi." They looked and saw the fashion show coordinator was in the doorway and his attention was on Carmen. "You were magnifico, uh which modelling agency are you with?" He asked ignoring the raccoon and hippo in the room.
Carmen was rather surprised but did maintain a smile as this guy thought she was a model. While Sly all but simply rolled his eyes.
Secret location:
Seeing their caper was now completely in ruins. Dr Bellum took off her now shorted out helmet after Bentley's hack.
"I have quite a headache. Good night!" She simply said. Cleo was all but devastated that their caper didn't succeed, however her glaring eyes all but turned to the one who suggested this caper to start with.
"Uh heh heh." Ms Booker said a little nervous. "Thats the way the cookie crumbles." She said trying to see the bright side.
Meanwhile:
Outside the venue Agent Zari came outside still recovering from the knockout gas. She headed to the back entrance where she surprisingly found Carmelita and Julia.
"Agent Zari you alright?" Julia asked.
"Yeah just a little winded, what about the gowns and necklace?" Agent Zari asked.
"Do not worry they have been secured." Julia said as she pointed to the gowns and necklace which were safe and undamaged.
"Huh, nice work." Zari admitted. "What about Cooper and Sandiego?"
"I'm afraid they escaped in all the confusion." Carmelita said while in actual fact Zack and Ivy watched from afar as the foxy agent gave a brief smile at the two before they took their leave of their hiding place to meet up with the rest of the crew.
"I'm starting to see what Sly sees in her Ivy." Zack said to his sister.
"Tell me about it bro." Ivy said in agreement.
The following morning:
A new day shone on the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II famous shopping centre in Milan. In one of the stores, Carmen and Sly now in casual attire which Sly's consisted off a blue sports jacket over a black collared shirt and gray pants with brown shoes. They had taken some time to go shopping namely for their ninja ally.
"Molto bello." Carmen said as she and Sly sat on the seats in the shop as Shadowsan came out in his new consisted of a black collared short sleeved shirt, gray pants and brown shoes.
"And the best part VILE's footing the bill." Carmen also said.
"Good, because the price is…steep." Shadowsan said as he looked at his new attire but when he saw the price tag he was glad that the money was covered by what they stole from VILE.
"Well look at it this way you won't invite stares on the street dressed this way." Sly agreed. "Plus draws less attention."
"All are true Sly." Carmen agreed.
"I still wish to revisit the idea of a proper headquarters." Shadowsan still insisting on having a HQ for the crew as he looked over some of the accessories in the shop.
"Still not letting that one go huh?" Carmen questioned.
"Hold on Red." Sly then said. "I've actually been thinking about it and well…maybe its not such a bad idea. I mean every gang needs a hideout right?"
"Really you too Sly?" Carmen said rather teasingly.
"Hey don't get me wrong I like the calls to room service but it wouldn't be bad to have a place to call our own. Not to mention catch our breath between jobs." Sly then said.
"Well its funny you guys should be talking about that now." Player then called in on the coms. "While I was trolling on the web for fabric and fashion info you won't believe what I stumbled upon."
"Hackers really can wear white hats after labour day?" Carmen said which did earn a chuckle from Sly.
Players room:
"Noted but no." Player answered. "Remember Carmen Brand Outerwear?"
Milan:
"Like I could forget." Carmen smiled remembering how she first got her name.
"Hey didn't you say thats the fashion brand where you got your name from?" Sly asked remembering the story from when they first met.
"Thats the one, so what about it Player?" Carmen then asked.
Players Room:
Player was looking over some articles related to Carmen Brand Outerwear namely on recent news. "Well guess what, after proudly serving San Diego county for eighty years they've gone out of business." Player explained.
"Aw man thats a shame now Carmen doesn't have a place for new hats and trench coats. I must admit it's a snug fit." Sly said recalling that the trench coat he "acquired" upon his arrival to this dimension was of the same brand.
"Funny Sly." Carmen said. "So you interrupted shopping day to tell me that VILE's book keeper needs somewhere new to buy her rain gear?" She questioned.
"No." Player answered looking at a picture of the company's old warehouse on the website. "The warehouse is up for sale."
"Where?" Sly asked with interest.
"Where else, the original location. In San Diego." Player explained.
Milan:
"A…nd?" Carmen smirked getting an idea of where this was going.
"Well, wouldn't it be freaky if the building made for a cool HQ?" Player said.
"You gotta admit Carmen you can't deny the attraction." Sly then said. "I mean it literally has your name written all over it."
Carmen just gave a smile and a raised eyebrow at Sly's little joke, but she had to admit it wouldn't hurt to have a look. However that train of thoughts was interrupted when Shadowsan came over wearing a pair of sunglasses. Which took the two of them by surprise.
"Can I…get these?" The ninja asks which brought some raised eyebrows among Carmen and Sly. "Murray and Zack got to have Gelato and Pizza." He then said.
Slys POV:
"Well I gotta say this has been one runway of a caper, the gowns and necklace were safe and dear Dr Bellum learned never to try and out hack Bentley or pay the price.."
Later that day the crew Shadowsan included started touring the sights of Milan Italy enjoying the sun and whatever remained of Fashion Fest.
"So we took some time to enjoy the perks of Milan. Looked around some of the remaining events of Fashion Fest, and even touring some of the sights."
Sly and Carmen enjoyed some of the sights with Bentley who took a lot of photos. While Shadowsan and Ivy were watching Zack and Murray try and out eat each other with gelato and pizza.
"But while we enjoyed the sights, we figured it was time we got back to business, but not caper wise, now we had a new caper. Hideout hunting…"
Bentley had the image of the Carmen Brand Outerwear warehouse on his tablet in front of the crew and they had to agree it did make a good HQ.
"…As soon as we pulled Zack and Murray away from the gelato and pizza that is, heh."
Murray and Zack had apparently eaten way too much so they were carried in a wheel barrow towed by Bentley's extra strong wheelchair and tires Murray was on the bottom Zack lay on top. While Shadowsan just face palmed himself at this.
End of POV
Meanwhile:
In a secret location, Chief (her hologram) was debriefing, Carmelita, Julia and Zari for their recent mission in Milan. They were looking at images namely of Carmen and Julia on the runway and of Carmelita and Sly ambushing VILE in the secret room despite most of the cameras being destroyed.
"I can't argue with the results Agents Argent and Fox, though your choice of partners was a bit outside the box." Chief said to them.
"Yes Chief but circumstances being the way they are we had to adapt." Julia explained while Agent Zari did look a little in shame for letting Sandiego get the drop on her like that.
Chief could understand that before turning to Carmelita. "And Fox you can confirm that members of VILE were present when you recovered the necklace?" Chief asked.
"Without question Chief, they were utilising something to control the models at the fashion show." Carmelita explained before sighing in shame. "I'm just feeling ashamed that I didn't capture them let alone ID their faces when I had the chance."
"I'm sure you did the best you could given the situation, which all but proves that VILE is more cunning than we realised." Chief said with an understanding smile. "However at the same time it has been a challenge to reconcile all of Sandiego and Cooper's…contradictions." She then said.
"Perhaps." Julia agreed. "But I feel Agent Fox and I now know enough to propose that we stop trying to catch Carmen Sandiego and Sly Cooper."
"And instead?" Agent Zari questioned as Chief did look with a questionable face.
"What if we tried to recruit them." Julia then proposed which did make Chief question this proposal Agent Zari more than most.
"Fox do you agree with this?" Chief asked.
"I do, because so far we have little to no links about VILE, these recent events have shown that." Carmelita then said. "Plus I do support Agent Argents proposal because chasing them has become a waste of ACME resources maybe instead we work with them instead of against them. I admit in the past I have worked with the Cooper Gang but only in temporary truces to bring down certain crime syndicates and I've learned that maybe it takes a thief to catch a thief." She finished.
Chief was a little unsure but then again she did know VILE was more invisible than them, and Carmen could be their only link to them. Plus chasing them with cars and gas guns did warn them off several times so maybe they should consider this approach as she looked at the images of the two thieves.
"Your proposal is noted and I will take it into consideration. Dismissed." Chief said to the team as her hologram disappeared.
Outside Julia and Carmelita then walked out of the briefing room. "Thank you for supporting my proposal Carmelita." Julia thanked.
"It was no trouble at all Julia, I'm not one to dismiss your judgement if anything you maybe the only one in ACME or even Interpol who's more open minded than everyone else." Carmelita said.
"I just follow my intuitions as all." Julia thanked.
"Well sometimes we must follow what's right in our gut." Carmelita smiled. Though Julia was a little lost for thoughts, there was actually something she wanted to ask the foxy inspector about but wasn't sure how she'd react. However she decided to take the plunge.
"Uh Carmelita." She said as they stopped for a moment getting her attention. "Do..do you mind if I ask you something?"
"Sure what is it?" Carmelita asked.
"Well the thing is…well… before we landed in Milan and you were practicing what to say to Cooper and Sandiego well I.." She took a breath before she spoke her next sentence. "I couldn't help but notice the tone in your voice after you did those lines it was out of concern." Carmelita's mood changed to a little worried about what she was saying next. "And the fact you refer to him on a first name basis. I just can't help but wonder…well…Is there more between you and Mr Cooper than just criminal and officer?" Julia asked.
Carmelita was a little taken aback by all of this, but deep down she was afraid this would have happened eventually. She sighed and leaned against the wall before she spoke next.
"Well I guess you were going to find out eventually." Carmelita sighed.
"About what?" Julia asked.
"Well the thing is…you can't tell Chief or anyone else." Carmelita said a little panicked.
"Information doesn't leave the room." Julia said understandingly.
Carmelita took a deep breath and decided to lay her cards on the table and let the fates fall where they may.
"The thing is…me and Sly we.. we were more than just thief and cop." Carmelita dreaded what she was about to say next. "We…we were a… a couple."
"WHAT!" Julia exclaimed.
"Shhh not so loud!" Carmelita said covering her mouth and so she let her go and let her take all this in.
"Oh well…that certainly explains a lot, but I must admit I'm rather surprised I mean a thief and a police woman who would have believed it." Julia said.
"Yeah a messed up thing huh?" Carmelita said.
"Oh no no I'm not judging, to be honest Cooper does have his charming moments." Julia reminisced about her first encounter with the raccoon thief.
"Yeah he does." Carmelita said as she sat down at a table in the lounging area.
"So how did it happen?" Julia asked. Though Carmelita was a little hesitant at telling her this. "Come on its just us girls."
"Oh okay." Carmelita chuckled. So she explained to Julia how she had been chasing Sly and his crew since that night at the Opera Garnier and with the incident of the Fiendish Five. She then explained how they actually got together after the Cooper Vault job when she thought Sly had lost his memory, and how over time they started to connect without a shock pistol being involved. However over time she explained how she suspected Sly really didn't have amnesia but after the stunt he pulled stealing a samurai dagger from a museum all but broke her heart and trust. Julia honestly didn't know what to say.
"Really faked having amnesia?" Julia questioned.
"Yeah how gullible was I?" Carmelita said.
"Oh no not at all. I'm sure he had a reason for doing what he did maybe he cared too." Julia said.
"Yeah I thought so too. I was furious with him, he betrayed my trust, he lied to me…he..he broke my heart." Carmelita explained with some hurt in her voice. "But during the time travel thing, I had time to think and realised that maybe I couldn't change this whole long line of thieves thing, it was in his blood who he was and I guess after fighting alongside him, Bentley, Murray and his ancestors I realised this was who he is and maybe we weren't so different." Julia listened and could tell that Carmelita did still have some hurt over this. "But after Le Paradox's blimp was destroyed I thought he was dead and well I realised how important he really was. But now with Sandiego, VILE and all of this. I'm not sure what to believe anymore." Carmelita sighed.
Julia then sat next to Carmelita in sympathy. "I'm sorry Carmelita I don't know what to say, but I can tell you feel Sly has nothing to do with VILE just like how I believe my instincts about Carmen." She said.
"But I can tell you care about Sly and maybe he feels the same too. And don't take any offence by what I'm about to say next but well a raccoon and a fox are not so different." Carmelita did pick up on that statement.
"There's not much I can say but I can tell you know him well, and if you believe if Sly has nothing to do with VILE then hold onto that I mean you know him Chief doesn't." Julia voiced. "It doesn't matter just do what I do follow intuition or in this case your heart."
Carmelita had to admit Julia was a lot smarter than she gave her credit for. Not to mention her own intuition on the matter of the two master thieves, and she was right she knew Sly more than anyone even to the point where she could tell if he was lying. She couldn't speak for Carmen but she knew Sly couldn't possibly have anything to do with VILE. She had to trust that Sly has his reasons for running with Carmen.
"Oh and don't worry, your secret is safe with me." Julia smiled and Carmelita smiled in return.
Isle of VILE:
"Next!" Coach Brunt said as a large red cross appeared over an image of Cookie Booker seeing as she failed to make the grade of Faculty. "Pity shame the number cruncher didn't make the cut."
"A shame indeed Coach Brunt. After the failure of Shadowsan." Professor Maelstrom agreed with a bitter sound in his voice.
The screen then brought up an endless list of candidates for the place of the fifth faculty member.
"We cannot accept anyone less than completely loyal to VILE, or thoroughly evil to the bone!" Gunnar then said. "We must find Shadowsan's ideal replacement."
As the Faculty looked at the list of candidates they all had to wonder who could fill such daunting requirements who was most loyal? Who was most evil? Who would be the new fifth member of the Faculty?
Outside the Faculty Lounge Dr M had been listening in on their conversation. He developed and evil smirk on his face. "Perhaps that replacement maybe closer than you realise." He smirked as he made his way back to his lab.
The competition for the role of fifth faculty member was certainly going to get much more fierce. However the good Doctor could afford to bid his time and wait for an opportunity to present itself.
Authors notes: A..nd scene! Whew that was well worth the wait folks, the Cooper & Sandiego gang have foiled VILE's fashion caper with help from Julia and Carmelita and now it seems maybe they have some hideout hunting to do. Now I will admit I found some trouble trying to figure out what to do with this chapter in terms of Sly and the gang, but all this time away gave me chance to think of this two way heist and the introduction of a Medici necklace to the mix.
I hope you all noticed the references to Sly's actions and attire in this chapter I felt quite proud of them myself. Now onto the next chapter where the gang go checking out a potential hideout and learn a bit more about a certain brother and sister duo's history with Carmen, and maybe more besides.
So until next time...WHERE IN THE WORLD IS COOPER AND SANDIEGO!