Chapter 7

(A/N: I am SO sorry for the lack of updates! I've been so busy lately.)

For the next hour, Crunch, Tiny, Koala Kong and Dingodile thought of a plan to get back at Cortex for all the pain he had caused. Unfortunately, each time they thought of a plan, it led to a chain of memories, making Crunch unhappy. But then Koala Kong jumped up.

"I've got it!" the large koala roared. "If we can somehow give Cortex some sort of sleeping pill, we can take him to the Termination Ray and kill him that way!"

Crunch was startled. "Guys, I didn't want to kill Cortex THAT way. He sort of was my dad." He looked away, tears forming in his eyes. "He was also Crash's dad."

Dingodile put a hand on Crunch's back. "It's okay, mate," he said, softly. "We'll think of something."

But Crunch had a different idea in mind. "I don't want your help," he snarled. "Cortex did this to ME, so I should go and kill him MYSELF."

Tiny didn't like this idea. "Tiny doesn't want big bandicoot to get hurt. Do you have ANY idea what Cortex is like?"

"Oh NO! I've NEVER worked for HIM before!" Crunch snapped. "Why don't you just—''

Dingodile smacked Crunch. "If you don't want to be respectful, then you can just fight Cortex yourself!" he snapped. "WE QUIT!"

"Fine! Quit then! I don't—'' Crunch shouted before throwing himself to the ground, sobbing. "I c-c-can't do this!" he wailed. "I c-c-can't fight him!"

Dingodile sneered. "Should've thought of that before ya insulted Tiny," he growled. Koala Kong kicked him angrily.

"Stop picking on Crunch! He's been dealing with a lot of crap lately and you're making it worse!"

Dingodile rolled his eyes. He didn't care a bit!

"If you two won't help, I will!" Koala Kong growled. "Come on, Crunch. Let's get ready for the fight of the century!"

As the large marsupials walked into Cortex Castle, they heard Dingodile growl, "This is the last time I'm helping the good guys, Crunch."

Once inside the dark corridors, Koala Kong turned to Crunch. "Cortex is in his lab. That's where he always is. Well, most of the time."

"Let's find him," Crunch replied, unaware that his voice had echoed through the hall. Koala Kong put a giant finger to his lips.

"SHHHHHHHHHHHH. We don't want to get caught," the giant koala hissed.

"Sorry," Crunch whispered and they went down the first corridor and met Komodo Joe.

"What's HE doing here?" the komodo dragon asked, suspiciously.

"He's here to get revenge on Cortex for killing his family," the large koala replied, testily. "Now let us through!"

"You want to get to Cortex? You'll have to get by me," Komodo Joe hissed, coldly, sword in hand. Koala Kong scowled.

"Now you know we don't have any weapons."

"Exactly," smirked the large lizard. "Which means you'll never get to Cortex."

Crunch's eyes filled up with tears again. "Listen, Joe! Do you have ANY idea how bad it feels to lose the ones you hold dear?"

The large lizard paused and then nodded, tears in his eyes. "I lost my parents when I was only 3. And it was because of Cortex!"

"Exactly!" Crunch sobbed. "That's why we have to kill him!"

Koala Kong patted Crunch's back. "It's okay," the large koala murmured.

Komodo Joe turned his green head. "You can pass," he hissed, sadly. "Good luck, guys."

"Thank you," Crunch sniffed as he went on his way.

Finally, they arrived at Cortex's lab. "Ready for this?" Koala Kong asked.

"I'm always ready," Crunch growled, gripping his pants. "Let's go."

When they walked in, they saw Cortex muttering to himself.

"Cortex, you are a genius! You tore the bandicoot family apart and now Crash has been destroyed, as well as Coco! Now it's time for Crunch to meet the same fate."

"DON'T BET ON THAT ONE!" a voice roared. Cortex turned around and was soon on the floor with a red, furry hand on his neck.

"C-C-Crunch!" the mad scientist stammered. "I-I-I didn't know you were here!"

"You should've seen the camouflage pants!" Crunch snarled. "I AM here now! To make sure you never make any more plans like this again!" And he gripped harder, but then, out of nowhere, another large bandicoot, named Crunchinator, came down and pushed Crunch off of Cortex. Cortex smirked.

"Crunch, it's time for you to meet a thing I call Death," he said, laughing maniacally. Crunch shut his eyes, waiting for the end. But then, Koala Kong grabbed Crunchinator by the neck and punched him and sent him flying into the wall. Cortex scowled.

"I should've known you would betray me," he said. "Crunchinator, destroy him!"

Crunchinator ran back in. "You are going down, Kong!" he roared. Crunch scowled.

"HEY! CORTEX! You trying to steal my personality?" he roared. "WELL EAT BUTT, SUCKER!" And Crunch sat on Cortex.

"What are you doing?" Cortex snapped. "Get off me! I can't breathe!"

"That's good! That way you'll die!" Crunch snapped as he sat harder.

Crunchinator turned and saw Crunch. "GET OFF MY MASTER!" he roared, as he ran to the large bandicoot. But Crunch's reflexes were very quick. He kicked Crunchinator so hard in the stomach, Crunchinator went flying through the air and landed on one of Cortex's bombing machines.

"SELF DESTRUCT ACTIVATED!" a voice said. "YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES TO EVACUATE BEFORE THE CASTLE EXPLODES!"

Thinking quickly, Crunch grabbed Cortex and tied him down so he couldn't move. Koala Kong did the same to Crunchinator, and then the large marsupials ran out of Cortex Castle. They managed to get out of the way when they heard the explosion. The castle tumbled down!