Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 4: Captain Raven

Coco was rather surprised when she and Aku Aku appeared on a beach. The bandicoot looked up toward the blue sky, the ocean's waves lapping at her feet. She sighed heavily, not wanting this moment to end. Her mind was brought back to reality when Aku Aku tapped on her with one of his feathers.

"Sorry," she said. "I forgot where I was for a second."

"Remember, child, to focus," said the mask. "There is no telling what may occur while we are here."

Coco nodded in agreement. She had to remain vigilant if she were to survive. Now that she knew the organization had become an issue once again, she had to be wary of her surroundings. After all, the MoDs were the most powerful beings in existence.

For the first time in her life, she felt worried. She had never directly fought someone who possessed dark magic, and she prayed she never had to. There was no telling how much damage the Masters of Darkness were capable of.

Coco spotted a jet ski atop the water, near the shore. She used it to progress through the area, avoiding any obstacles that blocked her path, Aku Aku staying near her at all times. The duo eventually reached the shore on the other side of the ocean. Coco stepped off the jet ski and took a careful look at her surroundings.

She and her guardian spotted a cave and chose to investigate. Inside they found a treasure chest, which was filled to the brim with gold coins and shiny jewels. Coco was about to dig through the treasure, but a scolding voice stopped her from doing so.

"Hold it right there!"

Coco and Aku Aku nervously turned around, and their eyes widened at the newcomer. It was a female anthropomorphic cat with white fur and long hair that had been dyed a dark red hue. She wore black clothing associated with a pirate, and she wielded a curved sword in her right hand.

"Raven?" questioned Aku Aku. "What are you doing here?"

"That's Captain Raven to you," the feline snarled. "And...it is a long story."

"You know this person?" Coco asked her guardian.

"Indeed," Aku Aku replied. "This is Raven, a member of the organization--"

"I left the organization years ago," Raven interrupted. "I eventually found myself on this planet and became the leader of an infamous pirate crew. Now tell me, what in the world are you doing here?"

"We are searching for the Power Crystals. One of them is here. My senses tell me so."

"A Power Crystal, eh? That...sounds familiar."

"Do you know where it might be?" asked Coco.

"Perhaps it is in that chest. If it is not, then I apologize, but I cannot assist you."

Coco and Aku Aku watched as Raven left the premises, with the female bandicoot digging through the chest immediately after. To their relief, the crystal was at the very bottom. After Coco grabbed it, a portal appeared and she and Aku Aku disappeared through it, finding themselves in the Warp Room once again.

"So, how did it go?" Natalie asked.

"We met a pirate captain named Raven," said Coco. "Apparently, she was once a member of the organization but was reformed and became the leader of a pirate crew."

"Raven? You know, that name sounds familiar."

Sweat trickled down N. Brio's forehead. After a few minutes of awkward silence, he stated, "Raven was once an enemy of ours, when I, Cortex, N. Gin, and N. Tropy were but teenagers. She, as w-w-well as several other members of the o-organization, attempted to destroy the school. I'm surprised to know that she h-has been reformed."

"How come no one else has mentioned her to me?"

"Your p-parents did not want you to know about the organization too soon. It was for your own g-good."

"I refuse to believe it was for 'my own good'. Why would they keep a secret like this from me for so long?"

"Enough of that," Aku Aku said, not wanting there to be any arguments. "Natalie, what is our next destination?"

"Crash must battle Tiny in Rome. I would wish you the best of luck, but you hardly need it. Tiny isn't exactly...smart. He relies on brute strength rather than intelligence."

Crash nodded. He would have to remember those words when he faced the muscular mutant. He gave a thumbs up to the others as he jumped through the portal, although he was a bit nervous.