After running into Cortex, Coco headed back home, wondering what the evil scientist had to say to her older brother. She knew that Cortex would never hurt her brother but she knew that Uka-Uka would. 'Maybe I should go with him in case Uka-Uka does show his ugly face,' Coco thought. When she got home, she saw that Aku-Aku was with Crash and Crunch. She knew that delivering the message would be a little tricky but she knew that she would think of something. Crash saw his little sister and went over to her.

Crash asked, "Hey, Coco, are you okay?"

Coco looked up and answered, lying, "Yeah. I'm fine."

Aku-Aku stated, "Good cause there is a rumor floating around that my brother is at it again."

Crunch groaned, "You got to be kidding..."

Aku-Aku replied, "I'm not."

Crash responded, "Well, whatever happens, we'll handle. Right guys?"

Crunch and Coco nodded and said, in unison, "Right!"


Later on that afternoon, during training, Coco was able to train with Crash alone.

Coco stated, "Crash, there's something you should know."

Crash questioned, "What is it, sis?"

Coco answered, "Cortex is on the island and he wants to talk to you tonight."

Crash whispered, "Is he alone?"

"Very," Coco replied, whispering.

"I'll be there," Crash responded, pinning down his sister to end the training.

Coco questioned, "But what if Aku-Aku follows?"

Crash explained, "I'll have to take the chance. If Cortex is here alone, then he's not much of a threat."

Coco replied, "Just be careful, bro."

Crash responded, "He hasn't hurt me yet."

With that, Crash let Coco up as he walked back to the house.


-Flashback: 'Crash Twin Sanity: One and a Half'-

Crash finally arrived at the bay with John and Pete, who had trailed behind. Crash saw them out of the corner of his eye as he turns to them.

The south Australian bandicoot questioned, "You two followed me?"

John answered, rolling his eyes, "Well, duh."

Pete added, pointing to Cortex, "That's not Coco!"

Before Crash could say anything, "Coco" started to laugh evil like. "She" reaches for her "hair".

They heard Cortex say, "Your friends are very smart, Crash." With that, he takes off the Coco costume and revealed that he was indeed Dr. Neo Periwinkle Cortex. He added, sing song like, "I'm back!"

Crash stated, a bit surprised, "Dr. Neo Cortex, my arch foe."

Cortex responded, "The one and only. Let us battle!"

Crash asked, "To what?"

John answered, jokingly, "Of course to his tutorial."

Pete added, "Well, that is essential."

Cortex started off, "Surprised to see me, Crash? Like the fleas in your fur, I keep coming back."

John stated, disgusted, "Too much info."

Pete added, also disgusted, "Don't want to know."

Crash told the evil scientist, "I don't have fleas."

Cortex rolled his eyes as he added, dramatizing, "Three years I spent alone in the frozen Antarctic waste. And I've missed you."

Crash was the one to roll his eyes this time and commented, "Yeah right."

John added, "He'll believe that."

Pete told him, "Yeah, when pigs fly."

Cortex looks annoyed but continued, "And so, I've planned a little gathering. Like a birthday party only...the exact opposite." John and Pete gasped as Crash just rolls his eyes again. Cortex finished, "And look, all of your friends are here." He gestures over to the side. Crash saw all of the villains and Crunch, holding a cake on the side. Cortex told Crash, "You are so very popular. Let's start handing out the presents."

John saw Crunch holding the cake and stated, "Actually, I rather have cake."

Pete agreed, "Me too!"

"I'm with you two," said Crash as he waved to Crunch, "Hey Crunch. Three slices of cake, please."

Crunch warns, "Stop it, Crash! Cortex isn't fooling around like you are right now."

Crash rolled his eyes. Crunch didn't know Cortex as well as he did.

Crash stated, "Oh, take a chill pill. What's he going to do that I can't handle?"

Crunch told him, "You're over confident! Look out!"

-End of Flashback-


What Crunch knew (but had to pretend) that Crash had every reason to be over confident. Cortex had never really hurt anyone, not even Crunch. What Crunch didn't tell Aku-Aku was that the evil scientist was very gentle towards him. Crunch remembered that he questioned Cortex for his kindness and the response from him.

"Just don't tell the masks the truth," Cortex told Crunch back then.

Crunch sighed, struggling with the truth. He knew that a lot of things could've been resolved by telling the truth. Uka-Uka would get less powerful, Aku-Aku would get more powerful, and things would get more peaceful...wouldn't it? As he looked up at the magical mask, he had to wonder if what he thought was true. Crash came in.

Aku-Aku asked, "How was the training session?"

Crash answered, "Fine but Coco reported seeing Cortex around."

Aku-Aku stated, "Around our island? That will be the last mistake he'll ever make."

Crash replied, "I agree but allow me to deal with this. He wanted to see me alone and I'm willing to give him that chance."

Aku-Aku responded, "Fine, just be careful."

'Cortex is here? Is he alone or with Uka-Uka? I just hope Crash doesn't get into too much trouble tonight,' Crunch thought.


Back at N. Gin's house, the rocket scientist was reading the paper. Cortex entered as he house.

N. Gin asked, "How did it go?"

Cortex answered, "Got something to eat but ran into Coco."

"Was she alone," the rocket scientist questioned, a bit worried.

"Yes and hopefully Crash will be alone tonight too," the evil scientist answered, knowing that he was going to regret this meeting sooner or later.

N. Gin stated, though it was more of a question, "You managed to get a meeting with him alone?"

Cortex replied, "Yes, actually. I just hope it stays that way."


AK1028: Well guys, that's where we end it for now! Let me know what you guys think! Please read and review! And always think of the box!