Chapter 10: Dying Wish

In a maximum security prison 200 miles off the coast of the city, Dr. Cortex & his minions reside in separate cells. N. Gin, Tiny, Dingodile, N. Visible, Nina, & Cortex himself are all incarcerated. Security guards arrive at Nina's cell. Nina looks up, annoyed.

Nina: "What?"

Guard: "Your big-headed uncle wishes to see you for something."

Nina: "Ugh, fine. Just let my hands outta these things first."

Guard: "Nice try, gothie. After last time's performance these bionic-hands are staying locked up!"

Guard #2: "It still hurts from last month! I don't think I'll ever have kids again because of you! Ooooh…"

Nina: "*snickers*"

Guard #2: "GET MOVIN, YA LITTLE BRAT!"

The guards escort Nina down the corridor of cells. She passes one with Andrea Amberly inside. (Remember her from N. Dustrialized?) Nina blows raspberries at her for trying to harm her uncle.

Andrea: "I'll get out of here soon, & then your miserable uncle will pay for killing my mother! You're next after that..."

Nina: "Okay, whatever! See ya later!"

As Andrea grunts, the guards & Nina continue their way down to Cortex's cell, passing Dingodile & Tiny, whom Nina purposely ignores.

Tiny: HI, NINA!"

Dingodile: "Hey, mate! She doesn't wanna talk to you!"

Tiny: "Tiny don't wanna talk to YOU, meanie!"

Tiny punches the wall in his cell in anger, but the wall has an electric force on it. He gets shocked & makes Dingo laugh.

Tiny: "OUCH! *whimpers*"

Dingodile: "Ahahahaaa! I need to lie down from this, this is too funny!"

As he lies down on his bed, it breaks & makes him fall on his muzzle. Some of his teeth shatter. Now Tiny gets the last laugh.

Tiny: "HAHAHAHAHA!"

Now the guards & Nina pass N. Gin, who just sits there & makes his rocket fire up in anger.

N. Gin: "…"

Guard #2: "Man, I still wonder if that guy needs surgery for getting that thing outta his head."

N. Gin's cyborg-eye looks at the security guard & scares him a little.

Guard #2: "EEP! Or maybe he's just fine…"

The guards continue escorting Nina to Cortex's cell. They pass the cell that's supposed to contain Dr. N. Visible, the chameleon doctor. But he doesn't seem to be there.

Guard #2: "Hey! Where's that chameleon guy?"

Guard: "He's-"

Guard #2: "A PRISONER ESCAPED! ALERT! ALERT!"

Nina: "Can I be freed so I can face-palm myself?"

Guard: "Nice try. Frank! Why do you think he's called a 'chameleon'? Chameleons do 'camouflage', he's obviously there in camo-mode!"

Guard #2: "Uhh...NEVERMIND, EVERYONE! Go back to what you were doing."

Nina looks at the cell & oddly smiles as they walk off. Hmmmm.

They finally reach Cortex's cell & open it up, where it reveals an old & frail Neo Cortex coughing & wheezing in bed. His food lies besides his bed almost knocked over, a sign of careless security guards from before. The two guards allow Nina to grab a chair & be next to her dying uncle.

Guard: "You two get five minutes to talk."

They walk out & close the cell, leaving them alone.

Cortex: "Nina..."

Nina: "Yes, uncle?"

Cortex: "This prison treatment is worse than I thought! I can't reach my macaroni! Ahem, anyway, *wheezing*, time is running out for me, Nina. My years of wanting the world to myself is coming to an end. This can't be it for me..."

Nina: "I know, uncle. *sigh* I know."

Her makeup runs from the slight tear-shed.

Cortex: "You've been a very evil-natured niece, I'll never forget the time you took over my position to crush the wumpa islands with the Doominator. That is *cough* why I love you, Nina. Even though my minions aren't perfect & each one of them were incapable of defeating Crash Bandicoot, I still never could have asked for a better crew than you guys."

Nina places her bionic hand on his hand & causes it pain.

Cortex: "D'OH! Ahhh..."

Nina: "*sniffles*, I won't let this be the last of you!"

Cortex: "I know you won't, my girl. I know all of you won't let me go..."

Nina: "What about N. Trap?"

Cortex: "She made the choice to escape & leave us. I know Netra is out doing what she needs to on her own. Everything will be alright, because your mad-scientist uncle says so."

He touches her face as the guards call for Nina to exit Cortex's cell.

Guard: "Time's up!"

Guard #2: "Let's go, it's time to leave Santa Claus alone, little nutcracker."

Nina walks out & leaves her uncle's cell. The guards escort Nina back to her cell. The thought of her uncle saying "Everything will be alright" rings in her head constantly. She looks at N. Visible's cell one more time on the way back, smiling once again.

Why is she smiling so much?

(end of ch. 10)