Experiment Bandicoot
Chapter 12
Heroes

Year 17, Day 145
Nearly a full year since I escaped from Cortex's castle. So much change has happened. I manage to build a house for myself. A small house located near the beach in a nice, jungle setting. Very peaceful and relaxing. Complete with a red roof, round door and windows, a garage, even a vegetable garden. Sleeping with the window open and hearing the ocean waves is generally peaceful. Oh, and that girl, Coco…well, I pretty much adopted her. What can I say? She grew on me. I found myself talking to her far more then the other orphans. Coco was more then happy to live with me. She's my little sister. Of course, we didn't avoid the orphanage. Both Coco and I go down there and help out whenever we can (not to mention she also wants to be there for her Tobias). Our work in the orphanage is voluntarily. Out small house is simple at best. We lived a rather simple life. Let me give you a run down:

Electric Bills - Now, we need to power up our TV and computer somehow, eh? Coco also has a laptop, too. And Internet service. Of course, we manage because…

Job - I have a job in a local pizza hut. A job most teenagers would usually get at. It's a fine job, but I'm looking for more higher paying ones. But so far, it actually pays the bills (I have a habit of saving money and spending little). A lot of people don't know, but I'm not much of a material person. Oh, sure, I'll sometimes waste money on an ungodly amount of video games, but I don't really have a lot I want. Perhaps it's a contrast on my rich and pampered life in Castle Cortex.

Water Bill/Issues - The water bill is considerably less then the electricity mainly because it's only for the toilet. That's it. We usually get water from the well we have on the front yard, and yes, that includes filling up the bath tub. Coco, despite her intelligent, tends to spend hers on the numerous gadgets she possesses. She's only 12, I don't blame her.

Food - Some of the money I have left is to buy food in the local grocery store (think Kwik-E-Mart). I mainly get my fruits from the various Wumpa trees surrounded around near our home and we grow our own vegetables. Sometimes I hunt for small critters to eat (been working on my hunting skills). Food is very little problem.

Warmth - This is little problem considering the weather is warm all around, but there are times when this place does snow when Fall and Winter arrives. We usually keep ourselves warm on the fireplace where we make hot cocoa and sit around and talk.

Our small house has a basic living room set, a kitchen and dining room table, our own rooms, one bathroom, and a basement.

In short, we're doing a bang up job of keeping alive and living out on our own. I've gotten progressively more carefree now that I am no longer inside Cortex's shoe. I felt like I was free from his clutches. That doesn't mean I still don't think about him. I do, but I felt for once, I could move on with my life. That doesn't, however, stop my fainting problems. I have to go to the local doctor every once in a while. He's baffled just as much as Cortex and the others on my condition. What's wrong with me?

As for my relationship with Cortex, Tawna is the only one to know outside of that twisted castle on my relationships with him. We though it best that no one else know, including Coco. It was best left as a secret and it seems during my many encounters with Cortex, he seem to have kept it a secret, too. Yes, I said encounters…

It was awkward at first, especially with the crystal he gave me. I fashioned it in a dog collar I bought at a store a while back and I wear it all the time for some reason. I'm doing better now.

…I just can't seem to let go off this crystal though. It's not just memories, but I sense a sort of…mystic vibe with this thing around my neck.

Year 17, Day 333
As I'm writing this, I've had too much adventures. I won't bother describing the whole thing in details that'll fill up to make a freakin' novel. But so much has happened to me, I don't know where to begin. I guess I go in chronological order. The first big event happened only a short time after I defeated and killed Cortex; at least…that's what I thought. I had just finished building my home. I was out at night starring at Castle Cortex…I always do every night, rain, snow, it didn't matter. Coco always asked why, but I never gave her a straight answer. I couldn't. Any who, as I watched the ruined remains of the castle, this floating mask came out of nowhere and I mean NOWHERE and was now face to face to me. You know the first thing he said? "Hello." Then I freaked out and fell off the rock I was sitting on.

I manage to pull myself together seconds later and after shaking my head and blinking my eyes a good couple of times, I stared back at the floating mask and he back to me (although while my face was in shock, his was total calmness). About a foot tall complete with a face made of wood. Colorful feathers graced his head and despite his weird appearance, his calm face put me to ease.

"Um…hi?" I was unsure of myself if I should be speaking to a floating mask.

"Good Day, Crash Bandicoot."

"You…know my name?"

"Of course I do; I am a God after all." He nodded, "I am Aku Aku, defender of all that is good and holy."

"Oh…umm…hi…A God…so…as in you're immortal." My voice quivered. Is this all happening for real, I thought.

"Yes, I am. Although I haven't been a true God for a long time, but I am halfway responsible for creating this galaxy."

"You…created this galaxy and you're not a true God? Huh?"

"I used to be an all powerful entity, but due to an event long ago…most of my powers were stripped off, but I know my way around. My brother and I both created this galaxy since the beginning."

"Whoa." I gasped, "Christianity will go nuts if they found out their God was a floating mask."

"None of the religions you know are actually true…but they're not false. It's complicated and it's best if I told you another time."

"Yea…yea…" I stood up. "So, what's a powerful God doing here for me, a mere mortal?"

"Why, you are fighting evil, are you not?" I nodded and he continued, "My brother is the very opposite of me, a being filled with hatred and malice. He and Cortex are speaking as I speak."

That's when everything seem to have stopped around me.

"Cortex…he's…alive?" I gasped, barely able to swallow let along breath properly.

"Of course he is." Aku Aku nodded, "In your heart, you knew he wouldn't have died from that fall. Cortex is a survivor. Did you not want him to die?" My head was down, kind of embarrassed and ashamed, but I slowly nodded.

"Do you understand why I have come to help you?" I nodded. Aku joins my side, Aku's brother worked alongside Cortex, Cortex ties into me. A chain.

"We are both stripped of most of our Godly powers, but we are still immortal and possess powerful spells and powers. It is best not to underestimate either of us." I nodded, refusing to lift my head up. So, Cortex was alive, I thought. I knew it in the back of my head. I wanted him alive, but I know…whatever Cortex's plans were next, I had to stop him. Aku Aku was among the first in our little team of good guys. When I introduced Aku to Coco, she too freaked out. Heh.

Year 17, Day 334
I had some small adventures here and there, but my next major one came when I met Cortex a full year later after I had defeated him. It was when Coco ordered me to fetch some batteries when her laptop blanked out.

"Why can't you do it?" I retorted, 'The house ain't far from here!"

"You've become lazy lately, big brother." Coco sighed, "Napping a lot more then you should."

"Only on my free time…which just so happens to be a lot of hours in a day."

"Just go get it! Tobias would have."

"Do I look like a boy band wannabe!"

"Tobias is NOT a boy band wannabe! He has a nice sense of fashion, unlike you! Always wearing nothing but pants and shoes…and Hawaiian T-shirts."

"HEY! Don't diss the Hawaiian shirts!"

The two of us stared for sometime before I finally gave in. I wanted to nap some more, so the quicker I get the battery, the more I can nap before going off to work.

As I traversed through the thick jungle woods I noticed yellow firefly looking things circling nearby me while a weird, surreal sound ringed in my ears. I honestly thought they were fireflies, but why would they glow in the middle of the day? As I came closer, I was suddenly teleported over to a place I had never been in my entire life. That wasn't what shocked me; it was who I met that did. Right there, in full holographic form stood the giant face of Cortex ala' the Wizard of Oz (no surprise, it was one of his favorite movies).

"Ahh, Crash, we meet once again. Forgive me for bringing you in this unusual matter, but I'd expect a written invitation would have been turned down."

"….You're alive." I spoke in a voice that felt slightly surprised, but at the same time, all too knowing he didn't die.

"Oh, Crash, you know me better then that. Any who, that's not why I brought you here." Cortex cleared his throat and there was a brief pause, "…I need your help." Another pause, except this one was longer. I was shocked. Did he just say he needed my help? Him! After ALL we've been through, suddenly he wants my help? There had to be a catch.

"E-Excuse me?" I stared at the giant Cortex hologram.

"Yes, you heard me right. I need your help." Cortex sighed, "Something is causing the planets to align, meaning potential danger to Earth. I'm still researching on it, but I'm 96 percent sure that this planet is in danger of being destroyed. I am in the process of creating a machine that can stop this disaster from happening, but I need you to help me."

"What? What do I do?" I pointed to myself with a cocky face, trying to prove I've changed enough to the point where he's appearance wouldn't bother me that greatly.

"You have a crystal, a mystical crystal that by now, is bound to you. The crystal and you are like one entity. One mind, one being. The crystal can also, however, point out to other magical crystals hidden in the world."

"There's more?"

"Yes, but I only need one." Cortex continued, "I already have another, but I need one more to charge up my machine and I know there are plenty of them around these islands alone. Unfortunately, I can't remember where some of them are. Your crystal can help, it can track the others."

"Why can't my crystal help your machine doohickey?" I pointed to the little glowing thing I wore around my neck.

"It's an awfully small one, Crash. Although that little thing is dangerously powerful, it doesn't have enough "oomph" to power up my machine." I was silent once again. Was he making crap up or what?

"I have seen the errors of my way, Crash…please help me." When he uttered those words, he spoke with such sincerity. He was calm and gentle…just like the old days when we were truly father and son. I thought hard for a moment, I mean, REALLY thought hard.

"…Alright, I'll help you." I smiled. Cortex lit up a bright face.

"Wonderful! Where you are right now are ancient warp rooms created so you can go to many different spots on these islands in a matter of seconds." So, those so-called fireflies were merely effects of the teleportation…well, that's the stupid theory I made up in like 2 seconds.

"Warp Rooms?" I repeated the name.

"Yes, there are said to be warp rooms in every part of this planet, but insanely well hidden." Cortex spoke, "It was of pure luck and coincidence that I actually found this set. Use them to get to other places on the island and find me a crystal. You best me moving, time is of the essence." Then he disappeared and I was left alone.

During my adventures, it seemed fit that Coco knew something was up. I didn't get her a battery in a long time. Turns out she actually manage to go to where Cortex was: A Space Station (during that point, I didn't know how she got there). There, she hacked into Cortex's computer and often spoke with me, mostly to not trust Cortex ("There's something kooky about him, big brother. Stay on your toes"). Aku Aku occasionally accompanied me, also telling me to not trust Cortex. The third person in this little story was a bit of shocker. He came in the form of a holograms as did Coco and Cortex did before him.

"Soooooooo, you're working for C-C-C-C-C-C-Cortex, aren't ya?"

"That would be Uncle Brio's voice." My back was turned when he spoke to me, so when I did turn, Uncle Brio's giant holographic mug showed up on screen. I was very surprised.

"Uncle Brio! You're alive! Isn't everybody alive today!"

"Yes, I am. I manage to escape the b-b-b-b-b-burning castle just fine." Brio started, "Of course, this isn't a welcoming t-t-t-t-t-t-treat, not as long as you're working for C-C-C-C-C-C-Cortex."

"What?"

"Cortex is lying to you! He plans to use that c-c-c-c-c-crystal for a more diabolical scheme!" Brio practically shouted, "If you give him that c-c-c-c-c-c-crystal, you are endangering this planet! You may be my godson, but I will do everything in my power to stop you!"

"Why would he lie to me?" I gasped. Boy, was I ever in huge denial at that point!

"Why wouldn't he?" He eyed me, "Look alive, Crash! Your love for your father has made you believe in his ridiculous s-s-s-s-s-s-story! Wake up and s-s-s-s-s-s-smell the daises!" Then he disappeared, leaving me stunned. First Coco, then Aku Aku, now Brio. All three of them telling me it's best not to trust Cortex, except with the first two, they were unsure. Uncle Brio's harsh attitude towards me was something I wasn't used to. He was never one to rebel or shout back much. When I was living with Cortex, he argued more with Uncle Gin then he did Uncle Brio. Was he right? Am I too obsessed with the fact that he was my father that I believed in his words?

Unsurprisingly, Cortex did plan to use that crystal for his own means. Once I did manage to find a nice one about a foot and a half, I was sent to his space station where I found out he captured both Coco and Uncle Brio. I had a choice: I either give him the crystal or my family gets sent into outer space to die. Right next to him were his next batch of crew:

Komodo Joe and Moe: Two bumbling brothers each with their own pros (Joe was smarter and quicker, Moe was…well, stronger) and cons (Moe is dumb, Joe is…not) which unfortunately retaliate with each other. Joe has a tendency to emphasize his "S" like a snake while Moe just sounds like a bumbling idiot.

"Crasssssssssssssssh, value your sssssssssssister and Brio's life and ssssssssssssspare we will do!"

"Uh…YEa! WhAt he SaiD!"

Yea.

Tiny Tiger: He was more of a threat then those two. Despite his name, he was a giant; literally 8-10 feet in height with muscles that would make Koala Kong cry tears of shame. Unfortunately for him, he was even dumber then Moe and had a very childish manner. He also enjoys speaking in first person.

"TINY crush Crash if Crash not give Crystal to Daddy Cortex!"

"I thought I told you to STOP calling me "Daddy!" He screamed, "I created you, that's all I did!"

"But Daddy Cortex loves TINY right?" He was near in tears, "Daddy Cortex tuck TINY in bed and read bedtime stories! TINY sleep like TINY count sheeps!"

Silence as Cortex and I stared at each other (I was trying to keep a straight face).

N. Gin was also nearby, getting in an attack stance as though he was about to fight me.

"That's it?" I shrugged, trying to keep a cool face, "That's all the henchman you have? Yea, powerful as they may be, they're only achievement is kidnapping a little girl and an old scientist?"

"Well, we would have had Ripper Roo, but he's busy studying and-HEY! SHUT UP!" Cortex shouted, then he pointed at me, "STOP WASTING TIME! Give me the crystal or it's BYE BYE Brio and…little girl."

"COCO!" She screamed.

"I DON'T CARE!"

"You're an ugly old man!" She snapped back. Cortex, laser gun now out went over to Coco. I, however, stopped him in time and pushed him harshly back. Cortex backed towards a wall and gestured his minions on me.

Moe was an easy victim to defeat. He kept tripping over his own damn cloak or others then he did trying to strike me with his sword. Joe was a tougher foe since he was pretty smart. Being quick, he easily dodged my spins, kicks, and punches. I barely made it alive when he's sword tried to slice me in two (I got away with a giant cut on my arm).

"Ssssssssssssssssstand sssssssssstill, you furry mongel!" He hissed.

"Uh…YEa! WhAt He SaID!"

Tiny, being a dumb idiot with a habit of being a crybaby didn't deteriorate the fact that he stilled kicked my ass.

"TINY SMUSH CRASH!"

"Okay, you! STOP IT with the stupid puns!" I pointed to Tiny as I constantly dodged his fists as they tried to slam down on me, instead hitting the computers surrounding us, "Seriously, just because my name is Crash doesn't mean you need to add "smush" or "crush" on every sentence that involves destroying me."

He proceeded to slam his fists down again as I leap out of the way.

"TINY! YOU IDIOT!" N. Gin cried, "You're destroying the computers! The space station's gonna fall!"

The rumblings and the shakes we felt was prove enough that we'd be dying anytime now as the space station slowly started to descend down to Earth.

The fight still went on until all three henchmen were unconscious, Cortex was my next target. The two of us gave an ever lasting glare all through the battle. What can I say? I was conflicted. He betrayed and lied to me. I was so upset. After the battle where I left after defeating Cortex (I left him unconscious, but with a heavy heart), Coco, Uncle Brio, and I manage to make it out alive as the space station crashed into the planet. Coco, Brio, and I took a space shuttle that the two built to get to the space station and manage to return home. Along the way, I was heart broken he would lie to me, but what more could I do then just fight back. It was conflicting, but I had to move on. It's a hard thing to do…

Year 17, Day 335
We've had many adventures and stopped many of Cortex's plan. But his two biggest ones involved time traveling and unleashing elemental masks. The time traveling one was frustrating as Cortex and his minions traveled in different parts of the world's past (and future) and altered it so much, it was literally a chore trying to change it back the way it normally was. I don't really know why we couldn't just go back in time a bit further to undo the mistakes before it could even happen, but the machine we were using called the Time Twister could only give us a limited option to use time. The inventor of such a machine claimed he did it on purpose, saying in the end it wouldn't matter.

We went into a limited number of different time periods and thwarted his plans. We simply could have gone back a bit in the past to warn the people of Cortex's tyranny, but the machine seems to have set it so we go after Cortex took over. No amount of fixing it did the trick. What the hell was up with that? His minions weren't giving me an easy time either.

Aside from Tiny and N.Gin, I manage to meet the half dingo/half crocodile hybrid, Dingodile with a love for fire (carries a giant flamethrower) and a passion for Shakespeare plays. He also made lame fire puns.

"Break out the butta', I'm gonna make toast!" He spoke through his thick Australian accent (thicker then Tawna's, making it pretty damn hard to understand what the hell he's trying to say half the time). I ironically first encountered him in the Ice Age time period where he's flamethrower, while very warm, nearly BBQ-ed me.

" 'old still, mate!" He cried, "My soul burns for ya!"

"What?" I cried, "What the hell was that? "My soul burns for ya!" WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?"

"It's suppose ta be another fire pun, mate!" He shouted as he blew another round of fireballs at me.

"NO! That wasn't a pun! That was you unknowingly trying to get freaky with me through speech…and trying to think of more insults, but ultimately failing by quoting something from a friggin' soap opera!"

Yea, it went on like that for a while. The other opponent was a more…mysterious individual to whom, to this day, I still don't understand who he truly is and what he's motive is. The inventor of the Time Twister: N. Tropy.

He's battle occurred when I was in the future. Let's make it plan clear, you need to have the fighting skills of a friggin' God to even damage Tropy. Considering he had the power of both time and magical powers of different elements (think of him as a black mage from a Final Fantasy game), plus the ability to fly, and all that other jazz, he clearly kicked my butt. Oh, and did I mention he's immortal? Yea, that kinda didn't help me either. As soon as I tried to hit him, he ends up being two steps ahead of me and beating the crap outta me. I assume he's ability to manipulate time has given him this unfair advantage. It's even more creepy in that he keeps a calm, almost trance-like face towards the entire battle topped with blue skin. It's like he's an undead.

What surprised me most, however, was him leaving me alive. It seemed this Tropy guy didn't work for either good or bad. I was right when I talked to him when we traveled to the future as he left me alive, barely, but alive. As he started to walk away, I asked him.

"Whoa! Hold it! OW!" I try to stand up as I spoke, but fell down on my knees, "Why…Why am I alive? Why didn't you…ugh…kill me?"

"Because I would have altered history, your very destiny if I did." Tropy calmly spoke as his cold eyes stared back at me.

"Wha-Are you a good guy?" I asked, "Don't you serve Cortex?"

"I don't serve anyone."

"What?"

"I'm not on anyone's side."

"Wha-"

"I do what I do. My life is my own. Time is delicate." He never made much sense, but I suppose these are his own experience from time traveling.

"As time passes, many different things will come to you and those close to you. The time when the Gods return will be at hand and when it does, a difference will be made. I have seen it…I could stop it, stop this tragedy from ever happening. As we gained something, we lose something. I could stop it…but it is not right to trifle so much on the power of time."

I had no clue what he meant and at this stage, I didn't care.

"What are you?" I gasped, "I can't defeat you."

"I'm immortal." He softly spoke, "Cursed with eternal life and youth, doom to remain far beyond the Earth's time." He sounded sad.

"So…you're some sorta God?"

"No. I'm not a God." He answered in a calm manner, "Just a time traveler. If I kill you, the future will not go the way it was meant to. Destiny will not be fulfilled. Everything is connected, everything is a balance." And he left me. This left me to ponder so many things. I'll talk more on it later, but right now, I have to finish this part of the story.

While time traveling, we also met Uka Uka, Aku's brother for the first time and damn, is he ugly! He was arrogant, rude, mean, aggressive, etc. All the signs of an evil mastermind. Aku and Uka had quite a lot of epic battling during this time. We manage to see quite a number of Aku and Uka's powers: Laser eyes, giant explosions, etc. It amazes me when Aku said he is not a true God. If these powers are any indication, I wonder what he'd be like as a true God?

But that Tropy guy…he just confuses me so much. Who was he? What was he?

He came to me again after Coco and I manage thwarted Cortex's plans to dominate the world through time. A simple, short message.

"You should be lucky to be alive, Crash." He stated, "He tried, but he couldn't kill you." Then he disappeared. What? Who's side is he on?

Year 17, Day 336
After time traveling, the next major adventure involved Cortex unleashing the elementals. Technically, he got help from Uka Uka. He manage to summon the Elementals, creatures that once wrecked havoc on Earth many years ago. Like Aku and Uka, their powers have been stripped down, but that didn't stop them from trying to melt the polar ice caps, cause nearly every single volcano in the world to blow up, create massive earthquakes, and the likes. In the end, the Earth was lucky to make it out alive. But those masks weren't the ones that most threaten me. It was the person who combined with those Elementals that scarred me. He's name was Crunch.

Now, from what Cortex told me, Crunch was designed to best/equal me in every way.

"He may be big, but that's to add strength. He has your speed, your cleverness, your intelligence, he's everything you got, but I dare say he's better in everyway."

I didn't want to believe him. I thought he'd be like all the other mutants Cortex made, but he was different. For one, he really kicked my ass a couple of times and it didn't help that he had the powers of the elementals at his side. For another, he was created in a different way then the other mutated animals. To them, they were created by a normal animal. With Crunch, he was built from scratch, so Cortex had the chance to better work and manipulate him to his fitting. Despite his size and personality, he was every bit of me in strength and speed. Even he had good intelligence which most of Cortex's lackeys…well, lack. It was obvious Cortex gave great care when creating him. I was ticked off occasionally with him barging in, but our near final battle took the cake of pissing me off. It's not what he did, but more of what he said…

"How does it feel to meet someone of your equal in strength, speed, and intelligence?" Crunch started, speaking with a slight distinct New York accent.

"Yea, whatever." We were head to head in the middle of the jungles of the Amazons. Sounds exotic, don't it?

"You know, Cortex told me a lot about you, how you once lived alongside him. He told me how much he treasures me more then he does you though."

I was silent.

"It's no surprised. You betrayed Cortex!"

"You're helping out a twisted man who wants to destroy this world and refit it to his own image!"

"And why shouldn't he? He's offering the world paradise! I've seen this planet. I've seen its corruption, lies, evil, murder, it's all there! Cortex wants to better the world!"

"You sound like a retarded angst antihero! This is what he does! He manipulates! He'll turn this entire planet into his own cesspool of hatred and dictatorship and you're making it happen!"

"You're just jealous! You can't stand the fact that Cortex favors ME more then he does you! Face it; you lost all meaning in his eyes. To him, I am his son!"

"….NO! NO! NOOO!" I literally jumped up to him and slammed him to the ground. I was choking his neck.

"YOU LIAR! YOU'RE NOT HIS SON!" I cried, "HE'S MINE! MINE YOU HEAR ME! I WILL BE THE ONE IN THE END! Cortex is a MADDENING man, but in the end, I WILL be the one to send him free from this path! I WILL MAKE HIM HIMSELF AGAIN! EVEN IF I HAVE TO DIE IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN!" I had tears in my eyes as I obsessively decked him in the face repeatedly.

"Cortex treated me with kindness! You have NO idea what it's like to be created then born! NO IDEA!" He stood up, grabbed me by the neck, and flung me to the nearest tree. I immediately got up and went after him. I was PISSED OFF.

The fight went on until I was knocked unconscious after the numerous beatings I got. I let my emotions get in the way of my better judgment. All I saw was darkness and voices of Cortex when he and I were still a father/son pairings. When I woke up, I was surprised to find myself in a dark room. Despite little light, the full moon from the open window was enough for me to see I was in an oriental house. I was still staggering from pain, but was shocked to see bandages around me. I manage to walk over to the window where I saw brilliant lights of the city and neon signs galore. I was pretty dizzy, but I was pretty damn sure I was in Japan. I walked over to the front door and was immediately greeted by N. Gin.

"Tropy predicted you would wake up about now and seeing he's a time traveler, his guess is correct." The short man spoke, "Come, Cortex wishes to have a word with you."

"….He does, does he?" I nodded and followed Gin until we reached the main throne room where Cortex was, sitting on the emperor's throne, all decked out in a dark indigo kimono complete with a traditional emperor's hat, eating sushi from a fine dish held by Tiny (who's head was paying attention to the fires flickering on the wall). Silence fell between the two of us before I started the conversation.

"So…you've beaten me." I started, "What do you want to talk about?"

"The fact that you're still alive shows I've been very…well, tolerable of you."

"Hmph." I heard Tropy say. He was on a corner, arms crossed with a smug grin. That guy seems to appear at random times.

"Oh, hush up, Tropy!" Cortex embarrassingly said, "Well, Crash, first off, before I begin, welcome to Japan. Our nationality."

"Oh, good, I'll be sure to pick up some pocky on my way out." I joked.

"I spared your life you ungrateful teenager so as to give you yet another chance to join my side and do some serious damage!" Cortex cried, "I already have a castle, I was thinking of giving you this entire palace and the country of Japan for your next birthday."

"No thanks. I don't like or accept any of your offers." To hide how I really felt, I put up a grinning face.

"I HATE it when teenagers rebel!" He cried again, his entire yellow cheeks turning bright red, "I should ground you till the end of time!"

"Then go ahead! I'll never accept you the way you are!" This time I raised my voice, "Whatever we've been through, it's all just memories! I want you to change and I dream everyday that you will! I still have some lingering hopes you will, but that doesn't mean I won't stop you from your heinous ways! It's wrong! It's terrible! You won't change, no matter how much I believe it! You won't change…as long as I live, you won't!" I had tears in my eyes.

"I guess we have no choice but to kill him." N. Gin came to.

"…I…suppose so." I could sense Cortex's reluctance, "But it will be I who will kill him." There he was, walking towards me slowly, laser gun in hand, his face cold and distant. He stopped when he was a good few feet away from me and pointed that laser gun right to my head. Immediately I noticed he was sweating and shaking. He was hesitating. Cortex eyed Tropy who gave a stern face. I'm not so sure what that's about, but Cortex had trouble pulling the trigger.

"…Dad…" I barely whispered.

Before anything else happened, Coco and my friends manage to rescue me in time. At that point, as I recovered in a place where we hid, I took the time to analyze what I should do next. Crunch was built to be me in everyway, but he was still his own person. I realized he taunted me a lot concerning his very short relationship with Cortex. I then realized Crunch used my emotions against me. Crunch cared for Cortex as much as I did, I would do the same. I would tease and insult him with all the good times Cortex and I had together. It didn't shock me when it work and I ended up saving the world, but my heart was in such pain. Crunch did found out the errors of his way and trust me; it took quite a number of physical pain before he finally got it. He saw the beauty of the world being crushed and ripped apart by the Elementals, and he saw the evil in Cortex and helped me stop him. It took a few months, but Crunch joined our side, saying it would do more good if he did. He wanted to repent for his sins and we all welcomed him with open arms. Even I did, but for the first few weeks, I was reluctant around him. I'll continue more later, right now, I'm going to sleep.

Year 17, Day 350
"Why does he do that?"

"Do what?"

"Stare out at Castle Cortex every freakin' night!"

"He always does that, Crunch." I replied, "I don't know why. He never really told me. I assume it's because he has a heated rivalry with Cortex. He has such a passion for him."

"Technically I'm only about one year old and half that time I spent with Cortex and he never told me much on Crash. He always told me Crash used to live and work for him, but has betrayed him. Coco…I think both Cortex and Crash is keeping something from us."

"I think so, too, but even if I ask hundreds of time with no answers, I just nod my head and leave." I sighed, "It's because I want to respect big brother. He took me in and gave me a home. Besides, we have to respect his thoughts. He might be upset or angry if he told us."

"Yea…I suppose." Crunch eyed the window where Crash was, sitting on that very same rock, starring at that very same castle, with the stars and moon shining down on him. It almost made me feel sad. My poor big brother, what's going on in your head?

Year 18, Day 2
We just had a birthday party yesterday to celebrate my 18th year in this world. Yea, technically, I'm an adult, you could say. I feel old. Everyone who's been with me in past adventures were there: Coco, my girlfriend Tawna, Polar and Pura (the latter who came from Ancient China, likewise, I befriended a dinosaur while time traveling, but due to the fact that he was a dinosaur, we could not bring him to the future with us), Uncle Brio (who joined us after Cortex lied to me), Aku Aku, and newcomer Crunch. It was a wonderful party. All my worries and troubles left me. I got lots of great presents (A Gamecube, YES!), and the cake was great (gotta love chocolate). Coco was pretty strict about the wrapping paper.

"Open your presents gently, Crash!" She cried, "These wrapping papers could be used later!"

All in all, we had a good day. A good, peaceful day. By night time, we all obviously went to bed. Tawna and Crunch had their own homes while Polar and Pura stayed with me and my sister. Coco, she could sleep so easily, but I always thought a lot before falling asleep. Even though it was my birthday, I still had many thoughts as I laid in bed, shirtless with nothing but pajama pants, the bed sheet halfway on top of my torso, hands behind my head, eyes staring at a blue bi-plane model I made a while back hanging from the ceiling.

So many enemies, so little time. Cortex was obviously the one giving me a big headache, but the others were just as much as a pain in the ass. The one known as Dr. Nefarious Tropy was the biggest threat. Yes, the others had their own special merits: Pinstripe had deadly aim, Tiny is HUGE, Dingodile was fire crazed, Uka Uka is a God, but Tropy exceeded them in so many ways, maybe even my own father. I mean, I seriously can't kill this dude. Sure, Uka Uka is probably more powerful, but then again, I haven't seen him have the ability to manipulate time. Who knows what he could have done? Then again…is he even bad to begin with? He's immortal! Sure, he has all those metallic gears to protect him, but HE'S…IMMORTAL! It doesn't help that he's a time traveler as well. I don't know much of his life, I doubt anyone does, but he's power of time always made him two steps ahead of the others. Speaking of two steps, I could never get those words out of my head…what he said when I first battled him:

"As time passes, many different things will come to you and those close to you. The time when the Gods return will be at hand and when it does, a difference will be made. I have seen it…I could stop it, stop this tragedy from ever happening. As we gained something, we lose something. I could stop it…but it is not right to trifle so much on the power of time."

"If I kill you, the future will not go the way it was meant to. Destiny will not be fulfilled. Everything is connected, everything is a balance."

What did he mean? Is it a prophecy? Something he did see in the future? Did he say that merely to throw me off? What does he mean? The Gods? Tragedy? Difference? Gaining and losing? He mentioned a great deal about connection and destiny. I had no clue who's side Tropy was on and what he can truly do, but he was someone I knew I'd be listening to more closely. Something's going on and I intend to find out.
To Be Continued…

…………………

Author's Note: It's titled "Heroes" because there is also a "Villain" on the next chapter that shows Cortex's side on the events that Crash explained. So some things you read here you might be confused until you read the villain side of the story. Oh, yea and Coco gets a short 1st person in here.

Crash sounds like he's nearly plum ready to loss his head from all that thinking and yelling, but I try to put some lighthearted moments here and there because I'm getting sick and tired of angst crap. It's a reason why I don't like characters like Shadow the Hedgehog.

Changes:
-Crash/Coco sibling interaction
-Info and descriptions on the villains of the Crash world
-More info on Tropy, but not all that much. Heh.