The Trial of the Cooper Gang

The Trial of the Cooper Gang is an animated special of the Sly Cooper franchise. It is set to publish with the events taking place after Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time. Unlike other animated shorts, such as Sly Cooper: The Second Season, Goodbye My Sweet, and Timing Is Everything, this animated special is considered an hour episode long.

The special focuses on most of enemies the Cooper Gang has made band together to take revenge on Sly, Murray, Bentley, and Carmelita, by setting up a trial to prove the Cooper Gang ruined their lives, not knowing Sly is lost in time.

Premise
The Cooper Gang's enemies band together after their defeat at the hands of Sly, Bentley, and Murray, however, upon hearing Sly's disappearance they decided to take it out on Bentley and Murray by setting up their own trial to point out how the Cooper Gang ruined their lives, and captured Carmelita due to having cross paths with them and set her up as Murray and Bentley's defense lawyer.

Plot
Inspector Carmelita Fox is at a trial about Cyrille Le Paradox's hearing about a mistrial. Carmelita observes the stand and the DA's persistence that the court disregards Cyrille's remarks. The court denies Cyrille's hearing and sends the guards to bring Cyrille back to his cell, the skunk laments that Carmelita didn't take him down but the inspector denies it and claims Cyrille is doing this because his extensive criminal record.

When Cyrille is in the van, the van starts to shake. Worried, he asks the guards what is wrong. The back door to the police opens, the guards take Cyrille out and uncuffs him. Baffled what is going on, Cyrille comes face to face with the Contessa, with Rajan, Grizz, Muggshot, Mz. Ruby, and Raleigh by her side. Rajan said they come up with a plan to get back at the Cooper Gang and asks if he wants to join. Cyrille smirks and rhetorically asks why didn't they come sooner before shaking hands with Rajan.

At her apartment, Carmelita drops on the couch. She switches the TV on to see an interview of herself about the arrests she made, along with Le Paradox. She claims that it would've gone better if the Cooper Gang hadn't cross paths with her, adding they create more criminals. Carmelita switches off the TV, lamenting what she said. She grabs a picture of her and Sly together, each day she continues to try to find him the more how she didn't see him and his friends for what they personally are. She soon wonders how Bentley and Murray are doing.

Bentley is at out on the streets looking at a billboard to see Murray in a upcoming wrestling math tonight. Bentley got in to see Murray struggling against an elephant but dealt a heavy blow that caused one of the elephant's tusks to crack off. Murray is declared the winner as he sees his friends. In the locker room, Murray asks Bentley if he still searching for Sly. Bentley said he isn't and goes off for a week before continuing his search, and getting the time to enjoy himself, that is why he hadn't called Murray. Murray than asks if he read about the paper, he asks him why, so Murray shows Bentley a newspaper about El Jefe, Octavio, and Tsao have escaped prison from their respective countries, with also about Cyrille escaping. Bentley wondered how could this happen and asks Murray if he heard from Inspector Fox. He hasn't, and Bently told him to be careful as he is sure the criminals they face will surely go after us, most specifically Sly.

Moments later, Carmelita is in James' office. He gets suspicious that she is searching for Sly even though their haven't been any reports of him for weeks. Carmelita claims she is making Sly Cooper will make a move but James believes there is another reason. Carmelita starts to worry, as James and INTERPOL don't know the events when Carmelita has with Sly or his friends, especially the time with Cyrille Le Paradox. To her relief, James thinks Carmelita is obsessed with catching Sly given how he eluded her for years, so he requested she takes some time off. Before walking out, James also mentions she could capture Cyrille after his escape, which shocks the inspector, didn't know about that.

Out in the streets at a cafe, Carmelita looks at the TV about a string prion escapes with Cyrille being one of them. Carmelita laments they got arrested but worries if they are going after Bentley and Murray because of Sly.

Carmelita notices a car parking up in front of the cafe. The windows roll down and machines come up, realizing it Carmelita bolted on the floor as the machine guns blasted in the cafe. The people in inside duck on floor or under the tables as glass and objects are shattered. The guns reeled back in the car and it drives off. Carmelita quickly gets on her and chases after the car.

Carmelita takes out her shock pistol and aims at the car as it is driving before stops. Carmelita stops to notice something isn't right. Just than, an ambush happens. Carmelita surrounds herself with various animals and weapons, and realizes the animals are the guards belonging to Raleigh, Muggshot, Mz. Ruby, and the Contessa. Carmelita aims her pistol but one of the guards knocks it out of her hands and attacks. Carmelita puts up a fight using her acrobatics to attack, counter, and dodge, only to be captured in Muggshot's hand. Mocking the fox woman, he rhetorically asks if she remembers him. Carmelita spits in his face. Muggshot tosses her in the air and be caught in a web. As she is laying on the ground, Carmelita looks to the faces of Contessa and Cyrille. Contessa proclaims it is wonderful she is found as she is needed to find Sly.

In Bentley's room, he watches the TV news to discover about the cafe incident and footage of Carmelita being captured. Realizing he was right, Bentley phones Murray about the situation and the two met up. At the secured crime scene, Bentley and Murray are observing from the corner of an alley to see James discussing with several other officers. Bentley explains Carmelita is the key to getting Sly but also states they don't know Sly is missing.

Murray and Bentley get to the van, the former asks the latter how to find Carmelita. The turtle responds he doesn't know but he can uses his technology to find clues. Just than, a payphone rings just outside the van. Murray gets out with Bentley following, trying to warn him it could be a trap, but Murray picks it up. He asks who it is and gets Rajan, the hippo gets angry and demands what he has to Carmelita. Rajan asks to put Bentley on. Murray does so and Bentley answers it. However, the caller switches to Muggshot, Bentley asks where is Carmelita. Muggshot tells them if they want to see Carmelita alive they have to go to the museum. The call ends. Murray asks what museum they are talking about and Bentley knows which.

Bentley and Murray drive the van to the museum, which was previously owned by Le Paradox, thinking Carmelita is in there since she and the Cooper Gang found out his operations. Upon exiting, Bentley suggests to Murray they should be careful, no telling what Le Paradox or the other criminals have in stored. Suddenly, they walked into an ambush, as the minions of the Contessa, Rajan, Muggshot, and Raleigh came by around. Bentley gets ready to use his gadgets while Murray charges in and took some of them out in a brawl. Rajan than appears and grabs Bentley out of his wheelchair. Rajan mocks the turtle while shaking him. Murray notices his friend in danger. As the guards swarm him, he busts to charge at Rajan. However, he is soon overpowered but manages to break free. That's when Mz. Ruby makes his appearance, she plows a puff of smoke in front of his face. Murray started to feel dizzy, trying to keep his balance but falls face first on the ground.

With the two captured, the Contessa and Raleigh appear to greet the turtle. Bentley asks what do they want. Rajan claimed they want to get back at them or ruining for their lives and operations, not to mention Carmelita, even though Bentley she tends to be at the wrong time and place. He also adds Sly is gone and the three haven't found him. The Contessa chuckles, claiming while they can't find Sly they will take out on the three of them.

In the museum, Carmelita is trapped in one of the exhibits, pounding on the glass and demanding to be let out. The door opens to reveal El Jefe and Octavio coming in. She demands what is this all about, but the two requested she comes with them to find out. As El Jefe, Octavio, and Carmelita are walking down the hall, El Jefe explains they want to get back at Sly and his friends for ruining their plans, and seeing Carmelita claiming about the Cooper Gang creating more criminals and interfering with INTERPOL they decided to take her words at heart as way the Cooper Gang are responsible for what they become. But Carmelita points out it was something she made up to keep everyone from suspecting her involvement ever since her adventures regarding Cyrille. Octavio also claims they know she done it by choice since she didn't have any other options. He also added that her pursuit of the Cooper Gang led to her becoming a pawn in some of their schemes, while also blackmailing her to do it since if she refuses to cooperate they would reveal everything she has done with them.

Carmelita is left shocked, baffled, and disturbed. The three than see Bentley and Murray in straitjackets while being escorted by Grizz, Muggshot, and Ms. Decibel. They stop to see Carmelita and they all greet her. The Contessa than appears and welcomes the three here, she states true to Carmelita's claims, Bentley and Murray will be on trial and will be judge by them, the criminals they fought and Carmelita put away. She also adds Carmelita will be their defense attorney, if she succeeds in defending them the three will be let go but fail they will met a horrible end, which Muggshot finishing that they will be killed, much to three's horror.

At INTERPOL, James is in a meeting with several officers and mercenaries about Carmelita's kidnapping. A knock on the door is heard. An officer comes in saying there is somehting on the TV. James turns it on and broadcast is made.

Octavio is hosting declaring he along with several other criminals have put on a trial called "The Trial of the Cooper Gang" and explains they believe the Cooper Gang are responsible for making us into criminals. The camera pans Murray and Bentley with Carmelita being forced to the table by the Grizz. Seeing this shocks James and the entire INTERPOL building. The show is being broadcasted around the globe, as Dimitri, Panda King, his daughter, the Guru, and even Penelope and Jim McSweeney witnessing it.

Octavio continues about Carmelita's claim about what the Cooper Gang did is true and make Murray and Bentley stand trial since Sly hasn't been found yet, and trial is set up to be "fair and impartial" and conluding that if Carmelita fails to defend all three of them would be executed.

The camera pans to show an impromptu courtroom is set up in one of the museum's opening displays:
 * The Accused: Bentley and Murray
 * Bailiff: Muggshot
 * Prosecutor: The Contessa
 * Defense Attorney: Inspector Carmelita Fox
 * Jury: Raleigh, Mz. Ruby, Rajan, El Jefe, Grizz, Ms. Decibel, Octavio, and Cyrille Le Paradox
 * Judge: Tsao

There are also stands that the seats have the guards of Raleigh, Mz. Ruby, Muggshot, Cyrille, Raja, Contessa, Octavio, and Tsao, to see the Cooper Gang fall.

James quickly rushes to send all officers and mercenaries to find where the broadcast is made.

Carmelita can't believes she is doing this and how crazy this all is. Bentley tells her to play as they are playing their rules. Carmelita goes along as Tsao tells Contessa to make her opening statement.

Contessa comes up to make her speech about Sly, Bentley, and Murray's actions brought upon them to turn herself and the ones they faced into criminals. She deems the Cooper Gang's actions as childish and reckless with Sly acting out on his father's job as a thief, and declares they each have their own opinions of what the gang has to them. The Contessa calls Le Paradox as her first witness.

Taking the witness stand, Carmelita knows well enough about his family and Sly's. Carmelita questions how did the Cooper Gang ruined his life and adds that Cyrille was a crook himself. Cyrille claims Sly's family ruined Cyrille's family, adding Sly and his family lineage forced him to commit those acts. Carmelita than brings up he was arrested for messing with the timeline with his time machine. Cyrille than brings up it was the blueprines from Bentley's machine, further adding the Cooper Gang's reckless acts even without Sly. Even though Carmelita points it out, she also points out Cyrille could have just used the time machine to make Sly never born himself, which Cyrille angrily blurted out he wished he could have done if he had known that. Upon realizing this, Cyrille tells Tsao he liked what he last stated stricken from the record. Tsao got baffled about the "record" and asks if someone is suppose to be recording what happens in the courtroom.

Carmelita feels the pressure of this but Bentley reassures her it is the only the three of us will get out. Murray than asks if one of us should take the stand, but Bentley pointed it would make no difference as he thinks there might be something else going on. Carmelita than tells it would be pointless, even if she could she knows the three of them would be eecuted nonetheless. Bentley hopes for INTERPOL to come and break this up soon.

James Barker along with several other police cars race across the streets of Paris. Lt. Gronk contacts James through the radio. He reveals he knows where the broadcast is happening, at a museum Cyrille use to own. James asks how Gronk knows it, he responds that he got an anonymous tip.

Carmelita objects to the next witness, which she is clearly trying to influence the judge. Mz. Ruby happens to gaze lovingly at Tsao who returns the affections. Tsao asks why she says that. Carmelita goes through with it and asks Mz. Ruby what Sly and his friends that would drive her to crime. Mz. Ruby claims that Sly and the gang did her a favor, if she wasn't sent to prison she would have never found Tsao as the two can use dark magic. Carmelita than asks if she didn't find it odd Tsao is treating her well, Mz. Ruby responds why would he. Carmelita didn't want to do this but she warns Ruby that she has something. She brings out an audio tape but Tsao claims she can't prove anything. Carmelita plays it and reveals Tsao going how Jing King is "a woman, she doesn't know up from down" shocking Tsao, Ruby, and the jury. Carmelita reveals Bentley recorded Tsao during his fight with Sly during their attempts to rescue Jing King and Tsao's sexist remark about her. She adds Tsao would still hold his attitude towards females, including the Contessa, Ms. Decibel, and especially Mz. Ruby. Tsao has himself getting glares at the Contessa and Decibel, including Mz. Ruby glaring at him up close. Tsao could only chuckle as the crocodile lunges at him. He screams in agony as the crocodile mauls, the courtroom is in uproar. Rajan, Muggshot, and other guards in the trial pulled Mz. Ruby off of him and is dragged back to the jury. Bentley smiled, Murray laughs, and Carmelita smirks at the outcome.

James and several officers met up with Lt. Gronk about the tip. He questions if he checked it for being a trick but Lt. Gronk thinks it is not, he says it could be the only clue to find Carmelita and the criminals. With no other options and nothing to check the TV, James orders his officers to go to Cyrille's museum.

The next witness is Ms. Decibel. Carmelita asks Ms. Decibel why is she still working with Cyrille after how badly he treated her. Ms. Decibel says she didn't do it for him or the criminals, she did it cause she wanted to practice music with Octavio. Carmelita pointed that Octavio favors opera and asks if Decibel knew of it. Ms. Decibel seems surprised to hear this but can only chuckle. Carmelita notices nonchalant Ms. Decibel is taking this, she responds she was taking anger management classes. Carmelita than has something up her sleeve, she takes out her phone to show the elephant something but the Contessa objects that Carmelita shouldn't her phone out. Tsao allows it as he knows Carmelita wouldn't risk calling the police as she is surrounded. Carmelita goes on to say she has one of the finest classical musics on her phone, hearing this perked Ms. Decibel's interest. Carmelita wants to prove that Ms. Decibel really has her temper under control and tells her she is planning on deleting this piece from her phone, adding it is one of a kind and may be lost forever. Ms. Decibel tells her she doesn't mind but Carmelita notices her voice sounded scratchy and uneasy. Carmelita tells it is a waste to delete it as is it about to do so, at that moment Ms. Decibel jumps out of the witness angrily telling Carmelita not to do it or else she would crush her. Carmelita reveals the music isn't classical but instead rock and roll and plays it on her phone. This sets off Decibel as she grabs Carmelita and curses for tricking her. Once again, the courtroom is in an uproar as Rajan, Octavio, Grizz, El Jefe, and several guards restrain her and drag her away. Muggshot calls out the "babe" that she is beautiful when she's angry, prompting Ms. Decibel to swing her trunk smacking Muggshot in the face. The bulldog only laughs and declares what a woman she is.

Watching the broadcast, Dimitri laughs at the hysterics Carmelita is putting on. Jing King asks her father if he knows Carmelita, Panda King does so and is relieved he himself isn't there.

Moments later, everyone calms down. Tsao, at a lost for words and baffled, asks the Contessa if she has a witness that Carmelita can't wild up. The Contessa, still upset for Tsao's remark, asks if he should have a woman's opinion before revealing she actually does. She claims she should have called her up to the stand to be the first and only witness, she calls Inspector Carmelita Fox to stand, much to her and the courtroom's surprise gasping. Tsao allows it and feels this should be good.

Carmelita Fox takes the stand as the Contessa makes her notion. She asks the fox she is in constant pursuit of Sly ever since he first committed his first crime and has known him since, the inspector agrees. The Contessa also asks if she had to rely on his help, this catches the attention of everyone, including Carmelita who tries up with something, the Contessa explains Carmelita's pursuit of the Cooper Gang has led her to being captured or in danger, like with the Klaww Gang, the Blue Vipers, and Cyrille, and had to be rescued by Sly and his friends. Carmelita reveals she didn't know who the Blue Vipers are, the Contessa explains they were sent by Octavio to get rid of her back in Italy and Sly and his pals took them out. Carmelita than agrees about having Sly and the gang helping her out of those messes. The Contessa than asks Carmelita that Sly was once a member of INTERPOL and was partnered with Carmelita, wanting her to answer how it became that.

Bentley starts to realize it. Murray asks what he has thought up. Bentley reveals that even though they can't find Sly, the criminals seem to have another agenda to ruin Carmelita's reputation in front of a live TV broadcast. The two looked worried as Carmelita seems to be driven even though she looks firm.

Carmelita reveals she knew Sly was faking amnesia and thought she changed him. This shocks the courtooms, Tsao smirks at the news. The Contessa addresses to the audience watching this, saying that Carmelita may have feelings for the thief even though she was hunting him down. She proclaims even though Sly evaded her, how can everyone be sure if Carmelita could bring herself to capture him. The Contessa goes back to asking Carmelita regarding her time with Cyrille, she asks since she was sent back in time she had to get help from the Cooper Gang, meaning she had to help the Cooper Gang in return. Carmelita firmly declares what she is saying it true. The Contessa addresses back to the audience, saying that everyone, including herself, were brought down by the Cooper Gang, not INTERPOL, as they arrived to arrest them which wouldn't make any sense as the Cooper Gang are all thieves.

Carmelita realizes what is going but since everything is out, she makes her closing statement. Carmelita admits to everything what she has done and gone through but also reveals this gave her a much more personal insight to the Cooper Gang. While they are thieves, they do have a sense of honor and the criminals in this room are examples. She also points out the Fiendish Five are actually the cause of the Cooper Gang to form since they murdered Sly's family, and the criminals made their own choices, whether out of trauma, revenge, or personal gain, and they still would have turned out the same even if the Cooper Gang wasn't formed, concluding that they, mostly the Fiendish Five, created the Cooper Gang in the first place.

At his home, Panda King looks back at what Carmelita said and how creating the Cooper Gang actually helped him get his daughter back.

Tsao heard enough and asks what the verdict is. El Jefe reads that Bentley and Murray are innocent, much to the chagrin of the criminals, the Contessa, and the jury. Bentley, Murray, and Carmelita smiled. However, Tsao makes one last laugh, he informs Carmelita are right about what she said he also reveals that even if she didn't win she was right to assume they would be executed anyway, so Tsao proceeds with it, much to the joy of everyone, leaving Carmelita, Murray, and Bentley horrified.

Panda and Jing King are shocked, Dimitri is in tears, and the Guru worrying gibbers.

Murray and Bentley are brought to the museum's yard with the guards holding up their guns aiming at them. Carmelita struggles as she is restrained by Muggshot and Ms. Decibel.

Tsao addresses the camera for the arrangement of Murray and Bentley's execution, than with Carmelita after this. Bentley tries to reason with them saying if they kill him and Murray they will face a punishment for severe than they initially had before, and if they kill Carmelita they probably get the death penalty. Tsao shouts at him to be quiet as with Sly gone, all of them can do whatever they want without the Cooper Gang getting in the way. He also adds that if they hadn't cross paths than maybe they wouldn't have to this. Tsao prepares the guards to ready their rifles but all of a sudden the lights went out.

Everyone complained, suddenly gunfire went off, and El Jefe and Rajan felt something hitting their feet. The lights turn back on to reveal the guards are on the floor, everyone see small RC cars. The RC cars run about with everyone scurrying their feet. Bentley wonders than asks Murray but Murray gets the message. He starts to feel his striaghtjacket loose and gets it off. The back got burned off allowing Murray to slip it out. Murray quickly takes Bentley out of his. Muggshot notices the two and they quickly fled. Seeing her chance, Carmelita bolts and grabs her shock pistol. Taking aim, she fires at Muggshot but the bulldog is electrocuted it only fazes him for a brief moment. Carmelita goes after Bentley and Murray.

The three tried to make it out of the yard but several more guards got there first. The criminals surround the trio and it seems a brawl is about to ensue. Just than, helicopters swarmed the yard with spotlights aiming everyone, one of the officers demanded everyone to surrender and stand down. James Barker, Lt. Gronk, and officers and mercenaries enter the yard, surrounding the ground.

The bosses are filled with grief and despair as they complied with their demands. Carmelita notices Murray and Bentley have vanished, assuming they made their escape.

The criminals are being escorted to several vans. As Carmelita looks on, James Barker approaches her, informing they found the Cooper Van after getting a tip that Gronk mentioned. He also tells her to meet him in his office to discuss some matters. One of the officers comes by and says the Cooper Van is gone. James Barke is stunned but they should now worry to bringing them back to jail. Without noticing Carmelita, she sighs as the two got away. Bentley and Murray look up from one of the rooftops, concern about Carmelita.

Next day came around noon, TV news came about the revelation of the Cooper Gang. News reporters try to get an interview with Carmelita about the accusations the criminals stated are true but are swayed away by officers and James Barker. The TV turns off, Murray and Bentley are at Dimitri's place looking over of what has happened, Murray is by the more worried asking what's gonna happen to Carmelita. Bentley isn't sure but he is guarantee it might have an impact on her career. Dimitri comes by with food and claims they shouldn't mope since Carmelita has a bad habit of crossing paths with the gang. Murray thanks Dimitri for letting them stay and the food. Bentley points out that is just it, Carmelita's constant pursuit led her to be in inconvenient places at the most inconvenient times. He never would have guessed it would come back right now.

Dimitri tries to lighten the mood, he shows them a newspaper and presents it to them. Murray and Bentley read James Barker gave to the press about Carmelita's evaluation on by how being captured and put in a life threatening scene made her unbalanced making her statements on the "trial" uncoordinated and biased and therefore unable to perform any further jobs in her position, thus she is put on leave with pay. Bentley comes to conclusion Carmelita's job may or may not be on the line, and worries what is going to happen to her when it passes.

Just than, Dimitri's phone rings. Murray states it must be Carmelita. Dimitri asks why he thinks with Bentley giving a suspicious glare. Murray nervously chuckled, saying he gave Dimitri's number to her. As the phone continues to ring, Dimitri is nervous, gulps hard. He picks up quickly and tries to explain that the Cooper Gang isn't here and if they are he wouldn't know, it was that moment Dimitri gave it away that he knew them, with Murray shaking his head and Bentley face palming. Dimitri starts to calm down as he spoke to the caller. He offers Bentley and Murray the phone.

Bentley takes the phone and discovers it is really Carmelita with Murray and Dimitri listening. Bentley apologizes for what happened and asked what her boss said. Carmelita responds that she isn't sure if James Barker took what she said true or believed she didn't know what she was saying, but she tells them she has a four weeks leave of pay to "get some rest" while off duty. She adds she didn't know if James is doing this out of pity or if INTERPOL is dealing with the backlash after yesterday. She states it is best if they don't see each other for a while and adds INTERPOL may be on to her, she doesn't feel comfortable with them making sure she don't meet the gang. Bentley thanks her and gives her his condolences. He asks what Carmelita is about to do but she hangs up.

Carmelita is in a cafe reading an article about the Cooper Gang being argumentatively regarded as either thieves or vigilants. A TV news has a few people regarding the gang as thieves who only look after themselves, doing something what the police can't, or asksing what ever happened to Sly.

Back at Dimitri's, Murray tries to think about this and asks Bentley how he manage to do those RC stunts while tied up. Bentley claimed he couldn't since his arms were restrained during the time. He thinks back and the turles assume there is one person he knows.

Outside the complex, someone is looking at Bentley, Murray, and Dimitri through a pair of binoculars. It is revealed to be Penelope.