Coco couldn't believe her eyes. She had been visibly distraught when Crash had demolished the relics that were so much trouble to collect. It was only when the glowing and sparking of the shards billowed into the air that she realized Crash's plan. The shimmering coils of multicolored energy twirled through the air, and a wind was conjured by the shards, creating a horrible suction. Uka's face was a mix of anger and confusion, neither emotion outweighing the other. Aku had yet to react to the action, his face oddly transfixed. Crash began to step backward as the shards swirled together so fast they were creating some kind of vortex. Coco gasped. The fragments of the time relics were joining as one to create a warp hole. Coco stepped forward to yell for Crash, but the whirring of air and the thrumming of pulsing energy drowned out her voice.
The rift in time was taking effect, and it was reaching hungrily for Uka Uka. The evil mask fought against the tendrils of energy, but it was no use. He shouted in rage as he was emerged within the hole of dimensions, disappearing from sight. Coco felt relief flood into her chest, and she released a breath she hadn't even realized she'd been holding.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, Coco saw Cortex. His face was deformed in demonic anger, and as he produced a handheld weapon from his coat, Coco took action. It was hard to run as the air sucked and twirled around her, but she fought through it. Cortex lifted his weapon, aiming toward where a triumphant Crash stood with his hands in his pockets, relaxed and unaware.
"No!"
Coco slammed her hand against the gun, and Cortex's face was a mask of shock as the weapon clattered to the floor. He didn't even have time to regroup from Coco's attack, since a second later Coco slammed her foot into the scientist's chest. With a strangled gnarl of a yelp, Cortex spiraled through the air and he to was caught in the whirling rip through time.
"You will regret…this!"
Those where the last words Crash or Coco heard from the deranged doctor. Crash rushed toward Coco's side and she wrapped her arms around his waist as the air continued to swirl. Aku appeared in front of them, finally recovering from his momentary lapse, and fixed his eyes on the bandicoot siblings.
"Don't let each other go." Aku instructed.
Crash cocked his head with a small smile, and struggled to speak through Coco's death grip. "No fear of that."
Coco kept her ironclad grip on her brother as a warm golden light folded around them. It felt like the warmth of the sun after days of rain. Coco closed her eyes, and let herself fall into the warmth.
--
Crash was asleep, and it was remarkable. He felt warm and comfortable, and he could hear the distant sounds of squawking seagulls. As Crash lay there in ecstasy, a small smile fluttered to his lips. He enjoyed nothing more than basking in the sun. Suddenly, a distorted voice rang into his ears.
"Crash?"
Crash ignored the voice. He was sleepy, and he deserved his rest. Yet the voice was determined to keep bugging him.
"Crash!"
"Scram, I'm asleep."
The voice faded into silence for a moment, but when it spoke again Crash could detect a hint of distain.
"Suit yourself. Have a nice dip."
Crash settled back down, getting more comfortable, when the meaning of the words hit him. Dip? Inconveniently, a massive wave reached out its wet claws and washed over Crash. Crash was none too happy as he flailed though the wave awkwardly. The ocean water tossed him back onto the beach and retreated, leaving Crash lying flat on his back and looking up into the satisfied face of his little sister.
"One day Crash, you'll get it."
Crash sat up and shook the water out of his ears, now fully awake and slightly irritated. He glanced up at his sister and smiled.
"Actually, I needed that. Gotta wash the stink off me, you know?"
Coco sat on a fallen log and began to swing her legs as she looked out toward the ocean. The expression on her face was almost tranquil, except for a slight furrow of her brow. Finally she turned to look at him.
"Are you okay? You know…"
Crash waved his hand dismissively. "Tut tut, there's no need to worry dear sister. Though I've got to admit that my pride's a little bruised at having the crap kicked out of me by a plank of wood. Other than that I'm A-okay."
Coco was smiling, and Crash was glad to see it. Then she hopped off the log with a new bouncing energy.
"Aku told me to bring you to the house when you woke up. He wants to talk to us, probably just to make sure we're okay and everything. Not sure."
Crash nodded, yawned and got to his feet. Just as he did, a rumbling sound shook the beach around them. Coco offered a skeptical look, and Crash grinned hesitantly. When he was hungry, others tended to know it.
"Hee hee."
Coco sighed and handed him a wamba fruit she'd been concealing. Crash's eyes widened and he accepted the fruit gratefully. Coco looked exasperated.
"Your stupid stomach's been growling like that for hours. You're scaring all the animals."
Crash was too busy devouring the wamba fruit that he hadn't time to answer. Coco grasped him by the arm and the two of them walked back to the hut.