Joyless Victory

Prequel to "Speed of Desire"

Part 1: Reflection

Days and nights pass frivolously enough for those whose worries cease to exist. Crash Bandicoot was a living example of such unaffected cheerfulness. It had scarcely been a week since his latest confrontation with Dr. Neo Cortex, where he had faced his most formidable adversary and still he was as good-humored as ever. Aku Aku admired him for that. Why, even at that very moment Crash was sitting directly before the enemy who had nine days ago been resolute on killing him, playing a game of cards.

Crunch Bandicoot was a strange creature, quiet and brooding at one moment, and over-exaggeratingly thunderous with mild frustration at the next. Aku could not, even after observing him for some time, grasp the former species of this bandicoot. Normally, it was simple for him. There were few bandicoots native to the isle, Western Barred particularly common. However, Crunch's burgundy fur and aggressive disposition were not typical attributes of bandicoots. Even in evolved form, Crunch resembled a wolf more than a bandicoot. He was a very strange individual indeed.

"Quit stalling, rodent, what do you have?"

Crash tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I fear I have made a very imprudent error."

"Better for me then, lay them down and let me see."

Crash shrugged. "Okey dokey."

The smaller bandicoot revealed a very neat full-house, spades and hearts. Crash smiled sweetly.

"The error I made was not raising you for everything you had. You're very competitive Crunchy."

Crunch's eyes were glued upon the cards that had triumphed over his, and he growled low in his throat.

"What did I say before? Don't call me that."

"What?"

"You know."

"I don't think I do."

Crunch's ears folded back against his head, illustrating his rising anger. Why did Crash always insist on baiting him? Perhaps because he enjoyed it so much.

"If you're bent out of shape because I kicked your butt again, there's not much I can do about that. Maybe you should try playing me when I'm asleep and you'll have better luck."

Aku frowned. He didn't understand cards, and didn't much see the fascination with betting objects on a specific series of numbers or suits. It was rather ridiculous to him. Coco suddenly entered the living room, her cheeks smeared with grease, just catching the end of Crash's gloating. Coco stepped toward her brother and sighed.

"But if you're asleep, Crash, how will you slip these cleverly hidden aces into your hand?"

As she spoke, Coco reached down and slid two aces out of Crash's pocket. She let them flutter to the table before pulling the elastic out of her hair and heading for her sleeping quarters. Crunch stared at the aces with a slack jaw. Crash chuckled nervously.

"Now, how in the world do you suppose that happened?"

Crunch exploded like a volcano, but Crash was already up and darting for the door. It was amazing how quickly Crash could move when he had a mind too. Aku followed the chase outside, and grinned contently. Life had settled back into order, and thankfully neither Crash nor Coco seemed any worse for it. Coco appeared in the doorway with a bright smile lightening her features.

"That brother of mine, doesn't care that Crunch is four times the size of him as long as he gets a laugh."

"He is an energetic rascal." Aku agreed.

Silence settled over them for a moment, but not uncomfortable. Aku felt an incredible protection over Coco, which she strongly resented in her younger years. She seemed quite tolerant of it now, although she frequently demonstrated displeasure at his constant watchfulness.

"I'm gonna go for a walk, kay Aku? See you later."

As Coco bounded off into the jungle, Aku smiled with the pride that any guardian feels when their charge grows up. Coco was by no means an adult yet, however she had developed such a mature confidence since the last mission that Aku could not help being proud of her. With Crunch still chasing Crash across the sandbar, Aku decided he should take some time for himself to meditate. It had been so long since his last, and he missed those secluded moments of tranquility.

Aku briskly floated to a pretty little plateau amid the ruins. The trees opened at one side of the clearing, offering a glorious view of the sea meeting the steady solid line of the sky. Aku settled into a trance and allowed the energy's swirling about him to enter his awareness. It had been a long while since he became one with the ancient powers that drifted through across the island, whispering secrets and incantations on the whistle of the wind. Without even realizing it Aku returned to his former life, eons into the past. Images and thoughts whirled through his mind, and he could do nothing but allow them to pass and remember.