Here's another brief Q and A for this chapter.
Sirrah K: Thank you for pointing that out to me about the Green Gem, I just edited that correction in when I saw the review. Also, sorry if the third person speak makes her annoying to you. (I thought it'd make her cute.) I'll have her speaking properly later on after this journey.
Gucci Mane LaFlare: How else can Crash and the gang give the Crystals to Cortex? Although they're not once Coco tells them why they shouldn't. And I'm glad that you got that it's Crash Purple's Nina that I'm using. Although I'm planning on putting in a dash of Edward from Cowboy Bebop into her in this too.
Gage the Hedgehog: Yes. Crunch is going to appear in the next fic after this. So will Rilla Roo in another fic after this.
Disclaimer: Crash Bandicoot was created by Naughty Dog, and is owned by Activision and Vicarious Visions and Toys for Bob. Please support the official releases.
In the space station, in the same room that the master Crystal was in, Cortex was in the room with a bandaged N. Gin with him. And the former was looking out the window at Earth again, while frowning again. While the latter of whom was nervously explaining himself on why he was there, without the Crystals.
"S-S-She just came outta nowhere. And her m-m-mech damaged mine. *Wheeze* There was nothing I could do. *Wheeze* I swear, I couldn't get her off!" N. Gin said.
All while Cortex continued to frown, and scowl at what happened that sent N. Gin here to him. He saw the battle take place. And to say he wasn't happy would be a slight understatement. He knew it wasn't N. Gin's fault. It was his Niece. And since she was working with N. Brio, whom he swears, was the one who busted Nina out of the Academy, probably to gain her alliance against him, It seemed to him that Brio was gaining the upper hand in this battle.
What he also hated, was the fact that N. Gin was provoked into nearly telling them the truth. Which also helped lead to the battle that took place, due to N. Gin's hesitation costing him the chance to take the Crystals due to what he feared, was an ambush, and possibly made the Bandicoots weary of giving him the Crystals that they have so far. At that rate, he'll never get those Crystals for his space station, and he would lose again.
At least N Brio probably lost his final minion to the gang, since they were able to make it to the last warp room, and that he's not too far from finding where his location could be. Which is where he would teleport him out of his hideout, and to his own station, so he would give him a piece of his mind.
Or… maybe he could teleport him somewhere else, if he has the chance. Like probably into a volcano. Or into a stampede of Rhino's. Or probably the best of all…
to his enemies, to kill two birds with one stone by having them beating him up for his troubles, and dollars to donuts, gaining their trust. (Not that it's necessary, since he'd control them too when he zaps them, when they're on Earth.)
For now though, he had only one thing to worry about, and that is what to respond with, once they ask their accusing questions, due to what N. Gin almost told them.
"Don't be sad N. Gin. There was nothing you could do once she came." Neo Cortex said. "And don't worry about the Bandicoot fools. They can still hand me those Crystals."
"But how?! *Wheeze* I almost told them your true plan for those Crystals. They're now onto us. *Wheeze* And they might refuse to hand them over." N. Gin said sadly, and fearfully. While he was wheezing more due to his nervousness, and being out of breath.
"Leave that part to me. I know what I can say to convince them what my plan 'really' is. And they may continue to grab those Crystals for us if I'm able to convince them. Just continue licking your wounds, and getting my laser ready for Earth, once they hand them over." Cortex said. "And one more thing, how good is your Chinese?"
At the question, N. Gin was confused, but answered it anyway. "Not so good I'm afraid. I can't even read those Chinese words. Why do you ask?"
"Let's just say that I intercepted a message that I feel was being sent to a minion of Brio's, on Earth. Unfortunately, it's entirely written in Chinese characters, and I have no clue of what it says because of it. And sadly, my translator is limited to European languages. So, I let it go, feeling that whoever it's been sent to, can't be able to read it, let alone have the translation software to use against it. Making them as lost as I am in what it's saying." Cortex said.
"Oh. Sorry I couldn't translate it for you, Dr. Cortex." N. Gin said.
"Don't feel bad N. Gin. You could've done your best in that part, and I would've been proud of you for that." Neo Cortex said, smiling.
Much to N. Gin's joy.
Meanwhile…
It was back on N. Sanity Island that a certain figure was in her room, on her laptop again as she was continuing to hack from it. And she was making good progress against Cortex.
Especially since she was able to learn some info as to where they are, and that they were progressing through the world, and collecting Crystals for some reason.
And Cortex wants to have those Crystals to power his Space Station over Earth, and Coco knows that he plans to zap the Earth with it. The question is, what could he do once he does zap earth.
But she also had another thing to do, and that is involving a message that she got a little while ago. That message, that she got, could be of help to her and her hacking skills into Cortex's space station to see what he plans to do.
There was one problem. It was written in Chinese. Almost like whoever was wanting to help her, was from China, and he/she had no idea of how to type it into English, or knew English, but knew of the risk of Cortex intercepting the message, and the result that could come from it, so he/she had to use the Chinese writing so that Cortex wouldn't be able to read it, or translate it.
Which was a good plan, but now, how can 'she' be able to read it? Sure she might have an interest in learning Chinese, but so far, she needs a translator to do that.
Thankfully, her translation is not limited to European languages, but also the entire globe's language. So she had her opportunity to translate it once she's done getting into Cortex's system.
Which wasn't easy for her.
Rather than put all of her effort in hacking the system of Cortex's, she decided to later translate the message that basically said in Chinese, something about the girl sending it to her being from somewhere, and that she knows what she needs to do.
She proceeded to read from the almost entirely translated message, feeling that she might've been able to translate enough out of it.
What she got out of it was that it said that she was sending the message to her as a heads up from her, about how she's going to have a bunch of visitors to the island she was on. Not only that, but she's going to have someone who would be quite close to her. Then there was also what she should do to find what Cortex is going to do, and of course, tell Crash and Tawna what he is really going to do when she finds out.
What she couldn't get out of the translated message, was who the sender was.
Then there's the P.S part of the message. Telling her the password to Cortex's system. and it was "******123." With the asterisks being removed to show the password.
Which to be fair to Cortex, it was a pretty subtle password, and it wasn't easy to figure out, and could be changed once he finds out. But the last part of the password had her feeling exasperated.
"That's the kind of code, that a moron would put on his footlocker!" She said.
Nevertheless, she used the password anyway when she got around to hacking into the system of Cortex's to find out what he's planning to do with the Space Station's vortex cannon once he gets all of the Crystals from Crash and Tawna.
Which is where she ended up looking in horror at what she was seeing. Apparently, Cortex was indeed going to zap Earth, and instead of destroying it like she thought he'd do, he was instead going to zap it for a different purpose.
"I gotta tell them!" The figure said, getting out of the system, and scanning for the warp rooms to see where they are, not knowing that they're now a gang, due to having not seen the rest of them in the room. Then she saw that they were headed to the last room of the Warp Room.
Only to then see the dreaded 'one bar left' on her laptop battery. Much to her chagrin. "Oh come on!" She said.
No matter, she just needed to charge it up with only one bit of juice to last long enough for her hologram's message to be sent to them. She just hopes it'll be enough once she gets her message to them.
Back in the Warp Room, the gang, with their newest member, Nina Cortex, the Niece to Neo Cortex, was in the fifth, and hopefully last Warp Room, which happened to be a Space Station in design.
And both Isabella and Tawna found it to be a major improvement in atmosphere. Especially since it's not a sewer room, or a coal mine that they would return to after collecting the Crystal, or Gem. And both Bandicoots were happy that they have a clean, and cool looking room to return to as they collect the last five Crystals, and the last seven Grey Gems, or, the six Grey Gems, and the last colored Gem.
"Ah, finalmente. (Finally.) A warp room that isn't a sewer, or a coal mine. And look, it's a space station." Isabella said, looking at the glass roof smiling alongside Liz, Ami, Tawna, Crash, and Nina.
They still miss Aku Aku though, whom was sent back to the islands to recharge his Mojo when Nina's mech proved too much for him to protect the gang from. Forcing him to rest. They didn't put it past Nina though, since she was just following orders from Brio. And since Brio might've lost his last minion in Nina, he may be powerless to punish her for the betrayal that she just did.
Scanning around the room, the gang saw the last five Crystals in the room, along with the Gems. And they felt that they could be missing something as they got off the platform.
Where they had to think about the Gems later, as the room got dark once again, showing that a hologram of Brio, or Cortex was about to return. And in this case, either one of them are going to be ticked off at what happened, whether it'd be Cortex, for what happened to N. Gin, and the deal with him, or Brio, for having lost his last minion in Nina.
The former's hologram appeared in their sight. And sure enough… "GRAARGH! I said, give N. Gin those Crystals, before N. Brio could interrupt the deal, and look what happened! I don't know what caused such hesitation, but now you know what hesitation rewards you with!" He said angrily.
"Well excuse us for the fact that your right hand man got his butt kicked by your Niece." Ami said, also angrily as Nina tried not to look at her angry uncle as she stood behind Ami. "But we were told that you were going to zap the Earth."
"And guess what. N. Gin almost told us himself about your plan when Coco called his bluff. So fess up! What is your true plan for those Crystals?!" Tawna then said.
Cortex looked like he was at an impasse of what to tell them, as he now looked nervous. He had to choose whether to continue to lie, and say to them that Brio was manipulating them, or to confess to them his true plan for Earth and what he'd do to it once he gets the Crystals.
That was when he had a new idea of what to say. He just needed to act. "MMMNRGH, GRAAAHH, Oh fine. I confess it! There was no force that threatens to destroy the world. Forgive me when I say that I made it up so that I could kill two birds, or in this case, three birds with one stone." Cortex 'confessed'.
"And what pray tell, is those three birds that you plan on killing?" Liz asked, knowing what Cortex means by the saying.
"One, yes. I plan to zap the Earth, but I don't intend on destroying it, as you might believe. Instead, one zap from the vortex cannon is to benefit the planet, by zapping Brio's own laser cannon, which he plans to use to destroy my space station, and then he'd use it to take over the world, or destroy it, with no one able to stop him once he does. Two, I plan to give all of you credit for that, so that you'd be heroes that saved the world from whatever Brio's plan could be, if he gets his Gems. Which would lead to number three."
"And what would that be?" Isabella asked.
"I'm going to draw Brio out. And once we do, he shall suffer his just due punishment from our hands. That is the reason why you and Tawna was sent on this journey. To make sure that Brio will fall for my gambit, lose his minions until it's only him left, then I shall destroy his laser, and make him suffer a major defeat that is so severe, he will never return to villainy again. I just need you all to continue to gather the last five Crystals, while I search for that fool, and your eternal rewards shall be given when he loses." Neo Cortex said.
As much as the gang, (Minus one of them.) was understanding of why Cortex sent them to draw Brio out, and defeat him for his villainy, as well as what Cortex mentioned about him, they had something to say. "And what about your niece that you oh so kindly, chopped off the hands of?! What reason did you have to decide to give her the robotic hands to pop the cute animals with?!" Ami asked angrily, hugging Nina to her side like a protective sister would, with Coco doing the same to Nina.
Which Nina didn't protest to since she felt safe in Ami's arms. And she was happy that Coco was doing the same thing to her.
"A-and what a-about what Brio said, about you zapping E-Earth for a more sinister purpose?" Nina nervously asked.
"N. Brio is manipulating you, my Niece. Remember what I said about him, Bandicoots? Brio is a cunning, and sneaky supervillain who would plan for your downfall. Say what you want about me, but how much better is he, compared to me?" He asked, guessing that they may hate him too.
The gang had to think about it for a bit. All while one of them was still calling bull, even if he may have a point about Brio's cunning. "Not too much." Tawna eventually said.
"Then let's keep our focus on him until we're able to defeat him first. And to answer your question about my niece, it was to toughen her up." Cortex said.
"Yeah, she told us that. But that, and putting her in that 'Academy of Evil' of all places isn't something a family member should do to 'toughen' someone up." Ami said.
"I was an evil scientist. What do you expect? Besides, the world is both a good place, and a bad one, as the world's history, and medieval wars would prove. Not to mention whatever creatures she'd try to befriend, that would not return her kindness, but rather stab her in the back with it by eating her. And those sections of the world, has no room for a friendly spirit like her, especially with the malevolent spirits that she could be among." He said defensively.
The whole gang tried to come up with an argument to that, but they ultimately found none, as Coco did learn about medieval times from her computer, and she felt relieved that she wasn't born in that era. As Tawna also agreed alongside the Bandicoot girls since they too learned about warfare. Also, they admit that there are indeed some aggressive, and wild creatures out there, that Nina would likely die to if she attempted to befriend some of them, and that there could be evil people that would probably kill, or manipulate her too. So a little toughening up was necessary, just as long as it doesn't involve traumatizing her.
But chopping off her hands, definitely shouldn't have been involved in doing so, as it was unnecessary, and brutal. Something that had them hating Cortex, almost as much as Brio as of now.
And they all agreed that the world is also a great place, since it was beautiful with the islands, the countries in the world that they would someday take tours of, and whoever they would meet inside that would be a friendly guy to get to know. And they would protect it with all their might from whatever dares threatens Earth. Which includes Brio, and Cortex. (If either of them threatens it that is.)
"Now, I need her to return to the Academy. She still has much to learn, and I have a hunch that Brio took her from that place for his own gains. But regardless-"
"No deal! She's with us now. And she will never return to that place with us around. So don't ask again!" Ami said, keeping her arms around Nina. With Coco following suit as she too glared at Neo Cortex.
"I'm with her on that. She's been through enough! She doesn't need to go through more!" Tawna said, also putting her arms around Nina to protect her too.
Cortex wasn't happy about the response, as he expected them to be willing to give the girl back to him. But as angry as he was, he knew that if he does try to take her, they'd refuse to follow him anymore, and just abandon the quest he sent them on and try to find their own way home to the islands. And in this case, this isn't what he wants.
Nevertheless, he knows that she was busted out by Brio, and that she still has yet to complete her education of being as evil as he is, and that Brio shouldn't be her caretaker. But at this point, it was feeling impossible to get her back, with the gang by her side.
He eventually gave up. For now.
"Fine! Do as you please with her as her new friends. But know this, if she dies on this last leg of this journey, I will see to it, that all of you will die too! And by my hands, if Brio fails in his attempt on your lives." He said, much to the gang's joy at his giving up. While also showing them that regardless of what he's done, he still loves her like an uncle would.
Then he got somber, as he looked at her. (Even though he also made some hidden glares towards her.) "And I apologize for the robotic hands Nina, and I hope to earn your forgiveness, when Brio suffers his defeat." He said.
At least he apologizes for what he did, but they aren't gonna forgive him anytime soon.
"C-can you give me a new pair of robotic hands? Ones that are still grappling hands, yet has pressure sensors on them, so that Nina won't continue to accidentally crush the cute critters?" Nina asked, hoping that he could do something like that as an apology.
Cortex had to hide his frown as he rolled his eyes. But he smiled nonetheless. "At the end of this journey, you may." He said, making her smile at what he said.
Not that he was gonna go through with it, but none of then knows that. (Not counting the one that knows his plan, little did he know.)
"But that's enough talking for now! There are now five Crystals left, and dollars to donuts that Brio is gonna go all out at this point. Be sure to grab them, defeat Brio, and whatever he has left that he throws at you all, and bring them TO ME!" He yelled the last part, before his hologram vanished.
As reluctant as the gang was, they knew that they may be unable to return home now that Aku Aku isn't there. So for now, they must trust Cortex, or help Brio if Cortex tries to betray them, once they get the last five Crystals, and last seven Gems.
So for now, they were ready to hop in the Portals as they looked around the room to see the last Gems that they must grab with the Crystals. Which is where they all noticed two things.
One, is that there was no colored slots where the colored Gems should go once they collect them, which means that the Purple Gem that Crash and Coco got could be the final one that they have, putting the colored Gem quest at an end.
And second, is that there was only six Gem slots in the room. And they needed the last seven Gems to reach forty-two, as Brio said he needs.
"Oh no! I think we're missing one Gem. Hopefully one of these portals will lead to the last one in the basement room." Tawna said nervously, which had the rest of the gang also feeling bummed out since they did count the Gems before and after the battle against Nina, and they found out that they were going to be one Gem short once they get the last five Crystals, and the last six Gems in the Warp Room that they were in.
Nina though, was now reminded of something as she started to smile. Much to Tawna's confusion. "What? Why are you smiling?"
That was when she pulled out a surprising item out of her space pocket of her skirt. (With a popping noise being made.) A single Grey Gem. "I used this to power my spidermonkey mech! It's a good thing Nina was able to take it from the mech, when I used the ejection seat of my cockpit. As for where it ended up when I crashed into the ceiling, well… you don't wanna know." Nina said cringing, as she also blushed, still feeling the afterpains of where it ended up.
As did the gang, as they decided not to ask, since they were sure about where the Gem was when Nina attempted to escape from them.
Nevertheless though, they were giving Nina praise for having the Gem that they needed, which means they have only the last six to grab. Though that does beg the question of where the last closed Portal in the basement Warp Room leads to.
But they didn't dwell on that too much, as they pondered of which portals that they could enter to find the rest of the Crystals.
Soon, Coco, Nina, and Ami chose to enter Piston It Away, (Likely a pun about Pistons. Which once again got a chuckle out of Tawna, Coco, Yaya, and Ami, while Nina too chuckled alongside Megumi.) while Tawna, Isabella, and Crash chose Rock It, (Another pun, this time, about Rockets. Bringing another chuckle out of the gang.) while Yaya, Liz, Megumi, and Polar chose the Night Fight Portal.
Much to Nina's joy, since she would hang out with Coco more, while Isabella was also feeling joyous since she would be with Crash as they save the world from Cortex, or Brio, although Tawna is there too, to protect him from her seduction. Which is much to her dismay. While Ami and Megumi promised each other that they'll return to the room they're in, while alive and well. Isabella and Liz promised the same thing to them, as they made sure that they can defeat either evil scientists while they're at it.
Soon, they jumped in when they were ready.
Coco, Nina, and Ami was looking around in awe at the place, seeing that they were in what looked like a boiler room. Which also looked to be a bit steam-punkish, since the boilers happened to be held together by patches of metal that was welded together, as well as connected with rivets. The same could be said for the pipes in the room, as well as the platforms that they were walking on. While they also noticed some of the more futuristic ones that was in the background behind the boilers.
What they also noticed was that some of them had an upper case N on them, likely as a sign that those boilers belong to Neo Cortex himself. They also noticed that the platforms they were on had pipes underneath them.
Then they saw that there was pistons in the room, some of which happened to be ones that would try to crush them if they were under them. (Like the first one that was near where they entered.) Which does show them why Cortex called this level, Piston It Away.
"That's new." Ami said.
"No kidding. I thought we seen it all from this journey. And yet here we are." Coco said.
"And I thought Uncle Cortex had nothing when Brio told me about his defeat." Nina said.
"Either way. Let's go. We're almost to the end." Ami said.
"Aye aye ma'am!" Nina said, saluting Ami as she and Coco followed onward through the level. All while holding Coco's hand.
Which had her blushing along the way through, due to the contact. But she didn't protest as they ran through the path while avoiding the crushing pistons.
They also avoided, and destroyed some robots with three legs, and a set of pipes on their upper section of their body that looked like they're hot, orange, and glowing, showing them that the robot could burn them if they try to spin them away. Thankfully, Ami slide kicked them to destroy, or knock them off the platforms, while Nina used her robotic hands to punch them away.
Which made the hands a mixed blessing for Nina, since she had no nerves on her hands that would hurt her, but there was also the negatives, like the aforementioned crushing of the animals that she hugs.
But she refused to let that stop her from using other ways of expressing her love for the animals, especially Coco herself as she protected her alongside Ami. Even though she can take care of herself.
There was also some other robots that happened to have electrified tentacles that tried to shock them.
Something that Nina learned the hard way, as she smashed one of them, causing her to get electrocuted by the bots, making noises of getting shocked out of her mouth, causing Ami and Coco to cringe at the sight.
By the time the shock was done, Nina had an ash face while her hair was a little more spikey than last time, as she was dazed. "Ooh, Nina forgot that those were electric robots." She said, recovering from her dizziness, and electrocution as Ami clobbered the robot in return as she retracted her hand. Before wiping the ash off of her face, and flattening her hair down, though leaving only the last few spikes sticking up. Before she then glared ahead at more of them.
Ami was prepared to take down the rest of the robots when she saw a blur of dark gray that attacked the electric bot, before seeing Nina now in front of her after moving past her via pulling herself to the bots she was fighting. "Two can play at this game, bad robot monsters!" She then said, as she threw another electric tentacle robot off the platform after grabbing its non-electrified sections, before clobbering another hot pipe robot with her robotic hands. Much to both Coco and Ami's surprise at her sudden outburst as they saw her obliterating the remaining ones in the area.
They felt relieved that she was an ally of theirs when she was done with the robots, before she flashed her smile at them.
Then they kept on moving onwards after getting over their surprise, while taking down more of the robots that tried to burn them, or electrocute them.
All while taking down the boxes along the way, including the boxes that were bouncy, causing them to bounce against the boxes that was over them. Which they did see a bunch of plenty of times through their journey. Only this time, there was a stack of floating boxes that was over the bouncy one. Which hurts, but Ami had a tough skull that withstood all of the boxes. Which was like how Crash himself had a tough skull of his own that had him shattering the boxes himself.
Then they kept on going forward, avoiding the crushing pistons, especially the row of four that they had to patiently follow behind until they make it to the other end, while destroying the other hot pipe bots, as well as the electric bots that they too destroyed. Even though some of them had their tentacles raised upwards to prevent any attempts of jumping on them, a la goomba stomping them. Which the trio knew would end badly as Nina merely punched them on their side while avoiding the electrified sections of the bots to take them down. While Ami and Coco kept on using the slide kick to take them down.
Then there was some pistons that went upwards, giving them some help in jumping across gaps due to the extra height. Which Nina didn't need since she used her grapple hands to swing to the other side. Usually with Coco in her hands, like an action heroine carrying the princess to the other side of the gap via swinging.
Coco appreciated the help from Nina, as she blushed at Nina being Gallant in protecting her, and helping her with the gaps. Even though she can handle herself pretty well.
Especially as she continues to aide Ami and Nina in taking out the bots that gets in their way of getting to the Crystals, and the Box Gem, as well as the death route Gem that they could be getting too, at the end of the route.
Speaking of such, after they got the Crystal, there was a death route platform that was near the path that they were taking, which fitting with the theme of the level, looked more sci fi, and had a glowing neon green skull and crossbones on it.
"There's the Platform. Seems like one of us is gonna be going through the death route." Coco said.
"Fine by me. Which one of us is going through there?" Ami asked.
"I'll go. You and Nina should keep going through the normal route to the end. I'll meet you both there if the death route goes back to the normal route. Otherwise, I'll meet you guys back in the Warp Room. I'll make sure of it." Coco said. Assuring Nina that she'll make it back.
Nina was reluctant to let her, as her protective hugging signaled to Ami and Coco. "It's okay Nina. I'll be back, I promise." She assured her.
Though she was reluctant, she let go of Coco to let her on the platform.
"Goodbye my loooove!" Nina dramatically called out as Coco floated upwards.
Which Ami felt was an amusing sight even if she does hope that Coco would live too, as she stifled her laughter. "It's okay Nina. She can take care of herself. Just have faith in her." She said, patting Nina on the back in a calming motion.
Which Nina accepted as she calmed down from her sadness of leaving Coco alone. It took a minute of that, before stood tall again. "I'm okay. Lead the way Ami." She said, following her through the normal route as they took down more of the robots that tried to stop them.
Along the way through the path, they came across a bonus pit. "Oh look. A bonus room. Don't know why they're called that though." Ami said, since even the bonus boxes were required for the box Gems. Which was a definite requirement for Brio to win.
"What are they for?" Nina asked.
"Giving us plenty of boxes to break, as well as Wumpa fruit. Which for the former, is what we need to get those grey Gems for Brio." Ami said.
Which delighted Nina when she heard that. "Which is great! Brio is gonna stop uncle Cortex from winning. Sure he was a little crazy, and he does seem like he's a traitor, but he only betrayed uncle Cortex, and for good reasons, and he was nice to me when we were together, shortly after he busted me out of the Academy." Nina said.
"Hmm, so he was nice to you, unlike Cortex?"
"Of course. Not to say that uncle Cortex wasn't nice to me in general, since he does love me. And he does let me love the animals in other ways after my hands were replaced, before he sent me to the academy." Nina said, remembering the good and bad times with Cortex.
Which, if there was any small thing that Ami could praise Cortex for, it's that he at least has a loved one, like his niece that they were allied with.
Now though, she and Nina entered the room. Where they proceeded to collect the rest of the boxes, grab the Wumpa fruit, before they got back to the normal route that they were on, before proceeding forward through the route.
Where they fought against the robots, the door holding scientist bots that tried to knock them back, (And probably to their doom.) with the doors, only for Ami to return the favor, and do the same thing to the bots to knock them off of the platforms, as they screamed to their demise.
Then there was a new hazard. Being some rays of energy traps, that gets set off when they step on some pressure plates, causing a nearby laser shooter to shoot out a plasma bolt at them, which they dodged since it wasn't fast, but it wasn't slow either, as they barely missed them. Which was a good thing, since Nina knew, and told Ami, that those were shrink rays that could've shrunk them down until they vanish.
It took some time until they reached the end, only to notice one thing off with the level that they were going to end. The thing being, was that they were supposed to have the required boxes to grab a Gem from the exit chamber. Only to be told by a holographic counter that they were low on boxes.
There was something that Ami noticed though, before she could get angry. "Hold on, is that counter going up?" She asked, noticing that the counter was rising upwards before stopping, showing them that Coco could be breaking the Boxes in the death route. "It is."
"Really? Then I think Coco is getting the rest of the boxes in the route, probably along with the route's Gem. I wonder how she's doing?" Nina asked. Only to then realize something that had her gasping in shock before she ended up feeling ashamed. "Oh no. Nina just remembered. Brio just re-recruited an old acquaintance that he created just weeks before the whole fiasco that lead to their old fortress burning down, and he just gave her an upgrade."
"What?! You mean we're about to fight another Bandicoot minion of his?!" Ami asked shocked and exasperated.
"Nonononono! This time it's not a Bandicoot that he was going to deploy in the last Warp Room." She responded nervously. "Instead, last time I checked, it's a really big rat that we're probably going to fight against this time. Or, is it an Opossum?" Nina asked, more herself than Ami. "Nevertheless, if I know Brio right? I'm guessing, he's deploying her… while… we're alone." That was when Nina was shocked as she could feel what's left of her color, draining from her face. "DON'T WORRY DARLING! I'M COMING!" She then yelled out, running out of the exit chamber and to the death route platform.
Ami was in hot pursuit to see what she was doing, only to then continue to run along with her when she also realized that Coco could be fighting the last minion of Brio's that could be fighting Coco in the death route, or arena. And she was also hoping that Coco would be alright as she raced Nina towards the death route platform that they remembered Coco taking to use it to join her in the death route, and save her from the minion that she could be fighting.
Meanwhile, Coco was indeed fighting a large minion of Brio's who happened to be a large helmet wearing female creature with a long Opossum-like tail, and was wearing a one piece bodysuit that had darker blue markings on it, with visible shoulder pads, while having a yellow belt, with yellow kneepads, and yellow straps on her dark boots. And she was able to notice the blonde hair sticking out from under the helmet. And she was towering over Coco, as she had a feminine frame despite the muscles that adorned her arms and legs, while glaring at her through the goggles in her helmet that hid her eyes, and she also was snarling with aggression, which had Coco feeling intimidated.
Especially since she was alone in an arena that was inside what happened to be a box made out of energy shields, and when the Opossum was trying to maul her like a bear victim. And Coco felt like she was slightly on the ropes, especially with the Gem from the Route in her pockets. And with some scratches on her and her overalls from the claws that the Opossum was able to graze her with.
Which, considering the fact that Aku Aku isn't here, she knew that she could die from whatever the Opossum would throw at her.
She just hoped that she could provoke the Opossum to knock itself out. But she was quick to get out of the stunned state, and try to attack her again. Keeping her on her toes.
Eventually, Coco ended up hearing Nina's voice, and saw that Ami and Nina was rushing to her side when they saw the Opossum, (Being able to go through the shields since it was designed to trap the friends of the gang in there too, in their attempt to save her.) which had them also intimidated. Moreso with Nina, than Ami.
"Hey Nina, remember when you said that thing looks like a large rat, or Opossum? Well that definitely looks like an Opossum." Ami said.
"And she's gonna kill all us both for the Gem after Coco." Nina said casually for a brief moment. Before she then buried her face in her hands. "And this is what happens when I betray Brio. We're toast aren't we." She then said fearfully.
"Not yet. We just need to find something to hurt it with." Ami said, assuring Nina that they're gonna live as they joined Coco in the fight.
"Hey guys, what took you both?" Coco asked, dodging more of the Opossum's attacks with them.
"We were getting to the end when we didn't get the Gem! Then Nina told me about the final Minion of Brio's, causing us to run to this route to save you from that Opossum! I guess she sensed that you were fighting her by yourself!" Ami said.
Coco felt relieved and proud that Nina's instinct of coming to protect her was on the nose in this case. She just hoped that they could free the Opossum from the helmet soon enough.
Which is why they fought back, but not too hard, since Ami felt that the Opossum they're fighting could be friendly once the helmet is off. Which Nina also thought, since she met her before her kidnapping by Brio, which she admits she might've played a part in. But she was now freeing her to make up for it by freeing her, since she no longer works for Brio.
Before the Opossum then roared a bit before charging at them, intending to ram them into the shield wall behind them. Which they dodged, hoping that she'd be slow to stop, and hit the shield with her head.
Which worked, but didn't knock her out, or break her helmet. Showing them that it was more sturdy then they thought it'd be.
So they fought the Opossum minion while they made sure not to get clobbered by the mind controlled Opossum. Which lasted for a couple minutes to at least under an hour.
All while they were at a stalemate since the Opossum was not backing down from the fight as it was charging, dodging, and even keeping up with them with surprising speed, and showing them that it ain't a mindless monster.
Especially since it quickly grew savvy of the attempts to knock it out with provoking her into running into the shield wall.
And she even had a prehensile tail, or so Ami feels.
Especially when she punched the helmet to see if she can break it. Only to then see that it was sturdier than Isabella's helmet that Crash and Coco broke. Causing the Opossum to catch her with the tail, and throw her into one of the walls of pipes. She quickly recovered though, as she got back into the fight to protect Nina and Coco.
Which they both appreciate, as they already thought of her as like a big sister to herself and Coco, even before their journey would end.
It was during the fight against the Opossum that Coco had an idea. She would break the stalemate by sneaking up on the Opossum while Ami and Nina distracts her.
As she was not too far from the Opossum, on her cue, the Opossum got knocked away by Nina and Ami doing a team punch, knocking her into Coco, as she was climbing onto her back. Now the Opossum was struggling to get Coco off as she was bucking around like a horse.
Which had both Ami, and Nina laughing at the sight, finding it to be funny to see Coco riding on the Opossum like a horse as she tried to buck Coco off. While Coco was trying to stay on as she made her way to the helmet, trying to remove it from the Opossum, having seen who they were fighting against in the arena.
Unfortunately, before she was able to make it to the helmet, the Opossum was able to grasp her with her long tail around her neck, before dragging her off of her back and to her front, where she was now putting her in a bearhug, with the intent of crushing her.
Coco's cheeks were puffed up to save her air, as Ami and Nina quickly stopped laughing, before horror overtook their amusement, as they were quickly attempting to save Coco from the Opossum. Even putting in some punches onto the Opossum.
But it was like the Opossum didn't feel much pain, as she continued to try to crush Coco with more force. Much to the horror of Ami, and Nina, as they continued to try to pry the Opossum's arms off of Coco, as she could feel her face turning blue from the crushing pressure on her chest, and the low air in her lungs. "Let go! Make her… let go of me!" Coco gasped out as Nina and Ami tried to get the Opossum off of Coco to no avail.
Not only that, but with the long tail, the Opossum was able to knock both of them away into some pipes, which hurt them both and stunned Ami and Nina, as the Opossum was now grinning madly as she continued to try to squeeze the life out of Coco, who was trying to gasp in her air to hold onto until Ami and Nina were able to rescue her from her squeezing arms.
Coco could feel inky blackness at the edges of her vision though, as she felt that she could be at the end of her journey with her brother, and her new friends, and that it was gonna end in her in a body bag. She just hoped that 'if' there is gonna be any casualties, then she better be the only one that will not make it to the end, and no one else will die with her.
Just as she thought that was the end, she felt the Opossum dropping her to the ground. Causing her to gasp her air back into her lungs as she tried to recover from her lack of air in her lungs. She then saw why the Opossum dropped her to the floor.
She had a robotic fist shaped bruise on her cheek.
Which was courtesy of an enraged Nina, who punched the Opossum in the face to make her let go of Coco. And now, still in her berserker rage, she was able to get to the Opossum before beating the stuffing out of her in revenge for Coco, who was recovering from her dazed state, as well as her crushed, near breathless state.
By the time she got her wits back, she saw that Nina was not giving an inch to the Opossum who tried to fight back against the bionic goth girl, but she was too angered to care as she walloped the Opossum to unconsciousness as she continued to try to bash her until her skull was flattened, or until her robotic hands breaks, as she yelled out plenty of angry rants, as well as colorful sorts of words that Coco didn't look up in the dictionary, which had her jaw dropping. All while Ami was recovering from her stunned state before looking on in shock at what was happening when she was fully recovered.
Coco was soon by Nina's side as she stopped her from causing anymore damage to the Opossum. "Stop Nina! I'm okay! I'm here!" Coco said, trying to calm Nina down as she wailed on the Opossum.
It took some effort, but she was able to calm Nina down after some minutes of holding her back. "It's okay Nina. I'm here. I'm okay." Coco said.
Once she was out of her enraged state, Nina ended up hugging Coco close to her as she proceeded to kiss her again before hugging her close, and crying softly, feeling relieved that Coco wasn't badly hurt from the Opossum's crushing grip.
"My darling Bandicutie! Nina's so glad that you're okay." Nina said, tears flowing down her face.
"I'm glad to be okay, Nina." Coco said, assuring Nina that she'll be fine. While also blushing at the next kiss that she got.
Although she felt it getting a little hard to breathe, and she felt her chest starting to sting, obviously a sign of her bruised ribs from the bearhug, but she didn't show it to Nina, or Ami as she just made sure that the Opossum is unconscious, and still alive despite the assault that Nina did to her.
Once they were sure that the Opossum was okay, they got the helmet off before the Opossum would regain consciousness and resume the fight against them, causing her to shrink down until it was now just around Ami's height, and also showing them that she's dirty blond haired, with a pair of messy pigtails on the sides of her head that stuck out of her pink hat that was under the helmet. Which was when Ami recovered and got to Coco. "Coco! Are you okay?!"
"I'll be fine. I just need a moment." Coco said, collapsing on the ground to catch her breath, and shake off the injury to her ribs from the crushing bearhug that the Opossum did while wearing the helmet, while they also waited for the Opossum to recover from having her helmet removed from her head.
It didn't take too long, as the Opossum was now getting up. "Ow, geez. Ah sure feel that I ain't goin wild in the next shindig after this." The now normal Opossum said as she rose up, showing the trio that she was speaking in a southern accent. "And ah thought that the beaker to the dome was the most painful thing ah took on the racetrack."
The Opossum then looked at her surroundings. Not noticing the fading bruise on her cheek. "That's odd, ah don't remember walking to this room. What's goin-" Then she looked at Nina, Ami, and Coco. "Oh, hey there, ah'm Pasadena O'Possum. And ah'm a racer, and a great one at that. And a mascot for Ebenezer Von Clutch. Who're you fellas?"
Then the Opossum, now known as Pasadena took a look at Nina, and was surprised. "Hey wait a second, weren't you the goth girl that I spoke to back in Motorworld? Dina, is it?"
"It's Nina. And yes. I remember seeing you on the racetrack back there. You were amazing." Nina said, now calmed from her anger of what almost happened to Coco, and was reminding herself that Pasadena was just being controlled.
Which delighted Pasadena at what she was told. "Why thank you, little goth girl." She said, rubbing the back of her head. "And who're your friends?"
"I'm Ami. This is Coco." Ami said, introducing themselves.
"I'm guessing that you were brought here against your will, considering the helmet that we got off." She then said, gesturing to the helmet that laid near the Opossum's foot.
Which had her putting two and two together as she was shocked at what she was shown. "OH MY! Ah'm so sorry! I didn't know that I was a monster that tried to eat y'all! Ah hope y'all can forgive me." She said, ashamed of her actions while mind controlled.
"It's okay. You weren't in control due to Brio putting that darn helmet on you." Coco said, calming her down regardless of her pained state. But she knows she can recover from the near crushing squeeze.
"And now you're free from him thanks to us." Nina said.
Pasadena ended up getting excited and joyous at what she heard as she put her arms around Nina and Ami as she twirled them around. "Oh, I thank y'all for the rescue! Von Clutch could be worried sick that I'm not at his park no more! And I would've been powerless to come back to him if you didn't free me!" Pasadena said, happy that she's herself again.
"N-No problem." Ami said.
As Nina also didn't mind the hug on her, she just prefers it when Coco was the one to hug her.
Speaking of whom, she was able to recover from the crushing as she stood back up, feeling glad to see that they freed Pasadena from Brio, thus freeing Brio's final minion from his control. Now he has no one left to attack them with. Other than himself.
Which Coco doubts he would be willing to do such, unless he turns into the green monstrous version of himself again, or intercepts them in a mech like N. Gin, and Nina did. Although Coco has doubts that he would, considering what happened last time he did.
"Now, we must finish our time here, and return to the room where more of our friends could be." Coco said, recovering from her rib pains.
"Mah thoughts exactly. I wonder who your friends are, and why you guys are here though." Pasadena said.
Which lead to them explaining why they were on this journey, and why the Bandicoot girls were freed, while they ran forward once Coco was fully recovered, and when the energy shields were shut down. All while they continued to break the boxes throughout the route, destroyed the robots that tried to harm them, as well as the scientist minions of Brio's, and they avoided more of the shrink ray traps that tried to hit them.
Which Pasadena was able to absorb, and she was considering whether to join up with Cortex to get back at Brio, or swallow her dislike for Brio, and fight against Cortex if he plans to zap Earth with the intention of doing something bad with it, and not with the intention of destroying Brio's hideout and laser.
She was leaning towards Brio though, considering that Coco wants Brio to win, since he seemed to be the lesser of the two evils, and Cortex seemed to be lying to them about saving the Earth, just so he'll defeat Brio, and then zap it to either destroy it, turn it into a wasteland, or to control everybody on it.
How little she knew, how correct she was.
"Do you understand now? We must stop Cortex, even if we need Brio's help to do it." Coco said.
"Ah understand completely. It was mighty rude of Brio to kidnap me and turn me into… that when I wore the helmet. But I'm guessing that Cortex is worse in this journey. Ah just hope that after this, I'm going back to mah boss." Pasadena said.
"Tell you what, we can help find your boss and help you return to him once this journey is done. Then we can help send you back to him while we give Ami and her friends a home." Coco said.
"You'd do that? Why thank you Coco. Ah'm sure Von Clutch would be mighty grateful for your help." She said happily, feeling glad that her new friends would return her to her boss.
"No problem." Coco said.
Once the explanations were complete, they were at the end of the level as they entered the exit chamber, got the box Gem, before stepping onto the podium that sent them all back to the Warp Room.
They felt their journey getting close to ending, and they felt that it was gonna get pretty hard, yet interesting from her on out.
And done.
As you can see now, the Opossum that was tied to the chair two chapters ago was Pasadena herself from CTTR. And she's definitely their last companion for the journey before they reach the end.
Which leads to my announcement. If you think that i'm gonna be doing a CTR fanfic, well yes. I'm making one that is an AU of the Crash universe where CTR's events happen instead of leading into the Warped arc, when I finish the CSB arc, and while I'm in the middle of the Warped arc. How else would Cortex be there even though the 100% ending should explain otherwise.
As for who it was on the Wumpa Islands, the answer is obvious, and you all shall know in the next chapter. And let's just say, she's the catalyst to Cortex's true plans.
Finally one more thing.
I hope that you enjoyed the chapter,
please give constructive criticism, just don't be rude,
do not forget to read and review,
hope you all stay safe,
and once again, I do not own Crash Bandicoot, it was created by Naughty dog, and is owned by Activision and Vicarious visions. Please support the official releases.
Theodore the poet signing out.