Experiment Bandicoot
Chapter 10:
Teenager

Year 13, Day 22
We couldn't escape. We were pretty much imprisoned in Castle Cortex. We each had jobs to do. Uncle Gin was the tech engine. Uncle Brio was Cortex's personal assistant. I, well…I was more or less the waiter to the prisoners. Prisoners composing of anthros and regular animals. Dad was testing his machine. I've seen it many times, but I never knew what it was…until now. The Evolv-O-Ray. Changing normal animals into anthros like me. Changing anthros into…well, that depends. In most cases, they die from the affects of the machine or turn into a mutant. Most cases, they end up dying a few days later, not surviving the aftermath. Sometimes I wonder, was I also affected by the Evolv-O-Ray? I refuse to think so. I want to believe that my father adopted me and took me in his home…but I'm starting to doubt.

I don't know what's wrong with dad. Was it really because of those stupid scientists who said his invention was crap that caused him to turn into this state? I wonder, but I could never get a clear answer. I would try to question him, but ever since that argument a while back, I just didn't have the heart to argue with him. I loved my father, but I know part of me keeps telling me to stand up and do something. It's my love for him that's holding me back. My name is Crash, well, my true name is Hiroki, but everyone calls me "Crash".

Year 13, Day 46
I saw some of his creations today. That barbaric machine punched out more insane animals then I'd have imagined. My father was playing God…a screwed up version. Creatures who survived the testing were to be part of his army to take over the world. So far, he had three: a blue kangaroo that underwent under the Evolv-O-Ray too much, warping his mind. A straitjacket was needed to keep him from destroying everything in sight, but even then, as a kangaroo, he hopped and crashed into more places then I did in my entire lifetime. Having a conversation with him is pretty damn hard, too. It usually went along like this:

"So, Ripper Roo…what's your opinion on video games?" I would start, "Personally, I think they're the bee's knees."

"HAHAHAHWwhaahahQHhhhAaahaha! SQUEE!"

"…..What? No, VI-DE-O GAAAAA-MES, not…Squee."

"HYPER DOO! HAHAHAHHAHHAAaaaahjhhhaaa! ELEPHANT TITANS!"

"Okay, let's change the subject. Ya like Wumpa Fruits? I can't get enough of those!"

"HAhahaahaHHAHAHhAaa!1!1!1 8kte! KoOL!1111! EMOTicON! WTH! LoL!1111! INTERneT!"

Yea…………………….let's move on.

The second was Koala Kong. I don't know how many steroids Dad fed him. He was muscle-bound and completely idiotic in the brains department, letting his muscles do the talking. And yes, he comes with the An-NOLD accent. The two of us don't talk much without him mentioning how much he adores his muscle…and how he wants to be a movie star. The last one was Pinstripe Potoroo, design in full Mafia glory, complete with Tommy Gun. With the complete Italian accent and his mafia status, he easily dirtied his hands more so then Koala or Ripper Roo. He was a bit cold blooded, not hesitating to shoot anything, living or dead. Whenever Dad needed to rid of someone who failed an experiment, Pinstripe would be the one to ante up the number of corpses. He and I hardly spoke. He always gave me the look like I was just a mere child not worth his time with temptations to kill me. I haven't really done anything to me, but one quick stare and he'd scoff at me as usual and keep an even tighter grip on his tommy gun. In only a matter of days, Dad favored those three more so then me. I admit I was a bit jealous.

Year 13, Day 68
The bright spot came into my life when I was taking food to the prisoners. I noticed a new prisoner in a cell faraway. With bright yellow hair and big, light blue eyes, she was a lovely creature.

"Oy, ya a prisoner, too?" She asked me.

"Huh? Me? No…well…sorta, what with the way I'm being treated." I answered, "I work for Cortex."

"Ya do?" She gasped.

"I kinda have no choice."

"I see."

"When did you get captured?" I asked.

"When I heard rumors of anthros mysteriously disappearin'. I was curious, so I went to investigate and my snoopin' landed me here."

"Sorry to hear that." I sighed.

"I don't understand what's goin' on." She muttered, "I'm a bit scared. Oy…"

"Don't be, I'll make sure something good will come out of this." I promised. The girl stood up. She was about my height. I was only 13, so I wasn't exactly tall yet.

"My name's Tawna." She smiled. Her voice had such an energetic tone.

"I'm Hiroki, but everyone calls me Crash."

"That be a weird name, mate." She giggled.

"Not as weird as "Tawna." We both giggled.

Year 13, Day 122
Tawna made my life better. We chatted about so many things. I wanted to free her so badly, but 1.) I wasn't allow to or else and 2.) Only Dad has the keys to the cell and he kept them well hidden. So far, Tawna was lucky to have not been selected as part of Dad's mental plans.

"What do like to do?"

"I practice kickboxin'." She showed off a couple of punches, "Gotta defend meself and all."

"Defend meaning landing in prison?" I smirked.

"Oh, ha-ha." Tawna grinned, "I was caught by them gun wieldin' potoroo and his friends unexpectedly. Besides, I'm still practicing."

"Are you any good?" I asked.

"I'm th' best in my entire family!" She proudly spoke, "I'm always the runt, so I practice to raise my confidence!" I laughed hard, not because it's funny, but it made me filled with joy of how unafraid Tawna is, despite being stuck in a cell, despite she herself admitting she was scared many times before. I sensed deep bravery with her.

"Do you do any fightin'?" She asked.

"Well, Dad taught me enough Karate and Japanese fencing, but what I've really been working on was this spinning attack." I eagerly spoke.

"Spinnin' attack?" She asked with a puzzled expression, "Well, don't just stand there, mate! Do ya spinnin' attack. Let me see."

"…Okay, but I'm still practicing, so no laughing." I pointed. Tawna raised her hand up and promised like a scout. I got into a short meditating pause, drawing in…umm...chi or something, waited for a good few seconds while taking deep breaths, raised my feet up a bit, then I let loose like a kid unwinding his yo-yo. My entire body was spinning, but unfortunately, I had yet to master it, so I went spinning out of control until I hit a wall…HARD, causing me to stop and leaving me immensely dizzy.

"CRASH! YA OKAY?" Tawna cried from her jail cell.

"I'm….fine…Taxi Driver." I spoke in a high squeaky voice as I literally saw stars around me. I heard Tawna laughing. As soon as I got my head working again, I laughed with her until my sides hurt.

Year 13, Day 154
Tawna was a lovely sight to see. Her hair reached neatly down to her neck while it matched perfectly with her twinkling blue eyes. She don a red sleeveless top and short blue pants. To top it off, she wore black sneakers. Her clothes were a bit torn as the days passed by and getting more dirty. It was like she was living with pigs and literally rolling around the mud and dirt with them, but her beauty never disappeared. I think it grew each passing day. Especially her eyes. I can't ever get tired of those eyes.

"So, where did ya get this crystal?"

"Dad gave it to me." I answered, "He told me it's not an ordinary crystal. When someone and the crystal are together, they have some sort of spiritual connection."

"Really?" She asked.

"Yea…the crystal has a tendency to glow whenever I'm happy." I added, "But lately…it hasn't glowed."

"Because you ain't happy." Tawna finished, "Right?" I nodded.

"My Dad is mental…he's…changed." I slowly spoke, "I don't know why, but he's serious about his world domination."

"Wait, your Dad is that crazy big headed scientist!" Tawna gasped. I nodded, "How can someone as sweet as you have HIM as a Dad?"

"Don't know." I shook my head.

"Honestly, I thought your dad was someone else or somethin'." Tawna sighed, scratching her head.

"Well, he's my pops, the one who taught me everything." I weakly smiled.

"OY! If you're his son, ya should stand up to him." Tawna suggested, "Tell him to stop or you'll…ummm…leave."

"I can't."

"Why can't ya?"

"…I love him too much…besides, he'll turn back. Things will end up for the good." I put on the best smile I could muster, trying so hard to be optimistic. It was a hard thing to do, be lighthearted in a time like this…

Year 14, Day 189
I loved him so much that I didn't have the heart to tell him off. Secretly, I wanted to, but I couldn't. It felt like a giant barrier was blocking me from leaving the castle and that only getting through it was Tawna's words. She was a strong willed girl, mature for her age, and all around great listener. She made me feel happy and warm inside. I didn't know what this feeling was…I still don't, but…I think I may like her.

Year 14, Day 233
I observed how I am around Tawna. Every time she smiles, my heart flutters and takes a leap. Yea…I think I like her a lot. Despite my relations with Cortex, Tawna only filled me with kind words. She told me about her life, such as...

"I have four older sisters: Liz, Isabella, Ami, and Megumi. Being the youngest, I usually feel inferior and weak, so naturally I just fight and get stronger." Tawna mumbled, "I wonder how they're handlin' without me."

"I'm sure they're devastated, Tawna." I smiled. Tawna giggled and agreed.

"Must be nice…to have loved ones." I sighed, gently smiling.

"Ya should talk to him." Tawna once again gestured. Usually, I'd have yelled at her to shut up about that particular subject, but I knew she was right. My love for father was preventing me from telling him off. It was painful.

Year 15, Day 3
Tawna spent nearly two years in the prison dump. Many times was she about to be picked up by Dad to be experimented on and many times did I manage to save her by making blatant excuses not to pick her.

"She's sick today, Dad, won't do you any good to use someone who's sick."

"No, maybe once we fatten her a bit. Someone as skinny as her would never survive the machine."

"She just hurt her ankle when she slipped. Some other time?"

"I think he's a much better choice then her. I mean, he already needs to pay for his crime."

It went on and so forth and each time, Tawna was grateful. I doubt I could keep handling this, my Dad's too smart. I needed to do something. Maybe I should free her in a sneaky manner and make it seem she'd escape on her own? No, that wouldn't work. Father would chase her down all the way thinking she escaped on her own. He can't let word slip on what he's doing, despite Citadel City turning into Earth's very own Hell. No matter what plans and ideas I scribble up, nothing works. I spent hours doodling up a plan in my bedroom.

Year 15, Day 13
"Oh, I forgot to say Happy Belated Birthday, Crash." Tawna smiled, "Shame there's no cakes…or presents."

"That's okay." I smiled, blushing, "You talking with me is the best present I've gotten in years."

"So, what's the deal with your Dad right now?"

"Well, he hasn't thought about you in a while, so I guess all things considered, he might have forgotten ya." I spoke with enthusiasm, "But I'm keeping a guard up."

Tawna smiled. Man, I can't get over how beautiful she is. She seemed to notice I don't get out of the castle much except when Dad took me and my uncles on vacation, although when was the last time he's done that?

"Other then that, ya seem to stay here all the time, ey?" Tawna gestured.

"I go to school…well, I used to." I mumbled, "I've been permanently stuck here for 2 years since Dad went psychopathic. I'm not just concerned and worried, I'm BORED. I played through Final Fantasy IX like the gazillioth time. I need new video games. I want to get out."

"I'm stuck in this prison cell, but it seems you're more caged up then I am." Tawna clutched the bars, "How ironic. Ya should be free."

"I don't want to leave Dad, my uncles, and especially you." I spoke with a bit of passion. Geez, I sound like those love struck men in crappy B-movie romance plots. Tawna blushed when I spoke that last part and I quickly cleared my throat.

"You're sweet." She giggled. I giggled back, but mines was definitely more awkward and goofy. In my head, I kept crying on what kind of stupid laugh that was. I was mentally hitting myself on the head with my fists. I wonder, am I getting love struck?

Year 15, Day 35
"You seem to be spending an awful lot of time in the prison holds, Crash." He spoke to me during dinner. Dad started to hire chefs and maids to do the housework around here.

"Well, lot of mouths to feed." I stared down at my rice. He didn't look convinced.

"You're not befriending anyone of them or freeing them behind my back, eh?"

"Gosh, no! What do you take me for, Dad?"

"Well, you seem to make excuses quite a lot with that girl. You never do it to anyone else. RIPPER! CUT THAT OUT! PINSTRIPE, KOALA!"

"AAHAAHAHAHA! AMUSING!" Ripper, Koala Kong, and Pinstripe recently joined us at the dinner table as if they were a member of our family. Naturally, I felt uneasy, but I mainly just avoided eyeing them and talking with them. They in return ignored me and went about their business. Pinstripe and Koala Kong, I notice have become fast friends, those two usually the one trying to stop Ripper Roo whenever he does something unusual, mostly because dad tells them to. Today's being him repeatedly dipping his head in the mashed potatoes like that bobbing drinking bird toy.

Pinstripe and Koala Kong manage to stop Ripper who's face was smeared with mash potatoes, then the two resume talking. I turned my attention to dad and spoke my piece;

"Well, she gets sick easily, that's all."

"That's all?"

"Dad, trust me."

Silence. In my head, I hoped he believed in what I said. His face, stern, cold, and unforgiving, seemed like he didn't. Any minute now, I swear he'd jump off the dinner table and try to cut me with the kitchen knife. At the same time, I thought of how I lied to my own father. If I loved him so much, why did I lie to him?

"Okay."

That was that. We ate in silence, me silently a bit happy Tawna was safe and that this had been our longest conversation in years.

Year 15, Day 100
Looking back at all these…all the events that have happened these two long years, I was given an ultimatum. I lied to my father to protect Tawna, but I loved my father enough to still keep her locked up. I had a choice though: Side with father or side with Tawna. I was beginning to understand more…I was falling in love with her…

Year 15, Day 167
I wanted to tell her, but I was shy and dangerously nervous. There she was, a bundle of perfection. Despite being in a cell for two (and made her more dirty then when I was kid happily rolling in mud), she was far more perfect then any creature I have ever meant. She made me feel complete, like I actually do matter which my father never thought me in the past couple of years. Even my uncles seem to be influenced by him. Uncle Brio was loyal to Dad before, but now he was practically his shadow. Uncle Gin was carefully following in his footsteps. Those two have gone against me, especially Uncle Gin. He always argued against Dad, but now…he was slowly following in his footsteps.

"What your father is doing is a great thing, Crash, be a part of it." Uncle Gin told me one day.

"I'm s-s-s-s-s-s-so happy to work for your f-f-f-f-f-f-father." Uncle Brio told me, although unlike Uncle's rather cold face, he's voice looked one of guilt and fear. But even with his look, Tawna was all that I had left…

Year 15, Day 234
"Tawna, I wanna tell you something." I mumbled softly.

"And that is?" She gestured with a playful smile. It's amazing how she can still smile through all this.

"Well…it's been bottled up inside me for a while now." I cleared my throat, "Well, look…you…you're swell."

"Okay." She giggled, thinking I have more. I do, but nothing seems to come out.

"Umm…um…you have great eyes…" I struggled to find the right words, "And…and…" I spent all day on the mirror rehearsing this, but I was speaking to the real deal. At least the mirror was inanimate object. Tawna kept that smile, making me wonder if she was expecting me to say, "I love you." The words never came and I left it as "swell" and left. Crash, you idiot.

Year 15, Day 360
The turning point in my life. It all started when Dad summoned me to his lab.

"Crash, come in, please, we must talk." I grew suspicious and very afraid, but I entered anyway. The stormy rain outside didn't exactly help either. There was my father, sitting on a chair with its back turned to me like so many Bond villains.

"We need to talk." He spoke softly, but in a stern fatherly voice.

"About what?" I asked rather meekly.

"This." He took out a remote and turned on a small TV next to him. There I gasped as I witness black and white tapes of me chatting with Tawna. That's when I realize I was the biggest, dumbest, stupidest IDIOT alive. I had completely ignored and forgotten the security camera. DAMN IT! I didn't move, I just watched as I heard myself talking. Dad spoke again when he clicked the TV off.

"Been watching you for months now…so…little Crash has a girlfriend." I stood silent, he's back still turned against me, "…Touching."

"Don't hurt her." I mumbled.

"All those excuses you gave her…lies. You lied to your father." Again, I was silent.

"I should ground you for all eternity, but no…you've manage to put up with me for years now. You deserve a reward."

"What reward is that?" I gasped. Silence. "Come on, Dad, quit the crappy James Bond villain drama!

"You're weak, my child. Weak…but I can make you strong."

"What do you mean?"

"My army of mutant anthros, all charged and powerful, more so then regular anthros and humans combined…together, the Earth is my sushi…Crash, you are my son…I want you by my side."

I glared at him, keeping my distance.

"I want you to be the leader of my army. You can be strong." I was stunned. I just stood there. I thought he'd punish me.

"Well?"

I stood silent again. What should I do? Should I join? He is my father. I thought these things, but every time I did, Tawna's voice came in and tried to stir me away. How could I refuse her? Then again, how could I refuse Dad? I realized again I was left with little choice in the matter. I had one choice, one person to pick and whoever I did would forever alter my life.

"Well?" He repeated, "Consider it a very belated birthday present."

Glaring with tears coming down my face, fists tighten, I answered.

"No."

"…..What?" He turned around to face me. My gosh, he's gotten worse. I was surprised he had a giant "N" tattoo on his head. Where on EARTH did he get that?

"No." I repeated, "I should have said that many years ago, but I had thoughts that you'd change back and inside, I still do, but I can tell it's not now! You've changed. My caring father is gone, replaced with some demented sick freak I don't even know! You're NOT my Dad!"

"I've treated you for SO long and you repay me LIKE THIS? LIKE THIS? Listening to that girl then your own father? You disobedient little freak!"

I stood my ground, ready to fend him off.

"You're going to regret you ever said that. GET HIM!"

Out of nowhere, I was jumped by his top three anthro henchmen; Ripper Roo, Pinstripe, and Koala Kong, as well as my uncles. I was beaten senseless until I could barely get up. I tried to fight, but I was still in the middle of shock…plus they came out of nowhere, what was I suppose to do? Once I was lying on the ground, hardly conscience, I could hear their voices ringing in my ears.

"I never liked you to begin with, kiddo." I heard Pinstripe.

I was dragged to the Evolv-O-Ray then where once I was strapped in; my father came close to me, grinning.

"I'm not going to give up on you, you WILL lead my army, even if I have to brainwash you." He spoke, "But first, I must make you far more advance then you are now." He was about to push a lever.

"DAD! PLEASE! DON'T!" I cried, tears flowing uncontrollably.

"Too late." He mumbled softly, "You need to be punished. A son should always obey his father." No amount of my tears would change my father's mind. I was about to change for the worse, possibly both mentally and physically. I screamed before he could even turn on the machine, but once he did, my scream became louder. I thought I felt pain, but it was only inside my heart. It seems none of the machine's electrical surge even reached me to change me into…well, something. I gasped and opened my eyes and was met with blinding white and light blue light combined together. Everyone near me cringed from the horribly blindness. I could barely keep my eyes open, but once I found out what was causing the machine from reaching me, my eyes were wide open: my crystal, which I often either wore it around my neck or kept it inside my pants pocket.

The machine could barely take it and it's electrical surge instead cut through the shackles I was tied to. I gasped and coughed while the others were recovering from the blinding lights. Noticing I was free, I made it my duty to escape.

"GET HIM!" I heard my father cry. I was trapped with no where to go. Koala Kong had blocked the double door out. Too weak and bruised to fight, I saw my savior in the form of the castle windows. The only escape, provided I drop hundreds of feet to my doom. Damn, what a way to go, I thought. I had little choice. I should have done this while I had the chance, so with whatever courage I had left, I dived out of the window and into the ocean below where the thunder and rain from outside caused it to rip and turn around in a violent manner.

I blacked out sometime there because I can't remember what happened seconds after I landed in the ocean. All I remember before blacking out was my entire life flashing before my eye…mostly of me and Dad. How he used to hug me and cherish me…I always felt like the Cherry Blossoms danced around me whenever I thought of our past with dad…now that's all gone now. Despite me being completely surrounded in water during that time, I felt the tears sting my eye. Dad…what has become of you? Of us?
To Be Continued…

………………

Author's Notes: In the original Crash games, It's been said Cortex threw Crash out when he was a reject in Cortex's ever growing arsenal of mutated animals, but since this is my version and since I wanted to deal out more of the personal relationship between Cortex and Crash, we get this. I also have to emphasize that Crash's crystal plays an extremely important part throughout the entire storyline.
And of course, there's Tawna. She's all busty in the game and in truth, she's kinda ugly, but the latter I don't really judge by. In my head (and my drawing) she's less busty and more attractive, but that's not truly important as her personality is. Seeing she has absolutely next to no personality, I had to make her one. She's a sweet girl with a nice side and a good heart, always lighthearted, never taking life so seriously, but in her stay in prison, she gets stronger, especially physically. She's a damsel in distress because it's the plot of the first Crash game, but I wanted to put her in a role where she would take care of herself. I'll include her often throughout the chapters and NOT erase her off "mysteriously" that Naughty Dog did, for whatever reason (the biggest reason being she's "too sexy" or whatever). Oh, and the idea of making the CTR (Crash Team Racing) girls her older sisters came from the fact that they remind me of Tawna a lot. Perhaps the tallness? So until then, hope you enjoy this!

Changes:
-More details on Crash's relationship with Ripper Roo, Pinstripe, and Koala Kong.
-Crash describing Tawna more.
-Made it so Tawna has an Austrailian accent.
-More detailed info on Tawna and her hobby as well as Crash attempting his infamous spin attack
-Detailed info on Ripper Roo, Pinstripe, and Koala Kong.