Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 9: Punishment

He woke up in a dazed sweat, fear consuming him. He blinked several times, his vision slightly blurry. As he took a good look around, he realized that he was in a laboratory. He recognized it well - the lab belonged to Aisleen. He tried to stand up, only to discover that he had been chained to a chair.

What happened? he wondered.

He could not recall any events, such as how he got there or who was responsible. The last thing he remembered was a sharp stinging pain in his head before everything went black.

"Hello?" he called out. There was, however, no response. He heaved a sigh. This was just not his day.

"Enough shouting," a familiar voice said back after a few minutes. "You will only worsen my headache."

He looked toward the darkness, and his eyes widened when they fell on someone he least expected. "A-Aisleen? What is the meaning of this?"

"What a pleasure it is to see you again, Nitrus. I apologize, but you must understand that I am simply doing Cortex's bidding."

Brio tried to fight against the chains, but that did no good. "D-Do you not understand? Don't you r-r-realize what your husband is p-planning?"

"He is here only to dispose of you, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Please leave the man be. He has been through many hardships as it is."

"W-What happened to our friendship? Does that no longer matter to you?"

"No, especially since you aligned yourself with those heathens."

Brio's eyes widened even further. "How did you know?"

"Let's just say that a little birdie told me. Natalie shall be punished for her transgressions as well."

"But...she's your own daughter!"

"I'm not going to kill her, you simple-minded mortal. I am simply going to make her wish she never betrayed us. You shall suffer the same fate..."

"What are you planning on d-d-doing?"

But Aisleen did not respond. Instead she slowly, menacingly approached Brio, dark magic crackling at her fingertips.

The scientist struggled even more as he shouted, "Aisleen, you don't w-want to do this! Aisleen? AISLEEN!"

***

Aisleen heaved a sigh as she left the laboratory, taking a quick glance at the unconscious N. Brio. As she closed the door, locking it in the process, she couldn't help but feel guilty. She quickly shook her head in an attempt to be rid of the thought. It didn't help. She was obeying her master's commands, sure, but Brio was her friend. He may have betrayed them, but Aisleen still felt sorry for the man.

Upon seeing Cortex walk past her, her expression immediately reverted to one of seriousness. She made her way to a separate room, where she had moved Natalie to before capturing Brio earlier that day. The teenager was unconscious, still bound by cold chains. Her breathing had slowed significantly, and Aisleen was starting to worry. She kept telling herself that her daughter would be fine, that she would survive this, but deep down she had her doubts. She still had to punish her, despite that being her offspring. It would only serve to please Cortex.

As that last thought crossed her mind, Aisleen wasn't sure if she could do this. She was unsure of herself, unsure of her master, unsure of her spouse. N. Tropy had been more secretive than usual lately, and he hadn't been seen for hours. The same could be said for N. Gin. Something was amiss. She could sense it.

"Is everything all right, my dear?"

She turned around to gaze at her husband. After an awkward silence, she shakily replied, "Yes, everything is fine. You need not worry."

Tropy looked past Aisleen and noticed their daughter chained to a chair, unconscious. "What happened here?"

"I found her with N. Brio. They had both betrayed us, Nefarious."

Tropy was taken aback. "I refuse to believe our own daughter would--"

"Listen to me. Natalie is...I'm afraid she's..."

"She's what, Aisleen?"

"I fear that she has sided with the organization, or...I don't know, Nef! She might decide to join them soon."

"What has given you that assumption?"

"I feel much darkness emanating from her. I don't want to lose her! I don't want to--"

Tropy placed a comforting hand on his wife's shoulder. "Everything will be just fine. Even if I have to make sacrifices, I will ensure that our daughter remains safe."

Sacrifices? Aisleen wondered.

As Tropy turned to take his leave, Aisleen asked, "Where are you going?"

"Cortex must go," the Master of Time said flatly before finally leaving.

What in the world is he talking about? Aisleen wondered.

***

As everyone awaited Coco's return, a portal appeared, initiating everyone to get on the offensive. They calmed down, however, when they realized it was just Raven.

"Ah, you have returned," said Aku Aku. "What did you discover?"

"I have some news, and I am afraid that you will not like it," Raven said.

"What do you mean?" Megumi asked, but even she had suddenly become nervous.

"It would seem that N. Brio and Natalie were captured by Aisleen and taken back to Cortex Castle, most likely to get them to rejoin their ranks. I am afraid that I will not be able to rescue them without garnering unwanted attention."

"It cannot be helped if they were to become assistants to Dr. Cortex once more," Aku Aku said.

"That is not what is truly bothering me."

"There is more?" Isabella asked.

"As I am sure you, or most of you, are already aware of, Natalie's magic is rather unstable. I fear that she will join the organization sooner or later."

"What?!" the others exclaimed in unison.

"For once, I am unsure what our next course of action should be. Natalie is more powerful than the lot of you realize. I...speak from experience."

"Did you have an outing with her or something?" Ami asked.

"You could say that. I...I would prefer not to speak about it at the moment. For now, let us wait for Coco. When she returns, we can explain everything to her."