FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Donkey Kong 5: The Journey of Over Time and Space

This is the conclusion to a story no one asked for. The end to a tale that does not exist.

He thought he knew ‘cold’. He was born on Donkey Kong Island. He grew up on Donkey Kong Island. He had explored every inch of Donkey Kong Island, both with his father, with Diddy Kong, and by himself. And he had explored beyond them.

He thought he knew the frigid peaks of Gorilla Glacier. He thought he knew the cold caverns of Crystal Caves. He thought he knew the frozen corridors of the Ice Castle. He thought he knew the snowy slopes of Chill 'N' Char Island. He thought he knew the frigid fields of the Cherry Kingdom. And he thought he understood the true blistering winds of the Snowmads' Horn.

He thought he knew ‘cold’.

But he realized now that through all of that – all of that – he was naive. The cold winds, snowy fields, ice-covered lands, and frigid waters of his previous trials, were nothing compared to what he was experiencing now. He understood that they were as soft on his body and fur as a sweet spring breeze.

Now? Now he knew it. Now he understood it. This? This?

This was cold.

He had heard of this land once or twice during his life. A location probably whispered by Cranky and Wrinkly once when they thought no one was listening. No one ever asked them of it, because no one ever cared. They were old and had their secrets; who cares of a land that was one of hundreds they had visited?

But he understood now why this land was held with such secrecy. They couldn't risk someone learning of it, and attempting visiting such a horrid land. He wasn't ashamed to admit that if he heard of it, he would have adventured to this world long ago. And if he did that then before he gained the strength now, he would have surely died.

The Darksome Comer.

It was not a place where the weak could survive. It was not a place where the modest could survive either. It was a place where even the strong would be twisted and turned into a monster, just to withstand the unrelenting cold that grasps it. For the Darksome Comer was not a land made of dirt and soil, but instead steel and concrete. What thumped beneath his hands and feet did not pulsate with life, but with cold, frigid efficiency.

It was enough to make him miss Kremcroc Industries. If only for the familiarity the Kremlings provided, malicious as it was.

But what laid before him was not the rusty walls and crumbling infrastructure of the Kremlings' oil refinery plants, but instead the overbearing and totalitarian walls of a monolithic castle. It stretched far beyond one's eyes, looming in the shadows of the Darksome Comer for all to see... and to be oppressed by. For what laid within these castle walls was the ruler of the Darksome Comer, and the one responsible for his home's degradation. A being whose mere name made his blood boil hot enough to fight off the cold that wrapped around him.

He went by many names. The Shadow of Comer. The Count of Darksome. But he knew him differently. He knew him as...

The Lombado.

The Lombado lived in the Darksome Comer. The Lombado ruled the Darksome Comer. But the Lombado hated the Darksome Comer. His was a land that was wrapped in perpetual night, where the sun never arose to give it warmth and life. For centuries, its frigid touch had slain all but the strongest of individuals, while leaving those who survived it just as heartless and cold as the land they dwell in.

And the evil Lombado was no different. He'd sit in his throne, gazing out towards lands beyond the veil, seeing them pulse with life and greenery. He saw the sun rise over ocean waves and verdant fields. And he saw the plant life that grew thanks to it, emerging with lovely fruits and beautiful flowers, among many, many other things.

It made him jealous and vengeful. How dare these other lands grow with such beauty, while the Darksome Comer was left to suffer in infinite darkness and unrelenting cold? Who does he blame for such punishment and disrespect?

Her. He blamed her.

Sodoma: The beautiful and chaste fairy girl. It was her who showed preference for the lands outside of the Darksome Comer. Each day every day, she made sure that all plant life was given the appropriate amount of sunlight, air, and water, so that they may flourish and grow. She wasn't just beauty incarnate, she was as if nature and nurture had been formed into one pure being.

It was she who made the lands outside of the Darksome Comer such verdant paradises, and it was she who ordained that the Darksome Comer remained a desolate wasteland. Therefore, it was she who the Lombado kidnapped.

He didn't abduct her to force her to fix the Darksome Comer. So easily he could have chained the fairy, and made her do his bidding. But that was never the point. The Darksome Comer was the Darksome Comer. It would be forever wrapped in night and cold; no one fairy could ever fix that. But in stealing Sodoma away, the Lombado did something much, much worse.

The Lombado caused the rest of the lands to erode.

The flowers no longer grew, and the trees began to decay. Soon after, the wild fruit and vegetables of the land began rotting too. All at once, Donkey Kong Island, Crocodile Isle, even the Northern Kremipshere grew desolate. Who knows what other kingdoms and lands were fading as well? Had this even possibly spread to the Mushroom Kingdom and Sarasaland?

And the Lombado was pleased with this. He wanted all lands to be as desolate and inhospitable as the Darksome Comer was. He wanted to see it all die. And with how ruthless the Darksome Comer was, he was sure no one would be brave or stupid enough to try and stop him.

But he was wrong. There was one person brave and stupid enough to adventure into such a dangerous land. And he didn't do it just because his land was decaying and his food was deteriorating. But he did it because Sodoma was his friend.

His name was Donkey Kong, and he was entering the final leg of his journey.

Tha-Thump! Tha-Thump! Tha-Thump! Tha-Thump! Tha-Thump!

The sound of his footsteps echoed throughout the cold land around him. Suspended atop a bridge that stretched towards the monolithic castle before him, he knew his enemy laid within. No more games, no more tricks; this was the Lombado's core, and his enemy would not escape him.

Even through the darkness of a land that had no sun, one could see his figure. It stood in opposition to the snow-swept walls around him. He was a burly gorilla, one of muscles and fur, with thick arms, a powerful upper body, and strong legs too. Hanging on his shoulders was a hood which flowed through the wind, one that was tattered and coated with snow. And around his neck, tightly tied and bright red, was his beloved necktie with the initials 'DK' written upon it.

Donkey Kong had grown stronger over the course of this adventure. He had journeyed through time to cities in the future, and gone beyond space as well to lands on other worlds. All of which led him here; to the Darksome Comer. And even though he felt a cold strong enough to kill lesser men, he would not be denied. Sodoma was here; he could feel her presence. And he'd never allow a friend of his to know suffering.

Not on his watch...

So when he came to the massive metal doors at the end of this bridge, his eyes grew hard. They were closed shut; a mighty bastion that could keep out all but the strongest of strikes. Well, Donkey Kong was that 'strongest of strikes'.

Pulling back his hand, he began spinning it around like a wheel. One twirl, then another, then another, and another! Each spiral caused this wispy blue energy to begin appearing around his limb. As he spun his arm faster and harder, the once wispy energy started to crackle and glitter like electricity! This blue energy then traveled through Donkey Kong's body, where they flowed to his eyes.

Gweam!

They glowed bright blue. His power was at its zenith. And with all this strength flowering straight towards his tightly woven fist...

“RRRRAAAAAAAWWWWWHHH!!!”

THOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

He struck the door in front of him.

THWANG!!!

Despite his smaller size compared to the titanic doors in front of him, DK's punch was strong enough to blow them open! A wicked explosion of blue energy flowed from the point of his fist like a fountain of power, showing just how mighty the gorilla king had become. Even these towering titanium doors were nothing compared to his strength.

What laid on the other end was not the darkness of the snow-covered fields outside, but instead red rugs and eerie blue lights. They brought some modicum of warmth to this frigid land of perpetual night, but the feeling was fleeting at best. The halls were decadent too, appropriate for a castle, yet still feeling so hollow and lifeless.

The Darksome Comer spared no one, not even he who ruled over it.

Eyes focusing inward, Donkey Kong continued pounding through the halls of the castle. Left to right his head turned, gazing at its décor, while remaining focused on his mission. He had traveled through several estates similar to this already during his journey. 'Faux Castles' as he had come to call them. In each one, he faced who he thought was the Lombado to save Sodoma, only for the both of them to be fakes.

But this time? This time he was sure this was the real Castle Lombado. There was nowhere left for his enemy to run. DK had already chased him through both time and space, making this his last bastion.

But as the gorilla king trekked his way through the castle, he felt no aggression or hostility. There were no enemies trying to keep him out, no forces trying to kill him. Even the castle itself lacked any dangerous obstacles for him to overcome. It was just empty halls and blue flames, all of which were glowing as if drawing him in.

Yes. That's it. It was guiding him in. The Lombado wanted him to come closer.

DK stopped, his teeth gritted as his eyes narrowed down the seemingly infinite halls before him. Was this a trap? Again, he felt no antagonism, so this couldn't be a trap. For some reason, the Lombado wanted him to come closer.

Raising his hand, Donkey Kong clinched it into a tight fist, causing a blue aura to flow around his body. If the Lombado wanted a fight, he was going to get that fight. Unfortunately for him, it would end in his destruction.

No more games...

Tha-ThumpTha-ThumpTha-ThumpTha-ThumpTha-ThumpTha-Thump!!!

Faster than before, DK raced down the halls in front of him. Around him, the corridors of the castle began to shift and turn, directing him towards its core. Another pair of doors soon appeared before him, and just like the front doors of the castle...

THOOM!

Donkey Kong leaped up and punched them, forcing the massive metal doors open.

On the other end was a staircase, one with stained glass windows on the walls. The staircase led Donkey Kong up and up further, with another pair of doors up above. But these weren't as totalitarian as the other doors, instead being elegantly carved, with this beautiful pattern of a bat painstakingly etched upon its surface.

Seeing it caused DK to grow stiff, this pout forming on his lips and this growl reverberating from his chest. Slower now than before, he climbed up the staircase, coming up to the doors. This time, he did not punch them open. This time, he gave them a soft...

Push.

Eeeeaaaaaaaarrrrrrk... Thump...!

And the doors opened.

On the other end was the throne room; a massive flat with royal red rugs brought to life by ethereal blue flames on candle sticks. Around them were not walls, but clear windows that showed the sheer bleak majesty of the Darksome Comer around. There was nothing but the darkness of night and the white of snow for miles around, occasionally broken by the looming metal walls and gears of its infrastructure. A far cry from the lush jungles of Donkey Kong Island, and even the decaying greenery of the Crocodile Isle. This place was truly alien; devoid of life and warmth in all aspects of the word.

But...

What of its ruler?

“Donkey Kong...?” a meek voice suddenly called out, before saying stronger, “Ah! Donkey Kong!”

His head on a swivel, the gorilla king turned to face where his name was called from. There before him was the only color outside of black, white, red and blue. It was a bright color, a golden color; a golden cage. And in the center of this cage, clinging desperately to its bars, was a woman.

She was a lithe thing; a human woman with a figure comparable to a spry dancer. Graceful and feminine, there was a reason why her beauty was known throughout the lands, even if no one had ever seen her. She had this supple physique to her, with her thin waist and shapely hips. Curvy shoulders too, with a perky chest.

And her face. Her cute, pretty face.

Hers was a face with wide eyes that shined brighter than the sun, a pointed nose that was small, short black hair that shimmered, and these lips that could curl into the widest of wide smiles. He had seen her face a plethora of times during his days, and the look she'd give when she brought him flowers in the morning was a look that could inspire him to shift the heavens and the earth.

From afar, you'd think she was a human... but you'd be wrong. She had the skin of a human, the eyes of a human, the body of a human... but she wasn't human. Just take a look at her back, and you'd see the translucent wings of an insect stick out from it. She wasn't a human, she was a fairy.

Wearing a red dress that clung close to her body, she gripped the bars of the golden cage she was contained within. Quickly rushing for the cage, Donkey Kong reached out for it, his face one of hope. But she shook her head, shouting out--

“Donkey Kong! Wait!”

“Uh?” Clash! “Urgkh!?”

Despite looking like nothing more than a trap meant for a small bird, this cage somehow kept the magical entity contained within. An invisible barrier was erected around it, making it impossible for anyone to get out... or in.

Donkey Kong was repelled by the barrier, his hand knocked back. Confused, he tried to reach for the fairy yet again, but once again, the barrier bounced him back. Now angered, he pulled back his fist, ready to strike the barrier, but--

“Donkey Kong, wait!” said the fairy within the cage, causing him to stop, “It's... it's... haaha...” she then looked to the side dejected and defeated as her body fell to her knees, “It's pointless, Donkey Kong. The barrier won't break, no matter what you do. Believe me, I've tried.”

The gorilla king shook his head as he descended down closer, his face one of concern.

“Sodoma...” he whispered.

He had known Sodoma for a while now. When he first saw her, he thought he had eaten too many bananas and was hallucinating. But when she came up to him and spoke, he realized that the little fair delivering water to the plant life of Donkey Kong Island was no food-induced phantom. She was real, and she was lovely.

But the pretty and virtuous girl Sodoma was nowhere to be seen. She had been replaced by someone downcast and crestfallen. If he could, he'd reach out and clutch her close... but he couldn't. Not with this barrier in the way.

“I can't believe you're here...” she whispered, “The Darksome Comer is not a hospitable place,” Clank... “Ah...?”

Turning up again, Sodoma faced Donkey Kong. Despite the barrier that kept her trapped in this gilded cage, the gorilla king was still trying to push through it. His hand pressed hard against the barrier, glowing with this mystical blue energy that caused the fairy's eyes to grow wide. Astonished, a silent gasp left her lips as she bore witness to DK's new power.

“When did...?” she whispered.

“GAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAA!”

A wicked laughter suddenly pierced the air, causing both Donkey Kong and Sodoma to look around. Pushing out his arms, the gorilla king attempted to protect his friend, while the powerful laughter continued echoing louder and louder. It was coming from all directions, being impossible to pinpoint.

Donkey Kong – alert and battle-ready – flexed his muscles, causing this blue aura to emerge from his body. The laughter grew louder however, as if ignoring his showing of force. It eventually grew so loud that it was deafening!

Clang!

“Ah!? Donkey Kong! Heeeellp!”

“Uh!?”

But not loud enough.

The chain holding Sodoma's cage was suddenly pulled up, snapping and yanking the fairy away. He watched as her cage flew upwards towards the ceiling, drawn away by a figure cloaked in darkness. This shaded being sat perched on a higher ledge within the throne room, its eyes as white as the snow that surrounds the lands.

It had a finger stretched out, one that was long and thin like a claw. And hanging on the tip of its finger was the end of the chain that contained Sodoma's cage. Like a fishing rod with a lure, this finger gently rocked the chain back and forth, baiting Donkey Kong. But the ape – angry though he was – remained focused in place as his eyes looked up towards this dark creature.

It was him. It was--

“Lombado...!”

“Donkey Kong...” he whispered back, “I have been awaiting you.”

His was a voice that was as chilling as the Darksome Comer. Appropriate, for he was the one who ruled it.

This dark being descended from his perch, hovering slowly towards the ground. His cloak was long and black, flowing to the point that it seemed to mix with the shadows around him. Elegant as well, it exuded exuberance, wealth, and power. The beings' clothes were comparable to that of a count or a duke from a distant land, with his white button up shirt, his black slacks, his pointed shoes, and his high collar. The cloak he wore was black on the outside, blue on the inside, and mixed with the other shades of blues that adorned his clothing in various areas. It gifted him this figure that made him look as if he were one with the shadows around him.

Ta-Tap...

Despite the incredible fall from the canopies of the, he landed as gracefully as a snowflake on a flower's petal.

Donkey Kong was the mightiest of all Kongs. King of Donkey Kong island and a gorilla who had conquered many other lands, he stood at a mighty seven foot one, and weighed well over 800 pounds. Yes, there were other Kongs taller and larger than him (Sumo Kong of Star Fruit Kingdom comes to mind), but that didn't make his stature any less opposing over all those around him.

And yet this man before him had a height even greater than his. Whereas the gorilla was powerful, with musculature running up and down his form, this figure in front of him was far taller, thinner, and more spindly. Less like a human or even an animal, and more like a tree come to life. He towered over Donkey Kong in his elegant clothing, where he slowly looked down upon him.

From his head flowed majestic silver-white hair, with a matching goatee on his chin which gave him an air of dignity. He had pointed ears that wouldn't look out of place on a demon, and skin as pale as the snow that coated his lands. But it was his eyes that stood out the most. They glowed, not blue, or brown, or green, or even red... but white.

They were soulless...

This looming figure stood tall over Donkey Kong, who gritted his teeth and tensed his body, prepared for a strike. But the towering count didn't move, at least, not to strike him. Instead, he lifted his finger – that long claw from before – where he once again taunted the gorilla with Sodoma's cage.

“Donkey Kong,” said the figure, his voice suave and refined... yet no less villainous and repugnant, “It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”

“Lombado...!” Donkey Kong growled back, the blue aura around his body flowing harder than before.

“What? Do you doubt my existence?” asked the cloaked figure, “The Lombados you faced before were merely my shades: apparitions I created and sent out to impede upon your quest. But the one you see before you now is me. The real me. I assure you, there are no more jokes.”

“GRRRAAAAAWW!!!”

Donkey Kong didn't really care.

Having never been the kind for debate and dialogue, the King of the Kongs took off for Lombado, his fist pulled back. That wicked blue aura once again cloaked his body, growing brighter than ever before. Her eyes wide, a gasp of awe left Sodoma's lips as she witnessed Donkey Kong's mystical power. All of that energy formed right into his fist, making it glow brighter than a bulb.

It all happened in slow motion; the jump, the emergence of power, the cocking back of his fist. But right before he could swing down and strike Lombado.

Fwwwiiissshhh!

His body transformed, becoming nothing more than shadows and mist, and causing Donkey Kong to tumble through the air. His body a cannonball, he slammed into Lombado's throne, knocking his head and dazing himself briefly. Quickly recovering, the gorilla king turned around, while his enemy's sinister laughter filled the air around him.

Lombado's body of shadows and darkness quickly reformed, becoming whole once again. And once again, he hung Sodoma's cage on his finger, swinging it left and right like a pendulum. Angered by his jeering, Donkey Kong growled, that blue aura once more erupting around his body.

“I see that you have learned to control the power that flows within you,” said Lombado, “But 'control' and 'mastery' are two different words. What worked on my shades will not be enough to work on me.”

Another low growl left Donkey Kong's lips as he leaped off of Lombado's throne. Fists clenched, he slowly stalked towards the vampirific ruler, his eyes starting to glow with an azure glow. Again he called upon that cerulean aura, having it cloak his body as he flexed his muscles. The Lombado – his head tilted to one side in curiosity – watched as his foe approached him.

Puffing out his chest, DK's blue aura grew brighter and stronger to the point that it began swirling around his body like a tornado. It grew bright enough to fight the darkness of the Darksome Comer! But above all, it gave off this warmth. Like a blazing inferno, it fought against the cold of this frigid wasteland, and caused Sodoma's eyes to glow.

“Wow... Donkey Kong...” she whispered whilst reaching her hand through the bars of her cage, “You’re wonderful...” CLANG! “Ah!?”

“No! Stop it!” shouted the Lombado as he jerked Sodoma's cage back, “I will not have you come into my land, and bring that accursed warmth with you! Begone, Donkey Kong!”

“GRRAAAAWWWW!”

Once more, DK leaped to challenge Lombado. But this time, Lombado dashed back in retaliation. Both drew their fists back, and as time moved in slow motion, both threw punches that could shatter stars.

CLASSH!!!

THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMM!!!

Their fists met, the force of their blows triggering a wicked shockwave of black and blue through the throne room. The blue candles that kept light in the Lombado's chamber were all blown out, casting the room in darkness. And Donkey Kong?

Crash!

“Guh...?”

He landed on the ground, confused. He had clashed fists with Lombado, but no sooner had he done so did his foe vanish. And now with the candles blown out, he was surrounded in the Darksome Comer's darkness.

Thankfully, the blue aura which cloaked DK brought light to his surroundings, illuminating them enough for him to stare around. But no matter where he looked, he couldn't see Lombado. All he could hear was...

“Geeeheeeheeeheeeheeee...”

His sinister laughter. And...

“Donkey Kong! Ruuuuun!”

Sodoma's cries.

Donkey Kong continued looking around, searching for his foe. He could feel his presence, but he couldn't see him! However... there was a stirring in the air, one that was coming closer and closer. Ringing in DK's ears, it was nearly drowned out by Lombado's laughter and Sodoma's pleas. But in the darkness, he saw a thin silver light coming towards him.

It was a blade.

“Gurk!?”

SWIPE!

Donkey Kong quickly rolled out of the way, barely dodging one of the Lombado's wicked claw strikes. If that struck him, he would have been cleaved clean in half; no exceptions. Unfortunately, just as quickly as it appeared, his foe's strike vanished, leaving Donkey Kong alone.

The Lombado wasn't just controlling the darkness, the Lombado was the darkness. His body could turn to shadows and mist as easily as DK could breathe. To strike him, he'd need to pull him out of that cloaked state. And Donkey Kong knew how to do it.

As the Lombado's taunting laughter continued echoing through the air, DK grabbed the tattered hood that covered his body. One would think he wore it to fight off the frigid air of the Darksome Comer, and yes, it did do that... to a degree. In reality, the hood was there less for his protection, but for the protection of the land around him.

Swipe! Ffwwwooo!

With one pull, he threw it from his body, revealing himself in full to the dark throne room around him... and the markings that adorned him.

All along Donkey Kong's chest and arms, there were blue lines. They ran from his fists to his chest, perfectly symmetrical, and incredible in detail. Pulsating, these vein-like markings circulated with the same mysterious blue energy that DK called upon, causing his body to glow. And when he flexed...

“Grrrgh!”

These markings grew brighter!

From them that aura returned, and it started swirling around his body like before! His eyes too took on that azure glow, as his mighty powers swelled higher and higher. Even the ground started rumbling beneath DK's feet! His power climbed to levels thought unknown, growing bright enough to fight against the shadows around him! But DK didn't stop there! Extending out his arms and clenching his fists tight, he twisted his upper body around, and--

Fwo! Fwo! Fwo Fwo! Fwo Fwo Fwo! Fwo Fwo Fwo Fwo! FwoFwoFwoFwoFwoFwoFwo!!!

He began spinning.

His body like a rotating top, Donkey Kong spiraled in place. It may have looked goofy at first... but he didn't stop. In fact, he got faster... and faster... and faster...! And faster! And faster!

And FASTER!!!

At speeds far too great for any mortal to quantify, Donkey Kong spun in place with all the force of a tornado! He spun so hard and so bright, that his cyclone drew in objects throughout the throne room. From the tapestry on the pillars to the rug beneath his feet, all began twirling around DK's body! But more importantly, so too did the shadows.

Somehow – somehow – his spinning body caused the darkness in the throne room to be drawn in with him. It was so great that the Lombado was forced to solidify himself, lest he be pulled in by Donkey Kong's tornado. But that didn't protect him either.

When he reformed, he felt his body being forcibly drawn by DK's spiral, causing him to grunt. Stabbing his claws into the ground, he attempted to root himself in place... but that didn't work either! Donkey Kong's twister was so strong that the Lombado was pulled off his feet and drawn inwards towards his enemy.

And as time seemed to slow for him, Donkey Kong's azure eyes locked in on the Lombado's face. He watched his foe careen towards him, incapable of freeing himself from his grasp. That gave the gorilla king more than enough time to swing his fists back, cloaking it in his blue aura, and...

THOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Once again, DK's fist met his foe. But this time, the Lombado didn't punch back.

“GURRK!?”

His blow struck the Count of Darksome, sending him flying back towards a pillar in the room. Slamming against it, he fell down to his feet and groaned, while DK faced him. No time to spare; he quickly rushed towards Lombado and leaped up, his fists drawn to deliver the finishing blow! But before his punch could land, his enemy pulled over...

“Ah!?”

Sodoma's cage.

“Ugh!?” Clash! “Oof!?”

Donkey Kong stopped himself from punching Sodoma's cage... but the invisible barrier around it was still enough to repel him. Knocked back, the gorilla king groaned in confusion, while the Lombado slowly rose up tall. Glaring down upon DK with his soulless white eyes, his face twisted into a visage of anger and frustration. To think, this primate grew so strong in such a limited amount of time. It was frustrating!

But despite taking a blow that would kill a lesser creature, the Lombado skidded to a halt a few feet away. He was even capable of keeping Sodoma's chain around his finger, refusing to let go!

Turning slowly, he faced Donkey Kong, whose spiral had come to a halt. If he were to attempt turning into shadows again, his enemy would merely dispel them with his cyclone. That left the Lombado with only one choice.

Shwing!

His free hand extended out, revealing another bevy of claws he could use to slice Donkey Kong the death with. The Kong was not deterred however, as he flexed to again summon his blue force. Closer and closer the Shadow of Comer drew, his claw raised and teeth gritted. But even then, Donkey Kong remained as stiff as a statue. He would not budge!

Shling!

And when the Lombado raised his claw, he locked his azure eyes on those devious blades.

Slash!

His claws dropped.

Catch!

“Urkgh!?”

Only for his blades to be caught.

DK's hands clapped over the Lombado's serrated hands, stopping them from slicing his body. The count's eyes grew wide in surprise and he gasped, while the gorilla king's face was gritted. Flexing hard, he pushed back against those claws, forcing his enemy to retreat. But he couldn't pull his claws back, even if he wanted too. Donkey Kong's grip was so great, that he wouldn't let Lombado budge!

Not until that blue aura exploded around his body once again. And just like with the titanium doors that led to the castle, DK started focusing all of that power into it. Releasing Lombado's claw with one hand, the gorilla king began swinging his arm around, charging up one of his giant punches. His eyes swelling, Lombado quickly countered as he pulled his other hand back, then shot it forward to impale his foe.

Fwwooosh!

Only to strike nothing.

“What?”

In a blur, Donkey Kong leaped clean out of the way of his slash, dodging it. Lombado stumbled forward... where he saw the blue light of DK's aura appear overhead. Looking up slowly, he came face to face with...

THWWAAAAK!!!

“URRGGH!?”

Donkey Kong's fist.

With a force greater than what he used to open the doors, the gorilla king struck his enemy square in the jaw, throwing him back. The blow was so great, the Lombado 'KRASHED!' through his throne, shattering it into pieces. Rolling onto his feet, he gripped his head with his free hand, groaning as he recoiled from the strike. By the time he looked forward again...

“RAWWWWW!!!”

THWAK! THWAK! THWAK!

“URRGHK!?”

Donkey Kong was there.

With a rush of blows strong enough to break mountains, the gorilla king struck his head again and again. If he was dazed before, the Count of Darksome was nearly killed outright now! Each blow sent his head reeling, with one final blow...

THOOOOM!!!

Sending him careening back. But this blow was different from the last. This blow didn't just send him slamming into one of the pillars in his throne room.

“Aaah-haaah!?”

It caused him to lose his grip on Sodoma...

The chain containing her cage slipped off his finger, causing the fairy to tumble through the air. Eyes closed shut, she gripped the bars of her cage tight, bracing herself for the impact... that never came. Instead of falling down on the ground, she was caught...

Pat!

By Donkey Kong.

Sodoma looked up, her eyes meeting the glowing blue eyes belonging to the King of Kongs. He stared back at her, a warm smile on his lips. It was a rare moment of respite from the battle going on, one the two of them enjoyed for as long as they could.

Until the Lombado began rising once again.

Placing Sodoma's cage behind him, DK turned to face the malevolent count, who slowly stood tall before him. Even though he suffered blows that could kill scores of men with a single blow, the evil Lombado was still conscious. He even appeared to heal at an impossible rate, where he lifted his head up to gaze at his foe.

“Donkey Kong...” he whispered, “I see now that I underestimated you. I thought the power you obtained was carrying you, but I now understand that to not be the case. Your history of adventuring has honed you to a level unfathomable to your fellow mortals. However, I now know the limits of your power, and I will not make the mistake of underestimating you again.”

Quuuuoooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmm...!

From the Lombado's body, a wave of darkness shot out. It pushed through his throne room with so much strength, that DK was sent reeling back. He pulled up his arms to defend himself and Sodoma from the wave, but the darkness continued flowing out! Soon, even his glowing blue aura was drowned out by the darkness exuded by his foe. The only thing he could see through the darkness, was Lombado's soulless white eyes.

And soon, even they transformed...

Clutching close to Sodoma's cage, Donkey Kong started walking backwards. Even though he could not see Lombado, he could hear Lombado. Moreover, he could feel Lombado.

And it was vile...

THOOOM...! THOOOM...! THOOOM...! THOOOM...!

Heavy footsteps slammed into the throne room, triggering quakes which rumbled throughout the castle as a whole. Alarmed by this, Donkey Kong slowly walked backwards, putting distance between himself and his transformed foe. At the same time, he flexed twice as hard, sending aura racing throughout his body. A fountain of power exploded around him, bringing enough of a light to the area so that he could see the Lombado.

And the Lombado could see him.

THOOOM...! THOOOM...!

Those footsteps were appropriate for such a towering being. A wicked creature that not only dwarfed Donkey Kong, but dwarfed the Lombado before. It was a beast with the vague shape of a bat, standing tall with thick legs, and powerful arms with the wings attached to them. But instead of having fur, its body was layered in scales not unlike a reptiles. Hunched slightly over, musculature ran all along its form, building it up like a thick wall of muscles and strength. Flexing, its body swelled to flaunt its strength... while the soulless white eyes of the beast glared down upon DK.

The body may be different, but the eyes were the same; Lombado had transformed! And with his newly-gained power, he tipped his head up to the ceiling, and--

“_ GUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUHH!!!!!!! _”

His wicked roar caused the castle to shake, and sent a ringing through both DK and Sodoma's ears. If Lombado could speak, he no longer cared to do so. Malice circulated through his veins, not blood. And he would use that hatred to eviscerate Donkey Kong!

THOOOM! THOOOM! THOOOM! THOOOM! THOOOM!

Without hesitation, Lombado rushed towards Donkey Kong, his claws raised high as rage-induced foam froth at his mouth. Keeping Sodoma behind him, the gorilla king tensed his muscles once again, causing his spiraling aura to explode once more. Just in time too, as the evil Lombado dropped his hand and--

KLAAASSPP!

With a monstrous press, he attempted to flatten Donkey Kong. His strike was so great, another quake was sent rumbling through the land!

But he failed.

Try with all his might to squash DK, he just couldn't. With strength rivaling his own, the gorilla king pushed back against Lombado's hand, stopping it from flattening both him and Sodoma. Soon after, the aura surrounding his body once again exploded outwards, shaking the lands around them. Pushing further against the Lombado's hand, Donkey Kong gave a mighty shout...

“GRAAAWWW!!!”

And pushed his foe away!

The Lombado stumbled backwards as DK pulled back, his eyes shimmering with that azure glow once again. But it was growing stronger, brighter too. The aura surrounding his body shifted, turning from wispy lines into bolts of blue electricity. It cackled around Donkey Kong's body as he spread out his arms, taking on a more battle-ready pose. All the while, Sodoma gazed upon his state, mesmerized by the wonderful blue color that surrounded him, and warmed by its ever burning heat.

“DK...” she whispered, “You're amazing...”

THOOOM! THOOOM! THOOOM! THOOOM!

Once more, Lombado rushed towards Donkey Kong. Gently, the ape placed Sodoma's cage upon the ground... and then rushed to meet his foe's challenge. Like two speeding bullet trains, the two raced towards one another. And when they met in the center of the throne room...

SLASH!

The Count of Darksome struck, his claws cutting through the air... only to miss. At near sonic speeds, DK leaped out of the way and flipped through the air. Fist pulled back, he delivered a punch aimed for the scaly bat's head. His blow missed however, as Lombado juked back. As DK flipped through the air, the wicked count grabbed him by his leg, twisted about, and then tossed him towards one of the pillars in his throne.

Pat!

But instead of slamming through it, DK landed on it. He then jumped up, where he grasped upon the rafters above. With ease he swung from one to another, treating them like the vines of his forests. Angered, Lombado began flapping his wings, where he took off to fly after the ape.

Krash!

Landing upon the rafters above, the count stood perched on them as his soulless eyes locked upon DK. The ape wasn't deterred, as he continued swinging through the rafters as she came closer and closer. With a mighty pull, he launched himself upwards, where his body curled through the air like a cannonball. That gave him enough momentum to pull his fist back and throw a punch aimed for the Lombado's chest.

BAM!

But the count blocked it, causing a shockwave of power where the punch landed. The castle once again shook around them as DK leaped back, landing on a beam as he raised his fists. The Lombado – his claws raised – slowly approached his enemy. Donkey Kong tensed up in retaliation.

The terrain was unsteady for him, being suspended in the air like this. But he had clashed fists with Dread Kong on a thick vine in the trees, had traded blows against Karate Kong on a log going down a river, had battled Ninja Kong in the middle of a thunderstorm on a grand butte, and had wrestled with Sumo Kong on a meteor falling to earth. All were difficult fights, and all eventually fell to his fists.

The Lombado would be just another fool who thought he could face the Kong king!

“_ GOH! _”

SLASH!”

Swiping his claw through the air, Lombado attempted to eviscerate DK once again. But he pulled back, deftly dodging the strike. He then countered with a punch his own, only for his blow to be blocked by the count. Swinging his body around, Lombado struck at DK with his thick tail next, forcing the ape to pull up his arms and block it. But the strike knocked him off balance, forcing him back.

Not to be deterred, DK leaped back for another punch, but the blow was again blocked. Damn; he just couldn't get through the Lombado's defenses. He needed to look for an opening; a flaw in his stance somewhere. There had to be something!

Wait... that's it!

Once again taking a battle-ready stance, DK's azure eyes looked up towards the wicked bat's soulless gaze. Remaining focused, he watched and waited, preparing himself for his enemy's next strike. He didn't have to wait long, as the Lombado delivered a wicked--

SLASH!

BAM!

Only for his eyes to swell.

When he struck, DK countered, slamming his fist right into the towering bat's ribcage. The blow caused Lombado to freeze up, but Donkey Kong didn't stop there. Pulling back his other hand, he sent another punch rocketing towards his stomach, punching him with so much force, his fist could be seen pushing out through Lombado's back! Spit shot from the bat's mouth, followed by a wail of pain. And DK – flexing with all his strength – launched his body upwards for a powerful uppercut... and sent the Lombado flying up as well.

The blow was so great, the vampire bat performed a midair somersault, and then 'SLAMMED!' back on the support beams of his ceiling. Somehow, nothing fell. Either this castle was made with incredible craftsmanship, or the Lombado was a lot lighter than one would expect for his size.

When he landed on the ground, he quickly stumbled to his feet, but remained dazed. His head shook left and right to wiggle off the pain, while Donkey Kong leaped up before his face again. This time, he wouldn't give his enemy the chance to recover.

BAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAMBAM!!!

Donkey Kong's arms were like a gatling gun, and his fists were the bullets.

At speeds far too fast for anyone to quantify, the gorilla delivered a flurry of relentless blows aimed towards the Lombado's head. Each blow came after another after another, giving his opponent no time to recoil, retaliate, or even think. All the count felt was pain as his face suffered strike after strike after strike! And all of it set him up for the coup de grace!

Mirroring what he had done time and time before, Donkey Kong pulled back his right hand, and began swinging it around in a wicked circle. Charging up his Giant Punch, electricity cackled around his arm, his blue eyes glowed bright, he locked his target on the Lombado's jaw, and...

THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

His fist struck the count dead-center, striking him with so much force that he was sent flying through the rafters beneath his feet. They shattered to pieces under his towering body, while he careened towards the ground. And to make sure he stayed there, DK placed his free hand on the elbow of his outstretched fist, and--

“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUHH!!!”

FWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSHHH!!!

A blast of wind flew from his fists, one mightier than any tornado! Spiraling through the air, it struck the Lombado's chest, forcing him down harder and faster than his earlier punch had done! His body was on a crash course with the ground before, and when he struck it...

KAAAA-THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!

The castle shook once more, as a billowing updraft of debris was tossed up from the mighty impact. It rocketed through the land with enough force to pick up and toss Sodoma's cage! But as she was sent flying and screaming in fear...

Pat...

Donkey Kong caught her.

The two flipped through the air before the gorilla king landed safely on the ground. Looking up, Sodoma's gaze once again met Donkey Kong's, who looked down upon her with a face of concern. Gently, he placed his hand on her cage, feeling the invisible barrier surrounding it push back against him. But that didn't stop the fairy from reaching out in an attempt to touch him.

“This...” she whispered, “The barrier is still up. But if the barrier is still up, then that means--”

“_ I STILL BREATHE!!! _” the Lombado roared.

Despite suffering blows that could kill titans multiple times over, the evil Lombado was not yet defeated. Both DK and Sodoma gazed towards the fog of debris, where through its opaqueness, they saw the figure of the dark count begin to rise again. His soulless white eyes pierced through the fog, focusing on the gorilla, who stepped forward to oppose him.

“_ I WILL NOT BE DENIED, DONKEY KONG! ” he roared whilst marching forward, emerging from the fog, “ I CANNOT BE STOP! I WILL NOT BE STOP! NOT UNTIL ALL WORLDS – ALL WORLDS – ARE JUST AS COLD AND DESOLATE AS THE DARKSOME COMER!!! TODAY WILL BE YOUR DOOM, DONKEY KONG! THIS REALM WILL BE YOUR GRAVE!!! _”

“Not likely...” the gorilla whispered back.

KAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Around Donkey Kong's body, that blue aura exploded once more. But, no, it was greater than ever before. Instead of being that flowing fountain, it was an eruption of power, one that was brighter and hotter than what had come before. Electricity cackled throughout him, mixing with the wispy lines, while the markings on his body took on a brighter sheen as well.

Donkey Kong had become a beacon; a source of light, life, and warmth that the Darksome Comer had never seen before. The darkness could not touch him, the cold could not weaken him, and the Lombado would not defeat him!

This was it! Donkey Kong was going to end it with one final strike!

As the Lombado began his slow march, the gorilla placed his hands together in a powerful clap! A wicked shock wave was sent flying by his mighty clap, but it wasn't enough to slow down his enemy. That wasn't the point anyway. Instead, the cackles of his blue electricity surged through his arms as DK pulled his arms back and cupped his hands behind him.

Between his palms, the blue bolts of power started snapping and sparkling together, creating a tightly woven ball of pure energy. Sodoma – her eyes wide with awe – watched as Donkey Kong caused the ball of energy to grow in size and power. It was so great, that bolts of electricity were wildly flung about, striking the floor, the pillars, even reaching high enough to strike the ceiling and the rafters! This strike would truly end it! Nothing could survive it!

“DK...” Sodoma whispered, before yelling out loudly, “DK! I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!”

“_ DIE, DONKEY KOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGG!!! _”

Slamming his hands into the ground, the Lombado rushed headlong into Donkey Kong, prepared to crush him beneath his larger body. But DK slammed his foot down with so much force that the earth shook beneath him. The attack he was charging had reached its zenith! There was nothing left but to send it forward.

Lombado leaped into the air, where he brought his fists down.

“_ BEGONE!!! _”

And Donkey Kong pushed his hands forward, shouting out--

“Shinkuuuuu... HADOKEN!!!”

BWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!!

From DK's open palms, a flood of energy emerged. Condensed into a single beam, it roared towards the Lombado, who skidded to a halt. He was so big and the beam was coming so fast, he couldn't dodge it in time. No matter; he'd just tank it!

“_ HAH! OOFFF!? _”

The beam fell upon him, coating his body like a flowing river. He felt it streak along his scales and flesh, slide along his chest, his arms, his face, his everything! At first, the warmth was almost... intoxicating. For a being like him who ruled the Darksome Comer, heat was a privilege one could enjoy for only a few fleeting moments.

But as the seconds ticked by, the heat started to burn. He felt his scales start to be stripped from his body, where they'd almost instantly be incinerated. A gasp left his lips as he felt the pain, and he pulled up his arms to defend himself... but it was too late. Donkey Kong's beam had engulfed him whole.

“_ NO! NOOOOOOOOOO! I WILL NOT BE DENIED! DOOONKEEEEY KOOOOONG!!! _”

Teeth gritted, the Lombado stomped through DK's beam, marching towards him still. The pain grew, burning at him, gnawing at him, but he refused to step back! He would not step back! Even if this did kill him, he'd slay Donkey Kong as well! Nothing – NOTHING! – could stop him!

DK growled and flexed, forcing more of his power into the beam he fired. It grew brighter, stronger too as it once again forced the Lombado to come to a halt... but only momentarily. Fighting through the burning pain which engulfed him, the Shadow of Comer continued approaching his enemy, his claw raised up high. No matter how much power he put into his beam, Donkey Kong couldn't kill him. He needed a little more!

But he didn't have that 'more'. Fortunately, she did.

Sitting behind Donkey Kong, bound by this golden cage, Sodoma watched as the King of the Kongs fought valiantly with all of his heart and soul. He wasn't doing this just for the people, or even for the food... but for her. Sodoma was his friend, and he went through all of this – journeyed over time and space – to save... her.

And now he was reaching his absolute zenith. The Lombado was a force of evil beyond anything he had faced before. Even the Ghastly King paled in comparison to his sinister might. While he had gained incredible power to overcome him and the Darksome Comer, it just wasn't enough.

She wouldn't let him fail. She couldn't let him fail. Donkey Kong was her friend, and had gone through so much for her. Now, it was her turn to return the favor.

The barrier that kept Sodoma bound was powerful... but she wouldn't let it stop her. Gritting her teeth and furrowing her eyebrows, the fairy pushed her hands against the invisible obstruction as best she could. And then... she focused.

She was the spirit who was in charge of all the plant life in the world. It was her duty to make sure all flora received sunlight, air, and water so that they could grow up strong and healthy. But right here and now, she was not giving life to a flower, she was giving life to Donkey Kong.

And he felt it.

A green energy began flowing into him, imbuing his already powerful body with even more power. It enhanced his body, mixing with the blue aura he called upon. The cackling blue bolts of energy mixed with the green flow summoned by Sodoma, and both would combine with the energy beam he was firing. Imbued with this awesome power...

“GHHOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUHHH!!!”

SSSSSKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSHHHHH!!!

His energy wave grew ten-times as strong, amplified by Sodoma's blessings. The entire throne room was alight with the combined colors of blue and green, creating something truly divine!

And the Lombado felt it!

Eyes wide, his chest rose up as the beam finally grew strong enough to make him stop outright. He tried to move, but the pressure pushing against him was too great. How was this possible? He had bound Sodoma; how could she still summon her power? And Donkey Kong! How did this fountain of energy not completely overwhelm and drive him mad? He was maintaining it! How was this possible!?

But as the burning and searing pain of their combined attack swallowed him whole, the Lombado saw something, he heard something, he smelled something, he tasted something, he felt something.

He saw... green fields...

He heard... animals scurrying...

He smelled... wonderful flowers...

He tasted... delicious fruits...

He felt... alive!

And it burned him!

The Darksome Comer was a desolate wasteland of snow and metal, one that lacked natural life. So to feel so much of it was like pouring acid on flesh. The Lombado felt his body crumble beneath the intense beam which surrounded him, feeling an odd mixture of emotions. Joy. Anger. Regret. Frustration. Sadness. Hatred. Vengeance. Perhaps even… acceptance?

No!

Defiance...

“_ DOOONNNKKEEEEEYYYYY KOOOOOOOOOOONG!!! _”

The overwhelming sensation continued flooding around the Lombado, stripping away his claws, his scales, and soon after, his flesh. His body began turning to ash before his very eyes, vanishing as they were atomized by Donkey Kong's majestic beam. He tried moving forward... but his leg had already been incinerated. Soon after, the arm he used to block his face also turned to dust, forcing him to gaze upon his own doom.

And it was beautiful.

Before Donkey Kong's radiant power, the evil Lombado – the ruler of the Darksome Comer which he hated so much – was turned to dust. Not one aspect of his body remained, be it scale or claw. Even his clothing was burned away by the gorilla king's awesome might. But DK didn't stop. He couldn't stop. He wouldn't stop! He'd only stop when he was sure his enemy was gone, and not one bit remained! Be it ash... or atoms.

The Lombado would be destroyed.

Eeaarrrrk!

“Huh?”

Sodoma's eyes widened. The cage that kept her bound swung open. That meant only one thing.

The Lombado was gone.

But DK did not know that, so he kept firing. Fairy wings flapping, Sodoma took to the air and hovered towards the gorilla, where she placed her gentle hand upon his shoulder.

And Donkey Kong stopped.

“Uh...?”

Fwwwwsssshh...

The mighty beam he used to eliminate the Lombado dissipated suddenly, filling the air with its blue and green energy. Looking over, his eyes still glowing with that azure hue, Donkey Kong came face to face with Sodoma. She looked back, a smile on her face as her hands curled.

“Donkey Kong...” she whispered.

Slowly he reached over, where he placed his finger along Sodoma's cheek. The smile she wore grew longer and warmer, before her eyes closed as she nuzzled against his touch. It was both strong and kind; the perfect touch for a giant such as himself.

Gently, DK brushed his finger along Sodoma, before the two turned to face the area before them. The gorilla's beam had not only vaporized the Lombado, but it had also erased a majority of the throne room as well! A huge hole had formed in the wall before them, allowing the two to gaze out upon the Darksome Comer's infinite darkness. For miles around there was nothing but ice and snow, occasionally broken up by pillars of titanium. It was a bleak world, with a bleaker cold that brushed along them.

Shivering, Sodoma wilted, drawing DK to gently cup his hand around her. His aura returning, his body heated up, giving her warmth.

“Thank you, Donkey Kong...” she whispered whilst bashfully looking up at him, “You... you went through so much to get here, I can tell,” her eyes looked him up and down, “And this power you have... it's so much different from how you were before. I... I'm in awe.”

DK didn't respond, instead shrugging his shoulders and chuckling. Sodoma opened her mouth to say a word... but ultimately shook her head and smiled as well. Squeezing the shoulder of the ape she rode upon and embracing him tightly, she closed her eyes and rested upon him.

“Let's go home, Donkey Kong.”

He turned, facing him with this wicked grin on his lips and his thumb raised up.

“Okay!”

Donkey Kong came through all kinds of difficulties, conquered Lonbadoand saved Sodoma finally, so, the world resumed livingness from then on......