Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 13: High Time

Just as Crash was about to jump through the next portal, N. Tropy's face appeared on the monitor. The Master of Time stated, "So you pesky little rats aren't going to back off, eh? Just you continue to gather crystals and see what I do!"

The message reached its end, prompting Crash to travel to the next area at last. Megumi chose to go with him, just as a precaution. The male bandicoot recognized the place to be Saudi Arabia, only it was night rather than day. Unlike the previous journey to the ancient city, there were more obstacles and enemies to avoid. With a partner, though, getting through the area seemed like a breeze.

After they defeated numerous Lab Assistants, Crash turned turned Megumi and said, "Thanks for the help."

"You're very welcome!" the female bandicoot said in a wide grin.

That expression was enough to satisfy Crash. As long as his loved ones remained happy, nothing else mattered. He could have all the riches in the universe, but he would never be truly content without his friends alongside him.

"So, we meet again. I am quite surprised that you made it this far."

Crash and Megumi turned around to face a member of the organization, but their face was obscured by the hood of their cloak. They could have sworn they recognized the voice; however, they couldn't quite place their finger on it.

"What is it that you want this time?" Megumi asked as she crossed her arms.

"I am here to ensure that your efforts to retrieve the crystal will be in vain," the individual said in response.

"Why? What do you plan on doing with the crystals?"

"Do you honestly believe that I would tell you even if I knew? No, my master has simply asked me to locate them."

"And she didn't say why?"

"Of course not. She has kept many things secret, including from myself. None of that matters. I shall find that crystal. Only then will my master be truly satisfied with me."

"Well, too bad," Crash barked. "You can't have it. So why don't you return to wherever you came from and leave us be?"

What the marsupial had failed to realize was that the individual could not understand his gibberish. She simply chuckled menacingly before vanishing in a puff of black smoke.

"We need to find that crystal before she does," said Megumi. "If we don't, then..."

"Hey, we'll find it," Crash assured his friend. "I always find a way."

Megumi smiled at the remark. He was like her, in a way. No matter what challenges he faced, Crash seemed to maintain a positive outlook on life.

It wasn't long before the duo spotted the crystal from afar. Before they could reach it, however, the cloaked figure appeared once more, slowly turning to glare at them.

"Did I not tell you that your efforts would be in vain?" she snarled. "Begone with you!"

She appeared to only be paying attention to Crash. With the enemy distracted, Megumi decided to sneak behind her and grab the crystal, rushing back to the fellow bandicoot before the cloaked individual could process what was happening.

"I should have known better than to let my guard down," she grumbled. "If you think you have won, you are sadly mistaken. There are more crystals to be found, after all."

"We'll find them one way or another," Megumi said defiantly.

"We shall see."

With that, Crash and Megumi returned to the Warp Room. They proceeded to tell the others what had transpired.

"I'm proud of you, Megumi," said Ami, placing a hand on the blue-haired bandicoot's shoulder. "You were brave out there."

"Did you ever find out who that person was?" Isabella asked Crash.

"No," the marsupial replied. "Her voice was familiar. It almost sounded like..."

"Who?" Coco asked.

Crash immediately shook his head. "Actually, I'm not sure."

Before anyone could respond, Aku Aku finally returned. "Aku Aku, where have you been?"

"I simply investigated what the organization has been up to," the mask replied.

"And what did you discover?"

"The Superior is truly a sadistic individual. She caused Natalie to become the polar opposite of who she once was, doing so by stripping Natalie of her emotions."

"That's awful!" Megumi wailed.

"The current leader of the organization is much more menacing than the previous one," Raven explained. "I pray that none of you have to face her."

"We should be fine," Coco said. "I mean...you'd help us deal with her, right?"

"If it comes to that, I will do my best."

"That is all we can ask," Aku Aku said.