Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 14: The Master of Time

"Nef, are you sure about this?"

Aisleen and her husband were standing in Dr. N. Tropy's laboratory, speaking about current affairs. Their daughter hadn't been seen much lately, and she had been more secretive than usual.

"My dear," Tropy began, "you must understand that those blasted marsupials pose as a threat." He paused. "You are not...becoming fond of them, are you?"

"Of course not," Aisleen scoffed. "And that was not what I was referring to. I do not want to see you in pain again. Natalie and I do not want to lose you...again."

"I will be fine. Now, I really must be on my way. Do not worry about a thing. Before you know it, I will return and we will be able to live peacefully once again...as a family. Isn't that what you want?"

"Yes, but--"

"I will return shortly."

Aisleen chose not to press the issue further. She waved her hand dismissively, watching as her husband left through the room. She made her way to Natalie's bedroom and knocked on the door, waiting a few minutes for a response. When she did not receive one, she creaked the door open. Her eyes widened in shock at the sight.

"N-Natalie?" she stammered, unlike herself. "Where did you go?"

***

After a few more crystals were collected, N. Tropy's face appeared on the monitor once again. "You little vermin are way too stupid to understand what you're getting yourselves into!" he snapped. "This time you've done it!"

"I've got this," Crash said once the Master of Time's face disappeared from view.

"Are you sure, big brother?" a concerned Coco asked.

Crash nodded. "He doesn't look so tough."

"If I were you, I would stay on my guard," Raven commented. "He may not have been powerful when I last battled him, but that was nearly two decades ago. Whatever you do, do not underestimate him."

"I shall go with you," Aku Aku said to Crash.

The bandicoot gave a thumbs up before he and his guardian made their way through the portal. They immediately noticed the Master of Time himself working on a large clock. Upon hearing footsteps, N. Tropy turned around and glared directly at the marsupial.

"Now you're on my time, you little skunk!" he growled as the clock disappeared. "Give me the crystals!"

He slammed his tuning fork on the ground, thus causing a trio of platforms to appear before Crash and Aku Aku. Tropy proceeded to launch fireballs at the two, but with his guardian's assistance, the bandicoot managed to dodge them. The Master of Time slammed his weapon on the ground again after a few seconds, and he fell on his knees due to becoming exhausted. A path appeared in front of Crash, and it led straight to the evil scientist. Once on the other side, the marsupial spun into Tropy, causing the Master of Time to teleport to the other side.

Only two rows appeared before Crash that time. Tropy altered his attacks a bit, launching rows of flames from different directions. Slamming down his tuning fork again, he caused another path to appear. That left him open once more, prompting his enemy to spin into him. Like the previous time, Tropy teleported to the other side.

It was obvious that his rage was increasing. He growled at the marsupial and, as he pointed his finger at Crash, began to shout all sorts of accusations and curses. In his enraged state, his attacks became more frequent and more difficult to dodge. Crash was nearly hit by a fireball, but Aku Aku blocked the attack just in time.

"Blasted bandicoot!" Tropy yelled. "Stand still, would you?"

"Not a chance!" Crash laughed.

After a while, the scientist became too exhausted to move and was left open for attack once more. Crash jumped down the newly created path and spun into Tropy for the third time.

The Master of Time finally had enough. As he began to vanish, he stated, "My time is up...but yours soon will be, too."

A portal soon appeared, initiating Crash and Aku Aku to return to the others. Before anyone could do so much as utter a sound, Cortex and Uka Uka could be seen on the monitor.

"You insolent, insignificant moron!" the evil mask bellowed. "By defeating N. Tropy, you have put us all in grave danger!"

"Why should that matter?" Liz asked, planting her hands firmly on her hips.

"He is the Master of Time for a reason," Cortex said, although judging by his tone, he wasn't in the best condition. "The Time Twister machine is very delicate. Without Tropy's constant care and control, there is no telling what it will do. As a result of your actions, Crash Bandicoot, history may be rewritten."

"There is no way that will happen," Crash said defiantly.

"Shows what you know..."

After Cortex and Uka Uka's faces vanished, Crash turned to Aku Aku. "That won't happen...r-right?"

"If we do not make haste, it might," Aku Aku replied.

***

With Tropy gone, Aisleen wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. She felt as though everything around her was falling apart. She lost her daughter, she lost her husband, she lost the many friends she had made since her arrival. How long had she been in this dimension? She had lost track of time years ago. Perhaps it no longer mattered, she thought.

The sound of knocking on the door reverted her mind to reality. She stood up and approached the door, opening it to find N. Brio on the other side.

"Oh, you're awake," she said.

Brio raised a brow and said, "You sound surprised."

Aisleen did not respond. She didn't know how. She was just glad to have her friend back. Sure, she had to erase his memories so that he would rejoin the villains, but she was still relieved.

"Never mind," Aisleen said. "Please, do come in. There is much to discuss."

Brio did as instructed, closing the door behind him. He looked up at Aisleen, in a state of bewilderment. She wasn't acting quite like herself. Not only that, but his head was suddenly in excruciating pain. He winced a bit, but Aisleen did not seem to notice. She sat on the edge of the bed and proceeded to explain everything that had transpired thus far. Well, almost everything. She did leave out certain parts for her own benefit.

Afterward, Brio's eyes widened as he asked, "N. Tropy is...g-gone?"

"I'm afraid so," Aisleen sighed. "I aim to find him, no matter what the cost."

"I shall assist you."

Aisleen couldn't prevent the smile that appeared on her face. Despite being a villain, she was happy to have at least one friend who wanted to stay by her side. In her mind, she didn't care who you were. As long as you had loved ones, anything was possible.