Chapter 4

"Sheila, I don't know if taking Crunch and Crash down is a good idea," Dingodile stammered. "Ya see, I know what Crunch was like when he was bein' controlled. He was ARMED AND DANGEROUS!"

Coco sighed impatiently before she spoke.

"I'm all too aware of that, Dingodile," she said. "I watched Crash once before. Sure it's dangerous, but I do not want to wait until they come back and kill me! If I am going to die, I'd rather die fighting!"

Coco's last statement brought Dingodile to tears. Then, he softly sobbed. Now Coco began to see the situation in a whole new light.

"Dingodile, I know you're worried about my safety, but that's why we're going to do this together," Coco whispered. "That way, in case I don't make it, you can destroy Cortex's chances of keeping Crunch and Crash and then you can help them destroy him."

Dingodile sobbed harder as he thought of the possibility that this would be his last day with Coco before she died.

Meanwhile, in Cortex Castle, Crunch and Crash were busy finding the right clothes for their job, but they weren't happy, even though they were brainwashed. Obviously, Cortex hadn't thought of stealing brainwashing helmets, otherwise the two bandicoots wouldn't have had any feelings.

"I think Cortex has finally won," Crash whimpered a few minutes later. "That bastard!"

Crunch nodded, and he found his eyes were wet with tears. "Why'd he have to have US kill Coco? I ALMOST KILLED HER WHEN I WAS WORKING WITH HIM BEFORE!"

Crunch was hurting inside, and who could blame him? Being evil certainly had its negative effects.

"That day still haunts me," Crash murmured. "I still have nightmares about the Elemental masks." The orange bandicoot gulped nervously. "I really hope they don't come back."

Crunch felt his heart start hurting as he thought of the masks that made him so lethal.

"Why'd you have to bring that up?" the giant bandicoot moaned. "Are you trying to make me feel even worse?"

"Why would I do that?" Crash snapped. "I'm not some kind of idiot who lifts weights all day long!"

Crunch's face darkened. He hated being insulted like that, especially by a bandicoot who he could easily destroy in just a few seconds.

"Well! Excuse ME for trying to enjoy my time with you!" he replied, huffily. And he kicked Crash right in the nuts. Crash screamed in agony.

"Damn it, Crunch! THAT WASN'T FUNNY!"

Then, Crash fell, only because the pain was so bad. Crunch knew that Crash hadn't died, though, because he heard breathing. The giant bandicoot smirked evilly.

"Nobody insults this bandicoot, buddy."

Meanwhile, Dingodile and Coco were getting ready for the final showdown, for they knew it wasn't far off. All the same, they hoped that it wouldn't last long.

"Hopefully, we'll defeat them and then they'll be back to normal," she sighed.

Dingodile, however, had serious doubts and he was looking grim.

"That's not going ta happen, sheila," the dingo-crocodile growled. "I have just gotten word from Pinstripe about what Cortex will do to Crash if ya don't die."

Coco was confused for a moment.

"What about Crunch?"

"He'll be set free. Crash, on the other hand, will not. He will be tortured to death. Damn it, I HATE Cortex sometimes!"

Now it was Coco's turn to start sobbing hard. Thinking of the possibility that Crash would be tortured was just too hard for her. Dingodile noticed and he felt pretty bad. As a response to her sadness, and to show his love and affection, he wrapped his tail around her waist.

"Sheila, yer still going ta 'ave me if Crash doesn't make it."

Back at Cortex Castle, Crash and Crunch were now ready, but they had frowns on their faces. Cortex, who was usually a fan of misery and worry, was concerned. What if Crunch and Crash bailed on the assignment and fled back to the castle in tears?

Oh please follow the mission, Bandicoots, Cortex thought to himself. If you do, I will make sure you guys are set free when I rule the world.

On the beach, all was soon ready. Crunch and Crash were armed, and Dingodile and Coco were as well. Then they began fighting.

"God this is annoying!" This came from Coco and she was trying not to let Crash smash her in the face with his razor sharp fist. "It's as though we're equal in every single freaking way!"

But this was actually wrong. Coco had more strength than Crash, and she had always been sure of that. Meanwhile, Dingodile was NOT having an easy time with Crunch at all!

"Yer too large for me ta take down!"

"Exactly. That's how Cortex created me, but I didn't think it would feel so good when I faced off against you today!"

Dingodile went furious.

"No one talks ta me like that. Ya hear me? NOBODY!"

With that, the dingo-crocodile stormed off and marched over to Crash.

"Move over, sheila," he snarled, gently pushing her out of the way. "This is for the boss, Cortex!"

Coco was horrified! Her love was still with Cortex and he was keen on killing Crash! And yet, it was because Crash had, in a way, "replaced" Dingodile as a new minion. And it was because of this that Dingodile had wanted to kill Crash. At first, though, he didn't aim properly. In fact, quite by accident, he turned and roasted Coco! Now she was a goner, but Dingodile didn't notice. Then he turned to Crash. With all his might, he ended the fight without problems. The only trouble was, two bandicoots were now down. Permanently.

A/N: I am SO sorry for the lack of updates for this story! I've just been so busy! Well, this one was probably the saddest one yet! Crash and Coco are gone! In the next chapter, this is what will happen: Dingodile will be heartbroken, and Crunch will be very sad too. But, other than that, you'll just have to wait to find out more!