It had been three months after the Great Illumination, and everything had gone mostly back to normal. The Ice Hunters had been purified and moved to different places to live semi-permanently. Eris continued to get visions, but they were of minor things such as who would win a contest or when the Golden Chi would appear again.

Soon, Lagravis got reports said that there were odd happenings occurring in the Outlands. Injured Scorpions, Spiders, and Bats were often found, but only a few could talk without breaking down. These Crawlers were brought to the nearest outpost, but none had talked about what was going on.

"This is bad news..." Lagravis muttered to himself.

"So should we call a council, or…?" Lavertus asked. Lagravis nodded.

"This may be a threat to Chima," Lagravis explained, then went to get the council together.

The council consisted of Lagravis and Lavertus, Ewald, Grumlo, Rawzom, Wakz and Worriz, Crominus and Crunket, Rogon, Bladvic, Breezor, Sir Fangar, Maula, Vardy, and Tormak.

"You'd better have called us for a good reason, Lagravis," Wakz threatened.

"Indeed I have." Lagravis filled them in on the reports he had gotten. Crominus crossed his arms.

"Why should we bother helping them?" he demanded.

"Because whatever's happening is a huge threat," a male voice replied. Sir Fangar nodded to the Saber-tooth.

"General Stealthor. What did you find?" he asked.

Stealthor didn't reply, instead gesturing for someone to come in. A small Scorpion, no more than a child, peeked in and slowly went to Stealthor. His tail and stinger were as large as an adult's, leading some of the council to assume that he would grow into it. He had black carapace, and light gold detailing on his armor. His eyes seemed to be a bluish-grey color.

"This is Scamp. I found him wandering, injured, through the Outlands. He told me what's going on," Stealthor informed. He knelt down and quietly talked to the kid, who nodded and looked at the council nervously.

"There were really mean creatures, they kept attacking us," Scamp began quietly. Some of the council had to lean in to listen. "There are really big, scary lizards with wings. And big birds who can turn their heads all the way around. And weird furry creatures who look like they have masks." He got a bit louder. "The...the dragons have my big brother...please help, please!"

"Your big brother?" Lavertus asked. Crominus seemed doubtful, which quickly turned to shock when Scamp answered.

"Scorm."

"What?" Rawzom asked, hoping that the small kid was joking.

"Apparently," Stealthor interrupted, "Scorm has several siblings. This one is the youngest. He also has a twin sister and an older brother, the latter of which apparently disappeared a long time before the Crawlers' presence in the Outlands was known." Stealthor looked at Crominus, specifically. "It's part of what led to Scorm going crazy."

Crominus felt his argument die in his throat. Lavertus asked what they were all thinking. "How old is he?"

"I'm four whole years old!" Scamp said, almost proudly. "Big brother Scorm and big sister Scott are fourteen! And big brother Scorcher is eighteen!"