Author's Notes (1): It's been a long time; six months from the last chapter to be exact. But now that I have a new computer, I'm glad I can finally write again.
Anyway, without further ado, let's start with the chapter.
Chapter 9 - Fun under the Sun
An exact week has passed since Ami and the other girls decided to spend their vacation with Crash and his family. Despite the bitter moment the day before, the hero finally decided to turn the page regarding Tawna.
However, Crash was not the only one with plans in mind.
On Cortex Island, a certain scientist with that surname was working on his new Evolvo-Ray, but he wasn't doing all the work alone. Doctors N. Gin and Nefarious Tropy, along with some lab assistants and a few potoroo minions, were helping Cortex to calibrate the improved laser.
In a corner of the laboratory, almost all the evolved Cortex minions were found doing daily activities, since their help was not necessary at the moment. Tiny Tiger and Koala Kong were lifting weights to keep fit, while Dingodile played cards with Ripper Roo and Rilla Roo.
Lab assistants and potoroos were carrying a light purple glow capsule into the laser container, which was heavy for less than six men.
"Be careful with that!" Cortex warned them in a firm tone. "The Cortexrulestheworldium is still very unstable. A simple impact on the floor and we'll all blow up into a thousand pieces."
The assistants and the potoroos were nervous at the scientist's words, but despite the difficulty, they managed to introduce the capsule with the new element into the container without problems, sighing with relief at the end.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to use the new element, doctor Cortex?" N. Tropy said unconvinced. "If it's as unstable as you say, using it is too risky."
"Don't question the master" N. Gin reproached. "He knows what he does, as always."
"Exactly" Cortex said with slight pride. "I was the one who built the old beam, so a new one won't be a problem."
"You mean Dr. Brío…" N. Tropy rolled his eyes. "Typical of you. You always steal credit from others. I wouldn't be surprised if the last element of the periodic table had been discovered by someone else."
"How dare you doubt me?!" Cortex defended himself. "It wasn't me who disintegrated the true owner!"
"Huh...?" everyone in the laboratory reacted to the assertion of the big-headed scientist.
"I mean..." Cortex knew he has betrayed himself, but because he didn't find an adequate answer, he decided to settle the matter squarely. "JUST GET TO WORK IMMEDIATELY! UNDERSTOOD?!"
N. Tropy decided to listen to him, but he smirked. Sometimes, he found it fun to humiliate his colleague Cortex, which he often does without trouble.
Without warning, the laboratory door opened. When everyone turned to see who it was, they spotted a certain potoroo in an elegant red suit. Cortex and N. Gin were glad to see him, while N. Tropy remained neutral and the other evolved minions showed some discomfort, especially Dingodile.
"Pinstripe, welcome!" Cortex said. "To what do I owe your visit?"
"Good morning, Dr. Cortex" Pinstripe greeted the scientist and approached him. "I came to see how his project continued."
"With a slight delay, but in two and a half weeks it could be ready" Cortex replied. "And how are you doing?"
"Wonderfully" Pinstripe looked at the palm of his hand with great pride. "Since yesterday's interview, I can't help but think how much that stupid bandicoot must be sufferin' right now. Just imaginin' it, I feel tickling."
"And I'm not surprised, heh, heh, heh. What a kiss" N. Gin said.
"I know" Pinstripe's ego grew. "Not just anyone can boast of being with Crash's ex-girlfriend."
"Cretin..." Dingodile complained in a low voice, which didn't go unnoticed by the potoroo.
"Any problem, little pig?" Pinstripe asked with slight annoyance.
"I'm a dingo, you idiot!" The hybrid stood up and faced the potoroo. "And since you asked, yes, we have a problem with you. Why do you always have to rub your relationship in our faces? We have enough with being singles."
"True!" Kong put down the weights and decided to join the conversation with the others. "What is the point of polishing my muscles if there are no girls to show off with?"
"Tiny agree" the Tasmanian tiger spoke in the third person, as usual. "Tiny wants her own lifemate, just like Pinstripe."
"ENOUGH!" Uka Uka ordered while entering through the window after having listened to the conversation. "Our main objective is to eliminate Crash Bandicoot once and for all, not to satisfy primitive needs. So... either cooperate, or keep quiet."
"Thanks, great Uka Uka" Pinstripe said, believing the conversation was over.
"Not so fast, Pinstripe" The talking mask floated in front of the potoroo to stare at him. "Maybe Tawna is with you, but I would recommend not letting your guard down."
"Why do you say so, sir?" Pinstripe asked confused.
"I've seen the newscast, and that blonde bandicoot's expression when you kissed her. She didn't show comfort whatsoever. On the contrary, she was upset."
The others were shocked at Uka Uka's words. In fact, Dingodile and N. Tropy smirked.
"You may believe that you are a gallant with the girls, but if you neglect your job, you're going to ruin everything" Uka Uka adopted a threatening tone. "I will tell you the same as your creator Cortex: don't fail me again... or you'll see."
After shooting a threatening glance at both Cortex and the potoroo, who gulped nervously, Uka Uka left the laboratory. The atmosphere was completely silent for a few seconds until Dingodile gave a few laughs.
"Well, well..." the hybrid said in a mocking tone. "Apparently, the female is not very happy with Mister Potorotti, eh?"
"Shut up..." The Potoroo was upset. "If I could convince her to leave that silly bandicoot, I can fix this."
"Until she find out you lied to her" N. Tropy interrupted. "And speaking of which, she believes that you are a good person now. What are you going to do once she found out the truth?"
"It's very simple" the potoroo adopted a superb attitude. "Nothing, because once she knows about it, it will be too late. With Crash and her family out of the way, she'll have no one to lean on. Only I will remain, and she'll have no choice but to submit to my will if she knows what's best for her. I'll obviously give her everything she wants, but on one condition: she'll be mine, only mine."
"But still, you get the girl..." Kong said enviously.
"Let's see..." Pinstripe covered his face with slight annoyance. "How about we make a deal so you can stop complainin'? When this is all over, Tawna's girls will be your personal slaves. Agree?"
"WHAT?!" one of the potoroos henchman complained. "But boss, you promised us that the other girls would be ours."
Dingodile and the other guys looked askance at Pinstripe, who coughed to dissimulate.
"Things change, guys. But don't worry" Pinstripe took out his mobile phone and searched through his photos. "There's still another girl who might interest you. Tawna recently hired a new racer for the Nitro Squad. What do you think?"
Pinstripe showed his minions his phone, revealing a photo of Pasadena O'Possum. The potoroos hissed and delighted to the young racer's appearance.
"She's beautiful!" one of the potoroos said.
"Youse right! Imagine the things we could do with her" said another minion, whose smile was darker.
"Satisfied?" Pinstripe said as he put his phone back. "I hope this serves you as motivation."
"Uka Uka is right. How primitive you are..." the master of time covered his face with slight annoyance.
"N. Tropy, let them" Cortex said without taking much importance. "After all, they deserve it for their hard work."
"Thank you, Doctor" said Pinstripe, who then faced Dingodile and company. "And you, do you agree with the deal or not?"
Dingodile and the other four looked at each other for a few seconds, until each one nodded.
"Okay, we accept" Dingodile said. "After all, I have pending issues with Ami."
"Ugh... her. Don't even mention that tomboy to me" Pinstripe said with slight annoyance. "I'm still furious with her for speakin' to me in such an insolent way. If it weren't for the fact that I can't be exposed, I'd have already blown her brains out with my shotgun. But just for curiosity, what has she done to you?"
"Well..." Dingodile began his story with some discomfort, which he shared with Tiny.
Seven months before...
After Crash defeated Pinstripe for the fourth key, everyone was in the Valley of Gems waiting for Nitros Oxide to challenge him. During the wait, Dingodile and Tiny decided to ask something to Ami, their trophy girl. They had both begun to experience a certain attraction to the green-haired bandicoot, so they wanted to know which of the two she would choose for a date.
However, the bandicoot showed no mercy in showing her anger:
"Are you crazy?!" said an angry Ami, surprising both Tiny and Dingodile. "Not even joking I would date any of you! Not only you are some of Cortex's sadistic lackeys, but you tried to kill my friend Crash. Rather than go out with you ... I would rather never become a racer!"
"Ouch..." said a surprised Isabella, who was chatting with Crash, Coco and Tawna, not too far from Ami. "The fact that she prefers to give up what she likes the most... it says a lot..."
Without further ado, Ami turned her back on the two villains to join Crash and the girls. Dingodile and Tiny were shocked by those words, while listening to some teasing from Kong and Rilla Roo, who were unable to compete in the events.
Back to present...
"And that is why we want revenge..." Dingodile contained his rage. "That ungrateful woman had no right to speak to me like that."
"Tiny will be evil, but Tiny also has feelings" the Tasmanian tiger said with disappointment, which soon turned into anger. "Tiny smash grumpy bandicoot!"
"Whoa..." Pinstripe said with wide eyes, but then scratched his head. "I hadn't even noticed. I was busy flirting with Tawna without the others noticing."
"Enough talk..." Cortex ordered. "When you talk about those girls, you only remind me of Megumi. Her tenderness and constant positivity only made me sick. Gross..."
"Okay, doctor" Pinstripe said. "If you don't mind, I'm going to do my business in the generator room."
"Take Kong, Ripper Roo and Rilla Roo with you" Cortex said. "I have to ask Tiny and Dingodile for a job personally. After you finish, you can take the day off."
The evolved minions looked at each other confused, but decided to listen to the scientist, since they had nothing else to do.
"Very well, doctor. With your permission, I withdraw" Pinstripe said, accompanied by the other three minions.
After the potoroo and company left the laboratory, Cortex looked at his other subordinates. "Tiny, Dingodile, you may wonder why I made you stay here, and it's because I have a task for you" the scientist pointed to a corner of the laboratory, where there was a small laptop next to a robot with a peculiar shape of a toilet. "I want you to try out the new spy robot I've made and take a look at Crash Bandicoot. I need to make sure he's a miserable crybaby like Pinstripe says."
"Can't you ask your assistants for the job, Dr. Cortex?" Dingodile tried to get free.
"No... I need them to finish the new Evolvo-Ray. Without them, it will take longer."
"But doctor..." Dingodile insisted. "I don't know how to operate robots, just my dear flamethrower."
"Stop complaining!" Cortex said. "The robot is already programmed. You just have to hit the start button, and you can move it like a simple videogame. So no more excuses. Obey, and treat it with care!"
Dingodile nodded with slight annoyance, while Tiny greeted on military style with enthusiasm, and without wasting any more time, both sat in a corner with the computer. After the hybrid between dingo and crocodile opened the device and made some small adjustments, the robot began to levitate and went out the window towards Wumpa Island.
"Just wait, Crash Bandicoot" Cortex thought after seeing the robot leave. "Once you end your own family yourself, we will take advantage and end your life."
With no more interruptions, Cortex refocused on the laser beam, but not before thinking with an evil smile about how his arch enemy will be right now. He couldn't wait to see the shattered face of the one he considers his greatest failure before finally finishing him.
Wumpa Island...
While the scientist had the most mistaken thoughts, the bandicoots had other plans. For today, they had decided to spend the whole day on the beach. After yesterday's bad experience, it wouldn't hurt to get some air under the sun and be distracted.
Crash and Coco, who had their respective swimsuits on, were outside the house sitting on the woods of the front yard in the company of the pets and Aku Aku, in addition to a few objects to use on the beach; like a volleyball ball and a net, ping pong rackets, buckets and shovels to build sandcastles, a picnic basket with sandwiches and Wumpa fruit juices, and a mini-fridge with ice cream lollies.
The Bandicoot family was waiting for the girls, who were in the house putting on the new bikinis that Liz had bought long ago. While they were preparing, the little blonde bandicoot decided to talk to her brother. "Well Crash" she said. "How have you been? Are you feeling better?"
"Compared to yesterday... yes" Crash laughed nervously and scratched his head. "Isabella talked to me for a bit, and she let me know a few things."
"What things?" Aku Aku asked.
"That all of you are right" Crash stood up with a determined attitude. "My relationship with Tawna was nice while it lasted, but that's history now. I have to look ahead and get over it."
"That's good to know" Aku Aku smiled.
"Besides… you're right." Crash lowered his head slightly as he blushed. "I like Megumi."
"Aww..." Coco moaned with tenderness. "And do you plan to tell her one day?"
"I didn't want to before, but Isabella made me think about it" Crash smiled, but then he got a little sad. "The only thing that scares me right now is that... she doesn't feel the same and our friendship gets ruined."
Coco felt a little frustrated at the time. She wanted to tell Crash that Megumi felt the same way about him, but she had promised not to say anything. However, the smart bandicoot smiled and tried to persuade her brother to take the first step. "I'm sure everything will work out, big brother" Coco put her hand on Crash's shoulder. "Also, we are talking about Megumi, that friend who has always been supporting you since she arrived on the island. Do you really think she would turn her back on you?"
Aku Aku realized what Coco was doing and decided to help her. "She's right, Crash. You just have to find the right time to tell her. Not today, because yesterday you suffered for another girl, but some time after perhaps."
Crash smiled for the support of his family, but the moment was interrupted when they heard the door of the house open. It was the girls.
The first coming out was Liz, who was wearing a black and white striped bikini with red edges. Isabella followed, wearing a blue strapless bikini but with a thick vertical white line in the middle. And finally Ami came out, whose swimsuit looked like a sports bra and shorts, both green, but with yellow checkered flags on each side, similar to those of her common clothes.
Crash blushed furiously at the sight of his friends, so he quickly looked away so they wouldn't notice, but that didn't go unnoticed by the Italian bandicoot.
"I think this is too much" Isabella whispered to Liz. "Look how embarrassed the poor guy is."
"Hey, do you want him to get over his breakup with Tawna or not?" The brunette bandicoot whispered. "It wouldn't hurt him to interact with other girls. Also, Megumi has a chance to have more interactions with him."
"Shhh! Don't say it too loud" Ami complained quietly. "Remember we promised her to not say anything to Crash."
"I know..." Liz rolled her eyes with slight impatience and took one last look inside the house. "You're next, Megumi! Get out now!"
"Liz... I don't know..." Megumi said in a trembling voice from inside the house. "I think Isabella is right: this is too much for Crash..."
"Megumi, listen" said Ami, who also decided to take a look. "Don't be ashamed. As Liz said, you are very beautiful, so be a little brave. Do it for us, but mainly for Crash. Agree?"
Although Coco and the others could not hear what the girls were saying, they noticed faces of slight concern coming from Liz and Ami, which later transform into smiles of satisfaction.
"Okay..." Megumi said with her voice still doubtful. "I'm going out…"
Crash, who was still blushing with his gaze turned away, managed to hear his friend's last sentence and couldn't help but feel interested, so he decided to take a brief look. His curiosity had completely overcome his insecurity.
When Megumi slowly and shyly walked out the door with a slight blush on her face, Crash's jaw literally dropped and her eyes widened, now totally focused on his friend. The blue-haired bandicoot wore a strapless black bikini with two contiguous greenish-blue horizontal stripes on both the bra and bottom, with the upper stripe being thicker than the bottom one.
Megumi noticed Crash's reaction and her blush spread all over her face.
"He's looking at me very strange..." Megumi whispered to Isabella, who couldn't help but laugh.
"You impressed him" the blonde bandicoot said. "Come on... go and talk to him."
Isabella nudged Megumi lightly, encouraging her to move closer to Crash, who was still in shock.
"Crash, wake up" Coco patted him on the back to make him react. "Megumi is getting closer."
The bandicoot hero shook his head from side to side, until he processed what his sister said and noticed his blue-haired friend approaching him. Crash couldn't help but look at Megumi from head to toe. He knew she had a beautiful body due to the tight lab coat she usually wears, but she didn't expect to see it in all its glory.
When both bandicoots were finally face to face, they couldn't help but blush and shyly look away a couple of times. The situation was a little embarrassing for both of them.
"Hello Crash..." Megumi said.
"Hi..." Crash said. "You look beautiful…"
"Thank you…"
Both bandicoots laughed shyly, but then Crash's view was blocked by an umbrella held by his sister.
"Well, guys" Coco said as she handed the umbrella to her brother. "We have to carry a few things. Crash, you will carry the umbrella."
"Me?" Crash tried to sneak away. "But it is too big..."
"Would you rather carry the Volleyball net then?" Ami looked at him in a mocking tone while holding the huge mentioned object with one arm.
"No, no! Crash changed his mind and smiled nervously. "I'll carry the umbrella then."
"Typical..." Coco rolled his eyes. "Ami, Aku Aku, all of you go ahead. I have to discuss a few things with my brother in private. It's okay?"
"No problem Coco" Ami smiled at her. "We will be setting up the net. We wait for you."
"Thanks" the little bandicoot smiled back.
After the former members of the Nitro Squad retired to the beach along with the talking mask and the pets, Crash continued watching Megumi as she walked away and sighed with an infatuated reaction.
"Hi?! Earth calling Crash!" Coco gave his brother a few light blows on the head to get him out of his thoughts.
"Huh...? what...?" the hero bandicoot looked surprised in all sides until he looked at his sister, who rolled her eyes and laughed a little.
"I see if you really like her, huh?" Coco said with a smile. "You didn't stop looking at her."
Crash soon found out what his sister was referring to and covered his face in embarrassment. "Great..." he complained. "Now she think I'm a pervert..."
"I don't think so" Coco comforted him. "It's true that it is better not to stare at her in such an obvious way, but believe me, if you act naturally, there will be nothing to worry about."
"Do you believe that?" Crash stopped covering his face and looked at his sister.
"Trust me" she insisted. "Little by little, you will get to her."
"How are you so sure?" Crash asked a little unsure.
"Just listen to me, okay?" Coco patted her brother affectionately on her back and winked at him. "Now come on, they're waiting for us. I will let you to team up with her like in Crash Cove."
"Okay... If you say so…" Crash smiled slightly at his sister's gesture and they both went to join the others.
Meanwhile, the girls were placing the Volleyball net on the side of the beach, while the pets were at a distance starting to build sandcastles, sometimes being helped by Aku Aku and his magical powers.
"Alright" Liz said with a slight smile. "With this, we'll have enough to keep Crash's head busy."
"Yes, but this sun is too hot" said Isabella. "Have you remembered to put on sunscreen?"
"Isabella... we are covered in hair" Ami said with some disbelief. "Why would we need that?"
"I say it for the nose, genius..." Isabella got a little upset. "Or do you want it to be burned?"
"I would suggest you listen to her, Ami" said Aku Aku, who was helping the pets with the sandcastle.
"Bah... nonsense" Ami said without concern. "No cream is going to tell me what to do."
"As you wish, but don't say I didn't warn you" The Italian bandicoot rolled her eyes with some frustration. "That arrogance is going to cost you dearly."
"Don't tell me… And what about you?" Liz approached him with some seriousness. "You have a severe bad temper problem when you lose in a game."
"That's not true!" Isabella defended herself.
"I think we can fix that" Ami smirked. "If she decides to have another outburst of rage, we throw her into the water to ease her anger. What do you think?"
"You wouldn't dare…" Isabella glared at her.
"You know I can, and I will" Ami continued to challenge her friend.
"Girls, stop" Megumi scolded them. "We want Crash to recover from his bad experience. If we start fighting, we will not achieve anything."
"Come on, Megumi. Everything is fine" Liz laughed. "Did you see how he was looking at you? I'm sure he'll be busier admiring you than anything else."
Megumi blushed furiously at her friend's comment, but they all noticed the siblings approaching, so they pretended naturalness.
"Well, girls" Coco said. "Is the net ready?"
"Yes" Isabella smiled. "But we haven't decided on the teams yet. Surely we will be three against three, or am I wrong?"
Coco was thoughtful for a few moments, but then came up with the solution. "I suppose Crash and I will be in opposing teams, since we are both short in comparison to you, so we would have to choose a team for ourselves.
"It makes sense" Liz said.
"Well, I have discussed it with Crash, and I will choose Ami and Liz."
"Huh? Hey, when have we...?" Crash tried to protest, but Coco covered her mouth so he couldn't interrupt her and she kept talking.
"That means Isabella and Megumi will be on the Crash's team" Coco smiled as she held her brother. "What do you think?"
"It's perfect to me" Ami laughed confidently. "Crash owes me a rematch, so we can finally settle this."
"Or we may win again as with the karts" Megumi smiled. "Right, Crash?"
"I guess" Crash scratched his head as he smiled nervously. "But don't forget that Ami is our opponent."
"I only hope to win one this time..." Isabella said a little unsure.
"Anyway, let's start now, shall we?" Coco asked.
Everyone agreed with the little bandicoot, so they took their positions.
At the same time, a metal object with the shape of a toilet crept through the sky without being noticed, and it carefully hid itself in the bushes, aiming a lens at the bandicoots.
Back in Cortex's castle, certain two evil lackeys were seeing everything that was passing through the lens of said robot.
"Well, there is Crash" said Dingodile, who was quick to notice the girls. "Wait a minute... what are they doing there?"
"And they're... in bikinis" Tiny said, now with her gaze completely focused on the monitor.
"Did you say something, minions?" said Cortex, who was working on the new Evolvo-Ray and couldn't hear what they were saying.
"No!" Dingodile replied with a slight fright. "Nothing doctor, we are still investigating."
"Okay..." Cortex said a little surprised by the attitude of his minion, but he decided to ignore it because of the work he was doing.
"Not a word, mate" Dingodile said quietly to his colleague, "or else, we won't be able to continue seeing."
Tiny made a gesture of sealed lips and refocused on the monitor. Not every days they have the chance to see attractive girls in bikinis, which made them feel somewhat envious towards the hero bandicoot.
"The first team to accumulate 15 points wins" said Coco, with everything she says being transmitted through the monitor. "What do you think?"
"Sounds good to me" Ami said. "But how about we make it more interesting?"
"How?" Megumi asked curiously.
"Let's make a bet" said Ami. "We're going to that Electro Science disco in ten days, right? The losing team pays for the winners' drinks and snacks."
Dingodile got interested in what Ami said about the disco, and decided to think of something about it.
"Deal!" Megumi said enthusiastically and shook hands with Ami.
And without further ado, the bandicoots began their Volleyball match, not realizing that they had two spectators watching from afar.
Minutes passed, and the game was fairly even. Ami could be quite strong, but Isabella's height served as a counterweight in favor to Crash's team. Both teams were only one point away from winning, but neither of the bandicoots was giving up on giving everything they had.
At the same time, Tiny and Dingodile were so busy watching the girls playing that they preferred to skip the task imposed by Cortex and pretend that nothing happened.
"Tiny is hungry... but Tiny can't stop seeing bandicoot girls" the Tasmanian tiger said.
"Then don't complain, and speak lower" Dingodile complained and looked angrily at his colleague. "I want to see how this ends."
"Well, it's actually over" Tiny pointed at the monitor, indicating that Coco's team won the match.
This caused Dingodile to cover his face in shame at his bad luck.
"Ohh, yeah! We won!" said Ami, who was celebrating with his two teammates.
"Free drinks for us!" Liz shouted with joy.
Crash and Megumi smiled at each other in regret at losing, but Isabella, despite trying to contain her frustration for not winning at Crash Cove or Volleyball, she eventually exploded with anger.
"YOU MOTHER...!" She screamed as she kicked the Volleyball ball, which began to bounce off the trees and palm trees, until it ended up hitting the spy robot and getting lost among the bushes. The impact was so severe that a crack opened in the robot's side, giving off a few sparks.
"Huh? What was that?" Coco asked confused and went to the place where the robot was hidden. "It sounded like something metallic."
"Oh, no!" Dingodile panicked when the transmission began to cut and he desperately controlled the robot to get it out of place. "Get out, get out, get out!"
The robot began to move and fly away. It managed to evade the sight of the bandicoots, but once it flied over the sea, it began to completely short circuit until it ended up exploding, with its remains falling into the ocean.
The explosion was only heard by the pets thanks to their sharp ears, but after seeing that nothing strange was happening around them, they decided to continue building the sandcastle with Aku Aku.
When Coco came to check through the bushes, she saw nothing.
"Did you find something, Coco?" Megumi asked curiously.
"No, nothing at all" the little bandicoot said and decided to return to the group. "Maybe it was my imagination."
"No, we heard it too" said Ami, who later noticed that a certain object was missing. "Hey, where's the ball?"
Suddenly everyone realized they had forgotten about that certain object, and they stared at Isabella, who was giggling nervously at the unwanted attention.
"It doesn't matter, I'll look for it" said Crash, who walked through the area of bushes and trees.
Seeing this as an opportunity, Isabella nudged Megumi.
"Go with him" the Italian bandicoot said.
"What?! N-no!" Megumi blushed nervously.
"This is your chance to have more moments with him alone" Isabella said in a serious tone. "Are you going by yourself, or am I dragging you there? You pick."
Megumi swallowed at the threat of her friend, so she nodded in response and went to where the bandicoot hero was. "Wait for me, Crash...!" she said. "Let me help you."
After seeing how her friend was going to keep Crash company, Isabella smiled with satisfaction. However, she was pulled out of her thoughts when she felt someone grabbing her arms and legs. It was Ami and the others, who were taking her to the water.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" she asked with an incredulous look.
"I warned you" Ami said with a mischievous smile. "You've thrown a tantrum, so you're going to take a little bath."
"No! Wait!" Isabella tried to to be heard or free herself, but it didn't help. Among her three girls, they threw her into the water.
It didn't take long for the Italian banditcoot to come out with her hair covering her entire face, but then she pulled it away, revealing a frowning gaze.
"Ugh... I hate all of you" said Isabella, who decided to joke despite the anger from a while ago. "Except for Coco, I like her..."
Coco and the others were confused by Isabella's words, but soon they all knew that she was joking after seeing a little smile from her and they laughed in group.
"Very funny, Isabella" Coco rolled his eyes with a smile. "And now that I think about it, I don't think she should be the only one who enjoys the water. Excuse me!"
Without further ado, Coco entered the water with her friend, and they both began to splash playfully with their hands.
"It looks fun" Ami said. "Are you coming, Liz?"
"Maybe later" the brunette bandicoot answered. "I want to sunbathe for a while."
"You don't want me to throw you into the water like Isabella, do you?" Ami said in a mocking tone.
Liz rolled her eyes to her friend's warning, but she decided to listen. "Wait girls, I'm on it" she said as she got into the water with Ami to meet up with the blonde bandicoots.
Back in the lab, Dingodile and Tiny looked at the computer screen, which posted a huge red notice saying OFFLINE.
"Uh-oh..." Dingodile said. "This is not good."
"What's going on?" Cortex asked, noticing the reaction of his two subordinates. "What happened, Dingodile?"
"Umm... you see... doctor" Dingodile tried to make up an excuse, but he couldn't think of anything.
"The robot has done Kaboom" Tiny replied without thinking, earning a furious glance from his mate.
"WHAT?!" Cortex stopped modifying the new Evolvo-Ray and addressed his two lackeys with an angry face. "I told you to treat him carefully!"
Both evolved animals were frightened by the anger of their creator, who later calmed down a bit. Cortex didn't want to waste valuable time he could spend on his project.
"Thank me that I still have the blueprints for the original design" Cortex said. "But tell me, is Crash suffering? Is he a sad helpless bandicoot as Pinstripe says?"
Dingodile was planning to tell Cortex about the condition of the bandicoot hero, which was not at all beneficial to the scientist's plans, but then he remembered that Ami would be on Wumpa Island these days, so she quickly formulated his own plans in mind.
"Well, you see... Crash Bandicoot is..." Tiny was going to tell the doctor the truth, but was interrupted.
"He's sadder than a rusty grill" Dingodile lied, covering Tiny's mouth. "You should have seen him, doctor. He was a sea of tears. Even his family could do nothing to cheer him up. That vermin is practically ours."
"Perfect" Cortex smiled at Dingodile's testimony, so he decided to go back to work at Evolvo-Ray. "So I guess there will be no problems, you can take the day off."
"Thank you doctor, with your permission" Dingodile said, quickly taking Tiny with him.
Both minions quickly walked through the door of the laboratory, where no one could hear them. Dingodile sighed in relief, but Tiny scratched her head in confusion.
"Why did Dingodile lie to Dr. Cortex?" Tiny asked. "Crash Bandicoot seems to be okay."
"Before you answer, first you respond to something, mate" Dingodile said. "Wouldn't you like to take revenge on Ami?"
"Ami?" Tiny got a little angry and clasped his fists." That rude bandicoot hurt Tiny's feelings."
"Mines too, mate. And you've already heard her with the spy robot; she's going to be on Wumpa Island these days. How about we pay her a... surprise visit?"
"Surprise? But Tiny hates her..." the Tasmanian tiger answered.
"Not a good surprise, you blockhead" Dingodile covered his face with embarrassment. "A bad one, very bad one."
"Oh, Tiny understands now" the Tasmanian tiger smiled. "But how? Crash Bandicoot and the other bandicoots will be with Ami from time to time."
"You heard her" said Dingodile. "They're going to visit a disco called Electro Science in ten days. We can go and pass unnoticed. We will create a distraction and wait for her to be alone, and it will be our time to take action."
"Tiny understands, but why did you lie to Dr. Cortex?"
"If he finds out about the current state of Crash, this opportunity would get out of hand like a stick of butter. I already know that Pinstripe promised us to make Ami and her friends our personal slaves, but what if Dr. Cortex changes his mind because of the circumstances? He could eliminate her and we would have no chance to settle accounts with her. It's now or never, mate. Do you understand?"
"Uhh…" Tiny was thoughtful. The brain was not his strong point, but the name of the disco Electro Science was familiar. However, he gave up thinking about the matter further. "Tiny understands."
"Very well, but not a word to anyone" Dingodile warned him. "This remains between us."
Tiny smiled and waved her hand to her forehead, as well as making a sealed lip gesture before running off down the hall. Dingodile was doubtful if Tiny could keep his mouth shut, but he knew that the big guy always kept his promises, so he decided to downplay it.
As he walked down the halls, Dingodile thought on the female bandicoot who had the audacity to turn him down. "Ami, Ami..." he thought with an evil smile. "You're gonna pay. You will see…"
Meanwhile, among a bunch of trees and bushes, Crash and Megumi were looking for the Volleyball ball, still in slight confusion about the object they hit in the bushes.
"Woah..." Crash said. "What was that thing?"
"I have no idea, Crash" Megumi shared his confusion. "It sounded like some metallic object. Strange thing, since there is only nature around here."
"I just hope it's not a thing of Dr. Cortex. You know how stubborn he is about trying to destroy me."
"Tell me something I don't know..." Megumi said as she went through some bushes. "When I was his trophy girl, all he was talking about was dominating the world and killing you" suddenly, she started to imitate the doctor. "I am the one who must dominate the world, not that cockroach. I'm the superior one!"
Crash couldn't help but laugh at the way his friend was imitating one of her ex-racers. "You mimic him quite well" he said.
"Well, it's me who has had to put up with him, heh, heh, heh" Megumi playfully showed her tongue to Crash, who laughed again in response before continuing looking for the ball.
The bandicoot had to admit that with his blue-haired friend he could always spend unforgettable moments. No wonder he was falling in love with her. The hero soon stopped short at that last thought. Was he really falling in love with Megumi?
After a few times searching through the trees, Megumi found the ball next to a log, from which it seemed that a peculiar object had fallen.
"Huh? Megumi exclaimed as she picked up the ball. "Crash, come see this."
The bandicoot hero listened to his friend, and noticed what looked like some kind of fruit. It looked like a purple strawberry, but with pointed leaves like a pineapple.
"What is that?" Crash asked slightly confused as he grabbed the food. "I have never seen this fruit before."
The bandicoot hero shrugged and decided to try it without thinking twice, but his friend got scared by that action, thinking that the fruit could be poisonous.
"Crash, no!" Megumi tried to snatch the fruit from him before he tasted it, but the reaction was so hasty that he ended up collapsing on top of him.
The ball and fruit fell to one side, while Megumi was on top of Crash with the faces of both staring at each other. They were both speechless, their eyes wide as saucers and their faces completely blushed. They never expected to be this close to each other.
"C-Crash..." Megumi said nervously. "I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you…"
"You didn't... you..." said Crash, whose nervous gaze began to disappear, and his thoughts began to get lost on his friend's beautiful face. "You... you are very beautiful."
Megumi was surprised by the unexpected praise of the orange bandicoot, but little by little, her instincts also began to take possession of her thoughts. Having the boy she's deeply in love with so close to her was something that couldn't let her think clearly.
Crash decided to make the first move. Slowly and carefully, he moved his hand to Megumi's face and gently stroked her cheek. The blue-haired bandicoot closed her eyes at the warm touch of her friend.
"I don't know what he's doing..." she thought while smiling, and she let herself go for the moment, "but... it feels so good..."
Megumi opened her eyes again to see the face of the bandicoot hero, and noticed that he was starting to bring it closer to hers. The young scientist knew at once what he was trying to do, but she offered no resistance. Deep down, she wanted it to happen, so she let herself be carried away by her instincts, and began to bring her face closer as well.
Both bandicoots blushed deeply and closed their eyes. They could think on nothing but each other, and only heard the beating of their own hearts thumping like drums.
However, just as their lips were within inches of meeting, Aku Aku called them out. "Guys, why are you taking so long?!"
Both bandicoots opened their eyes surprisingly and got up from the scare, turning away from each other with completely red faces in shock.
"D-don't worry, Aku Aku!" Megumi shouted nervously. "We're coming!"
Both bandicoots looked at each other for a few seconds, but then turned their eyes to the opposite side.
"What the hell was that?!" Crash thought to himself.
"Was Crash going to kiss me?" Megumi thought. "So... does this mean he have feelings for me?"
Both bandicoots took one last look even with their faces completely red, and smiled nervously. They were both too embarrassed to talk about it.
"Well… I think it's better to go back to the others… heh, heh, heh" Crash said. "I'll carry the ball."
"No problem..." Megumi said.
As Crash picked up the Volleyball ball and returned with the others, Megumi glanced at the strange fruit and held it in her hands. She had never heard of a fruit with such characteristics, and she had to admit that it smelled quite good.
"Maybe if I do some analysis, I'll know more about it" Megumi thought. "I'll take it with me."
Hours have passed, and it was already getting dark in the Wumpa Archipelago. The sun was sinking on the horizon, and the bandicoots were witnessing the moment sitting on the shore of the beach while eating ice cream lollies to accompany.
"Whoa..." Isabella said impressed. "You don't see sunsets like this in Los Angeles. It's beautiful."
"This island has its good landscapes" Coco said, "but surely you haven't seen them from a high point."
"What do you mean, Coco?" Asked Liz, who was caressing a sleepy Polar and the other pets.
"Well... I thought about what Ami said when you arrived on the island about hiking, and we got an idea."
"You see" Aku Aku said. "Going up through the forest to a high point on the island, there is a lake that connects to the main river that goes downhill. It's close to where we first meet Ripper Roo, but thankfully he no longer lives there thanks to Crash. And therefore, we thought to go camping to that place tomorrow."
"We can see the sunset from higher up" Coco said. "Also, the fireworks for the opening of the fair."
"Sounds like fun" Ami said. "I'm in."
"Me too" said Isabella, who then smiled playfully at her brunette friend. "What about you, Liz? Do you think you can take that much pressure?"
"Hey... I also take care of my physical condition" Liz said a little annoyed. "I will go without problems."
"Whatever you say" Isabella rolled her eyes, still smiling. "And you, Megumi?"
Megumi said nothing. She was deep on her thoughts as she saw Crash, who was also thoughtful about what almost happened a few hours ago. However, she didn't want things to end badly between them, so she decided to try to be closer with him and show him more confidence.
"Megumi?" Isabella touched her friend on the shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Are you okay?"
"Oh... sorry" the blue-haired bandicoot apologized. "Sure I will, but excuse me for a moment."
Megumi got up from her place and walked to where Crash was, who was looking towards the horizon without realizing that his pole was melting from the base.
Just when Crash was going to get a bite to eat, the polo fell into the sand and was dissipated by the waves of the sea. "Oh... great" the hero grumbled quietly, but his annoyance disappeared when he saw Megumi on the right side of him.
"Do you want mine?" she smiled gently. "I wouldn't mind sharing it."
"Oh... thank you very much." Crash smiled slightly as he received the polo and tried a small bite.
"No problem" Megumi said as he sat down next to the hero. "I'm having a great time, Crash. Thanks for this vacation."
"I think it's my little sister you should be thanking" Crash said. "She is the one who makes all the plans."
"True, but you also do your part. You don't know how many times I've laughed and enjoyed thanks to you."
"Really?" Crash was pleased at his friend's statements.
"Of course" Megumi winked at her and put her left arm around Crash. "I hope we can have a good time tomorrow with camping."
"Me too, Megumi" said Crash, who decided to look at the horizon while blushing at his friend's gesture. "Me too…"
In an attempt to look more open to her, Crash wrapped his right arm around Megumi's waist, and they rested their heads with each other's one while looking at the sunset. Every moment they shared together was very special, and they weren't going to waste it.
Coco smiled as she saw her brother getting closer to her sweet friend, but then she glanced at the others, noticing Ami's reddened nose. "Umm... Ami" Coco said. "Your nose…"
"Don't say a word..." Ami got angry and raised her finger, indicating that she didn't want to give explanations.
Author's Notes (2): For those who wonder, yes. The purple fruit and Dr. Cortex's toilet-shaped robot come from the Titans saga. I also plan to use another item from this saga in the future.
Anyway, I hope my return to writing was worth it, because the next chapter will be very special. In fact, before my previous computer was damaged, Chapter 10 was planned for Valentine's Day, but I won't say more, heheheh.
See you later. ;)