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Chapter Text

The night was silent and dark, aside from two cars speeding down the road. Behind the wheel of the first car was Interpol Detective David Wolf, an Alasken timber wolf. The second a car belonging to the local police force, lights and siren running while they struggled to follow the detective’s frantic speeding as they rushed to their mutual destination.

David had been surprised when he saw the familiar number of his rival Conner Cooper calling him in the middle of the night. His surprise turned to terror when instead of the familiar voice of Conner he expected, he was met with Conner’s wife, struck with panic screaming about five intruders breaking into their house with the intent to kill before the call dropped.

That call was 5 minutes ago. David had immediately thrown on his jacket and thrown on a pair of pants and grabbed his gun, he alerted the local police of what he heard as he began his frantic drive to the Cooper Estate. He was still two minutes away.

David took a moment to think about what he was doing. Conner was his biggest failure, he had hounded that raccoon for years and nearly caught him a handful of times. But Conner always managed to slip out of his grasp, normally due to the interference of the Cooper Gang. Yet here he was, speeding down the road to that raccoon's home, not to arrest him, but to protect his family from whoever is attacking them.

“Conner you’ve really gotten into it this time,” David spoke, it was the first sound he made sense he called into the station, “you better still be fighting when I get there”

David drove on.

The last two minutes of his drive felt like the longest moments of David’s life. He finally arrived at the Cooper Estate, a large property, purchased with the ill gotten gains of the Cooper Clan’s long history. Conner retired to it six years ago, getting out of the thief game before David could get anything resembling a solid case on him David didn’t know why Conner retired, he never asked and Conner never told him during the handful of times they met after Conner’s retirement. He made a mental note to ask him tonight.

As the two cars pulled up to the gate a pit formed in the detective’s stomach when he saw that the gate had been blasted away from its normal position, laying down the drive. David and the Police pull up in front of the house. As they exit their vehicles Wolf notes the two officers, the driver was a cheetah brandishing her service pistol, the passenger was a bull with the car’s shotgun at the ready, David did not know either of them.

David took a look over the home, it was big, not quite a mansion but it would still be a pain to clear. Most of the lights are on and David could hear fighting inside.
“You” David pointed at the bull, “stay out here watch the door don’t let anyone without a badge in or out’ the bull nodded, David turned to the cheetah, “you’re with me”

“Right behind you” she replied

The door was also gone, 'at least we don’t need a ram', David thought. The entrance room was probably the most grand part of the house, two curved stairways led up to the second floor and doors leading to hallways were on both sides of the room. The fighting was coming from the second floor, the two ascended the stairs. As they followed the sounds of fighting they passed by an open safe, something was clearly taken from it. The sounds of fighting led them to the master bedroom. They approached and David stepped into the doorway and saw the monster trying to kill Conner.

David didn’t speak, he didn’t move, he did nothing for a split second as he took in the creature before him, a massive mechanical owl. The creature brought a claw up to strike at a pinned Conner and David snapped back into action, he opened fire on the bird while stepping into the room to clear the door for the officer, she entered and began firing as well. The bird was clearly not expecting anyone to arrive in time, David’s first shot tore into the creature's head before it could react. The bird immediately brought its metal wing up and retreated towards the windows.

Conner took his chance and rolled towards the two. When he reached them he crawled past the officer into the hallway. David fired until his gun clicked, he reached for another magazine and, to his annoyance and horror, realized he forgot his extras at home.

The officer reloaded her weapon and shot a look over at David, she began firing again before speaking,” Get the raccoon out, I've got the bird!”

David didn’t respond, he left the room and saw Conner limping along the wall. David caught up to him easily. “ What’s broken?”

“Just a sprained ankle Timber” Conner smiled but his voice was shaking. David gave an annoyed sigh as he started to help Conner move down the hall, they reached the steps and David risked a glance back. There he saw the cheetah officer backed up into the hall still shooting, her gun clicked, she reached down for a fresh magazine only to realize she was now out as well. She turned to run down the hall, the the creature dived out of the room and pinned her to the floor. It raised its talons and brought them down on her. The creature turned towards the pair and began advancing on them.

The two rushed down the steps as fast as they could, the bird reached the steps as they reached the bottom. The door was a straight shot from the stairs. David grabbed Conner and picked him up despite his brief protest, before running for the door. The bird jumped from the second floor into the entry room, and chased them. Just before David reached the door a line of police entered the door frame, all brandishing automatic rifles.

David dropped to the floor Conner shielded underneath him as the police opened fire on the bird. The bird once again raised its wing rendering the bullets ineffective, Conner and David crawled to the door frame. The police stopped shooting, keeping their weapons up.

“So you escape me Cooper,” the bird spoke, its voice mechanical yet still dripping with venom, “how unfortunate your wife and son were not as lucky.” With that the bird sprung into the air and broke through the roof before the police could fire again.

David stared at the hole the bird left, the creature speaking left him in shock. David saw Conner move next to him, he helped Conner to his feet and Conner took off towards the stairs, now ignoring the pain of his ankle. David ordered the rest of the police to sweep the first floor then followed him.

Conner ran past the fallen officer and opened a door past the master bedroom before releasing a wail of anguish and falling to his knees in the doorway. David had slowed to check on the fallen officer, she was bleeding but insisted she could handle it after hearing Conner scream. He caught up to Conner and looked into the room and had to stifle his own scream. Mrs. Cooper was laying on the floor dead, clothing soaked in blood. One of the bird’s metal feathers was embedded into the closet door, a puddle of blood extending from it.

David looked at Conner, he was on the verge of completely breaking down. Conner was talking to himself, David couldn’t hear him, he stepped past Conner and knelt by the body.

“Mrs. Co-” David started before stopping himself “Martha I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier”

Further words failed him, David looked back at Conner, the raccoon was staring past him at the closet, he looked like he wanted to say something but every time he tried to speak his voice failed him. David stood up and walked to the closet, blood slick under his shoes, the metal feather was more than halfway through the door. David grasped the handle bracing himself for the worst. He opened the door the brown eyes of Conner’s son stared at him full of tears. Wolf saw where the feather had hit the back of the closet, the feather had only cut the boy’s shoulder.

“Conner!” David shouted, “he’s alive!”

Conner snapped from his stupor, he limped his way to the closet, David didn’t move until he was sure Conner would hide Martha’s body from the boy. Conner hugged the boy and before cupping his face in his hands and ensuring the cut had stopped bleeding, Conner was talking with his son but David wasn’t listening, he was looking around the room. It was an office, a large desk sat in front of a window, there was a holder for a landline phone on the desk, Martha still had a death grip on the phone. Bookshelves lined most of the walls, many of the books thrown around. A small table sat across from the desk, its accompanying chair smashed next to it, an open cover sat on it, all its pages torn out. David walked to the table and closed the book.

“The Thievius Raccoonus” David whispered the title appalled at the state of it. David glanced over at Conner and his son, neither of them were looking at him, he slipped the cover into his jacket before turning back to them. “Can he move?”

“We can move Detective,” he picked up his son, the boy buried his face in Conner’s shirt. Conner reached back into the closet and retrieved his infamous cane, leaning on it, “let’s go.”

Conner walked out first, David followed after he passed Martha’s body, the boy looked over Conner’s shoulder clearly trying to get a look at his mother, David offered a smile as he sood walked in the way. The boy was not satisfied.

Stepping into the hall David saw that the injured officer had been moved, hopefully stabilized. As they passed the master bedroom David looked through the door, talon marks grazed most surfaces.

David broke the silence of the hall “What’s his name?”

“Sly” and the silence returned

Chapter Text

David sat in a chair in Conner’s hospital room. Conner, Sly and the injured officer were rushed to a hospital under heavy escort. David had taken a detour to his home to stash the cover of the Thievius Raccoonus away from the eyes of his fellow Interpol agents and grab the pieces of his uniform he had forgotten in his rush to the Cooper Estate. Sly had been taken into a different room in order to get stitches for the cut in his shoulder. Conner had a brace on his foot, his cane hung on the coat rack. An officer was standing guard outside. David had been sitting in Conner’s room next to a counter covered in various medical books and items, for twenty minutes, neither of them had said a word. The silence was eating at both of them.

“Timber?” David finally spoke, “out of every nickname you’ve given me you went with Timber?”

Conner cracked a small smile, “I had a few things on my mind at the time Detective.”

“So I saw,” David sighed and leaned forward, “Conner, what the hell was that thing?”

Conner didn’t respond right away, he took in a breath and braced himself mentally, “I’m not sure, it feels like I’ve seen him somewhere but I can't remember where or when.”

Conner shifted in his bed “The Thievius Raccoonus! Did Interpol-” Conner started before David put up a hand to stop him.

“I found what was left of it,” David started. “The pages were ripped out, I stashed the cover in my apartment before I came here. We can grab it once Interpol is done asking you and Sly questions.”

Conner leans back into his hospital bed. David couldn’t tell if he was relieved or not. Before he could say anything a knock came at the door, David let his hand rest on his holster. A nurse opened the door and stepped inside, Sly followed behind her. David moved his hand away from his weapon and looked over the nurse. She was a rabbit, solid white fur, she wore the standard blue green hospital scrubs, a nametag read ‘Carol’ underneath was the only bit of her uniform not shared by the other nurses he had seen, a small pin of an owl.

David shifted his view to Sly. He was wearing the same gray pants and blue shirt he had when David opened the closet. David could see gauze wraps through the tear in his shirt. Sly looked over at David, the wolf offered him a smile, Sly kept his despondent look. Sly grabbed Conner’s cane off the coat rack before walking over and sitting on the chair next to David. Sly held the cane tight to his chest, as if it would disappear if he loosened his grip on it.

The nurse asked if she could get Conner anything, he refused. She asked David the same before leaving to a similar answer. Conner shifted in his bed.

“If Interpol has questions, why did you sit in silence for so long?” Conner asked.

“I’m not the one that's going to be asking them Conner.” David said, “your interviewers should be here soon, I'll give you two some time alone before they get here.”

David left the room leaving the two raccoons to themselves, Conner looked over at Sly. The boy was staring at the floor, a dejected look on his face.

“Why is he helping us?” Sly did not look up as he asked the question, “Shouldn’t he be trying to arrest you?”

Conner let loose a small laugh, “Now why would you think that Sly?”

“In all the stories you told me about being a thief he showed up to try and arrest you.” Sly replied, he looked at his father before continuing “why isn’t he trying now? It’s not like we could go anywhere.”

Conner laughed again, Sly’s face adopted a look of confusion, “Oh it’s true the good Detective has tried to arrest me many times, and I suppose I have only focused on the times he has.” Conner smiled, “But we’ve worked together just as many times. By the end of my thieving career it finally got through his head that I did him more good than bad.”

Sly sat up in his chair, Conner had caught his interest. “You worked with Interpol?”

“No, not Interpol, just David.” Conner thought back on his past with the Detective, before he could decide on what story to tell, a knock sounded from the door. The door opened, and the interviewers had arrived.

David stepped out of the room. He turned to look down the hall, he could see the detectives assigned to interview the Cooper’s down the hall, the two raccoons wouldn’t have as much time to themselves as he had hoped. David shook his head, he could only hope Barkley had sent detectives that could keep their heads.

David stepped across the hall to the opposite door, already open, he knocked on the frame twice before entering. Laying in the bed was the Cheetah injured earlier in the night. She looked up as David entered. Her left arm was in a sling, and she held a small book in her right. Her police uniform had been replaced with a spare shirt.

“Detective Wolf,” she smiled as she spoke, “I was wondering if anyone was going to visit me tonight.”

David was surprised she knew who he was, “I’d return the greeting, but I never caught your name in all the chaos.”

“I suppose you didn’t Detective, ” She put a bookmark on her current page and set her book down, “Officer Cassandra Chase. Call me Cass.”

“In that case call me David” he sat down in one of the chairs, “How’s the shoulder feeling?”

“I am on far too many pain meds to be able to answer that,” She gave him a grin, David smiled and shook his head, “Doctors said I’ll make a full recovery within a few months.”

“Good, I was feeling bad about getting you stabbed,” David shifted in his seat.

“Oh it was all part of the job detective,” She pushed herself into a sitting position, “Fighting oversized metal birds is right next to how to use a breathalyzer in the police handbook after all.”

Cass held a satisfied look as David laughed. “So how’s the raccoon doing?”

“A few bruised ribs and a twisted ankle,” David answered, “he’ll be out quick enough.”

“How’s the kid? Shoulder didn’t look great when I saw him.” Before David could answer a loud crash came from Conner”s room, shortly followed by a scream far too high pitched to be anyone but the young Sly.

Conner looked over the two Interpol detectives as they entered the room. The first one was an Otter deep hazel brown fur, amber eyes locked on Conner the entire time he entered the room. The second was a Mink, deep brown fur with a white spot on his chin, green eyes scanning the room as he followed the Otter in.

The Otter leaned against the far wall, eyes still trained on Conner. The Mink stopped at the end of Conner’s bed. Conner glanced at his son, Sly had pulled his legs to his chest and wrapped his tail around them. Sly had buried his face behind his legs.

“Mr Cooper?” Conner looked at the Mink, “My name Detective Mark Myers, and this is my partner Detective James Matthew,” he gestures at the otter as he says this, “are you willing to answer some questions?”

“I suppose I don’t have anything better to do,” Detective Mathew narrowed his eyes, Conner pretended not to notice keeping his eyes on Detective Myers, “what do you need from me?”

Detective Myers pulled out a pen and notepad, “to start with, was there anyone other than the bird the police encountered?”

“There were five of them, a Frog, a Bulldog, an Alligator, a Panda and that mechanical owl.”

“I see, now could you describe…” The detective and Conner went through the events of the night, from what he and his family were doing before the attack up till David and the officer arrived. He included everything he remembered about the attackers. Conner made sure to avoid discussing Martha’s death with Sly in the room and he omitted the Destruction of the Thievius Raccoonus. Detective Matthew remained silent the entire time.

“You’ve been very helpful Mr Cooper I have no more questions,” Detective Myers put his notepad away, “If you remember anything else please contact Interpol.”

“I’ll be sure to do that Detective.” Conner lied, “now if you two would leave me and my son to grieve.”

Detective Myers nodded and turned to leave, Detective Matthew looked at Sly then back to Conner.

“Before we go I have a question,” Matthew finally spoke, he pointed to the cane Sly was holding, “why wasn’t that confiscated?”

“I don’t know what you mean detective,” Conner answered, “it’s just a cane.”

“Don’t give me your bullshit Cooper, everyone in Interpol knows what you’ve used that cane for,” Detective Matthew took a step towards Sly.

“James-” Detective Myers started to talk before Matthew cut him off.

“No Mark, I’m not leaving something like that with a thief, even if he isn’t convicted.” Matthew walked over to Sly. Conner started to pull himself out of his bed. Myers put a hand on his shoulder and pushed him into the bed, he shook his head before moving towards his partner. Matthew reached Sly and grabbed the cane before Myers reached him. Matthew tried to pull the cane from Sly’s hands, Sly sank into his chair raising his legs before kicking Matthew square in the face with both legs. Matthew let go of the cane and stumbled back, his arm swept over the counter sending books and medical equipment crashing to the floor.

Sly screamed defiantly, “No!” before backing himself into the corner of the room desperately clutching the cane.

Chapter Text

David’s head was spinning with uncertainty as he crossed the hall to Conner’s room, trying not to think about what might be happening. The interviewing detectives had dismissed the guard standing outside the room. David opened the door and braced himself for whatever had happened.

David gave a quick scan of the room after opening the door. Sly stood across the room backed into a corner, the boy held his father’s cane with a death grip. David looked at the two detectives, seeing them closer David recognized them. Detective Myers was attempting to hold Conner in his bed, the raccoon was struggling against the mink. Detective Matthew was leaning against the counter, blood was dripping from the otter’s nose and a mess of things lay at his feet.

Before David could say anything Sly noticed he had opened the door, he took a look at the detectives then sliding along the wall he started inching towards the door. Had the situation been calmer David would have laughed, the kit moved almost exactly as his father did. Detective Matthew looked up at Sly as he tried to sneak away, a look of rage crossed his face as he stood up and started towards the kit. Sly looked at the otter approaching him, the blood and rage evident. Sly dashed towards the door.

David had only a few moments to react to the boy’s rush, he shifted his legs so he wasn’t blocking the door. Sly ran past him into the hall, David shifted back into the door frame. He felt a pull on his leg, David looked down, Sly was holding onto his pant leg hiding behind the wolf. David looked back into the room, The otter had stopped in his tracks.

“Detective Wolf,” he started, “we weren't told you were here.”

David offered no response, he stepped into the room. David could feel Sly hesitate before following him.

“I don’t suppose you’re here to arrest Cooper while he can’t escape you?” The otter took a step back as he asked.

“No,” David replied.

“Then why are you here?” Detective Myers asked, Conner had stopped struggling.

“I was first on the scene,” David answered, “it would be irresponsible of me not to be available to answer questions.”

The detectives looked between each other. They clearly were telling the truth about not expecting him.

“The boy has something we need to claim for the case.” Matthew began, “he seems to like you more than us, i don’t suppose you would be willing to claim it for us?”

David looked back at Sly, he knew Matthew was talking about the cane in the boy's hand.

“You’ll have to be more specific Detective,” David responded, “I don’t see anything obvious.”

“The cane Detective Wolf,” Myers said, “James has been rather insistent about it.”

“The cane?” David put a hand on his chin as if he was thinking, “the cane was in the closet the boy was hiding in, it wasn’t involved in the attack at all, why would you need it?”

Matthew’s face adopted an annoyed look, “Because Mr broken ankle here used it to evade capture for thirteen years, nine of which were mostly your attempts.”

Matthew walked up to David stopping a few feet in front of the wolf. Conner shifted in his bed preparing for the worse. David put a hand on Sly ensuring the kit was fully behind him. The two detectives stared at each other waiting for one to make a move.

“Ehem,” the detectives looked at the door, Cass stood in the frame, “sorry to interrupt detectives but things seem to be reaching a boiling point.”

“My apologies ma'am,” Myers began, “but who are you?”

“Officer Cassandra Chase,” Cass walked over and put her free hand on David’s shoulder, “the other person first on the scene of tonight's incident.”

“Officer Chase-” Matthew started talking before he stopped suddenly, David looked at him then to Cass. His eyes were drawn to hers, they were a deep shade of blue. Then for a small flash so quick David thought he imagined it at first, they flashed green. David looked at Matthew, his eyes flashed green as well.

“Detective,” Cass smiled as she talked, “it has been a very stressful night for everyone involved, why don’t you take the information you and your partner already gathered and go over it?”

“That… is a good suggestion officer,” Matthew’s voice was flat as he spoke, “Come on Mark, we have information to review.” he walked out the door. Detective Myers shot a confused look at David before following his partner out of the room. Cass walked over and closed the door behind them. She turned back to David.

“Well that went surprisingly well,” she looked at David and her smile dropped, “what’s wrong detective? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“You’re a mystic” it wasn’t a question.

“Ah you saw that,” she turned her head so David couldn’t see both her eyes, “yes I know a few points of the mystic arts, and they have served me well. But I assure you detective, you have nothing to fear from me.”

Sly emerged from behind David, he took a look at Cass before returning to the chairs and sitting down. Conner looked between the officer and detective.

“She did diffuse the detective quite well David.” Conner shifted into a more comfortable position, “and she did get stabbed while helping us escape.”

David looked at Conner then back at Cass. “Fine,” he walked over to the chairs and took the one next to sly. David grabbed the empty chair and slid it over to Cass, David leaned on the wall next to sly. Cass took the chair and sat down.

David looked down at Sly, “Are you hurt?” Sly shook his head. David looked back at Cass. “So what exactly can you do?”

Cass turned and met David’s gaze, “Well as you saw with the detective I can influence people to a degree. It’s probably what I'm best at.”

“A degree?” Conner interrupted, “you caused him to completely shift away from what he wanted.”

“It’s a fairly large degree I suppose. I can also heal minor injuries,” she gestured to her injured shoulder, “unfortunately this is a bit out of my purview. That’s all I've managed to figure out.”

“How’d you learn what you know?” David asked

“My father taught me, said it was a family tradition.”

Before David could ask any further questions he heard the familiar sound of his Nokia being called. He pulled the phone out of his coat pocket and read the number, it was Interpol’s director James Barkley.

“I need to take this, I'll be back soon” David got up and left the room. He answered the call in the hallway, “hello director.”

“Detective Wolf,” Barkley’s voice came through clear on the phone, “are you somewhere private?”

David looked around the hall, the officer had returned to the door following the detective's departure.

“No I’m not,” David answered.

“Find somewhere that is then Wolf,”

David crossed the hall to Cass’s vacant room, he shut the door behind him.

“Go ahead Barkley”

“I had the intel department check the description of that mechanical bird against our files,” Barkley started, “they seem convinced it was Clockwerk.”

Clockwerk, the name rang in David’s head like a church bell sounding the new hour. Everyone in Interpol knew the name. The most prolific serial killer in history, due in no small part due to his disturbingly long life. Dozens of theories existed about how he had survived, everything from the name being a mantle passed from father to son, to things as outlandish as him being a failed experiment lost to history. Whatever the truth, Clockwerk being after the Coopers meant they would never be safe and now that he had seen the bird in action neither was David.

“They’re certain I assume?” concern built in the back of David’s mind.

“The description the other officers gave matched the few photos we have of Clockwerk,” Barkley returned, “now I called you for another reason. Considering who we’re dealing with, Interpol has decided to move everyone involved into hiding.”

David sighed, Conner wasn’t going to agree to hiding in an Interpol safe-house easily.

“When are we being escorted to our safe-house Barkley?” David asked.

“First thing tomorrow morning,” Barkley answered, “and Wolf, do not leave your current location until the escort arrives.”

“Understood director,” the call ended. David let out another sigh. He opened the door and crossed the hall back to Conner’s room.

“-and the two of us fell off the side of the oil rig into the freezing wat-” Conner stopped talking as David entered the room, both Sly and Cass had pulled their chairs closer to listen to him, “welcome back David, how’d the call go?”

“Could have been better,” David smiled as he answered, the detective knew exactly what story Conner was retelling, “regaling your son with the time we fought on The Oil Barron’s rig I see.” David moved to the foot of the bed as he talked, “I’m sure you were just about to tell them all about how, sense you can’t swim, you had to cling to me until McSweeny picked us up?”

Cass stifled a laugh, Sly looked at David then back at his father.

“You can’t swim dad?” Sly asked.

“Most Cooper’s couldn’t,” Conner looked at David, “you know it’s rude to embarrass a man in front of his kids right?”

“You have to be capable of shame to be embarrassed.” David grinned at the raccoon, “Barkley called, said we’re getting moved to an Interpol safe-house while they hunt Clockwerk.”

“And he expects me to just go along with that?” Conner’s voice was void of its normal levity.

“No he doesn’t,” David pulled out a note from his jacket and handed it to Conner, “Interpol has a mole. We have no idea who it is, but they’ve been selling information to criminals.”

Conner began reading the note, Sly was craning his neck to try and look at the note from his chair.

“The phone call was bait for a trap, we will be leaving the hospital in my car 20 minutes after the escort leaves.” Cass shifted in her seat as David talked, “Hopefully Clockwerk will take the bait and the officers kill or capture him.”

“And if they can’t?” Conner put down the note, “I don’t like putting my life in the hands of cops I don't know David.”

“We hide till your foot heals, then follow any leads Interpol finds to deal with him ourselves.” David turned towards Cass, “we’ve got five hours till we leave, we should all get some rest.”

“Alright David,” Cass stood up and walked to the door, “I look forward to hearing more stories Conner.”

David took the chair she was sitting on and pushed it to the wall. Sly leaned the Cane against the bed and curled himself into a ball on his chair’s cushion.

“You’re gonna sleep on that chair?” Conner picked the cane up, pushed one of his claws into a divot and the cane folded in half, he stuffed it under his pillow, “you definitely aren’t small enough to copy Sly.”

“I’m the fourth child of six children born to poor parents,” David answered, “I was lucky when I got to sleep in a chair.”

Conner and David shared a laugh. They both shifted into as comfortable a position as they could and let sleep take them, knowing they would need to be rested for the day ahead.

Chapter Text

Twenty Minutes, twenty minutes until David was supposed to leave, twenty minutes of being a sitting duck in his car, a brown 1986 Chevy Celebrity, twenty minutes in the hospital's dark underground parking. David drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He looked at Cass in the passenger seat then at Conner and Sly in the back. Everyone besides Sly was visibly nervous.

The decoy escort had just left. Two police cruisers with an armored prisoner transport truck between them, loaded with a heavily armed SWAT team. It was mid day, the escort had made a show of it. A false delay hopefully giving the impression that they weren’t at the top of their game.

“Where are we going David?” Sly broke the tension.

David turned in his seat to look back at Sly.

“One of my Brothers and my Sister live on a private airfield a few hours from here,” David stifled his nervous look as he answered Sly, “we’ll be staying in a guest house he keeps on the property.”

“Your family owns an airfield?” Conner leaned to the middle of the car, “I'm hurt Conner, you never told me about that.”

“Of course I didn’t,” David applied a slight mocking tone, “you would have tried to get free flights off him.”

“Your statement is as accurate as it is hurtful.” Conner brought a hand to his chest and turned his muzzle up, he put on a terrible French accent “I shall remember this slight monsieur.”

The four laughed. David sat back in his seat. He looked at the clock, seventeen minutes.

David’s door was pulled open without warning, before the wolf could react, a hand gripped his shoulder and dragged him out of the car, throwing him to the floor. David rolled away from his car, a black boot slammed down where he was. David stole a glance up, his attacker wore black brown pants and a matching trench coat. His attacker rushed David and landed a kick to the wolf’s side, David felt steel toes in his side.

The attacker let out a grunt, David pulled himself away and scrambled to his feet. He looked at his attacker, he was a grizzly bear, face scarred with cuts. Conner was standing on top of the car, assaulting the bear with his cane.

David kept his gun in a holster he had installed under his steering wheel when in the car, he cursed himself as he charged and spear tackled the bear. David slammed the bear’s head into the concrete of the parking lot, he dug his claws into the trench coat and began to pummel his face.

David heard a gunshot, there were more of them. David pulled the bear’s head a few inches off the ground before delivering a final punch slamming the back of his skull back into the ground. David stood up, the bear began moving again. David raised his foot and slammed it down, he felt the bear’s muzzle crack under his boot.

“Duck!” David heard Conner shout. David ducked, a pipe swung over his head. David turned to face his new attacker. David looked him over, a tiger wearing the same outfit as the bear. The tiger had already swung the pipe at David again, David raised his arm and felt the pipe collide with his forearm. David grit his teeth and grabbed the pipe with his other hand before the tiger could retract it.

Conner took the opportunity and leapt from the car onto the tiger’s back, pulling his cane into the tiger’s neck. David pulled on the pipe, the tiger came with it, David balled his fist and jammed it into the tiger’s stomach as he was pulled towards David. The tiger let his grip on the pipe go, David stepped to the left and swung the pipe into his stomach. The tiger crumpled and fell to his knees, Conner released his grip and stepped back before he swung his cane and cracked it against the tigers head. The tiger fell to the floor clutching his head.

David turned back to the car. Cass had retrieved his handgun and was firing at attackers on the other side. Conner rushed to the car and dove into the back seat. David rushed to the car and ducked into the driver seat, Cass glanced at him, David turned the key and the engine roared to life. He threw the car in reverse and pulled left out of the parking spot. He saw the other attackers, a lynx, a doberman and two others on the ground bleeding from gunshot wound’s Cass inflicted. The doberman was standing in the way of the car, the lynx off to the left, the lynx was pulling something from his trench coat.

David shifted into drive and floored the accelerator, the doberman fired at the car. If David’s car had a regular windshield they would have gone straight through his head, fortunately Interpol was more than willing to pay for protective modifications to the vehicles of its employees. The doberman was clearly not expecting the glass to be bulletproof, he was unable to get out of the way before David slammed his front bumper into him.

David heard a gunshot come from where the Lynx was, a moment later he felt buckshot tear into his side. David stifled the scream in his throat to a growl as he continued driving, he turned out of the row and sped towards the exit of the parking lot. The barrier gate was down, David made a mental note to apologize to the hospital staff for driving through it.

The car reached the above ground parking lot and David rushed to the street. David glanced at the rear view mirror, the attackers were not following.

David pulled up to the gates of his family airfield, they had taken a roundabout route turning what should have been a two hour drive into a five hour drive. They had only stopped to wrap David’s side to stop the bleeding.

David parked next to the gate’s keypad, Cass couldn’t see what code he put in. The gate rolled open and he pulled the car inside, and up to his family home. David turned off the engine.

Cass put her hand on David’s shoulder.

“Can you walk on your own?” she wore a face of worry.

“Only one way to find out,” David opened the door and stepped out, Cass heard a whine escape the wolf’s throat. “Guess that’s a no.”

Conner approached David, he slung the wolf’s arm over his shoulders. The group approached the door of the house. David and Conner stopped in front of the door, David reached out and knocked on the door. They heard movement, after a few moments the door opened. A female wolf stood in the door, she looked at Daid and brought her hand up to her mouth.

“Hey Bethany,” David grimaced as he spoke, “long time no see sis.”

“Oh my God David,” Bethany’s face was wrought with fear and concern, “What the hell happened to you?”

“Got shot,” David answered calmly, “Can we take this inside sis, it hurts to stand right now.”

Bethany stepped out the door and slung David’s other arm over her shoulder. The three entered the house, Cass and Sly followed. The entrance had signs of a hasty clean up, it was little more than a short hallway with a shoe rack. Cass went to remove her shoes before Bethany stopped her.

“Oh worry about your manners later hon,” her voice had a slight shake to it, “I might need your help with David.”

Cass and sly continued to follow, the group took a right out of the entryway into a living room. Several chairs, endstands and a couch sat along its walls. David was deposited on the couch, he laid himself onto his right side. Cass and Bethany knelt beside him.

“David!” a new voice shouted out, Cass turned towards the voice. Standing in a doorway leading to a kitchen stood another wolf, he was clearly related to David though he stood at least a foot taller. He looked at Bethany. “What happened?”

“Still trying to find out Anthony.” she answered, “all our idiot brother has given me so far is that he ‘got shot’ like I couldn’t tell”

Conner had sat down on one of the chairs, Sly sat on his lap face buried in his father’s shirt. Anthony looked at them before joining the two women by David.

“What happened to him,” Anthony had his attention on Cass.

“He caught buckshot to the side while driving us out of a hospital,” she answered, “fortunately the car door slowed it down first.”

David snorted when she said, fortunately.

“Don’t feel all that fortunate,” David said, “got pellets dug into my side.”

Bethany looked at Conner and Sly. She turned to Anthony.

“Take them to another room, kid doesn’t need to see this,” she ordered, “and bring back the first aid kit.”

Anthony nodded his head before walking over to the raccoons. Bethany and Cass returned their attention to David.

“Oh this is gonna be real unpleasant” David said to himself.

“Well we could leave the pellets in your side if you’d prefer little brother.” Bethany smiled at David, “but yeah, we don’t have anything strong enough for the pain you’re gonna be feeling.”

“I can help with that,” Bethany gave Cass a puzzled look, “I’m a mystic, I might be ab;e to help him ignore the pain.”

Bethany looked at Cass, trying to gauge any ill intent.

“Fine,” she was apparently satisfied, “if you can help do it.”

“No,” David said.

“David” Bethany started, “don’t be difficult, if it will help let her.”

“No,” he said again.

“David please, I only want to help,” Cass reached a hand towards him.

David slapped her hand away before she reached him. Cass went to speak but was cut off when she felt the cold metal of his handgun meet her stomach, his face wore a mask of anger, Cass saw a deep fear in his eyes.

“You are not using your power on me,” David’s finger was on the trigger, “keep your magic to yourself mystic.” His voice was especially venomous when he said that last word.

“David!” Anthony had returned, Cass didn’t look back, she didn’t do anything. Anthony walked up to the couch and knelt. “What the hell is wrong with you David?”

“I will not be subjected-” David started talking before Anthony cut him off.

“Subjected, she is trying to help you David,” Anthony put his hand on David’s gun, Cass tensed, “Give me the gun David.”

For a moment David didn’t react, the brothers simply stared at each other. It was only a few moments, yet it felt far longer. David dropped his mask of anger, he let go of the gun. Anthony placed it on the stand next to the couch. Cass let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Cass looked at David, his face held no expression but his eyes were still wracked with fear.

Bethany had begun digging through the first aid kit, she removed a pair of tweezers and rubbing alcohol. The two removed his shirt, exposing his bandaged side.

“So how does this work?” David asked.

“First you relax,” Both she and David took a breath and prepared. Cass focused on David’s eyes, then she smiled. A moment later she saw the familiar flash of green in his eyes. “Now David, focus on me, not what your sister is doing.”

David lazily nodded his head. Bethany began removing the bandages. Once removed she sterilized the tweezers with alcohol and began looking over his side, she found the first pellet and began working on it. David let out a grunt.

“Don’t talk David,” Cass put her hand on his face, “just look at me and ignore everything else.”

David reached his right hand up and grasped her’s. Bethany continued digging out the pellets. David flexed his hand whenever she started on a new one. Anthony looked between David and Cass, infatuated by the Cheetah’s ability. Bethany pulled the final pellet out of David’ side. Cass dropped her smile, her influence faded. David let go of her hand and she retracted her’s.

Cass took off her cast, she laced her hands together and held them over David’s side. Cass began humming a tuneless song to herself, a soft green light emanated from her palm. David made a sharp inhale as the holes in his side began to close. Cass ran her hands up and down his side. Once the holes fully closed she pulled her hands away.

“How you feeling David?” Bethany asked.

David put a hand on his side, feeling his healed wound.

“Tired,” David offered no other response.

“I’ll make sure our other guests are comfortable,” Anthony stood up, “grab David a spare blanket and pillow would you Beth?”

Bethany nodded, the siblings left the room. An uncomfortable silence followed. David shifted onto his back.

“Cass I, I’m,” the words stuck in David’s throat, “Thank you.”

David closed his eyes and fell asleep in moments. Cass stood up and walked over to a chair. She sat and fell asleep just as quickly.

Conner and Sly sat in a guest bedroom. Sly had his face buried in Conner’s chest crying, Conner held him tightly. Running his hand through his son’s hair. Sly pulled his head from Conner’s chest.

“Are we safe?” Sly asked.

“Do you feel unsafe here?” Conner countered.

Sly looked at his father, then around the room. Before he could answer the door opened. Anthony stood in the doorway.

“Do you two need anything?” Anthony’s voice was noticeably calmer than before.

The wolf had been nothing but friendly. Yet his sheer size held an intimidating presence to Conner. Although David was larger than Conner, the raccoon had spent the better part of his thieving career facing off against the detective. Anthony was new and unknown, and the extra foot of height had Anthony nearly twice Conner’s size.

Conner looked at his son and raised an eyebrow, Sly shook his head. Conner looked back at the wolf.

“We’re fine thank you.” Conner answered. The wolf nodded and closed the door.

“No,” Sly answered Conner’s earlier question,

“Good” Conner stood up, carrying Sly, he walked over to the bed and set his son in it,
“Now get some sleep, it’s been a stressful day.”

Conner pulled the blankets over Sly. Conner turned to go back to the chair, Sly grabbed his shirt. Conner looked back at him.

“Do you want me to sleep in the bed with you tonight?” Conner asked, Sly nodded, “alright Sly.” Conner shut off the light then got into the bed, “feel better?”

Sly did not respond, Conner looked over at him, Sly had fallen asleep. Conner smiled and looked at the ceiling. Conner closed his eyes and tried to follow his son’s example.

Chapter Text

Conner woke from his sleep, he didn’t know what time it was but no light came in through the windows. Conner turned over, Sly was gone. Conner sat up, he pulled the blanket off of himself. He removed the brace on his foot and rolled his ankle, it no longer hurt. Conner set the brace on the nightstand and stood up.

“Sly?” Conner received no response from the empty room.

Conner left the guest room and walked to the living room. Cass was asleep in a chair, blanket draped over her, pillow propped behind her head. A blanket and pillow sat on the couch he had set David on. He could see Bethany sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee and reading a newspaper at the table. Conner entered the kitchen, Bethany looked up at him.

“There’s still some in the pot if you’d like,” Bethany paused, “I don’t know your name do I?”

“Conner,” The raccoon answered, “and I’ll pass on the coffee for now.”

Bethany looked at him, she raised an eyebrow.

“Conner,” she let the name roll slowly, “as in Conner Cooper?”

“The one and only Ms,” Conner put on a smile.

“So the raccoon my little brother ranted and raved about putting away for thirteen years shows up on my doorstep dragging him through the door,” Bethany let out a laugh, “oh he’s never gonna live this down.” She continues laughing.

“I don’t mean to be a bother,” Connershifted on his feet, “but have you seen my son?”

“He went out with David and Anthony to look at the car,” she took a sip from her coffee, “should still be out there.”

Conner nodded his head and turned towards the door. Conner stepped outside, it was light enough to see clearly. David and Anthony were hunched over the open hood of the Chevey, Sly stood on a step ladder pointing a flashlight into the engine. Conner walked off the porch down to the car. David looked up at him.

“So what’s the verdict Doctor?” Conner put a hand on the top step of the ladder.

“Front bumper crumpled when I hit the doberman,” David began, “a handful of pellets played havoc in the engine block, at least 5 pipes have holes in them, oh and the powered window in the driver door doesn’t work anymore. I knew I should have stuck with manuals when I got this thing.”

“Sound’s like an expensive mechanic trip,” Conner looked at the door, ten clean holes were visible, “your salary gonna cover it?”

“Oh I wish it was that simple,” David gestured to the door, “that’s two and a half inches of steel same as most of the car, and the engine is custom built to be able to pull the extra weight. Any old mechanic isn’t gonna cut it.”

“What about Dr M?” Sly piped up and looked at his father, “you always said he could make or fix anything in your stories.”

David and Anthony both looked at Conner, David raised a questioning eyebrow.

“That wouldn’t be a good idea,” Conner rubbed the back of his neck, “we didn’t part on good terms when he left the gang.”

David clearly wanted to press the point, Conner gave him a look that told him better.

“No matter,” David said, “I can fix the important bits, just gonna take some time.”

“Well we can’t leave it on my driveway while you work,” Anthony looked at Sly, “you know how to steer a car kid?”

“No,” Sly’s tail drooped as he answered.

“Well sounds like you’re gonna get to learn something today,”Conner opened the car door.

Sly beamed as he got into the car, he had to stand to see over the dash properly. Conner began telling Sly how to steer the car. Anthony and David moved to the rear of the car and waited for Conner to finish. Once he was confident Sly understood what he was telling him he put the car in neutral and the four began moving the car.

Cass woke from her sleep, she still felt tired from healing David. She pulled off the blanket, Anthony must have covered her after she fell asleep. Cass looked around the room, light was just starting to come in from the windows. David was gone, blanket and pillow left on the couch. Cass got up, she walked to the kitchen door. Bethany sat at the table, Drinking coffe and reading the last page of a newspaper. The wolf looked up at her.

“Oh good, you’re finally up,” She smiled, “there’s coffee in the pot if you want any.”

“Thank you,” Cass poured herself a glass and sat down across from Bethany, she took a drink, it was stronger than she normally liked it but drinkable. Bethany set the paper down and took a long final drink from her cup. She sighed and set her cup down.

“I hope David didn’t hurt you with his handgun yesterday,” she said, “he can be a bit… stubborn at times.”

“Oh no I’m fine,” Cass replied, she took another drink from her coffee “why was he so against my help?”

Bethany held her cup in both hands and simply stared into it for a moment.

“It’s… it's a long story” She let go of her cup, “and it isn’t mine to tell, it's an old wound for him.”

Cass got the feeling she shouldn’t press, if she wanted to know she’d have to ask David.

“So,” Cass tried to think of a topic to move the conversation too, “you and your brother run an airfield, what’s that like?”

“Well it's not quite the same as a commercial airport,” Bethany was clearly happy to talk about something else, “most planes that land here only show up to be serviced when they need scheduled maintenance.”

Cass leaned in, giving her full attention to the wolf.

“We’ve got a plane coming in two days for a check in fact,” Bethany continued, “fixing planes is incredibly messy work, hardly a day of work I don’t have to take an extra long shower.” The two laughed. “It pays well though, even after all the expenses of owning this place, what do you do Cass?”

“Oh I’m a Police Officer,” Cass answered, "I work a few counties west of here.”

“Ok then” Bethany refilled her cup before continuing, “that how your arm got hurt?”

“Oh this happened two days ago,” Cass rubbed her shoulder, she could move it but it still hurt, “responding to a homicide call with David infact.”

“You work with my brother often then?” Bethany asked.

“No actually,” she chuckled, “it was the first time we met.”

“Oh he was always one for interesting first impressions,” Bethany and Cass laughed.

The sets of wolves and raccoons had pushed David’s Chevy into a small hanger that Anthony used to hold spare plane parts. David had already begun working to remove the damaged parts of his engine, Anthony had gone to retrieve an engine crane in case they needed to remove the motor. Conner sat by a toolbox leaning against a counter, whenever David needed a different tool Conner removed it from the toolbox and had Sly run it to the wolf.

David rolled out from under the car on his creeper, he had the car battery in his hands. He carried it over to the counter and grabbed a screwdriver. He started prying something out of it. Conner heard something pop out, David let out a satisfied huff. He turned and held up a shotgun pellet in his hand.

“As I thought,” David had a smug look on his face, "tungsten shotgun pellets, that’s why they were able to rip through the door.” He set the pellet down on the counter.

“Tungsten?” Conner repeated, “that stuff’s expensive isn’t it?”

“Incredibly,” before David could continue they heard the door open, Cass walked in. Conner smiled, Sly offered a wave, David turned away and rolled back under the car to continue working. Cass walked over to the counter and sat by Conner.

“So how’s the car?” she directed her question towards David, he offered no response.

“Well,” Conner picked up the answer, “the battery caught a buckshot pellet, the door window needs fixed, and the engine might need to be lifted.”

“I need a five eights,” David called, Conner handed the wrench to sly and the kit brought it to the wolf, “thank you Sly.”

Cass looked at the floor, Conner could tell something was eating at her. Conner would have to ask her about it later.

“Well now that you’re here,” Conner racked his mind for an excuse to leave, hoping to let the two air out whatever was between them, “I’m going to go relieve myself.” Conner walked to the door and left.

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room, broken only by the sound of David working and Sly’s occasional humming. Cass found herself thinking, trying to decide how best to start a conversation.

“David I…” Cass started to speak before David rolled out from under the car and sat up on the creeper.

“Before you start,” David began, “no, I do not trust you, yes it is because you are a mystic.”

“Why do you distrust mystics so much David,” Cass asked.

“Mystics have brought nothing but problems for my family,” David let out a sigh, “look I appreciate your help, but I am not interested in small talk. My job right now involves keeping you, Conner and Sly safe. I will do that, but I am not going to be your friend.”

“Oh,” she stood up, “I’ll leave you to your work then Detective.” Cass left the hanger and began walking back to the main house, a feeling of disappointment weighing on her.

David laid back down on the creeper, he closed his eyes and let out another sigh. He opened his eyes, Sly was standing a few feet from him. David looked at the kit.

“Why are you being mean to Miss Chase?” Sly asked.

“You’re not the only one here who lost his mother Sly,” David rolled himself back under the car, working in silence.

The next few days a routine established itself. David Sly and Conner would spend the morning working on the car, Cass found herself helping Bethany and Anthony with upkeep on the property. Once the plane arrived David, Bethany and Anthony spent their afternoons servicing it. Conner spent his afternoon’s teaching Sly what he knew about thieving, Cass joined the raccoons for the lessons fascinated as she watched the methods Conner employed. The only time Cass and Daid interacted was when he told her he still hadn’t heard anything from interpol.

David stepped out of the small hanger, it had been a difficult day of work but most of the damaged parts had been replaced. David was lost in his thoughts deeply enough that he nearly ran into Anthony as he rounded the corner of the hanger.

“So what’s on the docket for today?” David asked.

“Actualy David,” Anthony began, “Bethany and I need to run into town and grab a few things.”

“No plane work then?” David grinned, “whatever will I do without all that dirt in my fur today?”

“Nice try little brother,” Anthony put a hand on David’s shoulder, “I got the plane’s engine set up to test. I asked Cass to help you test it while we’re gone, she should already be at the hanger.” David narrowed his eyes at his brother, “oh don’t look at me like that, you need two sets of hands for the test anyways.”

“Fine, I can work with her for an afternoon,” David said.

Anthony smiled and turned towards the house, David could see Bethany waiting by their truck. David turned and began walking towards the hanger containing the plane. He stopped outside the man door, took a breath, and left his feelings at the door. Sure enough Cass was already in the hanger, getting a close up look at the plane.

The plane itself was on the smaller side of aircraft, it was an EMB 120 Brasilia, at least that’s what Anthony told David it was. Twin turboprop engines, with accompanying propellers, sat on the wings, one of them had its casing removed, wires were plugged into it connecting to a computer. The plane was anchored to the floor to prevent it from moving during the testing. David approached Cass.

“Ready?” David asked.

“Ready to be told what exactly we’re doing,” She replied.

David ushered her to the computer, he made a quick check to ensure everything Cass would need was running.

“You are going to sit here,” David handed her a pair of earplugs off the desk, ‘and watch the screens. Once I fire up the engine a flow of text should start appearing, you’re gonna make sure it keeps coming till I shut them off after 60 seconds.”

“And if it stops?” Cass sat down in the desk chair.

“We check the cables and try again till we get a clean reading.” David answered, “Could take us a minute, could take an hour, just depends how the machinery is feeling.”

Cass sat down and put the earplugs in, she pressed her ears against her head. A timer sat on the desk, she prepped it for 60 seconds. David climbed into the plane, after a moment Cass could see him in the cockpit’s side window. After a few moments she saw him hold up three fingers, he counted down on the last finger the turboprop engines spun up and the propellers began spinning. A stream of numbers and words began to appear on the screen.

Fifty seconds, everything continued going well. Cass began tapping her claws on the desk.

Forty seconds, information continued to flow onto the screen. The engine closest to Cass let out a sputter of smoke.

Thirty seconds, the flow of information cut off as the engine exploded. Cass brought her arms to her face and ducked behind the desk. A piece of the engine slammed into the desk and shifted it towards her.

Cass pulled her head over the desk, The wing had fallen off the plane at the engine. The propeller was gone, cass saw one of the blades embedded in the side of the plane. Bits of metal were strewn about the hanger. The wires were disconnected and scattered on the floor, some pinned under the wing.

David appeared in the door of the plane, he clambered down the steps. David looked at the wing and destroyed engine. His gaze continued upwards, cass followed it and saw the second propeller blade lodged in the hanger’s ceiling. David turned back to the plane.

“Well,” David shook his head and turned to Cass, “on the bright side our work for the day is done.”

Cass looked him over, David looked unharmed save a small cut on his face.

“So this is normal when testing a plane?” Cass stood up as she spoke.

“Catastrophic failure is always possible,” David walked to the desk as he answered, “better to have it happen on the ground than in the air. Surprised it broke the wing though, normally they catch fire rather than exploding.”

“Your face,” Cass gestured a hand at the cut on David’s face, “may I?”

David went to speak, before a word left his mouth he bit his lip. David leaned over the desk and turned the cut towards her. Cass reached her hand to his face, David flinched away for a moment before taking a breath and relaxing. Cass began her tuneless humming, the cut began to mend itself, it was small as such only took a few moments to heal. Once the wound healed Cass retracted her hand, David straightened up and felt his face.

“That itches like hell,” David joked.

David disconnected the wires from the computer then walked towards a door, he opened it pulled out two brooms and dust pans. He handed one to Cass.

“Come on,” he started, “let’s clean up what we can find.”

The two of them began a sweep of the shop, collecting whatever metal had flown from the engine. Placing whatever they could find in a vague pile by the desk. After a thorough search they had yet to find the third propeller blade. The two of them returned to the desk and took a seat. David leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead.

“Well,” Cass started, “that was certainly an int-”

“Wait,” David interrupted, he took a deep breath through his nose, “smells like something burning.”

Cass sniffed the air, she could smell smoke. Before she could respond the back wall of the hanger caved in as a massive explosion rocked the building. In a moment Cass saw metal shrapnel rush towards them, David grabbed her wrist, for an instant their eyes locked. Cass stared in absolute shock as she saw his eyes glow silver. Then, but a moment later her vision went white as the hanger was engulfed in a fireball.

Chapter Text

“What separates a master thief from a petty criminal?” Conner looked at his son, the kit was balanced on a fence post. With the Thievius Raccoonus pages gone Conner had to rely on his own lackluster teaching skills to ready Sly for thieving. Currently Conner was attempting to teach Sly the Spire Jump technique, allowing a Cooper to balance on small points.

“A master thief steals from master Criminals,” Sly answered, “there's no challenge in stealing from ordinary people.”

“Correct,” Conner gave a nod of approval, “next post.”

Sly took a second to rebalance himself on the post. The kit leapt from the post to the next one, he rarely lost his balance when he landed. A small amount of leaning and he corrected himself.

“Why do we steal?” Conner asked.

“To survive?” Sly was uncertain of his answer.

“Wrong,” Conner said, “next post.”

Sly furrowed his brow, he looked at the next fence post. He jumped, sly’s foot missed the post, his foot slid against the post as he began to fall. Before he hit the ground Conner grabbed him and broke his fall.

“Are you hurt?” Conner asked, Sly shook his head, “good. You got upset, you need to keep a level head when performing these actions. Fall from too great a height and you don’t get a second chance.”

“Isn’t that why you have me practicing on the fence?” Sly asked.

“You are Correct,” Conner responded, “but I need you to understand this can be dangerous.”

“I know dad,” Sly replied.

“Alright.” Conner helped Sly to his feet, “Now let’s try again.”

Sly nodded his head. Sly scrambled back up the post and balanced himself. Conner prepared his questions from the beginning.

“What is the most important thing a thief must do to stay hidden?” Conner asked.

“A thief must stay quiet, no matter what happens,” Sly answered.

“Correct, next post.” Conner watched as sly prepared to make his jump.

As Sly leapt an explosion rang out, Sly landed on the next post and they both turned to look at the hanger. The back wall had a hole in it, the fuel tank that Conner had seen next to it had detonated.

“Go to the house Sly,” Conner ordered his son, Sly was about to protest before Conner cut him off, “that wasn’t a request, go, now.”

Sly took a last look at the hanger before jumping from his post and running to the main house. Conner stayed long enough to confirm Sly had listened to him before taking off for the hanger.

Conner could feel the heat of the blaze as he approached. Concern wracked his mind, David and Cass were likely still inside. The man door on the side closest to his was engulfed in the flames, he would have to hope there was one at the front alongside the hanger door. Conner gave the back of the hanger a wide berth as he moved towards the front. Conner rounded the corner and stopped dead, sitting in front of the hanger he found David and Cass.

Sitting was perhaps too generous a term, Conner approached the pair. David was laying on his back, eyes closed breathing heavily. Cass on the other hand was kneeling next to him, attempting to rouse him from his current state. Cass looked over her shoulder as Conner approached.

“What happened?” Conner knelt by David as he asked.

“Not sure,” Cass shook David, “The plane engine exploded, we cleaned up the metal. Then the wall exploded, David grabbed me and we were just, outside.”

David took in a sharp breath and opened his eyes. For a moment they glowed silver, then the glow faded and they returned to their normal green. Conner and Cass both stared at him, dumbstruck.

“Why are you both staring?” David asked.

“You’re a mystic,” Cass’s face contorted with anger, she grabbed David’s shirt and pulled him towards herself, “you treat me like shit and jam a gun in my gut because I’m a mystic,” her voice raised into a yell as she spoke, “and you’re one too. What the hell is wrong with you?”

David didn’t respond. Cass gripped his shirt a few moment’s more before letting go. David fell back to the pavement. Cass stood up.

“No, don’t answer that. Whatever you say won’t cut it.” Cass mumbled in incoherent rage as she walked to the house.

Conner watched Cass for a moment as she walked. Then the raccoon turned his attention to the wolf, his face marred by contempt. David looked at him neither said a word for a time, the only noise coming from the burning hanger.

“You pointed your gun at her.” It was not a question, “she has been nothing but pleasant and you jam a gun in her stomach because you’re both mystics.”

Conner shook his head. David sat up, he offered no defense of his actions.

“And you’re a mystic,” Conner continued, “ I've known you what, fourteen years? Nine of those years you spent chasing me and somehow this is how I learn you’re a mystic?”

“Fifteen years,” David spoke up, “two weeks ago marked the first time I tried to arrest you.”

Conner sat back a moment, he let off a short laugh.

“Oh right,” Conner mused over the past, “you caught me robbing a jewelry store that was a front for a drug ring in Chicago. That led to your first big arrest right?”

“Indeed it did,” David answered, the wolf pulled his legs in and rested his arms on his knees. David let out a sigh, “I owe her an apology don’t I?”

“Oh you owe her more than an apology,” Conner replied, “now come on, let's move before those flames get uncomfortable.”

Conner pulled David to his feet. The wolf took a step and nearly fell to his knees, falling onto Conner’s shoulder. David steadied himself before standing again.

“Whatever you did really took it out of ya didn’t it?” Conner asked.

“Blink, move from one place to another in an instant,” David, “haven’t used it since I was nine, and never tried with another person.”

“You can teleport?” Conner put a hand to his chin, “I can think of well over a dozen times that would have been helpful, too bad you’re a lawman.”

David shook his head. The two began the walk back to the main house.

Cass threw the front door open. She was still muttering incoherent curses about David. If she had been in her own home she probably would have thrown something.

“Hypocritical bastard,” Cass condensed her anger, “treating me like shit for something we both have.”

Cass fell into one of the living room chairs.She rubbed her eyes. When she opened them again Sly was staring at her from the couch, she had completely missed him on her way in. The kit had a worried look on his face.

“Oh hello Sly,” she smiled, “I didn’t see you there.”

Cass put a pin in her anger. Sly looked out the window at the hanger then back to Cass.

“Did they find us?” Sly’s eyes held a mix of fear and questioning.

Cass stood up and walked to the couch, she knelt down.

“No Sly we just had a little accident in the hangar.” she offered a steady smile, “well I guess it turned into a big accident.”

Sly looked over her face for any sign of a lie. Finding none, the kit slid down into the couch. He was still nervous.

“So,” Cass tried to think of anything she could say to take Sly’s mind off his fears, “what did your father teach you today?”

Sly perked up at her question.

“He taught me to balance and jump on narrow points,” he began, “he asked me questions between each jump. I got most of them.”

“Most implies you got a few wrong.” Cass sat down on the couch next to Sly.

“There was one,” Sly shifted in his seat, “Why do we steal?”

“Survival?” Cass guessed.

“That was my answer,” Sly shrugged, “still don’t have another one.”

Cass had a few ideas. She was about to voice a few before the door opening interrupted her. David and Conner walked in. Conner sat himself down in an armchair. David stood at the living room entrance, waiting to see if Cass had anything further to say.

“If you’re just going to apologize, save it.” Cass didn’t look at him as she spoke.

“Good thing that wasn’t my plan,” Cass raised an eyebrow at his statement, “I owe you an explanation as well. After I get the chance to explain what happened to Anthony, I’ll give you what I owe you.”

Cass looked at the wolf, she nodded. David stepped back outside to await his brother. Cass looked at Sly, the kit had a confused look on his face. Cass simply offered him a smile.

Chapter Text

Cass sat in an armchair on the porch. The hanger had stopped burning by the time Anthony and Bethany returned. Anthony had been more infuriated that his customer allowed his engine to get bad enough that it exploded from a single test than the hanger burning down. Conner and Sly had returned to their lessons. It was nearing sunset now.

David walked out the front door. He had put on a coat and had a bag in one hand and a second coat in the other, he held it out for Cass. She took it and slid it on.

“Gonna be a long story I assume?” Cass asked.

“That’s one part,” David responded, “we got a bit of a walk ahead of us”

David started down the steps, a small glance back to make sure she was following. Cass followed at a short distance. The two made their way down to the driveway gate, David punched the code in and they exited the fence line.

David took a right outside of the fence and began following the fence line. Cass hadn’t realized how long the fence was till they passed the corner of it a quarter mile later.David continued past the end of the fence towards a heavily wooded area. Reaching the treeline David took a moment to look over the trees before finding whatever he was searching for and entering the woods. Entering the tree line Cass followed David onto a cut trail. It was kept well though she would likely never have found it if she didn’t have someone to follow.

Cass couldn’t tell how far they had walked. They walked into a clearing. A high stone wall circled the majority of the clearing, a metal gate was chained closed. David retrieved a key from his jacket and opened the chain’s lock. David walked inside Cass stopped just inside and took in the surroundings, it was a graveyard.

“Welcome to the Wolf family graveyard,” David trew his arms out towards the graves, “every member of my family sense the colonial era is buried in this clearing.”

Cass looked over the graves, they were well kept. Most seemed to be paired off, though a few stood solitary. David turned right and followed the wall. David stopped at the end of the graves, he approached the last grave in the row. Cass looked at the name on the grave.

Jannet Wolf Beloved Wife and Mother.

“Cass, meet my mother.” David turned to Cass. “Take a seat, this is a long story.”

Cass and Daid both sat in front of the grave, David took in a deep breath before he started.

“My Mother was a mystic. Used her magic in a performing show. My Father was a pilot in the air force, got out just before Vietnam. They met during one of his leaves and they got married after his service ended. Couple years later they had my older siblings, triplets, Anthony, Bethany and Chris.” David cracked a smile as he listed his siblings. “Anthony and Bethany were fascinated by my Father’s time as a pilot, they both decided to make a career around planes fairly early. Chris was a bookworm from the moment he could read, runs numbers for some company in Germany now.”

David shifted where he sat, as if to do anything to delay telling this story by a few more moments. He rubbed his forehead before continuing.

“Then 1957 I along with my twin brother Ethan were born. We both loved magic and we were quick studies to whatever our mother taught us, mostly blinking from one point to another and some pyrotechnics.” David looked at the grave, he wiped away tears pooling in his eyes. “Then one day, when we were eight, Ethan wanted to impress our mother, so he tried to replicate a spell he had only read about once.”

David clenched his hand around nothing. His breathing became unsteady, Cass couldn’t tell if it was anger or sadness. David swallowed and looked away from the grave.

“When he tried to use the spell, his powers got away from him. Before my mother realized what he was doing a pillar of flames erupted from beneath her feet, it engulfed her and, she- she- she”

David’s voice began to fail him as he tried to continue. Cass put a hand on his shoulder, he flinched from her touch before relaxing and allowing the contact.

“Take a moment to collect yourself if you need to,” she said, “I can wait a bit longer for my explanation.”

David nodded his head, he looked towards the sun. It was almost completely dark within the clearing. David and Cass watched the last bit of sun disappear in silence.

“She burned to death in front of us both.” David’s breathing was calm, “I can still remember it like it’s happening. Ethan was terrified of what he did, so he ran. I didn’t see him again for a very long time. After that happened something broke in my father. He started getting drunk.” David rubbed the back of his neck. “Every little slip up from me was met with a smack and a beratement about having magic. When my older siblings went off to college he started locking my room at night, saying it was to keep my powers away from my only younger brother Fredric.”

David had started running his right hand over his left forearm, occasionally Cass thought she saw thin scars under his fur but she wasn’t certain.

“I didn’t escape him till I was fourteen. Anthony and Bethany were coming home for a visit before their senior year in college. I was excited to see them. When I heard their car roll up to the house I rushed outside to meet them, right past my father on the porch, and in my excitement I had knocked something off the porch. He threw something at me, still don’t know what, it hit my back and I blacked out. When I woke up I was in the back of Anthony’s truck, crying from pain with Bethany hunched over me cleaning the burn on my back. Giving me this last parting gift.”

David applied extra venom to his last word. He dropped his jacket off his back and pulled the back of his shirt up. Cass brought a hand to her mouth as the burn was revealed. David’s upper back had a single large burn, it stretched between shoulder blades and about halfway down his spine. The burn was bad enough that no fur managed to grow back anywhere on his upper back.

“I internalized six years of hatred for mystics,” David dropped his shirt back down, “Every time I see someone use mystic abilities I’m reminded of all that pain, I remember my mother screaming as she burns”

David pulls his legs in and wraps his arms around them.

“I’m sorry.” he says, “for threatening you and treating you how I was.”

Cass moves next to him and presses her shoulder against his. David does not flinch away. David reaches into his bag and pulls out a single candle, he reaches out and set’s it before his mother’s grave. He snaps his fingers and the wick lights. For a moment they simply sit there, then David’s phone rings. He answers it.

“Hello?” Cass can’t hear the caller but David begins to listen intently, face growing more and more concerned. When the call finally ends his face holds a look of terror. He turns to Cass. “We need to get back, I'll explain on the way.”

With that the two began making their way through the pitch black woods, Cass listening intently to David, her own terror growing.

Deep within the walls of a volcanic fortress within the Krakarov Volcano a metal talon tapped angrily at the floor. Clockwerk stood within his metal fortress, the failed assassin leader, a bear named Gregor, stood before him. The only other person in the room stood behind Clockwerk. A canine wearing a suit of black flack armor and a full face mask, shoulder pads adorned with the image of an owl’s face.

Clockwerk looked over the assassin. Gregor, aside from the muzzle brace for his broken nose, wore the same outfit he had on during his failed attack on Cooper and his allies. The bear had just finished relaying his report.

“So,” Clockwerk stopped tapping his talon, “you claim to be the best assassins in north america, charge me an exorbitant fee to deal with Cooper and his allies, and fail to kill a single detective and an injured racoon?”

“You told us the cheetah and raccoon wouldn’t be an issue-” Gregor began, Clockwerk cut him off.

“Two variables are enough to throw off the greatest assassins of North America?” Clockwerk began to dig his talons into the floor, “enough, I will have no excuses. I have paid you for a service, you will complete it.”

Clockwerk motioned with a talon, the masked canine stepped forwards.

“But as you have shown yourselves as, lackluster,” the bear shifted his gaze between the canine and metal bird, “I will provide you one of my agents to assist you.”

“We don’t work wit-” Gregor’s protests were cut in an instant as Clockwerk lunged forwards. The bear found himself pinned down by the bird's metal frame. Gregor’s attention was pulled towards movement by his head, he looked and saw the agent kneeling down next to his head.

“Since you seem conflicted, allow me to incentivise you,” the agent’s voice held a commanding presence despite being distorted through the mask, “We are going to kill David Wolf, we are going to capture or kill Conner Cooper, and we are going to Capture Sly Cooper, alive.” The agent brought his masked face closer to Gregor’s, “and if you try to back out, try to betray us, I will kill you and your fellow assassins. Am I clear?”

Gregor looked the agent over, though the mask hid his face his body language told the bear he was entirely confident in his claim. Gregor nodded his head, Clockwerk moved off of the bear.

“Good,” the bird’s voice grabbed Gregor’s attention, “now go inform your compatriots of your assignment.”

Gregor stood up, he quickly looked between the two before quickly exiting the room. Clockwerk turned to his agent.

“If they become unruly, dispose of them,” Clockwerk instructed.

“And the Wildcard?” The Agent asked.

“Do not use the Wildcard unless you are confident you can capture Conner.” Clockwerk returned to his original position, “Keeping track of his little entourage is critical to capturing him.”

The Agent nodded his head and left the room to join his new expendable assets.

Conner and sly sat together on the couch, an episode of Jeopardy played on the tv to pass the time before they went to bed. After the stress of the destroyed hanger Anthony and Bethany had already gone to bed.

Sly was struggling to stay awake. Between the physical exhaustion from Conner’s lesson and his concern after the explosion he was on the edge of falling asleep.

Conner was about to suggest they go to bed when he heard the door open, David and Cass had returned from wherever they had gone. Any remark he could think of died in his throat when he saw the dead serious look on David’s face. The detective motioned for Conner to follow him and walked back outside, Conner followed. Cass took his seat on the couch, making conversation in a clear attempt to keep the kit from following.

Conner exited the house and joined David on the porch.

“I’m hoping you’re just gonna tell me the apology didn’t go well,” Conner sighed, “but I know that look, who gave you bad news this time?”

“Forensics, alongside a few personal contacts in the land business,” David answered, “and for once we have a bit of good news too.”

“Good news?” Conner cracked a half smile, “well hit me with the bad first so we can end on something positive.”

“Someone managed to get their hands on the land rights to Kaine Island,” As David broke his first bit of news Conner’s face moved towards dread.

“Who and how?” Conner asked.

“I don’t have a name,” David shifted on his feet, “as for how, someone else had friends in the land business, sometime after the attack the record was changed so Martha’s name was the only one on the paperwork.” Conner balled his fists as David spoke, “and with you stuck here our unknown owner was able to get his friend to list him as the sole inheritor.”

Conner put his hands on the railing, his caws started to dig into the wood.

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t damage my family home,” David rested his arms on the railing next to Conner, “why’s that island so important to your family anyway?”

“Family secret detective, wont say more,” Conner relaxed his hands and rested his arms on the railing, “you said you had good news?”

“To be honest it’s more mixed than good,” David rubbed his neck, “ forensics found a lead on Clockwerk.”

“Not mixed so far,” Conner muttered, David raised an eyebrow.

“Well on the metal feather they found traces of Dragon’s Tongue Poison,” David continued.

“I thought Dragon’s Tongue only caused irritation,” A horrifying realization was forming in the back of the raccoon's mind.

“Normally yes,” David answered, “however there is a very rare plant known as Dragon Lotus. If their extract is mixed and impurities purged, it creates a slow killing toxin the body is incapable of dispelling, perfect for making a death seem like sickness.”

“But if it was on the feather,” Conner’s voice began to shake, “th- then that wo-” Conner’s voice died in his throat.

David finished what his friend couldn’t bring himself to say.

“Sly has been poisoned.”

Chapter Text

“Sly has been poisoned.” The words beat in Conner’s head as if someone was bashing the inside of his skull with a hammer. The racoon’s knees weakened beneath him, he gasped the porch railing leaning his back against it for support.

“No,” Conner’s voice was as weak as his legs, “No that can’t be right”

Conner began patting his hand over his clothing. David wasn’t sure Conner realized he was doing it, but he knew what the raccoon was looking for and that he didn’t have it. David reached into his coat retrieving a half empty pack of cigarettes.

“Here,” David pulled two cigarettes from the pack and offered one to Conner, the raccoon was lost in his state of denial. David put a hand on his shoulder and shook him.

Conner stared at David for a moment, then took the cigarette. David snapped his fingers, producing a small flame, lightning the racoon's cigarette along with his own.

Conner brought his cigarette to his lips and took a breath in. As he exhaled the smoke he slowly sank to the deck. David sat down across from him, back against the House. Conner took another drag of his cigarette, he shook his head.

“I can't lose him David,” Conner’s voice was calmer now, “my mother disappeared without a trace from one of her heists, my father died the same year I retired, and now Martha is gone.” Tears welled in his eyes, “he's all I have left, there has to be something we can do.”

“There is,” David took a long drag of his cigarette before continuing, “the extracts from dragon tongue and dragon lotus are only poisonous if purified and mixed together, on its own the extract of dragon lotus is a potent detoxification drug.”

“Sounds too convenient for my luck.” Conner rubbed his eyes. “What's the difficult part you haven't told me yet?”

“They're rare,” David leaned his head against the wall, “they were native to China originally, one of its rulers used the poison on mass during a war. His son was appalled by what it could do and ordered every flower destroyed.” David took another drag from his cigarette, “jump ahead to post World War Two, the previous Chinese government finds a patch of the flowers while in the middle of losing a revolution to the Chinese Communist Party. Desperate for help against their communist revolution, Spain makes an offer on the flowers, the Chinese sell, Spain sells the flowers to a pharmaceutical company. Leading to the flowers residing at the Hex Med Headquarters in Spain.”

“I'm not seeing how that's-” Conner’s voice held a hint of annoyance before David interrupted.

“I'm getting to the difficult part. they charge a quarter million per dosage.” David rubbed his forehead, “so we're gonna steal one.”

Conner stared at the wolf in disbelief.

“You're suggesting we steal something?” Conner wiped the tears from his eyes, “has Barkley approved this?”

“What Barkley doesn't know can't get me fired” David let a smirk form on his face, “far as he knows I have a legal way to obtain it.”

“Why are you taking this big of a risk?” Conner asked, “last I checked you don't owe me any favors.”

“Because I know you Conner,” David answered, “if i didn’t bring you with me you’d go anyways, and then we gotta worry about getting in each other’s way.”

“How am i gonna explain a trip to Spain to Sly,” Conner mused to himself.

“So,” Anthony made himself known, the larger wolf had set himself into the doorframe out of sight, “just gonna drag a dying kid with you to Europe?”

“I don’t exactly have anyone who can watch him,” Conner answered, “I don’t suppose you’re offering?”

Anthony chuckled, “If we had anything for him to do I might,” Anthony stepped out onto the porch, “Happy Camper Orphanage, the owner owes me a few favors, she’ll be more than willing to house him till you get back.”

Conner looked at Anthony, then to the ground. His brow furrowed, he clearly didn't like the idea.

“Anthony's right,” David interjected, “if we bring him with us and he gets worse he'll slow us down.”

Conner looked at David, a mix of grief and anger in his eyes. After a moment the anger left, he turned to Anthony.

“Make whatever calls you need.” he conceded.

Anthony turned and entered the house. Conner’s face took on a dejected appearance.

“How long do we have?” He asked.

“A healthy adult normally survives four to five months before scumming to the poison,” Anthony started, “considering Sly’s age and size wouldn't give him more than two and a week, and we've already spent the week here.”

Conner stared through David. “When do we leave?”

“Cassandra and I are leaving tonight to retrieve some items from our homes,” David started, “hopefully tomorrow morning you'll be able to drop Sly off and we can leave that afternoon”

Conner nodded. He stood up, dropped what was left of his cigarette, crushed it and turned to go inside. Cassandra emerged from the house shortly after. David extinguished his own Cigarette and the two of them made for his car.

Cass and David approached the back door of Cass's house. They had already been to David's apartment, collecting the cover of the Thievius Raccoonus as well as David's Interpol Identification and passport. Now they only had to acquire Cass's passport.

Cass lived in a suburban neighborhood. They had parked down the block in case anyone was watching the house. Cass lifted a mat in front of the back door and produced a key, then she silently unlocked the door and they slipped inside.

The back door put them in her kitchen, fortunately the windows all appeared to have their curtains closed. There was a door frame at either end of the kitchen. David drew his handgun and looked to Cass, she pointed to the one to their left.

David advanced weapon at the ready. The door led into the living room, it was large enough that both doors lead into it. A small hallway in front of them with two doors, one at the end and another on the left wall, and another with only one behind them. Cass pointed to the one in front of them.

David advanced on the hallway. Coming to the first door he opened it, it was a small bathroom. David closed the door and continued to the next door. Reaching and opening it David was faced with the master bedroom. A queen sized bed sat in the center, a desk on one side and a nightstand on the other. An in wall closet opposite the bed. A few pictures hung on the walls.

Cass entered the room and started searching the closet. David turned and walked to the other hall, opening it he found a laundry room and beyond that the garage. The house was entirely empty.

Walking back David took the opportunity to look around the living room. It was very plain. A few chairs, a couch, a coffee table, and a few nothing paintings hung on the wall, not a single personal effect. The entire house was like that from what he had seen.

David returned to the bedroom. Cass was still searching the closet. David inspected the photos on the wall, most were vacation destinations in the US. The Statue of Liberty, the Vegas Strip, even an island setting David recognized from Hawaii, and all of them had one thing in common, Cassandra was absent from every single one.

“I’m camera shy” David jerked around to face Cass, she stifled a laugh,” Sorry, it’s just the first thing everyone asks about.”

“Did you find what you needed?” David’s eye was drawn to her belt, a handgun and it’s holster now sat on her waist.

Cass reached into her jacket and pulled out a passport booklet. She flashed it open long enough for David to see her photo before closing it.

“Right where I thought it was,” She stuffed the booklet back into her jacket and gestured to the door, “After you Detective.”

David smiled and made for the door. He opened it, stepped through and froze out the other side. In the living room, a canine in black flack armor along with a full face mask was leaning on the wall.The canine looked at David. Despite the mask David felt the canine's wicked grin.

“Well well,” a muffled voice rang out behind the mask, “when my lookout told me you were here I honestly didn’t believe him, you should know better David.” He stood up from the wall and took a wide stance, “but since you’re here I’ll give you one chance to walk away, tell me where you’ve stashed the Coopers and I'll let you both go.”

David’s mind raced a mile a minute. His handgun was in hand, it would take only a small lapse in the canine’s focus to raise and fire.

“You seem to have me at a disadvantage Mr?” David hung on the last word, making it a clear ask for the canine’s name.

“David David David,” A laugh escapes the helmet, “what’s the fun in just telling you, you’re a grand detective after all, i'm sure you’ll put it together if you get to leave.”

The canine’s posture relaxes a moment, David prepares to raise his weapon. Before he can, a gunshot rings out, a round rips through the canine’s neck, crimson splatters the wall. David looks to Cass, she had moved from behind him and shot when the canine’s focus dropped. David looks forwards and stifles a gasp, the canine is still standing, his bleeding neck entirely healed.

“And there’s your chance gone,” the canine reached behind his back, when it returned to view it now held a collapsible ax. The ax was flicked open, the canine charged. In a single moment he would bury it in the neck of either David or Cass. In that moment David put a hand on Cass, his mind reaching out towards where they parked the car. His eyes flashed silver, a flash of silver enveloped them, and they were gone. The ax buries itself in the wall.

A flash of silver lit up the night before David and Cass emerged by the car. David was hit by an immediate drain to his energy, as if in that one moment he ran an entire marathon three times over. His legs began to collapse under his own weight. Cass shouldered him before he could fall.

Cass walked him over to the passenger door and helped him inside. David pulled the keys from his pocket and pushed them into the ignition while she rounded the car. He turned the key as she got in.

Cass put the car in gear and pulled onto the road. David looked out the window, he had a clear look towards the front of Cass’s home, the canine had made his way to the front yard. David’s eyes widened as he saw a flash of silver behind the mask, before his body was enveloped in silver. Silver flashed on the hood of the car, the canine now stood on it. He leaned a hand on the roof to stabilize himself before beginning to beat on the windshield with his ax.

Cass sped up, she swerved the car side to side in an attempt to knock him off. David opened the glove box and began searching through it. Cracks began splintering off from where the ax landed. David pulled his hands from the glove-box, retrieving his shock pistol. David rolled his window down and pulled himself out enough to line up a shot. David fired, the electrical projectile made contact, the canine screamed as electricity arced between the plates of his flak armor, after a moment he fell from the car. David saw him twitching in the rear view as they sped away.

The ride to the orphanage mostly consisted of Sly attempting to pry information from his father, though the only response he got was that Conner had to go on a business trip and couldn't bring Sly. Now as Anthony pulled his truck up to the gate a sharp pain welled in the pit of Conner’s stomach, if they failed this could very well be the last time he spoke to his son, and he was lying to his face.

Anthony pulled the truck through the gate as it opened. The orphanage was a rather large building, it left Conner wondering how many children had been left here. Sly pressed himself against the window to get a better look, Sly's face adopted a sunken look as he grabbed his bag.

“Are you sure you can't take me with you?” Sly asked, eyes pleading.

“I'm sorry Sly,” as Conner answered Sly looked away, “this isn't a trip for someone your age.”

“How am I going to study your lessons if you don't bring me with you?” Sly was searching for any excuse to come along.

“Consider it a pause in your lessons,” Conner replied, “but keep practicing the Spire Jump whenever you can.”

Sly frowned realizing he would have to think of a new argument. The trio approached the door and entered. The entrance hall was rather spacious, an empty waiting area took up most of it. A desk sat directly opposite the entrance door, its occupant typing away at something. Behind the desk sat a door with the name, Mrs. Puffin, written on it. As they approached the desk, its occupant looked up. She was a Crane, snow white feathers adorned her. She smiled when she saw Anthony.

“Hello Anthony,” she leaned her head over the desk to get a look at Sly, “and you must be the one we'll be watching.” She turned back to Anthony, “go right in she's waiting for you.”

“Thank you Jane,” Anthony replied.

The office itself was simple. A large desk with a typewriter sat near the center, two chairs sat in front of it, a green file cabinet sat to its left, a bookcase sat to the right, a cookie jar sitting atop it. At the desk sat a Blue Puffin, white hair neatly kept up and glasses hanging by a chain on her neck.

“Mr Wolf,” the greeting was neither warm nor welcoming.

“Mrs. Puffin,” Anthony smiled as he spoke, “I know this is rather sudden, but thank you for agreeing to watch the boy.”

Mrs. Puffin turned to Conner. “Anthony told me this is because of an emergency work move. How long will he be staying here?”

“No more than 3 months,” Conner answered.

“Very well, if you'll take a seat I'll need you to sign a few papers Mr…” she stopped, “Anthony you never did give me his last name did you?”

Conner felt a small bit of panic, he couldn't give his real last name for anything he'd have to sign. He racked his brain for a fake.

“It's Procyon,” Conner gave a light squeeze to Sly’s shoulder, their way of saying play along, “let me see those papers.”

Conner and Sly sat in the chairs in front of them. Mrs. Puffin handed Conner a small stack of papers, he began reading through them. The pages contained little more than concentrated forms, ensuring they could treat Sly if the need arises. Conner signed the papers.

The door opened, Conner turned and was created by a young turtle wearing incredibly thick glasses entering the room.

“You wanted to see me Mrs. Puffin?” He stood up straight waiting at the door.

“Yes Bentley,” she gestured to Sly, “this is Sly Procyon, he will be staying with you and Murray for his duration here. Please show him to your room.”

Bentley nodded his head, Sly looked at Conner. The two raccoons stood up, Sly pulled his father into a hug that felt like it lasted forever. Conner looked at Sly.

“I will be back as soon as I can,” he said, “I love you Sly.”

“Love you too dad” Sly responded, then he squeezed Conner’s sides one last time before following Bentley out. Conner blinked away tears and turned back to Mrs. Puffin.

“Do you need anything else?” “He asked.

“No you have signed everything Mr Procyon,” she answered, “I need nothing more from you until you return to take him back.”

Conner nodded, unsure if he could speak without breaking down. Anthony and Conner made their way out of the building and back to the truck. Conner stared at the windows through the side mirror, barely contained tears welled in his eyes.

As they approached the gate Anthony put a hand on Conner’s shoulder. He didn't say anything, there was nothing he could say that would help. As they passed the gate Anthony withdrew his hand, Conner cupped his face in his hands and let himself cry.

Chapter Text

Anthony pulled the truck through the airfield's gate. Conner stared blankly out the window, his tears dried long before they made it back. A flash of white drew his attention, he turned his focus towards it. He saw Cass sat in front of the destroyed hanger. A second flash and David appeared, the wolf stumbled forwards but kept his balance.

Conner exited the truck as it slowed and made his way towards David and Cass. As he approached David blinked forwards once again, as he came out of it he rested his hands on his knees. David pushed himself into standing straight, he took in a breath and blinked forwards once more. Conner stood himself next to Cass. A cooler sat between them, several empty water bottles were strewn about the concrete.

“So,” he started, “what brought this about?”

“Clockwerk got someone who can blink hunting us,” as she answered David reappeared and fell to his knees, “he's been doing this on and off since we got back,” she turned to David, “Alright that's enough take a break!”

David sat where he had fallen, he put an arm out. Cass reached into the cooler, retrieving a water bottle and tossing it to David. The wolf cracked it open and began drinking.

“When I was a kid, I could blink from place to place all day,” he steadied his breathing, “drove my mother mad trying to find me,” he let out a short laugh, “but I haven't used it extensively in so long.”

“Assassin's and now mystics,” Conner put a hand to his brow, “that bird sure wants us dead doesn't he.”

Cass gave a small nod in reply.

“And how's our flight coming?” Conner asked.

“Bethany is preparing our plane,” Cass answered, “we'll be flying early this afternoon.” Cass stood up, “though now that you're here I should see how that's going.”

Cass began walking towards the other hangers. Conner sat by the cooler, he looked over David before speaking.

“So Clockwerk has a mystic hunting us with the same ability as you?” David glanced at Conner as the raccoon spoke, “is this the part where you tell me you had another sibling you don't talk about?”

David gave an irritated grin. “You of all people know magic isn't some genetic thing,” David finished his water, “and even if it was, you know all my siblings,” David’s gaze locked with the ground for a moment, “even still he sure spoke to me like he knew me.”

“Well, it certainly isn't Ethan considering you-” David cut Conner off with a look of daggers, the raccoon paused and stared back a moment, “you still haven't told them?”

David swirled his head, ensuring no one else was within earshot.

“How am I supposed to tell them I killed him?” David aired his rhetorical question, “‘hey Anthony, I shot Ethan in the head’ even if they knew the full context they'd never understand.”

“You didn't have a choice-” Conner started.

“Oh yeah that makes killing you brother fine,” David interrupted, “a thinly veiled ‘I didn't want to do it,’ well I still did it Conner.” David’s eyes began to water, he blinked his eyes clear, “how would you feel if you had to tell Martha you had to kill Sly?”

Conner was taken aback by the question.

“Don't answer that,” David said, “I shouldn't have asked something like that.”

An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Conner finds his eyes drawn to David's holster.

“You have your shock pistol?” Surprise filled the raccoon's voice, “I thought you stopped using that after you destroyed half a car park?”

“Cass put a round through our mystic friend's neck,” David pulled the shock pistol from his holster, “didn't even react to it, this thing kept him down long enough for us to escape.”

“He was shot in the neck?” Conner’s voice was filtered by concern, “any idea how he walked that off?”

“Could be some form of magic, Cass can seal a wound pretty quick after all.” David holstered his shock pistol, “Or maybe Clockwerk has found a way to cure death itself, ultimately it could be anything.”

Conner felt the implications of what they were up against began to sink in. Assassin's and an immortal mystic, all standing between him and saving his son. The uncomfortable silence returned.

“So,” Conner spoke after an eternity, “where are we landing?”

A smile broke through on David’s face.

“Landing?” He asked.

David, Cass and Conner sat in the hold of Anthony's cargo plane. Cass had her eyes screwed shut as she tried to hold her stomach under the turbulence. Conner was tapping his foot impatiently.

“I know we can't,” Cass started, “but I'd really prefer to land inside the plane.”

“Well unfortunately miss nausea,” David cracked a smirk, “we have to assume the bird we're coming to Spain, and that he'll have people watching the airports and ground routes in,” Cass gave him a light slug, “so we jump and hike to the nearest Interpol safe house.”

“Why does Interpol even have safehouses in Spain?” Conner chimed in, “it's not like Interpol isn't here publicly.”

“You never know what tomorrow brings Conner,” David replied, “it's always possible you'll wake up to an unfriendly environment.”

“Sure, and the guy running the nearest safehouse, you're sure he'll help?” Conner started, “you two didn't part on good terms from what you told me.”

“Fox hates my guts, but he'll do his job.” David’s reply was weak.

The lights in the cargo hold switched to a low red. Anthony's voice came over the speaker.

“Allright kids, we're five minutes from your drop, thank you for flying Wolf Airlines and have a nice fall.”

David looked at his watch, the three stood up and put their parachutes on. They all had black skydiving suits over their regular clothing. In addition to what they had in their pockets the three all had a single bag of clothing and personal items, secured to their legs. As well has a head mounted flashlight for the jump.

“You two remember the plan?” David turned after putting his chute on.

“Deploy our parachutes at 3000 feet, aim for the blinking red light at our landing zone,” Cass answered, “then regroup on the ground and make our way to the safehouse together.”

David nodded,” Remember, it's pitch-black tonight, keep an eye on your timer, you won't see the ground until it's too late.”

David checked his watch again, he smiled and pressed the ramp release on the wall, one of the lights switched to green and the back of the plane opened. Conner looked to David, a nod letter he was the first out.

Cass took a breath to calm herself, before she could jump David spoke.

“Are you sure your shoulder is up for this?” he asked.

Cass nodded and jumped before he could get another word. David followed close behind.

As soon as his feet left the ramp of the plane he started his timer. If they didn't have their lights on it would have been incredibly difficult for him to see the other two. David scanned the ground, after a moment he spotted the light marking where they'd be landing. David turned to face it and checked his timer, 15 seconds.

David readied himself, ten seconds.

He tapped his bag one ensuring it was still there, five seconds.

The timer hit zero, David pulled his cord, and the parachute opened cleanly. With his chute open safely David turned his mind to steering his descent and allowed himself to relax, these few minutes before he hit the ground could be the last rest he got all night.

As he relaxed his thoughts drifted to his siblings. The reason Anthony came up with for their flight was a simple surprise visit with his other older brother Chris, a visit that conveniently flew them over Spain and France on their way to Germany. Barring running into someone who works for Clockwerk the three shouldn't be bothered while they planned how to rob Hex Med.

David's relaxing moments came to an end as he approached the ground, the wolf prepared himself for landing. As soon as he hit the ground his parachute became his largest problem, he worked quickly to remove it. Undoing the straps and removing his arms, the moment before he got his second arm out a gust of wind caught the chute and pulled the pack off him. It was pulled to the edge of the clearing and tangled itself in the trees.

Having landed in relative safety David looked around the clearing. He spotted Conner near the light; Cass however was nowhere to be seen.

“David?” Cass called, the wolf turned to look where the sound had come from, “little help please.”

In the same direction his back had been dragged he spotted her, hanging twenty feet off the ground, her chute tangled in the trees on the clearing's edge.

David and Conner crossed the clearing and stood near the tree line. Cass hung limp in the embrace of the parachute straps. A nasty twisting of thorns and brambles surrounded the trunk of the tree she was stuck in, if she simply undid the straps, she'd likely land right in it. David laughed softly.

“This is not funny Wolf,” Cass crossed her arms and glared at David, “help me down.”

Conner and David looked the trunk over, there were few thick branches near the bottom. The few there were likely wouldn't support David’s weight.

“Give me a hand and I can get started on a climb,” Conner pointed towards some of the higher branches, “I'm a better climber than you anyway.”

David nodded, searching for a thin point in the bramble. Finding none he sighed before resigning himself to having to make one. He pulled plants aside and crushed the low ones underfoot, thin gloves offering little relief. Finally, he settled his back against the tree and cupped his hands, Conner lifted a foot into David’s hands before bringing his second up to the wolf's shoulder. David pulled Conner’s foot up and the raccoon grabbed a branch, he pulled himself up, grabbing the next branch as he brought his feet to the first. Having found his footing, the raccoon began scrambling up the tree.

“So, you get stuck in trees often?” Conner’s face held a grin as he teased Cass.

“No, I don't,” Cass looked at Conner, “I swear if you make one ‘cat in a tree’ joke I will hurt you.”

David and Conner both stifled laughter.

“Well, aren't you no fun tonight,” Conner had nearly reached Cass at this point, “but I supposed if the lady doesn't want my jokes, I shall hold them…”

A loud crack interrupted him. Conner stopped and examined the branches he was on, none of them were breaking. He looked up at the branch Cass's chute was tangled on, a large split in the branch was visible. A second crack sounded off, the branch leaned down, Cass let off a yell as she jerked down a few feet.

The cheetah hung eye level with the raccoon. Conner reached for Cass, a third crack sounded off, she fell and stopped again. Before Conner could move down to grab her the tree sounded its final crack as the branch came loose and Cass fell.

It was only a few agonizing seconds before she hit the ground, far too few for anyone to react. Cass hit the bramble, the branch a moment later. The scent of blood hit David’s nose, Cass's cries of pain hit his ears a moment later.

Conner began scrambling down the tree, David pushed past the bramble. Reaching Cass, he looked her over, she was bleeding from several small cuts, and she was holding her head. David's gaze drifted to her legs, a smaller offshoot of the larger branch had pierced her upper leg. David knelt and prodded Cass's arm, she took a hand from her head and looked at him. David pointed at her leg.

“Can you fix that?” He asked.

Cass shook her head. Then groaned and clutched her forehead in pain.

“You hit your head?” David leaned in trying to get a better look.

“Yes,” her voice was weak.

David reached towards her, he placed a finger on her chin and pushed lightly. Cass fought the pressure at first before allowing her head to turn. David bit back concerned sighs as he began to see the bruising skin under her fur, a large patch her head was bruised centered around her right temple.

“How bad?” Conner came up behind David.

“Head trauma and impairment on the upper leg,” David pulled his hands back and moved to her leg, “this is gonna hurt no matter what we do.”

David wrapped his hand around the branch, Cass inhaled sharply. The branch was easily as thick as his thumb, far too thick to break without causing more damage, and the larger one it was attached to was far too heavy to carry.

“I don't suppose you have a saw hidden in one of your pockets?” David turned to Conner.

Conner shook his head, “I could try to split it with the head of my cane but that's about it.”

David sighed and reached towards his boot, he retrieved and opened a small pocketknife.

“The hard way then,” David looked at Cass, “this is going to hurt. But first…”

David’s speech trailed off, he reached down and grabbed one of the straps to Cass's parachute. He cut it free and rolled it into a thick spiral.

“Here bite on this,” David held out the spiral in front of her, Cass shot an annoyed look before acquiescing and biting down on it, “Conner give her a hand to hold.”

Conner suppressed the urge to roll his eyes as he knelt by Cass and offered his hand. David snapped his fingers, he ran the knife through the small flame he sustained. He grabbed the branch and placed his knife on it as close to Cass's skin as he could. David let out a breath. He began to saw at the branch.

Immediately Cass groaned into the straps in her mouth and tightened her hand around Conner’s. Despite the knife being a poor tool for the job, progress came quickly, David sawed, and the branch gave way. Cass's grin continued to tighten around Conner’s, his hand began to hurt from the pressure. As David reached the halfway point, a howl pierced the night. David’s ears shot up out of reflex, he stopped sawing. More howls rose in response to the first.

“Sounds like your cousins want to welcome us to the country,” Conner cracked a nervous smile.

“That's close, very close,” David pulled his handgun from his holster and passed it to Conner, “keep an eye out.”

David returned to the branch with renewed effort, Conner stifled a pained yell as Cass's vice grip closed around his hand. More howls rang out. Conner scanned the trees and clearing, he pulled the slide of David’s handgun. The howls were replaced with distant barks as the wolves drew closer. Beady eyes emerged into the clearing. Conner freed his hand from Cass's grip, aiming towards the wolves.

“David!” The racoon let out an urgent whisper.

“I hear them,” David whispered back, “almost done.”

The wolves stopped thirty feet from the trio. Six sets of eyes stared, David and Conner were familiar to them, the smell of a lone rival hunter and what they must assume was its prey. Cass however, the smell of her blood was foreign, unknown. that would keep them away for a time, but eventually they'll believe they have the advantage. After all, any sensible wolf wouldn't stay and fight outnumbered six to one. The wolves maintained their distance but began surrounding the trio.

Conner kept his sights trained on the largest of the wolves, backed against the tree, surrounded by bramble. Even with a gun in hand, if the animals were desperate enough one of them would reach them before he could shoot them. Conner reached into his bag and retrieved his folded cane, in a single hand he set it out straight and leaned it against the tree. The wolves stopped in a rough circle, they inched forwards.

David glanced up from his cutting for a moment, his eyes found one of the wolves. A chill ran down his spine seeing something so similar to him in appearance, yet so different in form. He ignored the chill, the branch was nearly cut.

The wolves did not stop moving towards the three, it seems they've decided they hold the advantage. At fifteen feet the largest let out a vicious growl. The wolves charged, Conner fired, and the knife cut through the branch.

Conner fired three shots, the first two hit, on the third his aim lagged behind. The large wolf closed the distance and lunged at Cass, David threw himself at it. The two locked into a fight of blood and fur claws, teeth and the knife flashed.

Conner turned to see a wolf charging at him. He turned and shot, the bullet caught the wolf in the forehead, dropping it on the spot. Conner turned and fired twice at a third as it jumped at him, he missed. The handgun dropped from his hand as he grabbed and raised his cane to the wolf's maw.

David wrestled his opponent, scratches covered his upper body. David had his arm under the wolf's neck keeping its teeth away from his flesh. David slashed at the animal's mid section with his blade. The wolf regents for a singular moment before lunging forwards and biting down on David’s arm, David yelled in pain before burying his knife into the wolf's neck, the wolf dropped.

David pushed the dead weight off him. He looked to the others, one wolf pinned Conner, a second approached him. The remaining two bared down on Cass, she had pulled her legs close bearing her claws and teeth at the wolves. A desperate play presented itself in David’s mind.

David concentrated on the knife, pouring heat into it. Spending his moment heating it he threw it at the wolf pinning Conner, the blade hit it and yelled before turning to run confused from the sudden heat. David turned back towards the wolves bearing down on Cass, he blinked forwards, the wolves stopped as the strange light scared them. David lunged at the closet of them, high on adrenaline as his claws bit into the animal's flesh.

David felt a strong pull, he glanced down, the other wolf bit his pant leg, David thrashed his leg trying to shake it off. Four shots rang out and another wolf cried and ran. David fell, the wolf he lunged at now on top of him and the second tearing at his pant leg.

Conner let out a yell, he rushed towards David. Closest to the wolf tearing into his legs he brought his cane down on the animal's head. The wolf relented, dazed, before turning and running. David took the opportunity to pull his legs under the other wolf, pushing it back before lunging forwards and sinking his teeth into the wolf's neck. Hot crimson poured into his mouth as the life drained from the animal before it eventually collapsed. David pushed the corpse off him and spat the blood from his mouth. Conner put a hand on David’s soldier.

“I'm fine,” David coughed, “just a few scratches and a bite.”

David looked over Conner, the raccoon had fared significantly better than the wolf, only a few scratched to his chest. He looked to Cass, the cheetah had no new injuries. David stood himself up, he checked his leg, fortunately the only damage there was to his clothing. He moved himself over to Cass and knelt by her. Her smaller cuts had stopped bleeding.

“We need to wrap that leg and get moving,” David began, “I'm gonna have to-”

“You're bleeding,” Cass interrupted.

“I'll have Conner wrap my wounds after I take care of you,” David said, “now then I need to know if-”

“No,” Cass interrupted again.

Cass grabbed David’s arm where the wolf bit him, with his adrenaline gone tears welled from the pain. Cass's eyes flashed green, her palm glowed, David’s broken flesh marched together closing the bite. The pain was gone, replaced only by a faint itching. A wave of exhaustion hit him.

“David,” Conner started, “rest, I'll bind her wound.”

David hesitated a moment before nodding. David made space for Conner and leaned on the tree, he calmed himself, allowing himself to rest but not sleep. Conner went to work, tearing canvas from Cass's parachute, wrapping the material around her leg, securing the piece of wood still in her leg so it won't move and damage the leg further. Conner finished dressing the wound, he stood up and looked at David.

“She's ready,” Conner gestured to Cass, “get up and shoulder her, we got a long walk ahead of us.”

David stood up, he helped Cass onto her good leg and shouldered her other side. Conner retrieved David's knife and gun. The three set out for their long walk to their safehouse.

Cass David and Conner emerged from the wilderness at last. They were only two miles from the safehouse, but with Cass's injuries it took them nearly three hours to reach it.

A large manor stood before them, the gate had been left open for them. Letting them simply make their way to the front door. A handful of chairs sat in front of the door, David sat Cass down in one and stood before the door alongside Conner. It was a solid ornate door, a metal crest depicting a fox curled around a wine bottle decorated the top of it. The wolf took a deep breath in as he grasped the door knocker.

“Here we go.” He muttered under his breath.

David hit the door knocker three times. Silence ensued, they waited several minutes. David knocked again, once again nothing. David backed away from the door and shouted.

“Louis, I know you're here, come and open your damn door!”

A light turned on in a second story window. A few moments later the door opened. A red fox stood in the doorway, brown eyes filled with contempt and anger as they stared at David. The fox was leaning on a wooden walking cane.

Without a word the fox stepped forward and delivered a punch to David's gut that sent the wolf to the ground groaning in pain.

Chapter Text

Conner's eyes tracked David as he fell, his face firmly pointed at Louis. The wolf groaned as he rested on his knees. The fox flicked his eyes between Cass and Conner, his face turned towards the raccoon.

“So David still has his pet crook,” he shifted on his cane, “I was hoping you'd have cuffed him by now, or-”

“Stop,” Conner gestured to Cass, “she's hurt, insult us after we dig the branch out of her leg.”

Louis looked at Cass again, his eyes trailed down to her injured leg. The fox flicked his head, gesturing them inside as he stepped out of the doorway. David pushed himself to his feet and helped Cass out of the chair and through the door, Conner followed them in, and Louis shut the door behind them. Conner’s ears flick as Louis locks the door.

“Come on, let's get that leg looked at.” Louis led the others down the western hall, opening a door to a spare bedroom, “get her on the bed and let's get that branch out.”

David and Cass moved to the side of the bed. Cass grimaced as she sat on the bed, then let out a sigh of relief as she lay flat upon it.

“Bit soft for a procedure don’t you think Louis?” David pushed a hand into the bed as he turned to the fox.

“The wife doesn’t like hard furniture,” Louis rolled his eyes, “only surfaces hard and large enough in this estate are the floor and kitchen table.” Louis began to exit the room, “I'll go get the medicine and tools we’ll need.”

Conner looked between David and Cass, “I'll give you two some time to talk.” Conner slipped out the door before David had time to respond.

Conner leaned on the door for a moment, he screwed his eyes shut and his mind flung between everything that had happened over the last week. His entire life was uprooted in a single night, his wife he had spent the last 12 years of his life with dead, his son poisoned. If they failed this heist his Sly would be lost as well. Conner opened his eyes and pushed himself off the door, he answered the siren call of the nearest chair and fell into the seat. He cupped his face in his hands and rubbed his forehead. And now Cassandra’s injury will slow them down, closing the opportunity he has to save his son.

“Martha,” he whispered her name, barely audible, “I’m so sorry i couldn’t save you,” he picks his head out of his hands, “but I’m not stopping till sly is safe, or we’re all together again.”

“You talk to yourself now?” the voice held an insulting undertone to it. Conner’s head snapped towards the door, Louis had returned medical supplies in hand. Conner’s eyes narrowed at his remark. The fox held a blank expression, giving little hint as to what he was thinking.

“My wife is dead Louis.” Conner sat up in his chair, “I’m not in the mood for this right now.”

The fox’s face twinged between pity and its original blank position, eventually he shifts back to his blank face. When Louis spoke again his voice had lost its undertone.

“Conner,” Louis shifted on his feet, clearly put off balance by Conner’s admission, “there’s a guest room at the end of the hall,” Louis throws a thumb over his shoulder as he speaks, “you should get some sleep before morning.”

“Don’t want me around Fox?” Conner stood from his chair.

“She’s only got one trouble spot,” Louis shifted the supplies to his other hand, “three sets of hands are going to get in each other’s way.” The fox gripped the door handle, “besides, sounds like you need time to think.”

Louis enters the room, shutting the door behind him. Conner looked between the door and the hall, as much as he didn’t want to admit it, Louis was right he needed sleep. Conner looked at the door one last time, he let out a sigh and walked down the hall.

Now that he didn’t have Cassandra”s injury at the front of his mind Conner took the time to examine the walls as he walked. Paintings and antique candle holders lined the walls, glass cabinets sat in between filled with expensive looking items.

“And this is just what you line your guest hall with Fox?” Conner mused to himself, “I wonder what you have hidden in the family wing.”

Conner allowed his mind to fantasize as he walked, dozens of plans to clear the manor of its valuables form in his head. He smiles as he plots his imaginary heist. He arrived at the guest room with a full plan to clear the guest wing in tow.

Conner opened the door and stepped inside. The bed was made neatly, curtains on the window closed, a set of chairs and a round stand sat in a corner and a closet door in one of the walls. The room was otherwise bare.

Conner sat down on the bed, his fantasy plans faded, and reality crashed down on him once more. His head fell back into his hands, and he let out another sigh. Louis was right, he needed sleep and worrying wouldn’t get him closer to saving his son. Conner let out a final sigh before turning off the lights, pulling himself under the blanket and sheet, and trying to relax enough to drift into sleep.

Sleep would not meet him quickly.

____________

“Ow” Cassandra vocalized her pain as David applied peroxide to one of her scrapes.

“Come now Cass, don't be a baby,” David resumed his cleaning, “It’ll hurt a lot more if it gets infected.”

“That doesn’t mean I can't complain about it hurting now David.” she spat back.

“Besides, this can’t possibly hurt worse than removing that branch from your leg.” David smirked as he spoke.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes at him, he smiled before returning to his work. Cassandra’s eyes drifted towards Louis, the fox had been entirely silent as he helped David, handing him whatever tools the wolf required from his seat on the room’s couch. Cassandra had expected him to keep up his obvious disdain for David the entire time, yet he had kept his quips to himself. She was considering asking him about it but before she could the trio heard the sound of the doorknob turning.

“Hell,” Louis muttered under his breath, barely audible.

The door opened, another red fox stood in the doorway. Emerald eyes wide with shock behind her bed head riddled dark blue hair. She looked at Cassandra, the bed’s bloody sheets, then to Louis and finally came to a stop on David.

“David?” a single word, a hundred questions behind it.

“Hello Samantha,” the wolf puts on a smile, “Long time no see.”

Samantha begins walking towards the bed, considering how hostile Louis was when they arrived Cassandra expected the fox simply wanted to get closer before she started yelling.

“Long time no see indeed David,” as she reaches David the wolf stands and Samantha pulls him into a hug, “it's so good to see you.”

A thousand questions raced in Cassandra's mind, she decided it would be best not to allow her confusion to spread to her face. The two end their hug.

“Good to see you too Samantha,” David sits back down and Samantha turns to Louis.

“I assume there's a reason you didn’t tell me your old work partner was coming to visit?” she asked.

“Of course dear,” Louis’s voice suddenly held a friendly tone, as if not a single thing was wrong between him and David, “It was supposed to be a surprise visit after you and Carm got back from your weekend together.”

“And I suppose that trip was just to get us out of the house so you two could prepare this surprise visit?” she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed it was,” Louis replied, his eyes shifting as he answered.

“Well then I suppose sense the surprise has been ruined, that trip is no longer needed,” She shifted on her feet, putting a hand on her hip, “No need to delay this little reunion after three years.” It was not a question.

“Of course dear,” Louis answered. Samantha smiled and turned to Cass.

“And what exactly happened to you Miss?” Samantha trailed her final word into a question for Cass’s name.

“Oh I'm Cassandra, call me Cass,” Cassandra quickly thought up a simple story, “I tripped on the way here and crashed my leg right into a rather sturdy branch.”

“Oh is that all?” Samantha chuckled, “how do you know David?”

“Oh I met him when working together,” a short lie of omission, Cassandra glanced at David, hoping he could fill in something extra.

“I suppose that's one way to put it,” David chuckled, “she’s a potential new hire, Barkly has me dragging her around for evaluation, it was going well till,” he gestured to her leg, “that.”

“Oh the great Detective wolf finally sharing his experience with the new hires?” Samantha laughed, “the end times are upon us.”

“Dear,” Louis interrupted her laughter, “I’m sure our guests would like to get some sleep.”

“Oh very well,” Samantha stifled her laughter, “I shall see you both tomorrow.”

Samantha made her way through the door and closed it behind her. Shortly after the door shut David and Louis dropped their act. David and Louis looked at each other with a look of defeat and contempt.

“Well, I suppose I should leave you two to sleep,” Louis stood up, “I’ll have one of the cleaners bring you new sheets when they arrive tomorrow.” He left the room after his wife.

Cassandra looked at David, he sighed and rubbed his forehead. The wolf stood.

“Well then,” he smashed a fist to his palm, “I suppose I should find myself a guest room.” He started for the door.

“David,” Cassandra called and he stopped, “I uh, could you stay with me till morning, in case I need help with something,” she gestured at her leg, “I can’t exactly stand by myself.”

David nodded his head and smiled. He moved the medical supplies from the couch and settled in, retrieving a spare pillow and blanket from the closet. He was asleep in minutes, Cassandra did not have his luck, between the pain from her leg and the thoughts of what was to come, sleep did not come to her easily. She settled in for a restless night.