Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 3: Sea of Bones

Natalie and Aku Aku found themselves in what appeared to be a swamp-like forest. Although Natalie had suddenly grown nervous, she didn't dare reveal such in front of the mask. All they had to do was collect the crystal and leave.

What's the worst that could happen? she wondered.

No sooner had that thought left her mind than a loud roar was heard from behind the duo. They slowly turned around, their eyes growing as large as saucers at the sight before them. A dinosaur of monstrous proportions was glaring right at them. It roared once more, causing Natalie to scream and run in the opposite direction, Aku Aku quickly following her.

When they finally lost sight of the dinosaur, Natalie had to stop in order to catch her breath. Aku Aku looked at her in concern and asked, "Are you all right, child?"

"I'm...fine," Natalie panted. "Let's...keep going."

"You look as though you could use a break."

"I-I'm fine, like I said. We really need to...to find that crystal. Time is of the essence, after all."

"My duty is to protect my friends. That includes you, Natalie. Your health is important, and if you are not in stable condition, you will not be able to find the Power Crystal at all."

Natalie gave the mask a stunned expression, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She had never been shown such kindness in the past, not even from her own family. She couldn't deny that Aku Aku had a point, so she sat down to relax. He was right - the crystal could wait.

In order to break the silence, Natalie chose to reveal her backstory, or at least bits and pieces of it. "You know, I didn't have the best childhood," she began. "Well, everything was fine until I was around the age of five."

"What do you mean?" Aku Aku asked.

"My magic became rather...unstable. I nearly killed my best friend, and I was consumed by the darkness. I almost harmed Cortex and the others. Ever since that fateful day, everyone has feared me. That's why I've never been able to make friends. Besides you lot, I only have one, but...I haven't heard from her in a while."

"Do you know where she might be?"

"She is probably in school as we speak." After a few minutes, Natalie chose to speak further. "Um, Aku Aku...can I tell you something else?"

"Go right ahead."

"It's...about my parents. You already know that Aisleen is my mother, but my father...well, he is..."

"Natalie, you can tell me anything."

"But..."

"Like I said, you are my friend. I will remain by your side, no matter what. I would never judge you."

"Well...if you say so. I think I know where my father is, and I am starting to believe that he is responsible for--"

Before Natalie could finish her sentence, a familiar roaring sound could be heard. She and Aku Aku didn't bother turning around that time and fled, not wishing to be caught in that beast's jaws. They soon lost the dinosaur again, but not before they came across another one. This one, however, was but a baby. Much to Natalie's surprise, it nuzzled up against her legs, wagging its tail affectionately.

"I think he likes you," Aku Aku commented.

"What gave it away?" Natalie chuckled. She looked down at the baby dinosaur, staring at him for a while. "Oh, don't tell me you want to come with us." The dinosaur wagged his tail again at the statement. "F-Fine. But once we find what we came here for, we must say our goodbyes."

The dinosaur didn't seem to mind, for it turned away and looked back at Natalie. This is getting ridiculous, she thought. She knew right away what the creature wanted, and she wasn't about to ride some animal like that blasted bandicoot.

"Is something the matter?" asked Aku Aku.

"It's...nothing," Natalie said.

She reluctantly got on the dinosaur and took off down the path. Aku Aku wasn't too far behind. It wasn't long before they located the crystal, after which Natalie got off the dinosaur and thanked him for the assistance. A portal appeared immediately after, and she and the mask made their way to the Warp Room once more, the portal slowly closing behind them.

"Great j-job," Brio congratulated. "Did anything interesting happen?"

"Oh, you mean besides the fact we were chased by a freaking dinosaur?" Natalie sarcastically asked.

"That's troubling. I hope it didn't cause any harm."

"Not at all."

Everyone was taken off guard when a face appeared on the monitor. It was none other than Tiny Tiger, one of Cortex's strongest mutants. "Uka Uka and Cortex want Tiny get crystals and bring them to big Colosseum in Rome," he said. "Crash, leave them for Tiny, or Crash get crushed!"

After Tiny's face disappeared from view, Natalie turned to Brio. "Looks like he is working for Cortex now."

"I-I'm afraid so," said Brio. "And to think, I helped create him..."

"So, what's our next destination?" Coco asked.

Natalie typed away at the keyboard. "Hmm...looks like an area with pirates," she said in response. "You had best be careful."

"That's nothing I can't handle."

Crash placed a hand on his sister's shoulder and said, "No, let me go. I don't want you to get hurt."

"You worry too much, big brother." She turned to Aku Aku. "Although...it would be nice to have a guardian with me."

The mask smiled at the remark and followed Coco through the portal. I pray that the one responsible for all of this is not who I think it is, Natalie thought.