Soul Kingdom Faux Paradox: Anthro Galaxy
"The Anthro Galaxy. Everything regarding the new Soul Princes can in a way be traced back to events taking place here involving the Cooper Gang. In other words, out of all the Galaxies in the Universe, this was where the meteor shower was most prominent. Close second being the Galaxy of Hearts."
SKSK
The Starship Phonix lands on Terra II, Sly's Earth. "Connor, we think you should try and figure out the operation here." "Not me. I know a certain wheelchair bound turtle who is way better at planning than me." "We find Bentley, and then what?" "I know that Bentley keeps records of all the previous Cooper Gang heists. The Fendish Five police file is probably what it's going to take to restore Sly's memory. I'm supposed to be dead, remember? The Fendish Five killed me, and after seeing that I'm alive…" "I think I see what you're saying."
Cut to gameplay with Connor bounding across the rooftops on his way to the Cooper Gang Safehouse in a section with Sly Cooper series style platforming mixed with Kingdom Hearts style combat. Connor arrives at the door, and Bentley's facial scan tech activates. It tells Bentley that at the door is Connor Cooper. "…We need to talk about my son." Bentley nearly falls out of his chair.
SKSKSK
Connor says, "So, to explain how I'm alive, Roxas, you mind telling Bentley about Nobodies?" "With pleasure."
SKSK
ROXAS VOICEOVER CUTSCENE
"The "revived Nobody", the type Sora is most familiar with due to Organization XIII, is what is created after someone becomes a Heartless. But since it's impossible for a Soul Prince to become a Heartless, there are several alternate methods. The one that "created" me is called the Reborn Nobody. These Nobodies are created differently. One with a strong heart and will has died in the past, but is unable to find peace due to something they regret not doing in their life, this leaving their hearts behind. A person deeply connected to that lost heart can separate some of their own souls from themselves to give to the heart, restoring the body. It can be considered "necromancing" because it's bringing someone back to life. One must have a strong connection to the host for it to work, though. Plus, they are not exactly 100% Nobody because of being revived, meaning they share no memories of their soul's origins, but the memories from the hearts they originally had.
End 2D Animated Cutscene
"And that should explain the how he's here. About the why… Sly's in danger." "How bad is the situation, Connor?" "The unspeakable." "Well, thanks for speaking of it… I assume you're here because you need help." "Yep. Do you have the Fiendish Five police file? Confirming to Sly that I am in fact alive should restore the memories we need to trigger."
"It's going to take some digging, but I should still have it. Are you willing to wait?" "Absolutely." "Let me know when you're headed out. I should have the file by the time you leave."
SKSKSK
Cut to gameplay, the Cooper Gang Safehouse is fully explorable, which is a treat for Sly fans. Easter Eggs abound in this space, and once Connor is done searching for details, he goes to talk to Bentley to give him the OK to push the plan forward.
SKSKSK
With the file in the hands of the Nobodies, Bentley launches into one of his elaborate presentations to give the full picture.
"Last I heard, Sly is still in Paris. That's the good news. Sadly, that's the only good news. At the moment, it looks like you're going into Interpol HQ, AKA a police station. Sly is going to be returning from a bust in a few hours. Did I mention he was a cop in between the Cooper Vault job and Le Paradox's attack on the Cooper Legacy? Interpol somehow never noticed Sly was faking amnesia during that time… they still think he's "Constable Cooper". But if they have no idea about that, they absolutely have no idea about the Soul Princes." Sora responds with,"That might be an opening… if Connor can get in without being recognized." "It's been a decade since anyone outside the Cooper Gang has seen him, and I don't want Connor's return to hit the papers. Just saying." Roxas says, "We'll be fine. I'll get out one of my Organization XIII black coats so people don't recognize him. Ready to do this?"
SKSKSK
Gameplay that's classic Sly Cooper as we approach Interpol HQ. Once we get in, the section is similar to that section in Sly 3 where Sly is sneaking through the building while a presentation is going on to get the keys to Dimitri's cell. In this case Connor has to instead reach Constable Cooper's office. After sneaking under some tables to reach the air vent and crawling through it, he arrives in the office to find the computer on, with a page open to the Dark Web. "That can't be good… and now we wait. Roxas, you're looking a little antsy." "…I know what I need to do." Using the same animation as the one used when Roxas destroyed the computer in the Digital Twilight Town's Old Mansion, the computer in Sly's office is destroyed. "That should do it." At that moment, Sly walks in. Connor says, "Sorry. I hate having to do that to family. Connor brings down his hood. "…Expecting someone else…son?" "You're not dad. Dad wouldn't wear clothes like that." "Things change, Sly Cooper. Things. Change." He brings out the police file, and it's enough to bring out the Sin for this Galaxy. Who promptly sends Sly out the window.
Gula - Sin of Gluttony
The possessed Sly lands on a rooftop in Paris with enough room for a boss arena. He proceeds to go invisible using his Egyptian ancestor's Invisibility Technique. It can only last for so long, so to get to the damage phase you have to wait until the Power meter reaches zero. It's literally the same meter used when you're playing as Sly in his series. And then you can start wearing him down. After the halfway mark is another jumping puzzle. During said puzzle… "Snap out of it. You know I'm not supposed to be here. So how am I? I know you know the answer, son." Sly uses the Electric Roll from Sly 1 to push Connor away, and the fight resumes. After Sly's HP reaches 0, a cutscene begins as the Sin goes out of Sly's body. "Is he going to be OK?" "…He's been through worse. A lot worse." Kaden responds with, "Fair enough. Who's up for carrying him to the Phonix? Siccon says, "Isn't it obvious? I'll get him there super quick." "We'll hold you to that."
We head back to the map on the Phonix. "Well, we won another one… although I'm not sure Interpol is going to see it that way. But we'll deal with that later. Where to next?"
End Chapter