A/N: *We find Genesis and Sly watching over a sleeping PG, who lays on a couch across from a Christmas Tree. Gifts were scattered underneath it.*

Genesis: It's been a long time Mr. Cooper.

Sly: Indeed Mr. Rhapsodos. *He turns to look at him* What is she listening to? He earbuds surely don't make it comfortable to sleep.

Genesis: She found an Audio Book of all three 'Lord of the Rings' Books online. They are like that where there is no one voice in monotone like she usually has heard, but this one had noise that made you feel as if you were in the story. *sits on the couches edge brushing hair from her face.* If the book describes a river, she hears the rushing of the waters. The movie soundtrack sounds in many places in this reading.

Sly: That certainly is something she would like. Is that why she hasn't been around?

Genesis: No. *shakes his head* He Mother has gotten harsh with her. She doesn't like her reading too many Fanfiction because some stories are rather... graphic... It's also because her parents and her are Christians. They're proud of it and PG wouldn't force anyone to believe in what she does but her parents are strict with the rules. So long as she lives with them, she is not allowed to read any or all Fanfiction they see as Inappropriate. That includes any she writes.

Sly: *places a hand on the red heads shoulder* That only is their way to say they care and love her.

Genesis: *nods* She knows. But she hates disappointing her readers. She also has a lot on her mind lately and prayer requests she keeps to herself. *stands and walks to the door with the Coon* Come, lets Disclaim the story then head out to find the other.

*both men look up at the Readers*

Sly: PhantomGirl17 DOES NOT own the 'Sly Cooper' series it's plot characters or otherwise. She only owns her OC's. A bucket of water has been set aside for ANY AND ALL FLAMERS! Any who avoid the bucket will be escorted out by us. *he pulls his cane out and taps it over his shoulder as Genesis fingers his sword*

Genesis: Any Questions, Comments and Reviews can be PMed to her or left in the Review Box below. Thanks to All Readers for being so patient with her. Enjoy the Chapter!

XX: Sly and Erica Cooper in: 40 Thieves- Part Three

~Erica's POV~
As Salem left the hideout to rescue one of his friends I sat down with Ali to figure out what happened. Unlike the rest of the family, he escaped Paradox's men only to run into Clockwerk. He wasn't seen but he heard something interesting.

"There was someone else there with him. They talked together in hushed voices but they were certainly talking about you, Erica.' He frowned. 'It actually wasn't until he was leaving that I got a good look at him. He was as tall with brown hair streaked with grey. He wasn't muscular but was strong as a single punch knocked a guard out. His eyes were black and cold, as if they could pierce flesh and bone. What was most frightening was perhaps his tic. The corner of his eyes would twist and his head would cock like an owl. I have nothing against owls, it's just... Something sinister about that tic that makes me want to run as far and as fast as I can from it."

My knuckles gripping the table had turned white. "di Corvi." I hissed.

Sly, Ali and the other three looked at me confused before I began to explain. "Professor James Edward di Corvi. I first met him while I was in the hospital after my escape from Le Paradox. He was there for medicine for some illness of his when I ran into him. He became curious about my case, wanted to help me and figure out what was done to me. We became friends, but I kept my Cooper side a secret. I found it strange when he seemed to be wherever my Cooper self was, always appearing after a heist or in the middle of an investigation. How was I supposed to know he already knew everything. That he was using me. Planning to steal all I had collected in my trove, reveal what I was and have me turned into a lab rat while he becomes a worldwide hero, known for finally capturing the Infamous 'Cooper Thief."

"Why would he do that?"

I locked eyes with Sly. "Elementary, my dear Cooper: I'm his Holmes and he's my Moriarty. What Clockwork is to you, di Corvi is to me."

Sly's eyes widened, Murray dropped what he was eating and Bentley started typing up whatever he could find about di Corvi. "If what you say is true, Erica, then our problems are bigger then we thought."

Ali looked around at the Cooper Gang with dark eyes as he placed another piece of pita bread in his mouth.

Salem returned with his friend 'The Panther' and I gave him some roasted Scorpion Claws and Camel Milk.

I later walked with Sly, Salem and Bentley out of the hideout and behind a rather large statue of a horse head. "Sly, this is going to get dicey. Security has definitely been beefed up. Those turrets are too well-protected to attack directly. Ordinarily I'll hack the security system, but that might take some time and we need to hurry. There's no telling when Decibel might move The Lion again. This may be our only chance." The turtle said.

"So, what are you thinking, Bentley?" Sly asked as I quickly changed clothes.

"Well, I think we need to use some smoke and mirrors...' He wiggled his fingers. 'eh, minus the mirrors. But.."

"I came up with a better idea, combined with Bentley's originally planned idea.' I said stepping out in billowy patched pants, a chest binder making me look almost like a man, a non-button, sleeveless vest and my bare feet and hair cut short. 'The idea is that I'll distract the guards who run the turrets and all the other guards while Bentley throws down some smoke bombs to hide you guys and I lead them off your tails."

Sly slumped a bit. "Did you really have to cut your hair so short?" I shrugged.

"I guess this would be a good time to show you something I made for G.E.M." Bentley whistled and suddenly a small mechanical monkey came running towards us dressed in a matching vest to mine and a tiny cap on it's head.

"Hello, Erica!' G.E.M.'s voice spoke from the monkey's mouth. 'Bentley made this monkey body for me to help you out. He got the idea from the same place you got your outfit idea from." She climbed up to my shoulder and we smirked at each other.

~Narrator's POV~

Turning to Salem and Sly, the two female's bowed, told them to wish them luck and headed off towards the market place.

"Tell me, how do we wish them good luck without a Genie?" Salem asked. Sly shook his head while Bentley brought out the RC Chopper.

"STOP! THEIF!"

They all looked up to one of the roofs to see Erica with a large slice of cheese in her hands. She looked over her shoulder to see three baboon guards heading her way, swords drawn.

"I'll have your hands for a Trophy, Street Mouse!"

Erica looked back at the slice and raised an eyebrow. "All this over some cheese?" She looked down before jumping down to the ground and accidently falling into a pile of someone's dirty laundry. She popped out of the pile, dressed in an old dirty robe, cheese still in hand.

"There! You won't get away so easily!" she looked up at the guard yelling at her and pulled a face.

"They think that was easy?"

She looked over when she heard laughter to see two buff male sand cats chuckling. She blushed, but then ducked under the clothes as the guards rushed past. She poked her head out and slowly stood, keeping one of the robes over herself to keep her face hidden.

"Purposely getting into trouble today, Sweet Thing?" She looked over at one of the Cats who crossed his arms over his six pack and smirked at her. Erica blushed but shook her head.

"Nope. No trouble. Your only in trouble if you get caught."

"GOTCHA!"

"I'm in trouble!" She yelled out as she was grabbed by a guard.

Before the Baboon could say anything, G.E.M. hopped on his head and knocked him out.

"Perfect timing G.E.M., as usual!" Erica smirked at her.

"Thanks!' She replied climbing up to her shoulder. 'Besides, the Cooper Thief ain't nothing without me!" Erica rolled her eyes.

"Cooper? You're a Cooper?' The monkey and Coon turned to the Felines and nodded hesitantly. 'Good to know old Salem has his family to keep up where the rest of us left off when we retired."

The two girls jaws dropped. "You guys were part of the Forty Thieves?!"

They smirked and rolled up their sleeves to show a tattoo that Salem said all the original Forty Thieves had. The one who spoke then bowed to her. "Jamaal el-Laham and Afeef al-Rahimi at your service. You didn't think we all would abandon our leader with this Decibel person running 'round, did ya? We've figured out how some of those turrets work, so we'll disable some of them to give Old Salem and the rest of you more time to slip by."

Erica smiled as they scattered. She then spoke into her earpiece to Bentley. "Hey, buddy? Got any music to match the theme?"

"I've got just the thing!"

Erica smirked as a familiar tune filled the air of the town.

"~One jump ahead of the breadline
One swing ahead of the sword
I steal only what I can't afford
(And that's Everything!)'

Erica ran into a guard and jumped onto a barrel of fish to avoid the swing of his sword. He struck the barrel, splitting it open and spilling raw fish on the ground. Smirking, she jumped down from her spot while grabbing the sash holding up his pants. The pants slip down and with a laugh, Erica and G.E.M. ran off, laughing harder when instead of pulling his pants up, he pulled up a fish and hopped their way.

'One jump ahead of the lawmen
That's all, and that's no joke
These guys don't appreciate I'm broke!"

She stopped when she ran into a guard, ducking when he swung his sword. She climbed up a wooden pole to a platform and kicked down a few barrels, covering the guards in what was either oil, wine or vinegar. The Guards growled at her and threw both fruits, which she caught to save for later, and knifes, which she didn'tcatch to save for later.

"Riffraff! Street rat! Scoundrel! Take that!"

She knelled on the edge of the platform and gave the Kitten Eyes, pouting lip and holding up the slice of cheese.

"Just a little snack, guys!"

She ducked another round of throwing knifes. She stood but gripped a post as the guards tried shaking the platform down.

"Rip her open, take it back, guys!"

Erica placed a fisted hand over her eyes and jumped off the platform. She landed on a windowsill and slipped inside and taking a seat on cushioned stool with G.E.M. on her lap.

"I can take a hint, gotta face the facts
I could use a friend or two!"

"True!"

Erica and G.E.M. looked up and blushed when they found they landed in a room full of shirtless Male Cougars. G.E.M. jumped out of her lap to get a closer look at them. They all smirked at Erica and began to both sing and dance.

"Oh it's sad Miss Copper's hit the bottom,
She's become a one-girl rise in crime.'

One of them came forward, sat on Erica's lap and tipped her chin up and leaned in so close she thought they would kiss.

'Some would blame parents except she hasn't got 'em!"

Erica blushed but gently nudged him out of her lap. He stood, picked her up and gently tossed her to another. She was tossed from one Cougar to the next til she reached the window and G.E.M. was on her shoulder again.

"Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat
Tell you all about it when I got the time!'

She waved to the men, swung her legs out the window and jumped out, bouncing on the cloth that served as a roof for the stall below and landed on the ground. She pressed up against the wall and looked round the corner.

'One jump ahead of the slowpokes,
One skip ahead of my doom,
Next time gonna use a nom de plume!'

"There she is!" She ran only for her way to be blocked by a flock of sheep. Erica played hopscotch on their backs to escape the Baboons as they brute forced their way by.

'One jump ahead of the hitmen,
One hit ahead of the flock,
I think I'll take a stroll around the block."

"Stop, thief! Vandal! Outrage! Scandal!"

She climbed up to a roof top only to find herself surrounded. She backed up with her hands in front of her.

"Let's not be too hasty!"

She walked backwards until she fell off the edge of the roof and landed into the arms of Jamaal. She saw Afeef behind him, having just finished busting the last turret, ripping it's wires out. He took her chin in his hand as Jamaal held her tighter.

Smirking, they both sang with a sinful growl in their throat. "Still we think she's rather tasty!"

Erica blushed to her roots and shrugs in his arms. "Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat
Otherwise we'd get along."

"WRONG!"

The three jumped as the guards ran towards them. Erica jumped onto her feet grabbed both means hands and started running. It was a wild goose chase, meeting up with G.E.M., who climbed on the Cooper Thief's shoulder, Sly and Salem, who handed them some extra smoke bombs. They ran past four sword swallowers and got an idea. Swiftly, they all grabbed a sword from the performers before they swallowed them and turned to face the guards. While the two males knew how to handle them, the monkey and human had never learned how to use them.

The guards froze in fear as one huddled next to his buddy and pointed out with his voice going higher. "They've got swords!"

The big, black Baboon, who was obviously their captain bonked them on their heads. "You idiots!' he drew out his sword and held it high. 'We've ALL got swords!"

G.E.M. and Erica gulped and dropped their swords as the guards drew theirs.

"Go! We'll hold 'em off!" Afeef said as Jamaal pushed Erica off in a random direction. The two females ran off hearing the sounds of clashing swords behind them. After a few minutes the boys rejoined the girls, turning a corner only to backtrack as they found their path blocked by guards for the next three turns. Erica pulled the boys up some stairs and pulled them into an open doorway when guards tried to slice them, appearing suddenly in front of them.

"One jump ahead of the hoof beats
One hop ahead of the hump
One trick ahead of disaster
They're quick, but I'm much faster!"

The four were hidden for the next few moments. While Erica and G.E.M. blocked the door, Jamaal and Afeef looked out the window and smirked at each other. "Here goes!" They said before Afeef grabbed the girls into his arms, Jamaal grabbed a seemingly regular carpet muttering something under his breath as the guards broke down the door.

"Better throw our hand in..." Jamaal and Afeef sang smirking.

"Wish us happy landin'!' Erica sang with a smirk waving at the guards now knowing the escape plan.

'All we gotta do is…" Erica's smirk got wider as she held G.E.M. tighter.

"All we gotta do is…" Jamaal smirked, flapping out the carpet, which shimmered a bit.

"All we gotta do is…~" Afeef tightened his grip on the girls in his arms and bent his knees.

"JUMP!" With that, the two Sand Cats jumped out the window with their burdens. The guards jumped to try and catch them only to fall into the pile of 'fertilizer' beneath the window. Looking up, they saw the four flying on a real life magic carpet above their heads.

The four high-fived each other and directed the carpet to where Salem and Sly were waiting for them. The men got down first, then held out their hands to help Erica down. Sly grabbed her, growled a bit before kissing her possessively.

Jamaal and Afeef looked at Salem and the three just shrugged.

~Erica's POV~
The two Thieves exchanged words softly with Salem before bowing to Sly and me and heading out to the Hideout. Sly put on his Arabian outfit, held the staff in his right hand, lifted his arm as he faced the door that led to 'The Lion' and said, "Open sesame!"

SMACK!

Hand meet My Face...

"That outfit makes you a better thief Sly, not a genie.' Salem said before placing the hook of his cane to the bottom of the door. 'Now, why don't you and your mate help me with this door?"

Sly quickly changed back and the three of us grabbed the bottom of the door and lifted it up. Inside, we found 'The Lion' sitting on cushions, chains on his wrists and neck, empty Cobra Tails scattered on the floor and the hypnic machine working overtime.

"Close sesame!"

SMA- BAM!

I jumped as my facepalm was interrupted by the door slamming closed behind us.

Salem shrugged. "Eh, so you got lucky."

I opened my mouth to speak but coughed as the stench hit me. "Gah! This stench in here is making my eyes water. I can even taste it."

"I feel sorry for your friend. That Decibel is really cruel!" Sly said rubbing his eyes to keep them from watering from the stench.

Salem shook his head. "Well, unfortunately that might be The Lion's socks. He always hated doing laundry."

"Well, I guess that means I'll be washing everyone's clothes when we get back... Again..." I glared at the two men in my presence. They winced, knowing they were the ones who keep ripping their clothes on duty and I was the only one able to repair and clean them.

"Plug me in guys! Time to drop some one and zeros on that thing! Let me work my hacking Magic!" Bentley said.

I sat on some of the pillows and pulled out one of Sly's shirts and started sewing the left sleeve back on. I was starting on the right side sleeve when I overhear Sly and Salem's conversation.

"I was wondering, do you still have a jewel called Aladdin's Crown?"

"That old thing? I always keep it on me.' Salem said pulling something from his pocket I couldn't see. 'It took months to find, and hours to acquire. It was one of my first accomplishments and what helped me build the Forty Thieves. What do you need it for?"

Sly glanced over at me. "If you don't mind, Salem, I would..." he whispered in his ear.

I wasn't able to hear Salem's answer because I heard Bentley's voice. "Hack Complete."

I turned to The Lion as he groaned. "Ugh, I had a terrible nightmare. I was being charmed, like a snake, and I could not break free!"

"That was no nightmare, my friend." Salem said.

"Salem! You were in my dream too! You brought me many delicious snacks!"

"That part was not real... If it had been, Salem would no doubt be under Decibels spell too!" I said gently, pulling off the shackles.

Sly shook his head. "What is with you guys and all the food?"

The Lion glared at Sly. "Salem, who is this insolent pup?"

"Do not worry about him. He and his mate are friends who helped rescue you. In fact, his my...' he paused in thinking. 'Assistant."

I snorted.

"Assistant?! What are you talking about?"

"Psst, Sly! Play along! It's better if less people know what's going on anyway." Bentley said as Sly rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Great! It's going to be a Long day." He sighed. I stood and rubbed his back.

"Oh, and don't forget what's left of that device, I'm almost done with a little invention of my own..."

~Time Skip~

The sun was just starting to set when Murray and Sly had left to rescue The Tiger. I was finishing up the laundry with Ali and Carmelita, concentrating mostly on The Lion's socks.

Ali had been unusually quiet since I spoke of di Corvi. It made me quite curious. The three of us returned to the hideout and headed to sleep. As my head hit the pillow, I knew I would have to speak to Ali in the morning.

~Narrators POV~

"Sly, that Priceless Treasure is Sinbad's Legendary Goblet! History tells us that it was recovered by the ancestor Henrietta 'One-Eye' Cooper, The famous female pirate! But NOT until the year 1616! Taking it now could cause any number of anomalies to the Time Continuum AND the Cooper Timeliness! You might even prevent yourself from becoming a Thief!"

"Point Taken."

Sly kept his paws off some jewelry that his inner Coon wanted him to swipe for Erica, knowing his ancestor, and Rioichi's Daughter Henrietta would swipe it six hundred and fifteen years from now. But oh! did he want to grab something for her to wear when they finally Marry! Salem had already helped cover the engagement ring, he just needed something to seal the deal...

James Edward di Corvi watched as Sly avoided the guards from his spot next to his boss, Clockwerk. The Young Cooper was of no coincidence to them at the moment. But should he come close to... succeed in fully mating the young Coon Girl...

"Is EvErYtHiNg In PlAcE?"

"Indeed, Sir. Everything is ready. When will I get my end of the bargain?"

"As SoOn As Le PaRaDoX's LiTtLe GaMe HaS eNdEd.' He transformed and turned his human head, his red eyes piercing the Human Professor. 'The only real accomplishment that Rats formula managed to do for your kind is to heal even the worst illnesses. That is why you want to turn her into a 'Lab Rat', yes? To find out what about her blood mixed with the formula makes the incurable curable?"

Di Corvi snarled but knew he couldn't do anything to the being beside him lest he ask for death. He knew what he said was true. "You'll get you 'bride' soon enough.' He spat. 'They don't even know they have me in their company. I am quite glad I have the ability to create a mask so lifelike..." he held up said mask and swiftly placed it on his head much like a bank-thief would place a sock-mask over his head so it was skintight.

"Return to them. Dawn is approaching and Copper and his Hippo will be heading back to the Hideout with The Tiger soon.' Clockwerk stretched out his wings. 'Remember our deal. In return for the formula to cure your cancer, no harm is to come to Erica while under your care...

Ali Thomson."