*Chapter 3: Crunch Bandicoot*


"Awake!" A voice demanded. The burgundy bandicoot opened his blue eyes. He sat up and look around the chamber with Cortex's minions around him. The burgundy bandicoot has large muscles, wearing camouflage jeans with black boots that his sharp black nails stick out. His right arm is cyborg. His claws are very sharp, good for slashing. The male bandicoot turn to Cortex who smiled in delight. "Greetings, Crunch. Welcome to life." He spoke. The bandicoot didn't speak. "How do you feel?" Cortex asked. Crunch cracked his neck and sighed.

"Strong." He replied. N. Trance faces Cortex with a smirk.

"He doesn't remember a thing." He whispered to him. "His mind is under our control."

"Excellent." Cortex chuckled, rubbing his hands together. He faces his creation. "Crunch, you have a mission." Crunch stared at him, listening to every word. "I want you to destroy the only person who gets in our way. His name is Crash Bandicoot." Cortex told him. Crunch got on his feet, towering over his master. Boyd silently whistles at the size of Crunch.

"Tell me about this bandicoot..." He said with a sneer. Cortex smirked evilly.


Coco fixes her ponytail while Crash is looking at the portal with wonder, but told not to touch it. The beep is heard from the computer. Coco turned and see the message. She pressed one the keys and on the screen it shows Cortex. Crash turned around to see his enemy on screen.

"Crash Bandicoot, my old nemesis." He greeted. "How the heck are you?" Crash had his hands on his hips, staring up at the screen in silent. "Things never change between us, huh? Well, things are going to change. And there is someone who wants to meet you." Cortex said. "Meet Crunch. My newest creation." He moved out of the way and Crunch appeared on screen. Crash's jaw dropped to see the sight of the bandicoot. He doesn't look friendly.

"This is the creature who keeps sabotaging your plans? Ha! You gotta be kidding!" Crunch spoke. Crash's ear went back, glaring back. "I could squash that runt in no time!"

"Now Crunch, your time with Crash will come soon enough." Cortex told the burgundy bandicoot. The scientist faces Crash once more. "Isn't he brilliant? A true Bandicoot Warrior. Unlike you, Crash." The orange bandicoot growled at him. "Oh well, we make mistakes. Ta-ta for now." The screen turns black. Coco walked over to Crash who is angry.

"Don't listen to him, Crash. You're the real Bandicoot Warrior. Besides, that big bandicoot won't stand a chance." She said, smiling. Crash turned to her, doubting her comment about Crunch. That bandicoot looks tough and he is bigger than anyone. He could break Crash's bones. Aku Aku came over to Crash's side.

"We got your back, Crash. Our enemies need to be stopped. I will help you on this journey. We will have to find those crystal shards to stop each mask." He said. Coco went over to the computer to type down where to find the shards around the world to send Crash to find. The map of the Earth have red marks where the crystal shards are.

"Okay. They are found in different states and countries." Coco said. "Hey, Aku Aku? Do you think we should get some friends to help us? Like Penta, Natalie, Brio?"

"Coco, it'll be best that if we handle this ourselves. Yet, I am sure they are aware of what is happening around by now since the Elementals are causing havoc with their powers." Aku Aku said. "After what happened last time, I can't risk the chance of putting them in danger." Coco and Crash are disappointed by this, but they know that the ancient mask had a point. "Now, what is our first stop?" Aku Aku asked. Coco turned to the map and pointed at Africa.

"There is a jungle where the Rock Crystal Shard is. Somewhere in Africa." She said. "So, Crash. Go to the portal and I will send you there with Aku Aku." The orange bandicoot walked over to the portal and gave his sister a thumbs that he is ready to go. Aku Aku joined by his side. Coco activates the portal and send Crash and Aku Aku off to Africa.


Crunch punches the punching bag, with Koala Kong and Tiny training him to fight Crash when the time is right. Crunch uses his metal arm to punch the bag, almost breaking the chains to hold the punching bag.

"Easy mate." Boyd spoke, watching from the doorway. "We need that."

"That bandicoot won't stand a chance against me." Crunch said, continue to punch the bag. "With the masks' powers, I will be stronger. I'll be the world's strongest bandicoot." N. Gin then walked in the room.

"Crunch, we have found out where Crash is heading. He is heading over to Africa to collect that crystal shard. You and Rok-Ko must stop him from doing so or else." He said. Crunch caught his breath and turn to the cyborg.

"Africa, huh? I'm up for that. Anything to kill that bandicoot." He said, cracking his flesh knuckles with his metal hand. "Where's the Earth Elemental?" The mask with antler-like on the side appeared.

"Right here, Crunch." He said, forming a toothy grin. His teeth were jagged. "So, Crash Bandicoot is trying to get the shard to put me back to sleep. No way! I want to start the Earthquakes!" Crunch didn't say anything to him. This mask is pretty cocky for a Elemental.

"Good luck out there, Crunch. We're rooting for ya!" Boyd spoke. N. Gin turned to the red fox.

"Uh, you're going too." He said.

"Huh?"

"One of us must guide the two in Africa and hunt the bandicoot down. So, you are going." N. Gin said with a look on his face. Boyd sighed. He left the room to find Crunch and Rok-Ko. Tiny came over to N. Gin.

"Why can't Tiny go with Crunch?" He asked. N. Gin's are half lidded to face the tiger.

"I remember you're scared of elephants after watching Dumbo." He said. "So, elephants are in Africa and you will freak out when you spot one."

"Tiny not scared! Tiny scared of the Pink Elephants on Parade!" Tiny roared. Koala Kong held back his giggle.