Disclaimer: Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu and Legends of Chima are both own by LEGO Company.
It has been many a year since the mysterious Serpentine attacked the land of Chima. Ever since that day, live has slowly return to normal, despite the constant worry of just when the snakes will return. Many wonder where they could be hiding, the searches having come back emptyhanded. Some believing they lay in wait on the shadowy cracks of the Outlands.
Meanwhile, Lagravis's plan for lasting relations between the tribes has come along without problems. Cragger and Laval having become the best of friends, always together, playing and constantly getting into trouble.
Everything had return to normal…until a terrible accident broke them apart.
Having taken some of the forbidden Chi from the lion temple, Cragger had been apprehended, staining the relationship with the Crocodile tribe.
Things would only get worse, when in a panic, Cragger called for his parents help, inadvertently leading them to a battle with the Lion tribe, a battle that they wouldn't return from.
As the battle escalated, the crocodile King and Queen had fallen into the Gorge of Eternal Depth, never to be seen again.
Now king of the crocodiles, Cragger sits upon the throne in sorrow, as in the shadows something wicked slithers in.
On the crocodile, within the walls of the crocodile fortress, two crocs try in vain to cheer the young king up.
These are Crawley and Crug, two of the more slow-witted crocs in the swamp, but some of the most loyal. Crug, now wielding a prosthetic jaw, tries dancing like a jester to cheer Cragger, but it does not work.
"Thanks guys but is just not working." Cragger says to them, sighing on his throne.
"Still moping about, Brother?!" says a figure walking to the throne. This is Crooler, now much older. She has never forgotten her encounter with the snakes, nor her plans for Chima.
"What do you want Crooler, I'm not in the mood!?" Cragger says to his sister, becoming tired from her constant insistence on retribution.
"Brother, I have something that'll cheer you up!" she says with glee. "I'm not attacking the lions! It's not their fault our parents are gone!" he yelled at his sister, trying to put as much authority in his voice as he could.
"Who said anything about attacking. Quite the opposite in fact, I have a new potential friend for our time of need! Just follow me outside, dear brother!" she said with a toothy smile.
Intrigued at who it could possibly be, Cragger follows his sister to the outside walls of the fortress.
"This better not be a trick Crooler, I was serious about attacking the lions!" he says sternly.
"Attacking the lionsss! What a great idea!" A sudden hiss followed from the nearby bushes, and suddenly a blue snake with swirling red eyes approaches the crocodile duo, Crooler conveniently averting her eyes from the stranger.
"Look into my eyesss. Your will is mine to command" said the snake as he moved ever closer.
Cragger could only stare, having been caught off-guard, his eyes having become swirling red spirals as he keeps his gaze with the stranger.
"Cragger, meet Skales!" said Crooler to her brother, a wicked smile forming.
Skales, now general of the Hypnobrai continued to slither forewards, staring at the crocodile king.
"Join usss, destroy the lions, make your parentsss proud." Said the snake.
"Yess, yes! I know what I must do now!" Craggers says as he walks back to his throne room. "WE MUST DESTROY THE LIONS!"
"Excellent choice brother!" says a pleased Crooler as the snake slithers next to her.
Later that day, after a surprise attack during the weekly Chi Day festivities, Cragger had made his intentions clear to the rest of Chima, the crocs were going to war!
Now he stans in front of his swamp, waiting for some especial quest to arrive. In the meantime, Crooler and Skales were having their own conversation.
"So, how long will he remain under our control!" she asks the snake in front of her.
"It will last for as long as we need it to lassst. So long as he does not receive the antivenom, he will be your plaything!" Skales answers the arrogant little princess.
"Then what use are you to me now!" she says wickedly.
"Hahaha, he will take your suggestions, but he is under MY control! It will do you well to watch your mouth, after all, YOU came to US for help! The general reminds her.
She thought back to that event, it had been the night after their parents' demise, she had sneaked out of the fortress and made her way to the forest on the outskirts of the outlands. She had been searching for years now, following every rumor, every sighting, track, and scale she could find. She was sure the snake where close by, she had never forgotten her encounter with their leader, the look in his eyes that matched her own. Deep down she felt a connection, they were one in the same, people that were taking what was rightfully theirs!
Suddenly, a noise caught her attention, looking around she managed to spot them, red eyes glowing in the distance.
"I'm not afraid of you! I came here looking for you, I wish to speak with Pythor!" she said with confidence.
"Your wish is my command!" said a voice to her right, as the long purple snake materialized next to her.
"Now, this is quite interesting, tell my little morsel, how do you know my name!" he asks her.
"Have you forgotten me! Typical. You told me yourself, friend." She says as she removes her cloak, revealing her face.
"My, my if it isn't the little princess, what brinks you here at such an hour?" he said, have mockingly, have sincerely.
"I want to make a deal with you! My parents have met an untimely demise, yet my brother now sits on the throne. He is unfit to rule, but there is little I can do about it. I ask for your help, in return I will get you all the chi you could ever want! Do we have a deal." Crooler explains to the Serpentine king.
"An alliance, interesting. Now tell me, what is stopping me from just getting rid of you and taking all the chi for myself." He asks the croc, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Simple! You can't, or you would have done so already. I remember your face when I told you about it, you don't know how to use the Chi, but I do. I can teach you; I can give you weapons, equipment, everything you need. I'm the missing piece in your little plot, the informant. Help me and I help you!" she finishes, looking straight at the snake, with no fear on her eyes.
"You are devious, I like that. You have yourself a deal, Crooler!" he said with a smile on his face.
Back in the present, Crooler looks at her companion an contemplates for a minute.
"That was then, this is now. I already have what I want, so tell me! What use are you to me now!" she asks again.
"Please! I know your type; can you really tell me you are satisfied being a mere puppet master when you can be a queen on your own. Pythor has big plans for Chime, and he will need allies, other kingdoms. Why be happy being the one behind the power, when you can be the power itself!" Skales told her, having already figured her out in the few moments he had met her.
"Why indeed, very well snake. I'll keep our little deal, for now." She told him as she made her way back to her brother.
Skales just stood there and smiled, clearly no one had told her to never trust a snake.
Back on the front of the crocodile swamp, a commotion could be heard. From the distance a cloud of dust could be seen, the wolf pack had reached the swamp.
"Woriz, so good to see you! The fur is healing well I see!" says Cragger as he approaches the alpha wolf.
Woriz could only scowl, ever since the morning's Speedorz race he had suffered some extensive damage to his fur, leaving him nearly naked in front of everyone!
"Enough with the small talk Cragger, just tell me how I can destroy Laval and the lions! No one mocks a wolf like they did!" growled Woriz in response.
"Okay then, down to business. We attack the lions during their next age of becoming ceremony, the ravens will be joining us as well!" said a confident Cragger.
"They hate the lions too? asked a confused Woriz.
"No, we're just paying them, a few trinkets and treasures and those birds will do anything!" he told him, with a mocking tone on his voice.
"That sounds about right! Will it be enough"? Woriz asked.
"Don't worry all friend, I have everything covered!" he said as he ushered the wolf away.
"You didn't mention our new allies, brother?" asked Crooler next to him.
"Of course not! It will be our little secret! Hahahaha!" Cragger said. Laughing manically.
On the Lion Temple throne room, Laval is standing alone, thinking of the events of the last Chi Day, and of his friend.
"Laval, what are you doing? Your age of becoming ceremony has started. this is a big day for you." Called out Lagravis, making his way towards his son.
"Yeah, I know. my first Chi! becoming a true lion warrior! totally ready." Laval said halfheartedly.
"And your harness, did you lose it?" asked his dad inquisitively.
"My harness... n-no of course not, I know exactly where it is" Laval answered nervously.
As Laval quickly made his way to his room to search for his missing harness, something more sinister was happening on the Crocodile Swamp.
Standing in front of his forces Cragger begins his speech, "TODAY IS THE DAY WE DO THIS! TODAY IS THE DAY WE BECOME THE TRUE MASTERS OF CHIMA! TODAY IS THE DAY WE DESTROY TH-"
Suddenly a bird called Plovar enters Cragger's mouth and starts pecking at his teeth.
Cragger spits Plovar out and asks, " what are you doing Plovar?!"
"Why I'm working on your fabulous smile! did you forget our teeth cleaning appointment Craggy-wag?" answered the bird.
"How are you gonna keep those pearly whites polished without little ol' Plovar here making them pretty huh?" Plovar said to Cragger, causing Woriz and the wolves to laugh.
Cragger with a muffled voice answered, "it's not a good time Plovar!"
"Like there's anything more important than the glorious grin you greet the world with everyday. Brother you need some school then the fine art of dental hygiene!" responded the bird at the croc.
"Um... is there any chance we can re-schedule?" he asked, his voice once again muffled by the bird.
"Fine. It's your teeth so I'll see you then. Continue with your- whatever it is you're doing!" said the annoyed Plovar as he left the area.
Gathering his composure again, Cragger continued his speech, "OKAY! NOW, LET'S DESTROY THE LIONS!"
Back at the temple, just before Laval's ceremony had begun, the sounds of war made their way to the temple.
Quicky gathering his senses, Lagravis commanded his people, "Defend the temple, protect the Chi!"
As the battle rages on, a figure sneaks into the temple, apon seeing him, Laval makes chase.
"Get away from my chi! no!" Laval yells as he follows the figure outside, preparing to joust against the intruder.
After the jousting was done, the mysterious figure is reveal to be none other than Cragger.
"Cragger, is that you?" asks a surprised Laval.
The battle rages on, Laval having to push aside a few enemies as Lagravis roars to the distance as a signal for backup from all the other tribes to join in the fight. Having heard the call, the eagles and gorilla's make it to the battle, Gorzan taking on the responsibility to keep enemies out of the Temple and does a great job at it by flinging 4 wolves right back down the stairs.
Meanwhile, on the Forever Rock, the old friends meet again. Preparing to settle things on the battlefield once and for all.
"What are you waiting for..? finish it already." Cragger demanded from his foe.
"Cragger it doesn't have to be like this. we used to be friends." Cried Laval in anguish.
"Until you buried my parents." Cragger said, standing up.
"All that was an accident! how many times do we have to go over this..?" said an exasperated Laval.
Cragger backs Laval up a little bit, saying, "and you did nothing to save them! YOU COULD'VE GOTTEN ME THAT CHI!"
"No, I couldn't, it's not mine to give, it belongs to all of Chima." Laval explained to him again.
"Uggh! here we go again! I've heard the great story too, about Mount Cavora! and the legend beasts! and your need to protect Chima from its own Chi!" said Cragger with an annoyed and mocking voice.
"We shaare the chi, to keep Chima balanced! peace and harmony." Laval said.
Cragger, lying on his stomach says to his foe, "Look around you Laval, was that peace and harmony you saw outside your lion temple?!
"No! it was you attacking us!" Laval yelled out at him.
"That's right! and we'll attack you again! so forget about peace and harmony now unless you surrender!" Cragger told Laval.
"What?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" he said in disbelieve.
"You don't have a choice!" said the croc with malice on his voice.
"I'd say you're the one with no choice." Laval responded fiercely.
"Fine then. do it! show me no mercy! I would show none to you." Cragger tells his friend turned foe.
Laval does a war cry and goes for a strike, but his sword's tip ends up scratching a single point onto the forever rock.
Cragger looks up confused, "what? what?! what are you doing?!
"Scoring one for peace and harmony, you mouthy mud lover." He says putting his sword back on his back.
"What?! but you can't just leave me here! I'M YOUR ENEMY!" he calls out to him.
"No, you're not. You're an old pal who forgot who his true friends are, in time you'll come around." Laval says calmly.
Laval goes to picks up a chi before he is tackled over by Cragger as they spin round and round sideways.
Cragger pins Laval down, "When will you learn? I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND!" he says as he throws him in the water.
Laval gets back above water but can barely breathe. "Cragger! old friend...! throw! *coughs* me a vine!" he cries out!
Cragger gathers his belongings and goes to see Laval. "Are you serious?! what part of "I'm not your friend and I'd show you no mercy" did you not understand? you always were a lousy swimmer." He says before he leaves.
Back in the temple, the battle's turned to the attackers favour, Crawley and Crug celebrating their near victory as everything is in total chaos while Longtooth and Lagravis are still on the battlefield surrounded.
"Even with the eagles and gorillas, I'm not sure we can hold on much longer sir." Longtooth laments.
"We must. without us, Chima shall perish." Reassures Lagravis, his spirits are still high.
Meanwhile, back in the Forever Rock, Laval lies floating and unconscious. Until he's dragged back on land by a 4-legged creature. This creature being the lion legend beast itself.
Laval wakes up coughing out water, then staring at the legend beast in disbelief.
Making his way back to the wood surrounding the temple, Cragger consults with his sister.
"Aarrgg! How goes it?" he asks Crooler.
"Their allies have slowed us a bit, but it won't be long until the lion defences crumble completely. And you? Did you deal with Laval?" she asks.
Don't worry, we won't be seeing Laval ever again!" he says with evil glee.
But before they can celebrate they hear a gasps of fear. In the distance, the 2 crocodile siblings along with everyone else bare witness when out of the sun came Laval riding on top of the lion legend beast itself.
"Ah! holy wazoly! I must be seeing things, is that a, legend beast?!" says an awestruck Razar!
Woriz gets off Lagravis staring in disbelief, "That's impossible! legend beasts don't even exist! or do they...?"
*As the eyes of every carved animal on Mount Cavora glows blue every animal bows to the legend beast.
"What's gotten into everyone? Crooler! you too?" cries out a confuse Cragger.
"I've never seen a legend beast.. I've only heard the great story.." whas all she said.
Cragger grunts. "And? it's just a story! and they're just another creature! 4 legs, instead of 2, they're no match for us and our chi!" he says as he plugs the chi without going completely berserk, charging towards the beast.
" I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT A REAL LEGEND LOOKS LIKE BEAST!"
Cragger stands no chance for the legend beast when he's simply slapped all the way into the walls of the lion temple, even creating a crack, sliding down onto solid ground while his tribe raises their weapons against the beast, causing him to roar at the crocodile tribe and makes them terrified.
Laval walks over to the chi. "I believe this belongs to me." He says before he plugs it.
Cragger jumps at Laval but is punched back to where he just was. "Stay down Cragger! it's over!". Cragger attacks again but is put in the dirt.
"Ugh, fine! I surrender... but this was so not fair! you have the chi and the legend beast! what do I have?!" he cries out.
"You have about 10 seconds to get your troops out of here." He proceeds to counts down and gets to 6 while Cragger's entire army retreats.
"You know, this isn't over!" Cragger cries out in the distance.
Lagravis approaches Laval, "You could've completely destroyed him y'know?"
"Yeah, I know dad. the chi gave me that power, but it also gave me the strength to set him free instead." He said to his father.
Lagravis touches Laval's shoulder, "Today son, you really have become a true lion warrior." He says.
FOR CHIMA !
The lion legend beast roars as he exits the area, knowing his job is done, for now.
"Where's the legend beast going?" Eris asks as she watches the beast leave.
"I don't know. But I'm sure he'll be back, when we need him most. Just like the great story says." He tells her.
"The great story? but I thought you only said that was soo boring?" she response with a cheeky grin.
"Nah! it just needed a better ending, and now, it has that." He response.
Out in the distance, a pair of red eyes can be seen.
"That blasted beast! Fine, it doesn't matter. I have everything I came for anyways. Watch out Chima, there's a new chapter in your "Great Story" and it belongs to the Serpentine!"