Chapter fourteen- The Toxin Unleashed
Crash was running as fast as he could, but he couldn't catch sight of Isabella. Granted, the halls were not particularly long, but still he figured he would have some more skill in the speed department than she did. He was also pretty sure he was lost. He came to a crossroads more than once, and although he had a good feeling he was on the right track at the start, he wasn't so sure anymore. It didn't help that every silver-plated hallway was identical. He was about to give up the search for the main lab and try his luck locating one of those handy wall directories. However, there was no need.
He was very close to the main lab. In fact, there was even a monitor bolted to the wall, giving Crash a perfect view without even having to go inside. The first thing he noticed was the "lab" was hardly a lab at all. It was more like an observatory, with a series of wide windows that revealed the distant form of N. Sanity Island. Standing directly in front of this window, with his petite hands clasped behind him, was Cortex. He appeared especially devious at that moment, which meant that he was in good spirits. That was never a good sign. If Cortex was pleased, that meant one of two things. Either he was under the impression that Crash had met with a horrible accident, or he was so confident he was going to win he didn't care about anyone trying to ruin his plans. However, Crash suspected it wouldn't take much to ruin that good mood. Any plan could be foiled, despite how close it was to completion.
Before Crash could think of his plan of action, he wondered where Isabella had gotten herself to. Almost as soon as that thought entered his head, he caught sight of a familiar form charging onto the monitor. She paused at the foot of the stairway, and glared up at the short doctor. Crash could hear her voice over the speaker.
"You look pretty calm, Doctor. In spite of the fact you're about to suffer an imminent failure."
Cortex turned his head, offering only a view of his pointy profile. His black brows were pressed down into the bridge of his nose.
"Ah, so it's you is it? I suppose I should not be surprised. As for your misguided prediction, I am sure you would not be so confident if you knew that my plan is already complete. There is nothing you can do."
Crash was puzzled by Cortex's serene tone of voice. He spoke to Isabella as if he knew her. However, he didn't have any time to dwell on that. Isabella answered him with a sinister bite in her voice.
"You'd be bouncing off the walls if your plan had been completed, Cortex. It's been so long since you've succeeded at anything that you wouldn't be as solitary as you are now. You're waiting. You haven't won anything yet."
Now Cortex did turn, his ugly mouth bent in a wicked grin.
"Perceptive, as always, my dear. You are correct. Although my plan is not finished completely, I've been informed that the toxin has been configured. By applying the blood of one of you detestable mutants, the toxin is operational and ready to target anyone with that singular DNA."
"Where is it?" Isabella returned sharply.
Cortex's grew even larger, making his frightful appearance even more grotesque.
"That information is classified."
Isabella snarled.
"Suit yourself."
One wouldn't know Isabella was evolved from an omnivore by her aggressive tendencies. She moved with the ferocity of a wildcat. As she rushed for Cortex, Crash got a kick out of seeing his expression shift so fast from smugness to fear. However, before Isabella got within five feet of him, a topaz blur shot out of nowhere and knocked Isabella off her current path. Crash realized in an instant that it was Tina Tiger. At that moment Crash's reflexes took over, and he dashed toward the observatory door. He slid to a stop before he passed through the doorframe. After making a thorough observation of the situation, Crash suspected if he was to intervene, he would just get in the way. Although it was clear that Isabella had not anticipated Tina's appearance, she had no trouble in managing the challenge. Even in that short amount of time, Isabella seemed to have taken control of the fight.
It was hard to imagine that such a willowy, drop-dead gorgeous girl like Isabella could be such a ferocious fighter. It was quite apparent to Crash in a moment that Isabella was doing just fine on her own. However, Cortex had made a mysterious disappearance during that time. Crash supposed he was on his way to complete his work on the toxin. Of course, being the honorary "savior of the world", Crash naturally could not allow that to happen. Therefore, he left Isabella to exchange blows with Tina and he himself took off down one of the adjoining halls.
He was growing quite tired of sprinting through corridors, but there was nothing to be done about it. Running was imperative in such desperate situations. However, much to Crash's relief, the laboratory was extremely close to the area he just exited. Crash burst through the iron door, prepared for anything. His eyes fell upon the only person in the room. A dumpy little fellow bent over a bubbling concoction. Crash knew who this was in an instant. He sauntered forward with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey shorty, long time no see."
N. Gin jumped three feet with a frightened yowl, and then turned.
"Crash Bandicoot."
"In the flesh." Crash said with a grin. "I don't want to take up too much of your time. I've just come for that swirly green stuff. Now, if you don't mind…"
N. Gin looked at him as though he was speaking gibberish. In a moment, he shook his head to clear his confusion.
"I cannot hand over the toxin, Crash Bandicoot. I have already completed the configuration process, and now all that needs to be done is unleash it upon the island."
Crash offered a shrug.
"Well, if you can't give it to me, you can't give it to me. I completely understand. I guess I'll just head back to the island and prepare myself for Judgment Day, sorry for taking up so much of your time."
Just as Crash began to turn away, he paused. He turned back, focusing on a spot just behind N. Gin's head.
"Just out of curiosity, is that weird silver stuff supposed to be bubbling over?"
N. Gin twisted around with a widened gaze, giving Crash the perfect opportunity to dash toward him and swipe the toxin out of his hands.
"Yoink!"
Before N. Gin had a chance to recover, Crash dodged toward the door with a wide smile.
"Sorry mate. It may surprise you, but I'm not willing to roll over just yet."
Although N. Gin was very peeved that he'd been overcome so easily, he was not exactly concerned.
"The toxin is now useless, Crash. I have already created a new form of this poison that is targeted toward mutated animals." N. Gin eased back toward the keypad. "I need only to push this button, and the entire population of mutants will be decimated."
Crash's smile disappeared. He watched in utter shock as N. Gin prepared to place pressure upon the switch.
"Don't move, or I'll shoot you where you stand."
Crash jolted in shock as a wave of recognition washed over him. The voice belonged to Coco, and she stood in the doorway just behind Crash. The real corker was she was holding a taser in direct level to N. Gin's face. As a result, N. Gin froze instantly. After taking a moment to digest the situation, N. Gin frowned angrily.
"Do you realize that if you shoot me with that, this rocket will explode which will destroy us all?"
Coco didn't so much as waver.
"If you press that, we'll be dead anyway. I will not hesitate to bring you down before you kill everyone like us."
For a few moments, there was only silence between them. Crash was beginning to get very uncomfortable. On the one side, N. Gin had his finger hovering over the button that would release a cloud of poison that would destroy him and his friends. On the other side, his sister was prepared to jolt the cyborg with a whack of volts that would bring an explosion that would blow everyone in the room to pieces. Crash didn't esteem either option. Thankfully, N. Gin chose the third. He lifted his hand from the button, and let it fall to his side. He gave up, but he was not happy about it. Crash sighed sharply, relieved that he would not be blowing up that day. He regarded Coco with a smirk.
"Way to go, sis. Always using the ol' noggin."
Coco marched past Crash, swiping the toxin out of his hands as she did so. She still held the taser on N. Gin, but it was pretty clear that the half-machine scientist had no intention of causing any more trouble. Coco proceeded directly to the lab table.
"We found the kids." She informed him as she began to work.
"Oh, that's good." Crash answered, unsure how else to reply.
"But we're still missing Jag. While I'm doing this, search the halls, try and find him."
Crash nodded, preparing to take off to begin the search. However, as soon as he turned around he realized there was no need. As a familiar visage became clear to Crash, so did a familiar voice.
"Stop tampering with that calibration immediately."
Coco froze, and turned with a furious expression on her face. Her day would only get worse when she realized what Cortex was ready to use as an ultimatum. Cortex stood on a raised platform, holding a squirming young panther in his arms and pressing a gun against his small, furry ear. Coco cried out.
"Jag!"
Crash exhaled slowly.
"I guess we found him."
Cortex stared at them both demonically. Crash knew Cortex didn't have any qualms about killing innocent creatures, but by personally witnessing the look of utter detachment in his eyes, it became even clearer. Cortex intensified his grip.
"If you do not stand aside, I will shoot this cub. Are you willing to have this child's blood on your hands, Crash Bandicoot?"
Crash was about to point out that if it was Cortex who did the shooting, than it was technically blood on his hands. However, due to the gravity of the situation, he didn't mention it. Coco had already stepped away from the laboratory table. Crash turned to face her, and held out a hand.
"Wait. Don't move."
Coco stopped again, glaring at him with widened eyes. Behind the rage, Crash could easily spy the fear. He overlooked it, and turned back to Cortex. He offered a massive shrug.
"Seriously, doc, do we have to keep doing this? I mean, it's the same thing over and over. You try to conquer the world, I stop you. You try to kill me, I do what I can to stay alive. You screwed up big time, and now you have an entire population living on those islands that you're ready to exterminate. This isn't a mistake you can erase. You can't go through with this."
"Really?" Cortex growled as he cocked his pistol. "I fear that I am prepared to succeed in my mission, Crash, one way or another."
Crash realized that Cortex was not willing to negotiate. Not with empty words, anyway. Crash took a deep breath, and then stepped forward.
"Fine. Let's make a deal. The only one I can make. Let the kid go, let my sister finish disarming the toxin, and I'll surrender."
Although Crash wasn't looking at Coco, he knew her jaw probably dropped to the floor.
"Crash, are you insane?"
Cortex, on the other hand, looked incredibly pleased. Crash could see the wheels turning in his ridiculously massive head. He was considering it. Crash proceeded to the up-sell.
"That's all you ever really wanted, wasn't it? I was the first failure, and I'm the reason for every following failure you've had, and there've been a good few. Or are you willing to let this toxin kill me? That doesn't sound like the Cortex I know. The Cortex I know is prepared to get his hands dirty. So, what do you say? Wouldn't you rather take me out with your own hands?"
Cortex licked his lips, and soon a wide smile spread over his face. Just as Crash predicted, Cortex wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this. However, also as Crash suspected, he wasn't willing to follow the terms to a T. He removed the gun from Jag's head, and lifted it toward Crash.
"You're right, Crash. Killing you myself will be so much more satisfying. And after you're dead, the rest of your pathetic freaks will follow."
"Not exactly the deal, doc." Crash sighed. "But, give it your best shot."
There was a moment of prolonged stillness between these seconds. Crash didn't know what Coco was doing, but he suspected she was fretting something awful. Crash was completely in range of Cortex's gun, and he wouldn't have a chance to dodge out of the way before getting hit. Crash was betting on one of two things. To his utmost relief, one of those things pulled through. As soon as the gun was taken away from his head, Jag latched his small jaws around Cortex's arm and bit him. Cortex obviously did not expect this move, because he shouted out in pain and released Jag with no questions asked. Crash dropped to his knee, gesturing for Jag.
"Come here kid, run!"
Jag didn't need to be told twice. He ran down the stairs as fast as he could, and Crash scooped him up into his arms. Coco was bent over the equipment now, doing her darndest to render the toxin harmless. Cortex was beginning to recover from the attack, and looked to be returning to his intentions of doing something rather unspeakable with his firearm. Crash glanced around rapidly. Without fully thinking it through, he wrapped his hands around a lead pipe, and held it at the ready to throw. When Cortex saw his choice of weapon, he smirked.
"Really, is that the best you can do, Crash? I am rather astonished. I expected a better conceived plan to take place, but I can see now that you are simply winging this entire operation. It is such a pity for the poor creatures that are looking to you to protect them."
During Cortex's monologue, Crash had noticed something incredibly interesting transpiring from above. His confidence escalated so much, that he tossed the pipe away, and offered Cortex one of his dazzling bandicoot smiles.
"Oh, I don't know about that. I think I should still make this year's fan magazine front page if I watch my step."
Cortex shook his head with a wicked grin.
"Goodbye, Crash Bandicoot."
Just at that moment, the second of his bets unfolded before him. A blond-haired woman dropped from the ceiling and landed directly on Cortex's shoulders, knocking him to the ground. Crash tilted his head with a gentle smile.
"If I had a nickel every time I heard that."
Isabella lifted her head, and met Crash's eyes. She rose to her full height, gazing down at the immobile doctor beneath her. She pressed her hands to her hips.
"That was a lot of pressure you put on me, Bandicoot. You bet everything on the chance that I would appear in the nick of time to save your butt?"
"Pretty much. My mind only works in short-case scenarios."
Coco clapped her hands together in elation, and preformed a very sloppy spin of triumph.
"Did it! The toxin's no longer a threat."
"Good on ya sis." Crash congratulated with a thumbs up.
Coco skipped toward them, still making sure she had N. Gin covered. Crash was sort of feeling sorry for the cyborg, standing there uselessly as his whole lab was commandeered. Only a little bit sorry. Coco looked at Isabella, and gripped her arm.
"Thanks for saving my brother."
Isabella shrugged.
"Knocking that puny doctor for a loop was too good to pass up. If anything else happened as a result, it was purely coincidental."
Coco seemed to understand Isabella's sense of humor. After all, it was reasonably similar to another bandicoot she knew. Suddenly, a look of surprise came over Coco's face.
"Wait, if you're here, doesn't that mean…?"
Isabella spared a look behind her, and gestured to the door.
"We should probably get out of here."
Crash supposed that was for the best. If Isabella was able to get away from Tina for a minute, there was no doubt the tigress was enraged and on the search. Crash had no intention for waiting for that unwelcome appearance. However, before they could make their escape, Dr. Cortex staggered back to his feet, his eyes flaming with rage.
"What do you believe you've accomplished, you fools? We still possess the toxin, despite the fact you have disarmed it. It will take mere moments to undo your work. You have gained nothing."
"Oh no?" Coco seemed extremely pleased with herself. She lifted a controller into her hands, and clicked a button. "I have returned the toxin to its original state, and in about a minute all that poison you mass-produced is going to be reversed and targeted toward humans. If I were you, I'd find a protective chamber to hide in and soon."
The expression of sheer bewilderment that crossed Cortex's face was priceless. It took all of Crash's reserve not to burst out into laughter. Cortex snarled, and stepped backward. He pointed toward Crash with a snarl of hatred upon his face.
"You will regret this, Crash Bandicoot!"
"I'll take your word for it, as usual."
Both Cortex and the little runt N. Gin tore off out the door, most likely on their way to hide in a few sealed compartments. As they disappeared, Crash, Jag, Coco and Isabella turned in the opposite direction and exited the lab. Crash continued to hold Jag in his arms as he ran. Although Crash was aware that the little panther cub was probably quick enough to keep up with them, he didn't want to put that strain on his short little legs. As it was, Jag had such a tight grip around Crash's arm that he doubted he'd be able to shrug the kid off anyway. Sprinting through the halls, Crash let out a whistle.
"Wow, Coco. Setting a poisonous compound loose seems a little intense for you. Looks like you're moving up."
Coco smiled nastily.
"Yeah, well you can't say he doesn't deserve it."
Crash was almost fooled into thinking she was serious, when she suddenly chuckled with good-humor.
"I didn't actually recalibrate the toxin to target humans. I destroyed it. But I didn't think Cortex needed to know that. I'm sure it will take quite a while for Cortex to investigate the unleashed poison before he gets up the nerve to step out of his oxygen bubble. That makes me feel good."
Crash laughed.
"Way to go sis, that's thinking on your feet."
"So that weapon can no longer be used to target us?" Isabella confirmed.
"That's right. At this very moment it is breaking down into harmless chemicals, and will keep breaking down until it disappears completely."
Isabella offered the smallest of smiles, and Crash was astonished to see that there was a hint of admiration in her expression.
"Nice."
If anyone could succeed in impressing Isabella, it was Coco. Crash was so used to such unrivaled brilliance from his sister that he kept overlooking the fact that without her, he'd be sunk. As they continued down the corridor, Jag spoke out quietly to get Crash's attention. Crash regarded him.
"What's up mate?"
"Did you find my friends? They were hiding in one of the halls before I was caught."
"We've got them, Jag." Coco said with a reassuring smile. "They're safe. Crunch is taking care of them."
Crash smirked with amusement.
"Crunch? You were able to talk that big galoot into babysitting? You possess an array of talents, don't you, dear sister."
"Well, he had to take care of Kieran too. He didn't put up too much of a struggle, fortunately."
Crash was about to ask why Kieran needed taking care of, when Coco's communicating doodad began to beep. She gripped it in her hand and activated it. At once, Crunch's voice boomed over the radio.
"Coco? Hello...Damn this stupid thing. Coco, are you there?"
Apparently Crunch was confused about the workings of his radio. Coco pressed the speaker to her mouth and spoke.
"I'm here Crunch, please don't break the radio. You tend to smash things when you're frustrated."
"I've been trying to get through to you for ten minutes! Where are you?"
"Remember, patience is a virtue, Crunchy!" Crash shouted into the speaker.
"Is that Crash?" Crunch's voice demanded. "Can you tell him to keep his mouth shut, or the next time I see him I'll bash in his nose."
"Well, someone's in a nasty mood." Crash muttered with a small smile.
Coco shoved Crash away with an angry scowl.
"Quit goofing around, you idiot." She returned her attention to the radio. "We destroyed the toxin, Crunch. We're on our way out now. Where are you?"
"I got Kieran to give me directions back to your glider. But we're bogged down with some kind of security androids. We're going to need some help over here."
"Alright, we're heading your way."
Crash didn't have a particularly good sense of direction, so he relied on the girls to get them to the place they needed to be. Coco seemed quite confident that she knew where she was going. There was also better signage throughout the lower levels of the lab, so Crash didn't give his sister too much credit. As soon as they rounded the final corner, Crash felt his heart jump into his throat. A group of about eight scary looking robots turned their metal heads to the side and faced the intruders. Their red eyes flashed, and they abruptly turned their laser cannons in their direction. Crash was quite sure that without Isabella's intervention, both he and Coco, as well as little Jag, would have been fried on the spot. However, thankfully Isabella's instincts were far quicker to take action.
"Move it!" She shouted, barreling into Crash, who in turn barreled into Coco.
The whole group of them tumbled into a heap, but before Crash could even gain his bearings Isabella was pushing him behind a titanium wall. The next thing Crash knew, he was bent in a peculiar position behind the barricade. Coco was pressed next to him, doing a once over to make sure Jag hadn't been hurt when Crash lost his grip on him. Coco's radio began to beep again, and Coco activated it.
"Yeah?"
"What the heck are you guys doing? Didn't I tell you we were getting shot at by security robots? What makes you think you can just come bursting through the door?"
Coco shook her head in irritation.
"We forgot, okay? We're all fine, by the way."
"You're of no use to us now, you're in the same position we are."
Before Coco could come up with a snippy reply, Isabella took the radio out of her hands.
"Are there only these eight robots?"
If Crunch was confused by the change of voices, he didn't remark on it.
"So far, yeah."
"We'll just have to take them out one by one. How many do you think you can get rid of?"
"I can plow through at least four, but I might not get very far if the others start shooting."
"I'll cover you. When I give the word, take out your four. Crash and I will distract the others."
This was the part of the discussion that interested Crash. His ears perked up.
"I'll do what? Hey, I don't even have a weapon or anything."
Isabella shot him an amused look.
"You've never had a weapon, and that hasn't stopped you before. This will give you the opportunity to show off all those incredible world-saving skills of yours."
Crash frowned, he wasn't too keen on that idea. However, before he could relate this, Isabella had already turned to Coco.
"What about you? Can you fight?"
Coco grinned heartily.
"I've been known to kick a few butts."
"Good, then you head for the first robot you see and put it out of commission."
Crash wanted to debate this plan, but he didn't get a chance. After Isabella instructed Jag to stay where he was until the danger was over, she placed her mouth against the radio.
"Go!" She shouted, and then she and Coco shot off into the fray.
With a grumble, Crash followed along. The battle did not last long, which Crash was thankful for. Crunch was the first one to connect, smashing his iron fist into the face of the first robot he could reach. Isabella jumped on the back of the closest robot to her and pounded the control panel with her heel. When it had been damaged enough to weaken its grip, Isabella wrenched the laser gun out of its hands, and then fired a sufficient amount of bolts into the robot's head. Now, with a weapon, Isabella was able to cover Crunch's onslaught. Coco was already in the middle of a desperate struggle with one of the metal-heads when Crash glanced over, but judging by her tactics the battle would not last very long. She tore off the plate at the back of the robot's head and began tugging out wires. Within moments, the robot buckled forward. Crash was actually hopeful that he wouldn't have to make any contribution at all. However, those hopes were dashed when a massive robot clomped directly in front of him. Crash sighed.
"Oh well, can't be helped."
Crash ran full speed at the robot, and at the last moment performed a sweet baseball slide between the metal man's legs. Before the robot had time to get a lock on him, Crash bounced onto its back and settled himself down on top of its shoulders. There, he waited. In spite of all their clever programming, most robots were still as dumb as a sack of hammers. This one was no exception. As Crash remained camped out near its head, the robot lifted its ray gun and prepared to blast Crash off his back. Just as Crash anticipated, as soon as it squeezed off its shot the robot's metal head exploded. Crash jumped off the robot just as the body crumpled to the ground. Crash glanced around to see how the others were doing.
There was only one robot left in the hanger, and within three seconds that robot was knocked into scrap courtesy of Crunch's huge metal hand. Crash rubbed his hands together with a satisfied smile.
"Well, that was a nifty bit of bot-beating. I must say that I in particular demonstrated impressive finesse."
"You did next to squat Crash." Coco muttered irritably. "You were just lucky."
"Story of my life." Crash said with a grin.
When the battle was over, Crunch made his way back to the group of children. He returned with Kieran in his arms, and a trail of kids falling in behind him. Coco called out to Jag, who came bounding over with obvious relief to see all his friends safe. As Crash watched the reunion, something caught his attention. He turned his head, and noticed a familiar face flash upon one of the security screens. Wherever Tina Tiger was, she was absolutely irate.
"Return and face me, coward!" Tina shouted, her teeth bared in fury. "I will not have you escape me again. This shall end here. Finish this fight, gutless she-bandicoot!"
Crash shot a glance at Isabella, and judging by the grim look on her face she fully intended to find the tigress and shut her up once and for all. However, before she could act on her anger, Coco called out with a fearful voice.
"Crash! More are on the way!"
Crash whirled, his brow furrowed as he met his sister's gaze.
"What?"
"More security robots, at least two dozen."
"Cortex must've sent them." Kieran said in a low voice.
Crash, like everyone else, quickly understood the gravity of their predicament. They had to get out of there, now. Coco gripped the hands of two little children, and started running to the glider.
"Come on, let's go!"
Crunch had already jumped into action, carrying Kieran toward the glider door while trying to usher some of the little ones to increase their paces. Crash was about to assist, when he noted Isabella's uncertainty. Her eyes were glued to Tina's raging face on the screen. In effort to sway her decision, Crash laid a hand on her arm. She jumped, and shot a glance at him as though his hand had burned her. Crash cocked his head.
"We could use your help."
Isabella frowned. She then offered one final glance at the battle she was turning her back on, and then heaved a heavy sigh. Without answering, Isabella rushed forward and scooped up two of the children. Crash felt himself smile, despite the danger of their situation, and rushed to help lift the kids into the hole in the glider. Due to the nature of the craft, the entry was small and high. Only one person could fit in at a time. Coco jumped inside first, and gripped each child that Crunch handed her. Crash organized them into a line, while Isabella covered them with her commandeered ray gun. When the last child was loaded into the glider, Crunch jumped aboard closely followed by Crash. Crash turned, ready to help Isabella in after him. However, she was still standing in precisely the same place. Crash gave her a quizzical look.
"Come on, we've got to go."
"Then get going, Bandicoot." Isabella grinned slyly. "I've got something I need to take care of."
Isabella offered a brief dip of her head, turned on her heel, and tore off down the corridor. Crash's jaw fell slack, his shock keeping him from acting at once.
"Isabella!" The call was pointless, she was already gone.
Crash stuck his legs out of the hole, preparing to go after her, when he felt a tight grip on his arm yank him back into the glider. Crash turned and shot an irritated grimace toward Crunch.
"Do you mind? I'm trying to make a quick exit."
"Don't be an idiot. Stay here."
Crash snorted.
"You guys have everything under control now. She might need some help."
"Yes, she might." Crunch agreed. "But if you go out there, you're just going to end up getting in the way. She's not stupid, and she won't put herself in situations she can't handle. You, on the other hand…"
"Yeah, yeah, I see your point. I don't need any details." Crash heaved a sigh. "I just hope she comes back."
Crunch smiled, and gave Crash a pat on the shoulder.
"She'll be back, I guarantee it."
Crash returned the smile. Although he didn't place too much anticipation on Crunch's speculation, he hoped Isabella would reconvene with them after she finished wiping the floor with Tina. Crash hit the activation to close the door, and then settled in amid the kiddies. Coco was already in the pilot seat, her fingers a whirl as she activated the engines and prepared for take-off. The plane lifted into the air, and shot out of the hanger just as the group of walking security weapons marched inside the chamber.