Chapter 4: Found Again

Dingodile got up and stormed through the dark forest on his way to Cortex Castle. He was becoming more angry, and more lethal by the minute. Little by little, he kept walking, furious at Cortex and growling threats, until at last, he reached the colossal castle that belonged to Cortex. Dingodile didn't even care if he was caught. He burst through the main entrance and crept stealthily through the dark and empty corridors. Then, up ahead, he heard a scream of terror. "That voice! COCO!" Dingodile thought. Fearing for her life, Dingodile ran as fast as he could. Then, he bounded into the room where he heard the scream and was overcome with shock and happiness. He had found Coco, tied up, but at least she was in good condition. Dingodile gave an excited bark and rushed over to her. Coco groaned in agony for a few minutes before she opened her eyes. When she did, she saw Dingodile's toothy grin. "Coco, my love! I thought I lost you!" Dingodile exclaimed. "You didn't," replied Coco, softly. "I just wish you could've gotten here sooner." She cried slightly, as though she was in pain. Dingodile's lower lip trembled, but that was only because he was worried about his love. Dingodile then summoned all his strength and untied Coco. A few seconds later, Coco was free. "Come on," Dingodile whispered. "We need to go and see what Cortex is up to so we can stop him." "Stop me! That's a laugh!" boomed a voice. Dingodile's ears pricked up. He knew that voice. It was— "Cortex!" Dingodile growled. "I should've known!" And Dingodile was right! The figure who had made that evil remark stepped into the light and laughed evilly. Then again, he always does that. "Dingodile, Dingodile, Dingodile," Cortex sighed. "You were always a fool. Falling for someone like—'' "Like what?" Coco asked, testily. "Like you!" Cortex replied. Dingodile fumed silently. Coco was not so controlled, however. She ran at Cortex and hit him in the area where no one should ever be hit. "Now you listen to me, punk!" she snarled. "Dingodile loves me! And you have no right to spoil our marriage!" Cortex coughed slightly after being punched in that area, but he was still smirking. "Marriage?" he asked, maliciously. "That reminds me! I have your ring!" Cortex then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the ring. "Now listen," he said. "Coco, on the day you get married, you must put this ring on your right finger, otherwise, uhhh, Dingodile here will not be on the good side again. He will return to me." "Never!" Dingodile snapped. "I will never work for you again! Not after what you put me through!" "SILENCE!" Cortex bellowed. He turned to Coco and continued. "Like I said, if you want Dingodile to remain loyal to the good side, you must put this ring on your right finger." Coco was suddenly overwhelmed by what was happening. If she didn't put the ring on the day of the wedding, she'd lose Dingodile for good. And if she put the ring on, she'd die and lose Dingodile anyway. It was all too much for her to take. She let out a huge sob and ran out of the castle. Dingodile called, "Coco!" He turned to Cortex and growled, "Now look what you did! Consider yourself lucky that I don't call Crunch to kick your butt!" With that, Dingodile stormed off, leaving Cortex speechless.

Later, Coco was still sobbing when she entered the village. But no one seemed to notice her at the moment. At least, not until Dingodile came into view. When he did, all the towns people cheered and welcomed him and Coco. But, the cheerfulness didn't last all day. Later that night, Coco went over to Dingodile's house and whispered, "Dingo. I can't do this. I really can't."