As the gang continued to explore the now abandoned kingdom, Donkey Kong's memories of when he came here with his father are becoming more vivid. Details buried in forgetfulness came into focus, good memories, bad memories, everything in between. It brought about waves of nostalgia. Along with nostalgia was a trail mix of happiness and sorrow. Those days were no longer the same. Memories of that trip got scarred with a sad undertone that stems from loss. Gained root from the loss of a father and the destruction of a thriving Kremling dwelling. It is painful juggling all the flashbacks and the tangle of emotions at once. This might've brought the gorilla to his knees if his friends weren't there. They pulled him away and interrupted an expanding train of thoughts, especially Kiddy. You have to keep your eyes on him like a hawk. There were three pairs of eyes on him, but even that doesn't seem to be enough to contain Kiddy's adventurous spirit. He's a ball of carelessness, naivety, and curiosity.
The disheartening weather began to clear. The last of the drizzling rain has passed. The once loud and proud thunder was nothing but a distant rumble. There's no more lightning the storm could give. The light show was over. The dark clouds began to clear like curtains onstage, revealing a blue sky and a blinding Sun that broke the dimness with its rays. In the increased vision, they spotted an odd sight.
White, lots of white.
It covered the forest for as far as they could see.
Visible from where they stood was a lake. Flanked from all sides by trees, the lake's waters were frozen and still. Also visible from where the Kongs stood was a town. It was intact compared to what they saw so far. The town square had a tree in the middle of it decorated from top to bottom in lights, ornaments, and ribbon. On the very top was a star. It was a pretty sight. The whole place was beautiful as it was surreal and improbable.
"Snow!" Kiddy cheered and raced over to a strangely located winter wonderland. Krocodile Tooth was a tropical island. Why is there snow everywhere? Did the Snowmads take over part of the island or something? No, DK remembers this place now. This was Frigus Forest. He's not used to seeing it during the winter months. During those months, the climate here turns from tropical to arctic. Nobody figured out why this happens. It was one of those mysteries that will never be solved. When he went here with his dad, it was during the summer months. It was beautiful then, but the place looks even more stunning now that everything had a snowy coat.
As they explored the deserted town, the houses were still fully furnished and didn't suffer that much damage. Most of the damage was from neglect. Some buildings were more damaged than the others, but it wasn't Kroc Resort bad. All the buildings were standing. Though, what interested DK the most was the Christmas tree. It seems so out of season. Krocodile Tooth Isle never saw December the year it was slaughtered into oblivion. They never got to celebrate their final Christmas, Hanukkah, and the other holidays that occur at the end of the year. Yet, they decorated this tree for the last time with such love and care. Some ornaments were handcrafted, some were storebought, but it came together in this display of holiday spirit. It has been twenty years since the Krocodile Tooth Massacre. It has been twenty years since this place went into silence. Despite all of that, the Christmas tree still stands tall and proud. The love and holiday cheer of those who decorated this very tree lived on for generations.
That spirit never died and never will.
This tree brought back memories of the first Christmas DK had without his father. It wasn't the same. Donkey Kong bought his dad a present that year. He never got to give it to him.
Don't cry. Don't cry.
Donkey Kong has pulled away from his thoughts when he felt something hit him. He turned around to see Kiddy throwing snowballs at everyone. Snowball fight! Donkey Kong's lightened up a bit. He even smiled. His friends, his family always manage to make him feel better.