Chapter 5 - Plans and revelations
Soon the night arrived in the Wumpa Archipelago. Among its islands, there was one with a huge castle that had previously been destroyed, but its former owner, Dr. Neo Cortex, rebuilt it completely over time.
The evil scientist was in the main laboratory, where he created Crash, Tawna and all his minions with the Evolvo-Ray. He was reading a few letters from the Academy of Evil, of which he was a student and is currently assisted by his niece, Nina Cortex. All the letters were about her academic condition, which were excellent. Neo was very proud to know that she was, in fact, the number one student in the entire academy and the favorite of Principal Madame Amberly.
"CORTEX!" the scientist jumped in fright and dropped the letters when he heard the angry voice of his boss Uka Uka, who had entered through the door. "I'm sick of you making me wait so long. Hasn't your plan been completed yet?"
"N-no, almighty Uka Uka" Cortex said with some fear. He knew how temperamental the evil mask could be. "This plan takes time. First I have to finish rebuilding the Evolvo-Ray, but it will take longer without the help of Dr. Nitrus Brio."
"Well, don't waste your time and get to work!" Uka Uka ordered him. "I hope this succeeds, or I'll make sure to send you and all your lackeys where the bandicoots sent us last time."
Cortex shuddered at those memories. When Crash destroyed Dr. Nefarious Tropy's time machine, said doctor along with Cortex were trapped in a space-time prison turned into babies, as well as Uka Uka who, although being physically intact, was tortured by the constant fights between the two infants. It was fortunate that Dr. N. Gin created his own machine to get them out of that prison and return them to normal, long before Nitros Oxide arrived on Earth.
Cortex's bad memories were interrupted when the screen of his huge main computer rang. When he pressed the power button, the screen showed Pinstripe Potoroo, who was speaking from his office at the Wumpa Island waste control factory.
"Pinstripe!" Cortex was glad to see him. He was one of his most loyal minions. "What do I owe your call to?"
"Dr. Cortex, great Uka Uka, I have good news" the potoroo said with a wide smile. "The phase 1 of the plan is workin' perfectly. Since Tawna is with me, Crash Bandicoot is now a pathetic puppy with no direction. Soon, phase 2 can be executed without many problems."
"Splendid" Cortx said cheerfully. "You're doing a good job. If everything goes according to plan, once phase 3 is completed, I will make you the general who will lead my army of marsupials for world domination."
"Me, your general? It will be a great honor" Pinstripe said proudly, but then recalled that he had to organize replacement auditions for the Nitro Squad. "I'm sorry I can't stay to chat, but I have to go. I have a lot of work ahead tomorrow."
"I understand, since you're not the only one" Cortex said. "Good luck with your girl. See you soon."
"Thank you, Doctor. Addio" Pinstripe said before the screen went out.
"Do you see, Uka Uka?" Cortex told the mask with confidence. "No need to worry. After all, he is one of my best minions."
"And yet, Crash defeated him twice" Uka Uka said wryly. "But I will trust you for now, Cortex. Do not fail me again."
After the mask left the laboratory, the scientist breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at the still incomplete Evolvo-Ray.
"Damn Brio" Cortex said with some anger. "When I take care of Crash, you'll be next. You damn traitor."
Back in Wumpa Island, Tawna had returned to her apartment, which she had rented a month ago after leaving Crash's house. It was located in the center of the city, not far from the circuit.
The blonde bandicoot had taken off her dress and was wearing her common clothes, but she no longer wore her magenta shirt with her ex's face, but had changed it to a completely red and sleeveless one. She was on the couch in the living room, looking sadly at the photos where she was hanging out with her friends of the Nitro Squad. She was remembering the good times she had with them: every time they celebrated a victory together, each time they go out for shopping or something similar, and even when they did some activity outside the routine.
What had happened this afternoon affected her a lot, since all those happy moments could come to an end. She still remembered the disappointed faces of her friends when they learned what happened between her, Pinstripe and Crash, as well as hiding from them that she was negotiating with the Italian-American marsupial about the team. She also remembered when Megumi told her about her ex-boyfriend's bad condition and the engagement ring, which made her feel very guilty. In fact, she remembered the day she left the two siblings' house and the sad faces of Polar and the other pets. It was like they were trying to convince her not to leave using their eyes, but she didn't look back. She had made a decision. Now she was with Pinstripe and had her reasons about it.
Not wanting to get depressed anymore, Tawna stopped looking at the photos and decided to go to sleep. After putting on her pajamas, she lay on the bed. She wanted to wake up the next morning and think it was all a bad dream, but she knew perfectly well that it won't be that way.
Wrapped in her sheets and lying to the side, she looked at the picture she had on her bedside table, where she was with the Nitro Squad and the Bandicoot family celebrating together the defeat of Nitros Oxide. Tawna let out a few tears until, after a few minutes, she fell asleep.
A more different atmosphere was felt in Crash's house. Ami and the girls had finished unpacking and now they were having a small dinner with the Bandicoot family. Everyone was in the dining room eating toast with butter, hot cocoa and scrambled eggs with ham. It wasn't the big deal, but it was more than satisfying.
Polar and the other pets were the only ones that had already dinner, so they were playing in the living room.
Crash was sitting in the middle of Coco and Megumi, whom he kept looking at without her noticing. What the bandicoot hero didn't know was that his sister had noticed those sneaky looks at their blue-haired friend, which seemed suspicious.
"Crash?" Coco whispered to his brother, making him leave his thoughts in fright. "Is there something wrong?"
"What?... N-no... nothing..." Crash said with a nervous smile.
"Are you sure? Since lunch you have not stopped looking at her."
"It's just your imagination. Can we continue with dinner?"
Coco was still confused, but she decided to listen. She knew both would have more time to talk later.
Crash also decided to continue with his dinner, not before taking another look at Megumi. However, when he tried to give her another furtive look, he noticed that now she was staring at him. The bandicoot hero was startled by that, since he thought she had discovered him.
"Crash, what's wrong?" said Megumi, who had heard them whispering. "What were you talking with Coco?"
"Nothing... heh, heh..." He laughed still nervously. "A matter between siblings."
"Oh, I see" Megumi said innocently. "But if it's because something happens to you, don't hesitate to tell me. Remember that you can talk to me about anything you want."
"Thank you... I know" Crash blushed at her words. Fortunately, she didn't notice that and they both continued with their dinner.
"Mmm..." Ami tasted happily the scrambled egg with ham. "This is delicious."
"Yes. Thank you so much for your hospitality, guys" Isabella said while soaking a toast in the cup of hot cocoa.
"You're welcome. We're glad you like it" Aku Aku replied happily.
"But you have not tried anything. Aren't you going to eat with us?" Liz asked.
"It's not necessary" the talking mask said. "I don't have a physical body, so I don't experience hunger or other needs. Don't worry."
"Okay" Liz smiled at him sadly. She could not imagine herself without her physical body for an eternity.
"By the way, I just remembered something" Isabella said. "Coco, you previously said you have an important job. What is it?"
"I guess I can tell right now" Coco said after seeing that everyone, including Crash, was gathered. "Remember the online dating website that I opened a long time ago?"
"Yes" Ami replied. "You had huge profits in the end."
"Indeed" Coco said. "The money raised helped me to build Project C, the machine with which I operated my brother so he could talk."
"Again, thank you sis" Crash smiled at her.
"You too, brother. Don't forget you helped me with the financing when you sold your story" Coco smiled back at him before continuing with the explanation. "After that, I was invited to the conference from a month ago, where the privileged minds of the entire planet assisted. In it, I met UN ambassadors."
"The UN itself?" Liz said with surprise. "And why is that?"
"They were interested in my project" Coco replied. "They saw in it the solution to cure many diseases or physical deficiencies that are suffered throughout the world. From deficiencies such as deafness and blindness, to diseases such as cancer."
"Amazing!" Megumi exclaimed enthusiastically. "So you work for them?"
"Yes" Coco replied. "I recently sold my website to the highest bidder and now I work with the United Nations research team. In fact, they advanced my pay for that month: 120000 dollars."
"WHAT?!" Crash and the girls were stunned after hearing such high number.
"That's what I would earn in half a year!" Liz said. Although she was happy for her friend, she felt a little envious. "How lucky you are."
"Congratulations, Coco. This deserves a toast." Isabella lifted her cup of hot cocoa, to which the others followed. "For Coco! Our little genius who has helped save the world on several occasions and now strives to help people in need! You deserve it!"
"FOR COCO!" All happily exclaimed in unison and drank their respective cups of hot cocoa.
"We have to celebrate this, but how?" Megumi asked enthusiastically. "Any suggestions?"
"Let's go shopping" Isabella suggested. "I'm interested to know what clothes they sell on the island."
"I like the idea, but as a celebration I see it a little simple" Liz said. "How about going to the beach? I want us to try our new bikinis."
Crash blushed about seeing the girls in swimsuits, but then he shook that thought. He didn't want them to believe he was a pervert.
Ami noticed his reaction, so she tried to think of another option. "I think we'll leave that for another time too, Liz" she laughed a little at Crash's shame. "What if we hike the island?"
"Sorry, Ami. I'm going to reject that for now" Isabella replied. "I am exhausted by everything that happened today."
"Yeah... you're right" Ami sighed.
"Wait. What happened today?" Crash asked. He was the only one who didn't know about the discussion between the girls and Tawna.
"Nothing important, Crash. Don't worry" Isabella replied. She felt that it was not yet the right time to tell him everything.
The room was silent for a few moments. Everyone was thinking of something to do the next day to celebrate Coco's triumph, but no one had ideas. However, Megumi looked at Crash and came up with something.
"Guys, what if we do what Crash wants?" she asked. "At least to cheer him up a bit."
"Good idea, Megumi" Aku Aku smiled at her before looking at her adopted son. "Tell me, Crash. What do you want to do?"
"Me?… Well… ummm…" Crash didn't know how to respond but, after seeing that everyone gave him a sympathetic look, he felt confident enough to give his idea. "How about a kart race on my circuit, Crash Cove?"
"I love that idea!" Ami said cheerfully. "I have not competed for a while. And you, girls?"
"I don't see why not" Isabella agreed. "We have our karts here, so we can all go."
"Then say no more" Coco said cheerfully. "Tomorrow, we all go to Crash Cove."
And with that statement, the family and their guests continued their dinner quietly
It was already midnight and everyone was getting ready to go to sleep. Coco walked down the hallway of the bedrooms until she stopped at the entrance to Crash's room, who had gone to sleep before the others. The little blonde bandicoot smiled when she saw her brother sleep peacefully together with Polar and the other pets, who wanted to keep him company. She closed the door a little so that the hallway light wouldn't bother them and continued on her way.
In one of the rooms, the girls, who were already wearing their pajamas, were sitting in one of the beds while listening to Aku Aku tell past anecdotes of the family. The conversation and the laughter between the five ended when they saw Coco enter the room.
"Hi, Coco" Aku Aku said. "How is Crash?"
"Pretty well, actually" she said happily. "It's been a while since I saw him sleep in peace and quiet."
"I'm glad to hear that" Aku Aku smiled. "However, closing wounds of the soul takes time. We must give our support constantly."
"You're right" said Coco, who then turned her gaze to the blue-haired bandicoot. "I don't know what you did, but I thank you, Megumi. You have helped a lot."
"You're welcome, Coco" Megumi said with a smile. "I am for what you all need."
"Like us" Isabella said. "However, what exactly did you do to cheer him up?"
"I let him know that he could count on all of us, besides of having some physical tact with him" Megumi replied. "A good hug and words of support always help a lot."
"I hope it was just that" Liz warned. "You know very well that you should not get too close. Otherwise, he might think you want to take advantage of him."
"Why would he think that?" Coco asked confused.
Soon, Liz realized her mistake: she had talked too much. Both she and the others were nervous about that question.
"Girls?" Aku Aku asked when he noticed the nervousness of his guests. "Is there something you are not telling us?"
"Well done, Liz..." Ami said sarcastically while giving her a furious look.
"It's okay, girls" Megumi reassured them. "It doesn't matter. Sooner or later, they would have to know."
"What are you talking about?" Coco was even more confused.
"First, promise me you won't say anything to Crash" Megumi warned them. "If you do, my friendship with him could be ruined, and I don't want that. He is someone very special in my life."
"Okay" Coco said a little doubtfully. "And you, Aku Aku?"
The magic mask thought about it for a moment, but in the end he decided to agree. "Alright, Megumi" he said. "We won't tell him anything."
"Thank you" The blue-haired bandicoot smiled at both of them, but then acquired a slight blush on her face. "You see, what Liz was talking about has to do with... some feelings I have had for some time."
"Wait" said Coco, who was suspecting where the conversation was going. "Don't tell me that you..."
"Yes…" admitted Megumi, whose blush became more intense. "I am in love with Crash."
"YOU WHAT?!" Coco shouted, but soon realized her own reaction and felt a little embarrassed.
"Shhh... calm down!" Ami said exasperatedly, but quietly. "Do you want to wake him up and listen to this conversation?"
"I'm sorry" Coco apologized. "It's just that these news took me by surprise. Since when do you started to have those feelings for my brother, Megumi?"
"Shortly after meeting him" she smiled with a slight blush as she remembered the moments she was going through with the bandicoot hero. "At first I only liked him a bit, but over time those feelings became stronger. I know that sometimes he can be silly and childish, but he is also brave, generous, fun, among many other qualities. Besides... I think he's very cute."
"But you knew he was with Tawna, right?" Aku Aku asked.
"Of course" Megumi replied. "That's why I never confessed my feelings or tried anything, because I respected their relationship. However... now I don't know what to think about her for what she did to Crash."
"We're all upset with her, Megumi" Isabella put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "But that's no excuse to hold a grudge against her. She has only made wrong decisions. It's best to leave her alone so she can meditate and realize her mistake of going with Pinstripe. Until then, we cannot intervene. Sometimes, you have to let a person fall so she can get up herself."
"Yeah…" Megumi understood the words of the blonde bandicoot. "You're right."
"Now that you mention it" Ami said. "Tomorrow I must leave early before we go to Crash Cove. I have to go back to the circuit and give Tawna our resignation letters to the team. Can you give me some time?"
"Don't worry" Coco understood. "We have all day, so we'll wait for you."
"Thank you" Ami said.
"And you, Megumi, don't worry. We won't say anything to my brother. I can see that you really care about him."
"Thank you, Coco" The blue-haired bandicoot smiled at her.
"You're welcome. In fact... there is something you should know. Perhaps no one has noticed, but Crash has been watching you constantly since you arrived."
"Me?" Megumi was surprised by that last part, at the point she got blush again.
"Yes" Coco replied when she noticed that everyone in the room was surprised. "Apparently, you reminded him that Tawna is not the only girl in the world. If you continue to support him, he could overcome his break up."
"Hold on" Liz said curiously. "You mean Crash is starting to experience feelings towards our little Megumi?"
"It seems so, but I confirm nothing. I don't want to give false hopes."
"Don't worry about me" Megumi said confidently. "If I am the only one who can help him, count on me."
"Are you sure?" Ami said with some insecurity. "That doesn't guarantee that he is going to want a relationship with you."
"Does that even matter?" Megumi said still determined. "I do this for him, not for me. Whether or not Crash ends up feeling something for me is his decision, but I won't sit idly while he is still in a delicate situation. Okay?"
The others were moved by the words of the blue-haired bandicoot. Not only she is willing to help Crash, but she will do it without expecting anything in return, despite her feelings for him.
"Very well, Megumi. We understand you" Isabella smiled at her. "But you won't be alone. We will give you a hand. Right, girls?"
"Yes" Liz agreed. "But remember we'll only be here for a month. Keep an eye on that."
"Thank you very much, to all of you" Aku Aku was happy to see that his "son" received so much support. "I don't know what to say."
"It's okay" Ami smiled at the talking mask before giving a slight yawn. "Well, I guess I'm going to sleep. It's too late."
"Me too. Goodnight everyone" said Isabella, who got up to go to the other room. "Are you coming, Liz?"
"Sure" The brunette bandicoot followed her to the door with a playful smile. "I choose the bed from above."
"What? Hey, that's not fair!" Isabella complained.
"Sorry. It seems your mum's an armadillo" Liz laughed at her.
"But... I... you're...! Ugh, whatever…" Isabella grumbled, but decided not to argue with Liz. She didn't want to wake up Crash.
The others watched the two female bandicoots walk down the hall and tried to contain the laughter.
"Heh, heh" Ami laughed sympathetically. "They can be insufferable sometimes when they argue, but my life would be boring without those two."
"I understand you perfectly" Aku Aku smiled at her. "Sometimes, Crash and Coco get to behave like this."
"Oh, come on. You're exaggerating" Coco laughed nervously. "Anyway, I'm tired too. Sleep well, girls."
"Goodnight" Both Ami and Megumi said to Coco and Aku Aku, who left the room, leaving them alone.
"Well" the blue-haired bandicoot said while arranging the blankets on the double bed. "I prefer the bed from below, if that's okay for you."
"No problem" said Ami, who prepared to get on the bed above. "Sleep well. It was a long day."
"True" Megumi said as they wrapped themselves between the sheets of their respective beds. "Goodnight, Ami."
"Goodnight."
And after several minutes, they both fell asleep. With any luck, the next day will be something different.