Sly Cooper Remake: Hearts of the Raccoon and the Tigress

Episode 5: Cold Heart of Hate

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and story elements of the Sly Cooper franchise. All credit goes to Sucker Punch and Sanzaru Games. This story is for entertainment purposes only.

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With the final member of the Fiendish Five being all that was left for the Cooper Gang to pursue, Arpeggio immediately called forth his Bengal tiger protégée to discuss final instruction on her current assignments. At that same time, Arpeggio had ensured his aerial base of operations moved over Russia's border patrol, so that once Clockwerk was disposed of, the Klaww Gang would swoop in to harvest what benefits remained.

"By the way, you did make sure that Penelope girl was returned to Holland, yes," Arpeggio himself inquired on a different topic, as he sipped from a glass of champagne.

"Yes, Arpeggio," Neyla answered, internally hating how her mentor kept a lengthy checklist to ensure there were no loose ends. "I did so right after the Contessa's 'therapy session' with the littl' mouse."

"Perfect," the British parrot replied with some levity in his voice. "You may leave to finish your surveillance work on Cooper."

Neyla let out a sigh of relief as she was finally free to return to keeping a watchful eye on her friends and began leaving the personal observation deck just as the Contessa walked past her to speak with Arpeggio for a different, private conversation. Seeing the spider's appearance, Neyla recalled how cold, or rather, colder than usual, the Contessa had been lately to both Sly and his lifelong friends in their post-job psych evaluations, and decided eavesdropping would ensure better understanding on whatever the Klaww Gang's official membership were planning.

"One final push and Clockwerk will be defeated," Neyla heard the corrupt warden say to Arpeggio.

"Indeed," the parrot remarked before adding, "and then, he himself will be ours to do with as we please."

"Provided that Inspector Fox is not able to round up the pieces and get them in Interpol's hands," the black widow noted irately. "I overheard Chief Barkley allowing her to go after Clockwerk, and if she lays first claim to the remains, well, there's only so much I can do without exposing myself prematurely."

"That is a problem indeed," Neyla heard Arpeggio say with a sigh. "I suppose we should better hope that Cooper and his band can accomplish things quicker before Miss Fox's arrival."

"Speaking of the Cooper Gang," began the Contessa, "how much longer do we have to play the role of dutiful mentors to them? I am tired of playing a role that I have long despised. At least the prison I manage gives me a steady investment return. Plus, I grow weary of that raccoon's pitiful morality."

"It won't be long before we can finally cut ties with them," answered Arpeggio, much to Neyla's shock and dismay. "Especially Cooper. I will allow that he is the best at what he does, but I need minions that aren't bound to such trivial and frivolous things as a moral code."

"I want this to be perfectly clear, Arpeggio," Neyla heard the Contessa begin in a venomous tone, "I hated every minute teaching those children. Every minute! I do not see why you had me teach those brats."

"It's quite simple, my dear," Neyla heard Arpeggio reply in a calm demeanor, "you have the extraordinary capacity to keep your emotions in check. Hiring tutors for them would've cost us quite a bit of money. Not to mention, risk exposing ourselves before we were ready to strike."

"I will admit that Bentley, Penelope, Neyla, and even the Le Paradox boy each showed promise," the Contessa relented before her tone became acidic once more. "But the next time you have me teach children again, I will put you in one of my webs and use you for one of my experiments."