Guards Of The Gangplank
The Krew buzzed with excitement ever since the news of K. Rool's plan leaked.
Some of us were a little wary at the prospect of stirrin' the wrath of the Kongs, but most of us were eager about the Kaptain's plan. We thirsted for revenge, I not least of all. We Kremlings were never a big fan of the Kongs, and though I shared the sentiments, I felt a particular desire to see them suffer for the torment me an' my mates had to endure after our Kaptain's defeat. Granted, things could'a been worse, but they could'a ended up a lot better, too.
A day came where I found myself sittin' on a barrel, staring out at distant Crocodile Isle, wishin' I was there instead of here. I'm a swamp gator; I prefer the murky depths and the reed-infested waters. Always felt safe in a bayou and have always considered the swamp, and no other place, my home. Not to say I was scared of being out in the open; far from it. I may not have been the burliest or the toughest croc in the bunch, but I did well enough for myself in spite of it all. I've been beaten in plenty o' fights with my kin, but I've bested a good many, too.
Maybe it's because I was born in the swamplands, so I've always felt a kinda connection to them.
So anyway there I was, sitting on the barrel, mindin' my own business and gazing wistfully out at the distant island. I wasn't sticking to my duty as I should've, and before long I paid the price for my woolgathering.
SQUAWK!
A huge screech tore the silence in half. I must'a jumped outta my scales ten feet, for I swore and spun around, withdrawing the cutlass at my belt.
"What in blue blazes - !"
The source of the noise came in the form of nothin' more than a mangy black crow.
"Ye damned nuisance!" I yelled.
The bird landed a safe distance from me - a wise decision - and proceeded to open his trap. "Kaptain K. Rool has issued a level two alert for all hands on deck! Donkey Kong is now a prisoner of His Eminence! Phase two of the Master Plan has been carried out successfully! Kaptain orders all hands to remain vigilant and wary of any retaliation from the Kongs!"
"Just great," I murmur. "Now that the whole world knows our business, thanks to your incessant yammering, is there anything else you'd care ta add?"
In response, the fool bird turned his backside to me and wiggled his tail feathers in something meant to be offensive. I swiped my cutlass at him and he flew off, screamin' and screechin'.
Chuckling, I sheathed my sword and turned to face Kilian, who trotted over to my side from below deck.
"Well, what d'ya think of that?" he asked.
I bared my teeth. "I think things are about to get interestin' for us, just as I thought they would."
"Good! It's about time things liven up on this bumboat." He stared at me. "Now matey, don't tell me you ain't lookin' fore'ard to a little excitement."
"Arrgh, things'll get excitin' to be sure."
He slapped me on the back, and hobbled off, peg legs klanking on the damp wooden floor. "Keep those sharp eyes peeled! If that ape is being held hostage, mark my words, it won't be long 'fore his friends come lookin' for 'im!"
Truer words never been spoken. For the first time in months, I was more alert than ever I'd been during my time on the galleon. I forced myself to stay sharp, to not let my guard down, keeping my gaze on the horizon and the surrounding ocean and island at all times. The Krew reported to one another more frequently, but no one had yet seen any sign of the Kongs. That they would come was inevitable, mark me, but I had a notion that that was part of the Kaptain's plan - to lure the apes in and have them in his clutches so that he could finish off the scoundrels once and fer all. Problem was, first the little devils had to get to their beloved DK first, and to do so, they might have to get through us. Now I will own that I lost a bit of sleep over this. Not out of fear, exactly, but out of a kinda wariness of the future. The memory of being lost in the wild, separated from our kin for countless weeks without help, without any inclination of what might'a happened to 'em, not to mention wondering what was gonna happen to us…
While I thirsted deeply for revenge, I'm not ashamed to say it was tempered with caution. I've never been one'a the hot-headed crocs - never been the type to strike without thinkin'. While I had something of a temper if the occasion struck, it'd have to strike bloomin' hard for me to put fury above reasonin'. No doubt that's why my errands have always been ones that required stealth, patience, and a little more brainpower than not. I don't boast of my skills in that area, but God knows I was good for somethin'. Let it never be said in the history books that Klave was a good-fer-nothing grunt who lived and died a knave.
Back to the present, it was about a handful of days later from hearing the news that a Kruncha appeared on deck and bellowed out orders for all hands to get to their posts and arm themselves. We did as told without question (that is, the questions came later.)
I was stationed near the helm that day, and ran into a bloke named Klaggart. He was huge, even for a Krusha. I ain't jestin', this guy could almost give that juggernaut Klubba a run for his money (though granted, it'd be a big almost.) I flinched when I turned and found the scoundrel standin' right there 'aside me, but immediately recovered myself and straightened. Snapping out of my scare, I couldn't help but feel proud to have such a dauntin' soldier a part of our Krew. It made me forget my qualms about the Kongs. With warriors like Klaggart and Klubba on our side, what chance did those mangy monkeys really stand?
"What's the cause for alarm?" I asked as I jumped to my post and steadied my hand on the hilt of my cutlass. My sharp eyes scanned the horizon; it was a fine, brisk day, and I could see thick white clouds billowing up in the distance.
"The Kong scum've been spotted," he growled, producing a scimitar.
I guffawed; I couldn't help but think it humorous that a buy as big as 'im could need the assistance of a sword. "I wager those tendons of yours're all the weapon you'll ever need, mate."
He smirked and averted his gaze outward. "Monty says there was'a report of movement to the south a handful'a leagues off."
"That close," I murmured, curling my jaw up in anticipation. Then I remembered that K. Rool had successfully kidnapped DK, which left...who, to come rescue him? I put this question to Klaggart, who chuckled.
"The scuttlebutt is that 'is young friend Diddy Kong 'as taken it on 'imself to try an' stop us and save his mate."
I nodded. "I remember him. The runt's come alone, eh?"
He shook his head. "Not alone. We've got a set'a two again. A small young thing 'as joined up with 'im - a lass, it would seem."
"Never heard of no lass. Looks like we'll have us a new face to clobber." I grinned.
"Aye, but keep your guard up. No sense in gettin' a big 'ead just 'cause they be two small monkeys."
I had to agree with him there. We saw what DK was capable of, but his tiny friend had proven to be quite a peck of trouble himself. That brute of an ape might'a possessed ample muscle, but between the two of 'em, I believed that Diddy to be the smarter one. And who but I knew the value of smarts?
As luck would 'ave it, the hours passed by powerful slow. Where not a moment ago the Krew was buzzin' with excitement, it fizzled to an air of disappointment as the sun sank below the sea and the day crawled to an end. Monty, the Kruncha who was placed in charge, kept barking out reminders for us to stay vigilant and not let our guards down. We kept our eyes peeled as best we could, scanning the water, lest the little intruders decided to come by boat, and the island, in case they'd made their way onto land without anyone noticin'. Our eyes cut through the foliage and the waves, but no trace of the chimps could we find.
When the last ray o' sun disappeared, we still hadn't gotten wind of the Kongs. Not sight, nor smell, nor sign.
Klaggart and I swapped very little chatter, but come sundown our guard did indeed slacken. I was the first to break the silence. "What d'you think happened? Could this be some trick?"
"Arr, it may be," he said in a low voice. "If those runts were within distance, they should'a made it 'ere by now. No way'a knowin' for sure, though."
We kept our vigil throughout the long night, with not a sign of foreboding. After what must'a been hours, I finally took a seat atop a beer keg and relaxed a bit. We were under strict orders not to imbibe while on high alert, else I would'a indulged to my hearts' content, but no matter. It was a fine night, clear as crystal. The wind kicked on and off, clearin' the haze away and granting us with a sight of the stars.
I recall thinkin' in that moment that it was hard to believe there could be danger afoot.
After many more hours, I was finally relieved, and sluggishly made my way to my quarters. I slumped into my hammock as best I could and, in spite of the thinly veiled threat o' danger, fell straightaway to sleep.
"-ON DECK! ALL HANDS ON DECK!"
I was shaken out of an unpleasant dream and nearly fell outta my hammock. By instinct, I drew out my cutlass and rushed up on deck. I had a good notion of what was causin' the ruckus.
A good handful of Kremlings rushed up from various entrances, all of us trying to pinpoint the source of the trouble. Those who were a'ready on deck were shouting and brandishing their weapons, but bein' shorter than some, I couldn't see past the gathering. I blinked away the glare from the sun, still groggy as I was from sleep, and tried shoving my way through the masses.
If I'd 'a waited a moment longer, I'd have seen the cause coming straight to me - for there in broad daylight were the infamous Kongs we'd been hearin' so much about.
They were standin' atop a large stack of barrels, a look of determination set on their faces. They seemed none too bothered about the fact that they were surrounded by cutthroats. I recognized Diddy Kong as the lad wearing a red cap, and beside him stood the little lass I'd only heard mention of. She wore a pink cap and vest, and sported a long, fair set of hair. She looked more suited to pickin' daisies than taking on a legion of angry crocs. A huge grin spread across my face.
"Shiver me timbers," I said, instantly shaken out of my grogginess. I gripped my cutlass in sheer joy. My only problem was figurin' out how to get through the crowd and to the targets.
"There they go!" Someone shouted as the two Kongs leaped from the barrels and over our heads. It was an impressive feat, but the scum would need more than acrobatics to make it past us. We were on them immediately, and I s'pose it would've turned into one big, disorganized mess if Monty hadn't intervened.
"Stop you fools!" He cried. "I want everyone on the first shift to go after them!" A group of us scurried off after the Kongs. I frowned and my hand shook on the hilt of my weapon, but he turned to us and said, "Those of you on the second shift, block the other end of the ship! I don't want those rats escaping our grasp!" Another group rushed off in the opposite direction. Finally he turned to those of us left. "I want the rest of you to secure the netting and waylay our guests. Francis!"
"Aye, sir!"
"You're the fastest one on the rigging. See that it gets done on the double or there'll be hell to pay!"
"I'll have it done in one flap of a zinger's wing, sir!" Quick as lightning, he scurried off up the rope ladder.
"Get to it, you lugs!"
We didn't need to be told twice. The other Klingers jumped forward to assist Francis, while the rest of us helped with the preparations. There was enough commotion goin' on to wake the dead, and thus we had no idea who was holding out better on the other end of the ship - us or the Kongs. Well either way, we intended to be prepared; regardless of who had the upper hand, the two monkeys would never be able to escape a net.
Gripping my cutlass in my jaws, I untied the ropes holding one end of the net. I tried sneaking glimpses of the skirmish between our mates and the Kongs, but they must've either taken cover below deck or were hidden behind some cargo.
"Steady on!" Francis called from his high position. "Our enemy's approachin', lads! Get ready!"
Sure enough, Diddy and his female companion were heading our way. The twerp managed to knock one of our men aside and used another for leverage as he jumped over Monty's head. Monty bellowed and turned an alarming shade o' red, reaching his claws up to grab at the Kongs, but to no avail. They were makin' good time, and heading our way.
"As they approach, lads! Ready!" Francis strove to make his thin voice heard above the din. "One...two...THREE!"
On cue, we released the net right as the monkeys ran beneath it. For an agonizing second, I thought they were gonna get off scot free. I swore and made ready to pursue, but Diddy's tail snagged on a bit of unmended rope and he fell, his companion smashing into him and landing them in a nasty tumble. Laughter rang out among the Krew as they rushed in to secure their prize.
"We 'ave ye now, ye scurvy rats!"
"That'll teach you little devils to go meddlin' in our affairs!"
The jests shot out a mile a minute, and I tell you the Krew had a grand time of rubbing the Kong's defeat in their faces. I saw Kilian move his way to the front and reach a hand down to grab Diddy's hat, yanking it through the netting.
"Hey!" Diddy shouted. "Gimme back my hat, you overgrown lizard!"
More laughter from the Krew, but Kilian put on a great show of studyin' the red cap. He turned his back on Diddy and faced us, placing the cap on his head. "How do I look, lads?" He struck a humorous pose, and we roared with laughter.
Unfortunately, Kilian weren't payin' attention to the feisty little ape, else he would'a noticed his mistake. With a sudden, tremendous howl of pain, Kilian jumped on the spot and whirled on Diddy. The filth bag had given his tail a good nip!
"Why you dirty, rotten -!"
"Next time think twice about whose hat you steal," Diddy retorted, playin' it pretty smooth for a prisoner, I must own.
Before Kilian had a chance to reciprocate the gesture, a large form shoved his way through the crowd. It was Klaggart.
"Well now," he boomed, "if it isn't Diddy Kong, and his nuisance of a girlfriend." The crowd sniggered, and the lad turned a shade of red that nearly rivaled Monty's. Whether from embarrassment or anger, it was hard to tell, though I had a good idea.
"You big jerk!" Diddy seethed, gripping the rope. "Where has your stupid Kaptain taken Donkey Kong?"
"Can it, you fool - you're in no position to be askin' questions!" He leaned up.
"You won't get away with this, you big oaf!" The girl chimed in. "We won't stop until we find our friend, and when we do, you'll all be sorry you ever messed with us!"
She said this to arouse anger in Klaggart, but instead of gettin' in a temper, he kneeled down to her level and shot a hand out to her throat.
"No!" Diddy screamed, but was instantly seized by a Klomp who put a hand over his mouth.
Klaggart fixed the girl with a cool gaze. "Little girls should know better than to go meddlin' in the affairs of pirates. What be your name, lass?"
She struggled in his grasp, but refused to answer. He turned his gaze upward, as if tryin' to recollect a lost memory. He grinned, showing off a fine set o' teeth. "I remember now...yer name is Dixie...Diddy Kong's brassy wench. Har! Well your efforts were in vain, lass. You and yer friend have reached the end of your little game." He drew out his scimitar and lifted her so that she was eye level with him. "Ready to die, pretty one?"
My heart leaped with nearly uncontrolled glee as he lifted his weapon. I was about to witness the demise of two Kong's - this was a momentous event, indeed! I heartily joined in the jeering and howls of excitement from the others as Klaggart was about to perform his deed.
...Alas, fate had other things in store for us that day.
A loud rumble was heard from somewhere below deck, givin' us all pause.
"What the devil be that?" Someone asked.
Klaggart frowned, released Dixie, and looked toward the stairway. The rest of us did likewise. The rumbling noise grew louder until we began to feel the planks quake beneath our very feet. I began to get nervous and braced myself for I knew not what. Were it a sea-quake, or a volcano? I'd heard that there were volcanoes on Crocodile Isle, but hadn't seen 'em for myself.
Then I heard someone nearby moan, "Oh no…"
"Kraven!" I heard Monty's voice ring loud and clear. "Did you secure the crate?!"
"Aye, sir, I made sure it was secure!"
The two sounded in a full-on panic, but I couldn't make heads nor tails o' what they were getting at. Others, apparently, caught on, as they began to scramble outta the way - but for what, I couldn't imagine.
Then I saw.
A large, hulking rhinoceros had burst forth from the stairway in a clear fit o' rage. I tell you, I couldn't have been more surprised if the moon itself came crashing down on the ship!
"What in blue blazes is that thing doin' here?!" I shouted, but none heard. They were too busy scramblin' outta the way, trying to save their own tails. I didn't blame 'em one cent! Well I sure wasn't gonna wait for an answer. Following suit, I leaped onto a keg and ambled up the mainbrace until I felt I was a safe distance from that beast. I narrowed my eyes when I saw the rhino tear the net to shreds, thus releasing the Kongs. I swore loudly and called attention to their escape. Though the others weren't in a hurry to try and stop them - not with their new ally in tow - they nonetheless raged and shouted with fury.
"Somebody stop 'em!" A Klinger shouted, waving his weapon.
To my slight shock, the two chimps jumped onto the beast's back and rode 'im, for all the world like a bleedin' horse! They must've been in league the whole time, but I couldn't figure out how the rhino got on board the blasted vessel in the first place.
Things weren't lookin' too good for us, but at that moment I saw Monty and Klaggart and several other well-muscled Kremlings arrive on the scene, with big guns in hand. Ha! I thought, That outta give the beast and his burden a run for their money!
But the rhino, sensing the danger, took an alternate route, escaping the cannon fire altogether. I could barely make out the little voices o' the monkeys cheering their companion on, urging him to get off the ship altogether. Not on our watch!
Still, there wasn't much we could'a done at that point. The rhino was stronger, and faster. In spite of our best gunman's efforts to waylay the threesome, they were making decent headway toward the bulwark. What did they think to do, jump ship and swim to Crocodile Isle, a heavy brute like that? I wasn't about to hang around to find out. I climbed back down and jumped onto solid floor, joining the others in hot pursuit. Whatever the end results were, I wanted a front row seat to this show.
Sure enough, the rhino and his primate pals wasted no time in haulin' themselves over the side of the ship. I could hardly believe it.
A small group of Kruncha's laid into them with their blunderbusses. A handful of Kannon's were by their side in a minute, aiming their hefty guns downward toward our escapees. Their shots rang loud, but not true enough. The hefty beast had sense enough to duck underwater to lessen the odds in our favor. It was at that point that I knew the gig was up.
Kaptain would not be pleased about this.