*Chapter 10: Attack of Evil Crash*

The Tenth Dimension is dark and very creepy. It is unlike Crash's home. Once he and the rest arrived, they found themselves in a lab that looks the same. Crunch looks around all confused.

"You sure this thing works, doc? Everything looks the same." He said.

"I'm sure we are here, Crunch." Cortex replied, reloading his laser gun. "Now, we must be careful. This world runs with our alternative versions. Any contact with our alter egos will cause disaster-"

"Welcome to the Tenth Dimension, new friends!" A voice said in a friendly manner. Everyone looked over to see...Dr. Cortex with glasses and look a little different. This is Good Cortex. His black hair is less messy unlike the real one, and the letter on his forehead is backwards. "Would you all like a nice cup of-"

"Ahh!" Cortex screamed and shot Good Cortex and reduce him to ash. Cortex shut his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth. He couldn't just imagine to see his good version of himself. It sounds horrible. He let out a whimper as he thought about the image. He opened one eye to see everyone stare back at him in confusion. "Forget I said anything." He told them with a shrug. Then, they hear growling sounds coming from the shadows. Crash turned to see yellow and red eyes staring back. The orange marsupial grabbed Cortex's shoulder to get his attention. "What, Crash?" Cortex asked in annoyance. "We need to stop those-" He stopped when he looks over when he hears growling too and see those eyes.

"...What is that?" Coco asked, grabbing Crunch's arm. The figure came out of the shadows and revealed a dark red bandicoot that is a image of Crash, but more dangerous looking. Crash gasped at the sight of him. It's an evil version of himself. It's like looking into a mirror.

"Crash, it's you!" Crunch said.

"So much like when Cortex turn you evil a few years ago." Aku Aku said, recalling the day when Cortex gave Crash a serum to turn him evil. Evil Crash snarls at Cortex who quickly went behind Crash in fright.

"Crash, attack the evil version of yourself!" Cortex demanded. But Crash backed up a bit when Evil Crash came close to him and the others. But Evil Crash stopped at his tracks when he spotted Tawna. The evil bandicoot form a smirk as he walked towards her.

"Back off!" Tawna said. But it was too late, Evil Crash snatched Tawna away from the group and left the lab. "Let go of me!" Tawna cried out as Evil Crash carried her away.

"Come on!" Coco says as she and her brothers run after the two.

"Ugh! We don't have time for this!" Cortex groaned before following them as the Aku Uka Brothers and Nina followed him out of the lab.

As everyone is outside, they could not believe what they are seeing. The island is very different. The sky is orange/red, the ocean is purple, and the coves are dark pink. The trees are dead, and the grass is dry in the jungles. This place gives Crash the creeps. He loved his real home better because everything is bright and more colorful.

"Where'd they go?" Crunch asked.

"Look! Footprints." Coco said, pointing at the footprints of Evil Crash. Crash followed the footprints to get Tawna back before they move on. Black seagulls are flying above them, making different sounds than the real ones from home. Crash left the beach and found the footprints leading to the house that is similar to his. There is Evil Crash scratching his ear with his foot like a dog while Tawna watched, tied up.

"There they are." Crunch said. "How are we gonna get to Tawna? Evil Crash could shred you guys."

"I'm thinking." Coco said. But Cortex and Nina caught up with them. Cortex sees the situation that Tawna was in. Evil Crash came up to her, sniffing her hair. Tawna tried to pull away but afraid that Evil Crash might harm her.

"Let her go!" Cortex said. "Take me instead!" Evil Crash turned to face him with a snarl. Cortex gasped and started to run away. Evil Crash chased after him while the bandicoots watched in silent. Crash walked over to Tawna and untied her. Tawna got out of the ropes and got on her feet, looking down at Crash who grinned at her.

"...Thank you." She said. She bent down to hug him, making Crash blush. But the moment was cut short when they kept hearing Cortex scream his head off.

"I'll handle the evil bandicoot." Nina said. "You guys look for those evil bird guys."

"Are you sure?" Aku Aku asked. "Evil Crash is very dangerous."

"I've seen worse." Nina told him before leaving the heroes and the masks.

"Let the child go." Uka Uka spoke. "I sense those twins around here. They could be hiding." The Aku Uka Brothers told the bandicoots that they are going to look for the Evil Twins' hideout. Crash and Tawna joined Coco and Crunch to wait for the masks to return. But Crash was wondering about Cortex...

XX

"Get away from me!" Cortex screamed, running down the cove to avoid Evil Crash at all costs. Evil Crash then began to run on all fours to catch the evil scientist. Evil Crash was close to Cortex and uses his arm to swing to trip Cortex. The mad scientist fell on the sand and started to crawl away from the bandicoot who snarled at him, drool dripping from his mouth. "Down boy! Down!" Cortex shrieked. Before Evil Crash could attack, a metal hand hits him hard on the back of a head, and he fell on Cortex. "Ugh!" Cortex groaned, pushing Evil Crash off him.

"You okay, uncle?" Nina asked, bringing back her hand.

"Oh, thank you, Nina! Boy, that was scary." Cortex said, brushing down his lab suit. "Come here!" He extended his arms out. Nina walked up to him and hugged him, but her hands are crushing him. Cortex quickly pulled away with a pain look. "Never mind." Coming out from the bushes is a familiar face. But, she looks different. A female bandicoot with black hair in a ponytail, wearing dark clothes, and her fur color is darker like Evil Crash's. "Coco?" Cortex wondered.

"Now ain't that sweet? It's a real man who ain't afraid of to show his feelings. And my mom says real men prefer their Coco hot and bitter." The bandicoot spoke with a smirk. This is Evil Coco. Cortex coughed a little.

"I'm...not thirsty." He told her. He and Nina left her alone with unconscious Evil Crash. Evil Coco shook her head a little and she must wake her evil brother up since it's almost dinner time for him.