Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 2: Darkness Rises

Crash's eyes widened in shock. He seemed to be underwater, and although he didn't have much experience in terms of swimming, he was determined to find the crystal one way or another. The state of the universe depended on him, and he had to succeed no matter what the cost.

He used scuba gear, which coincidentally happened to be nearby, to make his way through the area. He was wary of the mines surrounding him, being careful as to not swim too close. As for the enemies, he simply spun into any that crossed his path.

He spotted a submergible in the distance, and he used that to eliminate the mines and aquatic animals ahead. A large grin appeared on his face, as he soon reached the crystal and grabbed it. The portal appeared not long after, with the bandicoot returning to the others.

The only ones in the Warp Room were Polar, N. Brio, Natalie, and Aku Aku. When Crash asked where his sister was, Natalie replied by stating that Coco chose to go to the next area. Although Crash was a bit nervous, he knew deep down that his sister would be all right.

***

Coco was absolutely in awe by her surroundings. She spotted numerous workers speaking a foreign language, and she quickly realized that she had appeared around the time in which the Great Wall of China was first being constructed. Much to her chagrin, she did not have much time to look around, for a dark figure could be seen in the distance, slowly approaching her. Coco gulped once she stood directly in front of the individual, who was wearing a black cloak, the hood covering their face.

"Not you people again..." she grumbled.

"I am not here to harm you," said the stranger as she held up a hand dismissively. "I am simply here to give you a warning."

"A warning? Wait, why should I believe you?"

"The darkness has risen again, I'm afraid. If it is not vanquished, I fear that all will be lost."

"But you're a Master of Darkness, right? Why should you be so worried? You guys are the ones causing all of this."

"I quit working with them centuries ago. The Superior is the one responsible. Be careful, mortal. She is the most powerful being throughout the infinite dimensions. She is not one to be toyed with."

"I'll, uh...keep that in mind."

"See that you do. Now I must take my leave. I fear that if I linger here much longer, the organization will become suspicious."

With that, the stranger disappeared into the shadows. Coco crossed her arms, in a state of confusion. More than that, she was worried.

Seems the organization doesn't know when to quit, she thought.

She heard a peculiar noise from nearby and looked to the side. A tiger cub gazed at her, purring softly before rubbing against her legs. Coco smiled and pet the tiger.

"Hi, little guy," she said. "Where'd you come from?"

The tiger began to whine, and that was when Coco understood the situation. It seemed the poor animal was being chased by someone. Who, the marsupial wasn't certain. But she would do everything in her power to protect the cub.

"Would you like to come with me?" Coco asked, to which the tiger jumped up and down in joy. "Great! I think I'll call you...Pura." The cub seemed to like the name, for he gave Coco a friendly smile. "Let's go."

An idea entered Coco's mind, but she wasn't entirely sure if she could go through with it. After much consideration, she shrugged her shoulders and got on Pura's back, initiating the tiger cub to run down the path, nearly bumping into several of the workers. Coco kept looking back, her eyes eventually widening when they fell on yet another figure wearing a cloak. Said figure chased after them, and Coco quickly realized that it wasn't the one who had warned her.

"Faster, Pura!" she commanded, in a state of panic.

Pura obeyed and ran as quickly as he could. The two eventually lost the enemy, for they could no longer see it. What may have been a coincidence, a crystal floated not far from where the tiger stood. Coco carefully stepped off her new friend and grabbed the crystal, petting Pura immediately after.

Coco was about to step through the portal that had appeared, but Pura kept pulling her back. "I'm not sure how the others would react," she said as gently as possible. After a few minutes of the animal's whining, Coco gave in. "Oh, alright. You can come along."

As Pura followed the female bandicoot through the portal, Coco began to smile. Since her brother owned a pet, she didn't see any harm in her having one as well. She just wasn't sure what Aku Aku would think.

As soon as the two appeared in the Warp Room, the others noticed the tiger cub. "Coco..." Aku Aku groaned, raising an eyebrow.

"This is Pura," explained Coco. "He helped me find the crystal. Since Crash has a pet...can I keep one, too?"

"Hmm...very well. If he helped you, then he is welcome here."

"Before I forget, there's something I need to tell you."

"W-What is it?" Brio asked.

"I was approached by one of the Masters of Darkness, but she claimed she was no longer working with the organization. She said that the darkness has returned."

"That is concerning," said Natalie. "We must be very careful. Anyway, our next destination is the prehistoric times. I think I'll go this time."

"Are you certain?" Aku Aku asked. "What if you are injured?"

"I will be just fine, I assure you."

"Even so, I am coming with you."

"If that's what you want to do, I can't stop you."

The others watched as Natalie and Aku Aku disappeared through the portal. Coco couldn't help but think that Natalie was hiding something. The tone in her voice had changed, and her mannerisms were a bit different. Perhaps it was just her imagination.

***

Aisleen was in her laboratory, sitting in her favorite chair as she tinkered with various contraptions. She heaved a sigh and rubbed her temples. Her headache was beginning to bother her. It was funny, really. When she first arrived in this dimension years ago, she wasn't capable of experiencing physical pain.

Perhaps I've stayed here for too long, she thought. But so many amazing things have occurred. I have friends, a loving family, and...

Tears brimmed in her eyes. What she wouldn't give to see her daughter again. The only question was, where was she?

"Something about this entire situation just does not feel right," she sighed.