Chapter 9: N. Sanity Island
Noel, Ken, and Grace leave return to the Tower of Remembrance and are in the next silver room and as they make their way to the next floor Noel feels an immense pain in her chest making her groan in pain and kneels to the floor making Ken and Grace stop moving and they turn to her.
"Noel! Oh, crap! What's wrong?" Ken asked as he and Grace rush to her.
"I-I'm starting to feel that darkness that man gave to me…" Noel said as she tries to get up but she kneels down again.
"Eevee…" Grace said.
"Damn that bastard! No. I won't let that darkness consume you! You're not gonna let it control you, are ya?" Ken asked.
"Of course not. I'm not like Odium. I would never give into to the darkness…" Noel said and she takes a deep breath and just then she no longer feels pain in her chest.
"What the hell was that?" Ken asked.
"If I try to control the darkness that dwells in my heart, then the darkness can't and won't consume me and control me." Noel said.
"Good to know. I know you'll learn because you're a smart girl." Ken said.
"Eevee." Grace said rolling his eyes at Ken's comment.
"Who asked you, mutt?!" Ken demanded and Noel and Grace laugh at Ken's irritation.
"Don't worry about me. I'm okay. Really. Let's just keep going if I'm going to find out my truth." Noel said as she moves for the next floor.
Meanwhile at the same dark room Raphael uses his telepathic abilities again and realizes something.
"It's just as I thought. It's that girl I mentioned. That girl is in fact, the count's daughter Noel." Raphael said.
"But how did she managed to escape from the Realm of Darkness?" Makoto asked.
"I do not know. All I know is that she's here and she's attempting to learn the truth about herself." Raphael said.
"But I am quite curious. Why is she here? How is this possible?" A voice asked and it's the clown.
"Her existence is destined to visit the tower, just like the other hero, the Prince of Light, Virtus or also Ky." Raphael said.
"So he's here as well?" Makoto asked.
"Yes. He arrived here not long before Noel." Raphael said.
"But why did the count not tell us?" Makoto asked.
"Because he has plans for both the Prince of Light and the Child of Light and Darkness. This mission is pointless, but we have our own purpose here." Raphael said.
"I truly find both their existences intriguing. Perhaps a little test for the Child of Light and Darkness is called for." The clown said.
Meanwhile Noel, Ken, and Grace arrive at the next floor and look around.
"Ugh! No matter what different floor we're in, it's the same damn room! What's with this damn tower?! Who the hell built it?" Ken asked.
"We can't touch on that right now. We have to move on." Noel said.
"Yeah, but doesn't this look a l'il suspicious to you?" Ken asked.
"Yes, but the only way to get to the bottom of this is to keep going until we figure out what purpose someone has." Noel said.
Noel walks over to the next door and looks at the other four cards left and examines them to decide which she will have to use next and then she decides the N. Sanity Island card and uses it to unlock the door and walks through the opened door.
Noel, Ken, and Grace are now in a jungle area and they look around to see if there's anything around the jungle but so far there's nothing.
"Hey, isn't this the same island we've gotten ourselves into?" Ken asked.
"Eevee!" Grace berated.
"Okay, fine! That I'VE put ourselves into! Smart ass…" Ken said.
"Yes. This is the island. But remember, this is a figment created by my memories. The least we can do now is find some way to do something for someone else for now." Noel said.
"I guess you're right. Like findin' who left that crystal thing over there?" Ken asked pointing at something and it's a Power Crystal.
"A Power Crystal? I think there could be some uses from it." Noel said as she walks over to the Power Crystal and tries to take it but then another hand touches the Power Crystal and Noel looks at something and it's Crash. "Oh, it's Crash…" Noel said making the bandicoot look a little confused about how Noel know his name.
"Yo, Furball! Hand over the Power Crystal thingy, would ya?" Ken said.
"Crash! Where are you? Have you found a crystal yet?" A voice asked and Noel sees Aku-Aku arriving. "There you are. I see you've found a Power Crystal, but it looks like someone else has as well." Aku-Aku said.
"Please don't mind us. I didn't know you wanted this Crystal. We'll let you have it." Noel said.
"Well, that's generous of you. Okay, Crash. You heard her. It's ours." Aku-Aku said and Crash nods while taking the crystal.
"Just what do you want with it anyway?" Ken asked.
"Coco is making a device that's capable of reading memories of others. She's interested in knowing what would affect a person's memory and analyze what causes memories to appear and fade." Aku-Aku answered.
"I see." Noel said.
"Unfortunately, Black Xetis and Heartless intend on foiling her attempts by stealing Power Crystals from the island, as they're capable of powering Coco's device." Aku-Aku said.
"Well, if the Black Xetis and the Heartless are ruining it, then we can try to stop them and let Coco work on her invention." Noel said.
"That's noble of you. However, the Crystals have already been stolen, and we just found the only one that's not stolen yet. You actually prevented it from being taken." Aku-Aku said. "Would you be interested in having a look at Coco's device and see what lies in your memory?" Aku-Aku asked.
"Wait, you're askin' Noel to have her memory probed by some weird invention? I don't think that…" Ken was cut off.
"I'll see what that device can do. Maybe Coco can see what's really in my memory." Noel said.
"You sure about this?" Ken asked.
"It can't hurt to try." Noel said.
"Okay then." Ken said.
"Very well. Crash and I will escort you to our house." Aku-Aku said and Crash nods.
Noel makes her way through the jungle area while fighting off Black Xetis and Heartless in her way and she continues to go through the jungle and later on Noel arrives at the shore area and finds a hut and the group enter the house to find Coco working on an invention.
"Coco, we have found a Power Crystal that was not stolen." Aku-Aku said.
"Finally! Those stupid Black Xetis and Heartless just kept on stealing everything. I don't what I would've done if I didn't get to test my newest work." Coco said as she takes the Power Crystal.
"Your device is able to read memories, right?" Noel asked.
"That's what I want to test it for. Are you willing to volunteer?" Coco asked.
"I'm curious as to what your device can do." Noel said.
"Well, that's swell. Let me place this Power Crystal into my Memory Reader, and it should be able to read your memories." Coco said as she puts the Power Crystal into her device.
"Think it'll work?" Ken asked.
"Like I said, it can't hurt to try. Maybe it could determine the memories I still have." Noel said.
Just then the device starts to go off.
"UGH! Stupid thing! WORK!" Coco yelled shaking the Memory Reader.
"What is it?" Aku-Aku asked.
"It turns out my Memory Reader still needs more Crystals. Two more to be exact." Coco said.
"But the Black Xetis and the Heartless stole 'em, right?" Ken asked.
"That won't be problem if we're here. Let us find the Black Xetis and Heartless that stole the Crystals and we can bring them back." Noel said.
"That sounds like a good idea. Coco?" Aku-Aku asked.
"Sounds fair to me. Do this, and I'll conduct that experiment." Coco said.
"Crash and I will come with you. We know a lot about this island, so your hunt should be a little easy." Aku-Aku said.
"Thank you." Noel said.
Noel leaves the house and makes her way through the island to find the Black Xetis and the Heartless that stole the Power Crystals and while going through the island Noel fights off the Black Xetis and the Heartless in her way and while going through the island the group find Powerwild Heartless at an inner jungle.
"Heartless! They're probably the ones who stole one of the Crystals!" Ken said taking out his guitar.
"We'll have to see about that." Noel said.
(Enter Battle!)
The Powerwild Heartless attack with their fists at Noel who cartwheels out of the way and then triple slashes with Radiant Salvation and then uses Fire Raid but the Powerwild Heartless slide kick at Noel and then jump into the air and multi attack with their claws but Noel aerial slashes with Radiant Salvation and then uses Bubble Storm but the Powerwild Heartless multi punch but Noel summons Grace who uses Tackle and then disappears and then summons Ken who unleashes magic music waves and then casts Earth and disappears but the Powerwild Heartless slide kick again but Noel dodges and then she finds a card with Crash on it.
"CRASH!" Noel called and Crash appears.
Crash spins all over the area and strikes at the Powerwild Black Xetis and then disappears but the Powerwild Heartless leap and then multi attack with their fists but Noel vertical slashes with Radiant Salvation and then casts Fire and defeats the Powerwild Heartless.
After the battle the group walk over and find a Power Crystal.
"That's one Crystal for Coco. Now, we just have to find one more." Aku-Aku said.
"And those bastards stole the next damn thing." Ken said.
"We'll find the next one." Noel said and just then she finds something else and it's another blue card.
(Obtained: Espio card)
Noel makes her way through the inner jungle to search for the next stolen Power Crystal while fighting off Black Xetis and Heartless in her way and she keeps searching for the next stolen Power Crystal and later on the group arrive at some ruins and while looking around the group find Vampirebat Black Xetis.
"Black Xetis and they've also stolen the next Crystal we need." Noel said.
"In that case, we'll have to take it from them." Aku-Aku said.
(Enter Battle!)
The Vampirebat Black Xetis unleash their sonic screams at Noel who dodges and aerial slashes with Radiant Salvation and then delivers an aerial diagonal slash but the Vampirebat Black Xetis swipe their wings but Noel summons Banjo and Kazooie and Banjo has Kazooie charge but the Vampirebat Black Xetis aerial kick but Noel triple slashes with Radiant Salvation and then casts Thunder but the Vampirebat Black Xetis unleash more sonic screams but Noel dodges and she uses her Espio card to summons Espio who throws four shurikens at the Black Xetis and disappears but the Vampirebat Black Xetis aerial dive but Noel summons Grace who uses Growl and disappears and then Noel uses Bubble Storm and defeats the Vampirebat Black Xetis.
After the battle the group find the next Power Crystal.
"Well, that's two of them. They should be good enough for Coco's Memory Reader device." Aku-Aku said.
"Let's go deliver them over to Coco." Noel said.
"Won't be necessary." A voice said and Coco arrives. "I decided to come find you guys. I see you have the two Crystals. Perfect! Now I'll be able to test out my new Memory Reader. Noel, you still willing to test it?" Coco asked.
"Yes." Noel answered.
"Okay then. Here goes." Coco said.
"Such silly marsupials! Why bother using a device to read memories? When you can just use it to take them away!" A voice said and the group see someone arriving and it's Dr. Cortex and with him is Uka-Uka.
"And we'll be able to manipulate the memories to bring destruction of the world!" Uka-Uka said.
"My brother! Dr. Cortex!" Aku-Aku said.
"What do you want now?" Coco asked.
"I couldn't help but hear that you'll use the device to read memories of others. I intend to reverse its polarity to make the device steal memories for myself, and once the memories of others disappear, I'll be able to use that advantage to have others worship me as their ruler!" Cortex explained.
"That can't happen, Cortex!" Aku-Aku said.
"Foolish brother! You must know by now that there is always a way!" Uka-Uka said as he uses his power to levitate the Memory Reader.
"Hey!" Coco yelled and the Memory Reader is now in Cortex's hands.
"Hahahaha! With the two remaining Crystals and the memory device, my plan can come to fruition! I'll finally rule the world" Cortex said.
"Not if Crash and I have anything to say about that! You won't get away with this!" Aku-Aku said.
"You cannot stop us this time, brother!" Uka-Uka scoffed as he and Cortex disappear.
"This is not good! We can't allow them to make their plan come to reality! Crash, Noel, you guys have to stop them!" Coco said.
"Right. We'll do what we can!" Noel said and Crash nods.
"Then let's make haste! There is no telling when they'll start with their insidious plan!" Aku-Aku said.
"Yeah! Lead the way so we can take out those bastards!" Ken said.
"Follow us!" Aku-Aku said.
(Obtained: Cream and Cheese crad)
Noel makes her way through the ruins and goes through the next jungle and fights off the Black Xetis and the Heartless in her way and keeps going through the jungle and later on Noel, Ken, Grace, and Crash and Aku-Aku arrive at an entrance to a temple and they confront Cortex and Uka-Uka who are standing near the entrance.
"Stop this right now! We will not allow your plans to succeed!" Aku-Aku said making Cortex and Uka-Uka turn to the group.
"You are too stubborn to follow us here. It's rather foolish." Uka-Uka said.
"Why not just save yourself the trouble and go on home, and LET ME WIN FOR JUST ONCE!" Cortex yelled.
"Letting the bad guy win? Like hell! That'll freakin' happen! Now hand that device before we beat the crap outta you!" Ken demanded.
"You shouldn't be toying with memories. It's not something that will allow you to have your way." Noel said.
"Ha! I appreciate the lesson, but that won't convince me. If you want your stupid device back, then you'll have to take it from me by force." Cortex said.
"You should know by now how this will end." Aku-Aku said.
"Not this time, brother. For I have means of destroying you all." Uka-Uka said.
(Theme: Face It)
Uka-Uka uses his power to cause trees to come to life and come to Uka-Uka and later on a tree body is created for Uka-Uka while Cortex calls his hoverboard and rides on it.
"Now then, this will be the last time I'll have to see your worthless faces again!" Cortex said.
(Enter Battle!)
(Boss Theme: Fight For My Friends)
Noel is standing face-to-face against Tree Titan Uka-Uka and Cortex
"I'd say I'll miss you, but I'd be lying. Prepare to be destroyed." Cortex said.
"Do not fail me, Cortex!" Uka-Uka said.
Cortex shoots multiple shots from his blaster while Tree Titan Uka-Uka attacks with his tree fists and then unleashes vines but Noel dodges and triple slashes with Radiant Salvation and then casts Fire but Cortex keeps firing his multiple shots from his blaster but Noel dodges and summons Banjo and Kazooie and Banjo has Kazooie shoot eggs and they disappear and then summons Espio who attacks with multi ninja kicks and then delivers palm strikes and disappears but Tree Titan Uka-Uka fires mystical beams while Cortex charges his shots and shoots them but Noel cartwheels out of the way and then horizontal slashes with Radiant Salvation and then casts Earth but Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes spikes from the ground to get Noel who dodges and tries to aerial slash with Radiant Salvation but Cortex shoots multiple shots from his blaster but Noel casts Thunder and then uses her Cream and Cheese card to summon Cream and Cheese and Cream sends Cheese to attack and they disappear but Tree Titan Uka-Uka fires mystical beams but Noel uses Fire Raid to strike.
Cortex hovers about in his hoverboard and throws mines at Noel who avoids them before they explode while Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes vines to capture Noel who slashes at the vines and then delivers two vertical slashes with Radiant Salvation and then uses Ether Slash but Cortex fires multiple shots from his blaster but Noel uses Bubble Storm and then summons Ken who casts Blizzard and then shoots magic music notes and disappears but Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes spikes from the ground and then attacks with his tree fists but Noel dodges the attacks and then summons Grace who uses Bite and then disappears but Cortex throws mines to the ground at Noel who cartwheels out of the way before the mines explode and Noel casts Thunder at Cortex and then slashes at Tree Titan Uka-Uka with Radiant Salvation but Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes tree spikes to get Noel who dodges but Cortex charges his shots and shoots them but Noel also dodges and summons Crash who spins at Cortex multiple times and then disappears but Tree Titan Uka-Uka tries to grab Noel who slashes at the tree arm.
Cortex fires multiple shots from his blaster and then throws many mines at the ground at Noel who dodges and then aerial slashes with Radiant Salvation and then uses Bubble Storm but Tree Titan Uka-Uka slams his tree fists to the ground and unleashes many tree spikes and then unleashes vines to try and grab Noel who cartwheels to avoid the vines and then diagonal slashes at Tree Titan Uka-Uka with Radiant Salvation and then casts Fire but Cortex charges his shots and then shoots them at Noel who dodges them all and then uses Fire Raid but Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes spikes from the ground but Noel dodges and then vertical slashes with Radiant Salvation and then delivers a swing slash but Tree Titan Uka-Uka fires mystical beams while Cortex fires multiple shots from his blaster but Noel dodges and strikes at Cortex with Radiant Salvation and then casts Thunder but Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes vines to grab Noel who dodges and then uses Ether Slash but Cortex throws mines on the ground and explode and then fires charged shots from his blaster while Tree Titan Uka-Uka unleashes tree spikes but Noel slashes at Cortex with Radiant Salvation and then delivers a diagonal slash with her Keyblade and finishes off Cortex and Tree Titan Uka-Uka and they're both defeated.
After the battle a card appears before Noel and it transforms into a card.
(Obtained: Leaf Strike)
With Cortex and Uka-Uka defeated the group return to the Bandicoot House and Coco examines her Memory Reader device which is now broken.
"Ugh! Stupid Cortex! He destroyed my Memory Reader during the fight! Oh, well. I guess I'll have to cancel that memory experiment." Coco said.
"It's okay, Coco. I think I was going to have second thoughts about that test." Noel said.
"Really? What made you change your mind?" Coco asked.
"Because I made a promise to myself that I wanted to find out the truth about myself, and see what would happen if that was revealed. Even if I find out the truth, I think I would still keep my memory." Noel answered.
"That sounds fair to me." Aku-Aku said and Crash nods.
"Okay then. It's your choice anyway." Coco said.
"Just know this, Noel. Even if you do find the truth about yourself, and whatever you may feel, don't let that feeling get in the way of who you already are, and decide the path for yourself." Aku-Aku said.
"I'll keep that in mind, Aku-Aku. Thank you." Noel said.
"I HOPE that never happens." Ken said.
"Eevee…" Grace said shaking his head.
"Oh, shuddup, ya mutt!" Ken snapped and everyone laughs at Ken's annoyance and Ken just crosses his arms and turns his head away annoyed by Grace.
"Oh, and I also have something you for helping out, Noel. You can have it." Coco said giving Noel another blue card.
(Obtained: Knuckles card)
"Thank you, Coco." Noel said.
"Good luck with what path you'll take, Noel. We know you'll take the right one." Aku-Aku said.
"Yeah. Bye." Noel said as she, Ken, and Grace leave the house.
Noel makes her way through the jungle and while going through the jungle she finds a door up ahead and makes her way to the door and later goes through it and leaves N. Sanity Island.
To be continued...