World's Greatest Thief vs. World's Most Determined Agent: It's On!

Chpater 7

Carmen was resting uneasily in her bed, her mind trapped in a recurring dream where she meticulously searched every pocket of a certain jacket, only to find it devoid of the single dollar bill she was seeking. With a start, she awoke from her slumber, the echo of her phone ringing in her ears. She reached for it, answering the call with a sense of familiarity.

Carmen: "The coat was empty, wasn't it?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of resignation.

Player: "Ah, you're having that dream again, aren't you?" the player's voice echoed through the phone, a mix of concern and familiarity.

Carmen: "Dream" makes it sound so trivial, player. This is a memory, a moment etched into my reality," she replied, placing the call on speaker.

Player: "Well, isn't it better that way? If you had actually aced that exam, you might be stealing for VILE instead of from them," the player suggested, a hint of humor in their tone.

Carmen: "Stealing for the Villains International League of Evil? I highly doubt that," she retorted, swinging her legs off the bed and standing up.

Player: "Then why does failing Shadowsan's final still bother you?" the player probed further.

Carmen: "I don't know," she admitted, a sigh escaping her lips as she ran a hand through her hair.

She picked up a jacket from the floor, her fingers brushing against a dollar bill hidden in one of the pockets. She held it up, a wry smile playing on her lips.

Carmen: "Maybe because I never got to see where this little guy was hiding when the exam was over. I was the best pickpocket in Stealth 101, far surpassing Tigress. I guess I just feel like I have something to prove."

She moved towards the window, pulling back the curtains to reveal a foggy San Francisco morning.

Carmen: "Mm, what a view. Pea soup."

Player: "They don't call San Francisco 'Fog City' for nothing. The fog rolls in so frequently that the locals have even given it a name: Karl."

Carmen: "But when the fog lifts, it reveals a breathtaking view. The Golden Gate Bridge towering 746 feet above the bay, one of the city's iconic landmarks. Along with the cable cars, the oldest and largest Chinatown in America, and 'The Rock' - Alcatraz Island, home of the infamous prison."

Player: "It's a shame it hasn't been used to jail criminals since 1963. With VILE's affinity for islands, it would have been the perfect place to lock them up."

Carmen: "Until that day comes, I'm content with stealing their money to fund worthwhile causes, like the children's foundation charity auction tonight. A foggy night seems like the perfect trench coat weather. But I suppose I should dress for the occasion."

Next.

Agent Y/n, also known as L/n, found himself once again in hot pursuit of the elusive Carmen Sandiego. Known for his cleverness and cunning, he knew that stealth would be his best ally in this foggy landscape. The thick fog that enveloped the area made visibility near impossible, but Y/n was not one to be deterred by such obstacles. He knew that Carmen was a master of stealth, leaving no trail behind, but this time, luck was on his side. A shining beacon in the distance caught his eye, and he knew that it could only be one person.

Y/n: "So, we meet again, Carmen Sandiego," he said, his voice echoing through the fog.

Carmen: "Well, if it isn't Y/n, L/n. I was starting to think you'd given up on our little game of cat and mouse," she replied, a smirk playing on her lips.

Y/n: "I knew I'd find you here. For a thief who leaves no trail, you certainly have a knack for showing up in the most predictable places."

Carmen: "Well, I see you haven't lost your touch, Y/n. But then again, you never could resist a challenge."