To The Depths

It was about two days later that we finally received a bit o' shocking news.

Diddy Kong and his wily girlfriend were spotted near a sunken wreck only about a league off. No sign of their rhino was found anywhere - he must'a escaped to land somehow. What those Kongs were doing near the wreck none of us could imagine. Given the time it'd taken for us to get wind of 'em, I was surprised that they weren't farther off.

Monty had received strict orders to capture the two of 'em at all cost. As soon as our spies reported back to us, he proceeded to gather a small group to get the job done.

"Klave!"

"Aye, sir!"

"I want you to go along with them - see to it that none of them scoundrels foul up our efforts."

I nodded, and promptly left my post to join the group heading out in the longboats. There were six of us altogether. Klaggart was among us, seemingly the one put in charge of our little outfit.
"Steady now!" He called out to the blokes lowering the boat.

It was a decidedly clear day after that bout of fog we endured, with clear skies and fair weather - perfect for catchin' a couple'a monkeys.

We all knew where the wreck was, but few of us ever bothered with it - mostly because it was underwater, but there was rumor of treasure still to be had in the ships' depths. No one quite knew the origins of the ship, nor who it once belonged to.
Once in a blue moon, a fellow will attempt to swim under and scour the area for gold. There was a lad came back once with a small, gold coin, much to our surprise. But it weren't enough to encourage others to go pillaging so far down beneath the sea. It led me to wonderin' whether these Kongs would be lingering near the surface, or whether they, too, were exploring the shipwreck for some unknown reason. I'm pretty sure they wouldn't give up their mission to go treasure huntin'.

I'll admit, my very bones shook at the prospect of havin' to dive under the sea and into the bloody ship. When I said I was a swamp gator, I meant a swamp gator! I wasn't of the same caliber that large, ferocious salties like Klubba were. It's true I were a pirate, but my operations kept me on nice, firm vessels like the Gangplank - not beneath 'em.
Ah well - if such be my fate, I'd go and scour the damned ship. Can't be any worse than sufferin' the wrath of those like Klaggart or Monty...or worse, our Kaptain.

We rowed on for what seemed a long time, and all the while the sun beat unmercifully down on us. My back began to ache and sweat lightly dripped down my face, but I was used to bein' uncomfortable. Before long we arrived on the scene anyway, and my thoughts shifted to the task at hand. I grew a little irritated when I saw the wreck, 'cause only a small fraction of it still remained out of the water and it seemed a powerful waste o' time comin' all this way when it was obvious, to me leastways, that the chimps weren't here. Nor could they be inside the wreck, not for long anyways.

I could tell Klaggart's thoughts were runnin' parallel to mine, as he scanned the tip of the wreck doubtfully, as if wondering what course of action to take next. We could submerge ourselves and see if the little devils were anywhere inside the sunken ship, but what were the odds o' that? Unless I were powerful mistaken, Kongs couldn't hold their breath for very long underwater, 'least not as long as us crocs. So just what were we doing here? Odds sure looked against us runnin' into any monkeys - if they were here at all, they probably would've moved on.

Klaggart, ever mindful of making sure the Krew never doubted the higher ups, rallied his courage and spoke with a confidence that belied his expression. "Alright, men! I want Sisco and Andreas to stay and guard the boat - they'll keep a weather eye out for any funny business from the Kongs. Andreas, if they show up, I want you to dive in and signal to us. We'll draw the boat up onto that spit of wood, it'll be stable there." He looked at the rest of us. "The rest of you follow me. We'll scour the depths and make sure the Kongs aren't there."

In sayin' so, he'd given away his doubts about them being there at all, but it mattered little; we were all on the same page.

We rowed ourselves right up to the edge of the wreck, and several of us hopped out to bring the boat up onto the rotting, half-submerged docks. With Sisco and Andreas keeping watch, we had no fear of the boat becomin' lost. Klaggart lent his strength to dragging the boat up a good ways, and with all said and done, he promptly submerged beneath the salty sea. The rest of us did likewise. I didn't bother removin' my cutlass; I 'ad no fear of it getting rusty with the saltwater.
My father may not've been with me for much o' my childhood, busy as he was serving K. Rool's father...but one thing he did teach me was never to go anywhere without a weapon. A rusty blade can be mended or replaced; a life can't.

It was unusual thinkin' for a Kremling, seeing as pretty much all of us were treated as dispensable...but then, my father were an unusual fellow. Kinda like me.

As I sunk lower into the water, everything became dark and murky. I wasn't afraid; part of it felt like bein' back home in the swamps, and I found I was almost happy to be there. Us Kremlings can see well underwater, and I easily made out the forms of my comrades as they parted ways in search of the Kongs, or at least some sign that they'd been here.

With a last glance back up at the surface, where the sunlight wavered and shook, I plunged deeper into the water and found an entry into the wreck. In spite of my previous complaints, I realized in that moment that this venture might prove to be interesting - I'd never personally explored the wreck before, and I began to wonder just what sort of secrets and oddments the barge held.

It were even darker as I swam inside the large hunk of rotting wood, but my eyes cut through the darkness like a knife through butter. The first thing I noticed were all the fish and sea life that had taken refuge in this place. A couple'a Flotsam's glided over my head, not givin' a hoot that I was intruding in their home. Swishin' my tail from side to side, I made a round about the large room, trying to find some clue that Diddy Kong or Dixie might'a been here. I found nothin' but broken crates, pieces of glass, and pictures on the wall of strange, bipedal creatures that must'a been the owners of this vessel who knows how long ago.

When my round was done, I moved onto the next room, startling a school of fish that were just around the corner. I snapped at them, hoping to catch one to snack on, but they were quicker than I. No matter, I wasn't that hungry at the moment anyways.

Room after room I explored, and still no sign of any livin' thing other than the ocean fauna.

I got my real scare when I came across an old chest, and had a thought to lift the lid to see what was inside. Maybe it was full of Kremkoins and I'd turn into one'a the lucky blokes who came back with treasure. Sadly, what popped out was no bit o' luck at all, but a big angry Lockjaw who didn't look at all pleased at bein' disturbed. Though they be little things, they more'n make up for it with their monstrous tempers - the demonfish opened his massive jaws and snapped at me with wicked fury. I knew the things were territorial, so I promptly shut the lid of the chest and made off, not wishin' to provoke the blighter any further.

Just when I started feelin' that this whole venture would end up yet another loss, I heard a muffled commotion coming from what sounded like it were down the corridor. I quickly swam out to see just what was the matter, and was shocked to see a large, blue swordfish makin' a beeline straight for me!

But that wasn't the worst of it - he had Diddy and Dixie! On his BACK!

I barely had time to duck outta the way. The swordfish rushed past me so fast, I was shoved aside from the force of his speed. But I recovered myself quickly, and with an awful howl of rage, withdrew my cutlass and gave chase. I would not let those varmints escape this time!
From the cacophony behind me, I could tell the others were no less shocked, nor angry that the chimps had been here after all - and had help yet again, to boot! I knew the others were gainin' on me and wouldn't stop until the Kongs were captured.

I swam ahead with all my might in the direction the swordfish had taken, not darin' to give up pursuit. The others caught up to me, and we rounded the corner together. All the while we grumbled and shouted in rage, mixed with hearty words o' encouragement.

"This way, lads!" Klaggart bellowed when he beat us to a vacant room. Well...vacant except for the presence of the swordfish and his unusual passengers hoverin' right there, as if they were waiting for us.

We lingered by the door, blocking their escape. Klaggart took initiative and moved forward. "The gig is up, Kongs!" He said, holding his weapon out toward 'em. "Give yourselves over, and it just might go easier on you!"

"Not a chance!" Diddy shouted from atop the swordfish's back. "Now get out of the way, or we'll run you over!"

In response, Klaggart raised his weapon, clearly challenging the trio. The rest of us tensed, bracing ourselves for a charge, but nevertheless ready and eager to slice at our enemy. These were the sort of moments we lived for, the thrill and bloodlust of battle, the conquering of our foes, the domination of those weaker than us. Though we were sore losers by nature, sometimes even a loss was easy to take, if it meant bein' able to do what we did best.

At that moment, the swordfish glanced up toward the ceiling. A look of realization dawned on Dixie's face, and I saw her tap her companion's shoulder.

"What is it, Dix -" he paused when he followed their gaze upward. "Oh no...Enguarde, NO!"

Before any of us had time to react, the swordfish gave one look of determination, shook his tail, and shot straight upward like a rocket. He'd burst forth straight through the roof! We rushed over to the spot where they'd hovered not seconds ago, and looked up. There had been a small break in the ceiling that the brazen swordfish had taken advantage of. It was a risk on his part, especially with two monkeys on his back - but it proved successful.

Klaggart, however, was not ready to give up. He roared and quickly pursued his quarry, and of course we followed as close behind as we could. Rage had given our leader the extra speed he needed to catch up to our enemies, but it fell short. We raced through passageways and dim quarters until we approached the light of the surface...but o' course, by then, they were gone…

We floated on the surface for a while, seething in the face of our second failure.

Klaggart was in a mighty awful mood...which was less common for him than it was for a bloke like Monty. Monty lost his temper plenty often, but Klaggart - in spite o' his size - was always fairly decent about keeping his anger in check. Still, given that we'd come so bloody close to capturin' the Kongs, and were bested for the second time, I couldn't blame him one stick for throwin' a fit in front of his Krew. In fact we were all just about doing the same.

"Back to the longboats!" Klaggart shouted, and we swam around the end of the ship to where our transportation was docked.

"Sir!" Andreas rushed to the edge of the ship in a frenzy. "The Kongs! They fled thataway!" Andreas must've known that we'd been giving chase, for he'd been keeping an eye on the direction our enemy had fled when they broke the surface.

And it was to none of our surprise when he pointed toward Crocodile Isle.

Klaggart and the rest of us climbed aboard, dripping and angry, and gazed in the direction of the distant island. Klaggart's jaw was set in a terrible snarl. "So, the fools have finally decided to make headway for our territory." He paused. "Took them long enough. Might've known they'd make their way there eventually."

He turned his attention to Sisco and Andreas, who flinched slightly under his unhappy glare. "Back to the galleon. We'll have to send yet another report to the Kaptain, but…" here, he actually grinned, "now we know without a doubt where they are heading."

The look on his face was nothing short of malicious, and his confidence gave me hope, in spite of the day's failure. The game wasn't over yet with us and the Kongs, not by a long shot. Besides, since their intentions to free their friend DK were obvious, it would also mean havin' to traverse the lengths of Crocodile Isle.

I wouldn't stand against those odds if I were them, not for a whole barrel full o' Kremkoins.

When we arrived back on the galleon, Klaggart delivered a full report to Monty.

Needless to say, he weren't any happier about the news than we were. Even the affirmation that the Kongs were now headin' toward Crocodile Isle didn't seem to abate his anger much, not like we were hopin'. But Klaggart knew Monty better than that. He'd wait 'im out until his fury subsided, and then Monty would pay attention to the silver linin' when he came to.

"This is better news than we thought, sir," Klaggart said. "Beforehand we didn't have any idea what their plan was or where they were heading for sure. Now we know, we can do something about it."

Monty controlled himself long enough to deliver his next order. "Send word to the Kaptain immediately. He'll double the guards, without a doubt, and will probably send word out that the Kongs are there."

Without a moment's hesitation, Klaggart was on the task.

The rest of us were ordered back to our posts, but we weren't disappointed. The day hadn't been'a complete loss. Even though we'd spotted the two Kongs and they were able to evade us yet again, it'd'a been worse if we ended up with no sign of 'em at all. Like I said, the game wasn't over, and the little vermin had miles atop'a miles to cover before they had even a hope of reachin' their precious DK.

And even if they did...Kaptain would be waitin' for 'em at the end.

A heavy rainstorm blew in from the sea the next day.

None of us minded the rain much, accustomed as we were to an aquatic lifestyle. But things were buzzin' on board ever since we had our second run-in with the Kong brats. There was no shortage o' gossip about what our next move would be in retaliation.

Kilian and Francis hailed me durin' a bit of off time and asked me about the venture. I told 'em exactly how it happened, word fer word.

"I was the first one to jump in!" I waved the bottle o' rum and took a swig. "The others followed after, I s'pose 'cause they saw by my example that there weren't no sense in hesitatin'." I slammed the bottle down. "I scoured every room in th'ship, every nook an' cranny. Had a couple nasty run-ins with some Lockjaws, too, but I fended 'em off with me cutlass - a whole swarm of 'em. Aye, one can't be a yellow-belly when it comes to dangerous missions the likes o' which I tend to get sent on." I leaned back, gathering my thoughts as best I could. "'Afore I knew it, them Kongs show up outta nowhere ridin' the back of a swordfish...I didn't pause fer a secon'...I pulled out me cutlass and darn near took their heads off…"

I heard the two of 'em sniggerin' and fixed 'em with a stare. "You think that's funny? Well, I'd like t'see you face-off with a giant fish with a nose as long an' sharp as a javelin! Weren't no joke, I tell you! Anyway, after I dodged the devilfish, I swam after 'em - Klagg and the rest followin' behin'..."

"Well, matey," Kilian stood up, "It's high time I were at my post. And by the sound of things, I'm sure it be high time you were in bed."

Francis giggled, but I paid 'em no heed.

"Weren't a joke, none o' it…" I trailed, lapsing into a speech of sorts that I never remembered.

Things became blurry after that, and the only conscious thing I remember afterwards is waking in bed with one hell of a headache.

A/N: I'm happy to say that the inspiration for this story has been flowing in, especially because I've been listening to music remixes from Diddy's Kong Quest as I'm writing these. Specifically, music that takes place during said levels I'm writing about.