A Hero's Blood

Chapter 6

Coral had finished patching up John and Pete by the time it was dark.

"They'll be fine," Coral reported to Cortex.

"Thank goodness," the ex-evil scientist replied, breathing a sigh of relief.

Pete stated, "Man, that guy with the Gengar was tough."

John responded, "No kidding. I do wonder what he found out what Crash's murder."

Pete nodded and replied, "Same here."

Coco and N. Gin exchanged worried looks. The two of them agreed not to say anything until they were 100% sure that Arachina was drugged. If Arachina was drugged, then that would mean that Nina was desperate to win...or Uka-Uka was. If Uka-Uka was the one that did it, then that would mean that the evil mask might've been aiming to destroy Aku-Aku or lower his powers. If it was Nina, it would mean that she just wanted the power of her uncle's stationery. Coco and N. Gin were unsure and they didn't want to say anything until they were.

-Flashback: 'Crash Tag Team Racing'-

After leaving Tomb Town, Chick and Stew were outside of Astro Land and everyone was gathered around.

Chick started to report, "Zowy sport fans! Did you see...?"

Just then; Chick was cut off by Cortex. He was bandaged up and beaten up pretty badly. The chicken squawked as he pushed them aside.

Cortex stated, "Curse, some sinister force is upstaging my evil plans! Curses! Curses! Curses!"

Cortex then went over to the line-up with the others. He was a bit ways away from Crash but it did look like that Cortex wanted to stand next to the south Australian bandicoot. Nina perked up at this and at her uncle. She wondered why her uncle wanted to stand next to the hero that was upstaging him. Coco went over to Chick and Stew. Coco took Chick's microphone from him.

She stated, "Hey, I think I am beginning to deuce what's been going on here."

Crunch asked, raising an eyebrow, "What is it?"

Coco answered, "Well, the pattern I've concluded from deductive reasoning is that whoever stole the power gems has some connection to Wumpa Whip!"

Von Clutch repeated, surprised, "Wumpa Whip?"

Pasadena nodded as she replied, "That's affirmative, V.C. There has been a trail of Wumpa Whip at every scene of every power gem in the park!"

V.C. responded, "That is ridiculous. I mean, who drinks Wumpa Whip anyways?"

Willie started to shake nervously as everyone looked down the line until their eyes laid on Crash. Crash was sipping down some Wumpa Whip rather loudly.

Everyone shouted, "It's you!"

To this, Crash belched loudly.

Coco cried, "Oh, Crash! How could you?"

Willie's jaw dropped as he yelled, "Oh, I don't believe this! You people are dumber than a sack of hammers! It's me! Me, I tell you!" Everyone stared at him, a bit surprised. Willie added, annoyed, "Don't you get it? ME!"

Von Clutch finally said, "Really...my Charlie Park Mascot? Don't tell me anymore!" With that, Von Clutch covered his ears and started to speak German.

Willie stated, "And I would've succeeded too if it wasn't for you meddling Bandicoots! Now the time is nine, it's really do or die!" With that, Willie took out a bag and pulled out a stone. This stone was shaped like a diamond and Willie commented, "And with this stone in my sack, it proves that Von Clutch is a hack!" Von Clutch gasped as Willie finished, "And you can look for me in the sky!" With that, Willie pointed at Astro Land and ran into the last land with the Black Power Gem. "So long suckers," he said as he disappeared.

Von Clutch stated, "Ah, quick! We must stop him! We only have moments left to get my Black Power Gem before I am kaput!"

"To the rocket," everyone declared.

As our heroes ran into Astro Land; Chick and Stew started their very last television report.

Chick reported, "Here we are sports fans: the last hoorah. Crash Bandicoot has found the last power gem and won the ownership of the park!"

Stew brought out a pocket watch and added, "But with only a short time left, is it too late to retrieve the Black Power Gem and save the weakened Ebenezer Von Clutch?"

With that, Von Clutch powered down. Crash felt a ping in his heart. He hoped that he could stop Willie Wumpa Cheeks before it was too late for poor Von Clutch. 'Hang on, V.C.,' thought Crash, 'we will save you.' Cortex turned to him when they were alone (since everyone else already had gone into Astro Land).

He asked, "Are you sure you are up for this?"

"I'm sure," Crash replied, "Sometimes, you have to be a hero in an impossible mission."

-End of Flashback-

Cortex was reflecting on those words from what seemed like so long ago. He had to admit that Crash was right. He did need to be the hero in the impossible mission. And the impossible mission: taking down his own niece....the exact same niece that helped them saved the world from the Evil Twins...

AK1028: I hope that you liked this chapter! Please read and review, everyone! And always think out of the box!