*Author's Note: Hello, everyone! Okay, this story should've started months ago, but I've been busy with the other stories and new ones I am writing, but don't worry, this one wasn't forgotten for those who enjoy Crystal Bandicoot. Don't expect this story to be long like the others, but you won't be disappointed. I've been working on the plot for a long time and it's worth a wait.*

*Chapter 1: Changes*

"Are you sure this will work, doctor?" N. Gin asked, holding a serum, studying it. "And tell me again why you want Crystal to hold a baby bandicoot?"

"We need a bandicoot general!" Cortex told his partner. "So, raising one will be easier. But it'll be a lot of work."

"So, who's going to put this stuff in Crystal?" Pinstripe asked by leaning back in a chair.

"N. Gin and Dingodile." Cortex replied with a smirk. The hybrid turned in shock. "You two will begin tonight. Stay quiet in the household of the bandicoots, and make sure Crystal is in a deep sleep. And never leave a drop of the DNA." Cortex explained. "This will work. Crystal will be holding a baby, and boy will she be in for a surprise? I've been planning this since winter."

"Why can't Nina do this?" Dingodile complained.

"She's back at the school, idiot. Remember?" Pinstripe replied with a look. "Quit your whining and help N. Gin tonight." Dingodile sighed in defeat. Cortex let out an evil chuckle.

The birds are singing in the trees while Crystal is picking the Wumpa fruit from the trees, placing them in a basket. It's finally springtime and the Bandicoot Family loved the warm weather and be outside with their pets. Crystal returned to the front of the house to see Crash playing with Polar, Coco grooming Pura, and Crunch is doing push-ups.

"Found fresh fruit to last for a while." Crystal says by placing the basket down by the front door. Crash smiled and went over to the basket. He stuck his tongue out and took three fruit. He started to juggle them, throw them in the air, and ate them. Crystal giggled at his talent. Some things never change. It's been almost a year since Crystal lived with the bandicoot after she was created by Cortex, and she is glad she is living with them.

"About time it's spring. I'm tired of the cold winter." Coco said.

"But I'm not prepared for the heat. Summer is more dreadful than winter." Crunch said, after finishing his exercise. "The bright side is that we do have a beach."

"But you know what's also a bright side?" Coco asked. "Dr. Cortex didn't even try to cause havoc around the islands for a while. Maybe he finally gave up or something."

"I doubt it. Remember how Uka Uka almost killed Crystal in winter, so Crash and Aku Aku must save her." Crunch reminded the female blonde bandicoot. Crash nodded, recalling that day. "And that was when Crystal got-"

"Hey, it's all in the past now. I'm just happy that you and Crash don't fight over me for months now." Crystal said. "I don't want anyone to get hurt. But we did had a good Christmas together." Crash smiled at her. Crystal then brought the basket filled with Wumpa fruit inside the house. Coco turned to her brothers.

"So, you two finally got over the love for her? I mean, like-"

"Pretty much." Crunch said. "After that day, I realize that being in love with a same girl can cause trouble." Crash half shrugged at Crunch's point. They both still have some love interest for Crystal, but they know they can't fight over her and make things worse like before and Aku Aku will seriously punish them. It's been months, and things are totally fine for all of them. But things will have a small change...

Later that night, every bandicoot is asleep. Little did they know, there are two minions of Cortex sneaking inside the house. N. Gin and Dingodile quietly sneak inside to get to the girls' room. N. Gin slightly opened the door to see Coco and Crystal in their own beds. Dingodile told the cyborg to get inside the room while he will be on the lookout. N. Gin stepped inside the room with a serum. Crystal is lying on her back in bed, which is perfect for N. Gin to stick the object in her stomach.
The cyborg slowly lifts the shirt up to see her stomach and stick a serum in the stomach, and press the end. After a few seconds, Crystal started to wince in agony, and N. Gin got the serum out and duck down by her bedside, holding his breath. Crystal groaned a bit and rolled to her side, not even awake. She must be dreaming when she made that noise. N. Gin sighed in relief.

"Dodge that bullet." He whispered.

"C'mon, mate!" Dingodile hissed outside the room. The cybord quickly and quietly left the bedroom. Before the minions could exit the house, they hear growling. They turned to see Pura and Polar there, glaring at them. Pura let out a roar and began to charge at them both. Dingodile and N. Gin let out a yelp and ran out of the house as Polar let out a howl to alarm the bandicoots.

Crash and Crunch left their bedrooms to see what the commotion is, and see the front door is wide open. Pura is outside of the house, roaring. Crunch stepped out of the house to see Dingodile and N. Gin running towards the jungle.

"Crash, did they just break in our home?!" He asked in shock. Crash shrugged at him, trying to calm his polar bear. Coco and Crystal walked out of their room to see the two with Pura and Polar.

"What's going on?" Coco asked, turning on the lights. Crystal started to feel something odd on her stomach. She lifted her shirt a little to see a small bruise.

"That was weird." She said to herself. "Eh, it'll go away in a few days."
After searching around the house, nothing seems to be missing or damaged. Why did Dingodile and N. Gin come here so late? Crunch locks the front door and windows and told everyone to return to bed and tell Aku Aku what happened by morning. So, the bandicoots went to their rooms to get back to bed.

When morning arrives, Aku Aku came to the house and see the bandicoots are waiting for his return. Crunch told Aku Aku what happened last night. The mask was in shock, but worried about the safety of the bandicoots.

"We're fine, but...we wanted to know why would Dingodile and N. Gin break into our house without taking our things or try to hurt us in our sleep." Coco said.

"That is a mystery." Aku Aku said. "But, I am relieved that you are all unharmed." While he is talking to his children, Crystal held her stomach, groaning a little. Crash turned to her in concern. He touches her shoulder, wondering if she is okay.

"Excuse me." Crystal said, rushing out of the living room. Everyone watched her run down the hallway and get in the bathroom. The door was slam shut. Aku Aku turned back to the bandicoots.

"What's going on with her? Is she ill?" He asked.

"I don't know." Coco replied.

"You should've seen her earlier with that laser gun. She searched every corner of the house." Crunch said, snickering a little. Crash would laugh along, but they all hear Crystal throwing up in the bathroom. "Whoa. She didn't throw up earlier, did she?" Crunch asked. Coco got up to get to the bathroom door. She knocked on the door softly.

"Crystal, you okay? Are you sick?"

"I'm fine!" Crystal replied before throwing up again. "I'll be right out!" Coco walked away from the door to join her brothers and father figure. Crash asked if she's okay, and Coco told him that she'll be okay.

XX

Crystal flushed the toilet after vomiting. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and sighed. What is going on? She's not sick or anything when she woke up. This strange feeling suddenly came to her stomach. She stood up to face the mirror. She didn't look pale or anything. Crystal began to wash her face to cool off, and dry herself with a towel.

"I'll be fine. My stomach must've been upset or something." She told herself. She walked out of the bathroom to join the others. Aku Aku faces her with concern.

"Are you alright, Crystal?" He asked, eyeing on her.

"Yes. I don't know why I felt sick, but it passed." She replied. "I'll be fine." Aku Aku continued to stare at her. He knew something was up. He could sense it. He'll have to find out.