N.Sanity island...A island once full of nature and peacefulness...

                      "I can't take this anymore..."

                     *CRASH*

                     A bandicoot crashes through the window.He drops into the forest below and started running away from the castle.Alarms was heard everywhere.Drones started flying out of the castle,chasing him...

                     "Huff...huff...huff...huff..."

                      ...I ran as fast as I could...They are chasing me with intense speed.Those who tormented me...those drones were flying right behind me,trying to take me back to that place...

                       I am 093.As known as Project Z.E.R.O.I was once a normal being living in the forest,until those things captured me.They shot some sort of ray with all the friends that used to play with me.as a result,they become fierce monster,live to serve the master:Dr. Neo Cortex.Animals who resisted were destroyed,one by one.Some did not survive after getting hit by the ray.When I was shot,I came out weak.I thought I was a goner,but he seems to be interested in me and bought me to a special area.They injected something into my body.It was burning me on the inside when it tried to take over me.After that I grew unconscious.when I opened my eyes,I saw a destroyed village in front of my eyes.Blood was all over my hands...many innocent lives were claimed by me...I couldn't accept it.I attacked the ones who's responsible...but I was exhausted...they brought me back to the castle and locked me up in a cell.But I knew I must get out of here before it happens again...

                      Now here I am,running away from the drones,trying to catch me...it was useless trying to run away.I decided to stand and fight them off!Explosions occurred.I walked out of the battle with a bleeding arm.Man,were those things tough...I walked towards a tree and leaned against it.I was safe for the moment.Suddenly white objects started to fall down.Oh,great,its snowing already?I need to seek shelter before I freeze to death.Then I found a cave,I walked into the cave and lied down and watch my cuts and bruises heal instantly.The power brings me a lot of fringe benefits,but what did it cost?My friends,my family and a whole village...

                      After a few minutes of resting,I decided to check out the cave.It was my first time out of the castle without any guidance.Suddenly I discovered footprints!I placed my foot on it.It wasn't mine,but the size is similar.Whose footprint does this belongs to?As I venture deep into the cave,I heard breathing!Thank goodness,I'm not alone!But it was dark,I couldn't see a thing.I picked up a stick and burned it with my powers,to light my surroundings.

                       ???:"Urgh!"

                       I saw someone running away from the light.It was a bandicoot,just like me.Except that he wears a cap.He looked like he was shivering in fear.I tried to touch him,but he slapped off my hand.

                       Zero:"Ow!don't be rude!"

                       ???:"Go away."

                       Zero:"Are you okay?"

                       ???:"I'm fine,now scram!"

                       He didn't seem to welcome me much,so I moved away from him and settled at another part of the cave.I was wondering what can I do for this season.It's cold and all I have is pants.Then I took out a book I swiped from one of the guards before I ran away.It was about festive seasons.

                       Huh,Thanksgiving...Halloween...then I found out a special holiday in the winter named "Christmas"...It was interesting that you celebrate it with your friends and families...but I don't have a family now...All I remember now is that guy from the cave...I figured maybe he needs a friend...I need one too.After that I went outside to catch us some fish.If he's gonna stay there all the time I should at least bring him something or he'll starve.

                        Brr...Catching fish in the winter,what a stupid idea.I went into the river,it was ice cold.After a few hours I managed to catch a few fish....ACHOO!I better get back before I catch pneumonia...

                         Suddenly I heard explosions coming from the caves!Oh,no!The drones!I hope that guy's alright!When i went into the cave,I was surprised to see that bandicoot had wings on his back...and the drones scattered into pieces at the floor.Whoa,and I thought my powers were dangerous.

                          "Um...you okay...?"

                           ???:"Back away!"

                           "What?I'm just checking if you're okay?"

                           ???:"You're not...afraid of me...?"

                           "Why should I?I think you look kinda cool in those wings!"

                           I seem to have offended him about the wings part.

                            ???:"Leave now.Before they send in more drones..."

                            "Nah,I'll stick around..."

                            ???:"You don't know me...my powers...my curse..."

                             "So you think I'm just a normal bandicoot?I suffered enough,being someone's pet project,being forced to do someone's dirty work...my family...my friends...all gone..."

                              I felt sad all of a sudden...but he seemed to have stopped arguing with me.I guess he had my experience...as a cursed being...

                             ???:"...come,on...I'll show you around..."

                               What?Grumpy here allowed me to stay?Well I got no objections...I followed him around the cave.It seems like the cave is bigger than I thought.We entered a large cavern,it has beds made out of leaves and stuff.He must have made it himself.???:"You can sleep here."he showed me a bed.I sat down on the bed,it's quite comfy.Then he goes to his own bed and lied down,facing the wall.I walked to his side and gave him the fish I caught.He stood up and accepted the fish.

                              "What's your name?"

                              ???:"... ... ..."

                              "Come on..."

                              ???:"H..."

                               "Hm?"

                               Hiphop-Crash:"You can call me Hiphop-Crash..."

                               "That's great!I'm-"

                               Hiphop-Crash:"?"

                                "I don't have a name...I'm just a project codenamed"Z.E.R.O."..."

                               Hiphop-Crash:"Zero..."

                                "Hm?"

                               Hiphop-Crash:"I'll just call you Zero."

                               "Zero"?Who does he think he is?naming me like that?Oh,well,I guess that's the first step to friendship.It was snowing outside.It's practically blizzard out there.Oh,well,I hope it stops tomorrow,it's Christmas eve!

                               On the 2nd day,when I woke up,he's missing!Where would he go?!Oh,man,I gotta find him fast!Then after I went outside I bumped into someone.It was Hiphop-Crash.He hunted some food for us.While I eat,he seems to be whispering to someone behind the rocks.I went closer and found it was no "people"!It was some cloud with eyes!

                               "Who's that?"

                               Hiphop-Crash:"You mean...you can see NICK clearly?"

                               "You mean I'm not supposed to?

                               Hiphop-Crash:"...Usually people see clouds..."

                               "So,hey NICK?how do you do?"

                               NICK:"Forget it!I'm not talkin' to you."

                                "Touchy."

                                Hiphop-Crash:"He's always like this..."

                                Forget NICK,I have big plans today!I'll wait till' he sleeps!It's almost Christmas!1 day to go!My very 1st Christmas!

                                 In the afternoon,Hiphop-Crash went to take a nap,so I began preparations to find...a Christmas tree!The traditional symbol of Christmas.But when I looked outside,it began to snow.Aw,crap,I'd better get started fast,I'll leave him a note just in case.And off I go!

                                 This is harder than I thought.There's barely any Christmas tree to be found.Cortex must have cut them all down.Jerk.Snow falling harder,better get moving!

                                 As I venture into the mountains,the snow started blowing harder.Finally I found a Christmas tree!After chopping it down I headed straight back to the cave.

But what 093 doesn't know is something is watching him...

After a while,Hiphop-Crash woke up and saw Zero missing.He looked outside and all there is a fierce blizzard.He found out the note:

                           "Headin' to the mountains,
                             Be back in a jiffy!"

                                 Hiphop-Crash:"Idiot!He doesn't know about the mutant beings patrolling!"

                                  NICK:"Ah,who cares,he can't understand your problems,so why do you care about him?"

                                  Hiphop-Crash:"SHUT UP!"

While back in the mountains...

                                  I wish I had wheels.Pulling this tree is killing me!This blizzard is giving me a headache.

Suddenly a mutated beast jumped Zero!

                                 "Wha?Back off!mutt!"

Zero kicks off the wolf mutant and runs with the tree.

                                  Man!I should ditch the tree!But I promised!

Suddenly more monster came!The pack bit Zero's arms and legs!Zero struggles and kicks off the beasts!Zero was paralyzed by the stunning venom stored in their fangs.He falls down and finds himself cornered by the beasts!He's a goner unless there's a miracle.

A miracle appeared.It has wings!Hiphop-Crash came flying and landed in front of Zero,facing the beasts!He lets of a snarl and intimidated the mutated wolves.

He holds Zero up.

                                  Hiphop-Crash:"FOOL!Where have you been?!It's dangerous to go out in this weather!"

                                  "I...just...wanted to...give you... a present..."

                                  Hiphop-Crash:"...!"

Hiphop-Crash found themselves cornered by elite drones of Cortex's.He puts Zero down and fights the drones alone!One by one the drones were destroyed.But Hiphop-Crash was outnumbered.Even in his cursed state,he was exhausted,until a drone shot him from his back!

                                   Hiphop-Crash:"AAAH!!!!"

                                   "NO!!!!!!"

The drones walked closer to the fallen Hiphop-Crash.And the stunned Zero struggles to assist Hiphop-Crash but the venom is still paralyzing his body.

As the drone aims at Hiphop-Crash...

                                    "DON'T...TOUCH HIM!"

Zero shone in a bright light,with the warmth of the morning sun.The drone's attention were diverted to Zero,they fired at Zero but the bullets ricocheted off.Zero walk towards the enemies,with a swing of his arms he erased all the robots in sight.He then walks towards Hiphop-Crash and holds him up...he stopped glowing and returned into the injured state.He pulled off the ropes tying the Christmas tree...Zero helps Hiphop-Crash towards the Christmas tree.

                                    "It's not much...but it's the only one I got..."

                                     Hiphop-Crash:"It's nice...no...beautiful..."

Suddenly the blizzard stopped.The snow became falling gently.

                                      Hiphop-Crash:"Sorry,I don't have a gift for you..."

                                      "No gift?Hah!you gave me a name!And you became my best friend...Thank you..."

Hiphop-Crash smiled and they sat down in the snow,staring at the tree...until midnight.It was Christmas already that time...

Magically,the Christmas tree glowed in shining light.Stars from the skies fell down to the tree.The stars acts as the ornaments of the Christmas tree...
And they both enjoyed Christmas...as best friends...


                                                                                              ~The end~