//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Tide of Terror: Checking In // Story: Sly Cooper and the Silver Dust // by Kingdom Harmony //------------------------------// Tide of Terror: Checking In On the long ride over to Whales Silver read over the report on Sir Raleigh Frog. Apparently he was was born into wealth, but instead of following in his family's footsteps, he not only started his own tech company, but also a resort, right off the edge of the lost triangle. Even though it always rains there, he uses this triangle as a tourist attraction, and the rain never seems to reach the resort either. However, Interpol seems to believe the this resort is only a front for a crime syndicate. Also he is confirmed to be a member of the Fiendish Five, despite a lack of evidence. And according to Bentley's sources, Raleigh is heavily involved in piracy, and is quite successful, even though no one knows how he does it. He is under constant watch from Interpol and is almost always hosting events at his resort. "That would be the logical assumption," Bentley analyzed. "Uncle Murray," Silver spoke up, "How much longer?" "A few more hours," Murray said, diving the van. ----------------------------- Carmelita exited the taxi followed by Twilight and Spike, who was sleeping on Twilight's back, and the two looked at the Lost Triangle Resort. It was a huge, twenty story building right next to it's own amusement park. However, only about a mile away was the shore, and off the shore was the infamous Lost Triangle itself. A never ending storm started there about nineteen years ago and hundreds of ships had been sunk ever since. As far as anyone knew, Raleigh started research in underwater travel in order to take advantage of the storm and opened this resort ten years ago. The three entered the resort and walked over the the clerk, a fox dressed in a nice blue dress with a black chest piece, and a pair of glasses. On her dress she had a name tag that read, Sara, pinned to her chest. "Hello," Sara said, "and welcome to the Lost Triangle Resort, the only way to visit the triangle and avoid getting lost. How can I help you?" "Hello," Carmelita greeted. "I'm Cathy Montoya, I have a reservation." “Of course," Sara responded as she pulled up something on her computer. "for you, one other adult and one child. Your family?" was it?" "Something like that," Twilight giggled and the clerk leaned over the counter to look at Twilight and Spike. "Okay then," Sara said as she returned to her original position. "You are booked in one of the best suites in the resort. Room number 368. It has two balconies, one with a view of the storm, and one with a view of the shows in the theme park." She handed the key cards to Carmelita. "Enjoy your stay." Carmelita took the key cards and turned towards the center of entrance hall. “Twilight, find anything let.” “Let me check,” Twilight said as Spike yawned and woke up. Twilight’s horn glowed and then it start to gently sparkle. “Nothing yet as far as I can tell.” Carmelita sighed and looked over the room. It was a huge and beautiful hall with several lounges, snacks and even toys and games set up of the kids. It was really quite amazing. “First time here?” a voice asked her. "Yes it’s quite amazing,” she said as she turned to look at the man, a short green frog with a massive blue top hat. Carmelita instantly knew who it was. “Sir Raleigh!” she exclaimed in shock. "Please, call me Raleigh,” he said and gave a yellowish grin causing Carmelita and Twilight to back up in disgust, and Spike to partially gag. "“Oh, don’t worry, they’re fake,” Raleigh reassured. “I play a pirate in my own live audience show. I come down every day at this time to sign autographs. The kids love it.” “If you say so,” Spike said shielding his eyes. “Spike!” Twilight lectured. “Don’t be rude.” “It’s alright my dear,” Raleigh intervened. “He’s obviously never seen one of my shows before. The next show is tomorrow, you should attend.” “Sounds interesting,” Twilight said. “Not as interesting a you my dear,” Raleigh responded. I believe your race are called ponies, if i’m not mistaken.” “Um, that’s right,” Twilight said backing up. “Fascinating,” Raleigh replied. “Quite a rare, but proud race from what I’ve heard. I’ve done some reading on their culture and found it very interesting. Is it true you can lift things with your horn?” “Yes actually,” Twilight answered, calming down. “Well it’s a pleasure to meet you, miss…” Raleigh asked for a name. “Sparkle, Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight introduced herself. “Well Twilight, I hope you and your friends enjoy your stay,” Raleigh told them before he left. “Carmelita,” Twilight whispered after Raleigh was out of earshot, “I sensed something weird on him.” “Do you mean...” Carmelita began. “I can’t be sure,” Twilight explained. “for all I know it’s just because it was on him, but if we can find more, maybe I can figure out where it’s coming from.” ----------------------------- Murray drove over to the resort’s entrance and parked the car. “Okay,” Sly started, “you all get out and get a room for us. I’ll go park the van.” “Why can’t I do that?” Murray asked. “Because there is a chance that Raleigh might recognize Sly,” Bentley explained. “How?” Silver asked. “While he’s never seen me before,” Sly started, “he seen my father. He may recognize me as a Cooper.” “Oh, that explains it,” Murray said as he got out of the van and gathered up their things. Silver and Bentley got out of the back and three walked into the resort as Sly drove the van to the parking garage. Bentley lead the group over to the clerk, whose name tag read Sara. "Hello," Sara smiled, "and welcome to the Lost Triangle Resort, the only way to visit the triangle and avoid getting lost. How can I help you?" “We would like a room,” Bentley requested. “Of course, Sara said and she typed on her computer. “Do you have a reservation?” “Unfortunately no,” Bentley announced. “Okay, how many adults and children?” Sara asked. "Three adults, one child," Bentley informed. "Okay," Sara said as she typed some more information into her computer, "let's see. Oh dear, we seem to be out of standard rooms that fit your needs. Would you like a suite. "I'm not sure that can fit in our budget," Bentley sighed. "Is there a problem?" a man said from the side. "No Sir Raleigh," Sara answered. "It's just these gentlemen would like a room but we seem to be out of ones that suit their needs at the moment." "I see, perhaps I may have a word," Raleigh said and smiled at the three with white teeth the seemed unnatural. "Uncle Bentley," Silver said as he backed away. "Oh there's no need to fear little one," Raleigh reassured. "Murray," Bentley intervened, "can you take Silver to the games area." "Okay Bentley," Murray responded and the two walked over to a lounge with video games set up. "You'll have to excuse the boy," Bentley told Raleigh. "he's been through a lot.” "I see," Raleigh said slowly. "He's your nephew?" "No," Bentley responded, "he's adopted. He lost his parents very recently and I think he's still having trouble adjusting." "As he should," Raleigh replied. "Yes, well, that's we came here," Bentley explained. "We don't live all that far away and this resort you made has everything to calm his nerves. Still if we can't get a room I guess we'll have to go somewhere else." "Well, I can't have that now can I?" Raleigh announced. "Sara." "Yes Sir Raleigh?" Sara quickly responded. "Give them a storm suite at a standard room's price," Raleigh ordered. "Okay," Sara said and typed some things into her computer. "You're in room 366," she told Bentley and handed him the key card. "How can I thank you?" Bentley said to Raleigh. "Oh you gratitude is thanks enough," Raleigh answered with a devilish grin. "Have a nice stay.” ----------------------------- Sly waited in the van for quite some time until he felt his binocucom vibrate. Sly picked it up and looked into it. “Sly we’re in room 366,” Bentley informed. “It has a balcony and is on the side of the building with the storm. I programmed a holographic way finder into your binocucom.” “Okay, Sly responded. “I’ll call you back when I have a visual.” Sly put the binocucom in his pocket and got out of the van. He then ran over to the side of the building and took out the binocucom again. He looked up to the third floor and over the second balcony from the corner next to the theme park was a yellow S and an arrow pointing down at the balcony. “Wow. it’s awesome Bentley!” “Thanks,” Bentley replied. “We can even use this function to mark objectives on missions. Still I have no idea how you’re going to get up here.” “Oh come on, it will be easy. Climb up that pipe, walk across those ledges and I’m there,” Sly gloated as he moved the binocucom’s view around to demonstrate. “Unless you slip and fall three stories to your doom,” Bentley criticized grimly. “Come on, I live for this stuff,” Sly countered “And that’s what worries me,” Bentley responded. Sly hung up the binocucom, placed it in his pocket, and climbed up the pipe to the third floor. He then placed his back against the wall but once he got close to the balcony he heard something. “Carmelita,” Sly whispered. “A little early this time.” “What about you?” asked a second voice. “We would like a room,” Bentley requested. “Okay, then,” the other voice said. “And you seem to have a new partner. Well either way it seems like we’re neighbors.” Sly said before jumping onto the balcony and heading into his room. To Be Continued...