The Bandicoots followed close behind Mordecai, who was leading them down an abandoned dirt road. A building, only a fraction the size of the auditorium was far into the distance. The entire family was wondering and had multiple questions as they also examined Mordecai. He had an obviously calm demeanor that radiated, he was a golden retriever with long, dark blue jeans that had legs low enough to hide his shoes and drag on the ground, along with a tattered brown sweatshirt. Coco broke the silence to finally ask what everyone was thinking.

Coco: So….um, Why isn't Kessler in the academy?

Mordecai: He's skipped every day for the last two months. He only showed up for the Aggregate Exam this morning. Kessler said it was because it was his opportunity to leave here.

Coco: Why does he want to leave so badly?

Mordecai: It's because he's a Viktori …

Coco: What's a Viktori?

Mordecai: The Viktories are a family that Inhabit N. Danger Island, which is our sister island just five minutes from here. The Viktories are a savage people who use black magic to hunt people for sport. Kessler's parents died when he was a baby and was dropped off here. The only place that could use someone who knew black magic.

Coco: Oh…

Mordecai: And as you can imagine the Viktories aren't very popular around here, so Kessler is kind of an outcast here on the island.

Coco: Which explains why the raccoon was so hostile earlier.

The caravan walked in silence for another quarter mile until they reached what looked to be a beat up, old shack.

Mordecai: Well, here we are: "Last Exit" Bar…This is where he's been for the last two months…

Mordecai led the family into the run down tavern , a faint noise of old time rock music could be herd. The inside looked like your typical biker gang hangout you'd see in a move. There was a blanket of cigarette smoke that floated through the air. A couple of pool tables were placed inside, with no one playing them, a flickering jukebox, and a couple torn dartboards. There were only two people in the bar: an old bartender who looked just as old as the building itself, simply cleaning a glass with an equally old rag. The second person was a cloudy, dark figure, looking down at the counter while sitting at the bar, holding beer in his hand. Coco spotted something abnormal on his shoulder, but she couldn't make it out.

Mordecai: Why don't you guys hang back? *Gesturing to the Bandicoots* I'll talk to him

Mordecai causally walked up behind the figure

Mordecai: So we got our Exam results back today…

Kessler: … *still looking down, he lightly nodded his head*

Mordecai: You got the highest score…by a pretty large amount..

Kessler: …. *still looking down, he lightly nodded his head, taking another sip from his drink*

Mordecai: C'mon Kessler, you're 18 years old and have a drinking problem of a 45 year old who has been divorced five times.

Kessler lightly smiled and let out a faint chuckle. Mordecai leaned over Kessler's shoulder to talk to him more quietly, trying not to air Kessler's dirty laundry. Unfortunately for him, Coco used her acute senses to hear exactly what Mordecai was saying. her ears perked up as she listened in:

Mordecai: Dude, I know how much she ment to you. You felt like she understood you, and you both came from the same place… I'm sorry. Things happen for a reason., but you have a purpose to serve. These people need you *He said gesturing towards the Bandicoots* They won't hurt you…. I promise.

Kessler immediately looked up, still facing away from Mordecai. Coco noticed Kessler doing this, she mainly noticed his eyes. She could feel the sharp pain that she saw in his eyes. Her heart quickly sank…

Crash made his way towards Mordecai and Kessler.

Crash: We need your help, you can trust us…we'll protect you.

Turning to look at Crash in the eye, Kessler could feel the emotional wall he had put up inside of him a long time ago, stronger than ever. This wall stood firm even after Crash extended his hand out to Kessler. The man of dark magic looked at Crash and his extended hand, but what really caught Kessler's eye was what he saw over Crash's shoulder. A girl, with the face of an angel, the goggles she wore on her head lifted the bangs away from her face. The girl that Kessler stole a look from, the girl that made the wall he felt inside of him start to crumble, was of course was Coco Bandicoot. One look at her face was all Kessler need to shake Crash's hand .

Kessler: Pleased to meet you… Kessler Viktori

Crash: *Happy to have Kessler's trust* Crash Bandicoot.

Kessler walked Mordecai and Crash out of the bar as the rest of the Bandicoots followed. The mysterious figure covered his eyes to adjust to the bright light of the daytime. Everyone was able to get a good look at Kessler now. A dark brown bandicoot, with golden hair, and vivid blue eyes. He was adorned with black high top shoes, torn and faded light blue jeans, a long, loose fitting, grey t-shirt, and a backwards, black and orange baseball cap. Lastly, there was a dog tag hanging from his neck with and old English "V" printed on it, no doubt for "Viktori".

-At the docks of N. Chanted Island, bordering the S.S Bandicoot-

Mordecai: Take care of yourself now Kessler… You can be different from them, you are different…

Kessler: *Hugging Mordecai, his only friend* Thanks for everything, do yourself a favor and get out of here. You are ment for better things as well.

Mordecai: Nah, my place is here. But thanks man *Putting an arm on his friend's shoulder* I told them you were special…Now go out there and prove me right.

Kessler boarded the ship, waving goodbye to the only friend he ever had. Mordecai was right though, this was his opportunity to change his fate. To prove that he was more than a monster… His confidence was through the roof now. That was until he turned around and saw Coco directly in front of him, sitting down typing away on her laptop. Kessler felt his heart sink, just as her heart sunk for him.

Alright :D So tell me what you guys think! I'm open to suggestions or anything. Until next time ;)

-Jeff Therioux