Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped

Chapter 15: The Sphinx

"Good luck out there."

Crash turned to his sister, a look of bewilderment on his face. Her voice had been laced with concern, but he couldn't blame her if she was so worried. After everything they had discovered about the Masters of Darkness, they had to remain cautious. Not only that, but they had to focus on collecting the Power Crystals and putting an end to Cortex's tyranny as well. 

Crash suddenly felt uneasy. He was not yet aware of it, but the others were in a similar state. Even Aku Aku, who normally did not worry about such trifles, seemed to be concerned.

"I'll be fine," Crash told his sister, although he was hiding his fear. "Trust me."

"Then why do you sound so unsure?" Raven asked.

Crash sighed heavily. Raven had seen right through him. There was simply no use in hiding it anymore.

With another sigh, he stated, "Okay, fine. You got me. I...may be a little worried. We've got so much to focus on, and...I don't know what else to do..."

"Yeah," said Liz, nodding in agreement. "We have to stop Cortex, as well as the organization. Could this day possibly get any worse?"

"I suggest you continue to gather the crystals," Raven said to Crash. "We will get through this, mortal. I will make certain of that."

Crash forced a nod and a grin as he jumped through the portal, his guardian following his lead once more. The two immediately found themselves in Egypt, and before they could take in the scenery even further, they spotted a sphinx, which looked down at them intently.

They knew exactly what was to come. They had heard tales of the Legend of the Sphinx, but the bandicoot did not believe a word of it. Now that he got to see the beast for himself, he was beginning to change his mind.

Just as the young marsupial had feared, he was tasked with answering a riddle:

"What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three in the evening?"

Crash held his chin, deep in thought. That was a tricky riddle, he thought. Seeing the confused look on the marsupial's face, Aku Aku floated closer to the sphinx and answered the riddle himself.

"Man," he said.

The sphinx waited for a moment before stating, "That is correct. You may proceed."

A path stretched from where Crash stood to the inside of the sphinx. He and Aku Aku went inside, a wall appearing behind them where the entrance once was. They proceeded down the path, but they did not get far before they heard a peculiar sound.

Thump, thump, thump.

They looked around for the source of the noise but saw nothing except darkness, so they continued on their way. They soon halted again, however, when they heard the sound a second time. But no matter which direction they turned, they could not find the source.

A shadow loomed over them, prompting them to turn around. Crash's eyes widened once they fell on an individual wearing a black cloak, but what surprised him the most was the person's face.

As if reading the bandicoot's mind, Aku Aku stuttered, "N-Natalie?"

Indeed, it was the blue hybrid. She remained silent as she glared at the two, a mischievous glint in her eye. Crash, trying to remain as polite as possible, even in such a dangerous situation, held out a hand for Natalie to shake. She did not accept it, however, and smacked his hand away.

"Hey!" Crash wailed. "That hurt!"

"Natalie, please return to us," Aku Aku said calmly.

"My place is not with you," the hybrid snarled. "I belong with my father, my family...but now I have nothing because of you."

"Your family? You are working for the Superior, are you not?"

"I...I..."

Aku Aku gave the teenager a reassuring smile, hoping that would change things. He could sense that Natalie did not want to harm them. She may have been a villain, but even the most vile of beings had a soul. That was what the mask chose to believe, and it would remain so.

"We were informed that you joined the organization," said Aku Aku, unsure of how exactly to continue the conversation. "Not only that, but I witnessed the Superior take away your emotions."

"I-I haven't the slightest clue what you are speaking of," Natalie hesitantly said.

"Unless...that was all just an act."

"I..."

"You knew I was watching you, didn't you?"

"Don't say something you'll regret."

"You are simply pretending to assist the Superior, but you want what everyone else does. I can sense it. You wish for nothing more than the downfall of the MoDs."

When it looked as though Natalie was about to strike, tears upon tears streamed down her face. She sobbed uncontrollably as she fell to her knees, holding her head in her hands. She slowly looked up to gaze at Crash once more, and the bandicoot held out his hand again. She accepted it that time and was helped to her feet.

"You are right," she said, her voice hoarse. "I was lying to everyone the entire time. I never wanted to join the organization, but I had no choice. The Superior promised to reunite me with my best friend if I assisted in the downfall of Dr. Cortex. Then I would have had to focus my attention on you and your meddling friends."

"That was what all this was about?" Aku Aku asked. "To be reunited with your closest friend?"

"Now that I think about it...oh, why am I such an idiot?"

"You are not an idiot. You were simply misled. Now, if you would like, you could come with us again. You are always welcome."

Natalie simply shook her head in response. "I apologize, but I cannot go with you this time. My place is with my family. I know I'm supposed to be evil, but...I will never forget everything that you have done for me, for this world. Just don't tell Cortex about my true feelings, okay?"

"We understand completely. Now we must find that crystal. The universe depends on it."

"I'll leave you to it. Good luck out there. You will need it."

After Natalie left, Crash turned to his guardian and said, "I never would have imagined a villain, especially someone with dark magic, could feel that way."

"You must remember, child, that even the most vile of beings have a spirit, a soul, a conscience," Aku Aku said. "Natalie may be aligned with Cortex once again, but deep down, she regrets most of what she has done. Anyway, let us be off."

After locating the crystal, which was at the very end of the sphinx, the duo made their way back to the Warp Room. It was there that they explained everything that had transpired. They could not believe that someone such as Natalie would have a change of heart, even if she did rejoin Team Cortex. Despite her nefarious status, they mentally wished her the best of luck in her future endeavors.