THE SLY COOPER CHRONICLES
GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE

Seven years ago...

"Stop it right there, Cooper!" that was the sound of a voice, firm and determined, with hints a Hispanic accent. The owner of the voice aims a red and yellow shock pistol at the face of the Master Thief.

"If it isn't the lovely Inspector Carmelita Fox. Haven't seen you in a while, gorgeous. When was the last time? Bombay, I believe?" the perpetrator, the Master Thief known as Sly Cooper said as he lazily hung his trademark hooked family cane over his shoulder.

"That reminds me, you should still return the Fire Stone of India to its rightful owner." Carmelita said.

"I already did. That Fire Stone wasn't that greedy bastard's to own. He cheated it out of the previous owners." Sly retorted.

"He acquired it legally." Carmelita noted.

"That he acquired it legally didn't mean that he was completely honest in his methods." Sly said. "Shame though, in any other scenario I would have given it to you. The Ruby would go so well with the colour of your eyes." He continued in a charming, flirty tone.

"You know what is red as well and fits with the colour of my eyes? This new Shock pistol. Packs a paralyzing punch, designed to neutralize the likes of you without hurting you too badly." Carmelita said, grinning back. "And since you were foolish enough to come here and steal from me directly I get a chance to test it out."

"I am just borrowing this old file, nothing of value. I think you had it long enough. Knowing you, you'll have studied it in detail alraedy, and you should know why I am after it." Sly said as he tapped with the back of the hook on his cane on his backpack, where he had put away the file.

Carmelita's look turned to one of worry, and if you could believe it, sympathy. "I do. And I could understand why you would want to go after them. But they are no small time criminals. They are the top five criminals in the world. A whole different league. You could get yourself killed. So please stand down, come peacefully and let Interpol handle them."

"I don't doubt your capabilities, but I do doubt the rest of Interpol's. I have to do this...for my family. And I can't let anyone get in my way, not even a beauty like you. Sorry, Carm. But you can't dissuade me."

"I tried to be reasonable, Sly. But you leave me no choice." Carmelita said as her finger moved to the trigger. "Let's see you dodge this one."

"You know me, I'm all for a workout..." Sly said as he prepped himself for another chase. He was the only target she ever missed, and he liked to test that out every time they encountered one another.

Several months later...

The next few months Sly Cooper would go after the members fo the Fiendish Five one by one. Carmelita feared for Sly. He was a thief, but he was also in over his head. She couldn't fault his reasoning, but what if he was hurt? What if he was killed? Carmelita would feel responsible for not stopping him in time. From doing something that he may eventually regret. But it never happened. Sly had tracked them down one by one, damaged their operations beyond repair, and left them all alive, but beaten, ready to take them away to jail. She would get the credit, even if she refused. She didn't deserve it. She didn't beat these crooks. She perhaps could, but she didn't.

There were times she had run into Sly, like in Mesa City and in China. She had chased him again and tried to paralyze him with her Shock Pistol. He would only dodge and flirt, like this was a game to him. It annoyed her, but part of her enjoyed it. No, that can't be right...It was probably just the adrenaline that got pumping and that could feel thrilling. Yes, that has to be it.

Other times she missed Sly completely, like at the Welsh Triangle and the jungle in Haiti. But he always would send her a postcard to let her know he wished that he could have seen her. She huffed. Was he mocking her? Was he so confident in his abilities that he could afford to antagonize the cop whom made it her mission to catch him? Or just that stupid? Lovesick perhaps? Why did she think of that last one?

But this time she was ahead of him. She had parted towards Russia to get to Clockwerk before Sly could, and after taking out the old owl, she would wait for Sly. However, she had underestimated Clockwerk and got herself captured. She would be used as bait. As if Cooper would come for her. He'd be miffed his favorite source of entertainment was gone, but he would go after Clockwerk and she'd be left behind.

Boy, was she wrong! "You saved me. After everything, after I chased you and tried to capture you. You could have left me there to die, but you didn't. Why?"

"We may be on opposite sides of the law, Carmelita, but you are not my enemy. The real enemy is the giant homicidal robotic owl with the giant Death Ray. And he needs to be taken down." Sly assured her. "So...truce?" Sly held out his hand.

Carmelita sighed and shook his hand. "Truce. Until Clockwerk is dealt with. Then I'll try to take you in. But I'll give you a ten second head start, to be a good sport. I owe you that at least."

"Wouldn't want it any other way." Sly brought the hand he shook to his mouth to kiss it, but Carmelita pulled it away.

"Don't get cocky, buster!" Carmelita groaned.

It was then that a robotic falcon swooped down, grabbed Sly's cane and flew off. Carmelita shot the falcon, and the cane dropped on top of a giant power station. "No! That's my father's cane...It's all I have left of him."

Carmelita saw the hurt in his eyes. He may be a thief but he was also one to have lost his parents at a young age. Her collar also held her mother's lucky charm and she would do anything to get it back if it was taken. "Go ahead and make a climb for it. I'll cover you from here."

"Thanks, Carmelita. I'll never forget this." Sly said. "We make a pretty good team if we aren't cop and robber." Sly then jumped towards some parts of the power station that were sticking out to climb upwards, Carmelita ready to look out for Clockwerk's mechanical minions and fire slugs, shooting them down as they came...

Two hours later...

Sly and Carmelita panted. The two had been shooting at the wicked Clockwerk and finally managed to damage it to the point where his auto-repair failed, his parts had sunk beneath the lava below. Sly now has managed to complete the Thievius Raccoonus. He looked at the book with certain pride. "It's over, it's finally over, Dad." He muttered to himself.

Carmelita regained her breath, turned towards Sly with her shock pistol and pulled out a few cuffs. "You know what we agreed upon. The truce is over...You are getting that ten second head start." she noted.

"Always the direct one, are you? I wouldn't want it any other way. Should we start counting now?" Sly asked.

Carmelita decided to humor him and start the countdown: "Ten...nine..." Sly stood there, raising his eyebrows, realizing the countdown had begun. Carmelita expected him to turn around and start running. But he kept standing there with a grin on his face. Is he playing around? "Seven...Six...five..." she continued but instead he moved closer to her, a grin on his face. "...four...three...two..." Was he insane? Even he couldn't dodge her shots at this close range. "One..."

"Zero!" Sly said softly as he kissed her on her lips. "Until next time, gorgeous!"

Carmelita blinked a few times before things registered. Did he just kiss her? And did she like it? Damn it, Carmelita, pull yourself together! The thief got into your head with his charm and wit and...selfless nature and...oh, confound it. When she finally snapped out of it, he was long gone. But she still felt that sensations on her lips. No, she can't be distracted. She'll capture him next time for sure...but she has gained a newfound respect for him. Maybe she could try to make a more honest person out of him. "See you next time, Ringtail."

Two years later.

"I should have expected you here, Cooper!" Carmelita Fox had Cooper in her crosshairs again. This time in the museum of Cairo, Egypt, alongside her new partner, Constable Neyla. "I'm sorry to bring you bad news. One, the parts are gone already, but I know it wasn't you. You would have left a calling card. Second, I'm taking you in."

"Time out! Someone already stole the parts? Who?" Sly asked, completely surprised.

"Oh no, not going to let you go after Clockwerk this time. I'm sorry Cooper. But I promise Interpol will deal with it this time." Carmelita assured him.

"What she said. Me and the Inspector will deal with the Klaww Gang." Constable Neyla said flatly.

"Neyla! You don't tell him that!" Carmelita growled. "I have seen rookie mistakes, but this one takes the cake. If I hadn't promised the Contessa to keep an eye on you, I'd never have..." she then noticed that Sly was sneaking off. "God damn it! This is your fault, Neyla!"

"Hey, I'm sorry if I interrupted your date with your boyfriend!" Neyla mocked.

"He is not my boyfriend!" Carmelita huffed.

"You got no boyfriend? Man, such a beautiful woman and never getting laid. That's sad." Neyla said with an impish smirk.

"I have no time for you, I have a thief to catch!" Carmelita growled as she ran after Sly. What does that arrogant little tigress think? Cooper her, boyfriend? Yeah right. What if he is handsome, charming and...Focus, Carmelita! Get your mind out of the gutter!

One month later...

To say the least, she never got to catch Sly that day. She couldn't stop him from going after the Klaww Gang, and he had already taken down Dimitri Lousteau and taken the Tail Feathers. He would go after the Wings next, knowing him. So she and several Interpol agents would go undercover as guests at Rajan's party. She wondered how Cooper would try to pull off this stunt. The wings were huge, hard to miss and welded onto a throne where the host of the party himself sat, where everyone could see them. They think they could do this unnoticed?

Carmelita eyed the 'stranger' that was approaching her. Yeah, Cooper thought that such a simple disguise could fool her? That tuxedo could only do so much. And seeing him dance with Neyla...why was she so cross about that? What did she care if he danced with another girl? No, she was totally fine. Cooper is just trying something to distract her. Not this time. She'd turn the tables on him. She'd play along, act ignorant, catch him in the act, cuff him and then arrest the other guests at the party. Two birds with one stone. But she had to play it cool.

Sly was a good dancer though, enough to impress even her. Oh, so he tried to score a dance with her, knowing that she's picky about dance partners. Using Neyla to get close to her. Well, she promised him that dance, to set her own counter-plan into motion. "I believe I owed you a dance, Miss Fox. Sorry for the wait, I have mingled for a bit, and waited for the right moment. I hope you understand." Sly said as he gently reached out his hand.

"I do, and this is the perfect moment indeed." she responded with a smile. They waltzed across the dance floor. He was light on his feet. Guess you have to be if you have to run across ropes and land on small spires. It was actually quite pleasant to dance with him, relaxing. No Carmelita, focus! It's a trap. Unnwind later. Not that you get much chance to unwind. Carmelita was aware she was a bit of a workaholic. And she hasn't been able to have much fun as of late. She can enjoy it while she can before she's forced to arrest him. A few more minutes won't hurt. Yes, this is nice. Wait, how long was she dancing? Oh no, the wings were already gone. Damn it yet again, how could she have allowed herself to be distracted like that?

"Carmelita, there is a little something in your hair." Neyla said flatly.

She reached into hair, pulling out a rose with Cooper's calling card. He already bailed of course. While it was a bit charming to find the rose, a part of her was furious as well. "COOPER!" She yelled before she pulled out her badge and gun. "All right, everyone put their hands up right now! You're all under arrest!" Though the one she wanted to catch the most got away.

Two months later...

How did she end up in these situations? That skank Neyla has framed her, and the very police force she once was part off was now chasing her like she was a criminal. It just wasn't fair. And the worst is Cooper had to bail her out. She was not happy. It was Cooper, the one thief she has been chasing for years. She could take him in at this very moment and clear her name. He must know that too. So why did he have to be his usual chivalrous self and save her yet again? "Why do you keep saving me? You're only making it harder for yourself in the future!"

"Maybe so. But it was the right thing to do. No one deserves to be punished for something they didn't do. And a police force with Captain Neyla at the head is not one I trust with your life." Sly pointed out.

"I just don't get you Cooper." Carmelita said. "You have the most reason out of anyone to get me out of the way but yet you clearly want me around."

"It's no fun without you." Sly said as he dropped her off a safe distance, away from the commotion. After the Clockwerk eyes were taken, the Contessa was arrested and Neyla promoted, he had his fair share of excitement for a while. "This is where we part. I promise, I'll find a way to clear your name without turning myself in. I don't want to give this up."

"I could arrest you right now, but I won't. It would not be...fair." Carmelita said. "But don't get cocky, next time we meet, I will capture you!"

"Love to see you try." Sly said with a grin that matches his namesake and left.

A few more months later...

Carmelita couldn't believe it. Everything was so wrong a while back, and now everything was right again. Neyla was revealed as a treacherous bitch whom has worked with the Klaww Gang all along and had taken control over the Clockwerk frame. Carmelita was delighted to help the Coopers take that traitor down and destroy the hate chip, which also ended Clockwerk for good. Cooper gave himself up to clear her name and allow his teammates to escape. She got her job back and a promotion to boot. Yup, life was looking good for her.

He was now sitting in front of her in the police chopper. He was cuffed, helpless and powerless. But he seems comfortable and content. She guessed with the killers of his parents down for good, he couldn't care less, his nightmares were over. She doesn't blame him. Despite being her target for years, she respected him greatly. "That was very noble of you. Giving yourself up, letting your friends escape...not many crooks would do that."

"They are not just my teammates, or my friends. They are my brothers." Sly answered. She could understand that. He spoke up again: "Congrats, by the way. I always knew it would end like this. But I wouldn't have it any other way. After all, you are the only cop I feel I could trust. You have many traits I admire. You're honourable, determined...willing to fight for what's right." Sly said.

"Flattery won't get you anywhere...But thanks anyhow. I admit that out of all the thieves I caught...you are the most unique. Many times you could have left me behind, and other thieves would have, but not you. I thought chivalry was dead but turns out it lives on within you. You're okay Sly...I consider personally overseeing your rehabilitation. Because I feel you deserve better." Carmelita noted.

"We've known each other for a long time...doing our little cops and robbers game. It feels odd to see it end...We had some good times together, though. Remember that time in Guatemala, where I left that arms dealer hang by his shorts for you to find?" Sly said.

"I think that was a bit immature...But I admit that was also really funny." Carmelita said as she giggled a bit. She felt she could relax since Cooper wasn't going anywhere.

"You are beautiful when you laugh. You should do it more often." Sly noted.

"Don't push it, bub!" Carmelita said. Though she found it was nice talking to Sly. They continued talking, not as a cop and a criminal, but just as two people. Comparing past adventures, talking about all kinds of things like art, music...it was almost like a first date. Carmelita never had time to date, and Cooper probably didn't because he was an infamous master thief. But he was pleasant to talk to. "...and then he said: 'That's not a cop, that's my wife!'" Carmelita couldn't believe she was telling jokes. And Sly found them funny.

"Heh, that's a good one. I haven't laughed like that in a while. Not much reason to laugh lately, if you know what I mean. It feels good." Sly said.

"Yeah, I haven't been able either. Laugh in a long time, I mean...Wait, time?" Carmelita realized something as she checked her watch. "We're talking for three hours, we should have reached the police office ages ago." She stood up to talk to the pilot. "Sir, I think you may be flying in circles..." she then noticed there was no pilot, just a bunch of stuff to rig the helicopter to fly in a circle. She turned around to see Sly has undone his cuffs and was using his Paraglider to hop out and escape. His friends have left him a parting gift. "I'LL FIND YOU COOPER!" she yelled out the window, but found her rage subsiding quickly. She turned around to see a spare parachute. She wouldn't be able to catch up to Sly anymore but she'd be able to get home. The chase was on again. Part of her felt relieved. She may never admit it to anyone, but she enjoyed the hunt too. "See you soon, Ringtail."

One year later...

Carmelita had come to the rescue. She was able to repay him for the times he risked his lifefor her. Sly was in the hands of a giant mutant, slowly being crushed to death. But she wouldn't have it. She had blasted the damn monster with her shock pistol so many times he got electric eel spliced in his already jacked up DNA. She was angry at the owner of this island. The nerve of that Dr. M guy, whom after what just happened dared to just talk to her like he did: "Officer, please arrest this thief! He is trespassing on my island."

"I will. Once Cooper is brought to the hospital and I have arrested you for attempted murder." Carmelita said with venom in her voice even those cobra-head mutants didn't have.

"It was self-defence, I protect what is mine!" Doctor M said.

"One: this island is a historical landmark, and you are vandalizing it, island owner or not. Second, whatever genetic experiments you did, they are clearly illegal. Third, that was no self-defence, you tried to outright murder him. Many people have claimed to have done things in self-defence, but you are the worst. You are coming with me!" Carmelita said.

"Such a stupid and short-sighted cop, not seeing what is right in front of her, where the real problem is. I can trust a fool like you as far as I can toss you. Though I can toss you really, really far." Doctor M said. His experiment had woken up from being shocked so much and he was still ready for another round. "Crush her, pulverize her, grind her into paste and toss her in the sea where no one will ever find her!" The experiment roared. But Carmelita was not done. She saw Sly was already being recovered by his friends, and they'd be looking out for his health. "I've repaid my debts..." she thought to herself, and set her Shock Pistol to the 'deadly force' setting. The creature would not be getting up this time.

Four hours later...

The final fight took place right inside the Cooper vault. She may not have the same abilities as Sly. But she had her own tricks up her sleeve and had managed to cross the gauntlet just as Sly and that purple baboon had. Sly had beaten Dr. M in direct combat. Knowing he couldn't beat Sly fair and square, he had aimed at her. He had taken the blow for her. No one hurts her criminal!

She had finished what Sly started and unloaded her remaining ammo on his red mandrill ass. The madman lay on the ground, singing, but she only had eyes for Sly. He was tossed very far away by Dr. M's final shot. And he was still weakened from fighting the mutant earlier. She hoped he was alive...She felt regret. She had never told him. No, don't think like that. "Sly, Sly, are you all right?"

"I'll live...barely." Sly said. "Get out of here right now, this place is going to collapse!"

"Not without you!" She said as she put his arm over her shoulder and carried him out. "I'm not letting you go this time."

"I don't want you to let go...ever again." Sly noted. They had made it out barely as the Cooper vault would collapse onto itself.

Sly had left a calling card for his friends to find the rest of the treasure, as he allowed himself to be carried off by Carmelita in her boat. Parts of his body were bandaged up as she put a wet towel on his forehead. "That was close Sly. You have done several dumb things in trying to keep me safe, but this is definately the dumbest. Why do you even bother?"

"Isn't it obvious? Because I love you." Sly said. He had said it, flat-out, directly to her face. He has been penting it up for years. After seeing Bentley with Penelope, he knew what life was really about. And he almost died without having told her. He had to tell her now, before the moment was gone. Carmelita was shocked to hear it. "I always have. I enjoyed everything together. Not only the hunt but the moments we were fighting alongside each other, the times we were just...dancing and talking...and I have been a coward. I almost died without telling you...I know it's sudden, but I felt I would have died for real if I hadn't told you."

"Sly..." that's all Carmelita managed to bring out at that moment

"You probably wouldn't want anything to do with a thief like me. But I am tired. Tired of running. I have already achieved what I wanted in life, avenged my family, lifted a curse on my family line, got to behold the legacy of my ancestors...but nothing compares to being here with you. But after nearly losing all I cared about, I want to leave it all behind, put our differences aside. And see where life will take me." Sly continued.

"You have just given up everything? The riches from the vault, your life of thievery, your very heritage, just for me?" she asked. She could barely believe it.

"You are worth more to me then any of that. You probably won't believe me. Wouldn't blame you. But I still mean it when I say...you are the most wonderful woman in the world. You are brave, strong, fair, compassionate...how could I not love you? I am turning over a new leaf. That's what you wanted, right? To make a honest man out of me? I am happy to oblige."

Carmelita was normally a very reserved woman, always in control of herself. But she couldn't fight her emotions any longer. "I am happy, Sly. But not because I caught you. But because...I love you too. Before you came into my life, I saw the world as black and white. But you learned me a lot, and because of it, I have become a better cop...a better person. And you were always so selfless..." she grabbed his hand. "And now you are willing to give up everything behind for me..." she was crying her eyes out. "I thought I had lost you two times in the past twenty-four hours...and I don't want to let you go this time."

"Believe me, I'm not going anywhere." Sly said. Carmelita bend over and kissed Sly on the lips. The two had remained lip-locked for...they weren't sure, could have been minutes...hours...but they didn't care for that moment. They have gone through so much together and they needed this. When they finally broke apart, all Sly could let out, was: "Wow." he panted for a bit. "So, what is going to happen when we reach land?"

"You'll have to recover in the hospital. Then you'll probably be jailed and await trial. But I may think I can pull a few strings. You may have been a thief, but you also were a hero, you have stolen from the crooked and returned it to their rightful owners. You have saved countless lives...you even deposed a few small dictators among the way. Your skills and knowledge would be incredibly useful...I think I could get you on the police force." she noted.

"You mean at Interpol?" Sly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You can still take criminals out, though there are a few more...regulations, but its from the other side of the law this time. And this way, we can be together. You're certainly someone I trust to watch my back." she answered.

"Constable Cooper. Doesn't sound too bad. If I get to be with you, then I can certainly get used to it. Besides, it's a lovely back to watch" Sly said. Carmelita rolled her eyes. "Who knew that it would someday end up like this? I only considered it a mere fantasy hours ago. Like a dream." Sly said.

"Then don't wake up, Slyvester Conner Cooper." she said as he kissed Sly's cheek. "But once you're healed and properly inducted in the force...I think we'd have a proper first date. That one time in the helicopter may have felt like one, but I can't count it I'm afraid."

"I would like that too. Though I wonder what your colleagues will think of this?" Sly wondered.

"I don't know, but for now, I don't give a damn!" She said as she leaned over and met his lips again.

"Two lovers, from two different worlds alltogether, yet they found each other. And they were happy. Carmelita had made true to her promise and was able to properly induce Sly into the police force. Despite some regulations he was very effective and he and Carmelita became an unstoppable team. But most important, they were soulmates. And no matter what the future brought, they'd go through it together..." it was read aloud by a mysterious person, whom was reading the story of the proud couple in his book.

Then, he violently snapped the book shut. "And I'm glad you achieved everything you wanted, Sly. Because now that you have everything, I can take it away from you. Enjoy the time you have left, Sly Cooper!" the owner of the voice said. He had a black uniform similar to Sly, even having a similar cane (though black and the hook being sharpened), a mask shaped like Sly's calling card with glowing red eyes, and looking more militaristic overall. This Dark Sly copy then jumped off into the night...

ARTIST'S COMMENTS

This one is appropiately about the romance between Sly and Carmelita, retold slightly different yet similar at the same time.

Several diffences I like to point out:

- Sly doesn't cuff carmelita to the volcano in this universe. That was a dick move even if Clockwerk was beaten.

-Sly doesn't fake amnesia. I think it would be more honest of him to try and achieve a honest living fair and square. I was also inspired by a very skilled Sly Cooper artist I recently came across.

-The Dark Sly near the end is based on a scrapped concept for Thieves in time which I think honestly would have been better then Le Paradox as a villain.