Donkey Kong Country: Rescue on Crocodile Isle

Donkey Kong Country: Rescue on Crocodile Isle is a 1997 chapter book written by Michael Teitelbaum, illustrated by Leif Peng and published by Troll Communications. It is the third book in its series, preceded by Donkey Kong Country in 1994, and Donkey Kong Country: Rumble in the Jungle in 1995. Rescue on Crocodile Isle shares the same cover artwork and similar plot line as the game Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. This is unlike Rumble in the Jungle, which shares cover artwork with the game Donkey Kong Land, although with several differences in the story and characters.

Plot
One sunny day, Donkey Kong was relaxing on a beach chair on one of the shores of Donkey Kong Island. He is interrupted by Cranky Kong, who scolds him for being a "big, lazy ape". Later that evening when Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong return to their treehouse, they find that Cranky and his wife Wrinkly Kong are worried about how Donkey Kong hasn't returned from the beach yet. They all travel there to investigate, and soon find that Donkey Kong's beach chair and sunglasses were smashed to pieces. The Kongs also spot Kremling footprints in the sand, and they understand that Donkey Kong has been kidnapped by Kaptain K. Rool, who had left a note that reads:

''To the yellow-bellied, landlubbing Kong family: Hah-arrrh! We got the big monkey on Crocodile Isle! If you want him back, you scurvy dogs, you'll have to hand over the banana hoard!''

Diddy and Dixie immediately decide to go and rescue him, preferring that Cranky doesn't join them as they think he's had "enough adventures for one lifetime". Offended and doubtful that they will succeed alone, Cranky returns to the treehouse with Wrinkly. The following morning, Diddy and Dixie borrow a small sailing ship from the docks, and load it with food supplies and barrels. They set sail for Crocodile Isle, and Diddy Kong uses a compass and sea chart to navigate. Suddenly, Cranky Kong emerged from one of the crates, hiding there since before Diddy and Dixie arrived at the dock. Cranky Kong proceeds to tell them "many stories" of his youth, until an evening storm approaches the ship. The storm's gales grew stronger, and soon sends them falling overboard.

While in the water, the Kongs see Shuri the Starfish and Lockjaw the Piranha approaching them, preparing to attack. Enguarde the Swordfish intervenes, giving the Kongs some "breathing barrels" which allows them to breathe underwater. Enguarde then attacks Lockjaw and Shuri with his swordlike nose, and then leads the Kongs back to their ship, which was now slightly waterlogged. Setting sail again, the tides grew stronger as the Kongs approached Crocodile Isle. They are pulled into Crocodile Cauldron, a lava-filled cove, and the ship bursts into flames.

Diddy suggests that they use the raised crocodile heads in the lava as stepping stones to reach safety (referencing the level Hot-Head Hop in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest). Diddy and Dixie Kong quickly move over the crocodile heads, although Cranky has trouble keeping his balance, almost falling into the lava. He is saved by Squawks the Parrot, who deposits Cranky on the shoreline. Squawks then suggests that the Kongs go to Gangplank Galleon, K. Rool's old pirate ship, to look for Donkey Kong. The Kongs reach Gangplank Galleon floating in a cove. They swim to the ship, and Dixie distracts the Kremlings onboard by using her ponytail to sling an exploding barrel far out into the water, allowing them to sneak onboard and begin searching for Donkey Kong.

After searching the lower deck, the Kongs encounter Klomp the Kremling, who alerts the rest of the crew that there are "monkeys on board". Dixie uses several barrels to take out several Kremlings, except for Kaboing who bounces up to a high ledge. Dixie throws Diddy up high, and hands the "dumb" Kaboing an exploding barrel, which promptly blows up in his face. Klinger takes Cranky Kong hostage, however Cranky strikes it with his cane. After the Kongs defeat all the Kremlings, they safely search the ship. Donkey Kong is nowhere to be found, although Dixie Kong finds a map of the entire island. The Kongs realize that they need to reach K. Rool's Keep, a heavily guarded fortress.

Led by Dixie, the Kongs head to a thick swamp called Krem Quay. They decide to use the underwater breathing barrels from Enguarde to cross the swamp, with the assistance of Glimmer to light the way. Underwater, the Kongs encounter a group of Neeks, which are overcome by using Dixie's ponytail and Cranky's cane to attack. After making it across the swamp, the Kongs reach a run-down amusement park called Krazy Kremland. A large Kremling called Kruncha confronts them, who is immune to the Kong's attacks and explosive barrels. The Kongs hide in a game booth until Kruncha thinks of searching it. They then run to another game booth, which involves throwing rocks at pretend monkeys climbing a plastic tree. The Kongs climb the tree and hold still, though Kruncha becomes bored and decides to throw a rock which hits Cranky Kong. Diddy Kong puts on a straw hat and poses as a carnival barker, handing Kruncha a stuffed Kremlings as a prize. The Kongs then run away, looking for an exit.

Kruncha thinks to take a secret underground passageway, and they emerge right next to the Kongs. The Kongs run to the "House of Mirrors", followed by Kruncha and the Kremlings. Inside, Diddy taunts Kruncha when he tries to attack Diddy's reflection, causing several mirrors to shatter. Among the "total confusion", the Kongs quietly slip out and continue looking for an exit. They decide to hide in an abandoned roller coaster. Kruncha and his group of Kremlings find them, and they give chase in several roller coaster cars (referencing the level Rickety Race from Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest). Ahead of them, the Kongs see that the tracks end in midair, high above the ground. As the car left the tracks, Dixie uses her helicopter spin with Diddy and Cranky holding on, to safely land on the ground. The Kremlings all soon fall from the great height to the ground, defeating them.

After leaving Krazy Kremland, the Kongs reach the "haunted" Gloomy Gulch. They encounter Kloak and Kackle, the "spirits of the woods". The woods become filled with unnatural darkness and strong winds, which blows out the Kong's flare barrel. After leaving the woods and returning to daylight, they reach K. Rool's Keep. They overhear the Kremling guards saying that Donkey Kong is chained up at the top of the keep. Cranky Kong tricks one of the Kremling guards to leave his post, saying that he has Donkey Kong's banana hoard nearby. Diddy then jumps from a tree and attacks the guard using a double jump. Entering the fortress, the Kongs begin at Chain-Link Chamber. They escape from Kannon, and soon encounter a Klobber disguised as a barrel. Diddy Kong uses a smoke-screen barrel, confusing Klobber who is sent rolling down a staircase. Higher in the keep, they are confronted by Krook and Kutlass. Diddy knocks Kutlass on the head, followed by a cartwheel attack. The Kongs swing Krook around while holding on to its hook, launching him far away.

The Kongs reach Toxic Tower, where they must quickly climb to avoid rising "green goop". Making it to the top of the keep, they find Donkey Kong bound in chains. Kaptain K. Rool is nearby, who's described as a "coward" when he threatens to destroy the keep to prevent them from rescuing Donkey Kong. He sets off a smoke bomb, and climbs to his croc plane. Diddy and Dixie pursue K. Rool, while Cranky stays to free Donkey Kong using small explosive barrels. Dixie Kong uses her helicopter spin to lift her and Diddy, allowing them to pursue the croc plane. Entering the cockpit, Diddy uses a smoke-screen barrel to hide the bomb-release controls. He then uses a cartwheel attack to send K. Rool falling out of the plane, and into the shark-infested sea below. Diddy, who had taken flying lessons from Funky Kong, safely lands the plane back on K. Rool's Keep, where Cranky and Donkey Kong were waiting. Cranky boasts about how the "youngsters" would never have done it without him. They all share a laugh as they fly back to Donkey Kong Island.