A/N
Best I could do for a chapter title. Enjoy! And Happy Halloween!
A Twinsane Wedding
Chapter 11 Family Matters
"Come and get it guys! Time for lunch!" Crunch called from the kitchen. Polar scrabbled tword his food bowl in front of the fridge, and Crunch poured the small cub his lunch pellets and water. The young bear clapped his paws together happily and began eating. The mention of food was enough to get anyone running tword the kitchen.
Crash jumped up in a heartbeat from where he was sitting on the floor brushing Pura (since Coco wasn't here to do it), and started tword the kitchen. The baby cub trailing behind him. Baby T then stood up and stretched before strolling tword his meal with the rest of his companions.
Crash paused as soon as he remembered something;
Coco
The two bandicoot brothers and Aku Aku hadn't seen her all morning. Even Pura was getting concerned because Coco hadn't even come to get breakfast. (Crash would've scarfed down her food as well as his own, if it wasn't for Aku Aku stopping him, and Crunch putting the food into the fridge) That was a sure sign something was up, Coco never missed the most important meal of the day, and now here she was, missing lunch as well.
Knowing she must be starving, Crash headed down the hall tword his siblings room, stopping briefly to look at the clock along the way, it read 11:49. Walking back to his older brother after he had wondered if she was even in her room, Crash tapped Crunch on the shoulder. The muscular bandicoot turned around, while continuing to spread peanut butter and Wumpa Fruit jam between pieces of bread. "What is it Crash?" The younger bandicoot snatched up a flower from the vase on the table, and placed it on his head, right behind his ear. Crash then pointed to it then down the hallway.
"I think he's asking where Coco is at and why she didn't come to breakfast. Is that right?" Aku Aku guessed. Crash clicked his teeth and smiled at the mask. Over the years, the witch doctor mask had gotten good at understanding Crash's way of non verbal communication. He was glad that someone, other than Cortex could tell what he meant.
Soon his ears pricked up when he heard something; it sounded like the clang of metal. "What is it, you hear something?" Crunch wondered. Crash scurried over to the door that led out into the garage and pressed his ear up against it, (crushing the flower in the process.) Pura did the same; running over, and standing up on her hind legs. Soon, Crunch followed through after getting his sister's breakfast out of the fridge and warming it back up. He placed it next to her sandwich and followed everyone else. They all heard what sounded like a socket wrench turning. Raising his hand, Crash knocked on the door. Nobody answered from the other side. Curious, he opened the door and peaked inside. Coco was lying on a creeper underneath the Bandibuggy, with her flower decorated toolbox at her feet, tinkering away, and completely oblivious to their presence. She was focused.
The baby tiger crept over slowly. Trying to avoid startling her owner, Pura gave a small warning meow and brushed up against her leg, before sitting back and waiting for a reaction. After another minute, the female bandicoot stopped turning a loose bolt and slid out from under the vehicle, her yellow mechanic jeans that she wore whenever she was doing automotive repair, was covered in splotches of oil, transmission, and other fluids.
Pulling a rag from her back pocket, Coco took it and wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Ok, the transmission should be fixed now." Coco looked up to meet her brothers and her tiger companion. "Oh, hi guys, I didn't hear you come in." She replied. "What's up?"
"How long have you been out here?" Crunch wondered. Him and Aku Aku gave a worried glance to one another, clearly concerned about Coco and her health. Had she eaten anything or even gotten any sleep since last night? Crash carefully analyzed her face, she didn't look sleep deprived.
Coco sat her wrench back in her box and brushed her hair out of her face before responding. "Oh, I've been up since the crack of dawn. I couldn't stay asleep for five minutes, I was restless, so I decided to catch up on some things. The Bandibuggy's transmission started acting up right after that final race against Nitrous Oxide, so I thought I'd do a little tinkering here and there. Trying to get it running smoothly in case he returns to Earth to try and destroy it again." She paused. "Or if Velo comes back here. Plus I've been looking for some time to figure out what was wrong and finally fix it, and now I have."
The three of them were not buying that story at all. It was definitely something else. Aku Aku then spoke up, "Now Coco, we all know that's not the reason for you to be out here since early this morning is it? Remember that Oxide said he was done racing against planets like ours. And we don't know what became of Velo." He carefully asked, "It's Cortex isn't it?" That was the one and only thing the mask could figure.
Coco exhaled a long sigh and nodded her head before hauling herself to her feet, "You're right, I know, but when him and Crash set off to Dr. Jacobsons office, all I felt was anxiety that something bad would happen to Crash both there and back. You know their history." She buried her head in her hands.
"We understand, and you are an amazing sister, I mean the way you're always concerned about him and me. You sometimes put our needs before your own. That's what being a good sister means." Crunch said as he smiled. The older bandicoot then showed her the plate of mouthwatering sandwiches. There was more than enough for everyone, "Now come on, let's get you some lunch, and also some breakfast, you need to eat something." Crash reached for one, but Crunch batted his hands away.
"Peanut butter and Wumpa Fruit, my favorite." With that said, Coco licked her lips as she was led inside.
Dr. Jacobson slightly slumped down in his chair as he wrote down Cortex's remark to his theory, but his warm smile remained. He was a bit shocked also, he never thought he would have one patient basically change overnight after just one session. Cortex looked at him, curious as to what Eric would have to say. He polished off two more Wumpa Fruits from the bowl and reached for another as he waited to hear what was in store for him next.
Cortex had to admit, he was starting to understand why Crash loved these so much. 'Why have I taking a liking to these over the years? Is it because they're sweet like him?' He let out a happy sigh before he realized what he was thinking about. 'Gah! Why am I thinking like this?!' He thought to himself.
It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop, and after one more minute of the scilence, the therapist spoke. "Perhaps you've never really hated Crash at all, maybe the real reason you only say those negative things about him is because you're scared to admit to him how you really feel."
At that point Cortex started protesting, "But you don't understand Dr. Jacobson, even though I said you're right, he's still my worst enemy! I'm not suppose to be in love with him!" He tried to keep his voice down, but it was quite hard to do when the therapist was presenting theories to him.
"Yes Cortex, you say that, but the reason you're feeling this way about him, could this be because you're possibly trying to fill in something that's missing from your life? What exactly caused you to become the way you are now? Any problems in your childhood, aside from what you told me about your pets when you were 8?"
"My...my childhood?" Cortex gasped in fright as he remembered the worst place on Earth...Smiling Jimmy's Traveling Circus. Even though he was quite young at the time, Cortex could only remember the bad memories. Soon they came back and images flashed through his mind. He heard the laughter from hundreds of people, the big, bright lights, and all the humiliation that came with it. Cortex's childhood was a place that he wanted to forget instead of revisit, "No, no, NO!" Fear overtook him, and he started visibly shaking. He called for his neice as he flopped over onto one side, and hugged his knees up against his chest, "Nina!"
The goth girl poked her head back in the room. "Yes Uncle Neo." As she opened the door all the way and stepped inside, Nina feared the worst. And she was right, Cortex was as white as a ghost and on the verge of tears once more. "What's wrong now?"
"Nina, there's one thing you don't know about me, something that I've kept hidden for years after you came along. Hopefully my mother didn't tell you already." Neo really didn't want to go any deeper into his life story, but after everything Nina had done to help him so far, Cortex thought his neice deserved to know the truth. He decided to just suck it up and tell her. "It's about our old family and why you hardly knew them, truth is, I was the youngest son. Bought into the world by a family of...circus clowns. I was born during the show, and immediately thrown into the act with my twenty brothers and sisters. Imagine my confusion."
The girl didn't know which bit of news surprised her more. "Twenty brothers and sisters?! Wait...circus clowns?! What?! I never knew that." Nina was completely shocked that she had to sit down beside Cortex, and process this new information that had been presented to her. Nina never knew her uncle came from that large of a family. Two, three, even four siblings she could understand, but twenty? The scientists eyes widened as his mind began to wander. Back to the day he was born. Cortex recalled that event it as if it were only yesterday. Even though, he really didn't want to talk about it.
"Yes, our large family, I could never understand why they loved the spotlight and life under the big top, it was always too much for me...we had our differences, but mom and dad never saw things my way. After I was brought into the world, they immdieatly slathered me up with paint and a bright red nose. I was laughed at by everyone in a matter of seconds. That's the reason I hate clowns and never wanted to become one." Cortex then remembered Norm from Velo's Citadal:
"Go away you filthy clown."
"Where do you get off calling me a clown, with your big head and stupid springy hair?"
He swallowed hard, "Even mimes freak me out." Just picturing Norm's painted face was enough to make him tremble in horror.
This was news to Dr. Jacobson for sure. "Woah, really, did your parents have high expectations for you? And don't you think they started a little early?"
Cortex shuddered once again, but kept right on talking, "They did indeed. While other kids were getting their first bike, I was being shot out of a cannon. They even did the ol' pie in the face/selzier water act on me, and I was forced to wear a monkey suit and crawl around on all fours! And the reason I know this is because mom told me years ago." Nina and Eric's jaws hit the floor.
Just how bad was his childhood?
"I'm sorry you had to suffer that." His neice patted him on the head and ran a hand up and down his back. Cortex took a long, deep breath to calm himself. "What ever happened to the rest of our family?" Nina asked, her eyes lined with curiosity.
"A freak explosion, caused by me and a nearby fireworks factory wiped out everyone, except for my mother Natalie. Who I think is also your great aunt? I never actually studied the family tree. You came along years after cause I think one of my sister's married, before getting erased from existence, so that's why you never knew anyone else in our family. I was left to fend for myself at a young age, while Natalie took up a different job at a club over in the mountains near where my lab is at. You see I purposely caused the accident, it was not a mistake. It was so I didn't have to follow in my familys footsteps. And I haven't the foggiest idea how Natalie survived but she did, I mean you had to have come from somewhere right? But you probably don't even remember her."
Nina sniffled, "I don't, I only know you. Probably cause I was so young."
"You were indeed. Actually I think you would really like her, you do bear a resemblance. I wonder what she does at her job? I can only imagine and I don't think I want to go there." Cortex gave a nervous laugh as he recalled hearing a familiar voice when him and Crash were sledding down the hill tword N Gin's battleship.
"Coming through. Ladies. Excuse me madem. Are those real?"
"What is it?!"
"Mother?!"
"You see, I didn't have the clown gene like everyone else, I was basically the Enstine of the family. I preferred to study, rather than partake in their silly antics. I got tormented and mocked. In fact, it got so bad that years before the explosion, they tattooed this N on my forehead. I was only three at that time. They said it stood for 'nerd'. With that and this was after everything went kaboom, I was shunned out of what was left of the family, a.k.a mother, for not wanting to make people laugh, and for fracturing our family. To which I was fine with. I still have you, and I'm glad you're always concerned about me." Cortex heaved a sigh, happy to have that out of the way. He sat up and stretched himself out, but Nina didn't stop comforting him.
Dr. Jacobson was stunned by that backstory, and also in shock that Nina didn't know anything about that until now. As he wrote all this down on his clipboard to put in his file for later, the former native felt a pang of sympathy for Dr. Cortex's tramatic childhood events, "So you didn't get treated with the real family love? Your parents never cared about you wanted? And all you have left is your neice and your mother? Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that. Did you also have a lack of friends growing up, is that why you created Crash?"
"Not exactly, I went through high school alone, cause everyone says I was no fun because of my love for science."'Science Nerd' they called me. Picked on until another explosion, caused by me, wiped the school off the face of the planet. You see, me and N Brio my first collegue, along with N Gin another friend of mine, first met at Madem Amberly's Acdemy of Evil after high school, but the torment from my previous school continued there too. I for the most part, tried to avoid everyone except Brio and N Gin all together. It was there I created the first prototype of the Evolvo Ray I used on all our minions, and possibly created the Evil Twins in the process. Then Brio accidently blew up the lab and my ray due to it being his first attempt with potions. He wanted a degree in Mixology, which failed horribly. So after Madem Amberly, the cruel headmistress kicked us to the curb, that's when we set up our castle on N Sanity Island. Ten years ago, I started my quest to counqer the islands, and Brio had perfected the art of potion and serum making. We then agreed to create a powerful army of mutated creatures using a new and improved ray to evolve and alter their DNA, followed by another high tech piece of machinery to make them evil, and Crash was one of the last creatures we used it on."
As he continued to listen to Cortex's life story, there was one thing that Dr. Jacobson just couldn't put together since their last chat. "Say Cortex?"
"Hm? Something up?"
"No, I was just curious, why exactly did you fail to turn him evil?"
"Well, Brio wanted to wait to Crash over to our side because the machine to brainwash him wasn't ready. Naturally, I was impatient, greedy, and I wanted it done asap. I ignored his warnings and Crash was rejected by the machine. I failed to make him the general of my army. But you know, after my nightmare last night, I well, I started to understand more about what you said in our first session. That if Crash really was the mindless idiot I thought he was, I would have beaten him 10 years ago. He truly is different than my other creations."
Nina looked tword Dr. Jacobson who was going back over his notes. "I did say that didn't I? And taking in everything that you just told me, I'm starting to see the reason why your conscience told you not to destroy him. I'm also sticking with my theory."
"You mean...?" Cortex started to say.
"Yes, since you never got treated with real family love, I sense that's the reason why seek comfort from Crash when you get yourself into trouble when you're with him. You don't want him gone, I mean he's sweet with you, and only wants to be your friend, but you turn him away and try to get him out of your life. They say that all relationships are built on trust, so maybe you can try to befriend Crash and put a little bit of faith into him again, instead of trying to terminate him into nothing?" He winked at the scientist. The therapist had a hunch that Cortex didn't want to say anything more about being in love with him since Nina was in the room.
"Alright Dr. Jacobson, but I've been trying to get rid of him since I created him, and we teamed up temporarily to stop the islands from being destroyed. But I tried to do away with him afterwards, so I don't know how I'll change my whole life around to befriend him." He grimaced after he said that. Just the thought of trying to be good to his arch nemesis made Cortex half sick to his stomach. "But I'm tired of losing to him and I...I just can't bear the thought of actually losing him forever."
"What are you doing?! Has a switch flipped inside you?! You're not supposed to feel love and sympathy for Crash! He's your worst enemy! Stop it!" The devil shouted.
"He's finally listening to his heart, like he should be." The angel couldn't help but smile. "In your face!"
"Oh you sicken me!" The angel just shrugged and they both disappeared in an instant once again.
"As I told Coco, Crash is one of very few people who actually care for me. Aside from Nina. But to try and make amends for all the things that have happened between me and him in the past? I'm not so sure I could."
Nina looked up at her uncle and gave a loving smile. "It's alright, you can do this. Just take it one step at a time."
"Your neice is right doctor, you can't rush a friendship, or relationship, or even love. But it's never too late to change who you really want to be. Even the bitterist of people can change their life around. I sensed you gave me the impression that you didn't need help when you first came to see me, but I think you're starting to benafit from all this. Yes?" Dr. Jacobson wondered as he took the notes from his clipboard, walked over to a cabnet, and placed them in Cortex's file.
Cortex knew very well how he really felt about his nemesis. He knew he had to listen to the angel and follow his heart. "Yes, once again you're right. I'll give it a try, I just want the fighting to end!" Taking another deep breath, he hugged Nina and then stood up to face the therapist, "Thank you. Both of you. I do want to be a better person and turn my life around Dr. Jacobson. I promise, I'll be back next week, with both Crash and Nina. And I'll try what you suggested about befriending Crash." As he took two steps forward, the therapist stopped him.
"Wait a minute Cortex." Eric picked up his self published book and tossed it to him. "Peruse that at your leisure." Cortex caught it in his hands before smiling and giving a nod. Him and Nina then headed out the door. The therapist gave a satisfied sigh. "It's good to be helping."
After getting cleaned up and getting out of her mechanic jeans, Coco took a seat at the table, and Crunch got her lunch and breakfast out of the fridge. After warming it back up in the microwave, he sat the plate in front of her. Bacon and eggs and a glass of freshly made Wumpa Fruit juice, the healthy breakfast.
"Here you go. Two meals made with love and care for our precious sibling." He announced.
Squeezing the sandwich in between her fingers, she licked her lips and bit into it. A smile of satisfaction grew upon Coco's face after just one savory bite. Picking up the utensils beside the plate, she started work on two meals. She had to admit; she was hungry. "Tasty. You guys know me so well. This is just what I needed. Thank you." Crash took a seat and picked up a fresh sandwich, while Crunch poured himself and Crash a tall glass of milk.
"So are you trying to distract yourself with projects to get your mind off of Cortex?" He wondered. The muscular bandicoot knew that their sister was always trying to occupy and bide her time very carefully. Coco had a mouthful of bread but managed to give a thumbs up to her brothers question. "Well, that's good, you've got both distractions and us to help you."
"Remember, you are going with him and Crash to therapy next week. You're still gonna go aren't you?" Aku Aku asked, hoping she didn't already have other plans.
Coco swallowed before giving a smile, "Yes, I am going because I'm concerned about Crash."
Aku Aku could only imagine the worst while thinking about Coco and Cortex in the same room together after what had already happened on the boat ride back from the lab. "I do agree that sometimes things get heated between you two. Could you try not to kill him while we're over there in a few days?" The mask asked as nicely as he could. "You know, try to contain your anger and control your little outbursts?" Crunch and Crash both nodded yes, but didn't say a word. Clearly everyone was worried about her.
Coco rubbed her chin as she thought about that, "Alright, I will try my best to be good. That alright with you Crash?" Crash gave two thumbs up and patted his dear sister on the head. "Good, you seem to be ok with therapy right?" He nodded. "You are nice with everybody aren't you?" Coco got the same response; a yes. "Crash, I sometimes wish that I could go with the flow like you do. Since you're never in a bad mood. Maybe I'll run that by Dr. Jacobson as well."
Soon Coco had managed to down her entire lunch and breakfast. Her siblings looked at her and gave a satisfied smile. "Feel better now?" Crunch wondered.
"Yes, yes I do. Alright guys, again, thank you for that wonderful meal." She scooped up the dirty utensils, along with the plate and sat them in the sink to be washed later. Pura then walked over to her owner, pushing a ball along with her nose. The tiger gave a happy meow and jumped up and down. "What Pura, do you want me to play fetch with you?" Coco's companion purred happily which made the bandicoot smile. "Alright, of course I'll play with you, I would never ignore or the rest of the family. I'll be outside if you guys need me!" She called as she followed Pura out the door, closing it behind her. Crunch and Crash headed tword the window, and watched their sister throw a ball and have her pet fetch it, and bring it back. "Good girl. There it goes again, go get it!" Coco giggled as she repeated the same process multiple times.
"See, distractions are good sometimes." Crunch remarked. "Now fingers crossed that rage doesn't overtake her, and she and Cortex cause a scene while in group therapy."
"I hope you're right about that Crunch." Aku Aku took a deep breath as he and everyone watched Coco from the dining room window. "For now, we can only wait and see. Only time will tell."
A/N
I know I said I hoped this update wouldn't take as long as the last, clearly I was wrong. XD
Yup, so back again after 2 months are we?
You got that right Cortex, but I'm so excited for the Nitro Circus Grand Prix! I'm pretty sure there's going to be something in the track related to Cortex's backstory. Sneaky Beenox ;) More references! I love references now! :P Yes people, the Bandibuggy kart, it's original appearance was in Crash Tag Team Racing. I personally never finished that game, so I got it in the Nitro Tour Grand Prix. XD I decided to go with it instead of the regular Team Bandicoot Kart. ;)
You're crazy.
Already aware of that Cortex. XD I also side with the villians rather than the heros so I'm Team Cortex all the way!
Well, that makes me feel better. :) And really, you had to go through my entire life story; clowns and all?! And references to Crash Nitro Kart?
Yes.
Ahhh!
Reviewers:
Anon: Oh thank goodness. Yeah, good things (like new chapters of this tale) come to those who wait. You're right.
FlautaRara: Thanks, don't faint from excitement, I've got many more twists and turns to this story. *rubs hands together evily* We're only just scratching the surface. :)
SumWeirdChick: So happy you're enjoying this. *gives a thumbs up right back*
Hey new reviewers:
Guest: *laughs evily* sorry. XD
Stephdragoness: Thank you so much, glad you're enjoying this so far. :) If you haven't already, check out my Skylander fic on these two, if you want to.
And Cortex, your clown backstory only makes the therapy session that much more interesting. And would you just tell Crash how you really feel about him?
Never!
Aww. *smiles and hugs Cortex*
Keep smiling until next time!
That's my line!
