Here's a little Q and A for this chapter.
Gucci Mane LaFlare: Glad to see that you're liking this so far. And I'm definitely thinking about Tiny and Koala kong teaming up.
Cinerea Mayia: Thanks for the review. And for the advice, I'll try to lay off the "Both of you." sentences from here on out.
Also, I'll have Crash speaking more from here on out, although he's gonna speak gibberish, and some words, as well as names in this. So sorry if you were expecting him to speak full sentences normally.
Also, I have no idea for adding in the situations for both Crash and Tawna to… play 'hide the zucchini', offscreen, other than in the ending, so you're in luck for that part. (Although there still could be some suggestive situations in the story.)
Also Sirrah K: Thank you for the review.
Finally, Disclaimer: Crash bandicoot was created by Naughty dog, and is owned by Activision and Vicarious visions. Please support the official releases.
"Crash? Tawna? Where are you?!" Coco called out as she looked for both of them on her way home. The reason being was that they were gone for close to an hour or two since Crash went back to their house for her battery, with Tawna also disappearing since she looked for her too. Now she was close to their house on the island, trying to see if they're in there looking for the battery, instead doing dirty things like last time.
"Crash! Tawna! Where are you both in here? And did you find a fresh battery?" She called out after entering their home, only to see that it's empty, and pretty spruce, and clean, instead of a bit messy like the last time they did the naughty stuff. Especially after searching in their home for them. Much to her confusion.
"Where are they? And why aren't they in here?" She wondered since she knew that they'd be coming out to greet her by now. And yet she's alone in the house herself. Much to her dismay. As she pondered about why they were gone, she ended up then thinking about Aku Aku. Causing her to jump off the bed that she sat on, and run outside with a start. Now she was calling out Aku Aku's name in order to see where he could find the two.
"AKU AKU! Aku Aku! Come out please!" She yelled out, only for the Wumpa islands being silent, save for the crashing waves and the wind to be her response. "Even Aku Aku isn't responding." She said, confused. Before she then gasped at the implication. "If he isn't responding, then something must be up." She said, before rushing back inside, replacing her laptop's battery, and then typing inside of it, confident that she could hack into Cortex's computers to see if he had something to do with why her friends are gone.
Crash, Tawna and Aku Aku now saw themselves in a snowy place known as 'Snow go' after exiting the teleportation chamber. Which caused both of them to shiver at the cold temperature, wishing that they had some more insulating jackets or coats with them. "*Shuddering* Whew. That was a bad time to forget to ask him for a coat. As well as going swimming during my time of exploring the islands." Tawna said, feeling like asking Cortex for a coat for both her and Crash once they're done with this area.
Something that Crash feels like agreeing with her on, as he also shivered due to his shirtless body.
Aku Aku was merely looking around in confusion though, as since he was a floating mask, he can't feel cold like Crash and Tawna does. "This is odd, this looks like an Austrailian location in the mountains. And yet Australia rarely gets a snow day."
"Then I guess this is one of those rare days, or either Brio or Cortex used a weather machine to give us this snow day. I wouldn't be too surprised if it's the latter." She said, breathing into her hands alongside Crash to warm herself up. "Nevertheless, let's get that Crystal, and hopefully we'll grab a Gem too so we can leave this place." She said, before Crash and her jogged through the crevice with Aku Aku close behind. Smashing boxes in their way for the wumpa fruits.
As well as exploding the TNT crates with their timed explosions at a sefe distance, and avoiding the new green boxes known as Nitro boxes at Aku Aku's warning.
As they proceeded onwards, they saw seals sliding on the snow and ice with their front flippers, going back and forth, and some penguins that happen to know how to spin like Crash does. Which they were able to jump on to defeat them, or spin them away together once the penguins stopped spinning, all while trying to skate themselves on the ice without falling.
"Wahh! OOF!" "Whoa! OOF!" Which ended up happening for both of them, as they fell on their fronts, or their butts in their attempt to skate. Much to their dismay, and amusement as they thought that their falling was pretty funny to each other. While Aku Aku was trying not to laugh at their attempts in skating.
Soon though, they were able to skate pretty well without falling down. But that was just the beginning of their journey in the 'Snow go' level. So they continued onwards through the snowy canyon. Making sure to dodge the spinning penguins, and the crawling seals along the way.
As they continued onwards, they looked at the walls of the canyon they were in, and they saw a bunch of crystals on the snow covered walls, as they made a purplish-blue glow from reflecting the sun's rays. Making them quite beautiful in their eyes as they stared for a bit. If they had any coats to wear, and if they weren't on a journey for Brio and Cortex to save the world, then they would've done some more sightseeing in the snowy canyons, if they return here.
Especially since they saw what could be huge Idols that happen to be snow covered, while some of them were also lopsided, due to the rocks underneath. And some happened to be in disrepair since one of them was cracked. Which had them pretty curious about what it was like, back in the day when Aku Aku probably was still human, or anything way before he became what he is now.
But they had to save the sightseeing, and asking Aku Aku for later, since they know that they'll be able to see more of it, once their world saving journey for the crystals is done.
"Say Crashie, why don't we come back here for exploring, once our journey is done? I'm sure this place would be so beautiful to explore, without the threat of getting destroyed too." Tawna said smiling at Crash, who smiled back with a nod.
"Yah! Yah! Lebubub." He said, back to her. Before they both continued onwards through the snowy canyon.
While they moved onwards through the canyon, and breaking boxes, they ended up seeing a cave just up ahead of them. "Let's go in there. I'm sure that It'll be somewhat warmer inside." Aku Aku said, before they all entered the cave.
While inside the cave, they all looked around and saw that inside the cave, was walls that was made out of greenish-blue colored rocks covered in ice, probably because of the lighting. Which had them looking in awe at how pretty the cave is inside. Also, it was indeed less cold for both Bandicoots inside, but still a bit cold nonetheless.
"Wowie! We're definitely coming back here someday." Tawna said, smiling at the ice cave. Which Crash agreed with her on as he stared at the walls. But staring had to wait for later, as they both continued onwards through the cave.
All while taking out the spinning penguins, the seals crawling on the ground, and later on another creature, that is the porcupines, that can flatten their back, and also extend their quills like a spike armor at will. Which gave both Bandicoots caution as they both spun the porcupines once their backs were flattened.
What they also had to avoid, was the smashers that came down from the top half of the idol heads, that threatened to flatten them like pancakes as they passed under them. It was like the idols was trying to chew on the Bandicoots for trespassing under them. And yet the idols continued to fail, since the idols were not as fast as the Bandicoots are, as they dodged the crushing stones without too much trouble.
And not to mention the falling icicles.
Then suddenly, they were in a section where the cave had a red shade on the walls like something red was taking the sunlight, and shining a red color. Causing them to look upwards, to see a red gem. "Another colored gem! We're getting lucky with the gem finding." Tawna said smiling. "But how are we gonna get it?"
"Ahlw bwe!" Crash said in his usual gibberish, like he was saying "Allow me!", before he then climbed on the green rock wall with his fingers finding the little cracks to grab onto. Soon, he was getting higher up the wall, and closer to the red gem.
"Go Crash! Get that Gem!" Tawna called out, cheering Crash on as Aku Aku stared worriedly at Crash, hoping that he won't fall, and hurt himself while getting that Gem. Even though Crash got hurt before, during his journey on the islands to rescue Tawna. Especially while riding on a hog, or during his stormy ascent up Cortex's castle, and through the dark hallways. And yet, he somehow survives, and gets back up for more running regardless.
Once Crash ascended up the wall to just below the level of the red Gem, he ended up reaching upwards towards the Gem in an attempt to get it. Before deciding to just climb higher to where he's just at the Gem's level.
"Yes Crash! You're getting closer!" She said happily while Crash kept on climbing upwards on the wall to the Gem. Until finally, he reached his hand to the Gem and was able to grasp it by his fingers.
After he grabbed it though, he felt and heard a snap of one of the cracks of the wall on his hand that held it. Causing him to turn to the wall, to see that it's making more cracks, signaling that he's about to lose his grip on the wall once a piece of it breaks off, before looking at the audience with a look that said "This is gonna suck." before he then fell back downwards.
"WHAAAA HOO HOO HOO HOOIE!" He screamed out as he descended.
"Don't worry Crash! I got you!" Tawna called out in alarm as she scrambled to where she believed Crash is gonna land while her arms were out in a catching motion. She was not right on the mark however, as she missed catching Crash as he landed on the cave floor with a splat sound right in front of her, still holding the red Gem. "YAUGH! CRASH!" She yelled in horror as she quickly put crash's dizzy form in her arms, hoping he's okay. "Are you okay?"
Much to her relief, and confusion, he got back up with some effort in balancing, since he was still feeling dizzy from the fall, yet he was fine as he still had the Gem in his hands. "Baa da baaaaa!" He yelled out in a sing song tone, spinning in celebration at how he got the red gem. While Tawna turned to Aku Aku in confusion at how he survived, while Aku Aku just shrugged his non existent shoulders in return.
She sighed in relief nonetheless. "At least you're still okay. Sorry that I didn't catch you." She said before pecking Crash on his cheek. Before getting the red Gem into her arms, and putting it in her pockets. "Now we just need to get that Crystal, and then we're done with this part of the world." She said, before jogging ahead with Crash close behind her through the cave, avoiding the log crushers, and breaking more crates in their path.
And they even found a bonus area after falling in the pit. Leading to them breaking more boxes inside, until they were able to find a way out with a floating platform.
After a few moments of jogging through the cave, dodging the smashers, and breaking the boxes, they ended up seeing the other end of the cave that happened to be an exit to the outside. Much to their dismay since they're gonna get cold outside again, and they didn't have the Crystal yet. But they had to just bear with it until they get the Crystal, and then warp back to Cortex's warp room. So they rushed together outside into the snow.
Soon they were rewarded for continuing, for they jogged through the snow, taking out the seals and penguins, until they came across a wall of crates that tried to block their path. Only for the Bandicoots to merely spin the crates for the Wumpa fruit, and immediately see the power Crystal behind the crates. Which had them happy to get the Crystal before finding more of the crates to destroy with their spinning.
And soon, they ended up finding the exit from the 'Snow go' level. Much for their relief. So they entered the chamber, only to see something they didn't expect in their path to the exit.
A grey colored Gem was in their path on the way to the podium that teleports them to the room. Much to their confusion.
"That's odd, what did we do to get that Gem?" Tawna asked Aku Aku.
"I don't know. Maybe… wait. Didn't we destroy the crates that was in our way to the Crystal, then to the exit?" Aku Aku asked.
"I… guess we did." Tawna said.
"Then to get that Gem, we need to destroy all of the crates in our path for the clear Gems. Which hopefully, will bring us closer to helping Brio, once our journey ends, and if Cortex shows his true colors." Aku Aku said, before they all got the Gem, then proceeded to get warped back to Cortex's warp room.
Once back in the warp room, the Bandicoots ended up looking at the wall by the portal, and saw that the Crystal, and both of the Gems were on there. Then they looked at the 'Turtle woods' portal, and saw that the blue Gem, and the Crystal was still there. Alongside an empty spot that they knew is where the clear Gem should be.
"Well, looks like it's our cue for one of us to go back to that place, and grab the clear gem there, before we can continue." Aku Aku stated, having an idea to split up the Bandicoots, temporarily until their job was done.
"I concur. It'll get our job done faster if we do this. I just hope that we won't get separated for too long." Tawna said, hugging Crash with a sad pout on her face.
"Ie, hobee sho doo bwebe." Crash also spoke out in gibberish, also saddened and pretty reluctant, that he's gonna be separate from Tawna for now. Not that he's not gonna go through with it.
"That is why we're gonna reunite for the fourth Crystal from that level," He said pointing to 'The Pits' portal. "once we grab the Crystal from that portal, and once you grab the Gem. Good idea?"
"That'll work." She said with a little reluctance, letting go of Crash. "Just ensure to me that Crash won't bite the dust, or I'm using you for firewood after this journey ends. And after I beat the tar out of either Brio, or Cortex. Got it?" She growled our the last part. Leaving both Aku Aku and Crash feeling nervous. (Less so for Crash, who felt more touched by her defense on his behalf.)
Aku Aku nodded at that, telling her that he will keep Crash alive. "Good. Hope to see you later honey." She said, before blowing her kiss at Crash's direction before jumping in the first portal. Leaving Aku Aku and Crash to their own devices, as they both decided to enter the portal.
Which is where Crash and Aku Aku exited the chamber, and saw that they were going up a creek that had a river flowing opposite of where they're going. Which had Crash looking at his pants in exasperation, resisting the urge to facepalm, at how he's gonna move up the river's creek like last time, when he was trying to rescue his girlfriend from Cortex's clutches.
And he still can't swim well.
"Oh dear. It seems we're doing this again. I should've had Tawna doing this while you collect the Gem." Aku Aku nervously said, having followed Crash through this situation before on his first journey.
Which Crash nodded back, agreeing with Aku Aku. But he knew that he has to keep going, for Tawna and Coco after all. So he proceeded to run ahead through the path. Where lucky for him, there was more flat etched rocky land to walk on, and there was no carnivorous plants that could've eaten him if he didn't keep on jumping through a path of them to where land is.
In their place, was flat tower platforms that rose and descended up and down like a slow piston. Which at least gave him more time to make the jump then the plants did as he scaled the stairs that leads over the small waterfall.
There was also hippos that awakens and submerges every time he lands on them. At least they were bigger to where he could land on them easier than the plants, and at least they gave Crash more seconds to jump to another piece of land than the plants do.
That's not to say that the plants are gone however, as he soon met them on the flat rock land. Only this time, they looked like a certain kind of plant that reminded Crash of the video game enemies that a certain red wearing plumber fights against in one of Coco's games on her laptop. "Takee thas!" But at least he isn't required to jump on them, since he can spin them away before they can eat him now.
But there was also the similar obstacle, where there was bad fishes that leaped out of the water in an attempt to take a bite out of him. Only this time, they were robotic fish that Crash guessed was made by N. Brio, to eat him. But thankfully, like last time with the fishes, he merely decided to jump past them while they're in the water.
Also thankfully, at least there was also no leaves that somehow slowly moves back and forth, that he had to stand on to reach the other side of the river. Crash wasn't a patient bandicoot that time, and he isn't as patient now.
In their place, was flat stone paths that he ran on and easily traversed regardless of the plants that tried to eat him. Which helped lead him through the river, as well as kept him out of the water.
Soon however, he came across a pier where they saw that there was nothing in reach of Crash to jump on to help Crash across. "AAHH! Bwaoghgaaaagh." Crash yelled out in frustration while stomping on the pier, since he felt that Cortex expected him to swim to the other end. Now it seemed to him and Aku Aku that he should've been the one collecting the Gem, while Tawna collects the Crystal here.
At least, initially for Aku Aku, until something caught his eye. "Crash! Look!" He called out, causing Crash to look where he's looking, and see that there was a board floating on the water's surface.
But not just any board, but a jet board that has a turbo engine on its back with four pipes that was aiming upwards. Along with red fire patterns on it that gave it a certain 'hot rod' appeal to it while having a pair of water wheels on its upper sides, obviously for balance and steering. And Crash instantly knew that it could help him across.
"HAHAHAHA!" Crash laughed with a grin, as he got close to the board, only to see a note on it. Even though he was unable to speak, and even though he's… Crash, which means he was unable to read it, he did think that it was important, so he asked Aku Aku to read it to him.
Which he proceeded to do. "It says, 'Dear Crash. I'm aware that you're probably still unable to swim. So I decided to give you a little gift, which is this jet board that I invented, and created, just before bringing you and Tawna on this journey. I hope you like it, and I hope it'll be useful to you when you come across any rivers or lakes that block your path. Just try not to have fun to where you'll break it, it took me a lot of time, and resources, (Not to mention money. Grrrr!) to make this thing work for you. Enjoy, and good luck.
Signed Dr. Cortex.' What a nice fellow. He seems to be more helpful than last time. Guess he truly turned a new leaf." Aku Aku said. Causing Crash to grin and nod in return.
Before Crash decided to get on the board, as he felt that this was the moment to take the board out for a spin. So he stood while balancing on it as it started to move forward when he pressed his foot on the gas in front of the engine.
"Easy does it Crash. Make sure you get the hang of it before we can traverse these waters." Aku Aku said.
"Woahkee." He gibbered to tell Aku Aku that he'll keep that in mind as he continued to balance on the board in the water.
As he kept moving along on the board, Crash felt that the board was not slow, but it wasn't fast enough either. Which so far for him, was enough for Crash. But he felt that he could go faster. So Crash searched the board for a button to do just that. Until he found such a button that he believed would do just that.
Aku Aku saw it too though, and he knew that Crash was about to press it. "Wait! Stop! I don't think-"
*VROOOM!* "WOAH!" Crash said as he felt the board going quite fast. Which accidentally led to him doing a backflip with the board when he leaned back too far. The good news, was that the board was okay and still floating. The bad news however, was that Crash fell off of it.
And now he was in the water, so far not in Aku Aku's sight.
"CRASH! Where are you!?" Aku Aku said in horror as he looked around the water's surface for Crash while keeping his eyes glued to the board, hoping he's not too far from it.
Luckily for him, when he felt that he lost Crash, he saw Crash swimming back up to the board with a splash, before using it as a floatation item to hang onto. "Hehehe, a'm oleh!" Crash gibbered, like he's saying "I'm okay!" to Aku Aku, which helped calm him down.
"Oh Crash. We should be more careful with that. Tawna would kill me if you weren't alright." He said in relief as he helped Crash onto the board. Who proceeded to move forward through the water, practicing how to ride the board.
Once he got the hang of the board, he decided to try the turbo out again. Only this time, he prepared himself for it, and he only pressed it only for a second to use the turbo in short bursts. Resulting in only a second on going faster which can be done again and again. Just what Crash was looking for.
Now he proceeded to practice with it, then move forward in the river once he knew he's ready. "That's it Crash. It seems that you're now prepared for this." Aku Aku said, following Crash with a smile on his face.
Crash continued forwards through the river, breaking the boxes, and seeing ramps that he used to launch him up into the air to break more boxes in the air. All while avoiding the whirlpools that Crash knew would suck him in if he get's caught, as well as the floating mines that was on the river's surface. Possibly placed there by N. Brio to hinder Crash's progress for the Crystals. Unfortunately for Brio, Crash was able to avoid the mines, even if the mines were lined up in patterns.
Soon, Crash was at another pier at the other end as he got out of the water. Before grabbing the jet board and putting it on his back to help transport it on the land to another uncross able river path. The board was unexpectedly light for Crash to carry too, which made it less of a hassle to jump with. Now Crash had to go through the stone path over the water, and spin away the plants. As well as breaking boxes in another bonus area in the trees.
Shortly after completing the bonus, he ended up seeing a platform that happened to look like a blue colored Gem, like the one that Tawna took from their first area where they got their first Crystal. Something that didn't surprise Aku Aku, since he saw this happen before on their last adventure. So he knew that the colored Gems have special properties.
Crash wasn't that surprised either as he still remembered the little challenges that came with the colored gems when he saw a solid one. Which were hard, but oddly enjoyable when he traversed them with his parkour moves. Now he feels that he's about to receive more challenges from the colored gems as he proceeded to ride the platform to another section of the river, where he saw four more boxes. Which he proceeded to break, before proceeding onwards through the course that was not as hard as last time, but it was still pretty difficult.
Especially with the increased amounts of nitro boxes that was on land, and floating in the water, while also being close to the floating mines that ended up somehow moving through the water, making it more hard for him to traverse the water on his jet board. And it gave both Crash, and Aku Aku, a foreshadowing of what's to come from the other colored Gem challenges that they're sure Tawna was gonna take part in. (Which they hoped, won't be the end of her.)
At least it was a short course, as Crash and Aku Aku got back to the main course by taking the similar Gem platform back. Now they had to continue onwards through the river. Where they quickly found the power Crystal that was between the hippos, and on the flat stones that he had to hop on over the water. Which Crash and Aku Aku was relieved about as Crash continued to break the boxes, hop on things to reach the other side of the water, and even using the jet board to help him to the other side when there was nothing to jump onto.
Eventually, they made it to the exit chamber while they made sure that the boxes were broken, expecting the clear gem to be inside the Chamber. Only to then see that there was two gems inside, much to their confusion. Nevertheless, Crash happily got the Gems along the way to the exit.
Not knowing that he had one nanosecond left in grabbing the other gem.
Once back in the warp room, they ended up seeing that the Crystal and the Gems were on the wall by the portal.
"Hello boys. What took you both?" Tawna's voice sounded. Causing them to turn to see Tawna back in the warp room. Crash wasted no time in rushing back to her for a hug. Which Tawna returned, until she noticed the jet board on Crash's back. "Whoa! What's that?" Tawna asked in surprise.
"It's a jet board that we found in the river area. Cortex left it for him to use in order to help him with the fact that he couldn't swim." Aku Aku responded. "Which I'm relieved he did, since we thought about switching the roles between you both. But now that's unnecessary."
"What a relief." Tawna said with a smile as she hugged Crash. "Now my Crashie is safe, and we won't waste more time in gathering gems for Brio in doing the switch. Now we have two more portals to go into. Like that one." She said pointing at the portal to 'The Pits.'
Before they decided to go to that portal, the room grew dark again as the familiar floating projector reappeared, before showing Neo Cortex's head once again. "Three Crystals. Not bad." He said with pride.
"Thank you for the praise Cortex. Although we're aware of that already." Tawna said, gesturing to the walls where there was three crystals on there next to the portals. "By the way, thank you for giving Crashie the jet board. We all appreciate the help." She then said, putting her arm around his shoulder.
"No problem. And I see that you're getting the hang of the gift from me." He said to Crash, who nodded with a smile. "As well as your journey for the Crystals of course."
"Hey Cortex. There's something you should know. You see, after we spoke with you, we had a word with Brio. And he's telling use to gather the Gems instead of the Crystals. I'm guessing you no longer work with him anymore." Tawna said.
Cortex ended up frowning at the mention of Brio's name. Still feeling annoyed about him no longer working for him. "We both have changed ever since we last met, Crash and Tawna. You see, we had a falling out since I changed for the better, while Brio on the other hand, has not. When I discovered the force that's trying to destroy the world, I tried to tell Brio, but he didn't listen to me. Now we no longer work together, and he has become my enemy as a result. And in this case, he's yours as well." He said somberly and angrily.
"So that's why the animals we fought against had some mechanical mods to them. That monster!" Aku Aku said.
"Indeed he is, which is why you cannot trust him. But listen, I need to conserve power, so our communications will have to stop for now. I will communicate with you all after you retrieve the fifth Crystal. So long for now." Cortex said before disappearing, leaving the Bandicoots to their devices.
"Well, now we're going to that place next. Sounds a bit dangerous. But it ain't stopping us." Tawna said, referring to the name, 'The Pits'.
"Then let's go. Oh, and sorry Crash, but we should leave the board here for now." Aku Aku said.
Which is much to Crash's slight dismay since he felt attached to the board. But he knew that if there was no river to go to in the next portal, then the board was unnecessary. So he laid the board against the wall, then proceeded to enter the portal with Tawna and Aku Aku.
Where they ended up exiting the chamber to a different part of the island jungles like in Turtle woods, only this time, it was sunset, and it was not cloudy with a chance of rain, as they went through the path that was pretty similar to the Turtle Woods. Right down to the pits that had the moles inside that they had to take down to summon the bouncy mushroom to help them out of it. So other than the sunset, and the other ancient architectures, there was nothing else to write home about.
Other than the fork in the road, that they both immediately agreed to split into different paths through as they both ran, with Tawna going left, while they both avoided the vultures, the armadillos, and the spiked and saw bladed turtles that made a reappearance, and the bottomless pits that they both jumped over, hence the name for the place they're in.
Once they broke the boxes, and after they got the Crystal from the left path before reuniting with each other, after the two paths led back to each other, they ended up going through the bonus pitfall area, jumped over the mole pits, and ended up getting up to the exit chamber, where they proceeded to grab the Gem before warping back to the Warp room.
"Well, that was pretty easy." Tawna said, feeling that only the bottomless pits were a huge danger for both of them. That is, if they weren't flexible.
"But there could be harder courses for us to take in the near future. So let's get ready for them." Aku Aku said as they proceeded to the last portal of the room, being 'Crash Dash'.
After exiting the chamber, they immediately found some boxes to break before running onwards into a small cave. "Oh look, were in a cave like in the snow place. At least it isn't freezing cold here." Tawna said.
"And at least this cave is merely small like a tunnel. Since I can see the other side." Aku Aku said as they ran out the other side while breaking more boxes.
As they got outside, and got more of the boxes, they ended up hearing some deep raspy voice cackling behind them, which had them looking around them, confused on who it was that laughed. "G'day mates! What, ya thinkin this is over between us? You thought wrong." A familiar deep voice said, causing them to turn upwards to the voice overhead, only to see someone they didn't think they'd see.
And whom they wished they didn't see again. Being Koala Kong. Who was standing on a spherical boulder.
"Oh. It's you again." Tawna said annoyed, as was Crash, who glared at him too.
"Yep! It's me alright mates. And I have ta say, you're still look beautiful in me eyes mate. Ya wanna give me biceps a little pashing?" He said flexing his muscles.
As flattered as Tawna would've been by the flirting, she was not fond of whom said that to her. "I know why you're here Kong! And the answer is still no."
"Oh come on, I was sent here for a different reason, he didn't tell me you'd be here too. Also, what does that little fuzzball got that I don't? And don't say, 'he makes me laugh.' because I know I can too, ya know. Like this, um, let's see… A scientist walks into a bar-" He said, trying to tell a joke.
Which Tawna didn't let him finish on. "It's not just that reason why Koala Kong! It's also cause he's cute to me, and because he went through so much to rescue me, as well as his sister, from Cortex's hands. That proved to me that he's a nice Bandicoot that would save someone like me! No thanks to you." She said, referring to Kong fighting Crash.
"Well Cortex ordered me to fight that little dag. And you know how-"
"Every minion of his was ordered to try to kill my Crashie! That doesn't excuse the fact that you tried to do it without even a hint of hesitation! So I don't care how much muscles you're packin, the answer is still no! I'm still gonna stay with Crashie, and there's nothing you can do to change my mind!" She said angrily. Much to Crash's relief, since he knew that Koala Kong did have a little crush on Tawna. (Alongside Pinstripe.) And he could use his muscles to charm her to his side.
Thank goodness she wasn't willing to leave Crash behind. "Yahu dal eem bwebe" Crash gibbered to Tawna. Giving her a grin and a thumb up. Which had her smiling at him in return.
Koala Kong was looking at them both annoyed, before he then sighed. "Okay fine, I'll simply see if I can find someone else to charm. But Brio ordered me to take out the two Bandicoots that is after the Crystals! And I don't intend to leave him disappointed. So you all should say your prayers, especially you, ya bogan." He said pointing at Crash. "Cause you're both leaving flat broke. Heheheh, speaking of flat, here's something from Koala Kong. Think of it as a gift." He said, before he jumped behind the boulder.
Tawna and Aku Aku immediately knew what was about to happen, and that horrified them both. "Oooh no! RUUUUN!" Tawna screamed out before sprinting with Crash in tow down the path before the boulder was pushed by Koala Kong down the slope, and was now rolling on the path in an attempt to smoosh the Bandicoots.
"AAAHHH! Nau tagayn eaahh!" Crash said when he noticed the boulder rolling towards both of them, which instantly reminded him of last time he did this. Only now, he has Tawna running with him.
And that made him more scared, since he knew that she'll get smooshed too, if they didn't run fast enough. So he ran fast in order to keep up with her. All while hoping that the boxes they miss would get crushed by the boulder too.
What's also worse, was that there was also pits that they could fall into if they didn't jump. Which they were able to jump over, but they also had mines that they had to avoid so they won't get blown up.
"Keep going children! We're almost to safety!" Aku Aku called out, seeing a barricade that he feels could hold the boulder.
The Bandicoots didn't need to be told twice, as they were sprinting to the barricade that had a little gap in the middle that could fit both of them, but not the boulder. Which ended up catching the boulder, if barely. As the barricade ended up splintering and cracking badly, showing them that the barricade was not strong in holding the boulder.
And unfortunately, is showing signs of breaking. "We better keep going! That barricade might not hold any longer!" Aku Aku pointed out. Causing both Bandicoots to run again after they caught their breaths, before the barricade gave out after a minute, resuming their chase. At least they had time to break more boxes behind the barricade.
Now they were running again from the boulder, as Tawna and Crash was breathing heavily during their run. Hoping that their legs can carry them all the way to the Crystal, as well as to safety from the boulder that was not giving either Bandicoot some breathing room as it was still pretty close behind them.
And to make matters worse, is that there was small electric fences, on the sides of their path. "Wahh! Let's avoid those Crashie!" She said, hoping that she and Crash won't get electrocuted since it would really hurt. (Not to mention the bad hair day that could result from it.)
What was also unfortunate, was that both Bandicoots knew that Koala Kong was still around. And they knew that he's no slouch in combat simply due to having more strength then either of them combined. So they hoped that he isn't gonna be chasing them too. Not to say that they're scared of him, as they both aren't. It's just that they currently had enough on their plate with the boulder, among other stuff.
As they ran and dodged the mines, and the electric gates, they were panting at how long they ran, when they ended up seeing a path of of planks of wood up ahead. They quickly knew that the planks could be unable to hold the boulder. So they ran with all their might to the bridge of planks.
Only for Crash to end up tripping just a couple meters away from the planks due to a root. "Whoa!" He managed to call out before he got smooshed by the boulder.
"Crash!? Where are you?!" She called out, not noticing him getting squished by the boulder since she couldn't look back for fear of slowing down, or tripping like Crash did as she continued to sprint to the planks of wood. Thinking that Crash could be behind her.
At least until Aku Aku later told her that Crash was on the boulder, as he was able to unflatten himself, before running backwards on the boulder to keep his balance on it. Which he had fun on, but he knew that it was gonna be a short ride. (And possibly his last, if he wasn't careful.)
By the time Tawna was on the planks of wood, she saw that the planks were somehow able to hold it up for at least a second before splitting into pieces, as Crash and Tawna was preparing to jump.
Tawna was able to jump to the other side of the now large gap where the planks used to be, as the planks broke with the boulder now sailing into the bottomless pit near the end. With Crash able to jump off the boulder, and able to grapple onto the edge of the gap that Tawna was at, before the boulder fell downwards. Now Crash was trying to pull himself up to safety until Tawna saw that he was dangling, causing her to quickly pull him to safety.
Now they were both trying to catch their breaths while she hugged Crash into her bosom. Thankful that the boulder didn't crush either of them. While Crash was also happy that Tawna didn't end up under the boulder like he was, as well as glad that they were safe for now.
Not bad for her first boulder chase.
Then Tawna proceeded to kiss Crash on the snout. "Thank goodness we got here. *Huff* That was, *Huff* so close." She said to Crash in relief.
Then they both noticed Koala Kong on the other side of the gap as he glared at them. Even though he was also impressed that they were able to outrun the boulder together.
"This isn't over, you Bandicoots!" He called out while pointing at them. "We shall meet again, and when we do, I'll clobber ya harder than this boulder! Just you wait!" Koala said, before walking off, intent on revenge later.
"Whew, geez. What a jerk." Tawna said, still catching her breath. Crash nodded in agreement, as he also glared at Kong's back, also ready to fight him again when the time comes.
Right now though, they saw their objective that they failed to notice at first glance close by due to running from the boulder. The power Crystal. "But at least we got what we're here for." Tawna said, getting onto her feet and grabbing the Crystal, once she caught her breath.
"What a relief. Now we just need to get the Gem, then we're done here." Aku Aku said.
The Bandicoots didn't need to be told twice. As they proceeded to keep on going through the path and break the boxes, once they got their breath back. They were still gonna collect the Gems, even if they were angry that Brio sent Koala Kong to kill them, but they knew that it's cause they kept on collecting the Crystals for Cortex, and Brio warned them that he was gonna stop them if they keep going, since he did say that Cortex was still a bad guy.
And even though there was evidence of what's gonna happen to Earth, the Bandicoots still felt hesitant in making Cortex their friend, let alone work for him, after what happened a year ago. So whether he's still a bad guy, or if Brio is a villain, only time could answer.
But they knew that they had to merely keep going, in order to get their answer by the end of the journey. So by the time they got to the exit teleporter after a couple minutes, they got all the boxes broken, and sure enough, while inside the chamber, they got the clear Gem before getting to the exit podium that teleported them back to the warp room.
Now they looked around in the warp room, seeing that all five of the Crystals was on the walls by the portals, which was good for Cortex. They also saw all eight collected Gems on the walls, two of which were colored, which was good for Brio. Which left the Bandicoots, and Aku Aku happy at their progress they've made. Crash especially, since he ended up doing the little 'Crash dance' that he does when he gets happy and excited. Which Tawna smiled at, as he thought that the dance was adorable when he did that. (Which also applied to Coco whenever she did that too.)
Then the room got dark again. Signaling to them that Cortex's hologram was about to appear in the room to speak to them. Which is what just happened after a second. "Well done. You all collected all the Crystals in this room." He said with a smile, before he again got serious. "But listen up. With Brio on the loose, we're not without enemies. Some of which, you all might recognize."
"I'll say, Koala Kong was who we met on the last part. And he tried to smoosh us with a boulder!" Tawna said, exasperated.
"He what?! That scum! How dare he!" Cortex angrily said. "Well, I'm afraid I have good news and bad news. The good news, is that you're all safe in this warp room."
"And the bad news?" Aku Aku asked.
"They can harm you on the way to the next one. Which is why you should brace yourselves for combat when you're ready to go. Once you are, then use the platform in the center of the room, to get to the next one. I'll speak to you all once you're there. Good luck." He said, before his hologram disappeared. Leaving the Bandicoots to their devices.
They knew that they were gonna fight somebody on their way to the next warp room to gather more crystals, if Cortex's warning wasn't enough. So they did just that as Crash put the jet board on his back again, before they proceeded to use the platform like he told them as it ascended to the ceiling as the hole opened up. Then once they were in the hole, they ended up feeling themselves getting teleported as their vision turned white again.
Once the whiteness faded, they saw themselves on the flat square floor that was in front of the waterfall. Which looked like they were inside a private room of somebody's. Which had them curiously looking at the sights.
"A visitor? Hold on, I'll be with you in a moment." A gentleman's voice said as they heard a book's page turn.
Causing them to turn to the source of that voice, to then see another familiar face.
Ripper Roo.
Only this time, instead of the insane blue furred kangaroo that Crash fought a year ago, it was a now intelligent blue furred kangaroo that was reading some books, including the big one that nearly hid his face. He also happened to be wearing a top hat, and his spiral eyes were now normal looking. Nevertheless, Crash still felt a shudder up his spine at the sight of Ripper Roo. While Tawna also started to recognize the kangaroo that Crash told her about to the best of his abilities.
"Umm… hello. Could you be Ripper Roo?" Tawna asked.
"Indeed I am." Ripper Roo said. "And judging by your voice, you could be Tawna, I presume."
"Yes. I am." She said crossing her arms.
"Ah. I think I know of a Tawna somewhere." He said before thinking for a bit. "Ah Yes. Tawna, whom you might be, is a Bandicoot like this Crash fellow. Both of whom happened to be created by a scientist that goes by the name Dr. Neo Cortex. Who unfortunately lost Crash, who then proceeded to defeat Cortex to save you." He explained.
"Yeah, that was me alright." Tawna said, still annoyed about being Cortex's hostage while Crash tried to rescue her. "And I prefer to merely remember my boyfriend kicking his butt to save me."
"That was indeed you? My apologies madame. Cortex did have an ego the size of his own head." Ripper said, causing both Crash and Tawna to chuckle at that. "But Cortex did create all of us, and we wouldn't be who we are now without him."
"I'm aware of that." Tawna said, annoyed at how true it was.
"And now as I've heard, Cortex is now sending you two out on a quest for the Crystals on Earth. And I've been sent to take you both down." Ripper Roo said, closing the book, and putting it down, showing his bushy moustache as he looked calm and collected.
And that was about to change.
"But I'd rather that we talk, and see if I can… persuade…" He tried to say, until he laid eyes on Crash. Causing him to stop himself.
"Hallow!" Crash said waving back.
Ripper Roo then ended up shaking violently like a leaf, as he also knocked a pile of books off his desk with his left foot. "You. I remember you… Crash." He calmly said like he was gonna explode in a second. Which caused the Bandicoots to back away nervously from the desk.
"I should be thanking you Crash. For after my defeat by your hands, I went through intense therapy. Then I went through high education in at least eight months until I earned a PHD." He said standing up. "But my thoughts about revenge against you have never left my mind. And now I've been sent to eliminate you, and what better time to claim my revenge, THAN NOW!" He shouted as he stomped on his cane in a certain way, to where it flew up in the air, before he then caught it with his foot, and was now hopping on it like a pogo stick.
"Oh, and the floor below you both has special properties! Observe!" He continued to say as he jumped onto the square floor. Where TNT panels started to appear under him as they started to count down and beep while Ripper Roo made more of the panels, which took up most of the square that they were on as both Bandicoots kept on running to the spots where Ripper Roo was not gonna jump to so they won't get squished under him.
The Bandicoots also ran to a safe spot on the square, where the panels were not gonna touch them when they blew up like normal TNT crates. While Ripper Roo hopped up high to avoid the explosions of the TNT panels. Before making more TNT panels to try to blow up the Bandicoots with.
Which happened a few times, until Tawna had to think up an idea on how to hurt Ripper Roo. "Could I try to distract him with seduction? Wait! Not in front of Crash, he might not know that I'm faking it! What about making him laugh? Wait, that could work!" She thought as she got her idea.
Which is to wait until the TNT panels beep faster under Ripper Roo. Which was when Tawna made her move. "Hey Ripper, before we resume this fight, I wanna ask. What was it like to have high education?" She asked.
"Oh, it was a good time, as I got smarter as I changed from my old self. And like I said, I've gotten a PHD." Ripper Roo said proudly.
"Oh really? I guess it was a 'hopping' good time getting that reward, right." Tawna said, making a pun.
Which had Ripper Roo laughing at the pun after having got it. Which was according to Tawna's plan as the TNT panels started to beep faster. While Crash also laughed at the pun too when he too got it after a little more time passed.
"Hahahaha! That was a good one!" Ripper Roo said between his laughter.
"I'm betting that the classmates of yours doubted that you'd do great in your educational field. I guess they're just 'pouch' potatoes, that shall now 'roo' the day they doubted you, now that you've won your PHD!" She said, making more puns that had both Crash and Ripper Roo laughing hard at the puns, while Aku Aku smiled at Tawna once he knew of her plan, as the TNT Panels were now beeping faster.
"Oh hohohohoho! If I wasn't sent to take you all down, we would've been frie- huh?"
*BOOOOOM*
An explosion sounded as Ripper Roo got caught in the explosions of the TNT panels. Causing him to fly upwards from the explosions before landing on the floor front first as his hat fell off. Showing his mad scientist hair, that was orange colored.
Crash and Tawna celebrated their victory on the square as Aku Aku smiled relieved that Crash and Tawna might've won their battle against the first boss that they won against.
"We did it Crashie! We won!" Tawna said happily as Crash also smiled, happy that they have defeated their first adversary.
Or so they thought.
For they both ended up hearing high pitched laughter to their side, causing them to look in shock as Ripper Roo was rising from his front. Only this time, he sounded more high pitched in his laughter, and as Crash and Tawna saw, his eyes had the familiar swirls in them again. Which brought a shiver up both Crash and Tawna's spines as they looked on in horror at the now insane Ripper Roo in front of them.
"Remember me Crash!? Well I remember you! And I have waited for this day to come! LET'S FIGHT!" He said now sounding high pitched as he hopped around on the square, now making Nitro crate panels as he also chased after Crash and Tawna as they ran from him in horror at his insanity. "Don't run! I'm only offering pancakes! Bandicoot pancakes that is!" He said as he wheezed with laughter at his own dark joke that he made.
Which had both Bandicoots horrified at his insanity as they continued to run from his furious hopping. "Yikes Crash! That guy's as crazy as you described him!" Tawna said.
"I nobw wite!" Crash gibbered back as they continued to run.
All while they also stood on the more safer sections of the square as they managed to stay out of range of the Nitro panel explosions. Unfortunately, so did Ripper Roo as he hopped high upwards while dodging the explosions himself. Rinse and repeat for at least three times, as Tawna tried to compliment him or make him laugh, to distract him only for him to ignore her compliments and her jokes.
Soon, he had the square they were on now almost completely covered in Nitro panels as Crash and Tawna had to stand in a corner as Tawna had to rethink her plan. Until she then had another idea on how to provoke Ripper Roo into setting off the Nitro panels.
Which involved having Crash use the jet board to float on the water with, as Crash was now floating on the water and moving around the square with Tawna behind him, as they cut through the current of the water around the square. Which had them safe from the Nitro panels, much to Ripper Roo's frustration.
"Hey! Come back on this square, and fight like a Bandicoot!" Ripper Roo said angrily.
"Why?! Are you all 'hopped' up with nowhere to go?!" She said, making a pun again, only to taunt Ripper Roo that time as Crash laughed at the pun himself. Having got the pun that time.
"Stop it! I'm warning you, I'll kick your butts until you all fly to mars!" Ripper Roo yelled out.
"Well than that'll make us 'mars'-supials then, right?!" She said, making another pun.
Which had Ripper Roo shaking with rage a that. "Why you little-" He said as he stomped his foot down.
*BOOOOOM*
Which was a bad idea for him, as he accidentally set off the Nitro panels under his feet. Causing him to fly upwards a bit before falling back down to the ground. Now stunned from the explosions as he had stars in his vision.
"Now Crashie! While he's stunned!" She called to Crash as he steered his jet board back to the square arena. Before jumping off of it, and sprinting to Ripper Roo while Tawna held onto the board. Then Crash proceeded to spin into Ripper Roo, and clobbered him to where he slammed his head into the stone. Now his head was stuck in the stone square like an ostrich as he tried to pull his head out of the dirt while Tawna and Crash was celebrating Ripper Roo's defeat alongside Aku Aku.
Even though Ripper Roo was able to pull his head out of the stone, he was now unconscious as Tawna and Crash hugged each other. Before they vanished again as they teleported back onto the platform with the jet board as they now rode on it to the next floor.
Once they were in the next warp room, they looked around and saw that the room looked more like a icy room like a cave, with five portals around them. Yet oddly, they didn't feel too cold inside the room, as they weren't shivering hard enough like they were, back in Snow Go.
Which was fine with Tawna and Crash, as they walked off of the platform in the center, and was going to enter one of the portals when the room went dark again. Signalling to them that Cortex's hologram is coming back to talk to them again.
Sure enough, the hologram device was in the room again, and it showed Cortex's head appearing again. "Hahahaha! Hahahahahahohoho! I see that Ripper Roo has failed to prove much of a challenge yet again." Cortex said smiling.
"He was a scary kangaroo, but he wasn't too hard. I'm sure he's gonna 'roo' the day he messed with us." Tawna said, accidentally making a pun again.
Cortex ended up laughing at the pun after he got it alongside Crash, who also laughed. "Ah, good one. But back to business." He then said seriously. "As I mentioned, there are still more crystals to gather. Twenty of which you have left to find now. And as my evidence proves, the planets will align shortly, all thirteen of them. And this will build up a power that is great enough to split the Earth apart."
"But with the Crystals, they can absorb and contain the energy, thus saving earth." Aku Aku said.
"Precisely. Afterwards, we shall become heroes of this planet. And hopefully we shall, as the good book says, 'bury the hatchet' between us." Cortex said, before his hologram disappeared.
And unexpectedly, Coco's hologram appeared afterwards, much to their shock and surprise. "Crash?! Tawna?! Are you guys there? I've been looking everywhere for you guys!" Coco said urgently before she noticed Aku Aku. "Aku Aku, you found them! What a relief. Where are you guys?"
"Coco?! Is that you? How did you find us?" Aku Aku asked surprised.
"I just hacked into Cortex's computer to find you guys. But listen, I don't have time to tell you all this, but you have to be careful. Trusting Cortex seems a bit unwise guys." Coco said as her hologram got more static. "I can't keep the data pad open much longer! Crash! Tawna! You both need to find-" She tried to say, when her hologram vanished, signaling that it was cut off.
"Coco?! Coco!" Aku Aku called out after the hologram vanished.
"Well that was unexpected. But at least Coco now knows about our disappearance now." Tawna said.
"And hopefully she's hacking her way to learning about our location." Aku Aku said. Feeling confident that Coco could be trying to learn where they are as they speak. "Now we must continue this journey, and show her that we're okay." He then said.
"And hopefully, the sooner we complete this journey, the sooner we can see her again." Tawna said.
Now they looked around at the room until they saw Crash looking at something in interest. "What are you looking at?" Tawna asked. Causing Crash to point at what he's looking at in response.
Causing them to look where he's looking, and seeing a small podium that had two glowing pillars that curved inward to the futuristic looking podium, and looked like futuristic fluorescent lights that glowed pink. "What is that?" Tawna asked as the Bandicoots started to walk towards it.
"I don't know. I hope it's not dangerous." Aku Aku said, getting closer to the podium.
Suddenly, once they got close to the Podium, the podium glowed brightly as the Bandicoots had to cover their eyes a bit in the light. Then suddenly, a globe appeared above the podium. And there was some sort of futuristic computer room inside the globe itself, much to their confusion.
Suddenly, something, or somebody, ended up falling out of the globe, and onto her feet.
"Whew, what a landing. Hey guys, what's up!?" The person said after walking away from the globe as it disappeared. Much to the shock of Tawna and Crash.
And done.
HALLELUJAH HOLY CRAP!
I have no idea what just happened here. But some of this chapter ended up getting erased for unknown reasons. I was able to rewrite the missing section of this chapter's ending back on, but it ain't exactly the same. And I apologize for it.
I really hope that this doesn't happen again to this story.
Also, the next chapter is done, and shall be released soon now.
Finally one more thing.
I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,
please give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,
And do not forget to read and review,
and once again, Crash bandicoot was created by Naughty dog, and is owned by Activision and Vicarious visions. Please support the official releases.
Theodore the poet signing out.