Crashtex

CrashxCortex is the slash ship between Crash Bandicoot and Dr Neo Cortex in the Crash Bandicoot fandom.

Canon
Crash and Cortex are mortal enemies by nature, as Crash has repeatedly thwarted Cortex and his plans. This, in turn, is the crux of the story for most of the series, with Crash and Cortex fighting and Crash coming out triumphant. However, there is a history between the main protagonist and main antagonist that belies this status. Originally, Crash Bandicoot was created to be the general of Cortex's army - the Cortex Commando's. After the Cortex Vortex that was supposed to brainwash Crash failed, Crash managed to escape, and thus started the events of the first game.

According to the flashback tapes in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, Cortex began to develop a fatherly feeling and bond with Crash during the testing stages, and even gifted Crash his old shorts. During one of the levels set in the Cortex Castle dimension, a past version of Cortex called Crash "strong, clever, and above all, loyal." Even after Crash escaped, Cortex seemed to harbor feelings of loss for Crash. Crash and Cortex would end up working together in Crash Twinsanity. The two work together continually throughout the game, usually against Cortex's will with Crash using him either as a hammer or a sled for instance. Additionally, as the story focuses more on Cortex and his past, the two share a lot of moments together. Cortex first manages to trick Crash by disguising himself as Crash's sister, Coco, and luring him into a trap. Unfortunately for Cortex, Crash defeats him and the two get caught in a massive fight, before briefly teaming up to escape the underground. Once they are out, the pair are visited by a pair of interdimensional parrots known as the Evil Twins that threaten to kill Cortex and destroy Wumpa Island. Cortex runs away scared before pleading to Crash for help, and then later takes Crash to his Iceberg Lab to concoct a plan to to defeat the Evil Twins. After another visit from the Evil Twins, Aku Aku and Uka Uka consider handing Cortex over to the Evil Twins in the hope that it will save Wumpa Island. Cortex again turns to Crash for help, and explains how he is like a father to bandicoot in that he "raised you, nursed you... tried to destroy you." He then proposes a truce with Crash, and shows him a way they can reach the Evil Twins and stop them. By the end of the game, and with the Evil Twins defeated, Cortex decides to turn on Crash and get rid of him for good. This backfires, and instead Cortex winds up trapped inside Crash's brain.

Cortex would again agree to work with Crash in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. Following his initial defeat, Cortex pleads to Crash, asking if all they're going to do is fight each other with him always losing. After Dr N. Tropy briefly appears and betrays Cortex, the mad scientist teams up with Crash and Coco to prevent himself from being wiped from existence. In response, Crash hugs his former enemy, albeit with Cortex not enjoying it. Later on, however, Cortex would betray the group when he learns of a way to get rid of Crash for good.

Aside from these moments, Crash and Cortex have a typical relationship of hero and villain, and rarely get along at all.

Behind the Scenes

 * Several deleted scenes and levels for Crash Twinsanity further elaborate on Crash and Cortex's relationship in the game, and were intended to give the duo more moments together.
 * A deleted scene has Cortex moaning over how he is constantly throw around by Crash, before reluctantly agreeing to continue helping, while also calling Crash a "pathetic loser."
 * Upon their first arrival in the 10th Dimension, originally Crash and Cortex were to have switched personalities. This would have resulted in a level where Crash would repeatedly hurt and torment Cortex in order to turn them back to normal.

Fanon
As stated earlier, Crash and Cortex are often portrayed as enemies to each other. However, it is also common for fans to depict the two on friendlier terms with one another. On AO3, CrashxCortex is the most written ship for Neo and the second most written for Crash. It is the most written romantic for both of them. It is also the second most written ship in the Crash Bandicoot (Video Games) tag.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION

DEVIANTART'