Chapter 20
N. gin's labs had always been loud from electricity running through the walls while operating machinary and have N. gin and their workers constantly running around working on every project, but with N. Gin's absence, none of the machines are turned on, collecting dust and cobwebs during time from neglect. No signs of life with the rooms as the darkness gives an errie atmosphere, except from one room where the light bleeds through the door and con hear humming from the other side. It turns out to be Rusty the Walrus who seems to be enjoying time to be by himself as he goes around the kitchen, preparing something that looks like a science experiment itself. A bowl full of dark, green gunk with chunks of salmon, horseradish sauce, tiny bits of bones, worms and mashed up avocado that looks discoloured with shades of moldy green with a bit of crushed chillis that gives off a pungent smell of fishy, mold and spice combo. He gives it a little taste and feels like its missing something. He has an idea and went into the cupboard and bring out a big jar of marmite when he can feel rumbling that's shaking the whole lab, causing his food mixture to spill on to the floor where the pungency burns the hole on the floor. He looks out the window to see a flying mech drewing closer and closer to him in a high speed when he realised it's going to crash at this very window. Before he could get away, the mech crashed into the kitchen, destroying the appliances and into the cupboard, causing the flour and moldy preserves dropped on to the head where the visor opens to reveal N. Gin looking dizzy while trying to get out while everyone else cae out of the side door in the same state.
"Crikey mate! Did you have to fly so damn fast!?" Dingodile said as he managed to stop the dizziness. N. Gin shakes their head,
"We can't waste anymore time, you saw the zombies and Neo and Nadia's lives are at stake. We just need to get the plasma ammo and get out." they look around to see Rufus squashed like a pancake, right at the back of the cupboard. N. Gin grabs him and immediately got Rufus back into 3D and turns to everyone who has just recovered from the wild ride.
"Guys, I would like you to meet my assistant and creation, Rufus the Walrus." Crash steps back with a hint of fear as he remembers the walrus too well, how he was constantly chased by him to become dinner. He can see Rufus staring at him with hunger again and licking his lips. The others noticed this and made a barrier in front of Crash as he charges at him.
"No Rufus! These are my new friends. We are working together to save our boss. Why don't you cook something for our friends, that doesn't involve them as ingredients." Rufus looks down and grumble but comply anyway as he cleans up the mess of his abomination of a creation and start making a new dish. Everyone else can't help but scrunch their noses from the pungent smell,
"Ugh, that is foul! I'm going to help you not giving us food poisoning!" Crunch shouts as he follows Rufus while Aku aku goes to N. Gin,
"Maybe we can help with finding the ammo, and Crash is good at finding things as well." Crash nods his head rapidly.
N. Gin is unsure of this as they're well aware Crash is not an intelligent marsupial but with Aku aku helping him, it can't be too bad.
"Ok, well remember the green bullets I shoot at you with the MechaBandicoot?" they said to Crash nods his head,
"That's what we're looking for. It's in a metal tank full of green liquid with a little nozzel at the end. It also has the word P.L.A.S.M.A on the side." Crash gives a salute and both of them walks out of the kitchen. Aku aku sees Tawna and Pinstripe struggling with Coco and Nina, trying to get out of the Mech.
"Actually Crash and N. Gin, you guys go ahead, I just need to check and see if Coco is ok." both of them understand.
"There is a medicine cabinet in the bathroom if you need anything." N. Gin said and continues on while Aku aku floats towards Tawna.
"How is she?" he said frantically,
"She's not getting worse but she's not getting better either." Aku aku looks over her and see the veins are still bright purple, the essence moving through her body.
"This is very serious. I will need to go into her mind and see what's going on. Maybe Nadia can shed some light on this." Tawna sighed as she sets Coco down on giant sacks, hoping its comfortable.
"Aku aku, I'm going to be honest, I do not trust Nadia in the slightest, especially since she's Cortex's wife. This whole thing is just insane to me." Aku aku nods his head,
"I understand but I had known the Cortexes before her disappearance and before he became truly evil under my brother so I trust her, especially if she's fighting for her family." Tawna's still not convinced.
"And it takes someone else's suffering for that to happen? I get it, she's trapped, wants to be with her family but Coco shouldn't have to go through with this. She's a kid! Why Coco out of everyone!? She looks like death! Her body can't deal with this!" Pinstripe holds Nina upright as they watch the fight, they can also see Aku aku losing his patience but keeping his cool.
"And that is why I need to go in and talk to Nadia, so let me." Tawna feels conflicted, she looks back at Nina who is upright but obviously struggling to stand. If it wasn't for Pinstripe, she would have fallen and wouldn't get back up and Tawna knows Nina wants her family back. She steps aside and let Aku aku do what he needs to do.
"Alright, stand back everyone." As everyone takes a step back as Aku aku closes his eyes, meditating as he surrounds himself in golden aura like last time, putting his full attention on to Coco where she's glowing gold with Aku aku and float in mid air. Tawna wants to stop it but Nina holds her hand letting her know she'll be ok. They watch Aku aku who appears to be struggling more than last time but suddenly disappears but Coco still floats in midair with a golden aura around her. Tawna slowly walks towards her, cautiously touching her. She was expecting the aura to burn her but instead it is warm to the touch. She turns to Nina,
"So what happens now?" Pinstripe couldn't hold Nina any longer and gently set her down when she answered,
"We wait and hopefully he'll be able to tell us what happened to Aunt Nadia and Coco." Tawna still don't believe what's happening and just put her hands up in surrender.
"Okies, well can you guys wait here while find some medicine? In case anything happens." She said with a sigh and walks off. Nina looks up to Pinstripe and sees he is pale,
"Are you ok?" he looks back at her and took a deep breath,
"Yeah, it's just a lot to handle. You being hurt, boss being kidnapped, he has a wife who's also kidnapped, working with my enemies and learning that we are all fighting not only for your parents but also fighting for our lives. It's a lot to take in." Nina did a double take on what he said,
"My parents?" Pinstripe panicked, he had forgotten Nina didn't know and look back at her face to see her emotion going from confusion to disbelief. She figured it out.
"Uncle Neo and Aunt Nadia are my parents?" she sounds so broken to the point of crying,
"And all of you knew?" he can tell by her voice she is starting to cry when Pinstripe all can do is put his arm around her and comfort her as he remembers what Aku aku said back at the tribes village.
"What I am about to tell you two is under strict confidence ok. I want both of you to not tell Nina about this do you understand?" Pinstripe and Dingodile is a little scared of Aku aku and all they can do is nod.
"Neo is Nina's father, with his wife that he used to live with on N. Sanity Beach. He pretends Nina is his neice to protect her and he wants to keep the lie going until he is sure Nina is safe to know and that he's ready." Dingodile speaks up,
"Ok, and why tell us? We're enemies." Aku aku shakes his head,
"Maybe in this moment you can help us, we will need all the help we can get. Neo Cortex is your boss after all." Aku aku has a point and as both of them look at each other, they both nod they're heads at him.
"Good. I hope we can get along." Aku aku said as he floats away which caused Pinstripe to think. He doesn't like the idea of keeping this secret from Nina. He believes a child should know who her real parents are, especially if there lives are in danger. He sees Nina come out of the medical hut with Tawna and run up to them.
"Hey, there kid." Nina's face brightens up,
"Pinstripe! You're here!" she gives him a crushing hug, then let's go.
"I am so glad you're here!" Pinstripe still replays what Aku aku said and he can't help but give Nina a bit of sympathy.
"Are you ok Pinstripe?" Nina asked with concern which Pinstripe faked his smile.
"Yeah kid. I'm ok."
Hello everyone! I do hope you enjoy this chapter and that it's not too boring. Any feedback is much appreciated as long its not flaming. Do enjoy and keep reading!