Chapter one – Crash Bandicoot

Crash Bandicoot waited patiently for an explanation as to why he was imprisoned in a holding cell, but although he had been as polite as possible he didn't think the enlightenment would be coming his way anytime soon. At this point all he knew was that he was very different. He had scattered memories of a life that didn't look like his own, accented with feelings of contentment and freedom. Whatever happened to him, it hadn't been pleasant. Not in the mood to recall the pain he experienced during the staggeringly disturbing transformation, Crash leaned against the bars and whistled loudly. The two lab assistants that stood guard at the hallway looked his way with their freakish zombie-like faces. A shiver danced up Crash's spine, but he didn't let it discourage him.

"Hey, jerks? Is anyone going to show me a smidge of decency, or am I gonna have to march out there and get my own food?"

Crash had no intention of eating any slop these freaks provided, but he was in desperate need to strike a nerve. Unfortunately, it wasn't working.

"You guys aren't the most gracious hosts in the world." Crash scoffed as he leaned against the bars of his cell.

The lab assistants' gazes were still focused on him, and Crash shifted uncomfortably. He was annoyingly frightened of these creepy bastards, but he vowed not to show it. Although he was unsure of how he was going to escape, he had no doubt that the eventuality was imminent. Yet there were times of uncertainty that he refused to think about, knowing that half his confidence was supported only by wishful thinking. At this point, he would welcome anything to take his mind off where he was, and what had happened to him. It was just too confusing. Regardless of his wavering assurance, Crash rapped on the bars with his knuckles.

"I'm getting a little bored over here, what do you losers do for fun in this dump?" Crash didn't expect an answer, so he just leaned back on his elbows and stared at the roof passively.

"Crickey, what a hellhole." He muttered under his breath as he took in the dripping pipes and horrible stench. Either these meat sacs didn't possess a very high budget, or they were just keeping him there for a few laughs. Crash didn't bother considering either option; the fact of the matter was he was trapped behind bars in a pit that reeked of filth. That did not put him in good spirits.

He was just about to heckle his inanimate guards once again, but his taunts stuck in his throat as a massive door clanked open, echoing through the dank chamber. Crash propped his arms behind his head as he lay on his back, observing lazily, but truly curious and almost anxious at what was going on. Thankfully, the lab assistants didn't approach his cell. Instead, they dropped an unmoving heap of fur into the cage opposite his. Crash waited until the zombies departed, and then hopped up onto his knees for a better look. The creature was a kangaroo, or at least it had been. Whatever happened to it Crash was certain the procedure had driven it completely crazy. Although it wasn't moving, its eyes were wide open, staring with an empty yellow gaze. Crash felt an involuntary shiver. The animal's long tongue lay stretched across the floor, and he drooled profusely. Crash raked his hand through his lengthening red hair as he studied the dirty straight-jacket that pinned the kangaroo's arms. This was unlikely to be of any help to its captors, considering the length of the creature's lethally sharp claws on its feet.

Suddenly, the kangaroo woke up. Its eyes, now alight with madness, began to swirl with insanity, and its mouth curled into a twisted demented grin. It began to laugh, cackling so crazily that Crash jumped back, landing hard in a sitting position, legs straddled out in front of him.

"What the hell…?" Crash didn't bother continuing the sentiment as he watched the mad kangaroo smash its stupid head against the roof of its cage. It continued to laugh and bounce, unaware of the steel walls and roof surrounding it. Crash pinched the bridge of his nose as he fought to keep his patience intact.

It was going to be a long night.

It appeared his captors' possessed some courtesy after all. The kangaroo was finally moved, perhaps to be placed within a soundproof cell. Whatever the reason, it didn't matter to Crash. He was looking forward to some well deserved peace and quiet. Leaning against the cold steel of the back wall, Crash rested with his arms propped under his head. A loud clank vibrated through the chamber, letting Crash know he was about to have some company. He opened one eye, but didn't bother moving. A couple lab assistants approached his cell and unlocked the barred door. Crash yawned despite his twinge of uneasiness.

"Come to keep me company?" He inquired scornfully.

One of the assistants produced a syringe from his jacket pocket, and Crash tensed immediately, masking the movement with a hesitant smile. As two assistants approached, Crash dashed out of the way, ricocheting off one wall and using the momentum to hold a strong stance on the other side of the cell.

"Sorry guys, needles make me nervous."

Crash already knew his chances of success were zilch, but he wasn't willing to make it easy for his jailers. If he had put in some effort repelling them, there was no doubt they might chain him up again, and that was something Crash desired to steer clear from. So when one of the pale assistants grasped onto his arm, he didn't resist. He grunted as he was wrestled to the ground, one of the assistants sat on him, holding him down with the slight weight. Crash chucked mechanically.

"Hey, not on a first date."

Crash wondered if these dead fish ever laughed at a joke, he guessed probably not. His laughing was replaced with a sharp snarl as he felt the needle plunge through his skin. He hissed a series of profanities as a portion of his precious blood was stolen. After the needle was removed, Crash bucked the assistant off his back, and sent him spiraling into the opposite wall. Crash felt a bit shaky, but got to his knees and stared at each lab assistant in turn. He snarled wickedly, and that reaction forced the weak creatures to gather their fallen comrade and rush out of the cell. After they were gone, Crash leaned back against the wall, wincing as he rubbed the punctured hole in his neck. The bastards weren't very gentle with their needle prodding, and Crash could feel wet blood on his fingers. He groaned, angered, but also motivated. Once he was sure he could escape, he would do so. Until then, he would remain where he was, calculating his plan.

The next day, Crash received a new cell mate. He had been tapping a tune on the metal floor when they brought her in. As they tossed her in the cell beside his, she remained unmoving, covering her head with her hands. Crash scooted over toward her slowly and carefully. She was a bandicoot, that was certain, and very pretty at that. Crash found himself at a loss for words, which was something that didn't happen often. With lack of a better conversation starter, he simply said,

"Hey?"

Her head snapped up, and Crash was momentarily staggered by the extent of fear on her face. Her cheeks were wet with tears, and Crash noticed for the first time that her body was crisscrossed with tiny cuts. Rapidly, her fear changed to frightened fury, and she glared at him with a wicked anger.

"Who are you?" She demanded.

Crash paused for a moment, and then grinned.

"I would have introduced myself immediately, but it has occurred to me that you are the newcomer to this grand yet somewhat dingy establishment, and therefore beginning the introduction is your job."

She cocked her head, staring at him in bafflement. Crash shifted. Had he taken it too far? Apparently not, considering she smiled softly.

"I'm Tawna." Her voice was very small, but thankful for his lighthearted manner.

Crash grinned, feeling a twinge of happiness at seeing her smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my name's Crash."

Tawna wrinkled her nose in consideration.

"What kind of a name is that?"

Crash leaned back on his heels.

"Alright, so my name's a verb, sue me." His bitterness was faked, and Crash couldn't hold back a devious smile when Tawna gasped.

"Oh no, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. I…"

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it." Crash waved a hand dismissively. "To answer your question, I do have the suspicion my name has something to do with my natural ability to destroy everything I come into contact with."

Crash grinned heartily as he tried to bait her, and she took it with a hesitant smile. Yet the brightness in Crash's smirk dimmed substantially as he realized how utterly innocent she looked. It was obvious she was scared, and yet she was trying so hard to hide the fact. With a sudden jolt, Crash finally began to realize that this entire mess was very serious. This girl before him was proof of that. She looked so naïve, and so unprepared for what was happening. Crash was confident that he could handle whatever came his way, but how could she? How was she expected to?

Despite her unwillingness to face a brutal reality, Tawna was relatively pleasant company. Crash would do something stupid, and she would laugh, always softly and hesitantly, as if she didn't understand the reaction. Crash was never deterred, and it was a good day when he could make her smile. Yet the nights were different.

Sleeping in the dark, Tawna screamed, tossing within the depths of a nightmare. Crash snapped awake, and reached blindly though the bars. He clasped her hand, immediately trying to console her. When she woke up, she would calm right down, but the fear was still there. There was no way Crash could even attempt to make light of a nightmare, considering his own weren't the slightest bit pleasant either. All he could do was rub the back of her hand until she was fully awake. She'd apologize and would hesitantly go back to sleep. Yet Crash had trouble following suit, instead leaning against the bars separating them and staring into the abyss. The only thought that kept him from going nuts that they both might escape this horrible place.

In the middle of the night, the scientists came for Tawna again. Crash had finally drifted to sleep, and Tawna hadn't stirred at all. Crash had been looking forward to an uninterrupted rest, but rattled awake as he heard the clanging of metal. As he focused, he glanced at Tawna, noticing with an escalation of his heartbeat that her eyes were wide with fear. Yet she was attempting to hide her terror, not making a sound as the scientists opened her cage and waltzed in. Crash leapt to his feet as they grasped her wrist yanking her hard from her position on the floor.

"Leave her alone!" Crash shouted as he reached through his own bars, swinging a blind fist near one of their captors. He felt a satisfying thump as his attack connected, knocking one of the zombies into the opposite wall.

Tawna had a hand clasped on the bars, but the lab assistants were unyielding. She locked gazes with Crash, and the latter clenched his jaw as he saw how scared she really was. He reached out and grasped her hand, and she held him as if he was her only lifeline.

It couldn't last, and Crash watched with a welling anger as Tawna was dragged off out of the detention area. During her absence, he simply sat back pressed against the metal of the cage, waiting. He thought about going back to sleep, considering he hadn't had a fulfilling rest in a while. Yet he couldn't, all he could do was wait for them to bring her back.

Her physical condition hadn't worsened, thankfully, yet Crash could detect more marks of a shadowy fear in her eyes. She remained on her knees, staring at the opposite wall exactly where the assistants had left her. She seemed oblivious to her surroundings, including Crash who was pressed against the bars that separated their cells. He studied her silently, not having the nerve to speak. Her face was blank, and despite the lack of emotion Crash was staggered by the beauty of her delicate profile. As he watched her, he noticed with a jolt that a single tear had broken from her restraint, and tumbled down her cheek like a silver pearl. Crash gulped, taming the wrenching in his heart. Finally he spoke.

"Hey, are you alright?" The answer to that question was apparent, but Crash found that he had nothing else to say.

She finally realized he existed, and faced him with a look devoid of emotion. Then, ever so slowly a flame of fear-fueled anger flickered within her sapphire eyes. She let the tears flow freely now, but they contrasted with her enraged features.

"Crash, you have to get out of here."

Crash was taken aback, but his eyes remained passive. "That's the plan, but you don't need to worry about me. You need to get of here too remember?"

Tawna's eyes dulled as she spoke. "I already know I am going to die here Crash. They have no use for me, but they need you."

Crash felt an angry knot form in his stomach, and all previous evidence of lightheartedness faded away.

"So you've already given up huh? You're convinced, so now you won't even try?"

Tawna's eyes were like ice as she glared at him. "Don't you dare judge me; I have done all I can do to keep my hope alive." She was about to say more, but her strengthening voice faded as she broke eye contact. Crash's gaze remained fixed on her as she looked toward the barred window. "I'm so scared right now."

He reached through the bars and laid a hand on her trembling shoulder. She flinched slightly, but didn't move otherwise. Crash waited for her to meet his gaze, and eventually she did.

"Listen, sweetheart, I'm not going anywhere without you, and that's a promise. I won't leave you here." Now Crash smiled, glad the seriousness was over. He reached out and wiped her tears away. "So quit crying, alright?"

Tawna tried to restrain a smile, but the effort proved useless. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, the sadness still present but her aura was brightening.

"Thank you."

Eventually Tawna fell asleep, and Crash was on his own once more. While he was, he began to feel some hostility toward the whole situation. He was in no place to promise something like that. It would be hard enough getting himself out of that god-forsaken prison without having to worry about someone else. Crash snorted. Whatever the inconvenience, he had made a promise, and he would stick to it.

Dr. Neo Cortex leaned back in his large chair that was no less then a throne as he gazed over his laboratory. Although he preferred a clean environment, his lab assistants were unable to wash the majority of the blood off the steel counters. Dark stains dulled the metallic surfaces, and the experimental instruments were equally as unsanitary. Despite the untidy working space, Cortex felt a sick sense of invigoration forcing pain into those weaker then him. In the past, it had always been he who was attacked by the jeers of others, and now his bottled rage was beginning to resurface. He had a plan to ensure respect for his genius, for his scientist comrades as well as all of humankind. Now with the ability to genetically enhance the traits within animals, he had the resources to create his own army. He would possess a strong garrison of enforcers that would obey his every command, at least, once they were put through his grandest invention. A mind altering procedure he called the Cortex Vortex.

Cortex sensed a small movement to his left, but didn't bother to regard the inconsequential individual bustling about. Cortex had attended school with Nitrous Brio as a fellow student. Brio showed promise in the field of genetic engineering, and so Cortex had fed his lack of confidence and secured Brio's allegiance. Using Brio's expertise, the evolvo-ray was created, and Cortex only felt a small pang of regret at taking credit for the prototype. Cortex flicked a speck of dust off his pure-white lab coat, as he turned narrow eyes toward Brio.

"I am growing impatient Brio, how much longer will those modifications on the Vortex take? My grand plan must be unfolded as soon as possible."

Brio became increasingly nervous, and the wrench he had been using fumbled from his grasp. It landed with an echoing clatter on the metal, and Brio twitched in embarrassment.

"Apologies Doctor C-c-cortex, the Vortex should be ready soon. Yet we m-m-must be careful about the corrections or-"

"I do not want to hear excuses Brio, we must act quickly." Cortex turned to one of the many lab assistants mulling about. "Bring the bandicoot to me now."

Brio's face paled and he dropped his wrench again just after retrieving it. "But Doctor Cortex, we haven't determined the reasons for past failures."

Cortex glared at him with furious red eyes. Brio's mouth clamped shut. "Perhaps I have wrongly measured the extent of your ambition my friend. Now, will you follow my commands or must I find a new partner?"

Brio stuttered a negative, and reinforced his dedication by continuing his work on the Vortex. Cortex smiled wickedly as he leaned back in his chair, folding both gloved hands in his lap. It was only a matter of time before his goal was achieved.

Crash Bandicoot entered the ruddy laboratory in the grasps of two lab assistants. He had been here before, but not for a while. Since then the stains on the slabs of metal had grown more numerous, and the smell had become almost unbearable. The doctor who stood with his eyes fixed though a wide window didn't seem to mind it.

The doctor who was called Cortex didn't turn around until Crash was forced into the center of the chamber; the doors were locked shut behind him. Cortex's eyes bore into Crash, but the latter masked his uneasiness with a narrowed look. As Cortex moved down the staircase, Crash gazed around the room, nonchalantly looking for a weakness in the stronghold. Instead his eyes rested on the weird machine that had so rapidly changed him.

"Do not be too concerned Bandicoot, you will not be subjected to the Evolvo-Ray this time."

Crash clenched his teeth but remained silent. He wasn't going to give this crackpot the satisfaction of getting any rise of emotion out of him. Cortex sauntered over to another machine, and laid a hand on one of the metal overlays.

"Have you any idea why I have created you?" Cortex asked with an irritating trill in his voice.

Crash grunted. "I'm not a mind-reader, mate."

Cortex looked surprised for a fraction of a moment, as if he hadn't expected Crash to speak. Crash, on the other hand, felt a devious pleasure at throwing a hitch into the doctor's seemingly impenetrable reserve.

"Very forward Bandicoot, of course I will enlighten you." Cortex strode toward Crash, a look of self-satisfaction on his ugly face. "You are destined to be the leader of my great army. You will follow my orders directly and lead my militia of mutated animals into world domination."

For a silent moment the two stood there, locked in the hard stares of one another. Finally Crash leaned forward slightly with a roguish smile.

"Like hell I will."

Cortex's face bent in an angry smile. He came so close to Crash that the latter could smell his foul breath.

"Unfortunately, you won't have a choice."

Crash narrowed his gaze, and was about to speak again but thought better of it. Before he made another thoughtless comment, Crash considered what Cortex said.

What kind of whack-job plans to take over the world with a bunch of mutated animals? Crash thought bitterly as he repositioned, trying to inconspicuously wriggle from the assistants' iron grasps. The endeavor proved useless. Cortex gave him one more calculating glance before turning away.

"Get him into the Vortex." Cortex commanded, and Crash stiffened immediately.

The skinnier scientist called Brio appeared out of the shadows, wringing his hands mercilessly. He seemed very nervous about something, more nervous then Crash at least. Crash walked along without a struggle as the assistants pulled him along. As he was pressed into an oddly shaped metal chair, he waited patiently for a weak spot in their grasps. Brio turned toward Cortex with an imploring expression.

"Please Doctor, the vortex is not ready, we have no idea what it will d-d-do."

Cortex was preoccupied with Brio's sniveling, and it was at this time that Crash decided to act. Just as an assistant looped a leather strap around Crash's wrist, the bandicoot brought the heel of his hand up into the chin of his captor. As that assistant staggered backward, Crash brought his fist back and struck the other lab-coat square in the head. By this time more laboratory servants appeared out of nowhere, but Crash already had enough room to hold his own against them all. Arm still pinned onto the chair, Crash waited for his attackers to come closer. When they were within range Crash planted both hands on the chair back and whirled, sending his feet flying in precise directions. Every time he collided with a scrawny creature, he felt his confidence build. When he had enough room, he slipped his hand from the leather strap and acted on instinct alone. Just as more assistants reached out their corpse-like hands, Crash spun around with the intensity of a tornado. He collided with assistants and machinery, knocking everything into complete disarray.

There was a strange sense of exhilaration Crash felt at causing so much chaos and destruction. He preformed a limber leap-frog hop over one assistant, and whirled in mid-air to slam both his feet into the chest of another. He started to make his way to the door, dodging attacks while skillfully dishing them out. The opening was in his sights, but before he could make a dash, he felt a sharp, almost blinding pain that appeared between his shoulder blades and shot though his nervous system. Crash hissed in surprise, followed immediately by a grunt as he was tackled by a gang of lab assistants. Underneath the combined bulk, Crash moaned as he attempted to struggle out from the bottom of the pile.

"Alright…get off, you jerks…we'll call it a draw."

Crash's voice was raspy, and as he felt air being crushed from his lungs he began to grow incredibly woozy. Finally, he was roughly yanked up to his feet and he coughed hard. The pain that had initially immobilized him was now a dulling ache, but Crash still felt very shaky. He made a quick scan to see what had managed to hit him.

Just as suspected, Cortex held a tiny, ridiculous looking hand pistol that would have been stupidly comical if it hadn't hurt so much. Crash felt limp as he was forced in front of Cortex again. Finding it difficult to catch his breath, Crash grinned wickedly.

"That…was cheating." He snarled.

"No one is going to deter my plan for world domination, least of all a bandicoot."

Crash scoffed, and didn't make another move to fight as he was forced into the seat again. He felt a panicky sensation blast though him as the belts were wound around his wrists. The fear fueled his strength for another escape attempt, yet it was too late. Yanking at the straps with rising anger, Crash glared hard at Cortex, who in turn flashed an infuriating smirk. The chair began to ascend, and as Crash glanced up, he was memorized by the light issuing from the globe-like chamber above him.

"When this is over, you will understand where your loyalty lies." Cortex called over the whirring of the machinery.

Crash felt an angry jolt rise though his being, and for once he felt little less then raw fury. He bared his teeth in a savage and frightening sneer.

"I think it only fair to warn you, you're gonna regret this."

Crash Bandicoot shut his eyes tight as the light engulfed him, so blinding that he dared not open them. The whirring inside the sphere was far worse than outside, and Crash felt for a moment that his ears were bleeding. Images whirled though his mind so fast that Crash was unable to remember where he was. How were they accomplishing this? It was strange, unnatural, and it hurt. Growling low in his throat, Crash focused on escape, that and nothing else. He fought hard to banish the brainwashing techniques, and it was the hardest thing he ever had to do. Every cell of his body was succumbing to the mind alter, and yet Crash kept his eyes closed and fought it off.

"Crap…" Crash gasped as he tore at his restraints, begging them to release him.

Words echoed though his head, ricocheting off the walls of the encasement so that each word was amplified and repetitive. Crash pinned his ears back, and as he continued to keep the words from registering and taking control of his mind, it felt as though his head was on the brink of explosion. Tears streamed down the fur of his cheeks as his brows knit together in defiant retaliation.

"Keep dreamin', pal…"

Crash bared his teeth and quickly gnawed through the leather, using the sharpness of his jaws as nature intended. A moment later, his bonds were cut loose, and with his mind half-crazed he leapt from the machine. He landed flat on his back, hacking an unsteady inhale. He looked up, directly into Cortex's surprised face. Crash grinned wickedly, and winked.

As soon as he was out, he was on the move. He didn't even remember tearing around the laboratory, crashing though machinery and experimentation devices. He was spinning, so fast he couldn't tell where he was going or what he hit until he completely destroyed it.

"Failure again. Capture him!"

"Not likely, bastards!" The tone of Crash's declaration was more comical than threatening.

Despite the lingering pain the machine had caused, Crash was having a relatively good time. Destroying all that your enemy had created actually was enough of a revenge for him. Regardless, he still had no way out of the place. He decided to worry about that when he came to it. He stopped spinning, skidding to a stop as he glanced in rapid motion. The living corpses were already on him, but Crash slipped away with no trouble at all. Crash finally decided, there was nowhere to go. All he could do was continue spinning, hoping that he'd be able to keep his enemies at bay while he thought up a plan. However, something occured that he did not expect. As he spun about like lunitic, he felt his foot catch on a piece of debris. His momentum propelled him forward and he found himself heading directly for a glass window. He covered his head with his arms as he shattered the glass. For a moment, it seemed as though he hovered there, surrounded by a dark sky filled with stars. It would have been a pretty sight were it not for the circumstances. As he noticed the whirling sea water below him, he said the first thing that came to mind, and it seemed to catch the essence of the situation perfectly.

"Uh oh."

Then he plunged into the dark water below.