*Chapter 4: Jungle Rumble*
Crash and Aku Aku land in the middle of the jungle of Africa. They hear monkeys screeching around the trees, and birds fly in the skies. Crash smiled at the beautiful sight of the jungle. It's a lot different than Australia. Aku Aku shuts his eyes, trying to sense anything around. He opened his eyes and face Crash.
"I sense the crystal shard, Crash. We must find it to put Rok-Ko to sleep forever." He told the bandicoot. Crash nodded and took off to the grasslands. There are packs of elephants ahead of him and Aku Aku. They pass the elephants to find wherever the shard is. Crash walked through the jungle and see some monkeys jumping around the trees above him. As they stroll along, a voice cried out.
"Hey you!" It called. Crash and Aku Aku quickly turned around to see Felicia Dingo.
"Whoa!" Crash cried out, coming over to her and hug her. Felicia chuckled and return the embrace. Aku Aku came over to them.
"Felicia, what are you doing here in Africa?" He asked. Felicia pulled away from the hug and face the ancient mask.
"Oh, I've been traveling here and there." She said. "I'm researching about wildlife here while Brio is on vacation after he helped you guys save the day last time. Sorry that I couldn't help you before."
"Water under the bridge." Aku Aku said. He then told her about Cortex and Uka Uka are up to no good once again, but the plan is different this time. Felicia listen to every word the mask is telling her. When the Elementals were brought up, Felicia's ears lowered.
"I've heard about them. And you are telling me that Uka Uka freed them?" She asked. Aku Aku nodded while Crash is resting by the tree. The dingo growled under her breath. "So, you need those crystal shards to put them back to sleep. And one of them is around here?"
"That is correct." Aku Aku said. "The Earth Elemental, Rok-Ko, causes earthquakes wherever he goes. We can't let him break the world apart."
"Right. Since you two are here searching for it, let me join you. I have a jeep that we can use to travel." Felicia said with a grin. Crash smiled at her. He is up for a drive.
Coco is by the computer, waiting for anything to come up on screen. She knew Crash and Aku Aku are okay out there in Africa to look for the crystal shard to stop one of the Elementals, still she couldn't help but to worry about Crash. He's been quiet and barely focus on what was happening now. Isabella is all he thinks about. He wanted to see her again. Coco's thoughts were broken when someone walks in the basement. She looks up to see Natalie walking in. Polar and Pura are with her, leading her to the basement where Coco is.
"Natalie?"
"So, I'm guessing you guys know what was happening around the islands?" Natalie wondered, sitting across from the young bandicoot.
"Aku Aku found out and told us about it. It's those Elementals. And you can guess who freed them?" She said. Natalie rolled her eyes.
"Uka Uka and Neo? What a surprise."
"I asked Aku Aku that you could help out, but...he didn't want to put you in danger because of...last time. He didn't want Brio, Penta, or others to be involved." Coco said. Natalie scoffed.
"Please. I was unharmed." She said. "That's why I come here to aid you all. But, Aku Aku was right. Penta and Brio can't be involved in this. Besides, Brio is on vacation elsewhere and won't be back for a while. I had to evacuate my people from our village because the volcano erupts a long time ago." Natalie walked over to the computer, crossing her arms. "So, what's the plan to stop these Elementals?" Coco typed on the keyboards to show her the images of the crystal shards. "Hmm. Interesting." Natalie hummed.
"Let's hope that Crunch guy won't find it first..." Coco said, holding her hands together. Natalie raised a eyebrow in question. "He's Cortex's latest creation. And the Elementals are going to give him power of elements to fight Crash." Coco told her.
"Yikes."
"But, Crash can defeat him and the masks. I know he will."
Crash and Felicia are in the jeep as Aku Aku flies beside them through the grasslands. Crash is doing the driving while Felicia is giving directions of where the crystal shard is located. Crash kept a grin on his face as he drives the jeep, looking at wildlife running away from the jeep.
But, above the cliffs, there is Crunch watching along with Rok-Ko and Boyd.
"Well, would you look at that? That fuzz head is looking for that shard that will put me back to sleep!" Rok-Ko said.
"He won't be getting it, rock boy." Crunch spoke, sneering. "Let's cause a little earthquake." Rok-Ko places himself over the bandicoot's face. Crunch raises his arms up, and slam his fists on the ground, and the grounds begin to shake violently. Boyd laughed.
"Whoa, mate! That would send animals running!" He said. He turned to see rhinos running and they are heading towards the heroes. He chuckled. "This is getting good."
Two mutants and a mask feel the earthquake, making Crash stop the jeep. Felicia turned back to see groups of rhinos running towards them. They look frightened during the earthquake.
"Crash, drive now!" Felicia cried out. Crash hits the gas and speed through the fields to get ahead of the rhinos. Aku Aku is above them, telling Crash to keep driving ahead and never slow down. He knew this earthquake is caused by Rok-Ko. He could sense him. A jeep bumped some rocks, making Crash and Felicia bounce a little, but they can't slow down. Felicia turned her head back to see some rhinos leave the pack. "We're doing okay! Keep driving Crash!" She said.
"Crash, get through the rainforest! I sense the shard inside the temple somewhere! Rok-Ko must be stopped!" Aku Aku said. But another earthquake is felt, making the jeep bump into trees. Crash hits his head on the wheel, and Felicia fell out of the jeep, groaning a little. Aku Aku quickly went over to the bandicoot and dingo. "Are you two alright?!" He asked, healing them with his mojo. Crash rubbed his head and nodded at him. Felicia brushed her clothes, getting dirt and grass off of her.
"Peachy." She said.
"We must hurry. Rok-Ko is causing chaos with the earthquakes." Aku Aku said. Crash got out of the jeep. Before they head down to the jungle to find the temple, they hear laughter from behind. They turn to see Rok-Ko floating above them.
"How do you guys like my earthquakes?" He cackled. "I might crack the place open!" Aku Aku glared at him. Rok-Ko continued to speak. "Keep moving forward, I'll make things worse for you!"
"You will be stopped, Rok-Ko." Aku Aku said. "Along with the other masks. Same goes with Cortex's bandicoot."
"Oh really? Well, let's see who is the strongest bandicoot? Your pet or the warrior who has our powers?" Rok-Ko taunted. Crash's ears went back in annoyance. He is no one's pet. "But, let me play catch with your bandicoot pet!" He summons a boulder, making Crash nervous.
"Crash! Felicia! Run!" Aku Aku cried out. Rok-Ko throws a boulder at the two, but Aku Aku uses his mojo to stop the boulder from heading close to them. The ancient mask throws the boulder at Rok-Ko, but he avoids it.
"Ha! Miss me!" He taunted. "Man, this is gonna be fun!"
"You face me, Rok-Ko! Leave Crash out of this!" Aku Aku said with a angry look.
"If you say so, but I should warn you that Crunch could be waiting at the temple." Rok-Ko said before leaving. Aku Aku gasped. He flew through the trees to look for Crash and Felicia.
XX
The cliff is ahead of the two mutants, and the temple is above. Felicia told Crash that the crystal shard is above in the temple. The bandicoot wasted no time but to climb on the rocks of the cliff. Felicia watches from below. She would go with him, but knew that this is Crash's job to stop the Elemental. She told Crash to be careful above, and the bandicoot responds by giving her a wave.
Crash made it the edge of the cliff and see the big temple ahead of him. He turns back to see the view of the jungle. The mountains, the grasslands, the trees, everything. It's so breathtaking. Crash faces the temple again and rush towards the entrance. As soon as he is inside, he felt his spine tingle. Something isn't right. Crash could smell danger around him. It makes him nervous, but he had to remain strong. He stepped out into the sunlight and see the arena. There is a platform above the stone steps. There is a Rock Crystal Shard. Crash walked over to the shard, studying it with his emerald eyes, see the brown aura around it. He reached for it, but a shadow towers him. Crash looks up and gasped at the sight of Crunch looking down at him from behind the platform. Crash backed away as Crunch snarled at him.
"Touch the shard, I'll break your neck." He warned. Crash didn't make a sound. He is afraid of the burgundy bandicoot. He is taller than him. Crash notices the letter "N" on the left side of the chest, but it looks like a scar. "Cortex wants me to get rid of you! So, let's do this!" Crunch said, punching his hand to his metal one. Crash let out a cry and run away from the large bandicoot. Crunch yelled and started to chase the orange bandicoot around the temple arena. "You call yourself a fighter?" Crunch asked, trying to catch up with Crash. Then, Rok-Ko appeared.
"Use my power! That bandicoot will be crushed by the power of Earth!" He said. He flew around the bandicoot. Crunch looks down at his arms to see rock forming. Crash gulped at this. Though, he had to admit to himself that it was a cool sight. Crunch smirked at the orange bandicoot, summoning the rocks.
"Time to play!" He said. He throws the rocks at Crash. The bandicoot runs around the arena to avoid them. Rok-Ko laughs at the sight.
"Hahaha! Look at him run!"
"He won't be running for long." Crunch said, punching the ground, causing it to shake. Crash fell on the ground. Crunch is using earthquake to slow him down. Crash tried to get on his feet, but the ground keeps shaking. This is getting too difficult for him. How can he beat Crunch like this? Crunch is using the Earth Elemental's power to fight him.
"Crash!" A voice called from above. Crash looked up to see Aku Aku coming towards him. "Don't be afraid! I'm here to help you!" He said. Crash gibbered and pointed at Crunch who summons more rocks to throw. "Oh no... He's in the Earth form by Rok-Ko!" Aku Aku gasped. "We must get the shard!"
"Over my dead body!" Crunch growled, throwing more rocks at Crash who runs away. Aku Aku sees Rok-Ko brings up a rock wall to block Crash from getting the shard. Boyd is watching the battle from above the temple building, laughing at Crash running for his life. He is glad that he is sent out here with Crunch and Rok-Ko.
"Crash, I'll distract Rok-Ko! You focus of getting the Rock Crystal Shard to stop Crunch!" Aku Aku said. Crash watches his father-figure heading above to fight Rok-Ko. Crash really wanted Aku Aku as a mask to turn him into Aku Crash to fight Crunch, but since there are two enemies involved, one must be taken care of. Crash stood up and glare at Crunch.
"C'mon, bandicoot! Face me!" He burgundy bandicoot snarled. Crash gritted his teeth at him. He runs towards him and use a spin attack him, but no effect since Crunch is in Earth Form. No bruise or scratch on him. Crunch snickered and punch Crash in the stomach with a metal/rock hand. The orange bandicoot cried out in agony as he was pushed to the stone steps.
"Ooooh! He's gotta be sore in the morning!" Boyd laughed from the top of the temple. Crash lifts his head up, groaning and see Crunch walking towards him. Before he could get a chance to hurt Crash again, a dagger hits his back. Crunch turned around and see Felicia.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" She growled. Boyd laid his eyes on her in awe.
"Wow..." He whispered. Felicia taunts Crunch, distracting him. Crash found his chance to get to the shard. Ignoring the pain on his stomach, he ran towards the platform and grabbed the Rock Crystal Shard. Crash's body begins to vibrate as he held the shard with one hand. Rok-Ko stopped fighting Aku Aku and see Crash holding the crystal shard.
"No! Crunch, stop him!" He cried. Crunch turned around to see what Crash had. He walked away from the female dingo. Crash sees the burgundy bandicoot coming towards him, summoning rocks. This is the only chance to do this risky move. Crash ran towards the enemy, jump on his chest, and stab his chest with the Rock Crystal Shard.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Crunch screamed as his Earth form fades from his body. Crash jumped off of him and watched in awe. Rok-Ko started to shake. He slowly turns to dust.
"No! No! Not again! NO!" He cried out, his voice echoes in the skies as dust flies in the air. Aku Aku came down to Crash's side and see Crunch on all fours, panting heavily. He held his chest where the shard stabbed him. Boyd quickly came over to him and glare at the heroes. Felicia joined Crash and Aku Aku.
"How...how could I been beaten by...that twerp?" Crunch panted, slowly getting on his feet. Boyd contacted N. Gin to bring out the portal to take them back to the lair. The red fox turned to Crash.
"You may won this round, Crash. But, this is only the beginning." He said. Crunch glared at Crash.
"You won't stand a chance against me next time, bandicoot. I will make sure you wish you were never created!" He said. Crash frowned at him. The portal appeared behind the villains. Boyd faces Felicia, giving her a wink.
"Until we meet again. I love to see chicks like you fight." He said. Felicia scoffed in disgust at him. Crunch and Boyd jumped in the portal before it disappeared. Crash sighed a bit, rubbing his stomach where Crunch punched him. Aku Aku faces him with a proud smile.
"Well done, Crash. One Elemental down, three more to go." He said.
"Mmmhmm." Crash hummed. Felicia started to walk away, but Aku Aku stopped her.
"Thank you for your help. Good luck for what you are doing." He said. Felicia smiled at him.
"Thanks. And good luck to you. I know you all can stop Cortex and the others once more. The world is counting on you." She told them. She walked away to leave the temple. The portal appears. Crash and Aku Aku went through to return to their sister's basement.