Chapter 10: Teleported to nowhere

The Lost Bandicoots teleported successfully back to Wumpa Island from Madame Amberly's Academy of Evil thanks to the device that Coco gave them. The two appeared right in front of Crash's house and looked around to see that they have returned home.

''Whoa! It worked!'' Chris exclaimed. ''Let's go see what muscle guy and smarty pants are up to.''

''You mean Coco and Crunch…''

''Yup!''

Crunch and Coco heard a door open and looked up to find their two friends entering the house.

''Hey suckas! Everything okay?'' The burgundy bandicoot asked.

''Well, let's just say that we finally know where the crystals are.'' Heather replied. ''There are seven power crystals and can be found on N. Sanity Island. The good news is that we have the first two because Nina gave them to us.''

''I just wish there was some way we could get some more info on Neo's Mind Control Ray'' Says Coco as she typed on her pink laptop.

''And there is!'' Crunch replied. ''You can hack into Periwinkle's network. Remember? You used to do that all the time.''

''Oh, Crunch… you know that is not easy…''

The light brown bandicoot saw four helmet-like devices on the table and was curious to know what those things were. ''Hey, Coco… what are those?''

''A helmet that protects you from getting brainwashed'' She answered. ''If Cortex shows up with his Mind Control Ray just put it on and ta-da… you're not evil!''

''Nice! We're safe, then'' He replied. ''By the way, we can help you hack Cortex's network if you want.''

''Have you and Heather even entered there?''

''No. Of course, Cortex would never let us enter the place where he keeps his evil things since he was hiding the fact that he was not the good guy from us, but I think we can help.''

''Alright, just give me a sec…''

She began to type on her pink laptop and after a few seconds, a loading screen with a black background and an N on it popped up. After it loaded, a page came up asking for the password.

''Oh, I think I know the password!'' The brown bandicoot girl said. ''Try typing 'password' …maybe I'm correct.''

''Well, considering the fact that Cortex has a lack of brains, then I guess you may be right'' She typed the word and after a few seconds, she successfully entered to the villain's network. ''His password really is 'password' …nice one, Periwinkle!''

''I told you I was right…'' The two female marsupials smirked and high-fived.

The group, including Pura, looked curiously at Cortex's network. It looked at lot like a social network because Uka Uka and everyone from Cortex's army had a profile there and they published statuses, photos and videos. It also had a tab for all the inventions that Cortex created, another one for the plans and another one for the profiles. As they looked at the things that they published there, they stumbled upon a photo of Ripper Roo standing beside a urinal with a burger on his hand and doing a thumbs up with the other hand. I guess we already know who keeps eating burgers in the bathroom…

After they laughed and cringed at things that were posted there, they began to investigate.

''Alright, let's see…'' The orange bandicoot girl began to look around to find something where she could possibly find more information about the Mind Control Ray. ''Profiles, photos, plans… inventions! There we go!'' She clicked on it and a list of Cortex's inventions such as the Evolvo Ray and others appeared.

''There it is! The Mind Control thing!'' Says the burgundy bandicoot pointing to the screen. She clicked on it and there it was… a picture of it and a full description of it.

''Let's see what is says…''

The Mind Control Ray is an antenna-like device created by Dr. Neo Cortex and Dr. Nitrus Brio. When activated, it transmits waves that controls the mind or brainwashes any individual, eventually turning him into an evildoer. Its main side effect is the individual's eyes turning red then back to its normal color after a few seconds. This indicates that the individual has been successfully brainwashed. The device is currently on normal mode but it can be powered up to function in an advanced mode with a strong energy source such as power crystals. A total of seven power crystals will be required to unlock the machine's hidden features and to power it up. It is reversible, meaning that you can return the individual back to normal by turning it off.

''Well, what do you think?'' Says Coco. ''We've got everything we need right here.''

''Yeah, but imagine what Cortex is doing with it right now...''

N. Sanity Island

Dr. Cortex was there somewhere on the island doing his evil deeds. He did succeeded in brainwashing the island inhabitants, but what could he be doing now?

The mad scientist was there, with a group of brainwashed individuals. Some of them were actually human while the others were anthropomorphic animals. He was there giving them orders and talking to them. Every time he ordered them to do something, they obeyed and every thing he told them, they listened.

''Cortex, you can count on us'' A brainwashed racoon guy said. ''If we see an orange furry guy named Crash, we attack!''

''Correct, my fellow minion!'' Cortex chuckled. ''And what are you all working for?''

''WORLD DOMINATION!'' The whole group said.

This didn't look good... not at all. Cortex has literally enslaved the innocent people of the islands and no one is there to do something about it. People see him as their ruler, but they don't realize that their ruler is doing no good to them. Maybe someone will get them out of this and return them back to normal, but that was not going to happen anytime soon.

The abuse did went too far and Pinstripe Potoroo was to blame. On the highest point of N. Sanity Island, there was a tall tower with an N on it. You could see a bunch of brainwashed island residents building it as the potoroo kept ordering them to hurry up.

''Come on! Keep working!'' The potoroo ordered. ''I want this finished A.S.A.P!''

''Yes, master'' The brainwashed residents replied as they continued building.

Pinstripe chuckled to himself. ''Things are going swell... just swell...''

All of this was a big surprise and was totally unexpected. Sure, it was expected that Cortex would do this, but no one would have imagined that it would be this bad. The sight of this is terrifying and causes worry among those who see it. Someone had to stop this once and for all because evil doesn't triumph over good this easily. When good meets evil, evil might win the battle, but not the war...

''I don't know what could he be doing now with it'' The brown bandicoot girl says. ''I think Cortex is soon going to use his Mind Control Ray on Wumpa Island and if he does, we're doomed!''

''Calm down, we have these'' The orange bandicoot girl points to the helmets that could save them from getting brainwashed by Cortex. ''It will save us from Cortex's shenanigans...''

A thought came across the burgundy bandicoot's mind that he found hilarious. He started to snicker to himself as the others watched.

''Crunch? What's so funny?'' Heather asked. Crunch went over to her, whispered in her ear and she started to laugh as well.

''Hmmmm…'' The orange bandicoot girl folded her arms. ''What is it with you two now?''

''No, no… it's nothing'' Crunch laughed and he looked at Chris. ''Hey Chris, you know what she has too besides the helmets? You! You're her special someone!''

Heather and Crunch looked at each other and started to laugh. Chris and Coco didn't found the joke amusing and didn't even laugh one bit. They stood there with their arms folded, giving them the evil eye.

''Yeah? Well at least I can sleep without a pink teddybear in my bed!'' The light brown bandicoot smirked.

''Oooooooooooooo!''

The burgundy bandicoot started to feel really embarrassed. He chuckled nervously and replied. ''What? How do you know I have a pink teddybear!?''

''Crash told me'' He laughed. ''Oh and by the way, I saw that teddybear on the girls' toys section, tough guy.''

The two female marsupials shared another 'Ooooooooo' moment after his comeback. Meanwhile, Crunch was starting to get even more angry at him.

''Alright, that's enough! Or you will feel the wrath of my metal fist!''

''Yeah?! Well get ready to feel the wrath of my… uhhh…'' Chris reached into his pocket and took out the teleportation device from earlier. ''Teleportation device!"

He lifted his metal fist. ''Do your worst, fool!''

''Chris, I wouldn't do that if I were you!''

''Oh, I will do my worst! I don't know what this is gonna do, but let's find out!'' He ignored Coco's warning and pressed the button. POOF! Everyone in the room including Pura disappeared.

Crunch, Heather and Chris appeared in front of the Eiffel Tower. The smell of French toast and the sight of people speaking in a language that they couldn't understand made them feel confused.

''Okay, this not Wumpa Island!'' The brown bandicoot girl said. ''How the heck did we get here?''

''Thanks a lot, fool!'' Crunch says to the light brown bandicoot, but he just smiled nervously at him. ''You teleported us to Paris, France!''

''Will you two calm down already and make peace? We need to find Coco and Pura.''

''Yeah, that's something Mr. Pretty Boy has to do! He's the one who started it!''

Suddenly, a French guy bumps into Crunch and he walks away muttering angrily to himself.

''Hey, watch where you're going, fool! I don't eat your French toasts for nothing! Take your vitamins!''

The two friends look at each other and facepalmed.

POOF! The orange bandicoot girl and the tiger cub appeared in a place that seemed familiar to them.

''Okay… how did I end up in the Wall of China?'' She looked over at Pura. ''You got here too?''

Meowww. (Translation: Duh! That's why I'm here)

''Never mind. Let's just get out of here…''

Pura wanted to do something before going because he did have a brilliant idea in mind. He walked a few steps forward and turned his head to look at Coco.

Meowww.. meow? (Translation: Let's do this for old time's sake. Please?)

She knew what the tiger cub was trying to do there, but she had to refuse. ''Oh, Pura.. we haven't done that for years. I don't think I could do it right now so easily. What if I lost it, you know?''

She saw Pura frown at her and felt like she regretted saying no to his idea in the first place.

''Ugh, what am I doing? Let's ride!''

She went over and jumped on Pura's back. Right before the tiger cub could start to run, a Chinese guy who was walking by halted them.

''Hey, aren't you that furry bandicoot girl that almost crashed into me with her pet tiger back in 199-something?'' He asked.

''Uh… um… no? No I'm not!'' She chuckled nervously. ''Pssst! Pura, let's just go before this gets weirder.''

The tiger cub left off running with the orange bandicoot girl on his back, leaving the weird Chinese guy there.

''Hmmm… never mind.''

Meanwhile, the orange bandicoot girl was on the tiger cub's back, doing everything she could to not fall off. The Wall of China was different from when they traveled back in time to when it was still being built. It had no holes, gaps or workers building it… it was completely built. It wasn't the same experience without the jumping and all, but the two were literally driving down memory lane. Who knew saving the world from Cortex would be so fun?

''Watch out!''

A Chinese-style dragon got on their way and Pura was smart enough to jump over it and avoid it. They almost ran into rolling barrels, but the tiger cub jumped to avoid them… Orient Express style.

After minutes of running around, the tiger cub was getting tired and decided he was finished. He came to a stop and Coco got off his back.

''I guess this is the part where I leave you out here and return to the Warp Room'' She chuckled.

Meowww! Meow! (Translation: Not this time, woman!)

''Just kidding. Now let's go!''

A portal opened and the two returned back to Wumpa Island. Crunch, Heather, Chris and Coco arrived to the island at the same time and looked around to find that they were finally home.

''Well, that was crazy!'' Crunch said.

''Yeah'' The brown bandicootess sighed. ''I'm still wondering how the heck did we ended up in France.''

''France? Pura and I got teleported to the Great Wall of China'' She looked at the tiger cub. ''But we had an awesome time there, did we?''

The light brown bandicoot sighed. ''Well, I guess you guys want to kill me for causing all of this.''

''No one got hurt or anything like that, so why worry?''

''I second that. By the way, you and Crunch need to stop acting like five year olds.''

Crunch and Chris looked at each other and agreed.

''Yeah, let's just forget about the pink teddybear joke and focus on what we have to do'' Says the burgundy bandicoot. ''Hey, sis. Aren't you forgetting something?''

''Wait… yes! The helmets!'' She replied. ''I've got to finish them to protect us from Cortex's mind... umm... I forgot the name.''

''You mean the Mind Control Ray…''

The light brown bandicoot looked over to the trees and gasped. He saw a group of lab assistants coming towards them and assumed it was Cortex doing this to mess with them. ''LOOK OUT, GUYS!''

The trio noticed them and started to take them down.

''Not these guys again! Coco, Chris!'' Crunch yelled as he battled a lab assistant. ''Just go inside and leave this to me and Heather!''

''Huh?'' Coco replied. ''But you guys could use a little help!''

''Just go!''

Chris and Coco ran inside the house, but Chris got outside again when he realized he forgot something. ''Come on, tiger!'' He picked up Pura and ran inside. The burgundy bandicoot and the brown bandicoot girl were left there by themselves, battling the lab assistants and succeeding to it.

''Come on, fool! Is that all you can do?! Eat a balanced breakfast!''

Now, I know what you're thinking... Dream Instant, you look like you're feeling nostalgic! I actually am. I had to do it because Crash Bandicoot Warped was my favorite game back when I was a wee-lad and Orient Express was my favorite level... it still is!

It can't hurt to bring back a few memories!

- Dream Instant