Chapter Three- Lost Continent

Crash lost all coherent consciousness, and cringed as his mind flailed about unmercifully. One hand snapped to his head in a futile attempt to slow the racing, and his other hand was still latched with his sister's. A quiet sound, or an echo from far away, began to tick in Crash's ears. It was slow at first, and then it became faster and more urgent. Crash bit his lip. He felt as though he was trapped in the ocean, pounded constantly by bone-crushing waves. He heard a small yelp, and without thinking he pulled Coco toward him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and he felt her nose against his chest as she turned away from the whirling light. Crash grimaced.

Alright already, how long is this freaking spectacle gonna last? I'm gonna loose my lunch.

Crash's internal question was answered a moment later. The ground rushed up to meet them far too quickly, so quick in fact that Crash tumbled with built momentum, dragging Coco after him. For a few seconds the two of them lay in a crumpled heap, both willing their worlds to stop spinning. Finally Coco struggled from beneath Crash.

"You're crushing me." She moaned.

Crash rolled off his sister, and remained flat on his back, staring into the sky. He had a killer headache, and his body felt as though he had just circled N. Sanity Isle twice. He let out a long groan as he rubbed his forehead.

"That was a rough entry." Crash spoke after a moment of rubbing.

Coco had forced herself upright, and sat with her hands braced on her knees. "I've never felt anything like that before. What happened?"

Crash kept his gaze up, not in the mood to move. "Well, if that little whirling show did what it was supposed to, we should be in a different place in the timeline. I hope we went back to yesterday, when I was napping peacefully without all this Cortex junk ruining my sleep."

"Time travel is impossible. I told Aku that. We probably just…" Coco trailed into silence.

Crash lifted his head to see what had his sister so perplexed, and he dropped his jaw as he realized what she was looking at. A giant ship was bobbing slightly in the cradle of steady ocean waves, and by the flowing black flag that flapped from the mast Crash expected they were not friendly fishermen. Crash felt Coco grasp his arm in frightened disbelief. Crash snickered.

"Time travel is impossible eh? Well, those look like pirates to me." Crash offered his sister a friendly nudge. "Your problem is your logic always gets in the way. Just go with the flow Sis."

Coco's gaze was glued to the ship, which seemed to have changed direction. "I don't know what you're so happy about Crash, I think they've seen us."

Crash scoffed. "Yeah, what if they did? What are they going to do from way over-"

Crash was interrupted by the shattering of rock that exploded in close proximity to the bandicoot siblings. Crash was tossed to his back from the force of the explosion, almost falling off the piece of slate he noticed just now they were sitting on. Coco grasped him by fur at his chest and steadied him.

"Ow." Crash whined, smoothing out his soiled fur. "Be careful would'ja?"

Coco shot him a glare. "Would you get moving? Unless of course you want a cannonball roughing up that stupid face of yours."

Crash frowned, and scrambled to his feet with Coco close behind him. Crash and Coco rushed over the slippery rocks, both careful not to slip. There was a cave not to far ahead, and although ocean water leaked its way inside it, the water was undisturbed by the waves. Crash had been afraid for a moment that Coco would slip, since the path of rocks was narrow. He needn't have worried however. Just as this thought crossed his mind, he felt his foot miss its next step completely. Crash made a silly exclamation just as Coco hooked her fingers around the belt loops of his jeans.

"Would you stop falling?" She admonished angrily, taking the lead.

Crash shook his head in exasperation. What was the world coming to when little sisters had to protect their elder brothers? Crash wasn't in the mood to think about it. He followed Coco into the cave, feeling an unwelcome chill dance off the tips of his fur. His foot splashed into a puddle and he groaned.

"Well this is just fantastic."

Coco looked over her shoulder at the opening of the cave. "They're not shooting at us, so that's a plus at least."

Crash shook out his shoe as he continued forward. "Yeah, but that doesn't necessarily mean they forgot about us. We should get that thing Aku wanted and hightail it out of here."

Coco stepped into stride with her brother. "But even if we do find it, how is Aku going to know? We might be here for a while."

As the two of them walked father into the dank cave, still somehow illuminated by streams of sunlight, Crash patted Coco on the head.

"Worry about that when we come to it. That's my motto."

Coco swatted Crash's hand away. "I thought your motto was: eat, sleep and be lazy."

"Merry." Crash corrected happily. "That's another good one."

"All that nonsense aside, we better find that relic Aku was talking about quick." Coco faltered for a moment. "Crash, do you think the pirates are after the relic too?"

Crash turned around instinctively, but as expected the new view didn't bring him any enlightenment. He shrugged.

"If they are, they're gonna be pretty disappointed."

Coco opened her mouth in preparation for a response, but the clarification dawned on her and she snapped her jaw closed. The two of them were silent for a few moments, collecting their thoughts as they strode through the cave. As Crash walked, he noticed that although water remained inside the cave, it was now flowing from ahead instead of from behind. Crash scratched his chin. Where exactly were they going? Crash and Coco rounded a bend in the cavern, and both bandicoots stopped instantly when they viewed what lay before them. The cavern opened up to the sun and sky, bordering a cornucopia of ancient structures gathered in its centre. Pillars and fragments of statues lay scattered across the wet ground that almost looked like shiny marble. At first glance, the entire place appeared to be nothing more than a pale sandstone cove, not worth the attention of any passerby. Yet the detail and craftsmanship of the ancient ruins was astounding, and Crash could hear Coco gasp quietly beside him.

"Crash…do you know what this is?"

Crash pretended to consider, and plunged his hands in his pockets. "Some ancient rubble?"

"I know it's hard for you not to be an ignorant dope, but please try." Coco grasped Crash by the arm and pulled him among the rocks and wreckage. "From the architecture and artistic influence all over this place, I think this is the gate that leads to the ruins of Atlantis."

Crash wrinkled his nose as he swerved to avoid a statue of a very disturbing face. "Isn't that the place that disappeared under the sea or something?"

Coco nodded. "The relic must be somewhere within these ruins. But if it's as powerful as Aku says, I doubt it'll be sitting out here at the gateway."

Crash grimaced. "Does that mean we have to go, you know, inside?"

"Don't be a baby about it Crash. You bragged to me how you save the world the last time. This is no different."

Crash sobbed. "I didn't particularly like doing all those crazy, lethal things, and if my opinion mattered at all I wouldn't be doing it."

Coco was slowing down, and stopped abruptly to lay her hand on one of the pillars. She was in obvious awe at the entire place. Soon, she placed her attention back to her inept brother.

"Cortex wants these relics too. We'd better watch out for him."

Crash laughed as they continued through the debris. "You mean we need to watch out for his cronies. That stupid creep wouldn't have the guts to fight me man to man…or bandicoot more like."

As the pair wandered through the capsized ruins, Crash noticed with fascination that the floor was indeed made of smooth marble. A little cracked and dirty maybe, but the last thing he expected in a rocky cove like this. There was a consistent layer of water that lapped gently on the fallen statues, and Crash tried not to splash as he stepped. Even though his feet were already nice and wet, his pants were relatively dry and he hoped to keep them that way. Though that appeared to be quite unlikely. Finally, Crash and Coco made it to what looked like the entrance. Crash stopped suddenly, but Coco continued toward the stone doorway, hand outstretched. Crash had just noticed that most of the stone had looked like it had been recently drenched. Something didn't seem right about this, especially when the area was protected from the ocean by a stronghold of rock.

"Uh…" Crash had a bad feeling creep through him, and heeded his instinct.

With a quick movement, Crash grasped Coco's arm, stopping her from touching the stone. Coco whirled on him, eyes angry.

"Hey!"

"I don't think this is the right way."

"Do you see another door around here?"

Crash glanced around, but although his gut told him to leave this entrance alone, he couldn't see any alternative. Crash released Coco's hand, and ignored her glare. There must be another way in. Crash turned, and noticed with a small grin that there was a pleasant little arrangement not far from where they stood. A majestic fountain was centered in what looked like a stone courtyard, but Crash had a funny suspicion. He strode over to the fountain, and Coco reluctantly followed.

"Crash, we're wasting time."

"Patience is a virtue Coco." Crash advised as he leaned toward the fountain.

"Is it patience or laziness?" Coco muttered from behind.

Crash decided not to reply to that, since it seemed as though such a conversation would lead them nowhere. Coco still appeared quite suspicious as she leaned on the fountain's wall. Since the basin was dry, Crash vaulted over the wall and focused on the elaborate centerpiece. Vaguely, Crash could just make out the chiseled indentations of an old man's face, and he wrinkled his brow.

"You'd think that an ancient sculptor could find a prettier inspiration than some old guy."

Coco groaned, and tapped her fingers on the stonework. "What are you doing? We are wasting a lot of time here you know."

Crash studied the lines in the fountain. "I'd expect a scientific chick like you would be suspicious at why there is water flowing from this cove, when the ocean doesn't connect to it. Also, that the stones are not just ancient, but are really smooth too. That seems silly, considering the wind can't blow very hard though all this rock. So I think to myself, say, why don't we play it safe and look for another way in?"

Coco seemed to be computing this, and when she spoke her tone was of disbelief. "Seriously, you thought about that all on your own? That's more thinking then I've ever seen you do in one place.

"It's a random condition, but it usually gives me quite a nice head's up. Hah, here we go."

Crash had found a hollow grove in the stone, and gently pushed it forward. It teetered, off balance, and disappeared into the blackness an instant later. Crash stuck his head in the shaft, and felt a shiver dance up his spine. He looked at Coco hesitantly.

"Well, ladies first."

With a grimacing groan, Coco swung her legs over the opening and fixed him with a glare.

"You're a scardy-cat."

Crash grinned. "Scaredy-bandicoot."

Coco looked as though she had lost the strength to sigh, but Crash could imagine her exasperation. An instant later, Coco dropped into the hole, and a reluctant second passed before her brother followed. He never liked falling though the air, at any time. It was a very uncomfortable sensation, especially when one didn't have an idea when they'd-

Thump.

Crash felt crumpled as he lay in a mangled heap. Damn, that hurt.

"Are you alright Twinkletoes?" Coco had a knack for making concern sound sarcastic. "You realize we only dropped about ten feet."

"Yeah, well ten feet can give you a wallop of stars if you land right on your head."

Crash's vision began to settle, and he noticed with satisfaction that the passage was not completely dark, just mostly dark. Crash accepted Coco's outstretched hand, and with impressive strength she hauled him to his feet. His little sister frightened him sometimes. When he was able to stand without tipping over, Crash shook off his dizziness and prepared himself for what lay down the passage. Truth be told, although it was dim inside, the hallway itself was excessively beautiful. The sculptures and sleek stone floor did not look nearly as weather-beaten as the foyer outside, yet there was a pretty obvious explanation for that. Though despite the fact that this place was protected by the wind, Crash expected the place to look a little more aged than it did. He shrugged, and started at an easy pace down the hall with Coco scurrying to get into stride beside him. They hadn't walked more than a few feet when Coco sniffed the air.

"Something smells…like fish."

"If there's an ocean surrounding us, I don't think a fishy smell is something to be concerned about. When you hear crashing water, then you can give me a shout."

"Well, if there's a mildew smell in here, that might mean that this place joins right up to the ocean. It was just an observation you idiot, stop questioning me."

Crash didn't bother speaking again. It was obvious that Coco was in a sour mood. He couldn't really blame her. He was used to all this whirling through unknown realms and gathering up ancient power sources, but this was her first time out in the field. He grinned.

She wanted to come along.

The two bandicoots rounded a corner, and Crash felt his jaw drop out of sheer amazement at what lay before them. The passage they had just been walking threw gave way to an impressive open lagoon. The highest point of the roof was too far up for Crash to see. All around this lagoon were stone statues and massive tablets with strange elegant symbols inscribed on their surface. Crash could feel the warm humidity muck up his fur, but he shook off the clamminess quickly enough. Crash noticed that there was something shining like a fallen star under the surface of the water. The bandicoot siblings stepped forward simultaneously, and Coco leaned over to get a better look.

"Is that it?"

Crash scratched the back of his head. "Well, this is the first really shiny thing we've come across so far, so I think it would be a good bet that it is."

Before Coco could speak again, the structure surrounding them vibrated slightly and there was a loud rumbling noise that was over just as fast as it began. In response to the far off explosion, some tiny shards of rock and dust rained down from the ceiling. Coco turned wide eyes behind them.

"What was that?"

Crash had a pretty good idea.

"I think the pirates know about the booby trap out front. Maybe they're trying to blast their way through."

Crash didn't know whether pirates were particularly bright or not, but hurling cannonballs into an ancient temple didn't seem like the most efficient way to loot it. There'd be a ton of rubble to dig through after they were through with the place, and Crash for one didn't want to be trapped under it.

"You can swim, right?" Crash asked.

Coco gave him a questioning expression. "Uh, yeah."

Crash grinned. "Good. Just dive down there and grab that shiny thing. Okay?"

As the last word was spoken, Crash turned on his heel and strode away.

"Crash! Where are you going?" Coco's voice was flabbergasted, but there were also traces of anger in there.

Crash turned around with a grin.

"I'm going to go get rid of those pirates. It's much easier then what I'd have to do if I stayed."

"Easier than fighting pirates?"

"I can't swim."