Two familiar primates walked among crowds of humans in the cold winter streets of New Donk City. One was a huge, muscular gorilla with brown fur, peach skin, and a red necktie with a yellow "DK" logo, none other than the famous Donkey Kong. The other was an adorable little monkey with the same fur and skin colors as Donkey Kong, a connected pair of tall oval-shaped eyes with tiny black pupils, a red Nintendo hat, and a red sleeveless shirt decorated with two large golden stars, none other than DK's sidekick, de facto nephew, and best friend, Diddy Kong. No havoc was caused by their presence, for everyone knew who they were. As a matter of fact, the entire city had been named after Donkey Kong, and one of the markets had been named after Diddy Kong. Ever since Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong met, it had become an annual tradition for them to take the magical Polar Express to New Donk City for a late December overnight and morning trip before Christmas Eve. After an action-packed morning of frolicking around in FAO Swanky, ice skating at Rambifeller Center, getting Diddy Kong the special holiday plush Gingerbread Monkey at Build-a-Kong Workshop, going to Mayor Pauline's annual Christmas concert at the Mayor Pauline Commemorative Park, and a lunch at Banana Bagels, the two Kongs were on their way to Stanley's Greens. Sometime after his battle with Cranky Kong, years before Donkey Kong was born, Stanley the Bugman developed a love for floral life and opened up his own metro-styled greenhouse, Stanley's Greens, after Pauline became the mayor of New Donk City. Donkey Kong wanted to buy his father a Christmas tree for his first Christmas back on DK Island after returning from the Pride Lands.
With his strong desire to do something nice for his father, Donkey Kong strangely felt a lot of anxiety about what the manager of Stanley's Greens, Stanley himself, would think. Stanley was still a bit wary of the Kongs after his fight with Cranky Kong years ago. Due to this, he would make Donkey Kong sign a contract upon every visit, agreeing not to cause trouble with the threat of incarceration at the New Donk City Zoo if the vow was broken.
"Diddy, what if Stanley don't let DK buy a Christmas tree for his dad?" Donkey Kong anxiously asked his little buddy.
"Donkey Kong, I think you're worrying too much," Diddy Kong assured him. "He gave you a contract to sign every year when we visited his greenhouse, and that guaranteed that we could be there if we didn't cause trouble."
"But DK and Diddy only go in past years to look at Christmas plants, not buy Christmas trees," DK reminded Diddy. "DK want one for his dad."
"I don't see why Stanley wouldn't let you buy one," Diddy told DK. "Just because your bitter old grandfather had that fight with Stanley in a greenhouse years ago doesn't mean you should doubt yourself. Besides, you weren't the one who committed the crime, so don't beat yourself up over a crime that you didn't commit."
"DK hope Diddy right," Donkey Kong said timidly.
"Donkey Kong, everything will be just fine," Diddy Kong soothed. At that point, DK and Diddy came up to a hanging signpost for Stanley's Greens, which was decorated in Christmas ribbons. They had just about reached their destination, and there was a mascot of Olaf from Frozen standing by the door dancing and waving. Diddy then pointed out and beamed, "Look, Donkey Kong! It's Olaf from Frozen!"
"Hi, my name is Olaf and I like warm hugs!" the mascot exclaimed as he opened his arms to hug Diddy Kong. Without hesitation, the young monkey ran up to him and leapt into his arms for a hug, plush doll and all. As the Olaf mascot put Diddy Kong down, Donkey Kong tried to walk past him, but then he stopped and flinched as the mascot opened his arms and shouted out, "Hi, my name is Olaf and I like warm hugs!"
Donkey Kong gave the mascot an annoyed look and coldly said, "DK wanna buy a Christmas tree for his dad."
The mascot hunched over in sadness with his arms down as Donkey Kong turned away, and then Diddy Kong told his big buddy, "Aw, come on Donkey Kong. Lighten up. Give him a hug."
"DK don't want to," Donkey Kong refused.
"Come on," Diddy Kong begged.
"No," Donkey Kong stubbornly replied.
"Donkey Kong," Diddy Kong pleaded.
"No," Donkey Kong repeated, crossing his arms and sticking his nose in the air.
The Olaf mascot covered his eyes and began to fake cry, and Diddy Kong commented, "Donkey Kong, look, you made him cry. Give him a hug, please, for me."
"But DK already buy Gingerbread Monkey for Diddy," Donkey Kong protested.
"Just do me one more favor and give Olaf a hug," Diddy Kong implored. He thought for a moment and bribed his big buddy, saying, "I'll make you the special Banana Root Beer float at the Kong Christmas party."
"Okay," Donkey Kong relented. He then turned and asked the mascot, "Do Olaf still like warm hugs?"
The mascot then sprung upright with open arms, repeating his catchphrase, "Hi, my name is Olaf and I like warm hugs!"
Donkey Kong quickly hugged the mascot, who then danced happily as the two Kongs entered into Stanley's Greens.
Right after DK and Diddy entered through the doorway, a familiar Brooklyn voice spoke, saying, "Well, look who we've got here."
"Muh-HERR!" Donkey Kong yelped, jumping in fear. He then turned to his left to see a short and slender man with shaggy light brown hair, a bucktooth, a long sleeved blue shirt, white overall long pants, brown work shoes, and a clipboard in his hand. It was none other than Stanley.
Stanley laughed and said, "What's the matter, Donkey Kong? Holiday anxiety?"
"DK just wanna buy a tree for his dad," Donkey Kong nervously replied.
"He's afraid you won't let him because of that whole Cranky Kong fiasco all those years ago," Diddy Kong added, walking up beside his friend.
"Shopping for your dad this time, eh Donkey Kong?" Stanley questioned. With a smile, he said, "For his first Christmas after that whole Pride Lands rescue mission, huh? Well, that's not a problem, IF you sign the contract. Remember the deal, huh?"
Stanley handed the clipboard to Donkey Kong, and on it was a paper that read at the top, "I, (print name), hereby agree to occupy Stanley's Greens in the most civil manner possible, with the threat of incarceration at the New Donk City Zoo if I do not comply."
"Oh, almost forgot, pen," Stanley reached into his pocket and extended a black pen to Donkey Kong, which the ape took in his huge left hand. As DK wrote his name in the blank sentence at the top of the contract and proceeded to fill in different areas such as date of birth, mailing address, social security number, and a cursive signature at the bottom, Stanley commented, "Ya know, Donkey Kong, I'm guessing you're more of a cheerful giver this year. I see you got your little buddy that Gingerbread Monkey plush doll. And now you wanna buy one of my Christmas trees for your dad."
"And he gave Olaf a hug outside," Diddy Kong chimed in.
"Oh yeah, today's theme is Frozen," Stanley replied as Donkey Kong finished his signature and handed the pen and clipboard back to him. Stanley held the clipboard in his left hand and signed beneath DK's signature with his right hand and said, "Alright Donkey Kong, you're good to go. No monkey business."
As Donkey Kong made his way off, Diddy Kong acted as the voice of reason for him, saying, "Thank you, Stanley."
Diddy Kong then followed after Donkey Kong, who said to him, "Diddy, DK don't remember where Christmas trees are."
"I do, follow me," Diddy assured DK. The young monkey then led his friend through the first floor and into the backyard, where a young man dressed up as Kristoff was wandering between the Christmas trees.
The young man stopped when he saw DK and Diddy and asked, "Hey Kongs, here to get a Christmas tree?"
"Yes," DK and Diddy simultaneously affirmed.
"DK want a tree for his dad," Donkey Kong added.
"Oh Junior, the one you guys rescued from the Pride Lands," the young man commented. "Yeah, I remember the time when Mayor Pauline called you guys in for a live interview about that, and I read the book that some guy known as Imaginative Believer wrote. Anyways, down to business, follow me."
The two Kongs followed the young man to the back of the middle row, where he tested the branches of a very large pine tree. "Being a big huge gorilla, I'm sure your dad would like this. The branches are very strong from top to bottom. You could put ornaments as heavy as five pounds on each branch. Whataya say? Deal?"
"DK like it," Donkey Kong answered.
"Alright then, this one's a keeper," the young man said as he bagged up the tree in an orange net and handed it to Donkey Kong, who held it over his right shoulder like a sack. "Look for the girl dressed up as Elsa at the front register to pay."
"Donkey Kong, shouldn't we get ornaments for your dad?" Diddy Kong asked his pal.
"DK just about to say," Donkey Kong replied.
"If you want to get ornaments, take the escalator to the second floor," the young man instructed the Kongs.
"Thanks," DK and Diddy said simultaneously.
"Come on Donkey Kong," Diddy Kong said, briefly tugging his friend by the arm.
Both primates then headed to the escalator and took it to the second floor, where there were organized rooms of different materials. There was a young woman dressed up as Anna, standing around and helping give directions.
"Donkey Kong! Diddy Kong! HI!" the young woman cheerfully greeted them, waving.
"Oh hey, Courtney," Diddy Kong replied, recognizing the girl.
"Courtney? DK thought Elsa's sister name Anna," Donkey Kong foolishly said.
Courtney laughed and said, "No, Donkey Kong, I'm not the real Anna. I'm only dressed up as her because today's Christmas theme is Frozen."
"Theme Frozen?" Donkey Kong inquired.
"We're all dressed up as characters from Frozen," Courtney clarified. "When Stanley's kids turned 3 and 4 this year, he came up with an idea to have us dress up as characters from different Christmas or winter themed movies for the first 25 days of December. He's doing it for them. But no, I'm not the real Anna. The real Anna lives in Arendal. It's just me, Courtney."
"Courtney?" Donkey Kong asked, dumbfounded.
"Don't you remember, Donkey Kong?" Diddy Kong interjected. "We see her every year when we come here."
"Yeah, and I still have that selfie I took with you guys a few months ago when you came in for interviews with Mayor Pauline about rescuing Donkey Kong's father," Courtney added. She then pulled out her iPhone and showed Donkey Kong a selfie in which she was holding Diddy Kong on her hip and Donkey Kong stood behind with a hand on her shoulder.
Donkey Kong noticed the exact same facial resemblance, bright green eyes, freckles, and red hair, although Courtney's hair was down and wavy in that picture. Finally recognizing her, Donkey Kong said, "Courtney."
"Yeah," Courtney affirmed with a smile. "Oh Donkey Kong, you're so smart."
Courtney gave Donkey Kong a kiss on the nose, which made him laugh smittenly. She then said to Diddy Kong, "Diddy Kong, I really like your Gingerbread Monkey."
"Thanks Courtney, it's the holiday special from Build-a-Kong," Diddy Kong told Courtney, hugging the plush doll. "Donkey Kong paid for it."
"Donkey Kong, how sweet," Courtney cooed.
"And now DK wanna buy ornaments for his dad," Donkey Kong said.
"Oh yes, I see you've got the tree over your shoulder," Courtney noticed. "Well, the ornaments are on the other side of this floor. You've just got to go around the escalator area."
"Thanks Courtney," DK and Diddy replied.
"Courtney Merry Christmas," Donkey Kong said, hugging Courtney with his free left hand.
"Merry Christmas, Donkey Kong," Courtney warmly answered. She then knelt down to give Diddy Kong a hug before he departed with Donkey Kong. She then called after him, "Merry Christmas to you too, Diddy Kong."
"Merry Christmas Courtney!" Diddy Kong called back as he and Donkey Kong headed into the Christmas decorations room.
Once inside the room, DK and Diddy saw people dressed up as the trolls from Frozen walking around and helping customers. There were many different types of ornaments ranging from figurines, colored glass balls, candy canes, and even miniature teddy bears.
"Hi there," a short and heavyset African-American woman in a troll costume greeted Donkey Kong. "How may I be of assistance?"
"DK wanna buy Christmas ornaments for his dad," Donkey Kong told her. Before the worker could reply, loud African drums began playing in a techno-speaker-like tone. "DK Kong Phone ringing."
Donkey Kong pulled his Kong Phone out of left fur his pocket, answered the call and said, "Hello?"
"Hi Donkey Kong, it's Candy Kong," a feminine voice replied.
Donkey Kong giggled in infatuation and murmured, "Candy."
"Donkey Kong I need you to focus, please," Candy Kong implored.
"What it is, Candy?" Donkey Kong asked.
"Listen, I hope I'm not interfering too much with you and Diddy's trip to New Donk City, but I need both of you back here on DK Island ASAP," Candy Kong urged.
"Everything okay?" Donkey Kong asked.
Candy Kong sighed and explained, "Well, no, not exactly."
"Oh no, what happen? DK's dad get kidnapped again?!" Donkey Kong frantically questioned. Ever since Junior, Donkey Kong's father, had been brought back from the Pride Lands, Donkey Kong had always been slightly paranoid about him going missing again.
"No, Donkey Kong, your father's just fine, he's here with me in the Barrel Factory right now," Candy Kong assured him. "I'll put you on speaker so you can talk to him."
"Hey Donkey Kong, I hope you and Diddy had fun in New Donk City today," Junior's voice spoke.
"DK got a tree for Dad, now DK and Diddy trying to buy ornaments," Donkey Kong told his father.
"Donkey Kong, I already have ornaments that your grandfather saved for me," Junior said. "You can pay for the tree, but your friend Candy and I need you and Diddy back here pronto."
"What it is, Dad?" Donkey Kong inquired.
"Well, Candy and I found two lost Christmas reindeer on our break and they need your help," Junior replied. "Pay for the tree and get back here soon, okay?"
"Okay," Donkey Kong complied. "Love Dad."
"I love you too, Son," Junior sad. "Ba-bye now."
"Bye," Donkey Kong reciprocated, hanging up his Kong Phone and putting it back in his fur pocket. He then told Diddy Kong, "Diddy, DK's Dad and Candy find lost reindeer. DK and Diddy have to go back and help them."
"Shouldn't we pay for the tree first?" Diddy Kong asked.
"That what DK's dad said," Donkey Kong answered.
"So no ornaments then?" the African-American lady asked.
"I'm afraid not, sorry," Diddy Kong told her, answering for Donkey Kong.
"That's okay, things like this happen," the lady replied warmly with a smile. "Good luck to you and Donkey Kong helping the reindeer. Ba-bye now."
"Bye," Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong said as they departed.
Moments later, Diddy Kong was chasing an anxious Donkey Kong through a crowded line at the front register, shouting out, "Donkey Kong! What are you doing?! Stop! You can't cut through a line like that! DONKEY KONG!"
Once standing in face to face with the cashier dressed up as Elsa, Donkey Kong speedily blurted out, "DKNEEDTOPAYFORTREENOWBEFOREGOINGBACKTODKISLANDDK'SDAD ANDCANDYNEED-"
"Woah, woah, woah, slow down," the cashier interrupted.
"Our friends and family need us back home right now and Donkey Kong's anxious to pay for the tree so that he and I can leave," Diddy Kong interjected.
"Cash or credit card?" the cashier asked.
"Credit card," DK replied, hastily pulling his wallet out of his right fur pocket and whipped out his credit card and handed it to the cashier.
The cashier hesitantly took and swiped the card, then handed it back to DK. As he put the credit card back in his wallet, and the wallet back in his fur pocket, the cashier began to ask him, "Would you like a-"
"NO! NO RECEIPT! DK AND DIDDY NEED TO GO HELP REINDEER!" Donkey Kong loudly interrupted, fleeing outside of the greenhouse.
"DONKEY KONG, WAIT FOR ME!" Donkey Kong screamed out, running after his buddy.
Once Diddy caught up to DK on the city sidewalks, he breathily snapped, "You're lucky Stanley didn't see you cutting through the line! You would have gotten in trouble!"
"DK HAVE NO CHOICE! DK AND DIDDY HAVE TO GO HELP REINDEER!" Donkey Kong shouted out, causing many people to stop and stare as he and Diddy Kong ran.
***Additional Notes***
1. New Donk City is from the game, Super Mario Odyssey, for Nintendo Switch. It is a Donkey Kong based caricature of New York City, with many of its locations named after Donkey Kong characters. That is how I came up with FAO Swanky as a substitute for FAO Schwarz and the Rambifeller Center as a substitute for the Rockefeller Center. My family and I have visited both FAO Schwarz and the Rockefeller Center on December trips to New York City.
2. Build-a-Kong was derived as an inspiration from Build-a-Dino in Disney World, which is basically a dinosaur version (with some prehistoric mammals such as mammoths and sabertooth tigers) of Build-a-Bear at T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney. Since there is an actual Build-a-Bear Workshop in New York City, which my family and I have visited on trips, I decided to create a Build-a-Kong Workshop.
3. For those who do not know, Stanley the Bugman was the hero in Donkey Kong 3, the third game of the Donkey Kong arcade series. The original Donkey Kong (Cranky Kong) raided a greenhouse with an army of insects, and Stanley the Bugman, an exterminator was hired to get them out. Since Pauline became mayor of New Donk City, I decided to make Stanley the owner/manager of his own metro styled greenhouse in that city.
4. I'm not a huge Frozen fan, but I decided to have workers dressed up as Frozen characters because I thought it would be interesting and, as weird as this may sound, I'm kind of attracted to Elsa and Anna lol. I initially wanted to have two young female workers dressed up as them take a picture with Diddy, much to DK's annoyance (as it hinders him from buying a tree for his dad), but I felt it would be too distracting and thus disrupt the pace of the story. So I put both Elsa and Anna (young women dressed up as them) in working roles that I thought would best fit them in serving a purpose in this chapter. I did intentionally keep some parts of my original idea as the young lady dressed up as Anna, Courtney, was an old acquaintance of DK and Diddy's (whom DK initially did not recognize) and briefly served as a guide for them in the greenhouse.
5. The consistent mentions of Donkey Kong's father being rescued from the Pride Lands are a reference to my completed Donkey Kong/Lion King crossover, Kongs in the Pride Lands. This story takes place in the same timeline, sometime after the events of Kongs in the Pride Lands.
6. I had the young man dressed up as Kristoff mention my author name, Imaginative Believer, having written about the Kongs' adventure in the Pride Lands as an inspiration from Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong remake when Preston tells Carl that Fay Wray is already booked for a project with RKO Pictures, to which Carl replies, "Cooper, huh?" Merian C. Cooper is the writer and director of the original King Kong movie in 1933.
7. I decided to make Donkey Kong a left-handed writer because I myself and left-handed. Like Donkey Kong in this chapter, I also have a habit of keeping my cellphone in my left pocket (since I hold the phone to my left ear while talking, which is likely due to my left-handed penmanship) and my wallet in my right pocket. So in essence, I put a bit of myself into Donkey Kong since he is my favorite character in Nintendo and in this story. It also works perfectly because Donkey Kong is a southpaw puncher with his Giant Punch attack in Super Smash Bros Melee and is also a left-handed batter in the Mario Baseball games (using a boxing glove instead of a bat).