*Chapter 1: Jungle Bungle*
Outside the house of the bandicoots, Coco is chasing a pink and yellow butterfly. She is giggling as she is trying to catch the butterfly. But, she was unware that there is someone evil watching her. An arm sticks out from the back of the tree, holding a blaster gun. The owner cycles through the settings. Love, stun, torch, and death. The switch came to a stun. The gun aims at Coco and shoots the green plasma at her, causing her to shock her and collapse on the grass, paralyzed. A butterfly flutters on her nose, but flies away when a shadow casts over a young bandicoot.
"Sleep, my insipid angel." A voice said. It belonged no other than Dr. Neo Cortex himself. It has been a few days since he's been defrosted by his minions, and he is glad to be back in business. To destroy Crash Bandicoot. Coming up from behind the evil scientist are Pinstripe and Tawna.
"Are you sure this will work?" Tawna asked, placing her hands on her hips. "Why can't I deceive the bandicoot boy by pretending to be this Isabella girl he likes so much?" Cortex let out a chuckle.
"Oh, you don't know Crash very well. He is...very gullible." He told her. "Let me...show you how gullible he is." Pinstripe gave Tawna a nod, telling her that Crash is not a very bright marsupial.
XX
At the beach, Crash is digging a hole in a sand. Behind the tree, there is Cortex fixing the blonde wig. He is wearing Coco's clothes to deceive Crash. He cleared his throat and poke his head out and call out for Crash.
"Crash! Crash!" He called, trying to sound girly as possible. "Where are you, big brother?" Crash got his head out of the hole, a shoe in his mouth that he found in the hole. He scratched his head to get the sand out and see his "sister". "There's something weird going on at the bay. Come see!" Cortex said, smiling with malice. Crash grinned and went over to him. Cortex giggled to himself. Crash actually fell for the trick. He is very gullible after all. Cortex trots down to the jungle to lure Crash away from his home. Before Crash could go further, Aku Aku appeared from the trees.
"Whoa!" Crash cried out in surprise, almost fell backwards.
"I'm sorry, Crash. I didn't mean to startle you." Aku Aku chuckled. Crash giggled a little and continue to follow his "sister". Aku Aku watched before going to the house where Crunch is. "Be careful, you two!" He said.
Crash is running towards the jungle to follow "Coco" to see the bay. But, a little skunk blocks the path, turning to the reader with a glare.
"Hey, hey, hey! Yeah you!" He snapped. "I've been doing this for ten stinking years! Back and forward, back and forward, and I'm sick of it!" He stood up and cross his arms. "Well, I'm not gonna do it no more!" Crash stared at the skunk in silent and confusion, looking around to find anyone he's speaking to. He shrugged and spin at the skunk and continue forward. There is a bay ahead and there is "Coco" standing there looking at the view. As Crash is approach close, "Coco" made a spin and then... It's Cortex!
"Surprised to see me, Crash?" He asked. Crash blinked several times. It's been a long time since he last saw his enemy. Cortex's black hair is a bit messy, and he is wearing a different lab outfit. Red gloves, red boots. Yet, he is the same evil scientist Crash remembers. "Like the fleas in your fur, I keep coming back!" Cortex spoke. Crash scratches his neck after Cortex mentions about the fleas. Cortex glared at the bandicoot. "Three years I spent alone in the frozen Antarctic wastes... And I missed you...and so I've organized a little gathering, like a birthday party except...the exact opposite." Coming around the bay are several foes. Tiny, Dingodile, Koala Kong, Pinstripe, and Tawna. Crash gasped at the sight of the female bandicoot he never seen before. Tawna looks like Isabella. Almost. Cortex spoke again. "And look, all of your friends are here...you are so very popular. Let's start handing out the presents." He jumped on the hover board and got his laser gun out. Crash gulped a bit. He is not prepared for this fight.
Crunch walked out of the house, stretching his arms out with Aku Aku by his side. The burgundy bandicoot turned to the side and spotted Coco on the grass, paralyzed.
"Coco!" He cried out. He rushed over to her. He sees Coco's right eye twitching.
"Coco! What happened to you?" Aku Aku asked. "Where's Crash?"
"Hang on!" Crunch told the mask by grabbing Coco. "Wake up woman!" He slapped the female bandicoot's face with his flesh hand. Coco let out a cry and can move again. She places her hand on her cheek where Crunch slapped her.
"Owww!" Coco complained. She looked up at burgundy bandicoot, wondering if she's okay. Coco glared up at him. "Crunch!"
"What'd you do that for?" Aku Aku frowned at Crunch. "She's fragile." Coco slowly got on her feet, rubbing her cheek. "Coco, what happened?"
"I...I was just chasing a butterfly, and...and..." Coco paused when she remembered something when she got hit by a bolt to stun her. She let out a gasp. "Cortex!"
"Huh?" Crunch wondered. Coco dash down towards the jungle, calling for Crash. Aku Aku could sense that Coco is worried to death. The mask thought back minutes ago when he encountered Crash. If Coco was here the whole time, then who was luring Crash to the jungle? Aku Aku made a angry look and flew above the trees to get to wherever Crash is while Coco is catching up. Crunch stood by the front yard, all confused. He knew he must go after Coco and Aku Aku to find Crash since Cortex was involved. After three years, Cortex has returned...
