One of the many Legends surrounding the Wumpa Islands was “The Legend of the Laughing Princess”. The story told the tale of an ancient tribal princess, obsessed with fun and laughter to where she would pull all sorts of mischievous acts and pranks on her people and even her servants. After her passing, the tribe paid tribute to the young Princess by carving “laughing totems” and placing them within the abandoned temple to act as an audience for her in the afterlife.

Years later, Coco Bandicoot and Nina Cortex explored the temple, having heard of both the legend, and a mystical artifact that the Princess had left behind. A magical artifact said to contain a mysterious power she had possessed. Upon entering the temple, the two would find the “Rune of Laughter”, and Nina, being who she was, immediately grabbed the rune; with Coco trying to get it away from her.

But upon doing so, Laughter filled the room, then their bodies, and then their minds! Upon dropping the rune, a strange tribal beat began to play in their heads, as the laughter intensified. Soon, the two girls found themselves giggling and laughing along with the voices in their head. They even started laughing at themselves and at each other, making silly gestures and funny faces at each other, while their bodies grew thicker, more cylindrical. Their once brilliant minds had been drained of all intellect, and filled with the simplistic bliss of pure joy and laughter.

Their new Totem-like forms had now been completed, and the two girls happily sat in the temple. Still laughing and chanting along with the silly song echoing through the walls. But like all fun parties, it wouldn’t last forever. Because soon enough, the rich night sky and the light of moon, would shift… bathing the two in the warmth and brightness of Daytime...

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Original Sketch: My Friend
Colors: Me
Crash Bandicoot (C) Activision