Falling Ashes

Chapter 10

A few weeks later, Stacy had passed on. She was buried on a rainy day as everyone: friends and family, came out to say goodbye to her. Cortex was trying his best not to cry as the coffin was lowered into the ground. She had been buried by the man she loved so much, her husband and his father, Robert. As the dirt covered the coffin, Cortex finally lost it to the point that no one could tell he was crying due to the rain. Nacey went over to her baby brother, placing her hand gently on his shoulder. He looked at her and saw that she too was crying. Cortex hugged his sister, crying on her as Nacey gently rocked them back and forth.

Nina watched them from afar with her Aunt Jasmine, her Uncle Anthony, and her cousin Darla. In fact, during the ceremony, Nina had bonded with Darla rather quickly.

"It's such a heartbreaking scene," Darla stated, looking out at her Aunt Nacey and Uncle Neo.

"They really loved Grandma," Nina agreed, wiping her tears and the rain away.

"I'd still like to know where on earth you and your Uncle have been, young lady," Jasmine scolded.

"Now Jasmine," Anthony started to say, in a softer tone.

Nina spoke up as she said, "It's okay Uncle Anthony." He looked at her as she added, almost whispering, "Besides, I don't think that Aunt Jasmine would believe me anyways..."

Darla looked at her cousin, a bit worried but then decided to drop the issue, despite the fact that Jasmine was asking every chance she had. Eventually, the group left the cemetery with heavy hearts.

...

That evening, the Cortex family had decided to stop at Nacey's house for some tea and cookies. As everyone was sipping, they all started to chat. All except Cortex, who looked at his tea, feeling empty. He thought, 'Was what happened to Mom my fault? Should I have come sooner? Should I have stopped my charade of being evil sooner?'

"Uncle Neo?"

Cortex looked up and instead of seeing Nina, he saw Darla.

He asked, a bit surprised, "Darla?"

Darla questioned, "Are you okay? You haven't said a word since we left the cemetery this afternoon."

Cortex stated, "Just in thought, I suppose."

Darla stood next to Cortex and whispered, "For the record, I'm the only one in my family that ever believed Grandma." Cortex looked at her, surprised. She added, "No lie."

Cortex breathed, "Why? Why did you believe her?"

Darla answered, "For one, I happen to be an art major. My mind is open to the possibilities that creations like Crash Bandicoot are possible. For two, it made sense after awhile since Aunt Nacey always avoided the subject of where you or Nina were. And finally, it drove my Mom insane that I believed Grandma."

Cortex chuckled as he stated, "There's a bit of evil in that last one."

Darla replied, smiling, "Then I guess it runs in the family."

Cortex genuinely smiled for the first time since his Mother's passing as the sun started to come out from behind the clouds. Cortex looked and smiled a bit more. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for him after all. As he finished off his tea, he had to ponder one thing. 'Whatever happened to Nicholas,' he wondered.

...

In Russia, Nicholas Gin was back with his own family and friends, despite the fact that he hadn't much of a home to return to. His parents were deceased and the only family he really had (not counting Cortex) was of his brother, Ellison. Ellison drank his coffee, looking at his younger brother.

"Oh come on, Nicholas," Ellison stated, "You're pulling my leg."

"It's all true," N. Gin replied, "And will you call me N. Gin for gosh sakes."

"You've always been Nicholas to me," Ellison pointed out, "Not this rocket guy that almost took over the world."

"Well, like or not, I am and I did," N. Gin responded, headed out the door.

He didn't care if Ellison believed him or not. He didn't care that he was somehow magically cured to return to normal. All he knew was...he was home...and he hated it. 'I know where my home is,' N. Gin thought, getting out his phone and calling Cortex.

...

As Cortex was outside, his phone rang, showing N. Gin's number.

He answered, "Hello?"

"Neo?"

Cortex answered, "Yes Nicholas?"

N. Gin stated, "Oh my master! Thank heavens you are alright!"

Cortex replied, "I'm not really your master, Nicholas."

N. Gin perked up at this as he asked, "Why are you calling by my first name?"

Cortex answered, "I've been doing a lot thinking and...before I explain, have you been restored to normal?"

N. Gin perked up even more and stated, "Yes...why?"

Cortex explained, "Nina and I have also been restored to normal. I find it a chance to actually be something I've always wanted...a family man..."

N. Gin couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was it really...over? Was Cortex really going to leave everything behind and stay in London?

He replied, "But...everyone is going to miss you..."

Cortex looked down, trying to hide his tears and sadness. He knew everyone was going to miss him...especially Crash...and Pete...

Finally; Cortex responded, "I'll miss them too but...I have a chance and I'm taking it. So please take care, Nicholas..."

With that, the youngest Cortex sibling hung up his phone and went back inside.

...

N. Gin was in shock. Cortex...not coming back? Surely he misheard...something... Even trying to call him back resulted in no results at all. So, N. Gin decided to call Coco and hoped that she would deliver the message to Crash gently.

And that message was: Dr. Neo Periwinkle Cortex was not returning. Ever again.

Crash was heartbroken at the news but what could he do? He knew he couldn't leave his team behind with Uka-Uka still out there somewhere. And he didn't want to ruin Cortex's happiness either. So...he let Cortex go...for what he thought would be forever...

...

Wishmaker1028: Cliffhanger time! Yes, I end this story with a cliffhanger. I hope to return in a few minutes with the next story in this universe: Crash Ten Sanity! See you guys...then! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!