Chapter 3 – In Search of Refuge

Tails paced back and forth as everyone else finished packing up. He was waiting impatiently for Draco, Darky, and Charonus to come back.

"It shouldn't take that long," he said, checking his watch. "Where could they be?"

"Patience, Tails, they'll be back," said Blaze. "Besides, it's best that we wait until Bowser returns with the transporter device for them to get back home."

Lily noticed something in the distance. "Hey, look over there!" she exclaimed as she jumped for joy. "They're back!"

Tails, Blaze, and the other dragons turned to the direction Lily pointed and they saw Draco, Charonus, and Darky coming back accompanied by two other reptiles.

"So there are the three dragons," said Percival. "But who are those two crocodiles?"

"There's only one way to find out," said Torden. "Come on, let's go and see them."

The group approached Draco, Charonus, Darky, and the kremlings.

"Hey guys," said Draco. "Sorry for taking so long, but we just got acquainted with these two guys here, and they said that they're hoping that we could help them out."

"Well, hello there," the group greeted Klump and Krusha. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

"Thanks for the greetings, boys," said Klump. "I'm General Lenny Klump, and over here is my top soldier, Krusha Lagarto."

"Uh, howdy do," stammered Krusha, unsure of what more to say aside from waving his hand.

"Krusha may not be completely bright," Klump whispered to the group. "But he's a gentle kremling and has always been loyal to me."

"I can definitely see that," said Tails. "Please tell me, where did you come from?"

"We come from a very distant island called Crocodile Isle," replied Klump. "How we ended up here is quite a bit of a story."

"A story, you say?" asked Jakkin. "Care to share it with us?"

Klump and Krusha froze. They were remembering their past and it struck dread and horror within them. But since their new allies were interested in knowing about them, they knew it was best to tell them their journey.

"It started a long time ago," said Klump. "Krusha and I were once servants of our powerful and mighty King K. Rool, and to tell you the truth, he isn't really the nicest of Kremlings."

"Whoa, that's awful," said Cynder, grimly.

"Yeah, no doubt, especially with your king having a name like that," said Torden.

"He was a power-hungry tyrant who sought to terrorise and take over the lands he fancies," continued Klump. "His target was Kongo Island, a land that is home to the Kong family."

"They're a bunch of monkeys," added Krusha. "And we have nothing against them at all."

"But, of course, King K. Rool was not friendly towards mammals," said Klump. "He regarded reptiles to be superior, the master race of all, and he wanted to enslave the Kong family."

"We know what it's like to deal with people with that kind of mentality," said Percival, remembering the Obsidian Devourers and the Dark Queen. "They are completely horrid and think of no one but themselves."

"So true, because he never really cared about the wellbeing of our kind," said Klump. "And his undying desire to rule the islands has made him even more ruthless and heartless to the point where he would mistreat us."

"I suppose that's why you're here," said Lily. "You wanted to escape from his tyranny."

"You have guessed it correctly," replied Klump. "Eventually, Krusha and I have had enough of King K. Rool's machinations that we have decided to leave his regime and start new lives where we could be free and feel more appreciated for who we are."

"Well, you two are in luck," smiled Draco. "We are a group of dragons who like to make friends, and we make sure that no evildoer tries to ruin what we strive for."

Krusha looked out to the ocean. "Still, there's a good chance that our king might be looking for us and will try to force us back," he said.

"And that's why we're wondering if you could be able to find us a place where he won't be able to find us," said Klump.

"We'd be glad to help, Klump and Krusha," said Cynder. "Though we're waiting for a friend to be coming back soon so that we can head home.

Klump and Krusha lowered their heads glumly, saddened by the news.

"No, wait, Cynder," said Lily, brightly. "I just have a brilliant idea."

"You do?" asked Cynder. "What could be the idea?"

"Klump and Krusha have nowhere to go, so maybe we could bring them along with us and they can stay in our village," said Lily. "Surely, we have room for them in our huts."

"That could work," said Jakkin. "After all, who was the one who stayed in Percival's hut while our village was being constructed back then?"

Percival rolled his eyes as he did not want to be reminded of those two nights.

"An excellent point there," smiled Tails. "However, we need to figure out in which hut Klump and Krusha could stay until we could be able to find a place for them."

"Maybe Draco wouldn't mind having either one of the two staying in his hut since there's only him and Darky, who's just a baby dragon," said Cynder. "I suppose Krusha would make a good roommate for him."

Draco shrugged his arms and grinned sheepishly at the suggestion. "Well, that would be so cool to have someone else aside from Darky to keep me company and to make sure the both of us are safe," he said.

All of a sudden, Klump noticed something in the distance, and he was alarmed. "Oh my goodness!" he exclaimed in panic. "He's coming! Quick, you better hide me and Krusha!"

"What, who is coming?" asked Tails.

"King K. Rool!" shrieked Klump. "Krusha and I will really be in for it if he discovers us!"

"Please, you've got to help us!" begged Krusha.

Cynder thought deeply about the situation. "Tails, Lily, Jeremy, and Darky, you go lead the two deep into the forest," she said. "Draco, Jakkin, Torden, Charonus and I will go and investigate what this King K. Rool is up to."

"Okay, then," said Jeremy. "But please be careful, you guys."

"Blaze and Percival, keep an eye out for Bowser when he comes back," said Cynder. "He could definitely be of assistance if things get serious."

"Good thinking, Cynder," said Blaze. "Alright, let's get going!"

As the group split up, Cynder's team head for the cliffs. When they watched over at the distance, they spotted a ship approaching the shores of Molokai. On board the ship was an overweight green crocodile wearing a golden crown and a red cape. They noticed that his left eye had some serious conditions. There appeared to be more crocodiles on the ship too, and they were dressed in punk attire.


Author's Note: Looks like things are going to get interesting! Be ready for it as the plot continues! Oh yeah, about the names of the Kremling duo, Klump's first name references the late Len Carlson, who was a voice actor for the Donkey Kong Country TV series, while Krusha's last name Lagarto means "lizard" in Spanish.