*Chapter 7: Tiny and Felicia*
Crash is resting in the warp room, trying to clear his head after a weird experience he had after retrieving a crystal. Aku Aku and Penta are in the fourth wrap hole to find a crystal for Crash, and Polar stays behind to keep the bandicoot company. Crash strokes the cub's ears, and Polar smiled at the feeling and lay next to Crash, cuddling him. The bandicoot chuckled at the action and leaned back on the wall. Penta and Aku Aku appeared in the warp room, feeling satisfied. The fifth crystal has been collected. Then, a hologram of Cortex appeared, forming a smile on his face, but frowned when he saw Crash sitting against the wall with Polar by him.
"Oh, Crash, you don't look so good. What has happened to you?" Cortex asked.
"Long story." Penta spoke. "Well, we got five crystals from this warp room. Now we have ten of them!"
"Don't celebrate just yet, my friends." Cortex spoke. "There are still enemies out there trying to stop you. This time, a dingo that Brio mutated will be coming for you. And somehow got Tiny involved. So he is against us." Crash scratched his head. He fought Tiny before, and he will fight him again. "Good luck, Crash." Cortex said and the hologram disappeared. Crash started to stretch his muscles to get warmed up for the next fight. He stood on the platform as Penta and Polar are close to him and Aku Aku floats above Crash. The platform raises up.
Felicia is standing around the chamber, waiting for Crash to appear. There are nine platforms floating above the darkness. As she is pacing around with her weapons, a light appeared and there is Crash and his friends standing across from her in the chamber. Felicia sneered at the bandicoot with her dark eyes.
"So, you're finally here. You have one chance to surrender the crystals and give us the gems." She said. "If you refuse, we will take them by force."
"Felicia, please be reasonable." Aku Aku spoke. "The planet will be destroyed by a mysterious force and Dr. Cortex needs the Power Crystals to gain energy to stop the threat."
"Oh please." Felicia scoffed. "Whatever that doctor tells you is complete bull. He's deceiving Crash." Crash brought his ears back in anger and annoyance. Felicia walked to the side and knock on the steel door. "Let's get 'em, big guy!" She called. The banging is heard from the other side of the door, and dents started to appear on the door. Polar and Penta got behind Crash's legs, sensing something bigger coming out. The door breaks down and revealed Tiny Tiger. Crash glared at him, getting ready for a fight. Tiny growled at the bandicoot and let out a roar. Felicia smirked and sharpen her sais as Tiny began to jump on the platforms to reach Crash. But Crash jumped on the platforms on the right to avoid the large creature. No matter what platform he is using, Tiny won't be stopping coming after him anytime soon.
"Tiny crush Crash!" The tiger roared, chasing Crash by jumping on the platforms. Then, the loud beeping is heard around the chamber. Crash jumped on the platform to get away from the ones that are blinking red for a reason. Then, the platforms drop down to the darkness and Tiny fell down as well. Felicia growled and threw one of the sais at Crash who ducked down in time. The sai came back to her, and the platforms returned with Tiny who is on his stomach. He groaned a bit. "Tiny feel dizzy." He said.
"Get up, you large hairball! Get the bandicoot!" Felicia said. Tiny got on his feet and snarled at Crash. He jumps across to get the bandicoot. Again, they are jumping on each platform. Polar, Penta, and Aku Aku are watching in silent. Crash can handle Tiny on his own for this one, but he also has to avoid Felicia. After some time now, the platforms start to beep and flash red. Crash jumped around to get to the green platform. Tiny didn't have time to react when the red platforms drop down to the darkness. It causes him to flap his arms and fell down. Crash held back his laughter when Tiny fell down the darkness twice. "Enough of this!" Felicia growled. She jumped on the platform, trying to push Crash down. The platforms emerge from the darkness, and Tiny got on his feet and see Felicia wrestling with Crash on the same platform they are on. Tiny jumped across, but Crash moved away from the female dingo to avoid the large tiger.
"Let Tiny crush bandicoot!" Tiny growled at Felicia.
"If you fall down there again, I will handle the bandicoot myself! Don't fail again!" Felicia said. Tiny gritted his teeth at her, but he chased Crash, jumping on the platforms. Felicia started to throw her sais at Crash, but the bandicoot dodged them. The platforms flashed red and loud beeps are heard once more. Crash is surrounded by a dingo and a tiger, but the only safe platform is behind them. Crash made a look, having his tongue out, getting ready to do the most risky thing. As Felicia charges at him with her weapons, Crash jumped over her and dash across to get to the green platform. Tiny was about to get him, but the platforms fell. Tiny and Felicia fell down to the darkness. Crash joined his friends and see that the platforms haven't returned. Felicia and Tiny have been defeated.
"Well done, Crash." Aku Aku praised. Crash started to dance. Penta cheered. And Polar howled. Now, they left the chamber to find the next warp room.
Coco walked up to the temple to meet back with Natalie to try to contact Crash again. But, Natalie was nowhere to be seen. She must be in the village somewhere to check on the tribe. But, Coco found something on the floor. She kneeled down to the floor and picked up the skull goat helmet. Natalie wouldn't leave this behind if she has to leave her temple. And the crystal is gone. Coco rushed over to her pink laptop and contact Brio. The screen of his face appeared.
"Coco! What did you find?" Brio asked.
"Brio, Natalie isn't here with me. And the Power Crystal she had is gone. And her helmet is left behind." Coco said.
"Wasn't she at the village somewhere?" Brio asked.
"I could check to make sure, but I was just down there. She was here when I left her temple." Coco replied. "I don't know where else she could have gone."
"With that crystal gone, that would mean one thing..." Brio said, rubbing his chin. "Crash must've taken it!"
"But, how could that be? He would recognize this place. I doubt it was him." Coco said. "I'll try to contact Crash again and tell him what's going on." She ends the contact and try to steal Cortex's signal to talk to Crash.
The lab assistants are dragging Natalie down the hallway of the space station. They walked through the door and see N. Gin working on his machine in the lab. The cyborg turned to see Natalie struggling. She is now wearing a white coat with torn dark jeans and boots.
"Who is this...lovely young lady?" N. Gin asked, studying Natalie. He then notices a letter N on her forehead. "Is she related to Dr. Cortex?"
"Not exactly..." Natalie said. Then, Cortex walked in the lab, and sees Natalie. He formed a smile.
"Ah, my dearest Natalie. Oh, I thought you were dead, but seems like the crystal you held onto tells me otherwise." Cortex said, coming up to Natalie. He took her hand and kissed it. "I've missed you."
"Neo. It's been a long time. Still look the same as ever." Natalie said as the lab assistants released her. "Now that your freaks capture me and took the crystal I kept safe, what are you really planning to do with the Power Crystals?"
"Haven't you heard? The planet is in danger." Cortex replied, giving Natalie a soft look. "Crash is looking for them and he will bring them to me." Natalie sneered at Cortex.
"You are such a liar. I know you too well." She said. "Coco and I have been talking to Brio. He was banished because of you. Once Coco gets in touch with her brother, she will guide him to the right path." Cortex chuckled at her.
"You let that nervous wreck get to you, my dear." He said. "But you must believe me, Natalie. After I fell from my hovercraft, I changed. I see the light. When I discovered something that will destroy Earth, I know what I must do. Using the crystals' power to destroy the evil force, and everyone will see that I am a changed man. Even you, Natalie." Cortex took Natalie's hand again, looking into her eyes. "When I thought you were dead out there, I was heartbroken and I can't just replace you with another woman. You're the only one I really cared about."
"Neo..." Natalie spoke. Then, the computer started to beep. Cortex turned to the screen and see Crash and the others appearing in the third warp room. N. Gin turned to Cortex who grinned.
"The warp room has three rooms with four crystals since we have the fifth one from Natalie." He said. "Inform Crash that he will just collect four crystals in that warp room."
"Of course." Cortex said. He turned back to Natalie. "I have business to attend to. Why don't you meet me in the room and we will...catch up?" He let out a chuckle, making her roll her eyes.
"Don't push it, Neo. I still don't trust you."
