A/N: Hey there everyone. As I stated in the summary, this story is basically "It Started with Toast", but written just a bit differently. I was given permission by the original Author DJ- TigerFox to see what I could do in.. I suppose it could be called "Fine tuning" the story. I for one personally enjoyed the story, which is why I asked to see what I can do for it. I hope you all enjoy the story, and be sure to message DJ-TigerFox about it. It's his story after all, I just get to be the one to upload it. I don't stray from anything that was already written, I just find a new way to write it.
Borrowing his summary: this is a romance between Crunch and OC Tiger as we follow them through their struggles during the wrath of cortex, cause how can love be paradise on the dark side? Crunch/OC, Slash.
A few disclaimers as well:
I don't Own Crash Bandicoot
I don't own any characters in this story
I don't own the plot
Nor do I own anything else in this story. except my Author's notes.
It started with Toast- opening
Warning: This story will contain romance between two males, best to warn those who don't like it now, if you don't care, enjoy the story.
I sighed softly while I gazed out a nearby window. I had been part of Cortex's team for at least a year now, and the year had been…eventful to say the least. Try as I might, I searched for what even started everything in the first place. Ah yes... It all started with a slice of toast. With another sigh I began to remember that day.
One year ago at the Wumpa Market
It was a rather hot day as I stood in front of the market entrance. A gentle breeze ruffled my fur as I looked around the entrance to the various vendors. The cool air was a welcome sensation today, the heat already forced me to wear a pair of black shorts and green short sleeved top. Readjusting the collar around my neck, I noticed the orange T caught the sunlight, glinting brightly in light. I started walking around and noticed a stall looked to hold ripe wumpa fruit, a small grin taking place on my lips as I got closer. Something beside the stall caught my interest, as I looked over I noticed it was the local newspaper, the front page reading: "Local Resident Crash Bandicoot Saves Island Again." I chuckled to myself, the title reminding me that I was standing right in front of said bandicoot's favorite treat. I looked around before picking out the fruit I wanted, just in case Crash happened to be around. The only real reason I had come out to get the fruit was because I found an odd recipe for something called 'wumpa toast'. Despite the name it looked pretty good in the book, and curiosity began getting the better of me. As I picked out what looked to be the ripest of the fruits they had to offer a young looking bandicoot walked up to me from behind the stall. Her long blonde hair seemed to compliment her light pink crop top and blue skirt.
"Hi there, buying some wumpa fruit?" She asked with a small smile, her voice light and sweet. At a small nod from myself she seemed to judge the ones I had picked before she gently took them to weigh them and placed them in a brown paper bag.
"Okay…that'll be-" She paused for a moment before glancing around and leaning closer, asking in a low tone: "There's not a bandicoot in blue shorts behind me, is there?" I took a moment to look behind her, but shook my head softly when I saw there was no one there.
"No. No one's there, why, is there a problem?" The girl let out a little giggle after hearing the question.
"No, everything's fine. It's just that when I come to work here my brother Crash tries to follow me so he can get free wumpa fruit." She let out another small giggle at the thought of her brother following her again before telling me what the price of my purchase was. "That'll be $5." She said sweetly as she held out her hand. It was only after I handed her the money that what she said registered completely in my mind. "Wait, you're Coco right?" If I remembered, Crash had a sister. The young bandicoot took the money and placed it in the register while chuckling softly. "Well, looks like I get recognition for what my brother does." As she handed me the bag she smiled sweetly. "Have a nice day sir." I gave a warm smile as I turned to walk off with my bag. I was almost back at the entrance when I heard her voice shouting from behind. "CRASH, GET BACK HERE WITH THAT WUMPA FRUIT." I tried not to laugh, but couldn't help but snicker at the thought of the antics taking place. Shaking my head slightly with a small smile on my face I began the walk back to my house.
It wasn't too long before I found myself walking up the familiar path to my house, catching the scent of the cherry blossom trees coming into full bloom. I closed my eyes and paused for just a moment to catch the sweet fragrance that rode gently on the wind, reminding me why they were my favorite kind of tree. A few more minutes of walking and the path ended, revealing a wooden house surrounded by trees. The home looked as though it belonged there, as though part of the forest itself. As I strode up to the doorway, house key already out to unlock the door, I noticed that something seemed out of place. I wasn't quite sure what, but I wanted to investigate after having put my stuff away, so I walked into the house and set the bag down on the kitchen table before walking back out and beginning my search. After a few minutes of searching I noticed something glint in the sunlight, catching my attention. Walking up to the side of the path, I picked up the object and examined it curiously. It looked to be some sort of gun. I looked around to see if anyone may be coming to claim the object, but with a glance at the vacant area around me I walked back inside and closed the door, storing the object away in another room to look at more later.
Making my way back to the kitchen I had to remind myself that I couldn't make too much of a mess. The house belonged to my brother, who let me stay here when I felt like I needed a break from being a DJ. After rummaging through the cabinets for a bit, I found what I was looking for; a cook book that I kept hidden from my brother Reko called "Wumpa Island Specials". I flipped through a few of the pages, trying to remember just where I found the recipe for the toast; I managed to find it on page 45. With the open recipe book now on the table, I was able to figure out what ingredients were needed and placed them all next to the bowl I planned on using. Now all I had to do was read the necessary steps. I looked over the contents on the page, reading the first line aloud to myself. "Bash the wumpa fruit until soft and mushy…Sounds about right." I chuckled to myself, but found my ears wilting slightly as I recalled that no one was around to share in my sense of humor. After an hour the scent of wumpa toast was apparent throughout the entire house. Although, for such an enticing scent, the kitchen looked like a disaster zone; my inexperience in cooking led to the room being covered in flour and bits of egg. I reached for one of the finished products of my labor and took a bite of it. I nearly fell to the floor in astonishment. Despite my lack of skill in the kitchen, the toast had turned out incredibly well.
Meanwhile while I was celebrating my victory in the kitchen and cleaning up the mess I made a figure was walking up the path to the house looking around. The figure gave a small "hmm" as they scratched their chin. "I must'a dropped it 'ere somewhere…" The voice said to themselves, carrying the sound of an Australian accent. The stranger was brought out of his thoughts as he walked further up the path, looking up at a tree as he noticed a few petals landing on him.
I had just picked myself off the floor, wiping my brow with one arm as I looked at the now clean kitchen, when I heard the sound of something cracking, followed by a loud crashing bang outside. I dashed through the house and out the front door to investigate the source of the sound, quickly finding a half dingo, half crocodile lying unconscious next to a portion of the chimney on the path. I was about to try and call for help in a panic until I recalled that I was completely alone out here, and had to do it myself.
It took me about ten minutes or so to haul the unconscious man into my brother's bedroom and lay him out on the bed. I was about to try calling a nearby hospital to make sure the man didn't injure himself too badly, but then I remembered… the man was a mix of two different species, and so finding someone who would be able to help him was unlikely. My ears perked up and I was brought out of my thoughts at the sound of the unconscious form moaning softly. I looked over to see the creature attempting to sit up, rubbing his head. I heard them mumble something about their head before they looked around in a panic and spotted me.
"Where am I and what the heck happened?!" I paused before answering, giving a small "Umm.." In response before continuing.
"You're in my house…and I found you knocked out next to a broken part of my chimney.."
"Really? Blimey...Never thought a chimney would knock me out so easily." He said in disbelief before getting out of the bed and standing before me with a hand outstretched.
"Name's Dingodile mate." He said with a small grin, I was a bit reluctant to shake his hand, but after a few minutes I shook his hand.
"I'm Anthony, but everyone calls me Tiger since I can get ferocious on the DJ deck." Dingodile gave a small chuckle as he let go of my hand, sniffing the air curiously after a moment.
"What's that smell? It's amazin'." I couldn't help but notice the man began drooling slightly out of the corner of his mouth.
"That would be my cooking." I said with a small chuckle at the widening grin on Dingodile's face. I walked back down to the kitchen, Dingodile following closely behind. When the man noticed the food sitting on the counter he spoke up again.
"Please tell me that's what I think it is." I nodded I handed him a slice. I was surprised to find the toast snatched out of my hand and devoured within seconds. The thought of someone enjoying something I made filled me with a sense of pride as he seemed to think of something to say.
"It's a bit cold mate." Dingodile let out a sigh before speaking again. "If I had my gun I could warm it back up for ya….but I seem to 'ave lost it." At the mention of the gun, my ears perked up as I remembered I had stored the weapon in another room. I left the room to go retrieve the object before walking back in and presenting it to him.
"It looked broken when I found it… I tried fixing it. Is it yours?" Dingo gave a small nod, taking it from my hands and asking me to come with him outside and to set up a piece of wood a short distance away. Once I had moved out of the way he took aim and pulled the trigger, causing a stream of fire to incinerate the piece of wood. I stood their slack jawed at the sight as Dingodile chuckled. "Bring out the butter, cause we're about to make some toast!" I chuckled along with him at the enthusiasm, however the moment of joy was cut short as he suddenly stopped, looking to me with a serious expression and unnerving me.
"Erm…what is it?" I asked, my apprehension growing as his gaze locked onto me.
"Ya said you fixed this, right?" He asked, indicating the gun. At a nervous nod from myself he continued. "Why don't ya join the group then?" I stood there with a puzzled expression on my face, the man didn't even seem to consider me saying no as he took out a phone and began talking to someone.
"Hey boss, Dingodile 'ere. I think we may ava new recruit." He said with a small smirk. I could just barely make out what was being said on the other end.
"Oh? Very good Dingodile. Bring them here so I can evaluate them." With a small nod, Dingodile hung up and walked over to me, grabbing my hand and pressing a button on his phone. There was a bright flash of light and all I could hear was the phrase "Welcome to the team." Before everything went black. Sometime later I began slowly drifting back into consciousness. As I opened my eyes I could only make out blurred images of the ceiling, but I could hear someone speaking. The voice sounded deep, though they didn't sound too intelligent.
"He cute little foxy. Tiny want to hug fox." I could hear another voice respond to the first one, though the voice had an underlying tone of insanity to it.
"Tiny, you can't hug everything we get on this station." The voice replied, followed by a small bout of crazed laughter. My eyes had begun finally begun to come into focus and I attempted to sit up. My eyes were instantly greeted with the sight of a rather attractive, muscular tiger that caused my face to flush under my fur. I was all too thankful that my fur managed to conceal the red tint that heated my face. Noticing the movement, the tiger suddenly picked me up and brought me into a bone-crushing hug, making it very difficult to breathe. The tiger put me down as my face began turning blue leaving me dizzy and gasping for oxygen. I turned around trying to steady myself only to be met with another face that was a similar shade of blue. The creature gave out a chuckle before speaking. "You look just like me now." I was a bit confused when the creature lifted a foot to me, but then I realized he was bound in a straitjacket and shook his foot in greeting. "I'm Ripper Roo, and the big softy over there is Tiny." After introducing them Ripper Roo leaned in closely. "He's a bit dumb, all muscle and no brains."
I happened to notice that Dingodile wasn't in the room, but as I was about to question where he could have possibly been, someone else walked into the room. Apparently Dingodile was talking to Cortex about me while I was unconscious. Whatever was said about me seemed to impress him, because the moment he walked in, he welcomed me right then and there.
The memory of that day began to fade into the recesses of my mind as I gave a small sigh. That's how I became part of the team that day. And although we continued to lose to that bloody bandicoot, I kept my hopes up. Maybe the day would finally come when we'd actually beat him? The idea nearly seemed impossible, but hey, a guy could dream.
A/N: Hope I did well in writing up the first chapter. ^.^ you can leave reviews telling me what you think, or send PM's to either me, DJ-Tigerfox, or leave reviews on his original story. I plan on trying to update somewhat regularly if I can, but I can only write so many chapters until I have to wait for him to update his story. Thanks again DJ- TigerFox for giving me the chance to see what I can do!
