Chapter 2 - Entering The Lion's Den
The rain continued to grow heavier and heavier as Crash came closer and closer to Cortex's base. The mud was almost up to his knees, making it difficult to walk and the wind buffeted his face, but Crash was not going to give up, not until he knew what Cortex was planning. All of a sudden, the dense, thick jungle dispersed into an open clearing. There, looming ominously up ahead was Cortex Castle. The mere sight of the foreboding place sent shivers up Crash's spine. Nevertheless, putting all fears aside, Crash trudged onward.
As Crash drew nearer still, he began to get a gut feeling inside him that something terrible was going to happen if he entered the castle, but then, he would have come all that way for nothing.
"I've survived many of Cortex's traps before," Crash thought to himself "if he does have another one planned, then I'll be able to foil his plans, no problem."
Crash was now standing outside the front gate of the castle, the rusty iron bars looked like a row of sharp teeth on a decaying monster.
"Now how am I going to get in this place?"
As though it had read his thoughts, the gate began to rise slowly. Crash was uneasy about entering, it was as though Cortex was inviting him in. However, there was no other way in, so, as much as he didn't want to, Crash silently entered the dark innards of the castle.
As Crash shifted quickly down the long hallway, he couldn't help but notice how empty and lonesome the place was. Where was everyone? It was as though they had dropped off the face of the earth. At that moment, a sinister laugh filled the air. Crash quickly turned round, but there was no one there.
"It's just your mind playing tricks, get a hold of yourself!"
Crash turned around to continue walking, and there, staring him in the face was doctor Neo Cortex himself. Crash was taken aback by his sudden appearance, where the hell had he come from?
"Aaaahhh, Crash Bandicoot, you're here at last."
There was something different about Cortex, but Crash couldn't figure out what.
"Whatever you're up to Cortex, I'm here to stop you!"
"Is that so? Well then, come and stop me!"
Without thinking of the consequences, Crash rushed forward and dived towards Cortex, who he went straight through.
"What the....." Crash looked back, completely puzzled.
"You fool-ool, did you think I would let you attack me so easily-ly, mwahahahah!"
Cortex suddenly disappeared and in his place slammed a huge metal barricade.
"Oh no, it was a hologram!" Crash suddenly realised how stupid he had been. He rushed forward, but another metal barricade slammed in front of him, he was trapped.
Crash then heard a faint humming sound and looked down, the floor was beginning to crackle.
"Shit, it's an - AAAAARRRGGHHHHH!!!!!"
The pain was unbearable, electricity flowed through every part of his body, his fur was beginning to singe.
"NOOOOOOOO!!!" Crash screamed in agony.
Just as soon as it started, it stopped. Crash collapsed into a heap, motionless, and out of the darkness stepped a small figure.
"I see you found my electrified floor, that was quite a show, much better than expected."
The figure leaned over Crash in triumph.
"Welcome, Crash Bandicoot, to your demise!"