The Professor Is In…
-Bad Guy on Good Side

Chapter 1 - Home Sweet Home

The Professor finally got home from Los Angeles! Everyone went to spend the week there for the Academy Awards ceremony. It was a very warm Sunday, and everyone decided to go down to the beach. The Professor was talking to some friends on the computer when Tani comes running up the path in the front yard.

She came running through the door and asked, “When are you coming?”
“I’ll be there in a minute” he replied. “But we’re all at the beach right now!”
“Yeah I know, but I’m almost done on here.”

Tani smirked and walked up to me, “Don’t make me have to… Tickle You!!!”
“Tani, Stop!” the Professor laughed. “Only, if you get off right now.” “Alright, alright, I’ll get off after I say bye to my friends.”
“Ok, but make it quick!” she said getting impatient.

The Professor continued to type and Tani grabbed his shirt and pulled him off his chair. They both ran out of the house and down to the beach. Everyone saw Steve walking from the forest. The bandigers got excited and started playing with him. Crunch on the other hand, started to get annoyed with him. They started fighting. But Tani and the Professor immediately stopped the fight within a few seconds.

The Prof. stood in the middle of the two and started yelling, “What is your problem Crunch?” “I’m not sure” he replied but very confused. He grinned, “This is supposed to be a fun day at the beach! Not a day of fighting!” “Yeah, I know. I’ll try not to do it again.” “Alright, well Steve, are you alright?” He turned to the Professor, “Yeah, I’m alright.”

The Professor had a black stare, “I think I might know what’s going on.” he said as he ran back to his home. He sat back down on the computer chair and started his research. Later that night, he had pulled up some articles of what seemed to be the 10th dimension? None of it made sense to him since he had never heard anything of it before. He knew that Steve had said something about it before however, and started to chat with him on the computer.

The Professor knew everything now. It was nearly dusk when he called Brio and asked if he and Steve could come to the castle to do use his time machine, “Steve is already here Professor, why aren’t you here yet?”
“Well that was quick. I’ll be there in a few.” He hung up the phone and walked outside to find Crunch already in the speed boat which was resting on the shore. After a few minutes, they arrived at Brio’s castle.

“Yes Steve, I pretty certain that killing the ‘good’ you will fix everything.” the Professor concluded hours later. “Are you sure about this?” Steve asked. “I said I was pretty certain, but I think that it will work” Crunch sat confused, although he kind of understood. “Well Steve, are you ready to go?” the Prof. added. “Yeah I think, so I just go and kill the ‘good’ me right?” “Yep, that’s right!”

He got up from the table, “I’m ready.” he said confidently.
“Alright Brio, get ready.” the Professor said as he placed goggles over his eyes. Crunch was doing the same.

Chapter 2 - The 10th Dimension

“I’m ready to go. You can start Brio!” Steve said and Brio powered up the dimensional portal. Steve stared on it for a moment and as he could see the other side, he moved to the portal.

“Good luck Steve!” the Professor said.
“I don’t want you to come back as a bad guy!” Crunch told him.
“Nah, I won’t. Don’t worry.” Steve replied and went finally through the portal. It was a wild ride but it only took him a few moments.

As he arrived in the other dimension, he could find himself in Neo’s castle. “It’s a strange feeling to be back here…” he said to himself.
But suddenly he could hear something. Someone was coming down the hallway, “Hello, anyone there?” Steve hid himself in the dark and took a look to the door. As it opened, he was a bit relived. It was Cortex, but the good one of course. Steve came out of the dark. Cortex was a bit surprised. “Steve? Is that really you? What’s happened to you?” “I think I’m not who you think I am. I came from another dimension and I have something to do here.” “You what?! That’s impossible! I‘ve never built something that could open a portal to other dimensions!”  “Well maybe not in this one, but you did in my dimension. Let me explain you everything…” Steve replied and told Cortex what he was doing there.

“Now things are a lot clearer to me. So you have to find yourself in this dimension to change yourself in your dimension?” “Yeah, that’s why I’m here. Can you help me?” “Of course I can. Well I think you want to know where you live here, right? Over there!” Cortex said and pointed over to N.Sanity Island. “What, on N.Sanity Island? Doesn’t Crash live there?” “No, you’re the only one who lives there. Should I take you over to the island?” “That’s not necessary. I’ll swim over. Thanks for the help!” Steve said and dived into the water.
“No problem! But be careful! It’s very dangerous on the X.Treme Island here!”

A few minutes Steve arrived on N.Sanity Island. He searched on the island a bit and finally found a wooden house. He hid in the bushes around to avoid to be seen. After some time he could see someone coming out of the house. It was himself who just came out. But the Steve of this dimension looked much different from himself. He was smaller and less muscular as he was. The 10th dimension Steve seemed also to be weak and afraid of everything. “That’ll be much easier than I thought…” Steve thought and jumped out of the bushes.

The 10th dimension Steve got a shock and looked very scared now. He looked into his own face, but it wasn’t him, “W-w-who are you?” he asked. “Well, I’m you. But from another dimension.” “NO! That can’t be true! You can’t be me…” “But it is true!” “…Well if it is true, what do you want from me?” the 10th dimension Steve asked “You’re the reason why I have a big problem in my dimension with my life. And so I want to get rid of you!” the real Steve replied. “But what I’ve done? I don’t understand it. Why do you want to kill me?” “Listen, I want to finish this as fast as possible. So shut up!” Steve shouted and gave a punch to the other Steve. The 10th dimension Steve flew against a tree and screamed in pain.

Suddenly the door of the house opened and two small bandicoot kids came out running towards the 10th dimension Steve. “Daddy!” they both screamed and hugged the other Steve. The real Steve couldn’t believe it. “Did they really say daddy?” he thought and looked confused over to the three. The two bandicoot kids were looking angrily over the real Steve. Steve then got back in his mind what he actually wanted to do. But as he noticed a Bandicoot girl too, which seemed to be the wife of the 10th dimension Steve, he ran through the forest, to the beach and in the water.

He swam far into the sea and finally reached X.Treme Island. There he sat down on the beach and looked over to N.Sanity Island where he just came from, “Oh man that was tight. I nearly killed the dad of a family. I thought he’s alone…” he said to himself. “I don’t think I’m able to do, what I’m actually here for now. I can’t destroy a family only to be the good one in my dimension and to have a better life. Even if it’s me I have to kill! But what should I do? If I go back now, I have no place to go. I’ll be a too big risk for Crunch, Tani, the bandigers or anyone else. I could even stay here for the end of my life then…”

He sat there on the beach until the sun was rising and was thinking about what he could do now. As the sun was up, he finally slept in.

Chapter 3 - Evil Twins

A few hours later he got up again. He was woken up by two loud voices. They came from the forest and sounded kinda like Crunch and Tani. Steve followed the voices deep into the forest and finally could see three creatures. He hid behind a tree and watched them carefully. The three creatures were the evil Tani, the Evil Crunch and the evil professor! Steve was surprised. He didn’t expect to see an evil version of the Professor too. But it was obviously since everyone’s opposite was here. “Hmm…If it’s really true what you’ve just told me Crunch,” the professor started, “then we have to try to get this new bandicoot on our side. You said he’s the Steve from another dimension, Crunch?” “Yeah, that’s what I told ya old man.” the evil Crunch replied.

Steve knew what was going on. So he decided to show himself and walked out of the forest to the small group “Someone called my name?” Steve said, “Who was it and what do you want from me?” “I didn’t expect to see you so early. But it’s true what Crunch told me. You’re really the strongest one I’ve ever seen… Tell me, is it true that you’re from another dimension?” the Professor asked him.
“Yeah, It’s true! Do you have any problems with that?”
“Well then you must be the opposite of the Steve we have here.”
“I think so…” “That means that you must be evil, like us… So what I want to ask you then, do you want to join our side?”
“Actually I’m just here to kill my good side so that I can be the good one in my dimension. So, NO!” “I can’t accept a no as an answer. Crunch, Tani get him!” the professor shouted and Crunch and Tani prepared to fight. Steve knew that he couldn’t fight against Crunch and Tani's evil side because the real ones he knew, will be hurt then too. As Crunch ran over to him, he just caught him and knocked him out by throwing him into a tree. As Tani came for him, he did the same with her. Both were now hanging on a tree and the evil professor looked confused and angry the same time to them. “So what’s now, huh?” Steve asked.
“This won’t be the last time we’ll see each other! I’ll get you on my side you damn bandicoot!” the professor yelled and ran away. Crunch and Tani were still hanging in the tree. Steve looked up to them and smirked. Then he turned away and headed back to the beach.

Chapter 4 - From Evil to Good

It was the next day and Steve finally decided not to do why he actually was in this dimension. He simply couldn’t kill the 10th dimension Steve. It was already hard enough because it’s himself he has to kill but he’s even the dad of a family here. He’ll go back into his dimension, even if that means that he can’t live together with his family anymore, and has to live alone somewhere else. But before he goes, he wanted to excuse for all what he did and wanted to explain why he did that too.

As he was back on N.Sanity Island it was a bit too silent. There was something going on. And as Steve reached the house, he could see what it was. The evil Crunch and Tani had kidnapped the 10th dimension Steve and his family. The real Steve just left the forest as Crunch shouted over to him, “If you come to our side, we’ll leave them and nothing will happen to them.” “But if you don’t…” evil Tani started. Then evil Crunch went over to the 10th dimension Steve and bit him in his neck. He was still alive after that attack but so heavily hurt that he wouldn’t survive long. “You shouldn’t have done that…” the real Steve growled loudly and went madder by the second as he finally freaked out. He dashed over to the evil Tani and punched her hard in her face. She flew back a few meters and stayed lying on the ground. Then he went quickly over to the evil Crunch and grabbed him. His claws dug deeply in Crunch’s flesh. Crunch screamed loud in pain but Steve didn’t stop. He was in a rage and nothing could stop him now. He hurt the evil Crunch so bad that he was full of blood after a while. Finally evil Crunch and Tani were lying on the ground whimpering for their poor lives.
Steve got slowly back to normal. He wasn’t heartless. Not even to the evil Crunch or Tani since he knew what’ll happen if he kills them. So he allowed them to escape. And they did, as fast as they could.

Steve then cared of the other Steve’s family first before he went over to his 10th dimension counterpart. He kneeled down beside him and looked on his wounds, “I don’t like to say it but, I don’t think you’ll survive…”
“I know. I can feel it.” the other Steve replied.
“Actually I’m just here to excuse me. All what’s happened to you is only my fault. And when you die, it’s my fault too.” the real Steve said. “No… It isn’t your entire fault. You were just the wrong time at the wrong place. But… but what will happen with you now?”
“Well I think I’ll go back into my dimension and try to make the best out of my life now…” The 10th dimension Steve looked at the real one like he wanted to say good luck.
The real Steve wanted to go, but the other one hold him back from going, “Before you go, I want to ask you a favor…” “Sure. I’ll do anything for ya!” “Well… we both know that I’ll die soon and I’m really suffering. What I want from you is… Could you take me out of my misery?” The real Steve got closer to his counterpart, “Are you really sure you want this?” he asked. “Yes, I'm sure.” and the 10th dimension Steve closed his eyes. Then the real Steve did what he was asked for.

Chapter 5 - Everything Alright Now?

Steve finally got back to the good Cortex castle to go back into his dimension. He felt sad and happy the same time. He was sad that he had to kill his 10th dimension counterpart and leave his family alone, but happy that everything would change for him.

He stood in the portal room and the good Cortex prepared everything for him so that he finally could go home. “So you’ve finished why you were here?” Cortex asked him “Yeah I did. But it was not as easy as I thought…” A few seconds passed and none of the two said a work, until Cortex broke the silent, “Ok, any systems are ready to go! I’ll power up the portal now!” he said and pressed a button.
The portal slowly powered up. “Ok the vortex is now stable and you can go through it.” Cortex said. “Thanks again for your help.” Steve replied.
“No problem. But you should go now…”
“Yeah… Goodbye!” “Goodbye, Steve! I hope everything will be alright for you now!” Those were the last words Steve heard as he went through the portal. It was a short trip like before and as he came out on the other side, it ended with hitting Crunch.

They both landed on the floor and looked at each other. For some reason Crunch wasn’t really happy to see his brother back. It was the opposite. Crunch was angry and got fast up again. Steve did too. Well knowing what was coming now. Crunch grabbed his brother and pushed him to a wall. Steve did nothing. He just closed his eyes and opened them again as he noticed a pain in his right arm. He could feel the claws of Crunch’s left paw. He had to do something or else he’ll end like his 10th dimension counterpart. So he freed himself from Crunch, lifted him up and smacked him on the floor. Crunch didn’t give up and attacked Steve again. This time he left three deep cuts from his claws on Steve left arm. Steve got a bit angry now. He hauled off for a punch and hit Crunch right in his stomach. His brother hit the wall and fell down to the floor again. He looked up at Steve one more time before he was knocked out.

One hour later. Crunch slowly opened his eyes. He felt tired and heavy, “Was the hit really so hard that it knocked you out for a full hour?” Steve said as he saw his brother awaken. “…Uh, was it really you who hit me?” Crunch replied slowly.
“I’m sorry for that. But I had to stop you or else I would end up like my 10th dimension counterpart.” “You don’t have to say sorry. If someone should, then it would be me. I know it sounds stupid, but I don’t know why I’ve attacked you.” “But I know… Your counterpart attacked me in the other dimension and nearly killed him. He would’ve died anyway because of his wounds. So he finally asked me if I could take him out of his misery. That’s why I knew what you were up to as I came back.”
“You really saw that already in the other dimension? But anyways, I’m sorry for that.”
“You don’t have to be. Nothing really bad happened and so I don’t mind. You only left some scars on me…” Steve said and showed Crunch the six new scars. “But as I said, I don’t mind. Do you want to hear the full story?” Steve asked.
“That was the next thing I wanted to ask you. So, yeah…” Crunch replied.
“Ok. It all started as I was in the good Neo castle, unbelievable that a ‘good’ Neo even exists, right? Well, he helped me to…” and Steve told him everything what’s happened in the other dimension.

 

Chapter 6 - Steve’s Return

As Steve finished his story and Crunch felt better, they were in the café as the professor came in. He didn’t look happy at all, as he sat down to the two bandicoots, “Steve, I don’t have good news, It seems like you were in the other dimension for no reason. You’ve not changed at all.” “What?! You mean I did all that for no reason? Killed my 10th dimension counterpart, left his family without their dad, hurt the evil Crunch and Tani caused a chaos in our two dimensions, was nearly killed by Crunch again and all that for nothing?!” “I’m sorry for that. But yeah, that’s what my research’s told me…” the Professor said. Steve got angrier with every second and the Professor got a bit scared of him. Crunch was still chewing on his steak.
As he noticed that his brother was up to freak out again, he simply turned into his water form and cooled the hot head down a bit, “I think we all don’t want this to happen.” Crunch said to his now wet brother. “I guess you’re right…” Steve growled in reply.
“Thanks Crunch.” the Professor said slightly relived. “No problem. But do you think there’s another way for him to become normal?” The Professor just wanted to give an answer to Crunch as Brio suddenly came in and did it for him, “W-w-well there is a way. I know well about your problem Steve since I noticed it the first time ages ago. D-d-do you remember that day, Neo forced you to fight against two of his n-n-new fighting minions?” “How could I ever forget…” Steve replied. “Since that day I-I-I know about it. Cos as you killed one of them, you w-w-went into an extreme rage. Even N-N-Neo was impressed by so much potential. He nearly d-d-dropped the plans he had with Crunch and was about using you then. W-w-well since that day I was working on a project, Neo gave up. It was a m-m-machine, which should turn ‘good’ anthros into evil ones. I tried to reverse that function but was n-n-never able to. But I hope I’ll be this time with the h-h-help of Professor Eckenrode.” Brio said and looked over to the professor.
“I’ll try my best Brio.” he said and the two went out of the café.
“Seems like there is a new hope for ya now.” Crunch said.
“Maybe. But if that doesn’t work, there are not many options left.” Steve said and looked Crunch in his eyes.

About two hours later. It was almost midnight and Crunch, Steve, Brio and Professor Eckenrode were in Brio’s lab. “I think we’ve finished this thing…” the Professor said.
“Y-y-yes. I agree with you.” Brio said.
“Well then Steve, If that works, you’ll be a normal bandicoot like Crunch.” the Professor continued and led Steve over to a table under the machine, “If you could lay down here…” As Steve lay on the table, the Professor tied him on it, “That’s only for the case if anything goes wrong, so don’t worry.” “I don’t mind as long as you start soon…” Steve replied a bit annoyed. “Ok I just wanted to explain you everything, but I think we should better start now.” the Prof. said and went over to the control panel. “Everyone’s in the safety zone?” “Y-y-yes. I am.” Brio stuttered. “Yup.” Crunch replied. “Ok then let’s go.” Professor Eckenrode said and turned on the ray. It quickly powered up and a black lightning hit Steve in his chest. “What if anything goes wrong and he’ll turn to pure evil?” Crunch asked. “Better don’t hope that. If it does, you’ll have to stop him on a way.”
“…I understand.” Crunch replied seriously.

As the process was over, there was total silence. Everyone looked at Steve as he slowly moved. The professor went over to him to free him from the chains.
Crunch walked over to him too “Steve? Everything alright?” he asked his brother.
“Sure. My head is just spinning…” he replied. “Oh that has to be a side effect. Cause you know, we never tested that thing before.” the Professor told them. “And how we know if that thing worked?” Steve asked. “Well I could imagine something…” Crunch said with a smile. “Don’t even think about that!” Steve yelled at him. “Hmm I think I know how…Steve you should go now and rest a while. Should be the best for you now.” Professor Eckenrode said and the bandicoot did as he was told. As Steve left the room, the professor went over to Brio and Crunch, “Ok, here’s my plan, Crunch could you…” a few minutes past and the Professor was still explaining his plan. “So everyone knows what you have to do?” Brio nodded in reply. “I don’t know if that’s really a good idea. I have worries I could hurt you Prof.” Crunch said. “You don’t have to. Nothing would happen if everything goes to plan.”

The next morning, Steve just went up as he heard a loud scream, “HELP!” from the sound of the voice he could tell that it was the Professor. He ran out of his room and through the hallways following the screaming voice of the Professor. At the end of a hallway he saw a closed door where the voice must coming from. It was the heavy door to Neo’s private lab but there was no time to break it. So Steve turned into his metal form and ran through it. As he was on the other side he couldn’t believe what he saw. Crunch was attacking the professor. Steve didn’t thought about it for a moment. He just tackled his brother against a wall and pinned him there. Crunch started to smirk and even the Professor did. Steve was confused.  “Seems like the test was successful Prof.” Crunch said. “Yeah Crunch. You’re right.” “Could anyone tell me what’s going on here?” Crunch’s little brother asked still confused. “If you let me down here, I’ll tell ya.” Crunch said. “And it’s really everything ok?” Steve asked as he let Crunch slowly down.
“Yeah, it was just a test to see if you’re still evil or now a good one. And it seems that you’re a good one now.” Crunch replied to him. “Ok. Now I understand all that. But why you had to fool me like this!?” Steve shouted and gave his brother a head butt. Crunch gave one back, but hurt himself because Steve was still in his metal form. Then they went quickly into a new fight. The Professor turned away and left the room, “Some things will never change…” he said as he left.

The End

Written by Steve Bandicoot and wdogg590