Crash Bandicoot: The Beginning

*Chapter 15: Bandicoot vs. Man*

Cortex began to shoot laser bright balls of bolts at Crash. The bandicoot dodged them, but he had to be very careful since he's on top of the blimp and keep his balance since the blimp is moving around the castle in flames. Cortex shoots again and a green bolt came towards Crash. Without even thinking, Crash spins at the green bolt, and it bounces back towards Cortex.

"Whhaaaaa!" Cortex cried out, moving out of the way, holding on to his hover board. Crash blinked in surprise. The green bolts didn't hurt him when he spins, and it will bounce to Cortex. He's got an idea that could possibly work. "Hold still you filthy rat!" Cortex says, aiming his laser gun at Crash who began to taunt him, sticking his tongue out at him. The angry scientist shoots eight purple bolts at him. Crash dodges them in a quick pace. Cortex growled in irritation. Crash giggled and smacked his own butt, taunting him more. Cortex's left eye twitched. "Playtime is over!" He yelled, shooting at the bandicoot who dodges the different color bolts, looking out for the greens to hit back.

XX

"I have to help Crash! He could be in serious trouble!" Coco says, coming over to the ladder, but Aku Aku blocks her.

"No, Coco. This is Crash's fight." He spoke. "We cannot interfere. Even if he is in at risk, I will go to him myself. I'll sense his life. You focus on the blimp controls. Trust me, Coco. Crash will defeat Dr. Cortex." Coco stared at the ancient mask in silent. On one hand, she trusts him since he's been with Crash and helps him, but on the other, she wanted to go up there and help her brother. The female bandicoot gave Aku Aku a nod and went back to the controls. Aku Aku looks up at the ceiling of the blimp, praying that Crash will win this fight.

XX

Crash spins at the green bolts and they hit Cortex's hover board, making him fly back. Cortex gripped on it but returned to his place. Crash sneered at him. Cortex shoots out the bolts at Crash again and again. Crash continues to dodge them, but the blue bolt hits Crash's leg. Crash let out a cry and fell down. His leg stings. He hears Cortex's laughter.

"Ha ha! Got ya!" He said. He aims his gun at Crash. "Time to say goodbye, Crash." He pulled the trigger, and a green bolt came towards Crash. The bandicoot gritted his teeth as he lifted his leg to kick the green bolt away and it hits Cortex's hover board. "Gah! Enough of this!" He hovers over to the bandicoot and grabbed his wrist to lift him off the blimp and bring over to the air. Crash began to panic and try to climb on the hover board to save his own life. The two tried to push each other off of the ride. Crash got behind Cortex, gripping on the black hair. "Owww! Let go, you stupid bandicoot!" Cortex yelled. The hover board started to move around the blimp uncontrollably. "Naughty dog! Naughty dog!" Cortex cried out, smacking Crash's face. Crash then bites Cortex's hand, making him scream like a girl.
Crash made Cortex bring the hover board by the blimp and took his laser gun. Crash jumped off the ride and land on the blimp, gripping on Cortex's weapon. He aimed it at the hover board with a look in his eyes. Cortex stares back at Crash, slowly holding his hands up.

"Crash, put the gun down. It's not a toy." He said in a calm voice. Crash wrapped his finger around the trigger. "Crash, listen to me." Cortex spoke. "You know better than that. Think about what I've done for you. I created you, nursed you, fed you, everything to make you happy. Even when Brio mutated your sister. Are you not grateful?" Crash lowers the gun, staring at his creator, blinking at him. Cortex placed his hand over his chest. "You're like a son to me, Crash. A son I've always wanted. I've been like a father to you." He said, making his voice softer. Crash lowered his ears a bit. He doesn't know what to think. Cortex has his hand out. "Give me the gun, Crash. And we will forget this terrible day. We will start over. Promise." Cortex said. Crash gave him a smile and came up to Cortex, handing him a gun...

"Crash, don't!" Coco's voice cried. Crash turned around to see her climbing on the roof. "Don't listen to him! He's trying to trick you!" Crash turned back to Cortex who sneered a bit.

"Crash, please. All I wanted is to make a whole world a better place. And I want you to be a part of it. I will never hurt you or anyone you care about." He said. "Give back my gun, like a good boy."

"He's lying! Crash, please listen to me!" Coco begged. "Cortex mutated us for a reason! Think about why you came back to his island. Think about how much trouble you've been through along with Aku Aku." Crash looks back at his little sister. He gave her a small smile. Before he could turn back to Cortex, the scientist took the laser gun away from his hand.

"Arrgghh! You two are such a pain to me!" He growled. He aims his gun at Coco. "Especially you, Coco! I don't want to deal with you anymore! Your idiot brother will join you momentarily!" He shoots out a green bolt. Crash acts quickly and spin at the bolt and it hits the hover board. Fire and smoke appeared on Cortex's ride, and it explodes. The mad scientist himself fell down and screamed. Crash looks down to see Cortex falling down to his island. "Curse you, Crash Bandicoot!" Cortex screamed as he fell down below. Crash smirked before he went over to Coco who returned inside the blimp.

XX

Crash climbed down the ladder and was greeted by Coco who hugged him, laughing. Crash spun her around, embracing her lovingly. Aku Aku laughed heartily at the sight of the two. The bandicoots pulled away from each other and face Aku Aku.

"Well done, Crash. Cortex has been defeated. I knew I could count on you, my child." He said with a warm smile on his wooden face. Crash grinned at him, giving him a thumbs up, thanking him. Coco faces the window to see a beautiful sunset. The sky is orange with purple clouds. Coco controls the blimp to head off across the ocean to get to one of the islands.

"Thank goodness it's over." She said. "We're out of there." Crash came beside and pointed ahead. Wumpa Island is ahead of them. Coco smiled at him. She does want to be there and see what it's like. "We will live there. It'll be our new lives. Together." She said. She turned back to Aku Aku. "Will you stay with us, Aku Aku? You seem to know everything about the islands."

"I've already decided to be with you for as long as I live, my children. After all this madness, I will not let anything bad happen to any of you." Aku Aku said. He turned to Crash. "And we do have a Bandicoot Warrior among us." Crash smiled sheepishly, scratching his head. "Thank you, Crash. For helping me save the islands and stop Cortex." Crash nodded at him before turning to face the sunset they are heading to get to Wumpa Island.