Chapter 9 - Destruction and Hope
Crunch strained as he lifted the last of the TNT crates onto a large wooden cart by the side of the hut.
"Okay, that's the last of them!" He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Excellent Crunch, we are finally ready," Aku Aku declared.
Light was starting to bathe the hut and the surrounding area in a warm and peaceul glow, as a slight breeze flowed over the bandicoots faces.
"This is the calm before the storm," Crash announced, "we may as well make the most of it while we can."
"We shall have to do this while we walk, there is no time to waste young bandicoots," said Aku Aku
Although disappointed that they could not gaze at the beautiful scene for any longer, the bandicoots knew Aku Aku was right. Crunch gripped both handles of the cart and lifted it up with the greatest of ease. With that, they all set off, once again, to the ruins of Cortex Castle.
As the group were slowly trudging their way through the thick undergrowth, Aku Aku was going over the plan of action.
"We must not let Cortex know the we are planning to destroy the cannon's storage facility, therefore, myself and Crunch will create a diversion and keep the enemies attention away from you and Coco, Crash."
Crash took in a deep breath.
"I suppose this means that myself and Coco are to destroy the facility?"
The wise mask nodded, "you would be correct. How you get to the facility is up to you Crash, as you know the layout better than any of us."
Crash began to think of ways to reach the facility without arousing suspicion. An idea finally came to him.
"I noticed there is still some vegetation to the West side of the castle. We could use that to our advantage, it basically leads us to the facilities door's."
"So it is settled, myself and Crunch shall lead the enemies towards the east side of the castle, while yourself and Coco shall make your way to the facility, and plant the TNT."
From that moment on, everyone remained silent, not daring to speak, in case they were heard. The jungle finally dispersed as they came out onto the clearing, where their last bloody battle had been fought, the grass still stained with the blood of the dead. There, just ahead of them, were the remains of Cortex Castle.
"Ok, this is where we must split up," Crash announced.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"We SHALL make it out of this alive, I know we will. Now, let's put an end to Cortex's tyranny once and for all!"
The group then parted ways, the sound of Crash's voice resonating hope and confidence within them.
At the Castle
Crunch slowly peered out from an outcrop of rock, and gave a slight gasp as he surveyed the area of Cortex Castle for the first time.
"It's even worse than Crash described it. That robotic bastard is going to pay dearly for this!"
Crunch clenched his fist and was about to leap from the outcrop, but Aku Aku stopped him in time.
"I know how you must feel Crunch, but we must wait until Crash and Coco are in position. If we rush out too early, then the plan may fail.
Crunch slumped back, "yeah, you're right Aku, thanks."
he mask smiled, "with my magic and your strength, Crunch, we may just do this, I believe we can."
"I sure hope you're right," Crunch sighed and peered from the outcrop once more.
In the distance, Crunch spotted the blurry images of Crash and Coco, as they were slowly edging towards the vegetation, the cart full of TNT crates right behin them.
"They're almost there Aku," Crunch proclaimed.
"This is it Crunch, our final battle against Cortex. I believe in you and all of us, we shall prevail, good always does triumph over evil."
As Aku Aku finished, Crash and Coco disappeared from sight.
"This is it, LET'S GO!"
Crunch yelled at the top of his voice, as he and Aku Aku leapt from the outcrop, to face the hordes of robotic minions down below.
Meanwhile, Crash and Coco used the last ince of strength in their bodies, and pulled the cart into the thick vegetation. Both of them collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath.
"We finally made it Crash," Coco gasped.
"Yes, but it's not over yet, we need to get this TNT inside the facility, but we have to wait until the coast is clear.
Coco didn't answer, but simply stared at Crash.
"What is it sis?" he asked.
"I may not ever get the chance to say this again Crash, but you know that I will always love you."
Crash walked over to his sister and hugged her tightly.
"I love you too sis, and don't worry, you WILL be able to say those words again, as we WILL get out of this alive, right?"
Coco nodded, "Right!"
At that moment, the two bandicoots heard a large commotion coming from the other side of the castle. As they turned to see what it was, they glimpsed the figures of the robotic creatures rushing away from their direction.
"It's time, Coco, come on, quickly, we must get this TNT into the facility!"
Crash and Coco lifted up a stack of the crates and hurried over to the looming entity of the cannon's base, where the facility was situated. The metal girders creaking and straining, as though it could not take the weight of the cannon, it was truly a disturbing sight. Crash placed the crates carefully on the floor, so as not to set them off, Coco did the same. Crash tried to open the door, but naturally, it was locked. He took a few steps back, braced himself and rushed at the door, which burst open with a loud thud. Crash looked around to see if anyone had heard the noise, but as he glanced around, he saw the creatures battling with Crunch and Aku Aku in the distance.
"Hang in there guys," he whispered as he picked up the TNT crates once more.
The innards of the facility were strangely quiet. There didn't seem to be any guards anywhere at all, it seemed too easy for Crash, but he didn't want the opportunity to go to waste. He lined the walls with the TNT, as did Coco on the other side.
"Look at all of this material Crash, there's no way the cannon can finish without it!"
"Exactly sis, now come on, let's get some more TNT"
The two bandicoots rushed back to the cart, and hoped they would do this in time.
On the other side of the castle, the fight was ragin with intense ferocity, as Crunch swung a huge fist, which connected with the stomach of a gorilla. The beast emitted a loud mechanical roar as it leapt towards Crunch. Just before it was about to connect, a bolt of electricity hit it from behind. The creature landed with a thud.
"Thanks Aku!" Crunch shouted.
"Anytime Crunch," Aku Aku replied, as he shocked another nearby creature.
"Crash and Coco are taking longer than expected," Aku Aku thought to himself, "if they don't hurry, they may be found out."
"Don't stop fighting Crunch, we must not stop!"
Crash placed the last of the TNT crates into the facility, beads of sweat trickling down his face.
"Ok Coco, this is it, be prepared to run!"
Coco didn't need reminding, as she was already running towards the entrance. Crash slammed a fist down onto the TNT crate he had just placed, which started to beep loudly.
"GO GO GO!"
"Look, Aku, it's Crash and Coco, they've done it!"
Aku gazed into the distance, and saw Crash and Coco dive into the vegetation, he knew exactly what to do next.
"RUN CRUNCH!"
The two of them fled as fast as they could, with the creatures hot on their trail. Within seconds, a huge explosion emitted from the facility, flames and smoke billowing out, metal and stone flying in all directions. Some of the creatures were sent flying from the impact of the explosion. A loud creak of metal was heard as the huge structure of the cannon collapsed around the ruins, a huge cloud of dust erupted, blinding everyone in sight.
Crash and Coco coughed as they heaved themselves off the floor. As the dust cleared, they saw that the cannon had been reduced to a pile of scrap metal.
"WE'VE DONE IT CRASH!" Coco shouted with joy.
"Look, it's Crunch and Aku Aku!"
The images of Aku Aku and Crunch appeared. Crash and Coco rushed over to them.
"We've finally done it!" Crash declared.
"Well done everyone! I knew we could do it!"
"Way to go Crash, I knew you had it in you!" Crunch gave Crash a gentle tap the shoulder, in compliment.
"Come on everyone, let's go home!" Crash smiled.
However, as the group were setting off, an all too familiar sound started to grow louder in volume.
"Ha ha ha HA HA HA HA HA!"
Everyone turned sharply, and their mouths dropped open.
"No!"
"How can it be?"
From the wreckage of the cannon, appeared the daunting form of Cortex. He let out another hearty laugh.
"You poor pathetic creatures, did you really think this was the end? You have fallen right into my ploy!"
"WHAT!" Everyone shouted.
"BEHOLD!"
The ground around the bandicoots feet began to tremble. The vibrations grew louder, and, on a nearby hillside, from underneath the soil, emerged another cannon, even larger and more menacing than the last. Cortex laughed evilly.
"You fools thought this was the real cannon, did you not? Well, you were sorely mistaken. The one you have just destroyed was a mere decoy, while my minions worked tirelessly to produce this masterpiece of technology you see before you."
Crash whimpered, "no."
"NOW YOU SHALL WITNESS THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS ENTIRE ISLAND, BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES!"
"Are you insane Cortex! That means you will be killed as well!" Coco responded.
"Oh, that is a price I am very willing to take."
"My god, you really ARE pure evil!" Crash growled.
"Do you think I like living inside this metal shell? NO! At least if I know you areexterminated from this world, I shall once again be satisfied. NOW, WITNESS THE END!"
"Shit, run for your lives!" Crash yelled.
Everyone dove for the nearest thing they could call a shelter, held their hands to their ears and prayed. A huge roar was heard, a blinding flash engulfed the entire island. Then there was nothing.
Everyone slowly opened their eyes. Were they dead? No, very much alive. Crash felt the earth beneath his feet, and was grateful for still being able to feel it. He slowly threw the shards of metal aside that had saved his life and peered out onto the area. The scene shocked him to the core. Everything had been obliterated, there was no sign of life anywhere. No animals, no plants, just empty space, but at least that meant that Cortex was no more, but he had surely left his mark on the island. To the left of himself, he saw some rubble being pushed aside, and out of the darkness emerged Coco, Aku Aku and Crunch, bruised and cut, but otherwise unscathed, ther quick wits also saving their lives. They all gasped as they saw what had happened.
"So, Cortex DID win after all!" Crash said, dismayed.
After their valiant efforts to save the island, it was to no avail. Crash fell to his knees and began to sob.
"What do we do now?" he wailed, tears streaming down his eyes,"DAMN YOU CORTEX!"
No one spoke, no matter what anyone said now, nothing could change their situation, the life they once knew had been violently turned around.
Crunch looked around slowly and noticed Coco was missing.
"Hey Crash, where did Coco go?"
"Everyone, over here!" the faint voice of Coco was heard.
They all rushed to her, and saw she was pointing to something nearby.
"Look!"
Everyone looked at where she was pointing, and gasped once again. Out of all the destruction and chaos, a small clump of trees had miraculously survived the destruction. They all rushed towards them. As they got closer, the trees seemed to lean over them, almost in a friendly manner. Crash couldn't help but smile.
"No, Cortex didn't win!"
A wumpa fruit landed near Crash's feet, which split open, and scattered it's seeds everywhere.
"Look. With these seeds, we can rebuild the island to the way it was. Trees will start to grow again, and that will attract animals. We could also build a new home with the materials. Cortex didn't win, in fact, he may have made the island a better place, knowing we won't be plagued by his evil any more."
Crunch, Coco and Aku Aku looked at Crash and smiled.
"In the end, Cortex thought he had defeated us, but these trees are a sign of hope to us all," Aku Aku said, his words resounding with happiness.
Crash grabbed a handful of seeds, placed them in his pockets and ran into the woodland.
"Come on everyone, this is the start of a new, more peaceful life for all of us."
THE END