Happy Friday everybody. Here I am to give you the next chapter of Alliance. OC Jan makes her appearance in this chapter. However, this chapter has a little more talking in a little less action. I apologize for this and I promise the next chapter will make up for it. Other than that, let's get started
Crash and company is not mine, Jan and OC are mine.
Here we go
Chapter 6 Surf's and Discoveries
Crash and Aku Aku stepped into the bright sunlight to find themselves on a path; where a beautiful flowing river all around them.
"I guess we're deal with more water and plants, eh?" Crash asked, sheepishly.
Crash ran down the path making sure to watch for plants that had capabilties to swallow him whole; not to mention the holes on the path that could send him into the icy water below.
After about 15 minutes of running, Crash came across 3 three man eating plants crouched low, ready to pounce on their when he came close.
Crash studied his plan for attack; the plan seemed easier than a math question.
Finally, Crash saw his plan for attack and decided to jump on the planets one by one.
Crash slowly crept toward the plants waiting to jump.
"I hope you what you're doing. Don't get cocky; I need my strength still needs to replenish."
"Yes I know, I have a plan."
Crash took a few more steps before the plants lunged to attack. Waiting for the right moment, Crash jumped in the air. Landing on the first plant and jumping on its head. From there, he jumped on the next plant and then on the next plant. Finally landing back on the path with the plants defeated at his feet.
"That's was too easy."
"Mmm hmm…. Yes easy… Watch yourself if you're not careful something may end up happening, and I may not be there to bail you out."
"Aku, you know I appreciate you. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't get where I am now. But, I can take care of myself you know."
"You're only in middle school."
"Come on, it won't be long until I become teen…. Except my voice has already gone through the teen change. Come to think of it, my voice was cracking when I was first created. I was created during puberty."
"You'll be fine, your body just maturing."
"Yeah I'm okay, it's I'm keeping my mind off of things for a little bit. Ever since are encounter with the komodo brothers, I've been thinking about what he said about honor what's going on."
"Who do think is doing what?" The floating mask asked, gently.
"Well, Brio was going to try and stop us; since we teamed up with Cortex. Then Cortex wants us to gather crystals for him. But, why would he make something about alignment; when he showed us the proof? What if Brio was responsible for the alignment and duping my friends into helping him?"
"You're not saying…"
"I'm saying, Brio could be the mastermind."
"Crash, I know he did work with Cortex but he wasn't that evil in nature. Seeming to do anything Cortex told him to do."
"But, since Cortex abandoned him, he wants vengeance and doesn't want believe he may have turned over a new leaf."
"Crash maybe that's a little excessive."
"I know, but it doe seem that something is missing in this puzzle. I just wish Coco was here; she would be able to solve what's going on."
Crash was forced out of his train of thoughts when he noticed the path ended with nothing but nitro and plant infested waters.
"Oh great! How am I going to maneuver past those plants and crates?"Crash groaned, frustrated.
"Did you get your energy back?"
"Not yet, but I see a motor wake board over there. How about using that to get across the infested waters?"
Crash sighed deeply; looking out at the waters. He actually felt rather reluctant; only to have thoughts of the alignment pound into his mind.
"Fine…"
Crash started up the board and slowly started moving past the obstacles. Crash stayed as he quiet as he could; not wanting to distract himself from the plants or crates and fall into the cold water.
Crash's mind was racing. Everything from the world, to Jan, to his friends, to Cortex. What was going on? Was there something missing? Was there something Cortex was not telling him?
Suddenly Crash found himself standing in a dark city.
He looked around, the surroundings was so unfamiliar to him. The thick black clouds hung against the sky. Heavy rain poured against his fur.
"Hello! Is anyone here?!" Crash called out to the dead silence.
No one answered. The city was dead with nothing but darkness. Where was everyone, and how did he get here? One minute ago, he was riding the dark waters along the river; not anywhere near near a city.
Crash walked among the. streets. The wind howling against the pounding of the rain. Something was wrong; cities were usually full of life but here, no one was around. Was there some sort of connection that Crash didn't know?
"Hello! Anybody here?! I'm Crash Bandicoot, I just want to know what's going on." The bandicoot called out to the dead silence.
Crash continued walking, hoping someone would come and answer his questions. He took a good look around when he noticed the numerous bodies of dead people, lying on the ground.
What had happened? Did the alignment cause this? Is this what will happen if Crash failed? If that wasn't it, what was it then?
Crash couldn't recognize any of the people dead on the ground.
His dazed walking finally brought him to a dark alley. He felt a strong need to go down there. Breathing deeply, he walked slowly inside, being careful incase someone popped out. Suddenly, he saw someone lying on the ground.
For some reason, this person looked very familiar. Crash slowly walked up to the body and turned it over to see who it was. When the face, he wasn't prepared at all.
It was Jan's dead body.
Her skin was so pale. A huge blood wound was stained on the chest of her t-shirt. But; she looked so peaceful; almost as if she had come to terms that she was going to die.
Crash stared in horror. Why? She was his best friend. Who did this to her?
"CRASH LOOK OUT!" The voice of Aku Aku came.
Crash looked around wondering where he was when suddenly, he felt ice cold water and his vision cleared. Apparently during his blackout, Crash hadn't noticed a nitro crate had explodeed; causing him to fall into the water.
"Oh crap! What happened?! How am I in the water? It's so cold!" Crash was completely dazed.
"Crash, hurry and swim, the end is right over there."
It would have been simple for Crash to simply swim 20 feet, but the cold water made it harder to move. THe bandicoot moved as fast he could. If stayed in the water anymore, he would evantually freeze to death. After about 10 minutes, Crash climbed out the water, shaking violently.
"Child, are you all right? You were just like a zombie and just didn't steer.
Crash stared out in the distance for a few seconds before he answered.
"I might've blacked out. I had this vision. I was in this city; no one was around except for these dead bodies. But then, I found Jan dead in this alley. I don't understand what it was but, it might have been tcaused by the alignment; and that I must have failed and everyone died because I wasn't fast enough. Maybe it's my doubts, maybe I can't do this."
Aku Aku spoke, soothingly. "Crash it's just your doubts, it happens. You're strong and you've had doubts before; and you've gotten past them. I know you have the power to get passed them again. You just have to believe in yourself. Okay?"
Crash smiled in spite of the cold.
"Yeah, you'renright. I have to stop doubting myself. I saved the world once, and I will save it again. Look there's the crystal and two of the gems; let's get them and head back." Crash ran ahead to warm himself up.
"That's the spirit." But, Aku Aku felt something different in the back of his mind. There was something that needed to be solved; and the mask wasn't sure if he was going to like it.
Meanwhile.
Coco was sitting on the couch pounding into her computer. The files were locked tightly, making it clear Cortex didn't want anyone getting in.
"He must be hiding something if his file our locked. I won't quit until I find something."
Suddenly, her computer started beeping. She was recieving a message.
Coco was greeted to Brio on the screen.
"Oh hey there. Did the Komodo brothers convince Crash?"
"No, they told me that me that Crash had plans to finish his mission without anything standing in his way."
Coco sighed, deeply.
"Did you have any luck breaking into the files?" Brio asked
"Not yet; but I promise I will."
"I hope so, we need you to get in very soon. Contact me of you get in."
"I will." The transmission was cut.
Meanwhile, Jan was sitting in the bleachers at school with her laptop sitting on her lap. Her friends were talking about this and that; Jan however was more preoccupied with thinking about Crash.
"Jan, I said if I could borrow the questions for the homework." One of her friends with short blond hair, asked.
"Oh Amy! I'm sorry I've been zoning out a lot lately."
"Why don't you just find out where this Crash is. I'm sure he would contact you if he knew where you were?"
"I know but, I don't know where to start looking."
Jan's computer started beeping.
What's that?" Amy asked.
"I got an email, maybe it's from Crash. Then again, that's over thinking." Said Jan, her emtions completely dry.
She opened the message.
"There is a complete message found in this link. But, you must be alone." THe message stated.
"Alone? All right then."
Jan got up.
"Where you going?" Asked Amy.
"I have to go. I'll see you guy's later. Okay?"
"Is it Crash… ! Jan… ! JAN!"
She completely ignored the other girl and headed straight for home. She knew her parents wouldn't be there.; Her mother was at headquarters and her father was somewhere in the Alps.
Jan finally made it home and went to her room.
She looked at the message again wondering if she should open it or delete it.
But what if was Crash? It would be her only chance to talk to him again. Hope soared through her she opened the link. For a moment her screen went black, until an image of Cortex appeared on her screen.
Jan was horrified. How was this possible? He had fallen hundreds of feet from the air when she last saw him. Not to mention a gun wound when she shot him in the shoulder. Now he seemed alive and well. What was going on?
Cortex broke the silence.
"Hello Jane. It's been awhile, hasn't it." His deep voice sent shivers down her spine.
The girl sat there unable to speak. Her emerald eyes wide with horror.
"It seems that you are at a loss of words, no matter. I know that you are worried about Crash; which is the reason why I have contacted you."
"Crash… You know where he is? Where!?" Jan felt her heart skip a couple beats
Cortex chuckled. "Patience, my dear. I'll tell you where he is but, you need to listen to what I have to say first."
"Well, I'm not sure, not after everything you did."
"I understand you don't trust me, but I promise that I am telling you the truth."
"All right/ What do you want to tell me?"
"I have come across a dangerous force that will align the planets; creating enough energy to destroy the Earth."
"You just found… Why haven't you told the government?! Why are you telling me this?!" Jan looked at the scientist, almost in tears.
"Because of my past, I feared that government would not believe me. I managed to contact Crash and told him that if he gets me 25 crystals, that I would be able to contain the planets energy. But, now I have a feeling that Crash is danger."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone has been trying to sabotage Crash from getting the crystals. As of right now, Crash is fine, but I fear that someone is trying to lure him away from his goal."
"Do you know who?"
"I cannot say for certain, but I have a feeling it's someone in the government circles."
"The military, the scientists or my parents?!"
"I don't know, but if they get to Crash first, then we will all be doomed." Cortex replied, morbidly
Jan felt herself shaking. What was going on?
"What do you want me to do? I'll do anything to help Crash, I promise."
"The only thing you can do is trust what I had to say and have faith in Crash. But, you can not trust anything anyone tells you about this, Crash he needs you to believe this happening."
'Okay, If he trusts you, then I do to. I'll be sure no strays him away."
Cortex smiled sadly. "Thank you. I'm afraid I must go now, but remember what I have told you."
"Okay."
"Goodbye, my dear." The transmission was cut.
Jan looked at her blank computer screen. She need to speak to her mother.
A little later at headquarters, Brio was waiting timidly for Coco to tell him if she found anything yet.
That's when he heard yelling outside.
"Jan I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know of planetary irregularities." Dr. Starling said, looking completely confused.
"You're lying, you do know! Your just covering it up so you don't look bad!" Jan shot back, as if her mother had stabbed her in the back.
"Jane Aurora Starling, you will not accuse me like that. Now I want you to calmly tell mw where this is coming from." Her mother growled.
"Like I'm going to tell you!"
Brio came in between mother and child.
"What's all the fuss about?" Brio asked, calmly.
"Jan is accusing me of covering up a planetary alignment, I know nothing about an alignment." Dr. Starling said.
"You're a liar! Your trying to stray Crash away from his mission." Jan snarled, her body shaking and her complexion pale.
Brio felt heart his stop.
"Dear God, Cortex got to her. Didn't he?" He thought to himself.
"Who put you up to this?" Brio asked, casually.
"Like I will tell any of you." Jan whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Jan you're scaring me! What's going on?!" Her mother asked, almost on the verge of crying.
Jan looked at them, but said nothing; her emerald eyes were filled with distrusting horror.
Dr. Starling sighed to herself.
"Brio will you keep an eye on her for a bit, I need to make a phone call."
"Take your time."
The scientist left the room.
Brio motioned the young girl to come into his lab. She reluctantly followed with the feeling that she was trapped.
Milo, Linda and Kage were also in the room.
Milo was the first to come up to her.
"Hey there mate, My name's Milo, this is my little sister Linda and that's Kage." Linda smiled and waved while Kage merely looked at her with an emotionless look on her face.
Jan wanted to tell them that none of the people here could be trusted, instead they should do anything that would help her protect Crash. It made Jan even more ill that her own cousin would betray her like this.
Linda was the first to break the awkward silence.
"I know you care about Crash, but I think you need to think twice about who you should listen to."
Jan looked at them distrust.
"Dr. Cortex knew what he was talking about, he told me everything that is going on. You are the ones that are listening to the wrong people." Jan shot back.
"Seriously, you need to think about how sound. What exactly did Dr. Cortex tell you?" Sean demanded, almost stunned that Crash could be friends with someone her.
"Unless you decide to side with me and believe what Dr. Cortex has said, then I can't tell you what he told me."
"You really think Cortex is telling you the truth?" Milo asked, looking at the tense red head.
"If Crash trusts him, then I trust him."
"You know that there could be more to the story then what you know." Kage spoke for the first time. Her voice had a thick Austrian accent.
"What do you mean?" Jan asked, her voice skeptic.
"People will say one thing and then do another. You can't trust anything anyone ever tells you." Kage's voice was completely emotionless.
Jan didn't want to admit that Kage may have been right. But, what did they know? Who knew; maybe these so called friends of Crash were out to get. But, the red head decided to go along with it so she could get away.
"Your right, but Cortex could be telling the truth. You should let Crash gather the crystals and see what he decides to do. But, for the time being, I need to trust Crash, and if I need to find anything out, I'll find out; and I don't want your help either"
Milo frowned deeply. But, at least she had some understanding
"I guess that's fair, just make sure you understand the consequences." Milo said, his tone rather unfriendly.
Jan shot Milo a rather cold glare
Brio had come back in.
"Well did you explain everything to her?"
"Yes I know, but I still am going to trust Cortex, but I do understand the consequences. Tell my mom I went home okay?" Jan left the lab.
That girl's a bitch." Sean growled. "
"That girl would do anything for Crash, she's just worried about him, that's all." Brio sighed
Suddenly the computer started beeping. Brio went to the screen to see who was there; when he noticed Coco on the screen.
"Coco, what did you find out?"
"I found some details about a new Cortex Vortex and some space station he has built it on."
"Anything else?"
"No, that's it for now." Coco said. "But, I promise that I will find out more. First I'll contact Crash and tell him what I found, then I want to get some sleep."
"That sounds fair, let's hope this does get Crash's attention."
"Hang on, I think Crash is back in the warp room. He just gathered several more crystals. Let me contact him."
Meanwhile Crash had gathered the 14th crystal and several more gems.
"I can't believe we're halfway done." Crash smiled. "We make a great team.
"We sure do." Aku Aku smiled.
The pair heard the whirl of the machine when Coco's face appeared in the hologram.
"Crash…"
"Coco, how did you find me?" Crash asked.
"Not time to explain, I have to tell you something…"
"What is it?"
"I managed to hack into Cortex's computer and found some details about some new Cortex Vortex and this space station he built it on."
"Are you sure about that? Maybe this Cortex Vortex was created to contain the planets energy." Crash suggested.
"Crash, you need to think of the possibility that Cortex is hiding something from you." Coco pleaded
"Listen I appreciate that you want to help me, but I need to do this for myself. I wouldn't give the crystals to Cortex if I knew he was going to abuse them. By the way, who have you been talking to?" Crash asked, skeptically
"Well Brio…"
"Brio, that explains it." Aku Aku said quietly.
"Explains what?" Coco asked.
"Coco we have to go. We'll see you later okay?" Aku said.
"Wait…!" But it was too late they gone through the 15th portal."
"Damn it!" Coco growled, as she cut the transmission.
She stared at her now blank computer.
"I just want to know what's going on."
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