Chapter 1 - The Beginning of the End
"Morning Crash, hope you're ok!"
The cheerful words of Coco rang out in Crash's ears as he slowly sat up, yawning, to another peaceful day on N.Sanity island.
Two months had passed since that terrible day, where Crash almost lost everything he cared for, at his own hands, thanks to the twisted mind of Cortex. But now, he was no more, his castle had been destroyed, and peace now reigned throughout the island.
"Morning sis," Crash replied with a smile.
"Come on Crash, you said you were going to go for a walk on the beach with me today!"
Crash grinned, "Of course, how could I forget! I'll be with you in a sec sis"
Coco bounds out of the room to wait outside for her brother. Crash gazes out of the window at the tranquil surroundings.
"To think, two months ago, I was destroying that very jungle out there," Crash thought to himself, "what a terrible day that was, it'll be staining my mind for the rest of my life"
"Come on Crash, what's keeping you?" Coco called out.
"Coming!" Crash put on his shoes quickly and rushed outside to meet his sister.
While all this was happening, Aku Aku and Crunch were sorting through stacks of books that had been left lieing around. There was a whole manajory of subjects, Potions and Their Effects, A Beginner's Guide To Necromancy and Wumpa Fruit Recipes were just a few. When Crash had slammed the door shut behind him, Crunch spoke to Aku.
"It's good to have things back the way they were, don't you think Aku?" Crunch said while stretching his massive arms.
However, Aku Aku remained silent. Crunch stared at him for what seemed like an eternity before speaking out.
"What's the matter Aku?" Crunch questioned.
The friendly mask turned slowly towards Crunch, a frown upon his face.
"I can still sense a great evil within me, it has been growing every day. I have not wanted to say anything as to not worry Coco and Crash, but I cannot keep it in me any longer."
Crunch's mouth dropped open.
"You don't mean......?" Crunch was stopped short.
"Yes, Cortex is still alive!"
Crunch staggered back, almost falling over a nearby table in the process.
"But how is that even possible, we saw his castle collapsing, there's no way he could have survived!"
"Don't ask me how, but Cortex has survived, and I fear for the worst."
Crunch did not like the sound of this one bit, he pounded a giant fist into the wall.
"So what are we gonna do? Sit around on our asses doing nothing? We have to do something!"
"Haven't you learnt nothing from the last experience?" Aku exclaimed, "the last time you rushed into action, you were killed!"
Crunch suddenly felt his cheeks turning red, he knew he shouldn't have argued with Aku Aku.
"You're right Aku, so what SHOULD we do?"
"We need to gather our strength, and wait to see what happens next, until then, there is not a lot we can do."
Crunch then remembered something.
"Shouldn't we tell Coco and Crash?" He questioned.
"No, at least, not yet. I shall tell them when I feel the time is right."
Crunch nodded in agreement.
"I need you to gether some fire wood for me Crunch, could you go out and get some for me?"
"Sure thing Aku."
Without saying another word, Crunch swung the front door open and went outside to search for some wood.
Aku Aku floated towards the window and gave a deep sigh.
"I hope that I am wrong with my preminitions," he said, thinking out loud, "but a gut feeling inside me is telling me that the battle with Cortex is far from over."
