The Jungle Kingdom
A coliseum fits a mass amount of monkeys. Some buff, others scrawny. These animals don't care for the others sizes, because there's a big show in-front of them. A few brown beams are spread high and low in this arena. Ladders connect each one.
Below, is a massive drop into the water. Only these apes know where it leads. It's definitely not comfortable either, landing on water from that high? It could kill a man!
Two wooden gates stand across from the other, waiting for the fateful challengers to walk through. Some call it barbaric.
Others say it's tradition.
The first gate rises through the stone wall, creaking along the way. A silhoutte appears, but seems to be getting forced out. After one last poke, the silhouettes out for all to see.
Red hat. Red overalls
Blue shirt.
The Jumpman's found himself in the Kongs turf once again. He goes by many names: Jumpman, Papa Mario, the OG, but he might as well be called "screwed". The Italian glares at an elderly Kong on his throne.
"Again, Cranky?"
The monkey nabs a banana with his foot. "
As his opponent comes down, the coliseum itself shakes.
Thud.
THUD.
THUD!
The gate across Jumper is raised, and from the darkness..comes another Kong. The man looks his opponent up and down. His fur is darker. He's not bare like his elder.
"That tie sticks out like a sore thumb."
The Kong's stands on its two hind legs, popping it's neck. The height difference is incredible! Papa might have been able to take Cranky, but this new challenger's TOWERING him. The monkeys shadow covers half the beam. Pops can barely see the Sun.
"..Oh. You're not a talker like your daddy."
With one swift punch, Jumpman goes flying back to his gate! Nobody calls it off though, he has to adapt. Cranky's taunting doesn't help. "You thought you were the biggest dog in the yard, huh? Meet the hero of the Jungle Kingdom..and heir to the throne: Donkey Kong! He's the leader of the bunch. If you don't know him well, eat his fist and then you'll tell."
The Kong gets rewarded with cheers from the massive crowd.
"DK!"
"DK!"
"DK!"
He's got the homefield advantage..psychologically at least. In the 80s, Pops had one of Cranky's captives rooting him on. Here, he's completely isolated.
No love.
Little hope.
Big trouble.
The man takes a chance, and charges forth. He ducks a massive punch that sends his cap flying, and looks for a huge uppercut…but it does nothing. The Kong just stares into his soul. "A light tap won't save you."
BOOM! A vicious headbutt sends Papa off the beam, and onto another below! His developing back problems just got worse from one fall. He's even holding it, while DK pounds his chest from above. "HOO, HOO, HOO!"
Jumpman sets a hand on his head. "..that's a bruise." These injuries could be more severe than he thought..but it doesn't matter if it's the 80s, or now. He'll keep pushing.
A batch of barrels come flying at the monkey, and he catches them with ease. They are ordered in a line, adding more to this powerhouse's arsenal. If his condition wasn't bad enough, now he has to deal with favoritism. They are treating Donkey Kong like a god. Perks of being their hero.
The ape hurls a barrel down the beam, but Jumpman leaps over..
Only to eat another that sends him on his back! He sees another coming and rolls back downstairs. DK notices his scrambling, and just pumps those barrels out, RAPID FIRE. They roll up top, some even end up traveling down.
The Italian jumps a few barrels, and even slides under some! When he reaches the ladder closest, he uses an oncoming one to boost up. He leaps up like a superhero, in-front of DK. A dark hammer in hand, he's looking for a direct shot…
But his hands get swallowed by only one of DK's.
"You are scrappy.."
The man's literally panting. "What about it?"
"Scrappiness give failure."
He flicks the guy at the stone wall! The patriarch takes a nasty collision with it, and ends up on his rear. He's pinned, as the monkey rolls himself across the beam! He's a makeshift barrel, and it's horrible for the elder..
"…" GULP.
CRASH!
.
.
.
It doesn't take long for Papa Mario to get thrown right back in his cell. DK himself does the honors. Despite getting dominated out there, the man crawls to the bars. "I've been over this Cranky thing for years! I'm over it! I'm not the enemy anymore! HE won't let it go.."
The monkey adjusts his tie. "You made a mockery of the Kongs for years. It was no thanks to you, that the vicious Kremlings saw us as easy targets. You helped plunge us into war. War that took many innocent Kong lives."
Bluntness takes Jumpman aback. "When did we get into war? Look, my problems not with you."
"Do not care. You talk too much. Act later. That's why Cranky loathes you."
The patriarch can't help but facepalm. "Why's he forcing OUR business on you? You've got a life right? I'd have loved if my boys were doctors, but they wanted to be plumbers. I didn't give 'em crap for it. Your daddy's a curmudgeon."
"HE IS MY GRANDFATHER." DK snaps, causing the man to fall where he stands. "They call you a hero. You do not understand the pressure." The monkey leaves it at that and walks away.
Well, there went any chance of going free. "Rational" isn't a word in the Kong dictionary, is it? All Jumper knows, is that he'll be stuck here (again), for a long while. He hangs his balding head low, and closes his eyes.
"Why did I stay?"
While the sole human rots in his cell, DK continues his walk on all fours. A familiar cane crosses paths with him. When he sees the long beard, he can tell immediately.
"My boy.." Cranky looks him up and down. "Did that bozo give you any trouble?"
"The human tried his manipulation."
"And?"
"It has failed. I am unable to be manipulated."
Cranky almost cracks a smile, but keeps the stern face on. "You got too much on those shoulders to get tricked. Now come.." he gestures with a foot. "I've got a damn fine feast just for us."
The two head for a pair of golden doors. Cranky shoves them open like they're normal, and this room..is packed. There's golden statues of Kong solders lining up the walkway, with little bananas hanging from the ceiling, like Christmas lights.
There's several windows, and on each is a face of a different Kong. Instead of feasting, Cranky uses his aid to walk DK down the hall of champions.
"..did he ruffle any feathers?"
"He thought you were leading me by force. Molding me into a mindless beast."
Cranky scoffs that off. "That Mario can't listen for three seconds. We can't afford to lose, and If that means schooling these youngins' young, we'll do it."
All DK does during the speech, is observe. He's heard this one over and over again. So have those on the windows. Each face is recognizable to him. After all, these warriors fought their hearts out for this kingdom, and set an example for future heirs. It's hard not to.
Ones head is like a coconut, with a hair swirl on top. Bink Kong, the oldest of them all.
Another catches his eye. A kong with the cutest glasses, and silver hair. Wrinkly Kong. Cranky's beloved. DK's grandma. Some Kongs report that she's still with them today, but only a few know if it's a rumor, or fact.
More catch his eye, like great grandaunts and uncles, but his sight stops at a specific face.
"Your father wasn't like the others." Cranky sets his free hand on his arm. "I called him an idiot for holding an enemy's hand..but it paid off when that slob came over with his merry band a' crooks! When I tried to be nice nobody wanted it, but when he did they came flocking over, Lemme tell ya, one time I was caged up and he barreled through each and every one of the bastards."
"You have told that story plenty of times."
"..have I?" Cranky scratches his head. "Your old man's losing his mind.."
"Do not blame yourself. Age ruins us all."
"I was ruined before I got old." Cranky turns back to the throne. "I've talked your head off long enough. Let's monkey around."
DK looks at the fat stack of potassium, and can't even hide his smile. "Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.." that gets a snicker from Cranky. "We always go primal around 'em…"
That stack of bananas gets smashed. Sure, DK can EAT, but Cranky wasn't a slouch. It's hard for him to walk, or even remember tiny details, but that man can gobble bananas like he's in his twenties again. His twenties..ten years ago, because..Kongs age fast, it's tough to tell.
.
.
.
After taking some time to digest, Cranky and his grandson go their separate ways. DK leaves the temple for the night, while Cranky moseys his way on over to the familiar bamboo cell. He's got a plate of meat in hand and slides it in. "You gotta eat if you wanna fight for your freedom."
The Italian snatches it from the plate. His loud chews cause Cranky to plug his ears. "We got a smacker in here, huh?!"
"Nobody said I had to be good."
Cranky bites his lip. "Boy you can be a child sometimes."
"You locked me up for a THIRTY YEAR grudge. Who's the child again?"
"You took my boy prisoner."
"You tried to kill me. TWICE."
Cranky moves his cane forward. "You almost killed me at that construction site! Does anyone wanna die there? I DIDN'T."
The Italian throws his hands up. "Mamamia, we just go back and forth! I was ready to be diplomatic years ago, but when I finally show up you throw me in jail like I'm some two-timing crook."
"Animal abuse is a crime!"
"So is, I don't know, IMPRISONMENT." Jumpman jumps at the bars. "The day we end this, won't ever come will it?"
"I got no damn faith in it."
The Italian slumps down. "Pettiness is the real villain."
"There's no villains in war, son."
"We're the same age!"
While those two rehash about the bad times..
The third Donkey Kong in the lineage climbs up into a treehouse, and swings the door open, ready for a rewarding rest. No man has been able to get a good blow on him in months it feels like.
A certain reptile's been his best match, but it's been a good couple years since he's actually showed up. So DK's been taking on crime..arguably petty since he just beat a man, because of another's grudge.
The Kong chooses not to stress over that for tonight, leaping into a hammock. On the other end of the room, is an ape much smaller. It's none other than his nephew, Diddy Kong, with the classic look. Red cap, with a red shirt and nothing else. He's grinning with anticipation. "You really showed him!"
"It's another day."
Diddy blinks. "..did he give you the speech again? Ugh! When's he just going to trust you?"
"He's been very protective over his heirs, especially since…the war. You seem in a good mood so I don't dwell on it." DK wraps his arms behind him. "Has this day been filled with adventure?"
"I rode around on jet packs, ran from these weird monsters,
DK peers closer. "That sound..thrilling. Fun, but no harm."
"If you ever wanna come with, say the word and you're in!"
"Your invitation is appreciated." DK admits, staring up at the roof. Normally he'd be thinking about the next big battle, or how he'll prepare for the coliseum. He's hands down, the most popular Kong in the kingdom. Maybe even in front of Cranky. The spectators worship the ground he walks on. It's a busy lifestyle.
But tonight…something's off for him. The word's from Jumpman linger on.
"You've got a life right?"
"Why's he forcing OUR business on you?"
He tries to shake the thoughts out, but they remain. After a little while longer, he decides to spit it out. "Are you ever…TOO big?" he asks, turning to Diddy and—
"Oh you are asleep."
Diddy is slumbering, not coming out of that anytime soon. DK doesn't blow up at him, and instead nods. "He conquers in his dreams. I wish I sleep fast."
The hero of the kingdom closes his eyes, and tries drifting off. Protecting the kingdom, and smashing all their enemies is a common year in the life, but these thoughts aren't common at all..or maybe he's in denial.
Whatever the case is, DK is ready to face a new day.
There you have it. DK's not fond on the Mario bloodline because of the actions young Papa did. He and Cranky's grudge was covered a decent chunk this chapter, and it's safe to say they won't be getting along anytime soon. Jumpman really brings the irate side out.
As for DK, he doesn't seem to mind helping his people, but what does he mean by "Too big?" Seems his status will be touched on soon.
I had fun dropping in a little lore for ya. There will be more for the Jungle Kingdom, but next chapter things are heating up in Brooklyn! See you there :)