CHAPTER 3

Crocodile Cauldron was indeed a hot location. There was no way across the lava. But half way into the cauldron, Kai saw something. Many of something, in fact.

"What is it, Kai?" asked Dixie Kong.

"Let's see…" Kai Kritter thought. "Zingers, Klaptraps, Klobbers, Klampons, et cetera et cetera." he later answered.

"Oh, no!" said Dixie Kong.

"Quick question to you." said Diddy Kong to Kai Kritter. "What are Klampons and Klobbers?"

"Well, Klampons are the big brother of the Klaptrap, and they even have a big appetite for… monkeys." Kai Kritter answered.

"AAAHHH!" Dixie and Diddy Kong screamed.

"Yeah." Kai Kritter said. "As for Kaboings, they are Kremlings in barrels. However, we can put their skills to use."

"How?" Diddy Kong asked.

"Watch this." Kai said. He later picked up a treasure chest, threw it at a Klobber, and it went back in the barrel to hide. However, the treasure chest had a coin in it! Dixie Kong later picked it up.

"We can probably use it later." Dixie Kong said. "Come on!"

As they made hot head hop through the cauldron, they found an animal crate with a spider's picture on it. Dixie Kong wondered if it was an animal buddy. And for her lucky luck, it was. Squitter was the orange spider's name, and he had a special ability. He could spit webs out of his mouth, and even make webby platforms. Dixie Kong then took a ride on Squitter to put his skills to use inside a cave full of Kannons Kritters.

"Wow!" said Dixie Kong. "We have to go vertical for this one!"

"I bet your little friend can help you with that." said Kai.

"If no one minds, I'll go and find some cannons to get to the top." said Diddy Kong.

"I'll go with you!" Kai said. "Dixie?"

"Right on!" said Dixie Kong.

Back with Kaptain K. Rool, he was still watching over Donkey Kong and Kai Kritter's parents. However, something came to mind. Walking up to both Kailey and Kaiden, Kai Kritter's parents, Kaptain K. Rool was asking them simple questions. However, these questoins were not simple to the parents.

"We're not answering." said Kailey Kritter.

"And why not?" asked Kaptain K. Rool.

"It's because you are a greedy, selfish Kremling!" said Kaiden Kritter. "But to answer you, we have betrayed you because of that reason!"

"Hmph." said Kaptain K. Rool. You will be executed when Diddy and Dixie Kong arrive with your son.

"Filthy reptile." said Kailey Kritter.

Back with Kai, Diddy, and Dixie, they had just left the Kannon cave and went downwards to Lava Lagoon, which was a lagoon full of lava. There was no way past it. However, some mysterious voice said something about offering help.

"I could not help over hearing about what you were saying about crossing this lagoon." said a friendly Necky.

"Who are you?" asked Kai Kritter. "You native to this island?"

"I am, but I am against the Kremling Krew and the Kuthroats." said the Necky. "My name is Nelson. Nelson Necky, that is!"

"My name is Diddy Kong. And this is my girlfriend, Dixie Kong. And that is Kai Kritter." said Diddy Kong.

"Pleasure to meet you all!" Nelson said. "Anyhoo, I can easily help you get across that lagoon. One by one, that is. Here. Let me start off with you first, Diddy."

"OK!" said Diddy Kong. Nelson then started to carry Diddy Kong across the lagoon. Then, he went back over to get Dixie. And finally, Kai Kritter. All were then headed for a red-hot ride through another lagoon of lava.

"Well, this is going to be a treat of life right here." said Kai.

"There is a way across." said Nelson. "I found a rhinoceros over there somewhere across this lake."

"RAMBI!" said the trio.

"He's alright after his injury!" said Diddy Kong.

"Wait, he got hurt?" asked Dixie Kong.

"No time to explain!" said Diddy Kong. "Nelson, be a kind Necky and take us to him."

"Right!" Nelson said. "But the only way there is a small hot air balloon."

"A hot air balloon?" asked Kai.

"Gee, where do you find those at around here?" asked Dixie. Nelson then turned to one.

"I guess right there answers Dixie Kong's question." said Kai.

"Let's go!" Diddy Kong said. And so, the red-hot ride was actually the small hot air balloon ride. Then, when everyone was safely across, Rambi was right there waiting for the trio.

"Rambi!" Diddy Kong said. "Thank heaven you are safe!"

"What even happened?" asked Dixie Kong.

"We were trying to get the bananas back, and Rambi got hurt." Diddy Kong said. "I forget how everything happened. But forget that. Let's… AAAAAHHH!"

"Wait, what happened?" asked Kai.

"It looked like a lava ball!" exclaimed Dixie.

"We'll ride and check it out." said Diddy Kong.

When everyone arrived at the scene, a giant sword known as Kleever threw the lava balls down at the group. Dixie Kong knew that the sword had to be defeated. However, Nelson did half of the work by grabbing Kleever with his beak. Then, Kleever fell into the lava.

"So, now what do we do?" asked Dixie Kong.

"I'll take you guys to the next area right next to the cauldron. It's called Krem Quay." said Nelson.

"Let's go then. My fur is about to catch alight." Diddy Kong said.

"Mine too." said Dixie Kong. Everyone later left Crocodile Cauldron and headed for the swampy area known as Krem Quay.