Crash Bandicoot: The Beginning

*Chapter 8: A Crazy Waterfall Fight*

Crash went across the stream while Aku Aku is floating over his shoulder, looking out for any danger or listen for Ripper Roo. Crash found a fish on the grass, flopping around. He picked it up and place it in the water. The fish swam away from Crash's hands. The bandicoot smiled and waved at it. Aku Aku smiled a little. Crash hopped over to the log to climb on, feeling the water spray on him from the waterfall. As he made it to the top of the waterfall, Crash looked up at the trees to see monkeys swinging around, making noises. And there are some dingoes coming over to the stream to drink the clean water.

"There is no sign of that kangaroo, Crash. He must be on the second island where we should be heading. Remember the tribe gave us the boat to use to get to the islands." Aku Aku spoke. Crash nodded. They continued down the stream. Little did they know, there is one of Cortex's minions watching from the bushes quietly before leaving to inform his master.

"Dr. Cortex, Ripper Roo almost destroyed the Native Fortress, and Crash Bandicoot was there not too long ago." Brio said. Cortex was tinkering with the Vortex, listening to his partner. "Crash Bandicoot is still out there. Wh-what should we do, sir?"

"Don't worry about him, my friend. He won't be coming this far." Cortex said. "Why do you think I send my minions out there to bring him down? That bandicoot won't stand a chance out there. He doesn't have a clue of what was happening."

"Th-th-that's a thing, Cortex." Brio stuttered. "He isn't alone out there." Cortex turned to him, raising his eyebrow. Brio continued. "There is an ancient mask with him, guiding him. It is no other than the Great Aku Aku."

"Aku Aku?!" Cortex cried out in shock. "But how could that be? He's been asleep for years after I built my castle in this island to get rid of him! How is he awake and be with Crash?"

"Maybe...Crash woke him up from that temple." Brio said nervously. Cortex growled. He knocked down the glass tubes from the table, causing them to break on the floor. "Cortex!" Brio cried out. He rushed over to clean up the glass.

"That bandicoot is gone clever than I imagined." Cortex muttered, walking over the glass. "He awakens Aku Aku, he was at the village where he is lunch to the natives, now he could be on the second island where Ripper Roo is." He scratched his black beard, looking up at the ceiling. "Koala Kong is somewhere in the second island where the volcano is, Pinstripe is on this one to run a toxic waste. The rest of my creations are roaming around." He said to himself.

"Tiny will crush Crash Bandicoot!" Tiny spoke from the doorway, cracking his knuckles. Cortex and Brio turned to him. "Let Tiny find that bandicoot!"

"Patience, Tiny. If Ripper Roo and Kong didn't succeed, you are next in line." Cortex told the tiger. Outside the lab, Coco was eavesdropping. She was glad that Crash is okay so far and he is on his way to the second island. So, the female bandicoot tiptoed away from the doorway to leave. She plans to escape this castle to find Crash herself out there.
Coco went down to the bottom of the castle and every door is locked. There must be a way out of this place. But something caught her attention. There's a portrait of a beautiful woman. She has pale skin, brown eyes, and long black hair. Her lips are red as blood, making a smile that could make any man melt. Coco stares at the portrait in silent.

"Wow. She's so beautiful. But who could she be?" She wondered. Footsteps were heard from the hallway. Coco ran off to hide from whoever is coming. She hid behind the red curtains and peek out to see who is coming down the hallway. There is Brio, holding the broken glass of his potion tubes, stuttering to himself.

"Neo Cortex, what has happened to you?" He asked. "Ever since you want to take over this planet, you've changed. I was always on your side when people ridiculed you a few years back." As the scientist disappeared down the hall, Coco came out of hiding. She couldn't help but to wonder. What was Cortex like before? Has he been making fun of before? Coco must know, but how? She turned where Brio went. Maybe she could talk to him peacefully since he is not as menacing as Cortex.

The tribesman rows a boat for Crash who is staring ahead at the second island in awe. He can see a temple with a waterfall. He smiled at the sight of the second island. There is a volcano and more temple ruins on that island. Crash couldn't wait to explore it. Suddenly, something falls from the waterfall. A red TNT crate. It exploded as it lands in the water. Waves are making the boat tilt a bit.

"Whoa!" Crash held on as he felt water hitting him. The tribesman looked up at the temple waterfall to see a blue creature hopping around, laughing manically. He pointed at it, speaking in his native language.

"Crash, there's Ripper Roo! He's throwing those TNT crates! He's going to destroy the temple waterfall! We have to stop him before he could damage this island!" Aku Aku said. Crash nodded at him. The tribesman brought the boat up to the shore, and Crash jumped out of it. Aku Aku thanked the native and followed Crash down the beach. Crash looks up at the waterfall, listening to that crazy kangaroo's laughter. He must find a way to get up there to stop Ripper Roo. Aku Aku could see Crash is struggling in this situation. He looked around to find a way to climb up the temple waterfall. But the bandicoot started to climb on the ancient stones and use the vines to keep himself up from falling.
Crash continues to the climb on the temple waterfall, but he looked up to see a TNT box falling down towards him. He jumped out of the way and grabbed the vines, watching the box fall down the ocean and it exploded. Crash sighed in relief.

"We're getting close, Crash. Keep it up." Aku Aku said, floating besides the orange bandicoot. Crash climbs on the stones and reach the top. His hands reached the ledge and pulled himself up, rolled on the ledge. Crash groaned a bit after climbing and pulling himself up here. He turned to see nine ancient concrete steppingstones, and more TNTs falling from an even further up waterfall. Crash stood on one of the stones, looking for Ripper Roo. He must be here somewhere. The area is quiet. Too quiet. Besides hearing the TNTs explode below the waterfall. "He's here, Crash. I can sense him." Aku Aku spoke. Suddenly, a blue creature came down from above the temple and landed on one of the first stones, laughing manically. Crash brought his ears back in annoyance of hearing Ripper Roo's laughter.

"HEHEHEHEHEHEWHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!" Ripper Roo laughed. Crash growled at him, clenching his fists. Aku Aku turned to him with wonder.

"Hold on, you can understand his laughter, Crash?" He asked. Crash didn't answer him when Ripper Roo started hopping on each stone as more TNTs came floating on the water. Crash made a smirk at the kangaroo as the idea came to him. It's risky, but it might work. Crash hopped on one of the TNTs, and it started to count down. "Crash! What are you doing?!" Aku Aku asked. Crash hopped off of the TNT as Ripper Roo started to chase the bandicoot, but got blasted instead, making him cry out in agony. He started to growl at Crash who is on the stone step. The crazy kangaroo's eyes continue to spiral, glaring at the bandicoot. Aku Aku only watched what Crash is doing to Ripper Roo. Crash hops on the second TNT, it counted down, he hopped away. Ripper Roo chases him but got blasted again.

"Grrrrr!" Ripper Roo growled. He uses his feet to get up and see Crash taunting him, making clucking noises at him. Ripper Roo made a big jump to get to him, but Crash avoids him by hopping on two TNTs. The bandicoot slipped on the stone, his feet are in the water. He turned back to see the psychotic kangaroo hopping towards him. As Ripper Roo hops in the air, having his large feet out to attack Crash, the TNTs exploded on him. Crash rolled away from Ripper Roo who is now covered in black. He was taken away down the waterfall. Crash sat on the stone, shaking his head, and scratch behind his ear. Aku Aku came over to his side.

"Great job, Crash." He said with a smile. "That was smart thinking of using those TNT crates to defeat that creature. He won't be bothering anyone or anything anymore thanks to you." Crash grinned at him, giving him a thumbs up. He turned to see the last island where the castle is. He frowned a bit, worrying about Coco. Aku Aku noticed this. "Don't worry, Crash. There'll be time to save your sister. Right now, let's leave this place. The sun is about to set soon, and you do need some rest." Crash shrugged at him and followed the mask down the edge of the waterfall. Crash started to climb down by using stones and vines. Ripper Roo was nowhere to be found after the battle. He could be in the ocean somewhere.
As the orange marsupial made it to the grounds of the shore, he rushed down the jungle as Aku Aku follows him.