Squirt's Squirming Showdown

A cool pond of clean water was exactly what she needed. One may think that, with all the swimming she's been doing, that she would detest the sight of the clear substance. But it was oh so necessary right now. Cupping her hand, she brought some of it up to her lips, and touched them against her cool skin. Pint after pint, she sipped into her mouth, shivering with pleasure as it coursed down her. When the water was gone, she stared down into the clean reflection of the small body of water before her. The image she got of herself was ghastly to say the least. She looked so terrible, as if she had not gotten any rest in a while. Bags were starting to form under her eyes, and her hair was horrible. At this rate, she'd look much older than she should. And what's worse, her hair was ruined. Again.

Leaning up tall, she gazed to the ceiling. They were in a cave, one that was filled with the mist of the falling waterfall outside. The area was beautiful, as it was carved out by years and years of ware and tear, thanks to the rushing waters. Small little ponds dotted the rocky floors, as stalagmites and stalactites hung from the ceilings and floors. If she wasn't so pressed for time, the blonde would have set up camp here for the night. Yes, it was that beautiful.

Lurching up from her crouching position, she stretched out her body. Many cracks echoed from her spine, as she straightened up. At the same time, a loud yawn escaped her. Now perched on her knees, she stared down to her reflection once more. It was time to get a move on.

"Kiddy?" she called, as she finally got to her feet.

Turning around, she saw her baby cousin, who was sitting down and fiddling with his clothing. He was at first ignorant of her call, as he was too focused with the pacifier in his mouth. She sighed at the sight, before wrapping one of her arms around his body. He giggled childishly, while she lifted him up into her arms. It was time to get a move on, Ellie wasn't going to save herself, after all. Kiddy was even more attached to the blonde than he was before. The brief moment they spent separated, had made him that much more clingy. She didn't mind, in fact, she enjoyed it this way. Adventures have a way of making people feel that much more attached, ya'know?

She could feel his fingers groove into her shoulders, as his face dug closer into her chest. She chuckled lovingly, and tapped his nose, making him giggle like the toddler he was. As her feet brought them toward the cove's edge, and the rushing of the waterfall outside grew in sound, he attempted to move closer to her. She giggled lowly, and planted a kiss on his forehead, in order to calm his weary nerves. The mist of the water had groan near blinding, as she stepped out of the section of cave they were within. Pressing through the blinding fog, she heard the noise of falling water get even louder. It was soon followed by sunlight. The only obstacle stopping the two Kongs from stepping outside, was the waterfall itself. Kiddy was apprehensive, but Dixie wasn't.

She stepped forward and stopped. Kiddy began to give objections and pleas, all of which were unanimously ignored by his cousin. The blonde Kong instead gave a smirk, and pushed her hand forward. She divided the water with her hand, making it splash out and douse her. Kiddy had begun whining, while she continued stepping forward. Farther and farther apart the divide became, as she constantly walked forward.

And finally, after what seemed like forever, the duo met sunlight. It felt so wonderful, the warming sunlight was, as it danced upon their skin. Kiddy, who was so adamant at first, was now so silent, as he too enjoyed the light. Dixie removed her beret, and waved it through the air, sprinkling off the water placed upon it. Her vision traveled down to the ground a moment later, as she stood at the bottom of the mountain side.

Before her and her cousin, a lake, one of comparable size to the first lake of this land. More importantly, there was another waterfall. Falling down the next waterfall, was many pieces of wood as well as barrels. The items were the various pieces of the Kremling Village that had been swept away by the lake and rushing waters. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the specific waterfall possibly held the barrel of their elephant friend. The worst case scenario, Ellie's barrel was in the lake itself, and being quickly filled with water.

Dixie's hands tightened into fists. The noise of her bones cracking within echoed a moment later, as she eyed the expansive lake before her. She was ready to dive in, and see just how deep the lake was. If it was anything like the first lake, then it would be a variable world, one filled with reefs and aquatic life. But, there was a problem with that, and it stemmed from the child in her arms. Had it not been for Enguarde's timely intervention the last time, the two would have drowned in the lake. She knew she couldn't keep getting lucky like that, and needed to actually plan ahead. If not for her, then at least for Kiddy. She did come up with one thought, and it was a simple one. She left Kiddy here, and went searching herself.

"Kiddy," she said as she glanced to him, "I want you to listen, and listen closely..."

She slowly placed him down on the ground, to which his eyes started to bubble and gleam. He didn't like how things were going suddenly.

"Kiddy, I know this is going to be hard for you to muster but..." she smiled in an attempt to lighten his spirits, "I'm going to have to leave you..."

"NO!" he roared, making her jerk back in pain.

"Shhh!" she ordered, "Jeeze Kiddy! My ears!"

She grew quiet a second later, and attempt to soothe her wailing ears by touching them. This silence was broken by Kiddy, who had begun sobbing hysterically.

"No, Kiddy!" Dixie said, getting up, "No crying, okay!" her statement made him jerk up, "We're Kongs, Kiddy! Don't cry..." she grew silent as she felt a bit hypocritical, "Believe me, we shouldn't cry..." Kiddy finally quieted down, as his eyes peered into his cousin's green ones, "Listen Kiddy, I'll be back with you in a moment, okay? I'm not going to be gone long, alright?"

"W-w-will you?" he asked, as he grabbed her leg.

"I promise Kiddy..." she took in a deep breath, "Now sit here and look after our things, okay?"

She removed his baby bag, dropping it to the ground. Kiddy's face quickly brightened up, as he eyed the milk within. Next, the bag was followed by Dixie's shirt. Kiddy stared up at his cousin, seeing her touch various parts of her body, specifically, areas around her bra as she pushed it up. Next, she prodded her frilly red skirt. The object had proven to be much more annoying that she originally believed. It was constantly flaring up, and showing her panties to anyone around. Fortunately, the only person around was Kiddy, who didn't know anything about that kind of stuff. It still didn't make the blonde Kong feel any better. Removing the skirt, she felt freed. Honestly, the sooner she got her shorts back, the better. Finally, she removed the most surprising article of her clothing. Her beret laid in her hands, glistening against the sunlight. She rarely removed it, other than to rub her head. And right now, it looked as if she was trying to decide on whether to wear it or not. Rubbing the Rareware pin on her hat though, she shrugged and placed it back on. Like she wasn't going to wear her hat.

Now she stood, in her half-naked splendor, wearing only her panties, bra, and beloved hat. She felt so much better not wearing those wet clothes, as she now felt quicker and more lithe. Well, more lithe than she was before. Her foot met the edge of the lake, and she took her axe from off the ground. Gazing into the shine of the blade, she peered long into her reflection. Her eyes moved back a moment later, staring into Kiddy's face. He had grabbed his bottle, and was sucking on it passionately, but his eyes never left her.

"You stay here, and be a good boy Kiddy, ya'hear?"

He nodded, and she nodded. Turning around, her verdant eyes once again stared down to the lake below her. The surface was calm, yet it still stirring, as if it were waiting for her to leap in. Or maybe she couldn't wait to leap in herself. She held her axe with both hands, and clenched it tightly.

Then she leaped.

The wind rushed by her, dancing her hair up through the wind. She aimed down, face first, and dived inside. The water parted, being launched up high by her collapsing body. She kept her eyes closed at first, but once her ears were surrounded by the sound of water, she opened her orbs.

It was just as beautiful as it was the first time. An underwater land of fish and reefs. They grooved on for miles underwater, reaching new depths of beauty. With the sun gazing through the lakes surface, she could see the flora of the reefs be reflected into her eyes, as even more colors were sent throughout. For a moment, Dixie was so mesmerized by it, she released the grip she had on her axe. She quickly grabbed a hold of it however, as her lips pouted in determination.

Up and down her legs started to move, pushing her forward, and deeper down into the lake. Schools of fish within parted as she swam by, for she cared not. Her verdant eyes constantly scanned everything around her, with her mind being ever so hopeful that she would find her elephant friend. Unfortunately, all she got was fallen pieces of the stilt village above. Stopping upon coming to a section, she wondered if Ellie was within. Possibly hidden within one of the underwater crevices.

That one thought spurned her, and she swam forward. She swam through one of the huts doorways, seeing within Kremlings. Despite being amphibious beings themselves, these Kremlings looked unfortunate enough to have been drowned. But, upon further inspection, she realized this was not their cause of death. Nor was it explosions, or the high fall from the waterfall. Instead, they looked as if they had been tortured to death.

Torture was normal for Kremlings, they were, after all, heartless. But torturing their own kind? That was a new low, even for them. It served to remind Dixie how urgent her mission was though. If Ellie had been tortured, she'd be too weak to survive. The blonde Kongs legs started working again, and deeper into the torturous woodworks she swam. She continued passing bodies, witness newer kinds of horror. But all of these dead Kremlings appeared to have the same problems. They were all, oddly enough, electrocuted. She needed to keep that in mind.

She continued her swimming, before stopping at a lone door. Pressing her ear up to it, she heard something on the other end. Whatever it was, is voice was too muffled, thanks to the water around her. Dixie's mind was assaulted by images of Ellie, and she rose her axe with the belief that the elephant was behind the door.

One swing, bubbles were released. The Kong pulled her arm back, only to see she made nothing but a small dent. The creature on the other end was getting louder, however. Dixie pulled her axe back again, and swung it forward full force. She struck the door in the same spot, making the hole just a bit bigger. Pulling her axe back, she felt her limbs grow a bit lax. The added friction underwater was making it harder to act. She lifted her axe once again nonetheless. One final strike, and she broke a hole through to the other end. Turning her axe around, she slid the handle into the hole, and began using the tool as a wedge. The wooden door snapped into pieces, releasing splinters every which way. Upon doing so, she grew disappointed.

It was not Ellie on the other end. Instead, this Nibbla. She at first wanted to strike the fish, for she knew full well the pain they were capable of causing. But upon further inspection, she noticed something different about it. Instead of being red, like all Nibblas, it was instead blue, and it had a smile on its face to fit the bill. The most daunting of all things however, was the fact that his Nibbla wasn't trying to eat her.

Dixie swam slowly by, being sure to keep her eyes upon it. The Nibbla didn't move, but instead turned with her, keeping its eyes squarely on her frame. Upon entering the room the Nibbla was trapped in, the blonde Kong stared around. Unfortunately, Ellie was not within, and the only barrels inside were all broken and shattered. Dixie shook her face in disappointment, before turning to swim out.

Escaping the torture hall, she felt as if something was following her. Turning around, she saw that same blue Nibbla from before. She rose her axe in a defensive position, as she figured the fish was going to try to strike her. But it didn't, it just continued to float before her, with that smile on her face. Dixie began swimming away, while she kept her eyes on the creature. And it continued following her. Wherever she went, it went, and quickly as well.

As she swam backwards, she didn't notice herself come in contact with a school of fish. The aquatic life bursted when she arrived, blinding her briefly. When it all ended, Dixie was surprised to see blood float by. She at first thought it was her, but then that blue Nibbla swam by. She watched it float, as streams of red flowed from its lips. Gazing back, she saw the dead school of fish. The Nibbla had eaten them, and yet, all Dixie could do was thank the stars for the fact that it had not decided to eat her. And she figured that as long as it continued eating other fish, it would continue not eating her.

She swam through the reefs of the lake, allowing the Nibbla behind her to devour any and all fish it came pass. But as time continued to fade, Dixie felt her hope falter. She didn't know where Ellie was, and this lake was so massive, she'd could be any. If Dixie continued looking for her, she was sure she soon fail, and the elephant would drown. And if the elephant drown, and she wasted time finding a lost cause, then she would just end up wasting more time in her quest to save Donkey Kong and DK. The more she thought about it, the more her head started to hurt. When she adventured with Diddy on the Crocodile Isles, it was never this hard. They just went from Point A to Point B, that's it. But now, it was Point A, to Point C, then back to Point B, if they were lucky.

She laid her fist on her head as she continued thinking. This decision could make or break her entire mission. If she failed, then three people could end up dead on her hands.

On her hands.

She heard growling. Her eyes widened, and she turned around. Floating there before her, that same Nibbla. But it was no longer blue, and its face was no longer a smile. Instead it was red, and its face was one of pure malice. Dixie already knew this wasn't good.

The Nibbla struck forward, mouth opened. Somehow, Dixie moved fast enough to dodge the strike. When she did, she lifted her axe and struck forward. The added friction of being underwater made the strike fruitless however, for the Nibbla easily dodged it. Upon doing so, it shifted its enraged face toward its prey, and dashed forth again.

The Nibbla's teeth seemed larger than before, as it opened up wide to bite the monkey before it. Dixie slammed forward her axe, lodging it into the fish's open maw. It bit and clamped down on the axe, attempting with all its might to break it. Hand still on her axe, Dixie dashed forth, feet first. Underwater, she kicked the Nibbla, releasing her axe, and sending the aquatic creature careening into the reefs below.

She quickly spun around and prepared for escape. She knew that fish was going to recoil soon, and once it did, it would come back. So, in an attempt to escape the creature, she dived down deeper into the reefs. The deep lake reefs created perfect hiding spots for her, and she quickly found one.

Hiding into a bungalow, she trained her eyes out into the light, while she slid into the shadows. She could hear the Nibbla, growling and gnashing at anything and everything it passed. But, most importantly, it was looking for her. What a weird fish. Why did it appear to be an ally at first, only to turn around and try to eat her instead? Worst of, as long as that fish remained outside, she would remain inside. It was a cruel game, and it had her on the loosing end. If she was going to survive, she'd have to face that thing, either sooner or later. And she chose sooner.

Dixie swam out of her hiding spot. Gazing around, she saw the Nibbla that had chased her was nowhere to be seen. Until the water started twirling around her. She looked left and right, seeing nothing but fish swarm her. But one fish stood out from the rest.

The great Nibbla's mouth opened wide, sending fish rushing for safety. Dixie peered forward, right when the big jawed aquatic being arrived. It slammed close its jaw, catching nothing but the wood of Dixie's axe. It continued biting however, and started breaking the wood of the axe. Dixie noticed this, and slammed her fist onto the fish's head in an attempt to release it. Unfortunately, the attack didn't work. The Nibbla continued gnawing on Dixie's axe, no matter how much she tried to tear it free. With a mighty pull, she attempted to regain her axe. It worked, to some degree.

The wood of the handle broke into the lake, floating skyward once that occurred. Dixie gazed to the axe's blade in her hand, and grimaced. The weapon was old already, and honestly, how it survived this long was amazing. But she had actually started to trust the weapon, only for it to break now in her hands.

A glance forward showed the Nibbla had devoured the wood it had eaten. And now, its attentions lied directly upon the simian before it. The fish dashed forward, teeth forward. Dixie's hands reached forward and grabbed both the upper and lower jaw of the creature. To her surprise, she was able to keep it from clamping down, and biting her. But her adrenaline would not keep her alive for so long, as she could already feel her body giving into the attack.

The two combatants slammed into a reefside, making it shake. The Nibbla didn't care though, and continued trying to eat his foe. Now stuck between a fish and a hard place, Dixie had little to do but counter. But with her arms busy, she needed to think up something, and quick. Her eyes eventually laid upon the blade of the axe she was using. It lied beside her, laying on the edge of the reef. Her foot reached forward, and upon arriving, grabbed it. And all because of that, Dixie started to love her prehensile foot. She glared at the Nibbla the next moment, axe in foot. The fish's eyes widened. It was too late.

She slammed forward the blade, diving it into the Nibbla's body. Skin, flesh, and scales were divided, as the blade rushed into the Nibbla's body. The violent fish's eyes slowly closed, as it started descending to the ground below. Dixie placed her hand on her chest, feeling her heart racing. When she glanced forward, she watched the fish begin to ascend to the lake's surface.

Great. Now she was tired, and angry, and still ignorant of Ellie's location. Not to mention the fact that her body was starting to scream at her for air. She glanced toward the lake's surface, and prepared to give her lungs that which they wanted. Legs working alternatively, she swam toward air. But a mere second later, she felt something rush between her legs. Once that happened, she was roaring through the lake at intense speeds, making her way toward the surface at record time. Gazing down, she saw it was Enguarde.

"Engaur-!?" she let out by accident, before clamping her hands on her mouth.

"Hello Mademoiselle Dixie!" he said, "Did you, mizzed me?"

The suddenly broke the lake's surface, and upon doing so, Dixie was launched into the air. She breathed in all the air within, as a smile came to her face. Flipping through the air, she landed back down on Enguarde's backside. Gazing skyward, she enjoyed the warmth of the sun after being beneath the cold lake waves. But that smile quickly turned into anger, when she gazed down to the blue fish bellow her.

"Where have you been!?" she yelled as she slammed her fist down on the swordfish's head.

"I have been here, Dixie!" he stated, "Why are you hitting me so?"

"I've been swimming down there all by myself for an hour now! You said you'd be here, what took you so long!?"

"Zo I met a purple zwordfizh that liked my accent, no worriez Mademoiselle Dixie!"

"No worry's my tail!" she yelled, "I was almost eaten!"

"But you weren't, now were you?"

"No thanks to you!" she stated, before growing silent.

The next moment, she leaned down, and started hugging the blue fish. Her eyes closed next, as she let out the heavy breath she held within.

"Oh Enguarde..." she said, "Boy am I tired..."

"After watching you fight," he said, "I am not zurprized. Why are you in thiz lake in the firzt place, hm?"

"You see that wooden village that fell in here? I caused that..." she answered, "I think my elephant friend fell in here, her name is Ellie..."

"Uh, Dixie, elephants are big. I think we'd zee your friend if zhe fell in here..."

"She's not that kind of elephant," Dixie answered with a chuckle, "She's small and not as strong but... She needs my help, Enguarde. We need to go back underwater and search for her..."

"Well, I've been in thiz lake all day Dixie, and I can eazily zay, no elephant came."

"Like I said, she isn't a normal elephant!" Dixie stated.

"I know," he responded, "But no elephant of any zize fell in here, Mademoiselle Dixie! I think it'z bezt if you go zearching zomewhere elze, no?"

Dixie pouted a lip as she leaned her fist upon her chin. Gazing toward the waterfalls, she pondered on the location of her elephant friend. Honestly, the fact that she wasn't underwater made her feel better. If she was underwater, then she surely would have drowned. Knowing she was above water made her feel better. But if not within the lake, when where was she?

"Thanks Enguarde..." she stated, "Bring me back to the side of the cove, Dixie's waiting for me their..."

"Will do, Mademoiselle!" he answered chipperly.

The waters of the lake started to part, as the simian and her ally made way toward land. Gliding alongside them, she felt her body temperature rise and lower, as her mind pondered thoughts of Ellie. She could only pray for her friends safety, and hope that she would find her soon. The loss of Ellie felt like such a personal attack on Dixie. A failure, if you will. While Donkey Kong and Diddy were kidnapped on their own terms, Ellie had full belief and faith in the simian. But, she failed. She was so close to saving her, and yet she failed. All of these things were beginning to rake on the Kong's brains. At least Kiddy was safe, she could say that much.

The toddler had not left the spot she left him at. The only thing that changed about him, was the bottle of milk in his hands. It was empty, and he didn't know how to get himself anymore. This left him wide-eyed, as he awaited his cousin's return. But as soon as Dixie appeared in his line of sight, he started hopping up and down with glee.

Dixie seemed egged on by her cousin's antics, and the need to show off took her. She suddenly got onto her toes, standing right on Enguarde's head. The swordfish started to sprout objections, but Dixie didn't care. A moment of blissful happiness was something she needed right now. Crouching down, she felt her body gain momentum, and when Enguarde suddenly leaped, she leaped up too. The blonde simian flipped through the air with grace and beauty, her ponytail swishing as well. Once she landed, she was almost tackled by her baby cousin. Fortunately, Dixie had gained enough strength to hold him off.

"Whoa now, Kiddy!" she said, holding him back, "Let me at least get dressed first!"

He released her, plopping his butt on his ground while he stared at her. Dixie chuckled lowly, before she turned to meet his baby bag. As she crouched down and unzipped the blue bag, she heard Engaurde near the lakeside. When she withdrew one of Kiddy's extra bottles, her aquatic friend decided to voice his opinions.

"Tell me, Mademoiselle Dixie," Enguarde stated, "Juzt what exactly are you planning?"

"I'm going to find Ellie," she stated as she placed the bottle in Kiddy's hands, "Then I'm going to find Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong..."

"Az noble az that may be," Enguarde said, "You do realize you are fighting Kremlingz no?"

"I know..." she answered as she slowly slid down her shirt, "But I'm not going to let that get to me..." she slid up her skirt next, "Besides, Diddy and I faced much worst on the Crocodile Isles. Compared to that, this is a walk in a park!"

She said it so easily, and so cheerfully at well. But, did she really believe it? Did she really believe this adventure was easier than the one she and Diddy went on? It would be a lie to say Kiddy was a better traveling partner than Diddy. It seemed as if she was always caring for her baby cousin in more ways than just one. Whether it be to feed him, or change his diaper, she was always stopping to help him. But was it he that made this venture harder, or was there something else? Maybe, in some way, traveling through the Northern Kremisphere was proving to be more difficult than traveling through the island of Kremlings.

Maybe...

"Zo, what next?" Enguarde inquired, "Are you going to continue zearching for thiz elephant?"

"I just said I was, Enguarde," Dixie answered as she squeezed water from her hair, "She's still here in the Cove. As long as I spend my time searching for her today, I'll be back to searching for Diddy and Dixie tomorrow, understand?"

"Oui, oui! Mademoiselle Dixie! I zhall remain in the lakez, and will arrive when next you need me," he started swimming backwards next, though his eyes remained on the simians, "Be zafe, Madame!"

As lifted up her baby cousin, she waved goodbye to her aquatic friend. Enguarde disappeared a few seconds later, as his body dived into the lake's waves. As soon as his frame vanished from sight, the seriousness returned to Dixie. With the lake now disregarded as a spot holding Ellie, she shifted her sights to the rocky sides of the cove. She placed her hand above her eyes a moment later, in order to block out the sun. What came across her eyes not only made her moan in a questioning tone, it also made her head cock to the side.

There was a waterfall that laid on the other end of the lake. But this waterfall was different from the other ones. Most of the wooden debris from the Kremling base, laid at the bottom of that waterfall. But that's not what had Dixie so mesmerized. This natural deck, one that was made of cliffs, protruded from the shimmering waterfall. Dixie grabbed Kiddy's hand a second later, and started pulling him forward.

Given up. That's what she had done. All the years of her life had amounted to nothing, as she had finally, and unheroically, given up. She just didn't care anymore. About life, about death, about her friends and family, she didn't even care that she would never see her home again. She just accepted it, as sad as it was to say. A healthy elephant like herself, one that was nowhere near the end, was now accepting death. And all she could do, was cry. Her only wish, was for this casket of hers to grow in size. The barrel she was trapped in was so cramp and painful, why must the world mock her before it kills her?

And what's worse, she could hear something outside. Whatever it was, it was breathing and heavily as well. It was the most disturbing noise to ever assault her ears. It was loud, and slow, like a grumbling dragon. She didn't know what monster could be making that noise, but from the sound of it, the creature was great, and inhuman. She didn't know what was worse, the fact that she was going to die soon, or the fact that she had that obnoxious breathing to deal with. She could only hope the breathing would subside, by the time she died.

That's when they appeared.

Dixie fell down upon the cliff side, as the waterfall crashed nearby. Kiddy was still riding on her back, as they touched down upon the land. The blonde Kong was sure to scan everything around her, for she didn't know what could pop up at any moment. She just prayed that whatever was near, Ellie was apart of it.

Kiddy started to get a bit unruly. Dixie attempt to calm him by placing her hand upon her head, but the toddler didn't falter. He, for some reason, was growling, as if danger was near. The blonde found herself gazing around, as if the being that had Kiddy so angry would show itself. But upon seeing nothing, she just thought the child was having another fit.

So far, things weren't looking to great though. Dixie though she'd find Ellie in this area, but it appeared as if the elephant was nowhere near. Her face twisted into unhappiness, while her arms crossed over one another. Figuring it was time to look over another area, the blonde leaped down from the cliff she stood on, and down to another one. Her feet brought her and her cousin to the edge a moment later, while she continued to ponder their next course of action.

"H-h-hello?" a weak voice called, "Is... someone there...?"

Dixie spun around, and by extension so did Kiddy. Their eyes fell upon a barrel, that lied near the wall. Dixie ran over to it without a second thought, and upon arriving, she dropped to her knees. At first, she wasn't sure if the barrel was the object that caused the noise, but seeing as how no one else was around, she took her chances.

"Ellie?" she inquired of the wooden case.

"Dixie?" a voice within answered.

In unison, Dixie and Kiddy's face brightened up. They couldn't describe the joy they were feeling at the sound of their friend. It seemed as if the only course of action now, was to release the elephant. Dixie tapped her cousin on the head, making him leap forward. The next moment, Kiddy's hands reached forward, and pierced the wood with deadly accuracy. He gave a mighty yank the next second, and shattered wood from wood, making splinters fly through the air.

The sound of it couldn't have sounded any sweeter to the elephant stuck within. As soon as the darkness of the wooden trap was shattered, and the bright lights of the sun danced upon her, she sprang forward. Somehow, she completely missed Kiddy who stood before her, and tackled down the blonde behind him. Ellie's lips constantly peppered Dixie's cheek with kisses, even as the simians hands met her head to push.

"Ellie! Ellie!" Dixie yelled, "Please stop!"

"I can't!" the elephant stated, "I'm just so happy!"

After a while, Dixie stopped trying to stop the elephant, and just allowed her to show her gratitude. This went on for five long minutes, before Ellie finally stopped kissing her, and by that time, Dixie was exhausted. She never knew such a thing was possible.

"Are you done yet?" Dixie asked as Ellie stepped back.

"Oh Miss Dixie!" Ellie called, a smile on her face from cheek to cheek, "You have no idea how happy I am! I can't believe you came all this way for my sake! I mean, I've only known you for a little while, and yet here you are, on this cliff side, saving me..." Ellie's eyes started to tear up, "I mean, Miss Dixie, why? Why did you waste your time trying to save me?"

The simian's verdant eyes glanced over to the lake beside them. Deep down inside, a part of her wanted to tell Ellie how much she wanted to leave the elephant. How, this little detour, took out more time in her quest to save Diddy and Donkey Kong. She wanted to tell the elephant how she almost, just almost, went to Mekanos, instead of coming over to the Cove. But she didn't. Instead, she looked up into Ellie's face, and gave the best smile she could muster.

"I couldn't just leave you, Ellie..." Dixie said, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did..." and that was nothing but the truth.

Ellie's eyes were still bubbly with tears, but a smile came to her lips. Her trunk reached over a moment later, and wrapped around Dixie's waist, pulling her close. This time however, Dixie reciprocated the hug, enjoying the warmth of the animal holding her. Both of them sighed, and in unison as well, but this calm moment was shattered quickly.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Kiddy yelled.

Dixie and Ellie's eyes shot to him, and then up to the waterfall before all of them. They say eyes sticking out. They stuck out on stalks, ones resembling those of a snail. The irises of these eyes were pitch-black, and slit like snake eyes. And boy, did these eyes suck the life out of someone. It would have been terrifying enough had the eyes looked elsewhere, but the fact that these eyes were looking directly at them, made the terror that much more prevalent.

Then, as soon as those eyes appeared, they disappeared. Right back into the waterfall, they rushed in, now being covered by sound and water.

"What was that?" Dixie asked first, while her two companions merely stared forward in fear.

She released Ellie a moment later, and started walking toward the waterfall. The waters were falling so hard and so fast, and so tightly, she couldn't see through them. But those eyes came from somewhere, right? She attempted touching the waterfall, but with it being so violent, there was no way she'd be able to pierce it without being forced down. So, as she stood on the very edge of the waterfall, she peered inwardly as best she could.

The waterfall suddenly parted. Dixie stared up, to see this long brown tube-like mouth stretch through. With an almost mesmerizing stare, she gazed into the tube. Then water began to rush within. Dixie stepped back, but it was too late.

At intense pressures, the water was pushed out, and struck the simian in the chest. The attack knocked her clean of her feet, and sent her toppling on her back. She rolled violently on the ground over and over again, before her body suddenly met air. She stared down, as one of her hand reached up. She gripped onto a vine, saving herself barely, as she dangled dangerously over the cliff. Her verdant eyes trekked up, then back down, then back up again.

She reached up with one of her hands then, grabbing the edge of the cliff side. Pulling herself up, she first stared over to Ellie and Kiddy. The two were on their way over to rescue her. She glanced over to the waterfall next, seeing those eyes stare back into her. Whoever, or whatever, was there, it was trying to kill her. Scratch that. It was trying to kill all of them.

The mouth of the being stretched out, and aimed over toward Ellie and Kiddy. While the toddler rode on the backside of the elephant, they didn't notice the mouth aim to her. It took Dixie's efforts to warn them.

"LOOK OUT!" she yelled.

Ellie turned away, just in time to see the powerful stream of water jet out from the brown tube/mouth. She leaped up a second later, clearing the distance over the stream, and leaping onto safe land on the other side of the waterfall. Dixie pulled her self up a moment later, and glared over to the mouth. She watched it sink back into the waterfall, disappearing into the vertical river bed. Glancing over to the other side of the waterfall, she saw Ellie and Kiddy gaze back. After a running start, Dixie cleared the distance of the entire waterfall, leaping onto the other side of the cliffs. Landing near Kiddy and Ellie, she glanced back into the waterfall, wondering what the creature would do next. But another idea came to mind a second later, as she turned away.

"Why don't we just leave?" she asked of her elephant friend as she gazed at her over her shoulder, "That thing looks like its stuck in this waterfall anyway. Let's just continue down the cliff side."

The idea was simple, and Ellie appeared happy with it. The trio turned around to move down the side of the cove, but everything started shaking. It wasn't a normal shake either, it was a powerful one, one that almost knocked Dixie off her feet. The next moment, she felt water rushing down upon her body. Gazing up to the area she was prepared to climb down, she saw another waterfall. In fact, all around them now, save for the rocky platforms they stood on, was waterfalls. And these were powerful waterfalls, ones that would knock them clean out if they leaped into them. And at this height, falling into a lake side unconscious may be survivable, but drowning most definitely won't be.

Dixie peered back to the waterfall with the face within it. The eyes were sticking out again and looking at them as well. The simian gridded her teeth, while her fists clenched.

"Fine then..." she mumbled, "I'm in a bad mood you monster, so you've made a bad choice making me your enemy..."

Suddenly, she was up, and on the backside of Ellie. The elephant's blue eyes looked up to the simian, while this visage of determination lied upon her face.

"I... I wanna help!" she stated.

"What?" Dixie responded, "No, don't worry Ellie, I can handle this myself!"

"You can't Miss Dixie. The water is too strong for you to get through..." Ellie grew a bit meek, "Besides, you've saved me two times now, Miss Dixie, and I've done nothing in return..." that determination came back to her, "If we work together, we can stop this thing together..."

Dixie opened her mouth to object to her statement, but Kiddy suddenly grabbed onto her shoulders. Gazing back, she stared into the fearful brown eyes of her baby cousin, then stared back up into the eyes of the monster.

"Fine..." she said, seeing as they'd have no choice but to fight, "Just listen to me, Ellie, and we'll be done with this in no time."

The monster's eyes squinted into an antagonizing glare, then slowly receded into the cascading waters. The mouth of the being jutted out a moment later, and it began to spew out high-pressurized water. Ellie dodged to the left, leaping clear of the water that would force her off the edge. But the wall monster didn't stop, it forced the stream of water to travel alongside the cove walls, in an attempt to strike the elephant. But once Ellie leaped onto the other edge of the cliff, the squirting stopped. The eyes of the rocky being protruded once again, and it stared down upon Dixie, Kiddy, and Ellie. Upon doing so, the blonde one realized something.

The creature had to see through the waterfall in order to track their movement. If it couldn't see them, it couldn't hit them. All they had to do, was damage the eyes in any way. That, unfortunately, gave rise to another problem. How does one hit the orbs? She stole a glance down to Ellie, who seemed too tense to actually noticed the weakness. But as Dixie looked down, she saw Ellie's trunk riled up. Her eyes then trekked over to the waterfall. Elephants can suck up water, right? Could they possibly shoot them as well? Dixie could only pray they could, or else this battle would be even more difficult.

"Ellie," she said, "Please tell me you can spit out water."

"Y-yes..." Ellie stated weakly, "Why do you ask?"

"When those eyes stick out, shoot them..." she glanced down, "Can you do that?"

Ellie nodded.

"I think I can..." she answered.

"Just hurry up," Dixie answered, "Before Squirt starts firing again."

Though Ellie's mouth began moving to question Dixie's choice of naming, she decided it was better to live, than to waste time. Squirt fired out a stream of water toward them, making the elephant leap over to dodge the strike. Now on the other cliff side once more, the trio watched the water stream its way over to them. But as it slowly rolled around, Dixie tapped Ellie on the side of her body. This caused the elephant's trunk to uncurl, and aim its way on the waterfall. Understanding what Dixie wanted her to do, Ellie started sucking in water. Time was waning down however, as Squirt's powerful stream continued to move toward them. As soon as it arrived, Ellie leaped up.

The stream ended upon the elephant's landing, and the rocky monster's eyes protruded. The sight of it made Dixie growl, as her finger jutted forward in a point.

"Ellie now! Right in the eye!" she ordered.

The elephant puffed up its cheeks, making the water within her churn. When she pin-pointed her sights on the eyes, she fired. It seemed that the elephant's ability to fire out water was better than anyone could have imagined. Like a bullet, the water flew out, and struck Squirt in one of his eyes. The rocky monster groaned out in pain, as its eye rolled around in circle. A mere second later, Ellie fired out another stream of water, striking Squirt's other eye. Once again, it yelled out, its call rumbling the very earth of the cove. A moment later, Squirt's eyes returned to the insides of the waterfall.

The mouth of the monster stuck out, and water once again started surging within it. Ellie stepped back a few feet in preparation for Squirt's next attack. Once the monster struck, she was already in the air. Onto the other side of the cliff she landed, while Squirt wheeled around his stream of high-pressurized water. It seemed faster this time, as it was quickly gaining land on its foes. This prompted Ellie to double her efforts in dodging, as she now leaped left and right quickly.

Dixie trained her eyes on the waterfall, however. The tactic of shooting Squirt's eyes seemed to work, but not to the level she was hoping. In fact, it only served to make the wall slug angrier, not weaker. Her hand reached back, gripping the very edge of her axe's blade. The handle may have been broken, but not the sterling silver blade itself.

Finally Ellie stopped, as Squirt's streaming stopped. As she waited for the eyes to stick out once again, Dixie pulled back her axe's handle. The water of the waterfall parted, right as one of Squirt's eyes stuck through. The blonde pin-pointed her aim, then threw the blade forward. It cut through the air as it rotated, and in what felt to be slow-motion, she watched Squirt's eyes widen.

The blade jabbed itself into Squirt's open orb, making it roar out in pain, as blood freely flowed from its gauged out eye. The cove continued to shake, as the rocky slug shook and screamed. Dixie, Ellie, and Kiddy stepped back, as they watched Squirt rive in pain. One eye may have been out, but the other was still in use. It locked itself onto its foes, while it screamed in rage. That tube mouth of Squirt's started to aim once again. The trio watched it attempt to spit out something, but it got clogged in. It appeared as if Squirt wasn't trying to kill all of them anymore, but just one. And its one eye was locked tightly onto Dixie.

The blonde Kong noticed this, and started to scoot back. Squirt's one mouth began to pucker, and this yellow object appeared. When the creature's cheeks deflated, that object was launched out. Quickly, the blonde simian ducked, being sure to bring Kiddy down along with her. Wind, water, and sound roared into her ears, as that object ricocheted into her hair.

Dixie stared up. Her hair had, somehow, perfectly grabbed the white object Squirt attempted to kill her with. And when she scanned it, her head cocked to one side.

"A ski?" she asked aloud to no one in particular.

Her eyes trekked down to Squirt a moment later. The waterfall that covered the creature had, somehow, died out. In fact, every other waterfall that surrounded them, had also faded away, returning the cove to its original self. Squirt on the other hand, was no longer lively. Even though only one of its eyes were injured, it just looked so dead as it laid there. Both of its eyes were closed, yet its mouth was still puckered.

Then, despite all resemblance of understanding, it fell. The face on the wall that was named Squirt, just fell. Right down the mountain side it lied on, and into the depths of the lake. Now, Dixie could have easily seen what became of the face, and if it was really just the front side of an entire body. But the simple thought of traveling down there, and seeing just a face floating around in the lake, was enough to make her not investigative. It was just easier that way.

"So... what now?" Ellie inquired.

"What now?" Dixie repeated, "Easy, we get out of here," she suddenly shook her head, "This place has been way to much for me... Ugh..."


Maverick Talks!

Okay! I did not mean for this to take so long to come out. Sorry you guys, I'm trying to write two stories right now, this one, and a Pokemon one named Shadows from Before, so yeah. But enough about that, let's talk about this chapter.

Just so you guys no, the next chapter will be a breather chapter, before we tackle Mekanos.

Now, just to say, I did not mean for this chapter to get so long. It was only supposed to focus on two parts, Fish Food Frenzy and Squirt's Showdown. Somehow, Fish Food Frenzy took up a lot of the chapter, nudging out the actual fight with Squirt. I wanted this to be only about Squirt, but I just screwed up and went on a writing tangent. My bad, but you guys don't mind do you?

So, like I said, this chapter focuses on the stages Fish Food Frenzy and Squirt's showdown. I should apologize for Dixie getting all half-naked though. While writing this, I think mainly with my headcanon version of characters, so they come out a bit humanoid. They can still be chimps for you, however.

Squirt's death scene is kind of graphic if you ask me, maybe a bit too graphic. Maybe that's just my writing style, or maybe I should tone it down a bit. What do you think? I also copied his death from the GBA version, where he dies, the waterfall goes out, then he falls to... God knows where, it actually makes me shiver just thinking about it.

Honestly, this is the story with the longest chapters. I actually like it like this, cause I can pack in a lot of things. Makes the story better if you ask me.

By the by, pay attention to the dead Kremlings in the underwater section, the Kremlings that look like they were burned, that's important.

Maverick Kay Prime.