The Hearts Of Anger

By: Lord Red

Chapter 1

It was only a few days after her last run in with Dingodile. Coco Bandicoot could not believe how bad her luck had gone. First off, she lost her love, Crunch, to a knife, and then she lost Dingodile to a new girl. How could things get any worse?

She couldn't see how.

As Coco looked on over the horizon, she thought of how much she missed her old life. Happiness, love, attention were all there. Now, there was only poverty, sadness, and neglect in her world. Sighing, Coco turned around and walked back into the forest, still thinking.

Crash was right, she thought. Crunch IS dead because of me. If only my anger hadn't gotten the better of me. But now, it's too late.

As Coco kept walking through the forest, her eyes were filling up with tears again. Only, they weren't tears of misery or joy. They were tears of pure fury! How could Coco be so irresponsible as to let Crunch meet his untimely end? And how could she let Koala Kong destroy the one brother she truly loved?

It was all too much for her to take. Coco was only twelve after all, not NEARLY old enough to take care of herself. But now, things looked like she'd have to.

I'm a disgrace, Coco thought, sadly. My brother was right. I'm a disgrace to the entire Bandicoot family. I don't deserve to live.

"That's where yous are wrong, beautiful," a voice suddenly whispered. Coco jumped up. She never thought that someone could read her thoughts. She turned and found herself face to face with Pinstripe Potoroo, a potoroo who looked like he was in one of those cheesy "Godfather" movies. He looked the part, but lacked serious meat. Coco was a bit wary at first.

"H-H-Hi, Pinstripe," she said, cautiously.

"Coco, yous look miserable," Pinstripe replied, sympathetically. "What happened to yous?"

Coco told Pinstripe the entire story, of how she and Crunch fell in love, and then how her family was taken from her, and then how Dingodile left her. When she finished, she began to cry. This made Pinstripe feel very bad.

"Wow. Yous had one lousy life," Pinstripe sighed. "Is there anything I can do?"

Still sobbing, Coco replied, "Yes. I need a boyfriend, and possible future husband! Would you do that?"

Pinstripe had never been asked that before! It made him feel happier than he ever had at Cortex Castle.

"Coco, yous got some serious manners," Pinstripe chortled. "I'd be honored to be your boyfriend!"

This made Coco feel happier.

"I'm glad," she said. "You see, if I did not have someone to love, I'd commit suicide."

"Thank God I ended that!" Pinstripe barked. "Now, come. TO THE POTOROO HOUSE!"

A few minutes later, Coco found herself at Pinstripe's house. It was more beautiful than she ever dreamed of. The exterior walls were covered in rare diamonds, jewels, crystals, and others. A tall tower could also be seen, and it was also covered in jewels. Coco finally spoke.

"Pinstripe, this isn't a house. It's a paradise!" Coco shrieked. Pinstripe smirked.

"I knew yous would like it," he replied. "I had Cortex make it for yous."

Coco suddenly scowled.

"You mean that you STILL work for—''

"Yes."

"And I thought you were a suitable boyfriend!" Coco snapped. "Pinstripe, it's over!" With that, Coco stormed off, leaving Pinstripe to sob on his front doorstep.