In this chapter, we fight with swords...

I get that DKC is generally pretty cartoonish, but I always have trouble when it comes to enemies that should be inanimate objects. Nonetheless, I think I can work Kleever into this than I can with Dumb Drum in the last DKC adaption.

The group had been moving for a while, now. Squitter had managed to find a high-enough platform to where the Kongs wouldn't have to worry about burning themselves. The Kongs hopped off of Squitter's back. They found some hot-air ballons sitting around, though the baskets needed to board the balloons were crushed.

"Oh dear..." Rattly began to frown. "I was hoping thossse Kremlingsss would've left thossse hot-air balloonsss alone."

"Well, we could still ride them," Dixie said while holding the balloon above the lava, watching as it instantly filled up with air. "That shouldn't be too much of a problem, should it?"

"Not for you, maybe," Rattly replied. "But I'm afraid Squitter'sss far too big to hold onto them, and I don't want to leave him behind after we jussst reunited."

Diddy nodded in understanding. As much as he didn't want to leave his new friends behind, he couldn't just seperate them either. "I really appreciate the help, but I think we'll be fine on our own for a little while."

"All right," Rattly said. "It was niccce meeting you again, but have to warn you two about what liesss ahead."

"Are there Kremlings at the exit?" Dixie asked, "Because I'm sure we can handle it."

"Well...How ssshould I put thisss?" Rattly asked as he tried to think. "You Kongsss have a diety living on your island, right?"

"You mean Tiki Tong?" Diddy asked. "But he only wakes up once every 1,000 years."

"Well, unlike your diety, the diety who livesss on this island will wake up whenever a sssacrificcce is offered," Rattly replied. "Jussst be careful when you try to get to the ek-sssit, or it will thing YOU'RE the sssacrificcce."

"No worries," Dixie replied. "I'm sure we could still handle it...right, Diddy?"

Diddy turned pale, as just hearing the word "sacrifice" was enough to scare him. After all, what if that was what K. Rool was going to do with DK?

"Diddy!" Dixie yelled as she waved a hand in front of his face. "Are you OK?"

"...I'm fine," Diddy replied as he snapped back to reality. "I just kind of zoned out, that's all."

"Well at any rate, good luck out there," Rattly said as he curled around Squitter's leg. "Until we meet again!"

With Squitter and Rattly parting ways, the Kongs were on their own once again. Dixie held out the hot-air balloon and allowed it to fill up with air. "If we're gonna get outta here, we'll have to hold on to these things."

Diddy looked at the exit from the distance, all the surrounding lava was making him nervous. He looked at Dixie. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Of course," Dixie responded, "How else are we gonna get over there?"

"Can't you just use your ponytail?"

"Diddy...you know I can't glide THAT far."

"...Right."

"But if you're THAT scared, then I'll go first. How does that sound?"

"I-"

"Great, I'll meet you on the other side!" Dixie said as she hopped off the ledge while holding the balloon open. Despite being high above the lava, she sounded as if she were having the time of her life. She would even spin herself a few times before landing on the other side of the volcano. She called out to Diddy, but she was so far away, he wasn't able to hear her.

Diddy took a deep breath, he grabbed a nearby balloon and held it over the ledge, filling it with air. Looking at the lava below him was starting to make him dizzy, so he closed his eyes, jumped off the ledge, and hoped for the best. He couldn't tell if he was falling or flying, but he held onto the balloon regardless. He kept his body curled up the whole time until he was certain he was back on land. He managed to land on both feet.

"See? It wasn't that bad," Dixie said as she placed a hand on Diddy's shoulder. The monkey opened his eyes and gave her a stern look. "I am NEVER doing that again!"

The Kongs began to walk along the platform. In the middle of it, there was a massive pool of lava. Surrounding the pool was a bunch of large swords and cannonballs of various sizes. In fact, they were so big that even DK would have a problem carrying them. Diddy was certain that this was where the Kremling diety lived, judging by the pool's appearance. He stayed by Dixie's in case something were to happen. Both Kongs stopped walking as they heard something laugh, it was coming from the lava.

"Well, now...ye must be that wee Kong prince," said the voice in an intimidating manor. "Here t' save that useless uncle o' yers?"

"I...wouldn't call myself a prince," Diddy said quietly.

"And why do you care?" Dixie asked angrily.

"'cause I know everythin' that goes on in this island," said the voice. "'n since YOU'RE here, that can only mean ONE thin'."

"...You're not...gonna kill me, are ya?" Diddy asked, ducking as he heard the voice laugh again.

"I'll tell yout wha', kid...If ye can beat one o' me Kleevers, then I'll let ye keep goin'. But if ye lose, then yer soul be mine. How does that sound?"

"...Not very good."

"Well, then how about this?" asked the voice. "If ye lose, then not only will I take YOUR soul, but that lass's soul as well."

The Kongs gasped as the swords around them began to float. They circled Dixie before hitting the ground, caging her inside the circle. Diddy freaked out, he wanted to pull her out of the swords, but he didn't want her to get hurt either. Suddenly, a giant sword came out of the lava. It was twice the size of the other swords surrounding it, its eyes were glowing red.

"Don't jus' stand thar, lad!" yelled the voice. "Fight the Kleever and I'll let ye go!"

"I guess it's all up to you, Diddy," Dixie said as she sat down, unable to do much in her makeshift cage. The Kleever started lunging towards Diddy, he barely managed to dodge. Taking down a living sword wasn't going to be like taking down a beaver or a croc, so Diddy had to think of something he could use. Picking up one of those swords was going to be a hassle, so perhaps he could find a way to use the cannonballs?

Diddy ran towards the opposite side of the pool, hoping he could out-run the Kleever. When he grabbed onto one of the cannonballs, he threw it as hard as he could. Unfortunately, the cannonball didn't go very far. Diddy tried to run again, but the Kleever was given a chance to attack. It managed to cut Diddy's left arm, the wound went from his shoulder to his elbow.

"Maybe you should use a smaller cannonball?" Dixie yelled. Diddy nodded as he started running, again. He wasn't sure if a smaller cannonball would do much damage, but at the very least it would be enough to stun it. He scrambled to grab one of the smaller cannonballs before throwing it. The cannonball was able to set the Kleever back, but it didn't stop it from attacking Diddy. This time, it managed to strike his back. The monkey ended up collapsing onto the ground, causing Dixie to panic.

"Wha's th' matter, lad?" teased the voice, "Too weak t' fight?"

"Ugh..." Diddy stood up and sat against the wall, he watched as the Kleever hovered over him. Once the sword lunged, Dixie covered her eyes. She was expecting to hear a scream, and yet, she heard nothing. When she opened her eyes, she could see Diddy standing beside the Kleever. It had embedded itself inside the wall, with no chance to escape. Diddy had a shocked expression on his face, it was as if he wasn't expecting to live another second.

"DIDDY, NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!" Dixie yelled, snapping Diddy out of his shock. He grabbed one of the heaviest cannonballs he could carry and threw it as hard as he could at the Kleever. Once it got hit, the handle had broken off the blade. The swords around Dixie had vanished, the handle from the Kleever flew around until it landed into the pool. From the looks of it, the fight was finally over.

After having to fight such a difficult foe, Diddy collapsed against the wall. He couldn't remember the last time he was this tired. Upon seeing this, Dixie ran towards him and offered to give him her hand. "Are you OK?"

Diddy nodded, "I've...I've been better."

"Well, now," said the voice, "It looks like ye might get t' live a wee bit longer."

"D-do you really mean it?" Diddy asked excitedly.

"Aye, lad!" the voice replied. "But...th' future ain't necessarily set in stone, 'n I can't tell ye wha'll happen next. So I'll give ye Kongs a choice. If ye go home, then ye'll be a disgrace t' yer entire tribe. But if ye keep goin', then ye'll 'ave t' face every single obstacle th' island 'as in store fer ye. Wha' do ye choose?"

"It's...nice of you to offer," Diddy said, "But I'm not ready to throw in the towel, yet."

"So ye'll keep goin', even at th' risk o' yer owns life?"

Diddy nodded. "DK would've done the same thing for me. And besides, I've got Dixie here to help me."

"...Very well then," said the voice, "Jus' know that this won't be th' last time ye'll hear from ole Kerozene!"

With that said, the Kongs finally left the volcano. Even with the dangers that awaited them, they had no choice but to move forward.

Leaving Crocodile Cauldron was like a breath of fresh air for the Kongs. They no longer had to put up with the sweltering heat, nor did they need to worry about fighting Kerozene's swords. All they needed to do, now, was get through the rest of the island.

As the Kongs continued to walk, Dixie couldn't help but stare at the wound on Diddy's arm. It looked as if it still hurt, especially after having to fight off something as dangerous as a giant sword. Diddy began to notice her staring, he started to grow more self-conscious about it. He put his hand over the wound to try and cover it up.

"...Sorry, I know I shouldn't be staring," Dixie said, scratching the back of her head. "But it looks so...painful."

"Hey, it could've been MUCH worse," Diddy replied. "We could've lost our souls back there."

Dixie nodded. While she appreciated Diddy's bravery, she didn't want him to run into every single Kremling they came across. Of course...the sun was still up, so it had to be mid-afternoon at the very latest.

"Do you wanna call it a day?" Dixie asked while clasping her hands together.

"Why?" Diddy asked, tilting her head.

"Because," Dixie replied. "If we rest up now, then it'll be night time as soon as we wake up. That way, it'll be harder for those Kremlings to find us."

"Oh yeah," Diddy said upon realization. "That's actually a really good idea, but how are we gonna rest up when those Kremlings could come out here at any moment?"

Dixie paused, that was actually a really good question. There were hardly any trees or bushes around, and the only plants in the area were in the water. Still, Dixie was sure that she could figure something out.

Perhaps there would be something in the crossroads? Hopefully by then, there would be enough plants to hide around in.

Fun fact...Whenever I play the one level with the balloons, I always have the Kongs ride of each other's shoulders. It always makes me think the other Kong isn't getting left out for some reason.