Reed, Ben, Peter, Susan, Peach, the kids, and Toad stood before the towering gates of the Jungle Kingdom, a magnificent structure crafted from ancient wood and entwined with vibrant vines. As they gazed up at the imposing entrance, they couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation at the sight of its grandeur.
Peach turned to the group, her expression brimming with anticipation. "Are you all ready for this?" she asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Eh...sure?" Reed replied hesitantly, his eyes darting between the gates and his friends.
With a confident tap, Peach struck the door, and it swung open with a creaking groan, revealing a formidable figure—Sports Coat Kong. The enormous gorilla roared as he stepped forward, making Franklin shriek in pure terror and causing Peach to instinctively lean back in surprise. Val quickly grabbed her mother, preparing for potential danger as Reed assumed a defensive stance.
"What..." Toad stammered, visibly shaken and wide-eyed in disbelief.
Peter, ever the optimistic one, offered a friendly wave to the towering creature. "Hey there... How you doin'?" he called out, attempting to break the tension.
"We're here to see the King," Peach explained their business.
To their astonishment, Sports Coat Kong let out an indignant snort before turning on his heel and striding deeper into the jungle with a commanding presence. "Follow me," he grumbled, gesturing with his massive arm.
Ben, bewildered by the bizarre encounter, blurted out, "Did you see that gorilla?" His confusion was evident as he glanced at his friends, trying to make sense of the sight. "He's wearing a sports coat!"
"Fascinating," Reed murmured, his scientific curiosity piqued as he observed the scene before him.
Toad chuckled nervously, adjusting his own outfit. "I feel a bit underdressed now," he admitted, eyeing the gorilla's refined attire.
"An intelligent gorilla," Reed exclaimed, a note of awe in his voice. "This world is simply astonishing—living mushrooms, carnivorous plant life, and now, apparently, a well-dressed gorilla? It's like nothing I've ever encountered before." H
'Take on Me' by A-ha begins to play as the Kong prepares his kart. He then whistled, causing a few carts to be added for the others to sit. "Hop in."
"And they have the same music we do?" Peter questioned.
Everyone looked towards one another and then back to the kart and shrugged as they decided to get in the kart, and were driven through the Jungle Kingdom. They are driven to a mountain palace. They were driven through the busy streets, seeing everyone going about their day. Their driver ate a banana and then tossed the peel onto the road. They watched another Kong panic and try to avoid it, but ended up crashing into it and then ran into a building that exploded. They all looked shocked as everyone seemed to shrug off what happened, getting them to just shrug. They drove up to a giant ramp, causing them to panic as they leaped off and a glider was activated, allowing them to glide their way inside. Inside, Kong soldiers line the hallway leading to the throne of Cranky Kong.
"Oh, by all means, come in." Cranky Kong said sarcastically.
The guards tap their weapons in unison. They were used to being greeted this way as it was how they were greeted in Wakanda time and time again. They walk towards the throne as Peach takes a bow, getting everyone else to mimic her action.
"Great and mighty Cranky Kong..." Peach was beginning her plea.
"So, I heard you want my army." Cranky cut her off.
Peach was surprised to hear he already knew about what she was about to ask. "Yes, your Highness. Without your help, the Mushroom Kingdom will be annihilated."
"And what makes you think you're worthy of fighting alongside the greatest army in the woooorld?" Cranky asks.
The guards tap their weapons in unison again.
"Because we have heart. And with your strength... we can win." Peach proclaimed.
Cranky Kong shrugged. "Okay, fine."
Susan was surprised to hear that. "That's it?"
Cranky laughed. "No, that's not it. The answer is no. Goodbye."
"If the Mushroom Kingdom falls, the Jungle Kingdom is next!" Peach stated.
"Listen, puny, we came here for your army, and this Bowser guy has Matchstick and we are not leavin'... without YOUR ARMY!"
Cranky Kong gave Ben a lookover and saw how strong he looked. "All right, tough guy... You want my army so badly? Here's my proposition... Defeat my son, in the Great Ring of Koooong!"
The guards tap their weapons in unison once more.
"Okay, do you guys have to do that every time he finishes a sentence?" Peter asked as he looked around. "Because it is starting to get a little irritating."
"Fight your son?" Susan asked with a chuckle, looking over to Ben and to Cranky Kong. "And we get your army?"
"That is what I said, isn't it?" Cranky said, eating a banana using his feet.
Ben chuckled as he saw this as easy. "You, sir, have a deal. I'll fight your son and WIN!"
Cranky chuckled as he leaped down and walked off with a cane. "I'm sure you will."
Cranky Kong is lifted onto a motorcycle by his guards and drives off as the others glare at him.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Peter whispered.
Ben grumbled as he trudged down a winding pathway, each step bringing him closer to the ethereal arena where he was destined to face off against Cranky Kong's son. As he stepped through a grand archway, he was met with the breathtaking sight of a stadium suspended high in the sky, floating amidst fluffy clouds like an impossible dream. Above him, a sea of faces filled with anticipation—Cranky, Peach, Toad, and the members of the Fantastic Four, along with Peter and the kids—crowded together, their cheers and boos intermingling in a cacophony of emotions.
The arena defied his expectations; he stood on a narrow, crimson fighting platform that seemed to dangle precariously above the abyss, encircled by towering crates that loomed ominously like sentinels. Ben's heart raced, captivated yet unnerved by the surreal setting.
"Unbelievable! I wonder if I could get my hands on some of this amazing technology!" Reed murmured with wide-eyed curiosity, his mind racing as he imagined the possibilities.
"Reed, not now," Susan interjected her voice firm, cutting through his daydreaming to bring them back to the present urgency.
Just then, the metallic creak of another gate pierced the air, drawing everyone's attention. With a low growl resonating from his throat, Ben steeled himself for the incoming foe. Suddenly, a massive shape charged forth—a muscular ape adorned with a striking tie emblazoned with the iconic DK initials. The moment was interrupted by a pulsating rap beat that blared to life, and the ape smashed two barrels that appeared from thin air, each impact echoing like thunderclaps. Ben groaned, rubbing his temple in frustration.
"Great, just what I needed—an ape who's a total show-off, just like Johnny," he muttered, bracing himself for the fight ahead.
"I'm DK! I'm Donkey Kong! Oh, yeah!" Donkey Kong stated as he then started waving to Cranky Kong. "Hi, Dad! Hi!"
"No, don't... Don't do that!" Cranky was getting embarrassed.
"Dad, wave back." Donkey Kong said as he was flexing his muscles.
"Enough with the showboating!" Cranky cried.
"What do you mean?! They like it!" Donkey Kong said as he did a pec flex as the crowd continued to cheer wildly. "It's what they came here for! Dancing pecs!"
"Okay, simmer down," Cranky tells everyone. The crowd continues to chant. "I said, "SIMMER DOWN!" The crowd except for one young Kong stops cheering. "That means you, Diddy Kong!"
Diddy Kong was still bouncing when he then stopped. "D... Sorry."
"Now, since I want this fight to last more than five seconds, I put power-ups around the arena. You're welcome, Rock Guy." Cranky stated.
"Power- what?" Ben asked, confused about what he meant.
"I don't need anything special to break every bone in your rock body!" DK stated as he was preparing to fight him.
Ben chuckled as he cracked his knuckles and prepared to fight. "It's clobberin' time..."
DK growls as the crowd cheers again. Ben charges at Donkey Kong as the crowd roars. But to their surprise, Ben took a massive hit to the face sending him flying off the platform. His large stature wasn't helping him considering DK was literally a gorilla and Ben was a large rock man.
"Oh!"
"Oh, my- Okay."
"Guess you're not getting my army." Cranky mocked as he ate a banana.
"There is no way he is going to survive this," Peter said.
Ben groaned as he crawled his way back up from the platform just for a barrel to be thrown at him. Ben growled as he crawled up, grabbing one fo the barrels and crushing it in his palm. When he then leaped into the air, he was preparing to strike when DK smacked him across the platform and slammed into the wall.
"Ow..." Ben groaned as he got back up. "Okay... I've got this..."
"Okay, Ben can't maneuver this environment," Peter told them. "I'm gonna help."
"How?" Susan asks.
"Simple," Peter said as he leaped over and landed aside Ben as DK charged at them. "Alright, Ben, you gotta tag me in here."
"Wha...?" Ben asks.
"Ben, tag me!" Peter demanded.
"Alright fine, tag," Ben groaned as he fell over.
Peter saw that it was fair and seemed to be fair to Cranky as he was enjoying the show. Peter then saw DK charging and used his senses to flip out of the way where he then crawled down the bar and DK became confused. Peter then climbed up and shot two webs, launching himself towards DK. But he raised his hand and caught Peter easily slammed him into the surface and tossed him back.
"Is this what you came for?!" DK asks the crowd.
"WE LOVE YOU DK!"
Peter crawled back up to the surface and remembered the powerups were all over the place. He remembered what Peach said of the various power-ups and decided to go for one.
"It is on like Donkey Kong!" DK saw Peter was back in the fight.
Peter sped in, waiting for DK to make the first move as he then ducked under DK as he tried to launch himself at the Spider hero. He dodges the punch and then swings on a web he shot and hits the "?" Block. A small mushroom pops out and Peter remembers that the mushrooms were supposed to enhance strength and size. He then chuckled as he raised his mask to eat the mushroom.
"Pick on someone your own size!" Peter proclaimed, eating the mushroom.
He felt the energy of the mushroom rush through him as he then raced to attack DK, only to realize that DK was growing. Everyone watched in bewilderment as Peter was beginning to shrink.
"Oh..." Peter realized his mistake.
"He's... small?" Susan asks.
"I guess he got the wrong mushroom," Cranky mocked.
Peach groaned as she saw she should have explained all the power-ups to him. DK then laughed as he grabbed Peter by the head and lifted him up.
Peter quickly shot a web into his eyes, causing DK to scream as he dropped Peter. He quickly fell and landed on the ground as he rushed to escape DK. He smashed the ground, causing a shockwave to send Peter flying, followed by a punch that sent Peter slamming into the wall, causing the power-up to vanish and Peter to turn to normal size.
DK then slammed him against the wall and caused Peter to groan. "Had enough?"
Peter chuckled as he pushed against the wall. "Not enough!"
Peter then shot a web to latch onto DK and then slingshot towards him, punching DK in the face and sending him flying. DK got back up and wiped his mouth as he then quickly rolled into a ball and rolled down to hit Peter. Peter looked around and then looked down where he saw various platforms and leaped downward.
Peter jumped and landed on one of the platforms as DK rammed into the doorway. He then grabbed a barrel while Peter was climbing back up. Seeing the barrel coming, Peter quickly punched the barrel, only to then be attacked by DK as he leaped down and tackled him. Peter groaned as he struggled to keep DK at bay as the monkey was twice as strong as he was.
"Get up, Peter!" Val cried in support.
Peter looked over and noticed there was another power-up box in the distance. He quickly punched the brick block they were fighting on causing DK to quickly react by grabbing another one, allowing Peter to then roll off and shoot a web to make his way over to the box. He quickly hit the box, watching as a fire flower was revealed. Peter quickly reached to grab it, but it was blown out, causing him to freeze. Turning around, he saw DK grinning at him.
"Oh, shi-" Peter was interrupted when DK punched him hard, sending Peter flying high into the air.
He flung high enough that he had a clear sight of everyone.
"Peter!" Peach cried.
Peter gave a friendly wave, still a little disoriented from the punch. "Hey~"
"The box!"
As Peter tumbled past yet another shimmering power-up box, a sudden burst of realization washed over him, sparked by the enthusiastic chatter echoing around him. With a swift, agile leap, he grasped onto the edge of a nearby ledge, hoisting himself up just in time to strike the floating "?" block above his head. A bright flash enveloped him as he acquired the enigmatic Super Bell, an item whose effects were still a mystery to him. Undeterred, he descended with determination, preparing himself for the imminent showdown against Donkey Kong.
Upon landing, he was taken aback by a bizarre transformation: his attire had morphed into a quirky catsuit, crafted seemingly from remnants of his former costume, yet it left his face charmingly exposed. The changes were whimsical, highlighting his features in a way that was both amusing and bewildering.
"Awww!" the entire Kong crowd erupted in a chorus of delight, their cheers echoing through the arena.
Toad, with a twinkle in his eye, exclaimed, "He looks absolutely adorable!"
Peach chuckled, her laughter light and joyful, "He really does, doesn't he?"
Peter, utterly perplexed, finally registered his new look and exclaimed, "Oh, wha- I'm a cat?!" His voice held a mixture of surprise and confusion as he examined his feline-inspired outfit.
DK doubled over with laughter, unable to contain himself as Peter, overwhelmed by the absurdity of the situation, crouched down and eventually plopped onto the ground, surrendering to the antics of his new costume. "He got the cat box! Oh, my—Ah! Oh, I'm sorry... I'm sorry," DK managed between fits of laughter, gradually calming himself as he soaked in the hilarity of the moment. "Okay... Now you die."
Peter felt a new sense as he saw his new cat reflexes to dodge the punch from DK. He then realized what was going on when he saw he had enhanced skills.
"I'm not just a cat! I'm a Spider-Cat!" Peter stated as he began dodging a series of blows from Donkey Kong, Peter then counterattacks and scratches him on the cheek. "Meow."
"Get him, Uncle Pete!" Franklin cheered.
Donkey Kong gives Peter a confused look before continuing to fight him. But thanks to his new speed and skill, Donkey Kong continues to struggle against him. Peter leaped up and latched onto the bricks and quickly tackled DK, causing him to become disoriented as Peter shot out a web and ran around him, causing DK to try and pry the webbing off. When he did, he raced ahead and grabbed a few barrels, tossing them towards Peter.
Peter was too fast for the barrels as he ran aside the platform and then webbed the barrels and tossed them back towards DK. The barrel hit him in the face, causing DK to stumble back, and get hit again and again.
"Woo-hoo!" Toad cheered.
Peter grabbed DK and held him to keep him from falling. "Had enough?"
DK groaned as he struggled to stand. "Not...even...close."
Donkey Kong begins to topple back into space, but Peter keeps ahold of him by the tie. "I'll take that as a yes."
Donkey Kong falls forward and Peter leaps onto him. The crowd cheers for Peter as they see he has conquered their most powerful warrior.
"Yes! That's my best friend!"
"Spider-Man! Spider-Man!"
Peach smirks at Cranky Kong.
"Yeah, yeah..." Cranky Kong returns the grin.
Peter looked up to Peach and smiled as they looked at one another. Peach was impressed with how well Peter kept fighting and even willingly jumped into the fire to try and save his friend.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the campsite, Susan knelt beside Peter, gently pressing a cold ice pack against the bruises that adorned his arms. They were situated just outside one of the weathered wooden huts, the faint sounds of evening life filling the air around them. With a playful expression, Peach approached, her eyes wide with admiration as she handed the ice pack to Susan, eager to see Peter's reaction.
"That was absolutely incredible!" Peach exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. She playfully started to punch Peter's arm in a teasing manner, each light hit punctuated by her laughter. "I mean, he just kept coming for you! He was relentless!"
"Hey!" Peter chuckled, a grin spreading across his face despite the stinging sensations of his bruises.
"And you just kept getting back up like it was nothing! How do you manage that? You really don't know when to throw in the towel, do you?" Peach said, her admiration evident in her sparkling eyes.
Peter sighed, the weight of her praise both surprising and warming to him. "Huh, most people I know don't typically see that persistence as a positive trait," he confessed, reflecting on his past relationships where such tenacity was often viewed as stubbornness.
"It's a great thing," Peach insisted earnestly, her gaze locked onto his, radiating encouragement and respect. At that moment, the admiration she held for him was clear, and it filled Peter with a newfound sense of appreciation for his own resilience.
Peter was touched by her words. "Thanks. I-"
DK came in interrupting as he kicked in the door from the inside. "I let him win, just for the record."
"Did you, though? Why would you do that?" Ben asked with a chuckle.
"You want to know why? It's..." DK then throws a barrel at Ben. "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, that's why!"
"All right, monkey brains!" Ben growled as he marched over to DK to start a fight. "We're on solid ground now, let's go!"
"Enough!" Cranky Kong hits both Donkey Kong and Ben with his staff. It didn't hurt Ben much, but he complied. "Get inside."
Everyone entered the hut where Cranky Kong has a world map displayed on the wall.
"This realm is fascinating with the layout," Reed said. "Sue, remind me to bring some equipment to try and do some readings on this place... when Johnny is safe, of course."
Susan rolled her eyes and crossed her arms as she was used to Reed's antics. "Of course."
"We've located Bowser's ship. He's gonna arrive at the Mushroom Kingdom by sundown!" Cranky warns them. "Lucky for you guys, I got a shortcut!"
"We beat him there, and ambush him!" Peach said with glee.
Cranky Kong was less than impressed. "Yeah, I know. That's why, we're gonna need karts!"
Peter, along with the vibrant Richards-Storm family, Ben, Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong, and Cranky Kong, stepped into a sleek elevator that began its descent to an expansive underground garage buzzing with activity. Here, a multitude of colorful karts were being meticulously assembled by the diligent members of the Kong army.
Curiosity danced in Susan's eyes as she observed the bustling scene. "So, you guys use these karts for every occasion?" she inquired, captivated by their mechanical creations.
Reed added, "And I'm quite impressed! It seems you're not relying on fossil fuels at all. These karts appear to operate on some sort of electric-based power source." His intrigue was palpable as he scanned the various karts in progress.
Cranky Kong's voice boomed across the garage, brimming with enthusiasm. "Well, what are you waiting for? Pick your karts already!"
Excitedly, the group made their way to the kart selection area. Peter rolled through a row of shimmering options, his gaze fixed on a strange panel adorned with wheels, engines, and others, pondering its purpose. Suddenly, a Kong technician emerged from a concealed opening in the ground, skillfully navigating the area while connecting various components to the karts others were building.
As Peter began to explore the selection process, he instinctively gravitated toward one of his all-time favorites—the Spider-Mobile, a whimsical yet formidable vehicle that represented his unique sense of adventure. Peach, not one to shy away from making a statement, chose a sleek pink motorcycle, elegantly adorned with her royal crown insignia, ready to zoom into action with style.
Meanwhile, Reed and Susan collaborated on crafting a vehicle that echoed their iconic FantastiCar, ensuring it was spacious enough to accommodate their entire family, including an extra seat for when they rescued Johnny. Their innovative designs blended form and function seamlessly. Everyone's excitement buzzed in the air as they geared up for their exhilarating adventure ahead and they drove up and stopped alongside everyone else including Donkey Kong.
"I hate you." Donkey Kong tells Peter.
That was when Toad showed he decided on a large SUV, which surprised everyone with its large size.
"To the Mushroom Kingdom, and the biggest fight of our lives," Peach tells them. "Here...we...go!
The doorway opens up and the group speeds off in their karts.
"Whoo!" Val cheered.
"YEAH!"
They drove out of a waterfall and onto the jungle road and began to make their way off to the shortcut that Cranky was talking about. Driving off to finally stop Bowser, rescue his prisoners, get Johnny back, and save the Mushroom Kingdom in the process.