A Dragon out of Time, A Crash and Spyro Story

Chapter 5: His Greatest Creations

 "Subject C1 is coming, Cortex. What are you going to do about him?" Nefarious asked impatiently. He couldn't understand why Cortex held back against this creature. Sure, it was established that C1 wasn't a complete failure or an idiot; he was tactically gifted, and fared extraordinarily well in melee combat. He defeated mutated creatures twice his size by outmaneuvering them or just outsmarting them. And there was that spin attack he somehow used. Nefarious couldn't explain how he could rotate that fast and not lose consciousness from the centripetal force pushing his blood to his extremities. It had to be Cortex's pride, Nefarious assumed, that wouldn't allow him to kill the creature. He created him, he in some ways was his son, and he was successful if not loyal subordinate.

"Because Subject C1 and his sister are my legacies uncle. They alone are the most important of the mutants I ever created. C1, the first animal I ever mutated, proved that anthropomorphism was possible. And based off what I learned from him, his sister became the success I needed to prolong my life. I know that the condition I live with can be sustained. My Grandfather may have discovered the next step in human evolution, but I perfected it."

"That sentiment won't stop C1 from doing whatever it takes to free his sister. Only his sister is useful to you. Terminate Subject C1; he is no longer of any use. It's what he deserves, after what he has done to use these past three years."

"You may be right, N Tropy. However, he is protected by the Spirit of Aku-Aku."

"You of all people Cortex, a student of science, should not be fooled by mysticism and magic. It's not real."

Cortex held the talisman which contained the spirit of Uka-Uka in his hand. Although he could never convincingly explain this to Nefarious (and he never bothered), it was this spirit's idea to collect the gems. It was his influence that turned Cortex's ambitions from saving his own life to also conquering the world. Uka-Uka found within the deep recesses of Cortex's mind the desire to accomplish something grand with his life. He channeled that drive into the twisted vision he had now (or that's how Coco explained it). Through the brilliance of Cortex, he would act as Uka-Uka's vessel to cause death and destruction on the world. It was for this reason that Aku-Aku chose Crash to stop him.

"I'm going to kill C1 by myself. Face to face, man to man, father to son. Although I may be dying, I want him to know that his existence, his sister's existence, and that other bandicoot's existence was because of me, and can be taken away by me." Cortex fetched his levitation device and his weapon of choice. Nefarious could only watch. Something was different about Cortex. Plans for world domination... his grandfather created a monster, and I'm helping him because even now I'm searching for my father's approval.

˂You need to take the Crystals from C1. Learn where he's hiding them before you kill him. Use his sister to force him to talk. Take her with you when you confront C1.˃

˂Understood, Uka-Uka˃

˂With the power Crystals, you will have immortality, and the power you need to rule the world for eternity.˃

˂Yes, my master.˃

"Crash Bandicoot, for the last time, give the crystals to me!"

˂Brother, you cannot stop me from destroying this world!˃

˂That is the sole purpose of my life, Uka-Uka. The irony is that I will use a creation of your chosen slave to stop you.˃

Cortex was desperate. After Subjects C1, C2, and C3 escaped, all his research into curing himself was gone. He was running out of time and needed a solution fast to his gigantism problem. Cortex knew Nefarious was only primarily concerned about his Father's great discovery and not really concerned with Cortex's life, he knew he couldn't rely on him. It's when he discovered a power crystal on this island, along with a necklace which had an ominous looking talisman attached to it, did he turn to mysticism and magic to spare his life. It's when he allowed himself to become a slave to evil. The ambition was there, the need to do more with his life than waste away on an unheard of island, which was why Uka-Uka was able to turn Cortex into his tool to cause destruction to the world. He spoke into Cortex mind, subtly at first, but now overbearingly forced his slave to use his intellect in plans of world domination. But Cortex subconsciously knew, and maybe so did Coco, that this desire was within him all along. Cortex didn't consider himself human, and all humanity has ever caused him was pain. He had no loyalty to this species or this planet. If he could remold it in his own image, then so be it, even if that meant becoming the pawn of an evil spirit.

Coco was Cortex's greatest Creation. She was the solution to Cortex's early death, an extraordinarily brilliant mind that would not die prematurely because of gigantism. But she could never admit to being anything like Cortex, and would do anything she could to stop Cortex and his "evil plans." If only she knew, if Cortex ever told her of her true purpose for existing, of the plight he suffered, then maybe she could sympathize with him, collaborate with him and try to spare his life from death. Maybe she wouldn't have a reason to hate him. But Cortex never told her, Uka-Uka wouldn't let him. And for that, Cortex's greatest creation became his adversary. She watched as her older brother gave everything he had to stop Cortex, and barely was able to defeat him, bloody, battered, and bruised. Cortex fell down the Time Twisting Machine and landed at the base of the large machine. The large magnetic generators that create intense fields of gravity to contain the warp fields lost power, and the machine itself began to implode. Crash rescued his sister and they both ran for their lives, Coco helping her limping brother the majority of the way.

"Crash, you're an amazing brother" Coco said out of breath once they reached the beach. Crash had both of his hands on his knees, also painting. He caught his breath before he used his hands to respond to his sister.

[I guess we won't be time traveling anytime soon, then]

"No, no we won't. And I don't think Cortex or Nefarious will be anytime soon, either."

[When we get to the house, Coco, I have something to show you. Just promise me you won't get mad.]

"Oh brother, what did you do brother?"