Author's note: OMG, it's been THAT LONG!?!? Lol, sorry, school got in the way. Trimester exams are coming up, so the next chapter, might be delayed too… Also, the plot bunnies for other fic ideas have been multiplying like mad! And I temporarily went braindead at one point while writing this chapter.
Thank you, Violent Tomboy, for reviewing! Yes, Fai and Kurogane will show up later, but… you'll just have to wait and see. Keep reviewing, please! If you're reading this fic, please go to my profile page and vote in the poll! I'm gonna start putting up a poll after each chapter. The poll will be about various details about the next chapter that I'm having trouble deciding on. I'll try to keep the polls vague so that you won't be spoiled for the chapter. Oh, and I'm currently looking for someone willing to beta-read this fic, so if you're interested, PM me or leave a review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles, or Super Smash Bros. Brawl. If I did, there would be more blatant crossovers with CLAMP works in TRC, and tripping would be gone in Brawl.
Chapter 3: Of Manjuus and Monkeys
Step: The Jungle
Elsewhere in the world of trophies, a white 'manjuu' hopped aroundfrantically. When Mokona brought the group to this world, they had each appeared in separate places, just like in Shara Country. Now Mokona was all alone, in the middle of a thick jungle!
"Syaoran! Sakura! Fai! Kurogane!" After a pause, Mokona uncertainly continued "Kuro-puu?..." hoping that maybe Kuro-pon was just hiding from Mokona. When no response came, Mokona started to hop through the jungle until it exited the group of trees and encountered a cliff. Mokona started to cry.
"Mokona doesn't know what to do… Maybe I should try to find a feather…" Mokona concentrated, tiny tears still in its eyes.
"Mokona feels a feather in this world, but it's faint… and Mokona has no idea which direction it is in…" Mokona sat down, trying to calm itself down. Suddenly, a cart with an enormous pile of bananas burst through the trees, turned sharply to avoid careening off the cliff, and drove down the path to the bottom. Before Mokona had a chance to wonder why there was a turtle driving a cart loaded with bananas, and at such a daredevil speed, it heard a smack from back in the jungle, followed by the sight of a mushroom with eyes and feet flying through the air. Mokona turned around to see a large ape wearing a tie leap out of the jungle, land on the edge of the cliff; it tilted its head up and roared as it pounded its chest angrily. The big ape stomped and looked down to the path below, where the cart was driving way from the cliff. On the back of the cart, were two cannons; a mushroom creature hopped down from the pile of bananas and fired three giant, eyed bullets. The bullets swerved through the air before closing in on the ape.
Mokona yelled "Watch out!" causing the ape to glance over at the white manjuu, but it was not necessary. A chimpanzee wearing a red shirt and hat dashed out of the jungle, leaped onto the ape's back, and used it to propel itself higher into the air. It pulled out a pair of wooden popguns and fired what appeared to be oversized peanuts at the bullets. Two of the three exploded on contact with the peanuts, but the third kept going towards the primates. The chimp, still in the air after its last shot, quickly aimed and fired at the bullet. The bullet quickly lost all of its momentum, and it landed as an empty shell behind the ape. The chimp landed next to the ape, and as the pair flexed their arms in victory, the empty shell exploded behind them. As the chimp holstered the popguns(1), Mokona ran up to the pair. "Awesome! That was so cool!" The monkeys turned and looked at Mokona. To them, Mokona looked like a talking manjuu; the monkeys just stared at Mokona until the large ape suddenly realized that the cart was getting away. Come on Diddy, we have no time for this! Bowser's minions are getting away!
The chimp nodded. Yeah! Let's go kick their butts for taking our bananas! The monkeys extended their arms and pointed out toward the cart. The pair shouted Watch out Bowser! Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong are coming for you!
The pair leapt off the cliff to pursue, but not before Mokona hitched a ride on Donkey Kong's head. Hey, what's the big idea, you… thing? "Mokona is not a thing! Mokona is Mokona!"
Whatever… wait, how can you understand us? Donkey Kong responded. "It's one of Mokona's 108 Secret Skills: talking to monkeys!(2)"
Oooookaaayyy… oh yeah! What's the big idea about catching a free ride on my shoulder!? I should just drop you off right here. Whether you survive the fall is none of my concern.
At this, Mokona quickly hopped onto Diddy, and attempted to hide under his hat. The chimp stubbornly refused to let him get under. Mokona started to cry.
"Please don't leave Mokona all alone. Mokona has been separated from my friends, and has no idea where they are! I thought that if I went with you guys, I would at least have a direction to go in, and I would cover a lot more ground than if I went by foot." Mokona made the best pleading face it could manage. "Pleeeeaase?"
The Kongs looked at Mokona, and started to feel just a little sorry for it. The sad expression on Donkey Kong's face was quickly replaced by his previous tough-guy appearance. Fine, you can come. Just don't get in the way. I'm Donkey Kong, but call me DK. The guy you're sitting on is Diddy Kong. "Yay! Mokona is going to have lots of fun with you guys!"
Diddy snickered at the manjuu's exclamations. He didn't know why Mokona seemed to bother DK so much; it was kind of cute, and its happy-go-lucky attitude was infectious. As the two (plus one freeloader) neared the trees below, Diddy thought that maybe today wasn't such a bad day. Sure, their banana horde had been stolen by Bowser's minions, but they would get it back easily. He had also gotten to do some really cool mid-air gun stunts, and had met what seemed to be an awesome new friend. Snapping out of his thoughts, Diddy grabbed onto some branches to slow his descent, and landed on the grass next to DK. With a shared nod, the monkeys ran off, Mokona peacefully humming on Diddy's shoulder.
Eventually, Mokona's curiosity got the better of it, and asked why they were chasing that cart. DK's face grimaced in anger, before replying, The turtle driving the cart was one of the Hammer Brothers, a special division of the Koopa Troopas. The Koopa Troopas, as well as the Goombas and Bullet Bills, are all the minions of Bowser, King of the Koopas. We're chasing the cart obviously because they stole our precious banana horde! But I have no idea what they would want with it…
The group suddenly found themselves at a fork in the path. To the left was the road, the cart's tracks easily visible in the dirt. To the right was a path along a cliff overlooking the road; in the distance, some ruined structures were visible. It seemed that the path choice would be obvious.
"Left!"
Left!
Right!
Mokona and Diddy turned to look at DK. "Why right?" Yeah, the cart went left!
Because, I know where the road leads; the cliff is a more direct route, so we'll catch up to the cart more quickly. Donkey Kong ran off to the right, before smirking over his shoulder and boasting I know this jungle like the back of my hand! Bowser must be stupid to mess with the Kongs on their own turf! The other two laughed happily, before following him.
Farther down the road, the group encountered a group of Goombas and Koopas guarding a large stone tunnel. It looked like Bowser's minions had anticipated them taking the faster path. However this wasn't a problem for the Kongs. DK easily sent them flying with a swipe of his arm. As they continued into the tunnel, pummeling the enemies rushing in from the other side, Mokona wondered aloud why the cart hadn't gone this way. The question was silently answered when they exited the tunnel and found themselves at high ledge overlooking a huge valley.
"Oh! That makes sense! There's nowhere for the cart to go now! But wait! How do we get across?" Donkey Kong simply pointed over to the side; there rested a black, barrel-shaped cannon. Mokona turned to look out in front again, and noticed other barrel cannons floating in the air in the distance.
"This is going to be lots'a fun!" Mokona joyfully yelled, before the group hopped into the cannon. As the three blasted into the air, one sound could be heard:
"Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!"
Once the group was on the other side, they encountered a group of Koopas and Goombas guarding a stone structure. Looking past the structure, DK pointed out that the bridge that was usually there was missing. There should be a switch on the wall facing the gap. All we have to do is bust these guys up and hit it. Diddy and Mokona nodded, before the three ran forward. Donkey Kong did a sliding kick to knock the closest Goomba out of the way, before forcefully clapping, a second Goomba caught between his hands. Diddy leapt onto a Koopa's shell, and the turtle hid in its shell in fright. The chimp picked it up and lobbed it at a Koopa on top of the wall near the switch, knocking both Koopas off the cliff. As Donkey Kong leapt into the air and smashed his fists down onto an unfortunate Koopa, Diddy ran forward, backflipped (his momentum keeping him moving forward), and yelled Monkey Flip! The chimp latched onto a Goomba's face, and started pounding at it, before jumping off, kicking the Goomba in the process.
Meanwhile, Mokona was busy sneaking around to the switch; no one noticed the manjuu during all of the commotion. Once Mokona was on the structure with the switch, it climbed down into an alcove, where it found a glowing red switch bigger than itself. Mokona leaped and kicked it, causing a stone platform to rise into the air above the chasm. Mokona whistled, and was soon grabbed by Diddy as the Kongs ran across. After launching themselves a short distance with another cannon, the group found themselves at the base of a huge cliff. (3)
This is another reason why the cart had to go the other way: not only can it not climb this, but it wouldn't be able to survive the fall on the other side. Donkey Kong commented, smirking. The monkeys began to climb up the wall as Mokona cheered them on from on top of Diddy's head. Reaching the top, the group was greeted with the sight and sound of the waterfall pouring from an opening just below them. The Kongs jumped, and grabbed and swung on vines to help slow their descent. Once they reached the bottom, they were greeted by an interesting sight –
"A giant Goomba!?" shouted Mokona. "How do you beat that!?"
Simple came Donkey Kong's calm reply. He leapt into the air above the giant Goomba, and as he fell, he yelled Headbutt!(4). The ape then went on to perform the spoken attack; the force of the attack pounded the oversized mushroom into the ground, knocking it unconscious.
"S… sugoi!(5)" Mokona cried, Diddy clapped and danced, while DK just shook his head to get re-oriented. The group ran ahead until they came across the path. Donkey Kong turned to Diddy. This is where the cart's going to show up. Seeing as there aren't any tracks, it's safe to assume that we haven't missed it. So, Diddy… DK smiled mischievously as Diddy cocked his head, listening. …Do you still have those extra bananas you always carry around?
The cart rounded the corner, and sped ahead. Suddenly, the driver noticed a line of yellow across the path. Not certain what it was, he didn't slow down; he didn't realize what it was until he collided with the banana peel barricade. The cart spun out of control, and tipped over, knocking the driver unconscious and spilling the yellow cargo. The Kongs and Mokona jumped out from behind the bush they were watching from, high-fives going all around. As the Kongs pounded their chests in victory, Mokona asked "how are you going to carry all of these back? The cart's not in any condition to drive…"
DK paused and thought about it. Guess we didn't think about it that much.
Mokona cheerfully responded, "If you'll let me, one of Mokona's 108 secret skills could be of help!" And what skill would that be… "Infinite Storage Space!(6)"
Mokona then opened its mouth wide and inhaled the entire stack of bananas; the Kongs stared wide-eyed as their precious fruit disappeared. Donkey Kong roared at Mokona for "eating" his bananas and grabbed the manjuu, until Mokona spit a banana into the ape's face.
"You weren't listening! Mokona said 'Infinite Storage Space!' Mokona wasn't going to eat them!" After a slight pause, the three began to laugh; however, they were cut short by a loud stomp. Turning around, the group saw a massive Koopa with fangs, claws, a spiked shell, spiked armbands, a spiked collar, and flame-red hair.
Bowser! muttered Donkey Kong under his breath, as the monstrous turtle stepped forward and roared.
"Ha ha ha, long time no see, Donkey Kong" King Koopa said, an evil grin on his face. Bowser's slow drawl only served to emphasize the loathing infused with his words; Diddy jumped in front of DK and got in a fighting stance. "Ah, and let's not forget your little friend Diddy. I believe this is the first time we've dear, it seems as though you have managed to take out all of my minions and retrieve your precious bananas. Looks like I've lost…"
Something's wrong. Usually Bowser's more persistent than this. DK wondered to himself. Come to think of it, why would he want our bananas in the first place? The only explanation is that this is…
"… Or NOT!" roared Bowser, pulling a large black gun with numerous purple spheres located all over it. King Koopa immediately began charging the weapon, aimed at the oblivious Diddy.
"DK! That gun is giving off high levels of energy! It's dangerous!" shouted Mokona at the ape, who was still clutching the manjuu. DK nodded and tossed Mokona onto Diddy's shoulder, saying only Take care of Diddy for me. The ape began to wind up a punch.
"DK? What do you mean?" Mokona glanced over, and noticed that the chimp was still ready to fight, despite the nearly-charged gun pointed at his face. Mokona glanced back at DK in time to see DK's fist come flying toward them. GIANT PUNCH!!! yelled the ape, as the fist connected with Diddy's back, sending the chimp and the manjuu on its shoulder flying off into the distance. As the pair flew off, Diddy covered his eyes as Bowser fired the arrow-shaped beam at DK, turning the ape into a trophy.
"DK! NOOOO!!!"
I'm going to get you Bowser! NO ONE messes with the Kongs!
And then the two flew out of sight.
Author's Nonsense
Yggy: Yay! Mokona's been located! Two more left to find!
Sakura: Wait, I was on a runaway warpstar at the end of Chap. 2! Where am I now?
Yggy: Crap. Make that 3. Or 2.5, if you want to look at it like that.
Syaoran: Yggdrasil-san! You better not have hurt Sakura-hime!
Yggy: She's fine. She'll be traveling with a different group now!
Kirby: Aww…
Yggy: Oh yeah! Vote in the poll on my profile! Also, if anyone can guess who Sakura, Kurogane, and Fai will be traveling with, either review or PM me! If you guess right, then I might use your ideas in this fic or future fics!
Syaoran: Wait, doesn't almost every fanfic author use the "guess plot details and you win a prize" idea?
Yggy: … yes.
Author's Notes:
1: Where does he put them, anyway? I mean, you don't actually see the guns when he's not using them. Same thing with the jetpack.
2: Mokona hasn't actually said this is one of his skills, but in my opinion, if he can translate millions of languages being spoken near him without conscious effort, then he should be able to talk to a monkey. Especially monkeys this advanced.
3: It made more sense than an inexplicable floating platform.
4: This is what the attack's name actually is. Really. Uncreative naming, much?
5: Japanese – Awesome, etc.
6: Mokona hasn't named the skill yet, but I think that whenever Mokona holds onto the groups' swords, it doesn't send them to the other Mokona; I think it just has a place "in between" to store stuff.
