Chapter 4

As he drifted away he became restless and was devouring food given to last for days. Eventually he had to time himself with the food consuming and began to tire. Wumpa Fruit littered the floors of his boat and since no sign of flies or well anything occurred for that matter. Then he knew he wasn't close to land. He began to feel hopeless once again. He looked far beyond the waters to see what was…. Nothing. Like his heart at the moment the view was absolutely empty. He took the time to think about what he really should have done. But thoughts of the Bandicoot`s hospitality over swarmed his other thoughts. He alienated every item of food so he wouldn't get anxious to do anything he would regret when he was hungry later on. He had to Salvage things and protect. He relaxed and fell asleep.

He woke up in a Lab once again. In a battle. It seemed as if a person was attacking him. A Scientist. This scientist wasn't Cortex. His veins popped liked Cross`s watching the man's fist aim for him. He was knocked down. Looking to the ground he couldn't feel the pain much. He turned around to run and saw a Komodo Turtle dying. "Help me…" It cried softly as it`s beady eyes looked up at Cross. "Wh- How?" Cross questioned as he shook from the fear of the unsuspected battle. The Komodo Turtle nudged its head to the desk showing a mutagen. Apparently it read Evolvo-Ray Filo virus. He followed as he simply had nothing else to do. Quickly he snatched the glass it was in and dipped the open cover over onto the Komodo Turtle. It smirked deviously and looked upward. Its size increased and its shell started to break. It`s now huge claw still growing swept Cross`s face with his claw. In a vigorous attempt to kill him of course.

Quickly He opened his eyes and he was once again on the boat. "It was all…. All a dream.." Cross muttered as he awoke. He still saw nothing and of great anger stomped his fists onto the wooden boat. Splinters stabbed his hand and blood sprayed. His eyes widened only when he saw he had made a hole in his wooden boat. Water made its way onto the boat and fish clung like leeches. The boat took no time and rocketed downward to the lonesome sea floor. However Cross didn't. The Kangaroo kicked his legs climbing him towards the top. He hiccupped and wallowed. He struggled to the top and his hand reached something. Optimistic to feel land a fly flew into his nose and he knew he was at land. He climbed upon the land and marveled at seeing . It was odd to see no normal animals left as the sun rose once again. Immediate displeasure covered his eye emotions as he looked towards the empty island. But the Mutant Animals were left. Oddly enough he liked the mutant animals better. From the birds with bat wings to the Razor Shelled Armadillos. He wondered to himself why but it was plain to see in a matter of time. He could relate to friends. Kind of like the Bandicoots.

He adjusted himself to the warm morning and once again the island. When he returned his house remained unscathed much to his delight. He lurked the forests for anything interesting but collected nothing. He found an array of circles. Going in circles at least. Finally he stumbled across a new path. The wilted trees symbolized a dangerous path but once again his curious controlled him. He wanted to refrain from entering but one step turned into two. Two steps turned into four. And Four steps turned into millions into the path. He heard voices once again and bad smells swarmed his nostrils. Covering his now red nose he smelled something else he couldn't turn back from. He thought another person was nearby but his hopes got the best of him. Ignoring everything around him he ran and his eyes fixated on one object. The object being the smoke that was arising. Right before getting there his vision became impaired for a little while when a tree hit his forehead. He held onto to his forehead and waltzed around to the site. His vision returned to him only to see that what he saw wasn't somebody else`s fire. But somebody in a fire. The smell of burnt wumpa covered the sandy floor and titanium left overs went away with the smoke. He heard coughing and saw that it was one of Cortex`s Pod`s. Oddly enough it landed on the sand like his. He wondered why it detonated upon reaching the ground. "H- Hello? Is anyone in their?" Cross asked hoping to get an answer. All he got was grunting from the inside. He quickly dashed inside the pod grabbed something and ran out. Lucky for him it was the person. A mutant of course. A Koala in a suit with N marked on it. It coughed and squinted looking at Cross. Cross looked at the ship as he came back to put it out seeing that he now had collateral evidence that Cortex was trying to harm his. The machine was designed to fall. It was more than a pod. It was a weapon.

He cooled the Koala down back at his hut. The Koala carried a sack he seemed to find inside of the pond. "So.. Who are you?" Cross asked politely. The Koala looked like he was in no position to answer questions but… "Oh. My dear apologies young man. I am Elton. A Mutant creation of Cortex.." The Koala said in a cowardly voice. "What`s in the sack?" Cross asked. Elton didn't want to answer that question and twisted away from him. " I can't tell you…" Elton replied and Cross understood…. "FINE I`LL TELL YOU!" Elton said. "But I didn't say anyth- whatever" Cross said confused. Elton dipped his tiny hand into the sack to pull out a picture. The frame was cracked a little as was the glass casing. It was a picture of Cortex niece Nina. It seemed she was near and dear to him. And for a relative of Cortex she looked really innocent as she didn't care too much for evil. " It was said that once Cortex is done ruling she will take over as she is his only relative down the path of evil" Elton said with his British accent. " But that doesn't explain. What is your connection? And why were you fired out of the ship. I know it wasn't for a mission." Cross replied with great suspicion. Elton was smart but cowardly and wanted to answer but knew Cross didn't have it in his heart to hurt him. Elton replied "No Comment."

Suddenly a sound started beeping crazily making Cross cringe. He heard it for so long. But it wasn't just that. It was annoying like birds chatting. Elton went into frenzy and freaked out. He fell onto the floor and didn't get up. " AGH! KEEP IT AWAY!" Elton Yelled muffled into the wooden floor much to Cross`s humor. "Don't worry none mate! It`s just your watch!" Cross said dying with laughter as he pointed towards the watch. The watch showed a dot on the scanner that blinked brightly. Elton eyed it and saw what acted as a simple burden. It was a watch that detected Mutants tagged by Cortex. While there were many mutants on the island out of all the only one on the scanner was Cross and Elton. Cross had conclusions in his head. But above all he realized…. Cortex didn't Mutant those animals on the island.