Chapter 5 – The Island Skirmish
Glaring at King K. Rool, Bowser made his way to the fray. He had returned from Japan after doing some cleaning up in the Ise-Shima National Park village, and was hoping to see his friends, but instead saw them being held captive by the belligerent king of the Kremlings.
King K. Rool sneered. "Well, well, if it ain't the mighty Koopa King himself," he said. "Still trying to prove that you're the big, mean, evil one? You're too late for that, pard, as I'll be the one to win that title!"
"Yeah, right, like I have any interest in going back to my old ways," retorted Bowser. "And it looks like you haven't changed in the slightest!"
"And what makes you think I'll be doing that?" asked King K. Rool. "Being evil is so much fun, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see those lowly mammals squirm!"
While King K. Rool and Bowser were arguing, a trio of Kremlings have boarded off the Gangplank Galleon to witness the altercation. One was a male Kremling while two were female. The first female apparently seemed to be the same age as the male, and the other, who sported a distinctive purple afro, seemed to be the eldest. Like the rest of King K. Rool's underlings, they were also dressed in punk attire.
"What's goin' on down there, Kip and Kass?" the female Kremling with the purple afro asked.
"It seems as if there's goin' to be a hoedown between ol' Rooly and that big turtle over there, big sis," replied Kip.
"This is really goin' to get messy, Kalypso and Kip," said Kass. "Still, I'm looking forward to seeing how things play out."
Kalypso thought deeply as she watched the action with her younger brother and sister. Although they've served King K. Rool for years, they've secretly wanted to abandon him since his mental stability was getting worse that it was affecting the Kremling Krew. After hearing about Klump and Krusha's defection, they felt more inspired and stowed away in the Gangplank Galleon when he started his search, but they were waiting for the right moment to revolt.
"I'm going to say it again," said Bowser as he cracked his knuckles. "You better let my friends go right now, or you will be eating my fists!"
"Big words for such a pint-size!" mocked King K. Rool. "I'm much taller than you!"
Bowser could feel his anger swelling. "You've picked the wrong guy to tangle with, you bloated gasbag!" he growled. "And for that I'm going to teach you to mess with my friends and attempt to take over this peaceful island!"
"You're on, ya varmint!" declared King K. Rool. "This is goin' to be a lot fun!"
As the two kings get ready to start their fight, the Kremlings stood back to make way for Bowser and King K. Rool, while holding tightly to their captive prisoners.
"Come on, Bowser," whispered Draco. "You can put a stop to that evil tyrant."
"Let's be quiet and allow him to take care of K. Rool," said Cynder, quietly.
King K. Rool took off his cape and cracked his knuckles as he eyed Bowser menacingly, who solemnly and silently glared at the Kremling king. Without warning, King K. Rool tossed his crown at Bowser, but the Koopa dodged it just in time before it could hit him. What he did not know, however was that King K. Rool was using his crown like a boomerang. Luckily, he could hear the crown spinning back, so he ducked down at the last moment.
"Not bad for your first duel with me," laughed King K. Rool. "How do you like my Crown Toss?"
"That was a nice try," said Bowser. "But I will not be discouraged or intimidated by such a lame move."
"For your imagination, I was just getting warmed up!" rasped King K. Rool.
The fight continued as the two kings brawled back and forth. It seemed as if Bowser was going to win as he was more durable and stronger, but King K. Rool had other ideas.
"So, are you ready to throw in the towel?" asked Bowser. "You better if you value your wellbeing."
King K. Rool smirked. "Oh, please," he snorted. "Do you really think you have a chance against me? If you do, then you are sadly mistaken."
"If you have some ace up your sleeve, then go ahead to bring it on," said Bowser. "I'm not afraid of you!"
"So you want to see my ace, do you?" asked King K. Rool. "Fine, so be it, but I must warn, you're going to be very afraid and regret that you ever messed with me."
Bowser waited for King K. Rool's attack, and in an instant, King K. Rool whistled loudly, which signalled the troop of Kritters to gang up on Bowser. The Koopa tried to fight them, but there were so many of the Kritters that he was quickly overwhelmed. Blaze, Tails, Klump, Krusha, and the dragons watched with horror as Bowser was restrained and unable to move.
"I bet you expected this to be a fair fight, fool," cackled King K. Rool. "Well, too bad for you, because I play dirty with my foes!"
"You conniving, sneaky, mean, rotten scoundrel!" hissed Bowser.
"How flattering to receive such praise, it's like an honour for me!" retorted King K. Rool.
The Kritters holding Bowser kicked him on his stomach, causing him to fall down to his knees. King K. Rool proudly approached him. At last, Kalypso, Kass, and Kip have had enough, and they looked at each other, nodding that now it was the time to make their move.
"Wait up, K. Rool, home boy!" called Kalypso.
"Kalypso!" exclaimed King K. Rool. "I'm surprised to see you, Kip and Kass here. I suppose you want a piece of the action, huh? Well, the Koopa's mine, but you three can help yourself to the prisoners we're holding."
Kalypso turned to the captive dragons. She set her eyes on Draco, who sweated nervously as she gave him a seductive look.
"Uh, what are you going to do to us?" he asked.
"Relax there, this won't hurt a bit," said Kalypso smoothly as she stroke a claw down Draco's body before reaching an arm of one of the Kritters holding him. Suddenly, she knocked out the Kritter, releasing Draco from his grasp, much to everyone's surprise.
"Now Kip and Kass!" she shouted. "Let's boogie!"
The three renegade Kremlings dashed into the crowd, fighting off the troop of Kritters and freeing the other captives, who quickly joined the battle. Klump and Krusha, having been inspired by the act, also stepped into the fray as they fought their former comrades.
King K. Rool stood quivering with fury. He could not fathom that now three more of his minions have turned against him. Angrily, he looked back to his ship, and decided that if he could take over the Hawaiian Islands, he might as well destroy them.
"That is it!" he roared. "This island is history! Watch as I'll blow it up with the full firepower of my cannons!"
