Here's another Q and A for this chapter.
Gucci Mane LaFlare: Are you sure about Koala Kong's accent? Because I watched the trailer a few times, (I even watched the trailer while typing this.) and it didn't sound Russian to me. It just sounded like the VA was growling, and trying not to upchuck. (Granted it's Fred Tatasciore himself doing the voice, but Kong sounds nothing like Nikolai from Cod zombies in this case. He just sounds more he's trying to sound different, yet sound like the hulk too.)
Also, thank you for the Idea for Pinstripe and Dingodile together, but they'll team up later as Dingodile merely debuted in warped, while in this, Pinstripe is teaming up with the next boss that all the Bandicoots will face off against.
And thank you for the red Gem praise, and yes…
if only Ripper knew.
Mr Whovain Hackleton: Obviously. And now it's here.
Sirrah K: Thank you for the review. And don't worry, Tawna will have her solo run sometime, while Crash and their partner has their hands full. Also let's just say that your hunches is about to be answered in this chapter.
And yes, that was the goofy yell that Crash made back in Snow go. Just thought it'd be funny, and just letting the other people know.
Finally, Disclaimer: Crash bandicoot was created by Naughty dog, and is owned by Activision and Vicarious visions. Please support the official releases.
"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.
Cause that person was none other than his sister, Coco Bandicoot herself. Who was dressed in her white shirt and overalls, while holding her pink, sticker ridden laptop.
"Coco?! Is that you, is it really you?" Tawna asked getting closer.
"Why of course it's me. I just got to this place via uh… science stuff." Coco said. Feeling like she's hiding something, but none of them noticed. "I know it's too complex for my brother so- oof!" She said, when she got dogpiled to the ground, while getting hugged by both Crash and Tawna as they both were happy that she was okay, and now with them and Aku Aku in the room as he smiled softly at them from above.
"It's so nice that you're here Coco. I thought for sure that you'd be pretty lonely back on the island, with only me, Crash, and Aku Aku going on this journey that I know is full of dangers." Tawna said happily. "That is, if you're joining us on this journey to save Earth. Are you?"
Coco laughed for a bit as she hugged them back. "Why of course I'm joining you all on this journey. Why else am I here? That is, if you all would let me."
"Why of course we would. Just so that you won't be lonely on the island waiting for us to come back." She said, while Crash gibbered and nodded fast. "After all, we could need your help in some sections during this journey. Especially with Brio."
"Brio? Oh! You mean Cortex's partner?"
"Former partner actually. Brio and Cortex had a falling out. And now, he's his enemy, and he's trying to impede our progress with helping Cortex save the world." Tawna said, before explaining to Coco about the search for her battery they were all on when Cortex teleported them to the warp room, to when Aku Aku found them, and followed them through the journey to this moment. All while Coco was listening to her, regardless of her confusion with Brio and Cortex.
"So bear with me for a minute. Both of you were teleported to this room by Cortex, so that all of you could gather Crystals for him, to save the Earth from this 'force', as N. Brio is trying to take you all down, even though he wants gems from all of you too? Well how come neither of you decided to collect the gems instead?" Coco asked confused, and a little annoyed.
"Because Cortex seemed like he's turning over a new leaf, and is legit trying to save the world from this force. Even though I still feel something a little fishy from this journey for him regardless of the evidence he showed us. Which is why we both feel like believing Brio, and helping him gather the Gems too. But after what we went through with the boulder chase, I'm leaning towards Cortex on this one." Tawna said, still angered at the fact that Kong tried to crush both of them with the boulder.
"I'm with you Tawna. If Brio really wanted us to stop collecting Crystals, then he would've outright told us that Cortex is a villain and give us plenty of reasons, and his own evidence, on why he shouldn't be trusted. Instead of sending minions to stop us. Because if you ask me, that makes Brio more of a villain." Aku Aku said, knowing of more ways that Brio could've told them on why to stop collecting Crystals for Cortex, that doesn't involve trying to kill them with Koala Kong.
Coco then seemed to ponder what to say next as she had her finger and thumb on her chin, in a sort of thinking pose. Before she then decided to look at both Crash and Tawna with a serious look in her eyes. "Well look, I know that you're all gonna think I'm crazy for suggesting this, but please, don't stop collecting the gems too. You'll thank me later."
That had Crash, Aku Aku, and Tawna shocked at Coco for what she said. "You're right. I'm sure you've gone crazy for suggesting that! Even though we told you that Brio is trying to kill us!" She said.
"I know! I know! But it's cause he's really, desperately trying to stop Cortex from taking all the Crystals. Trust me, he has a more noble plan for the Gems than you think, after… what I learned from his data! Regardless of what he's doing to achieve that plan. He's not a villain right now." Coco said defensively.
"Well not to say that we don't trust you, but why should we continue to gather the Gems for Brio, regardless of his attempts to kill us?"
"Like I said, it's because he has a more noble plan for the Gems, regardless of his means to achieve that plan. It's… what I heard while hacking his and Cortex's computers. I know he might be a little crazy, and he was an ally of his while we were both captives, but he has a good cause this time. Cortex on the other hand, does not. In fact, he might have worse plans for the Crystals than you think." Coco said in fear on the last part.
"And what are those plans that he has for the Crystals?" Aku Aku asked.
"I… actually don't know." Coco said with an awkward laugh. Cue a face fault from Crash and Tawna, while Aku Aku inwardly face palmed. "But what I do know, is that those plans of his might have zero good intentions. So trust me, keep collecting for Brio too, and soon I-err I mean, Brio will tell you guys what Cortex plans to do with the Crystals. Can you all do this for me?" Coco said, holding out her hand.
Which both Bandicoots were a bit hesitant to take for a minute. But they eventually took that hand anyway after getting back up. "Okay. But just in case that Cortex 'is' telling the truth about saving Earth, we're continuing to collect the Crystals too. Sound fair?" Tawna said, trusting Coco's word.
"Eh, so be it." She said shrugging. "But don't say I didn't warn you when he shows his true colors." Coco said. "Now, where to first?"
"Hmm… how about there." Tawna said pointing at the first level. Which was a pun name called Snow Biz. (Which did get a giggle out of both Tawna and Coco.)
That was when Tawna realized, (After their giggles stopped.) that she forgot something to ask Cortex for, which had her face palming. Which caught Coco's and Crash's attention. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"We forgot to ask Cortex for some coats just in case we run into another place on Earth that's in the snow. And I'm guessing that portal leads to such a place." Tawna responded as Crash also started to shiver a little bit. While Aku Aku just shrugged, not feeling cold. "Might as well just go through with it for now. But once we're talking with Cortex, we're getting coats for all of us."
"Fine by me." Coco said, before she noticed that Crash was laying something against the wall of the warp room. Which was the jet board. "Whoa! What's that?" She asked feeling surprised, yet excited.
"That would be a jet board. Cortex gave it to Crash as a gift, to help him cross any rivers or lakes that block our path to the Crystal." Tawna responded. "Doesn't seem useful for that level though. Considering that it's a snowy place." Tawna said.
"That board looks awesome." Coco said, feeling excited for surfing with the board once their journey is over.
"Ai knobw whight siths?!" Crash gibbered out, also feeling exited for using it for surfing when they're done.
"And hopefully it's all ours for playing with after this journey. Right now though, we have a world to save. So let's go!" Tawna called out.
"Right! Let's go!" Coco called out, before they proceeded to jump in the portal to Snow Biz.
Where sure enough, after exiting the chamber, they all were in a snowy canyon somewhere in Australia, complete with the ancient idols and architect, like back in Snow Go. Which led to them shivering. Even Coco was shivering at the snow. "Brrrr. I should've gotten coats, when I went ba- I mean, teleported to this place." She said with a shudder.
"No kidding. I hope we aren't gonna go through more of these snowy places in our journey." Tawna said with Crash nodding in agreement.
Nevertheless, they kept on going through the canyon towards what they hoped is another cave to mostly protect them from the cold air as they broke the boxes along the way.
It didn't take too long though, as they found another cave to keep going through. Much to their joy as they entered it to get out of the cold wind. Now they just looked around a bit at the green colored ice-like stone of the cave's walls, with Coco commenting that they look pretty, which Tawna agreed with her on as they were now running through the cave while collecting the boxes. All while climbing on the slanted ice patches with difficulty, which they also slid down because of their slipperiness.
Which caused Coco to end up falling on her butt as she slid down since she didn't skate before, so she had to practice a bit while Crash and Tawna oversaw the practice that she went through. All while giving her advice, and with both laughing a bit at her attempts due to how funny they were. "Reminding you of our first time skating Crashie?" She whispered with a chuckle.
"Ya ya." He gibbered back. While Aku Aku was inwardly face palming at the attempts, while trying not to crack up himself.
Coco kept on trying though, much to their joy as she was making them proud of her for not giving up on the ice rink. Until she was able to nail the skating as she was able to make a circle on the ice after a couple minutes of skating. "That's the way to do it!" Tawna said as Coco got off the ice. Before giving her a high five as well. As Crash gibbered out his praise as Aku Aku smiled warmly at her.
"Thanks Tawna." Coco said, happy to receive her praise from her and her brother, as they exchanged high fives. Before they all kept on going through the cave, making sure to avoid obstacles.
It wasn't too long, until they came across a platform that came after the ice slant, that happened to look like a red gem from the last snow level they went to. Which Crash and Aku Aku knew was a colored gem challenge platform. While Tawna and Coco wondered what it was, which they decided to ask Aku Aku about.
"It's a Gem challenge platform. It takes us to another part of this course, where we traverse through the path inside for another gem from that challenge, once we have the required colored Gem. Like the red one that we got from the first snow cave. It's what Crash and I went through on our way to rescue you both." He responded, as Crash got ready to get onto the platform. Only for Tawna to gently push him aside.
"I'll handle this challenge. Besides I'm sure that you and Coco may need some time together since you're both reunited." She said as she too prepared to get on the red Gem platform. "Don't worry Crashie. I'll handle this challenge. You just need to defend your sis too." Tawna then said bending down to kiss Crash's snout, as Coco rolled her eyes smiling at their romance. Before Tawna got on the platform before it carried her upwards to her challenge.
Before Crash could get saddened though, Coco got his attention. "Come on big brother! You still have me. Besides, we've got work to do! Come on!" She said with a smile while jogging ahead, with a smiling Crash and Aku Aku not far behind as they continued onwards through the cave. Both Bandicoots were giggling like siblings, excited for a new game that they're gonna get for Christmas.
Even if it wasn't a game, both Bandicoots knew that the journey they're continuing is bound to become fun, or have some moments of becoming fun. Especially now that the siblings are together again for the journey. Which is much to Crash and Tawna's relief, as they saw her as a little sister, (More so for Crash.) whom they'd protect and be there for. And they were gonna save the world together, which is also awesome. Right now though, they just ran side by side, breaking crates, and even sliding down some ice patches along the way to the other end of the cave where they hope to meet Tawna. "Yippee!" Coco yelled out on one of the ice patches going down like a slide.
All while also defeating the spinning penguins, and the porcupines that shield themselves with their quills. Both of which they waited for until the penguins stop spinning, and until the porcupines retract their quills. Like back in Snow Go only without the extra pits, ice patches, and more smashers that tried to smash both Bandicoots.
Only for them to predictably fail, as they were flexible enough to slide over the ground fast enough to dodge the attempted crushing stone, or the logs from the other crusher.
Which had Coco laughing at their attempts to smash them after they dodged the last set. "I guess their attempts fell 'flat'." She said, making her own pun about the smashers.
Cue what could've been a rimshot, and another sound of crickets as Crash and Aku Aku stared at her in confusion. "Get it? Cause they tried to smash- never mind, Tawna would get it. Come on!" Coco said, not wanting to ruin the joke, before they both continued onwards.
Then they went through another bonus room, collecting more boxes, blowing up TNT boxes, and jumping over pits, until they were able to reach the ladder to climb out of the bonus section.
Now they just had to continue their way through the cave together. Keeping each other safe from harm. Until they came across an ice slide. And someone familiar was sliding down it.
It was Tawna herself, who was going through the slide, and she doesn't seem to be stopping, as the slide kept on going, and she couldn't stop as she started to slide past the siblings. "Hey guys!" She called out.
The Bandicoot siblings and Aku Aku looked at where she was going. "Tawna? Where is that slide taking you?" Coco asked.
"Hopefully to the other end of this cave!" She said as she got closer to where she entered what happened to be a mouth of an ice cave with a hop. And then she fell in while making a "Come on!" Gesture.
"TAWNA!" Crash and Aku Aku called out running to the mouth with Coco in tow. Which he saw was an ice slide inside the section that Tawna was currently sliding down. So Crash hopped in himself while inadvertently taking Coco with him as all the Bandicoots were now sliding along the ice while Aku Aku flew along to keep up with them. With Coco yelling in panic while keeping her arms around the laptop to protect it from getting destroyed, while Crash gibbered along the way to Tawna, like he was trying to say "I'm coming darling!" to her, while Tawna herself started to enjoy the ride.
Especially since to her, and later Crash, it got fun as they slid through some caves in the slide which launched them in the air. With Crash following Tawna in one of the cave paths, while Coco took another with Aku Aku following behind her, before sliding off the ramps that launched them in the air as they passed each other, before soaring into the other small cave paths which they landed through with a sound like a pillow blasting out of a pipe.
In one of the paths, Tawna was sliding through the ice with Crash catching up to her via skating. Where soon, she gasped as she felt arms around her lower body that lifted her in the air as a laughing Crash was briefly celebrating his catch while lifting her over his head. Only to then see a small hole coming his way fast, which he fell in with a yell after dropping Tawna back onto the ice.
"Hopefully we're reuniting at the end." She thought as she continued her ride in the slide.
While Crash continued to slide around, even on the ceiling for a few seconds before sliding into another ice cave path. Where he reunited with Coco and Aku Aku as she kept a hold on her laptop.
"Hey Crash! Where's Tawna!?" She called out to him. Only for Crash to shrug in return as he didn't know where Tawna is so far. But he knew she'd be alright.
Until suddenly, there was thundering sounds behind them. "Oh no! Something bad is behind us!" Aku Aku announced. Causing the Bandicoots to turn, and see what they can describe as horrifying.
Another Bandicoot was behind them on the ice slide. Only this one looked pretty muscular, yet feminine, having green hair on her head, which could be barely seen under the helmet. She also happened to have a yellow and green colored tank top dress, olive green skin tight pants, and platform sneakers. And she had her sharp claws and her wolverine-like teeth bared, and she was roaring at the Bandicoots with the intent of killing them.
Cue the siblings screaming like little girls, (Literally for Coco.) as they both sped up in trying to get away from the Bandicoot that's trying to kill them, and to reunite with Tawna in the ice slide. While the mutant Bandicoot kept up the chase through the ice slide.
Soon though, they came across an iceberg that stuck out of the ground which looked like a ramp, but it also looked like they could be stopped abruptly like a wall. "Captain Crash! Iceberg ahead!" Coco warned him as he too yelled, but then he had an idea
He and Coco on his signal, split side to side around the iceberg and united on the other end, and kept on going, while the monster Bandicoot crashed into the berg and stopped. Only for the berg to end up cracking, and soon, fell down with the monster Bandicoot now riding it like a toboggan.
Crash and Coco ended up seeing up ahead of them that there was sharp icicles in their path. Which had them screaming again, until both of them noticed some clear paths to the left and right of the icicle floor. "Let's move there!" Coco called out. Before they both steered their ways to the paths, thus passing safely around the icicles, and hopefully ending the chase from the mutant Bandicoot.
Only for it to resume when they saw that the mutant was going towards the icicles herself, (Also making a scream like a little girl.) only for the iceberg that she used as a toboggan to take the brunt of the icicles as it got shredded by the pointy ends, with the monster barely making it to the other end unscathed.
Now the chase resumed as the Bandicoot siblings got to what they hoped is the final stretch. As they reunited with Tawna on what looked like a super ice slide. "Oh there you are! What took- WHAT IS THAT!?" Tawna asked in shock and horror at the sight of the monster Bandicoot.
"We don't know! She just came outta nowhere!" Coco called back. "Let's see if we can lose her at the end of this slide!"
"Okay! Got it!" Tawna responded. As they were now heading through the ice super slide on their way to the end of the course. All while racing the mutant Bandicoot. As well as each other, with Coco currently in the lead while Crash and Tawna was neck in neck. And the mutant in last place.
Tawna suddenly found their objective up in the air. Which was the power Crystal. Which had her wondering how to get it when she suddenly got launched up in the air to it by a ramp.
Which Crash and Coco noticed. "See if you can catch Tawna! I'll keep that thing busy!" She said. So Crash kept skating on the slide as he had his arms out in a catching motion as Coco taunted the mutant Bandicoot. "Hey ugly! Can't catch me!" She yelled out. Angering the mutant Bandicoot.
Now she was chased by the mutant as Crash saw Tawna being able to barely catch the Crystal in her hands. Now she was descending to him as Coco kept the mutant by dodging her swipes. "Come on! My granny's faster than that! You couldn't even catch a col-"
"WATCH OUT!" Aku Aku screamed out.
"What is it Aku- OH CRAAP!" She then yelled out when she saw that she and Crash was heading fast towards the ice wall, that she knew could be the end of the ice slide.
Nevertheless, before she could panic, she saw another slide path to her right. Which could be another exit to the slide section. So she dodged another swipe from the mutant as she was able to jump her way to another slide path that connects to the alternate path. Which she was able to slide onto as it lead her out of the room they were in.
With Crash getting onto the same path, following his sister shortly after catching Tawna with the Crystal in her hand. The mutant wasn't so lucky, as she hit the ice wall after being unable to follow the Bandicoots, thus shattering it as she went through it. Which ended the chase there as the mutant roared in vengeance as the Bandicoots slid away.
Now the Bandicoots were safe from the mutant's wrath as they also got the Crystal. Now they just had to see if they're gonna make it to the end.
Which wasn't long, before they ended up getting launched up the ramp into the outside of the cave they were in, and into the different canyon, where they landed on a big pile of snow that broke their fall. Even though they also got covered in snow from the resulting splash of snow from the landing.
Now they were catching their breath in the snow from the entire ice slide ordeal that they just got through, with Coco making breaths of relief since her laptop was safe and unbroken from the ride, while Crash also made sighs of relief that they were able to get out of the ice slide unscathed, while smiling at how fun it was at least without the monster getting involved. And while Aku Aku was relieved that the Bandicoots are safe for now.
"WHOA! WOO HOO!" Tawna yelled out as she slapped Crash on his back. "YEAH! Who's up for round two!?" She said excited at the ride they went through. Only to receive a glare from Coco in response due to the risk on her laptop involved.
While Crash looked at her in confusion while rubbing where his back was slapped. And while Aku Aku looked indifferent.
"Oh. Umm… right." She awkwardly said. "I-I should be more careful on ice slides." She then said softly as they all caught their breath outside. Before quickly getting moving on their way through the canyon, breaking every box in their path.
Soon, they got to the end of their journey in the snow. (For now.) Entering the teleporter chamber, they proceeded to collect the grey Gem, and go to the podium. "Hey Tawna?" Coco asked.
"Yes Coco?" Tawna asked back.
"I admit it. The slide was pretty fun." She then said smiling at her. "It would've been more fun without the risk of my laptop getting wrecked, and the mutant that chased us."
Tawna smiled back in return. "Thank you Coco. I hope that we'll have another slide coming up. And hopefully you won't lose your laptop."
"I hope so too." Coco then said. Before they all got on the podium, and teleported out of the snow level.
The Bandicoots were now in the Warp room, as they looked around for which portal to go next. "So, where too now Crashie?" Tawna asked.
"Hmm… ou bout dere?" He said, pointing at the portal that was named Air Crash.
"Looks like a good idea to go there. How bout we take the jet board there? There could be water in that area." Coco said.
"Sounds good to me. Come on Crashie, let's take that board with us!" Tawna said. With Aku Aku in agreement.
"Oday!"
Crash proceeded to grab the jet board, before quickly deciding to use the portal to Air Crash.
After exiting the chamber, the Bandicoots saw that they were going up the creek of another river. "Whoa! Thank goodness we kept the board with us." Tawna said.
"Dang doodnet dindee!" Crash said, also happy that he kept the board with him as he hugged Tawna.
"This is what you also went through Crash? Oh, I really should give you some wumpa cakes after this." Coco said somberly, aware that Crash can't swim. Which made her more thankful that he has a jet board for this level. "That's probably the only thing that I should thank Cortex for." She thought.
After her thought, Coco felt Crash patting her on the back in an assuring way, before she smiled back at him, before she proceeded to follow Tawna and Crash through the course over the river that was past the waterfall that they climbed over on the stone paths. Which looked like it had pretty strong currents, so they felt that even if they could swim, the river would be too strong for them as they'd probably get pushed hard down river. So all the Bandicoots had to find the section of the river that has the weaker currents for Coco and Tawna to swim on while Crash uses the jet board.
Right now, they had to keep going on the stone paths while breaking the boxes, and spinning away the carnivorous plants that attempted to eat them. And they hopped on the moving platforms that moved left and right through the water.
Along the way, Crash saw that the level they were going through was similar to the level Hang Eight, since the enemies were the same, with the carnivorous plants, and the robotic fish that jumped out the water, attempting to bite them, with the few differences being that there was moving platforms in the normal course, and he guesses that there are gonna be more floating mines up ahead. And that's not to mention that, unlike Hang Eight, he's got both Tawna and Coco with him.
Other than that, Crash feels that he's back in Hang Eight, only this time, with the jet board on his back, ready for use.
Speaking of ready for use, the Bandicoots were now on the dock, where they see that the river's current is not as strong as near the waterfall, which is a sign that it was swimmable. Yet there was something that interested Tawna, which was the single stone platform that she saw could be reached if she bounces on the boxes that made a row looking like a messed up right arrow.
"Wait guys. Before we start to swim, mind if I show Crash my skill in box bouncing? Betcha I can make it there without touching the water." Tawna said, challenging Crash.
"Uh-"
"Oday!" Crash gibbered out before Coco could respond, giving Tawna the okay gesture.
Which was her signal to jump onto the boxes and bounce on them to the platform, while leaving behind just enough for her to come back. Which much to Crash's pleasant surprise, she was able to get to on her first try as she got an applause from Crash, while Coco looked on in both pride, and confusion.
"How are you gonna come back to us?" Coco asked.
"I'll just bounce back with the remaining boxes, or just swim back. Duh- huh?" She tried to say, until she felt herself getting teleported on the platform.
Which she was, as she ended up vanishing in Crash and Coco's point of view, while she made a startled yell.
"Tawna?! Tawna!" Crash and Aku Aku called out when he saw Tawna teleporting in front of him. Which means he was alone with his sister again. Which he didn't mind in the slightest, he just hoped that Tawna is okay, from where she's going. And that she didn't get kidnapped by Brio.
Coco ended up hugging Crash from behind, hoping he isn't gonna breakdown in tears at being separated from Tawna again. Especially since her vanishing was unexpected to them both. "I'm sorry Crash. But please don't cry. Because I also hope she will come back to us too. We just need to keep on going through this course for her. Hopefully she's back in the warp room."
"I hope so too. But I'm confident that she'll come back unharmed for us." Aku Aku said.
After a few minutes of tears, Crash had to agree with Coco and Aku Aku on that. Since he didn't wanna appear weak without Tawna with him. So he just bared with Tawna's disappearance, and keep going. "Danks siths, Aku Aku." He gibbered, hugging Coco back.
Then he proceeded to get back on the jet board after putting it in the water. Then he suddenly carried Coco in bridal style as she yelped in surprise, and used the board to cross the water to the other side, breaking the boxes along the way.
Little did they know however, a creature was hiding in the bush leaves near the river, and it was looking at the Bandicoots. Waiting for the chance to strike.
Tawna saw white leaving her vision when she found herself getting tossed in a warp room. Only that the room she was in looked different from the first and second room that they were in. Being that the room was outside in the dark. Where she saw some islands in the distance, that she recognized was the wumpa islands that she knew looked pretty far away from her location.
"Okay? Why am I here?" She asked herself as she looked around in the room, before seeing that the portal she was thrown out of was different.
Being that it was the portal to Snow go. Not Air Crash. Which was odd for her since she and Crash already completed Snow Go a little while before Coco met them. And they had the Gems, and the Crystal.
"Why am I here? And why should I go back to that place? I'm sure we completed everything there." She said. Then she noticed that there were other portal discs in the room, and they looked inactive as they didn't glow. She also noticed that there was rubble of a familiar castle that she used to be a prisoner of Cortex's on, causing her to realize that she's in what used to be Cortex's castle on the island, now turned to ruins. Which had her thinking more.
But she felt that she can think about this room later. Right now, she had to return back to the level where Crash and Coco are in, before they find trouble. So she ran around the room, trying to find another way back to the warp room that has the portal to Air Crash. Before stopping at the center after a little bit of running.
"Okay disc elevator, thing. Lift me back up to the main rooms." She said, remembering that the platform transported them upwards, which could take her back to the warp room.
Sure enough, she felt herself ascending as she saw the platform lifting her upwards. Soon, she saw that she's back in the warp room, only it was the first warp room that she's in again. She quickly stepped around on the platform to have it ascend again back to the second room, which it did. Then after it stopped, she quickly checked to see if it was Air Crash, then she dashed into the portal, trying to catch back up to Crash and Coco. "I hope the fun didn't start without me." She said.
Crash and Coco was back on land after crossing the water on his jet board. Coco appreciated Crash, for carrying her across the water in his arms on his board, even though she can swim. But she also noticed that the jet board seemed to cut through water like a hot knife through warm butter, to where it easily went forward through the water despite the current's push. Which had her amazed that the jet board on her brother's back had the capability to do that
"I should invent one of those for me when I have the time." Coco thought. Before they continued through the land from the dock.
Where they ended up hopping off of a hippo to a different section of the stone path, where they jogged onwards together, and spun away another plant that tried to eat them.
They were gonna continue onwards when Aku Aku caught their attention. "Look! There's the Crystal!" He said, seeing the purple glowing Crystal that was right next to their stone path. Much to their joy, as Crash quickly caught the Crystal in his hands.
The Bandicoots were gonna continue onwards when Aku Aku got their attention again. "Wait! What is that?!" He asked, pointing at the platform that had a skull, and bones that made an X on the platform.
"Whoa. That's wicked." Coco said with a small shiver on her spine, being aware that the skull and bones making an X usually means death, or that danger is close. Which the latter associates with death on.
That was when Crash saw a note next to the platform, which he felt that Coco could read to him on. So he gave her the note as she began to read it.
"It says, 'Beware ye adventurers, for what you see before you is a platform that shall send folks to their doom. For what lies ahead for those that take this platform, is a dangerous course that would test your flexibility to its limit. Those that brave the platform death route, and succeed in surviving to the end, shall get a Gem as their reward. Those that don't, will simply perish, and they'll never be saved or found, for this route will be your tomb. If you don't heed this warning, then good luck.' and that's all that's on the paper." Coco said, noticing that there was no name of the person who wrote the note, let alone the 'sincerely' part.
"I guess he didn't want to be known, he just wants to warn us of what's ahead once we take that platform." Aku Aku said.
"Well, I'm guessing we either heed this note, or do what I believe that Crash would do. And just jump on. What do you think?" She then asked Crash, who miraculously stood still instead of jumping on the platform, thinking that there'd be a challenge that could come with it.
Crash ended up thinking about it for a minute. Before he then shrugged. "I day, led go bor id." He said, wanting to take on the death route, and see how hard it was. By jumping on the platform.
Which Coco quickly joined him on before it could float away. "So be it Crash. But once it gets too dangerous for us, we're getting back to this path. And pronto!" Coco said, feeling pretty excited to see what the course looks like, and see if they can take it on.
"Goob! Led do id!" Crash gibbered out as the platform floated over the trees and then to their west. Where they knew they're going to another creek, where the death route could lie.
Except little did they know, the creature was in the trees. And it took it as its cue to get ready to make an ambush.
It was a little later, as Crash and Coco waited on the platform for the ride to end as Aku Aku floated nearby them. They were both pretty nervous, yet excited to see the death route, and see if their parkour skills could help win on the route, and net them their Gem, and survival.
Once the Platform touched down though, they were pretty disappointed at the sight before them. Which was just a stone square which was the largest they ever saw as it was above the water like there was logs underneath that was holding it up.
And a pair of Gems was on one end of the square, to the left, and right while in front of the level exit door, ready to be picked up by the Bandicoots.
Which initially for Coco, had her disappointed since she expected a challenge to be associated with the death route, but it seemed the platform was on the fritz, and delivered them to the end of the route. But she then saw the big square that looked like an arena of sorts, and saw the position of the Gem on the end of the course, looking like it could be either out of their reach, or in a cage of sorts that would only open once the boss is dead.
Which had her feeling nervous again when she realized that it could be a trap, and they were about to fight something.
Which was fueled a bit, when she and Crash got off the platform, and saw it floating away from them back to the area that they were in.
"Wait, hold up brother! Doesn't anything feel fishy around here?" She asked Crash.
"What do you mean?" Aku Aku asked.
"What I mean, is that with the way this square is laid out, you'd think that a boss battle is gonna happen. And I'm not saying that from video game experience, even though it is, but this seems like a large arena that we're gonna be walking on." She said. Causing Aku Aku to look at the square.
"You're right! It seems a battle is about to begin! Crash, try not to spring the-"
*Thunk* *Thunk*
It was too late, as Crash walked onto the middle of the square, the wooden cages surrounded the gems. And before they knew it, another creature showed itself, landing on the square.
It was another female Bandicoot mutant like the one back in the ice caves. Except this one was blond haired that trailed down to her mid back under her helmet, and she happened to wear a two piece jumpsuit, being form fitting as they hugged her figure, and it was also blue, with white in some spots. She also happened to be more sleek, and pretty tall, compared to the muscular mutant Bandicoot from Snow Biz. And she had her sharp claws and teeth bared at them, ready to kill them.
Both Crash and Coco screamed at the sight in front of them as they realized that the mutant is a boss that they have to face off against for the Gems. They hoped they would survive the fight that was about to happen.
"What are we gonna do?!" Coco yelled out after their screaming was done.
"Run circles around it!" Aku Aku said.
Which is what they did, as Crash and Coco ran around the mutant Bandicoot in circles to dodge the swipes of the claws, and the pouncing motions. All while looking for the weaknesses that the mutant Bandicoot could have on her, alongside Aku Aku.
All while they also hoped that Tawna is okay, and is coming back to help.
The mutant Bandicoot though, was quite fast as she tried to pounce like panther, on where the Bandicoots were with the Bandicoot siblings barely dodging her claws and her pounces. And after they separated in two directions, they were able to save each other when the Bandicoot nearly has one of them in her clutches.
And Aku Aku was of good enough help to them, by predicting moves of the mutant, and continuing to scan the mutant for weaknesses for both of them to use against her.
But the mutant was definitely a dangerous foe they're facing right now, and they still are even in the fight. Which they hoped would turn in their favor once Tawna comes back.
Speaking of whom, Tawna was quickly rushing back to the place where they separated, where she swam her way across the water to the other docks, where she redressed herself after drying off. Now she was sprinting, until she came across the same death route platform. And she realized that Crash might've used it himself. "If I know him well enough, he seems to like a challenge to his physical skills. So this seems to be no exception." She thought. Which had her deciding to use it too, to see if she can catch up to them. Which she knew she would if they were waiting for her.
Little did she know though, she's in for a surprise.
For Crash and Coco continued to fight against the Bandicoot, with the fight still being even with neither of them getting an inch on each other.
But they were holding on, and they were confident that Aku Aku could find a weakness on her, and that Tawna would be coming to help. They just had to continue to dodge and weave.
It took a little while, but Aku Aku was able to find one. "Aim for the head! It has surprisingly little armor, and it's the source of this mutant's power!" He then said, noting that the helmet wasn't as sturdy as it looked to where a little rock could break it once slung at it.
"Then let's fight back bro! I have an idea, and that'll make her think twice before attacking us, right bro?!" Coco asked. With Crash nodding back in return.
Then they decided to continue to dodge the pounces of the mutant, even though Crash took a scratch on the left of his abdominals, but he ignored the pain as he kept on dodging alongside his sister. Who also got scratched on her shoulder, but she too ignored it despite the pain that had her grunting.
After that, Coco stood on where she knew the section of the square would end up being soft enough for the mutant to get her claw stuck, before taunting the mutant to go after her when she tried to fight Crash. "Hey you, ugly! I'm here!"
That had the mutant taking offence to being called ugly, as she tried to attack Coco with her claws while Crash got ready to make his move, since he knew what his sister was planning after noticing the soft dirt under her feet.
Where after the mutant tried to attack Coco with her claw, Coco dove to the side side-first as she protected her laptop, causing the mutant to miss, and get her claw stuck on the dirt. Now she was trying to pull it out of the dirt, as Coco got up, then looked at Crash.
Which he quickly took as his signal to sprint his way to the mutant's back, before using his jumping trick where he slid, then jumped while spinning at the same time to ascend higher like a helicopter. Then after the spin, he proceeded to kick the helmet hard with his boot.
Which made a clang sound as the mutant lurched forward in pain at the contact on her head, which had her stunned, and had the helmet showing some sparks on it, which is a sign that it was gonna break after another blow. Which the mutant was trying not to let happen as she grunted before making a loud screech, making the Bandicoots cover their ears due to how loud it was.
Which the mutant took advantage of, as after she got her claw out, she ended up slapping Crash and sending him flying into one of the pillars of the square arena, leaving him stunned. "NO! CRASH!" Coco called out as she rushed to his side. Before the mutant was now stomping to them, knowing that she's got them both in her sights, and she was gonna end up killing, or capturing them both. Even as Coco put herself between the mutant and Crash, trying to defend her brother, while daring the mutant to go past her, as he recovered from the blow as he saw stars in his vision like in a cartoon.
A dare, that the mutant was planning to take.
Until she heard another voice. "Hey ugly!" Tawna's voice said out loud as the mutant turned angrily at her as she was now on the square herself. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" She said angrily, aware of Crash's stunned state, and the scratches he took from the battle.
The mutant ended up roaring at her before proceeding with the battle, with Tawna keeping the mutant distracted as Crash recovers with Coco's help.
It was minutes of fighting, when Tawna was able to get the mutant's claw stuck in another spot of dirt on the square. Which Coco took as her cue to make a similar jump. Only to just climb quickly onto the mutant's back. Then she vaulted herself on the mutant's right shoulder, before kicking the helmet herself. "For my brother!" She yelled out before the blow connected.
Another clang sounded, before she jumped backwards with a flip as the helmet sparked and electrified as it broke from Coco's second blow. Now the mutant was now roaring in pain as it moved around like a headless chicken getting electrocuted for a minute. Before she then fell down, defeated by the Bandicoots hands.
Now the Bandicoots were celebrating, as they hugged each other after Crash recovered from the blow the mutant made on him. "Yes! We survived the boss!" Coco called out excited.
"Wee did id! Yahoo!" Crash gibbered out as he jumped around with Coco and Tawna.
Once celebrations were done for now, Tawna and the Bandicoot siblings then looked at the wooden cages around the gems, and saw that the Gems were now uncaged as the cages ended up breaking into several pieces. "Whoa. That's all we had to do here?" Tawna asked.
"I think so. It seems we had to beat this mutant for those gems." Coco responded. "But this mutant looks different from the one we met in the ice caves. It seems there's more of them out there." Coco said nervously.
"At least we beat one of them. Now we know that they're not invincible mutants that we're fighting against. Even if they're also Bandicoots like us."Tawna said, relieving Coco and Crash. "I do wonder though, did Brio create them like Cortex did to us? Or were they already like this even before you beat Cortex and rescued us?" She asked Crash, who merely shrugged in response.
Then they saw the mutant again, only to see that the mutant shrunk a bit to where it was now around Tawna's height. And its claws ended up disappearing too, causing her to look less like a mutant, and more like them, most of all Tawna herself. Then the now unmutated Bandicoot was now getting up as pieces of the helmet fell off of her head. "Aye eye eye. Mi fa male la testa. (My head hurts.)" She then said, in what Coco and Tawna recognized was Italian.
They then saw that the female Bandicoot in front of them that was standing up, looked like Tawna. She even looked as tall as Tawna, if not a little bit taller, and she looked more svelte with her bust size being a little smaller than Tawna's, and her hair was more styled on her right. She also had a beauty mark on the upper left of her mouth, which Tawna lacked on her own face.
And she was getting up while holding her head in pain, until she then looked around in confusion. "Where am I? I remember that I was in the Tranto zoo, then I'm in a lab, and now I'm here." The Bandicoot said, having a thick Italian accent. "And… I feel… different for some reason. What happened…" She then said, until she then saw water. Causing her to look in the water at her own reflection, seeing what she herself looks like.
"Whoa. This is me?" She said, before she did some posing on the stone in front of the Bandicoots as they looked on in confusion and surprise at how they found another Bandicoot like them.
"Who is this lady?" Tawna quietly asked.
The Bandicoot then ended up smiling at her reflection. "I don't know what happened to me that changed me into this, but I like what I'm seeing." She then said, admiring her reflection, and feeling proud that she looks like what her reflection was showing her.
Tawna ended up snapping out of her state, before deciding to talk to the Bandicoot. "Hello?" She asked, coming close to her alongside Coco and Crash.
Which caused her to turn around, and look at them in confusion, showing that her eye colors were blue. Before she then got surprised. "Wha? So I'm not the only one who is like this? Heh, what a relief. Salve! (Hello.) Who are you folks?" She asked.
Coco, after seeing that the Bandicoot was now friendlier than last time, decided to go first. "Hello! My name is Coco, Coco Bandicoot, and this is my Brother, Crash Bandicoot." She said introducing herself and Crash, who wave back with a smile. "And this is Tawna, his girlfriend."
"Nice to meet you." Tawna said, holding out her hand for a handshake. "And the floating mask up there is Aku Aku." Tawna said, introducing Aku Aku. Who also told her that it was nice to meet her.
"Likewise." She said, shaking Tawna's hand. "I'm Isabella. I was born somewhere that I believe is Australia. But I was raised in Italy. And I was one of the popular animals in the Tranto zoo, I reckon. At least until I was taken, and next thing I know, I was in a lab for a while, and now I'm here." The Bandicoot known as Isabella said with a smile.
"Taken? Then I believe he used the evolve-o-ray to transform you into this, as well as used that helmet to make you more vicious and scary." Aku Aku said.
"Vicious? Scary?" Isabella asked, before looking with a gasp at what is left of the helmet that she wore. "So that's why I blacked out. I'm sorry if I did any damage to you guys." She said somberly. "At least something good came out of this." She then said, referring to her figure.
"It's okay. We can take the pain. Especially my honey bunny that went through a lot to rescue me." Tawna said flirting with Crash as she hugged him and rubbed his head. As he giggled in appreciation, while Isabella looked on in slight envy. "Besides, you didn't do too much damage to us. But who knows what other mutant, is bound to meet us sometime in this journey?"
"You mean there are others like me and you guys?"
"Yes. And hopefully we may help them break free, and become friends with them too. Quick question though. Who took you, and changed you into this? If I may ask." Tawna asked, wondering if Brio had other Bandicoots to mutate.
"I… don't really know. All I know is that there was two scientists. One was bald, and he had some sort of screws on the sides of his head, sorta like Frankenstein, and the other had bald spots on his head with silly hair on the sides of the back of his head, also had a beard and moustache, and for some reason, he had an upper case N on his big head." She said.
Tawna instantly recognized who the scientists was by their looks. And she wasn't happy about that. As was Coco and Crash. "That would be Nitrous Brio and Neo Cortex. They're scientists, and evil ones at that. Well one of them is." She said, before she then explained to Isabella about their journey that they're on, that involved both Brio and Cortex, as well as what they're after that Cortex sent them for, as well as what they also collected, that Brio sent them for as well.
Once they were done, Isabella wasn't pleased. "So you're all trying to save this world with this Cortex fellow, and yet Brio is trying to stop you all from doing it? Especially by doing what he did? That scemo. (Fool.)" She said, referring to the boulder chase. "And yet you all are collecting Gems for that fool?"
"Well yes. Considering that he happens to be trying to use the Gems to screw over Cortex, who wants the Crystals for evil doing. According to Coco at least."
"It's true. He's just desperately trying stop us from helping Cortex win. He's not a bad guy right now." Coco said defensively.
"Well if what you say is true? Then why not the Gems only?" She asked pointing at the Gems that are behind them.
"Because none of us know if Cortex is truly the villain, or if he's trying to be good for once. Either way, we must collect the Gems and the Crystals to find out." Tawna said.
"Well, mind if I tag along? You all might need another partner for this journey. It's the least I could do to thank you all for freeing me from Brio's control. And to apologize for trying to kill you all." Isabella said, wanting to help.
"I don't know. What do you think brother?" Coco asked Crash.
Who gave it some thought. Before he decided to just nod his head, showing that he would let her come along.
"So be it. Welcome to the team Isabella." Coco said as Tawna smiled too. Approving of her joining.
Isabella smiled back at them in joy. "Grazie mille a tutti. (Thank you all so much.) I hope that I won't let you all down." She then said. Before they all proceeded to collect the Gems from the podiums, before going through the exit chamber door, and to the teleportation podium.
"What is this podium?" Isabella asked.
"It's to teleport us back to the warp room. So we can teleport to the other parts of the world for the Crystals and Gems." Tawna responded. Before pulling Isabella onto the podium along with her, Crash and Coco, as the Bandicoots teleported out of the level.
Their journey is continuing from there. And it was about to get interesting.
And done.
Here's another chapter of Crash bandicoot CSB N sane and retold done. And as of this chapter, as you can see, there's more friends that Crash is gonna have on his journey with Tawna and Coco.
Speaking of whom, yes. The person at the end of the last chapter was indeed Coco bandicoot, and she's tagging along on this journey alongside a member of the Nitro squad, being Isabella herself.
Which means the Nitro squad are gonna be in this story as mutants of Brio's before they get defeated, and free of control by the Bandicoots, resulting in them joining them afterwards. Shout out to Calvinfujii for the idea.
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.