The Masters of Darkness - Season 1

Episode 1: To Expect the Unexpected

Summary: About a year has passed since Crash Bandicoot's previous adventure, and he wishes that something interesting would occur already. He gets exactly what he asked for.

Ah, what a glorious day on Wumpa Island. Neither scientist nor mutant had caused trouble for Crash Bandicoot and his assortment of friends for quite some time.

The young hero looked up toward the sky and let out a heavy sigh. For the past year, everything seemed calm and peaceful. Every morning, he and his family would go to the beach and soak up the sun while enjoying Wumpa fruit. They had taken quite a lot with them for the journey, but that didn't stop Crash from consuming most of it.

He took off his shoes and socks before dipping his toes into the water. He never would have believed it, but he felt completely relaxed for the first time in years. Ever since Dr. Cortex hatched his first scheme, things had been rather interesting for the bandicoots.

Crash sighed again as he looked off to the side. As peaceful as it was, he wished that something, anything, would occur already. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, but he just couldn't help but wonder what his archenemy was up to. A year without any threats would be wondrous for any normal person, but to the marsupial, he felt as though something was amiss.

This wasn't a new feeling for him. A few weeks ago, he asked his family on numerous occasions if they also wondered if Cortex was hatching another scheme. Coco, his younger but much more intelligent sibling, always assured him that there was absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Although he wanted to believe that, he knew deep down that something wasn't quite right.

He could feel it in the air. Something was bound to happen soon. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed his sister sitting beside him. He jumped once he felt a light tap on his shoulder, and he looked to the left to greet Coco with a gentle smile, which she returned.

"Is everything okay?" she asked. Crash said nothing and continued to look out toward the glistening ocean. His sister knew well what was going through the fellow bandicoot's head. "You shouldn't be so worried, Crash. If anything, you should be relieved. I mean, we haven't had to deal with Cortex or his cronies for almost a year. That's definitely something worth celebrating."

Crash turned to his younger sibling once more and, in his usual gibberish, stated, "You're right. I've been letting everything get to my head. I really do worry too much, huh?"

Coco quietly chuckled. "It happens to the best of us. Now come on. The Nitro Squad has a surprise for you."

Crash raised an eyebrow. A surprise? He hadn't heard of anything like that. Of course, if he had been told, it wouldn't be much of a "surprise" anymore.

He stood up and followed his sister down the shoreline. Not too far away, Tawna and the rest of the Nitro Squad could be seen chatting amicably amongst themselves. Crunch and Aku Aku were near them, having a conversation of their own. Polar and Pura, Crash and Coco's pets respectively, were busy chasing each other around the beach.

Everyone stopped and turned to face Crash when they noticed the two youngest bandicoots approach. Tawna walked closer to him and planted a soft kiss on his lips before turning to Ami, to which the green-haired marsupial nodded.

"Uh, what's going on?" Crash wondered.

Tawna looked down at her boyfriend and replied, "You'll see soon. Ami, bring it out!"