Crash Bandicoot: The Beginning

*Chapter 10: The Lost City*

"Whoaa..." Crash gasped at the sight of the city he and Aku Aku found. This island has a lost city. What a sight it was. Crash walked through the ancient city in amazement, seeing lizards on the temple walls, watching the bandicoot. Crash found some Wumpa fruits hanging from the vines around the pillar. He smiled and began to climb on the vines to reach for the fruit he's hungry for. Aku Aku watched him climb up, but he senses something. He looks around and found something in the shadows inside one of the caves. Just as Crash grabbed one of the Wumpa fruits, an arrow appears and shot the other fruit, making the bandicoot shriek and fall from the pillar.

"Crash, run!" Aku Aku told him. "This is an ambush!" Before the bandicoot could make a run for it, there are figures with bows and arrows, pointing at Crash who whimpers. The lost tribe of this city perhaps? They look nothing like the native tribe from the first island. Aku Aku hovered above Crash, looking at the tribe who happen to be females. "We mean you all no harm. We are passing through. I am the wise Aku Aku, protector of the islands. Let us go." The mask spoke. One of the females spoke in a native language. The female natives walked over to the bandicoot, grabbing his arms and brought him down to the city to take him to their leader. Aku Aku followed them, close to Crash to protect him if anything goes out of hand.

XX

Crash was taken to a large temple and inside shows treasure that the leader of this tribe has collected. Jewelry and gems. A throne is ahead of them and sitting on the throne is a female leader of the tribe, wearing dark clothing and a goat skull helmet on, covering her face, but her mouth is revealed, showing dark lips that are black as night. Crash can see the tattoos on the leader's arms and chest, almost similar to Papu Papu's. The females released the bandicoot and bowed respectively to the leader. Aku Aku is beside Crash, looking up at the leader who sat quietly on her throne.

"We come in peace. We are passing through. And your island is in danger. Crash Bandicoot here is going to save it and stop the evil scientist from destroying the world." He spoke. Crash nodded. The woman stares at the bandicoot with her dark eyes through the goat skull helmet. She grabbed her staff that has feathers and a red orb on top and walk down from her throne.

"I have heard of you, Great Aku Aku. And this bandicoot here." She spoke. "You two have come this far. No one's ever dared to enter our world here. We are fierce, deadly, but we could never harm a good heart." Crash sighed in relief. He's afraid this woman would roast him for her tribe. The woman formed a smile. "Let us welcome you to our home." She said by walking pass the bandicoot and the ancient mask. Crash and Aku Aku followed the leader as the female bow slingers follow the three.

The leader stood on top of the temple to look over her people in their homes protected by temples. There are wolves wandering around. Which is odd to Aku Aku because wolves don't live in Australia. Crash looked over to see the ladies playing their instruments around the bonfire while the young woman is singing a tune in a language that Crash couldn't understand, but he liked the sound of it.

"There are no males who could guard or protect this tribe of yours. Why is that if I may ask?" Aku Aku asked, noticing that there is no single man around this lost city.

"We do have males, but they are always out on hunts for meals." The leader replied. "We females protect our own. I am responsible to protect my tribe. Wives, warriors, children, and our wolves that we rescued. Hunters around steal our animals in this land. When they see the sight of us, they retreat to their own world and never return. They fear me most of all." She looked down to Crash. "I hear this bandicoot will be our warrior of the islands." She said. Crash looked up at her. "The mad man must be stopped from evolving animals and take over the world with them."

"Crash will be the warrior. I will always be on his side to guide him." Aku Aku said, hovering over Crash's shoulder. The bandicoot is confused. He didn't ask to be a warrior, but he is willing to stop Cortex and save his sister. Aku Aku looked at the leader. "You know who we are, but we didn't get your name. I never imagine that there's another tribe." He said. The leader sighed a bit and turned to them. She took off her goat skull helmet, revealing her black hair and face. Crash blinked when he notices something on the woman's forehead. A letter. An N on her forehead. Aku Aku noticed Crash's shock and turn to the woman.

"I am Natalie Cortex." The woman said, lowering her head. Crash made a look of confusion and shock. "I'm the leader of this poor lost tribe for years." Natalie said. Aku Aku stared at her.

"You...and Dr. Cortex are together?"

"Were." Natalie corrected him. "You see, I left the island we live on. I left a note by saying that I went out to study the islands and creatures. I believed that he and Brio saw my last message, but I am guessing they were searching for me after days since I left. I hid here when the tribe found me." She said by looking up at the bright sunlight. "I never wanted to return to that mad castle. Neo has changed too much. He's trapped in the past where people laughed at him." Crash lowered his ears a bit. He touched her arm. Natalie looked down at him. "Crash, please stop Neo. He's obsessed with power and vengeance. And never mention me to him at all. I want him and Brio to think I am dead. Don't talk about me." She said. Crash nodded at her, crossing his heart.

"We will protect the islands, Natalie. When Cortex will be stopped, he won't bother the islands ever. Crash will save the world, and I will protect the islands with my power." Aku Aku said. Natalie gave him and Crash a small smile, but it quickly disappeared when the tribe started to scream in panic. She and the others look down to see the tribe running away and wolves barking at something. Crash looked over to see Koala Kong and Tiny roaring while throwing boulders around. He snarled. Natalie gripped on her staff.

"Those mutants from Neo! How did they enter my home?!" She demanded. Crash ran down the temple steps to get to the village to stop those big bullies. Aku Aku followed him while Natalie rushed over to her people to make sure they are unharmed.

"Destroy village!" Tiny roared. Koala Kong laughed as he picked up the boulder. Before he could throw it, an arrow shot his side. He dropped the boulder and pull out the arrow and turn to see Crash with a bow, loading another arrow at him and Tiny. Koala Kong gritted his teeth at him. Tiny growled at the bandicoot. "Craaaaaaassssh!" He roared. Crash dropped the weapon and ran off. Tiny and Koala Kong darted after him. Aku Aku flew off to catch up with Crash who seem to have a plan to get them away from the lost city. Natalie watched the two enemies left to chase the bandicoot and the mask.

"Save us, Crash Bandicoot. I am counting on you."