A Twinsane Wedding

Chapter 5 Hassle In The Castle

Nina and Cortex headed back tword the shelter, which wasn't anything real fancy: a simple two story castlelike design, made from rocks scattered around N Sanity Beach, along with branches, and thick leaves from the Wumpa Fruit trees. The construction had taken some time, but luckily it didn't rain while they were assembling it.

Wasn't much, but it was enough for the N Team to call home. It was excessively better than a puny little lean to for survival, as it kept the harsh elements from the island outside, and each member had their own room. There was plenty of Wumpa Fruit around the island, so they wouldn't go hungry. Good enough for both them and the Bandicoots since it was at least a hundred yards from their house.

"I'm proud of you Uncle Neo. You finally stood up for yourself."

"Why thank you Nina, if it wasn't for you, I would still be scared out of my wits by Uka Uka." Cortex breathed in a huge sigh of releif. "And I'm sure he'll get over this."

"No problem, I'm here to help you out. Both physically and mentally." Nina patted him on the back.

A thought donned on the scientist right as his neice said that. When they stopped in front of the door he asked, "You know Nina, why don't you stay with me and the team instead of going back to the academy? I need you. No one else would give me a talk like you did about taking a stand, or even take care of my injuries. If it were N Tropy or anyone else, they probably would have let me suffer."

"Don't worry, I'll never leave you. That's a promise." She hugged him.

"Great, cause we've got an extra room here, right upstairs and conveniently right next to mine." Cortex allowed her to go first. Nina smiled brightly and opened the front door.

The pair stepped inside, to find Tropy, Brio, and N Gin. They had been awaiting Cortex's arrival. All three of them beared scorch marks that decorated their lab coats and blackened soot that covered their faces.

"Yeesh, what happened to you guys?" Cortex asked, flinching as he looked at them.

"Three words doctor, Spyro. The. Dragon." N. Brio replied, before he realized something. "And why are you asking what happened? You were there."

"Yeah, you commented on how that treasure was 'stolen property'." N Gin remembered.

"It was stolen property; you followed us to Twinsanity Island and the twins stronghold, don't know how, but you did." Cortex only assumed that the three of them used the Psychetron as well. "I said I didn't care about the treasure being stolen...you didn't happen to get any by chance, did you?" Cortex asked. The trio sadly shook their heads no. "Wow, so Spyro's very protective of those little gems and coins isn't he? Again, not that I care." Fighting on the side of good alongside Crash had taken its toll on the scientist and made him start thinking differently about things.

"Yeah, he most certainly is, a gem loving dragon. So aside from all that, what happened to you?" Brio asked, noting the red stain on Cortex's coat.

"Papu Papu and the natives. One of them stabbed me in the side. Jabbed their spear into the bush where me and Crash were hiding. Nina fixed me up though." Cortex rubbed it gently. "Still hurts, I'm gonna go change my coat and head for bed. It's been a long day, and plus I'm exhausted. So I know I'll sleep good tonight." As he started up the stairs to his room, with Nina trailing behind, he remembered something. He stopped in his tracks and turned back to his minions, "Oh and N Tropy..."

The time traveler cut him off, "Already aware doctor, can't believe you told Uka Uka you quit. I've been waiting to replace you for the longest time, so basically you did me and yourself a favor. You have no idea how long I've waited to hear you say 'I quit'. I knew this day would come! And now it's finally here!" He practically jumped up and down with joy.

"You quit working for Uka Uka and hired N Tropy to take your place? Are you feeling alright Cortex? What about beating Crash? I thought he was your number one priority?" N Brio wondered, cradling a beaker of green potion in his grasp, while shoving about a thousand questions in his face at once.

Before Cortex had a chance to say anything, Uka Uka stormed into the room. "Please, he'll never be able to beat him. Personally, I'm glad Cortex quit, I've been ready to fire him for quite some time now. He said he was done being my little puppet, and I am not regretting his decision one bit." The mask then remembered the scientists insult. "Oh and he also said that he was the smartest one of all of us around here next to N Tropy."

"Well, we all know that's a lie." N Gin said. "N Tropy is the smartest."

"Thanks a lot N Gin." Cortex said sarcastically, now irritated by that remark.

"You're welcome." Cortex faceplamed at that, clearly the half cyborg scientist had a lot more brain damage from that missile than he was aware of.

Nina spoke up, "Uka Uka also said that Brio and Tropy have more brain power together than what my uncle has in his entire head. Which isn't at all true."

"Thank you! Finally someone gets it!" Cortex exclaimed.

"Cortex, do you have a new plan to beat Crash?" Brio asked, moving away from that topic.

Cortex wasn't sure anymore, one part of him was still slightly irritated at his nemesis after what happened in Totem Hokum. Another part was still happy about being comforted by him.

The angel was right, he was conflited. "I don't think so, but I am still slightly annoyed at him. I mean, how can he be so good at fighting and beating me, but at the same time he seems like he hits his head against rocks all day? The therapy sessions that Nina and Coco suggested, are kinda helping."

"You're taking therapy with Crash?" N Gin asked as he fiddled with his fingers.

"Yep we are. Of course, when it comes to me and Crash, I don't know weather to befriend him or kill him sometimes." Cortex knew which opinion he wanted to give, but didn't want his minions to think he had gone soft after what he went through with the bandicoot earlier in the day.

He pulled a photo out of his pocket. The group before him raised their eyebrows curiously.

"What's that?" Tropy asked in an almost demanding tone. Cortex flinched when he heard the tone of his voice. He turned his back on the group and smiled at the picture.

The photo was of Crash. The man had taken it years ago, (before they partnered up) with a long distance lens camera. He was hiding up a tree outside the Bandicoots house watching Crash and Coco play with Polar and Pura.

He turned around, and opened his mouth to explain. But what came out...

Was a lie. He shouldn't have taken the photo out, everyone would figure out soon enough that Cortex was lying.

"I carry a photo of my nemesis, to always fill me with vengeance." Cortex couldn't believe he was fibbing, but he only prayed and hoped his minions would buy the story. Just looking at the 8 x 10 glossy pic made him feel funny. His stomach twisted itself into knots.

N Brio and N Gin looked at each other and then to Cortex. They both gave a 'really?' look back to him. "Yeah, that makes sense." Brio sensed something different, but wasn't about to say it.

Cortex then gave the rest of the explination. "I take it to the bathroom and sleep with it on the other pillow next to my face."

Everyone held up a hand, signaling him to stop, "Ok, this is getting weird. Carry on, we don't wanna know anymore." Brio shuddered and waved him off, but N Tropy on the other hand gave a look of suspision as Cortex headed up the stairs to his room while Nina skipped along behind him. She was headed for bed as well. The girl stopped at a door in the middle of the hall. Nina opened it and walked inside. Cortex had suggested they build an extra room just for her in case she needed a break from sleeping at the Academy. She was greatful of how much Neo cared for her.

Nina knew she would also be getting a good night sleep after helping her uncle out.

Dr. Cortex then transitioned from a leisurely stroll, into a scurry down the hall like a mouse running from a cat, as he gazed over his shoulder and looked down at the group. Feeling as if their gazes were piercing right through him, the scientist sprinted into his room and slammed the door behind him.

The faint click of a lock was soon heard. Uka Uka raised an eyebrow before looking at Tropy who flashed him the same look, "I think he's hiding something. And I think he may have also lied when he said, and I quote, 'I carry a picture of my nemesis to always fill me with vengeance.'

"I agree, what he said he does with it, and besides, did you see how he started to walk off? First slow, then he sprinted. Why the quick change in pace?" The manipulator of time was not that gullible. Him and Uka Uka both weren't.

"He's definitely not telling us something. But what?" The mask could only imagine...suddenly he realized that he shouldn't start drumming up some ridiculous fantasies. He would eventually get to the bottom of this in time, "Team, I say tomorrow we do a little investigating."

The three of them looked at each other then back to the witch doctor, their faces told everything. "Right, we'll see what we can uncover." They replied in unison.

'Yes, we're going to know more.' Brio clapped his hands together as the trio of scientists then departed tword their rooms for bed. Heading upstairs, they split off in different directions. They had work to do in the morning.

After hearing three doors close, Dr. Cortex turned the lock back and opened his door. He looked to the left and then to the right. Nobody is sight, nobody lurking about outside. Reeling back in, he shut the door once more. He slumped against it and sank down onto the floor.

He gazed at the photo again. Running his fingers over it, he sighed. "Crash. After everything we've been though, why I can't bring myself to destroy you? I'm supposed to hate you, but I just can't. Is it because of our history? I don't want to I have to act like I hate you, but if everyone else found out...I..." He put a hand over his mouth, hoping no one heard him. Running over, he threw himself on his bed.

Pulling out his ray gun, Cortex looked at the Love Setting. As he took a long look at the happy face, he suddenly remembered the real reason for installing it.

It wasnt because he was trying to get a girlfriend, no...

It was because of Crash.

A/N

Hey, hey readers, welcome back. One thing I haven't mentioned is, I actually based Angel Cortex off of his death animation in the Humiliskate levels (Slip Slide Icecapades and Rockslide Rumble) when you kill both him and Crash. Oh and the way I'm going with this, I may have to cut out that therapy session with the trust exercise. Darn it! Curse my fingers taking this tale in another direction! XD

Oh sorry almost forgot, Cortex are you feeling better?

Yup. Much better. *bites into another fruit* And..hey wait a minute! How did you find out I carry a picture of Crash with me and my secret playlist? *looks at Crash who smiles and waves back*

About the picture you carry with you, I found it from Tumblr. It was a comic. Playlist on Spotify and YouTube, and artwork of you two on DeviantArt. Oh and Fyi, that playlist ain't a secret no more.

Oh damnit!

*hugs him* I'm sorry. XD But hey, I'm not gonna judge you. Ok reviewers, you're next:

FlautaRara: I'm thinking Uka Uka might take revenge, but I'm not sure yet. And you're right about Cortex's mixed feelings for Crash.

Anon: Yeah, Cortex has suffered enough by working for Uka Uka. And the medical knowledge, I actually thought about it cause I've watched every episode of Untold Stories of the ER. So I thought I'd add it in.

Hello new reviewers! Respond to you too:

Someone (Guest) : Thank you, glad you like this. Glad I could help. I intend to keep going with this story. I don't think the s* will happen, I've only written one other story that involved that.

SumWeirdChick (Guest): Why thank you very much.

You did a good job making Nina my nurse, thank you.

You're welcome. As for this chapter, the rest of the N Team is getting a bit suspicious of Cortex. What will they find in their investigating? Find out next time, until then keep smiling!

And FYI, it took me three days to find a title for this chapter! This was the best I could do. XD This is also the longest chapter in this story!