Disclaimer: Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu and Legends of Chima are both own by LEGO Company.
The Lion CHI Temple, a large temple beneath the falls of Mount Cavora, serves as the base of operations for the Lion Tribe. Inside its walls resides the sacred pool of CHI and the throne of the king of the lions. Most of the formal meetings with other tribes and leaders occur in the temple near to the king's throne, but today a different event is happening on its halls.
Lagravis, king of the lions, fair keeper of Chima's CHI orbs, wanders the halls deep in thought. Today was the anniversary of the day he had to make his hardest decision, to banish his own brother. The most sacred rule of the lions is to never steal CHI from the sacred pool, a crime his brother Lavertus had committed. As king, it was his duty to punish him for this.
Since that day his life was never quite the same, his beloved wife had died in childbirth, leaving him a single father for his son, and tensions had begun to stir between the crocodile tribe.
He hoped to fix it on this day, CHI Day, when all the tribes gather to receive their CHI and participate on the monthly Speedorz races.
Speedorz, small chariots with wheels carved long ago by the animal tribes from the fallen rocks of Mount Cavora. The wheels are part of nature and draw most of their energy from it. The wheels are always strongest in the lush jungles, verdant hills, and moss-covered canyons of Chima, wherever there is abundant life and growth.
There is an official level of Speedor sports with sanctioned competitions that fill the Grand Arena of Chima, located on a massive, flat, moss-covered patch in front of the Lion Temple.
When competitions are held, victory is a source of tribal pride for weeks following the contest.
Tribes also occasionally use the tournament to settle minor disputes and diplomatic conflicts. The Grand Arena competitions are officially about sports, but they can also be seen as an alternative to tribal combat.
Rather than fight on the battlefields, tribes can settle their difference in the Speedor runs. For many years, the Speedor competitions were an incredibly civilized and efficient means for dispute resolution.
Lagravis hoped that this month's competition would forge an understanding with the crocs, especially because it would mark the first time the heirs of the crocodile tribe would meet the other tribes. He hoped to introduce his son, Laval, to the croc prince, Cragger, to form a strong friendship that would transcend to the rest of the tribe.
However, thinking of the crocs reminded him of his brother, another lion prince that harbored a strong friendship with one of the croc tribes. In fact, some believe that there was once more to the relationship of Lavertus and the crocodile princess, Crunket. He himself did not know, but knowing his eccentric brother, it was a possibility. Alas, with his brother's banishment this would remain a mystery for the ages. He did not know where his brother had turned to after his banishment, he believed he had sent camp somewhere in the Outlands, if this was true, he could only hope that he was alright.
Making his way to the sacred pool, he was met with the sight of his son looking on in amassment as the elders harvested the CHI orbs from the pool. He was still too young to partake in the festivities, but he hoped he would learn to respect them for when he came of age. If he was anything like his uncle, he would make a great Speedorz racer one day.
Looking at his son, piercing golden eyes and small patch of fiery red mane, reminded him of simpler times and filled him with pride.
"So, this is where the orbs come from?" asked an excited young Laval.
"That is correct your highness, you are very observant!" kindly answered Lothar, an elder lion tasked with gathering the orbs.
"He certainly is!" exclaimed Lagravis, walking up to them. "I see you escaped your guard again, Laval?" he tells his son with a smile.
"Hehee, I was super sneaky, they stood no chance!" said Laval with pride.
"I'm sure you were!", more likely was that he made a run for it the first chance he got, he thought.
As if on cue, Longtooth and Leonidas arrived, running towards the sacred pool. Breathing heavily from the long run the prince had put them through.
"Sir, you found the prince, of course you did, why would you, he wasn't lost or anything!" Longtooth cried out nervously.
He was an old friend to the king, many times his guard. He was a seasoned warrior, proved by the many scars on his body. Despite this he would always stay sharp and serve his tribe with all his might, and Lagravis knew this.
Leonidas on the other hand was a newer addition to the guard, but he had proved his worth. Strong and helpful in nature, Leonidas is a close guard to his king, often accompanying him and Longtooth on missions. He is well known for struggling to multitask, only being able to do one task at a time, however he can still complete each task to perfection when done in turns.
"Ah, Longtooth, Leonidas, just the lions I was looking for, since you have done such a good job looking after my son, I have a new assignment for you." Announce Lagravis with a knowing smile.
Nervously they both nodded, "Of course your majesty!"
"Excellent, the two of you will be the main guards for the CHI in today's festivities." He told them.
"WHAT, I will be our honor sir!" they both said at the same time, surprised by their king's kindness.
"Come along Laval, we need to prepare for the other tribes arrival." He told his son as he walked away from the pool.
"This is an important day my son, today you will learn the important role we must play for the sake of Chima." Lagravis told his son as they made their way to the entrance.
"But dad, why do we give away the CHI, should we keep it?" he asked his dad with confusion.
"As lions, we must maintain the peace and balance of Chima. it is our sacred duty, given to us by nature itself" He answered the prince.
"But why!" Laval asked again.
"Hah, well my son, I believe it is time for me to tell you the Great Story." Lagravis informed his son.
"We weren't always the advanced and sophisticated creatures we are now. once many, many centuries ago, there were no buildings, or vehicles, or tribes in Chima, just jungles and plains, and creatures that walked on all fours. one day, the sky opened up, and blessed the land, pulling mount Cavora from the heart of Chima. The water that flowed from this mountain was different, powerful, transformative, full of a life force we now call, Chi. those who drank from it became smarter, more complex, evolved. however, some in Chima chose not to embrace the Chi, they stayed simple, and pure. vanishing into the outlands never to be seen again. these creatures are now known as the Legend Beasts, it is said they will return one day when Chima needs them most. but few here believe they even exist anymore. mount Cavora still supplies us with Chi today, but it is collected here, in the lion temple." He finishes as they make it to the front gates of the temple.
"This is why every month we give it away to the other tribes, and here they come!" he says as members of the other tribes begin to arrive.
"Come Laval, we should go meet them." Lagravis informs his son, leading him down the steps.
"Ah, Lagravis! Good to see you, I assume this is young Laval at your side." Greeted the Eagle leader, Ewald.
"Ewald, just in time! That's a first. Indeed, this is Laval." Lagravis greeted his old ally. "Laval. Why don't you say hello." He told his son.
"Hi." Said the prince to the elder. "Why, hello there Laval, there's someone I want you to meet!" answered the Eagle leader, gesturing behind him.
"This is my daughter Eris." he says, showing the young white eagle behind him. She smiled at the lion prince, extending a taloned hand to him.
"Hello, nice to meet you Laval" She greets him, as the young lion cub shakes her hand.
"Nice to meet you Eris!" he responds with a smile, before moving on with his father.
Next were the gorillas, who greeted him as soon as he was near. "Hey little dude, the names Grumlo and this other little dude is Gorzan." Said a grey furred gorilla giving him a handshake.
"Gorzan, you should greet him too." He tells his little companion, who responded by giving Laval a hug while saying, "Groovy, nice to meet you dude!".
"Nice to meet you too, can you let me go now." says a shocked Laval.
Letting him go and letting him catch his breath, Laval followed his dad to meet the next tribe.
"Lagravis! Where is our CHI!" calls out an old wolf as he walks over to the lion.
"Wakz! A pleasure as always, here you go, use it well use it wisely." He tells the old wolf as he hands him his tribe CHI orbs.
"This is my son, Laval, he wild be watching todays festivities with me!" He tells him.
"You don't say. Well, this is Worriz, future leader of the Wolf Tribe, our pride and joy!" he tells the Lion King with pride in his voice.
"A pleasure to meet you all." The wolf pup answers, with a "charming" smile hiding his true feelings.
As they leave Lagravis turns to his son and tells him, "Let this be a lesson Laval, we distribute the orbs to every tribe in Chima, even those tribes we might not agree with."
"Ah, King Lagravis my friend, a good day for business, no? When will the marked be open?" called a raven with a golden crown on his head.
"Rawzom, of course, don't worry the market will be set up in no time, here's your CHI." Sigh Lagravis as he gave the sly raven his CHI.
"Thank you, my friend, oh where are my manner, I see you brought your son. Hello little prince, the names Rawzom, and this is my protégé Razar!" The raven turned to Laval with a sly smile upon his beaked face.
"The pleasure is yours, if you ever need to buy something make sure to give me a call, friend." Said Razar, violently shaking Laval's hand, before whispering in his ear.
"Well enough of that Razar, we have work to do!" announced Rawzom, as they walked away.
"WAIT, Rawzom my money please!" said Lagravis to the elder raven.
"Haha, just picked it from the floor for you!" cried the raven nervously, before handing it back to the lion.
"Ravens." Said Lagravis flatly.
"LAGRAVIS! Come on down!" Laval heard someone call.
"Crominus, Crunket! Good to see you two, I see you brought company." He greeted the crocodile royals.
"You better believe we did; this is my son Prince Cragger! And my daughter Crooler as well!" he said with great pride.
"A pleasure meeting you, this is my son Prince Laval, I hope you will get along!" kindly greets Lagravis, presenting his son to the visiting crocs.
"Hello there, Cragger. Nice to meet you!" says Laval excitedly.
"Hey, Laval. Nice to meet you too!" Greets the crocodile prince, as they both shake hands in friendship.
After finishing giving CHI to the other tribes of Chima, Lagravis walk back to his son, who could be seen talking with the croc prince. It would seem his plan was working to perfection. Smiling at him, they made their way back to the entrance when he was met by his guards.
"Excuse me Lagravis, but it's time to bring out the golden orb" called out Longtooth.
As he said this, two lion guards bring a giant orb of gold to the middle and set it on a small perch.
Looking back at his son, Lagravis gave him a smile before telling him, "Ah yes, there's always one extra powerful golden CHI, every month. But we don't give this orb away. WE RACE FOR IT!"
Looking up in excitement, Laval cried out at his father before following him to a small podium where he made his announcements.
"Welcome citizens of Chima to our monthly race for the golden CHI. For centuries the golden CHI has chosen a different contest each month so that no one tribe shall have an advantage at winning it! What will it choose this time?" Lagravis announces as the crowd cheers.
As all the riders get ready on their speedorz, Lagravis continues with his announcement as the golden orbs wisps around its power changing the very terrain.
"A torture course of obstacles? or the ruthless race of ramps? Ah, it is settled on the joust of jungle judgement! Riders of Chima, safety and blunter on! Anyone caught using unsecured weapons will be immediately disqualified!" He finishes his announcement, before signaling for the race to begin.
"On your marks, motors ready, and…
ATTACK!
"What the…?" everyone asks as a rumpling is heard through the jungle.
The serpentine had arrived.