Building a boat to the next island wasn't easy. Fluttershy had use whatever materials that were available. Eventually, she made a paddle boat and took Crash over to the second island, called Wumpa Island. As soon as they arrived, they were greeted by a crazy blue kangaroo with swirls in its yellow eyes and wearing a white straitjacket. His name was Ripper Roo. Just then, Fluttershy heard a very familiar voice.
"Boingy! Boingy! Boingy!"
It was Pinkie. She was bouncing on a pogo stick. Classic Pinkie, being completely random.
"Pinkie? Is that you?" Fluttershy asked.
"Fluttershy! You've got to hang out with this guy! He is such a crackup!" Pinkie chortled.
"Um, I don't think so, Pinkie. Not when there are explosives everywhere."
"Huh? What explosives?"
"The crates in the water that say Big TNT."
Pinkie looked in water and sure enough, there were large crates that read Big TNT on them.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Those explosives. Right."
Ripper Roo hopped around while cackling like a hyena at the zoo. Fluttershy was taken aback by his deranged behavior.
"I hate to say this, but if we want to go any further, we'll have to defeat him," Aku Aku said.
"Normally, I'd disagree with you, but seeing as how this kangaroo has pretty much lost his mind, I feel like it's our only option," Fluttershy said.
Pinkie continued bouncing on her pogo stick until she crashed right into a tree, releasing some of the loose wumpa fruit. One of the fruit bounced right on top of one of the Big TNT crates, which started a countdown.
"That doesn't sound good, does it?" Pinkie asked worriedly as she heard the honking countdown sound.
Ripper Roo just laughed like a maniac as he continued hopping around the platforms on top of the waterfall.
"TAKE COVER!"
Luckily, both Fluttershy and Crash found a small opening that allowed them to be safe from the blast as the crate exploded in Ripper Roo's face. Weirdly enough, it only made him go even crazier. He continued hopping around while laughing, which really freaked out Fluttershy. Seeing his new friend in danger, Crash decided to step into the arena.
"Crash, wait! What are you doing?!" she called out in a whisper.
Crash jumped on one of the crates and quickly got out of the way just before it went off. The explosion hit Ripper Roo again and made him even more insane.
"One more hit should do it," Aku Aku said.
Pinkie leaned over where she was to see the action better and nearly fell down into the water. Luckily, she managed to pull herself back up safely. Suddenly, she spotted a rope on the ground. This gave her an idea.
Crash, meanwhile, was trying to find the perfect opening to jump on the last Big TNT crate to finish off Ripper Roo. After about a few minutes, he decided to jump onto the crate, starting the countdown. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, as Ripper Roo had hopped right on to the top-middle platform as soon as the crate exploded. All of those explosions to the face made the deranged kangaroo dizzy. So dizzy, in fact, that he fell into the water near the edge of the waterfall. It didn't take long for him to come to, though. Once he did, however, he realized where he was and plummeted down the waterfall like an anvil. Crash dusted off his hands in victory, only to be met by a very upset Fluttershy.
"Crash Bandicoot! Do you realize how stupid that was of you? I mean, I know we had to get past him, but you could've gotten yourself hurt!"
Before anyone else could say anything more, Pinkie lowered a rope from the top of the other waterfall for them to climb up. The two of them grabbed on to the rope and climbed up to Pinkie's location at the top of the waterfall.
"Are you alright?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes, Pinkie. I'm fine."
"Good, because I want to know WHAT THE HECK IS THAT THING?!"
"Pinkie, this is Crash Bandicoot. He's trying to get to that large castle on that island over there."
Fluttershy pointed to a tall castle in the distance on the third island.
"That scary looking place? Well, aren't you the brave one?"
"Actually, Pinkie, it's because Crash is trying to rescue his girlfriend from a mad scientist trying to brainwash her."
"Aw, that's so sweet. But just one question: WHAT IS THAT?!"
"Not WHAT, young lady. Who. I am Aku Aku," Aku Aku said.
"A talking witch doctor's mask? Now I've seen everything."
The four of them decided to press onward, hoping that they could get to Cortex Castle to save Tawna before anything bad could happen to her.
Back at the castle, Twilight was working endlessly in order to stay on Cortex's good side. It was pure torture. She had never worked for this long with barely any sleep. During this time, she had also overheard N. Brio talking about secretly plotting against Cortex behind his back. She didn't fully trust N. Brio, but she started to trust him little by little. It had been five months since first testing Coco. During that time, she had started to warm up to the young, female Bandicoot, who even had the chance to meet Tawna, as well. Cortex had also hired some extra help, as well. A short, stout man named Dr. N. Gin. He had orange hair and a near-melted missile in the right side of his head. He wore a white lab coat with black gloves and brown boots.
One day, Twilight was searching for an outfit for Coco and came across a white t-shirt, blue overalls and fuchsia-colored tennis shoes.
"Dr. Cortex, sir, I think I found the perfect outfit for Coco," Twilight said, showing him the clothes.
"Excellent. Put it on her at once," Cortex said.
"Yes, sir."
She walked over to Coco and presented her with the outfit.
"Arms up."
Coco did as she was told and put her arms above her head. Twilight then put the shirt on over her head. As she put the overalls on Coco, she couldn't help but smile.
"You look just like your big brother, Coco."
"Twilight? Is my brother really bad?" Coco asked.
"No, of course not. Cortex is lying to you. In fact, I have a feeling he'll be coming back sometime soon."
"But what if he doesn't?"
"He'll be back," Tawna said from her cage. "Trust me, I know he'll be back, especially for me."
"You got that right, Tawna," Twilight agreed.
"Twilight!" N. Brio called.
"Yes, sir?" Twilight asked nervously.
"Are those my overalls? Mother made me those! Blast that Cortex using old clothing on his experiments!"
Twilight finished putting the overalls on Coco's body, leaving only the shoes left. It didn't take long to put Coco's shoes on. After that, Twilight looked on in admiration at Coco's new look.
"Wow, Coco. You look amazing!"
"I feel amazing," Coco replied.
"I hate to interrupt this touching moment, but it's time for another test," N. Brio chuckled.
"Good luck," Twilight said with a wink.
Coco winked back at her as she ran off.
"Are you sure she's the last one left, Dr. Cortex?" N. Gin asked.
"N. Gin, for the final time, Coco's the last bandicoot. If this doesn't work out, I'll have to change animals," Cortex groaned.
"Like what?"
"Let's see, we have... crocodiles, dingos... Ugh! If only I didn't have to choose!"
"Why not both? A dingo-crocodile hybrid. Dingodile!"
"Hmm... Dingodile. N. Gin, I like how you think. Twilight!"
"Yes, sir?" Twilight asked frantically.
"I'm about to create a new specimen. Codename: Dingodile. It'll be one my greatest creations yet. And it'll also need a weapon of its own. Something that says heavy firepower, like fire itself."
Twilight gulped. Now she was really worried. Another creation from the evil Dr. Cortex? How much longer would she be forced to serve him? So many unanswered questions ran through her mind. She needed to get out of that castle soon, or else she might end up going insane.