The Lion Girl of the Merged Realm

Chapter 6: Tooth and Consequences


Deep in Cragger's dream, he heard the sound of a wolf howling. Carrying a torch to light his way, Cragger looked around signs of anything.

Crominus: Cragger…

Cragger stiffened by the voice, knowing it perfectly.

Cragger: Dad? Are you there? (Running towards him) Wait! Dad! Come back!

King Crominus vanished before Cragger's eye.

Cragger: (Lowers his head in sadness) How will I ever find you?

Just as Cragger fell to his knees, his father appeared in front of him.

Crominus: I am closer than you think. You just have to open your eyes…

Cragger woke up and saw Lavertus, making them both lightly scream.

Cragger: What are you doing? And… (Seeing how close he is to him) Why are you so close to me?

Lavertus: (As Lucilia started turning in her sleep fast) I'm no close. Or am I?

Cragger: Cut that out!

Lavertus: Sorry. Heard you shouting in your sleep. Just trying to help. Or was I?

Cragger: Hey, you don't talk to anyone else like that here. Why me?

Lavertus: I don't know what you're talking about. Or do I?

Cragger: (Pushes Lavertus away) That's it. I've had enough of this. (Picking up his spear and his father's crossbow while Lucilia started turning more violently) My father's nearby, and I have to find him.

Lavertus started acting strangely squirrely… Even by his standards.

Lavertus: What? No, he can't be. I mean, you can't. It's just a dream.

Cragger was suspicious by this until he saw the Exiled Lion fidgeting with something behind his back.

Cragger: What's that?

Lavertus: Oh, it's nothing.

Cragger: (Trying to see it) It looks like… (Seeing it was a familiar scarf) A scarf my mother used to have.

Lavertus: (Pulling it away) Nope. Sorry. You can't have seen this on your mother. It's very, very old.

Cragger: There's a painting of her in our castle when she was young, wearing a scarf EXACTLY like that.

Lavertus: (As Lucilia started getting more violent) Oh, really? Well, uh, I mean… Okay, maybe it belong to your mother… A long, long time ago. But it's not like it's my most prized possession in the entire world or anything, that I keep locked in my secret room and only bring it out in the middle of the of the night when no one is looking so I can talk to it. Not at all! (Whispering to the scarf) Sorry, I had to lie. The boy can never know our secret.

Cragger: Huh? What're you talking about?

Back into a corner, Lavertus then noticed Lucilia.

Lavertus: (Pointing to her) Hey, looked at Lucilia. Even when she's asleep, she's all riled up!

The Crocodile Prince turned and saw that Lucilia was growling and close to strangling herself with her blanket.

Cragger: (Knowing her) She's never been this riled up even when someone calls her a Freak! Something's wrong!

Cragger and Lavertus ran to check on her. They tried to wake her up but to no avail. Lucilia's mind was somewhere else, hearing a meeting.

Life: Our Champion has grown stronger and more cunning from this ordeal.

Motion: And heart grows strong in spirit.

Strength: Bah! I'm still not convinced she's worth anything.

Energy: Patience, my friend. Time is on our side.

Lucilia: Who are you?

The Source Dragons saw they had company. A side-effect for when they've chosen Champions is a weak connection to them. The others vanished but the Life Dragon stayed.

Life: You will know one day, my child. For now… Awaken

The Life Dragon snapped her talons and Lucilia sprung awake.

Lucilia: Don't leave!

Lucilia saw she was back in Lavertus' lair.

Cragger: (Holding her) Easy! I got ya.

Lucilia: Cragger? What happened? Where'd they go?

Cragger: Where'd who go?

Lucilia: I… I don't know. (Rubbing her eyes) All I can remember is that they were strange but amazing-looking symbols.

Lavertus: You sure you're okay? You were thrashing in your sleep pretty hard.

Lucilia: (Still confused) I think so.

Cragger: I better take you with me. My father might be close by and I'm going to look around.

Lavertus: (Shoving Lucilia's gear to her) Yes, didn't you say your father was nearby? Maybe you and Lucy should go check on that. (Walks away quickly) Okay, great! Bye-bye.

Lucilia: (Putting her gear on) That was bizarre even for him but maybe I could use some air.

Cragger led Lucilia outside and they soon heard a howl in the distance.

Cragger: A howl… Just like my dream! (Calling out) Dad? Are you here?

Lucilia: That sounds like the Wolf Legend Beast! We better get Worriz!

Cragger: No time!

The Crocodile Prince grabbed Lucilia's hand and ran towards the howl. Back in the lair, Worriz woke up to the Mother Tooth glowing.

Worriz: The Legen's true! The Mother Tooth will be our light in the darkness, it shall show us the way. (Picking it up) The Wolf Beast is near!

Worriz ran out of the lair. Back with Cragger and Lucilia, they were still running through the forest while jumping from plant to plant and over a flowing steam while Worriz followed the tracks. Cragger and Lucilia hid in a bush and pounced on who they thought was stalking them when it was just Worriz catching up.

Cragger: Give it up, Outlander. Struggling will only make it worse!

Lucilia immediately bit Worriz's tail.

Worriz: YEOW! Are you serious?!

Worriz kicked Cragger off and threw Lucilia right onto him.

Lucilia: (Spitting fur out) Worriz? I thought I tasted something familiar.

Worriz: (As his tail pulsed in pain from the bite while Lucilia laughed) Both of you quit messing around. My Wolf Beast is near. (Showing the Mother Tooth) See?

Cragger: (Skeptical) The big tooth told you that?

Lucilia: Technically, the Wolf Tribe's Sacred Artifact.

Worriz: She's right. It's the Mother Tooth! And… Yeah.

Cragger: Look. I don't about your funky fang there, but my father spoke to me in a dream, so I KNOW he's here!

Worriz: (Now the Skeptic) Uh… Let me get this: You think the blah-blah in your dreams is somehow more credible than my sacred, glowing Mother Tooth?

Cragger: (Now hearing it) Er, yeah. Well, now that you put it that way… Hey, why don't the three of us work together on this?

Worriz agreed to the idea and they ran off.

Lucilia: (Skating) Cragger's not the only one who's had a vision! I had one, too.

Worriz: (Running) Really?

Cragger: (Running) She was really riled up. Even worst than when someone calls her a Freak.

The boys flinched, thinking she was going to kill them but Lucilia heard something else.

Lucilia: (Pointing) Over there.

Seeing that the Crawlers were walking nearby, they instantly hid in the bushes, lowering their voices to whispers.

Cragger: (Whisper) Can you turn that thing down a bit?

Worriz: (Hiding it) Sorry.

Suddenly, the trio heard the sound of a Wolf howling. Meanwhile, at Lavertus' lair, everyone who stayed back is asleep snoring. While the Crawlers travel through the Outlands, being led by King Scorm and Queen Spinlyn, a howl is heard which made Worriz excited.

Lucilia: (Gasps) That howl. It's the Wolf…

Worriz: (Overjoyed) LEGEND BEAST!

Lucilia pounced onto Worriz's head and slammed his mouth shut. A Scorpion walked over to investigate but found nothing.

Cragger: (Drawing his spear while whispering) What is wrong with you, Worriz. They almost found us!

Lucilia: (Whispering) And in case you have a hairball for a brain, three against an army aren't good odds for us.

The trio saw the Wolf Beast be gagged by webbing.

Worriz: Oh, no.

Scorm: Can't you keep it quiet or do I have to do everything myself?

Scorm immediately stung the Wolf Beast with his tail. Realizing what Scorm was trying to do, Worriz panicked and rushed to go help the Legend Beast but was held back by Cragger.

Cragger: (Whispering) Not now, Worriz! There's too many of them!

Scorm proceeded in stinging the Wolf Beast. Lucilia, desperate to hold Worriz back, bit his tail again to restrain him. Worriz silently screamed in pain.

Cragger: (Whispering) Calm down, Worriz! We can't help anyone if we get discovered!

Lucilia: (Whispering after letting Worriz's tail go) We'll find a way to save the Wolf Beast, I promise!

The trio watched as the Wolf Beast succumbed to the venom. Suddenly, they noticed the cage the Beast was pulling and saw the occupant.

Cragger: Dad? I'll save you!

Both Worriz and Lucilia grabbed Cragger's tail and pulled him back.

Worriz: Did you just tell ME to calm down?!

Worriz and Lucilia stopped him.

Cragger: But it's my father!

Worriz: I know but we can't help anyone if we get discovered.

Cragger: Who says?

Lucilia: (Frustrated) You did, Swamp Weed!

Cragger: (Groans and throws Lucilia off of him) Doesn't matter! (Walking off) I have to…

Out of nowhere, Plovar flew into Cragger's mouth.

Plovar: Oh, Craggy-wag! I can smell yours and Lucy-wucy's delicious teeth from across the jungle! How I missed the both of you!

Worriz: What's he doing here?

Lucilia: Better question is how did he get here?

Plovar: Oh, it was so awful! I was kidnapped, dragged to this savage land, and then… Forced against my will… To do dental work!

Plovar cried in despair, which confused the trio very much.

Worriz: Wait! You love picking teeth.

Lucilia: Yeah, you did a great job with my fangs.

Lucilia showed her fangs sparkling white.

Plovar: Not this time, Lucy-wucy! I had to fix the fang of their DREADFUL queen!

Cragger: What! They can't do that!

Lucilia: (Snapping fingers) Wait, this might prove useful. If Plovar knows his way around the caves, we might be able to do a rescue mission without the others.

Plovar: Anything to get back at that dreadful queen. Believe me, she needs a lot more than dental work.

Lucilia: Yeah, she's nasty enough to give Crooler nightmares.

Worriz chuckled at the insult to Cragger's sister.

Plovar: HA! My thought exactly! It's her fault I'm even in this awful mess!

Cragger: Guys, shush. I think I heard someone coming.

Plovar: Only thing that spider's queen of is the uglies.

Worriz shushed Plovar but his attempt came too late as the Crawler Tribe found them.

Spinlyn: Who exactly are these Uglies and why am I their queen?

Seeing no chance to escape, the group surrendered and were thrown into King Crominus' cage.

Worriz: Nice going, Plovar.

Lucilia stomped on Worriz's right foot to defend her friend/dentist.

Worriz: (Hopping in pain) Ow! Will you stop hurt me?!

Lucilia: (Smart aleck tone) No.

As for Cragger, he was having a touching reunion with his father as they hugged.

Cragger: (Crying in joy) Dad!

Crominus: Cragger!

Cragger: I missed you so much! I'm just so happy we're together again!

Crominus: Me too, son. How I've longed to see our family and Tribe once more.

Lucilia: (Politely kneeling) Your majesty.

Crominus: (Finally noticing the Lion Princess) Lucilia, perfect! With your brain, my son and Worriz's skills, and my experience we'll be able to figure out an escape plan. Meantime, son, tell me, is everyone okay?

Cragger: Yeah! They're all great! Well… Crooler… Y'know…

Crominus: (Frowns) You didn't listen to HER, did you?

Cragger: (Groaning over being tricked repeatedly) Maybe a little! But it all worked out… Eventually.

Lucilia: Don't worry, sire. I've been keeping her in check.

Crominus: (Chuckles) It's good to see you haven't changed a bit, Lucy.

Cragger: Mom told us about the Spider that helped you.

Crominus: (Grabbing his son's shoulders) Have you seen him?! I haven't seen him for days! Is he okay?!

Cragger: Don't worry, dad! We rescued him! All he had was a few scars and bruises. His name's Sprawler. He's been helping us rescue the remaining Legend Beasts.

King Crominus was ecstatic on finding out Sprawler was good.

Crominus: (Letting go of his son) HA-HA! I KNEW IT! I KNEW THAT KID HAD A GOOD HEART! The second we get home; I'll personally see to it he's rewarded! (Calming down) And your mother?

Cragger: She's fine, Lavertus rescued her.

Lucilia: He's a bit strange but he's been a big help.

Crominus: (Recognizing the name) Who?!

Cragger: Lavertus? Also known as ShadoWind.

Lucilia: The rest of us are holding up at his lair not far from here.

Crominus: (Suspicious tone) You say… He rescued my queen?

Cragger: Well, yeah.

Lucilia: There's a lot more details to it but overall he did.

Crominus: (Turned around angrily) Oh, no. (Growls) Not Lavterus!

Cragger: I know what you mean. Kind of a strange guy. (Realizes what he's saying) Wait! You know him?

King Croinus stiffened, knowing he slipped up on, especially on the last two people who should know.

Crominus: Once… Long ago.

Cragger: Were you friends? Because he's because he's been really strange to me.

Lucilia: Well, stranger by his standards.

Crominus: I'm sorry, son. I never meant for you or Lucilia to find out about any of this.

Cragger: (Confused) Find out about what?

Lucilia: What happened?

Morning soon came and the others were informed what happened last night.

Laval: LAVERTUS! When did they leave? And why didn't you stop them?

Lavertus: I thought they'd be fine! (As Gorzan looked through the periscope) But then I looked through the periscope…

Gorzan looks the periscope and sees the three them being held captive along with King Crominus and Plovar by the Scorpions and Spiders, as the mind-controlled Wolf Beast towed the cage.

Gorzan: They're almost at Cave-Land, dudes.

Laval: We've gotta move.

Lavertus: Whoa! Hold on. You can't just rush into their cave again.

Razar: (With Doubloon scratching his head) Why not, my friend? It worked the last time, yes?

Lavertus: But they'll be expecting you with more guards and Speedors, too.

Eris: He has a point, Laval. We had speed and stealth on our side last time.

Laval: So what?! We just "Leave" our friends and my sister there?!

Lavertus: No, you prepare. I took the liberty of upgrading some of your weapons while you slept.

Gorzan: (Bringing out his fist-shaped hammer) Looks the same to me, dude.

Doubloon pointed to a small button attached to the handle of the fist hammer. Gorzan pressed it and the fist was launched out and hit the wall. It was reeled in by a chain.

Gorzan: Whoa! That fist is far out!

Lavertus: (Holding a banana then inserted it into one of the holders) I also added a convenient banana holder, in case you get hungry.

Gorzan: (Eating) Sweet!

Lavertus: And for you birds and Lighty; An extra blade on each of your fighting staffs.

Sprawler: (Admiring his upgraded scythe) Sweet.

Eris and Razar took out their weapons and saw Lavertus' handiwork.

Lavertus: (Bringing out explosives) As for you, Laval, check out these Chi-powered stick grenades. Found the design specks in your sister's bag thought you could use them.

Laval: (Taking them) Wow! I didn't know you had Chi.

Lavertus: Oh. Eh, I scavenged some from the Scorpions last time we fought them. (Bringing out a very special) But here's the most important item.

It was a sword that looked like Laval's old sword, only the Lion hilt was pure silver while the blade was black metal.

Laval: A Royal Valious Sword?! (Taking it) There are only a few of these in existence!

Lavertus: Four to be exact. They are among the strongest weapons in all of Chima.

Laval: Lucilia is gonna flip when she sees this! But… How'd you get this? Only the Royal Lion Families have these. Even my sister is being debated on even touching one.

Lavertus: (Trying to change the subject) Go! Your friends need you! Now!

Everyone else ran out while Laval stayed.

Laval: You're not coming? It's not just our friends, my sister, and the Legend Beast, King Crominus is there, too.

But Lavertus just got mad at the very mention of the name.

Lavertus: Crominus?! Never!

Lavertus stormed off in a huff.

Eris: Weird. But we need to go! Now!

Laval grabbed his shield and ran for the door.

Laval: Coming, Doubloon?

Grabbing his staff, Doubloon raced for the door. Lavertus watched as they left, silently wondering if he was doing the right thing hanging onto his grudge. Meanwhile, the Crawler Tribe were in the Scorpion Lair, preparing themselves for war.

Scorm: Our combined forces shall squish the invaders here, (Looks at the giant Scorpion statue) in honor of the Great Scorpion in the Sky!

Spinlyn scoffed at Scorm's claim.

Spinlyn: Oh, please. Everyone knows it was the Great Spider in the Sky who dropped that Chi down to us.

Scorm: Nonsense! There is only one creator the Great Scorpion!

Then the duo started bickering like little children over a toy. Scorm and Spinlyn got so mad they attacked each other but the Bat next to them got the blows.

Lucilia: If those two are best friends, then Ravens are well known for their generosity.

Crominus laughed, having missed Lucilia's wittiness.

Worriz: These bugs really bug each other, don't they?

Crominus: You're both right. Sometimes, I think they'd destroy each other if given the chance.

Cragger: (Having an idea) Well, then… Maybe there's a way we can give them that chance?

Lucilia: Right. King Crominus, the Spiders didn't know the Scorpions had Golden Chi, right?

Crominus: What are you two planning?

Lucilia: I got an idea but first we have to get out of here.

Meanwhile, everyone else were outside on the Legend Beasts.

Laval: (Looking through a spyglass) There are a lot more guards than last time and more traps, too.

Sprawler: (On his newly painted Speedor matching his skin color) Stealth and Speed aren't options anymore. And for all we know, they could've blocked a lot of the tunnels so my knowledge won't be useful like last time.

Gorzan: If only we had some Chi.

Laval: (Bringing out the last Orb they had) We only have on Orb left.

Rogon: Fear not, my bold colleagues. (Showing his blaster) I chanced upon this highly-potent interpolarity effectuator ensconced amidst my vehicular provisions next to Lucilia's essentials.

Laval: (Taking a chance) I think he said he found a Boom Boom Double Boomer in his truck next to my sister's supplies.

Gorzan: Coolness.

Sprawler: (Awes) Ooh…

Rogon: It is immensely powerful. I shall use this fine accoutrement to procure bot Chi and transit to subterranean yonder.

Everyone watched as Rogon blasted the enemy gate down. Taking aim, Rogon fired again.

Spider: (Holding Chi) Chi up! Defend the…!

He was cut off by the second shot fired from Rogon's powerful baster, causing him to fall and drop the Orbs of Chi onto the ground.

Gorzan: (Charging on his Legend Beast) Groovy Grounders!

Everyone thundered down to the tunnels while powering themselves up with the discarded Chi. The Crawler Tribes tried to attack but were overpowered.

Gorzan: Dudes, how about a little punch?

The Crawlers thought Gorzan was offering them a drink.

Spider: Oh, I'd like to drink some punch.

They were hammered down and got caught in the Spiders' own net as Gorzan laughed and took a bite out of his banana.

Spider: I'm still thirsty, you know.

Doubloon was using his Spinjitzu to fight. Two Spiders cornered him but he demonstrated his skills with his bo-staff by taking them down. Laval fought well on the Crocodile Beast but the Scorpions soon surrounded him.

Scorpion: This will only sting a lot.

The Scorpions tried to sting Laval but he used his shield to protect himself. Fending off his attackers, Laval saw the Bats coming in from the sky. Rogon charged aboard his Legend Beast.

Rogon: (Charging on the back of his Legend Beast) Experience the propulsive vigor of my interpolarity effectuator!

Rogon opened fire and nailing the Bats as they came.

Sprawler: Great shooting, Rogon!

Gorzan: Go Boom Boom Double Boomer!

Laval: Bladvic! Nap time!

Bladvic and his Legend Beast started to fall asleep, crushing some of Bats.

Laval: (Heading to tunnels) SLEEP TIGHT! AND DON'T LET THE BIG BUGS BITE!

Some Spiders and Scorpions rushed into the fight, only to get crushed by the Bear Beast rolling over. Laval was almost to the tunnels when more of the Bats came in on their Flyers, firing at them from above, when suddenly the Raven Beast swooped in and attacked them.

Razar Change in flight plans, my friends!

Circling around, both the Eagle and Raven Beasts picked off the Bats, giving Laval a clear way inside.

Scorm: (Starting to hear the commotion outside) It appears our guests have arrived. Let's give them a very warm and painful welcome. (Starting his Speedor along with the others) Grab you Chi on the way out. (Driving) Time to squish!

As they drove out, some of them grabbed bandoliers of Chi and started powering themselves up. The heroes rode the Legend Beasts down the caves as they then saw the Chi-powered Crawlers.

Laval: Just get past them, I'll handle the rest. (Throwing Chi Grenades) Look out. Comin' through!

Forcing their way through, the heroes got away from the Grenades just in time.

Scorm: We've got them trapped now!

The grenades exploded and not only knocked some of the Crawlers down but caused sections of the rock walls to cave in. Laval threw another and caused a cave entrance to collapse. Scorm was the only one to get clear and continued to chase after them. The remaining Crawlers were standing ready at the entrance tunnel as roars could be heard as the heroes come out proudly.

Laval: For Chima!

Both sides clashed hard and fast. Cragger and the others saw the carnage.

Cragger: We've gotta get out there and help them!

The Spider that the Eagle Beast dropped next to them inadvertently dropped the trio's weapons and Lucilia's Swiftorz by the cage.

Lucilia: My Swiftorz.

Worriz: I have an idea. (Bringing out the Mother Tooth) Remember that funky fang?

Worriz inserted the relic into the Wolf Legend Beast and it immediately snapped out of the mind control. She howled loudly and broke the chains then freed the prisoners.

Lucilia: (Lacing up her Swiftorz) Worriz, I could kiss you if your breath didn't smell like Skinnet's Stink!

Worriz: (Smirking taking his blade) You're gonna pay for that later! (Jumping onto his Legend Beast) But right now, we got bugs to thrash!

The Wolf Beast jumped into fight. Drawing the Wado Ichimonji, Lucilia skated into the fight. Her brother guided the Crocodile Beast to Cragger and his father.

Laval: Your turn.

Cragger: (Hopping aboard) Thanks, Laval.

Laval: And it's nice to see you're safe, sir.

Crominus: (Hopping aboard) None of us are safe yet. Especially the Lion Beats. (Pointing toward a tunnel) We heard it roaring.

Lucilia: Big brother, we got trouble!

Laval: Trouble?! What trouble?!

Everyone watched as the Crawler Tribes rolled in their attack vehicles and opened fire on them. Laval roared in frustration.

Cragger: They're too strong! Get to cover!

Everyone fled to safety close to the Scorpion Tribe's statue.

Laval: How do we fight those things?

Cragger: We get them to fight each other.

Lucilia: Two words: Golden Chi.

Laval was confused until he put two and two together. Cragger and Lucilia sped towards the base of the statue, much to Scorm's horror.

Scorm: Cease fire! No one hit the Great Scorpion!

Spinlyn: (Scoffing) Should've been a Great Spider.

Lucilia: But Spinlyn, aren't you wondering how the Scorpions made this statue?

Spinlyn: Uh… Actually, yes.

Cragger: It was Golden Chi. The Scorpions had the Raven Legend Beast steal it and hoard it for themselves.

Lucilia: With no intention of sharing it with you Spiders!

Spinlyn: (Shocked and angry) What?!

Lucilia: And that stuff is extremely useful. You can build anything with it. Why, I bet you could build an entire beauty spa all for you, Spinlyn.

Spinlyn: (Glaring at Scorm) And you were going to keep this valuable Chi for yourselves?!

Scorm: Better we use it for our fortress than your ineffective beauty treatment!

Spinlyn: INEFFECTIVE?!

Sprawler: (Grinning as he snickered with his new friends) He struck a nerve, for sure.

Cragger and Lucilia smirked, knowing their plan was working until Scorm thought of something.

Scorm: Wait a minute, if it's Chi then we could just harvest it from the Floating Mountain! They're trying to trick us!

Lucilia: Aw, nuts.

Scorm: Squish them all!

The Crawlers started firing again and the duo ran back to the others.

Cragger: (Looking at everyone) It was worth a try.

Crominus: (Taking his crossbow from his son) You both tried your best, son. That's what counts.

Laval: We got to get the Lion Legend Beast then get out of here.

Sprawler: (Ducking from a near shot) He's right! This carven could collapse on top of us at any minute!

Lucilia: We need to get the eighth and final Legend Beast out of here! NOW!

Suddenly, an energy blast nearly hit King Crominus but Laval pushed him out of the way just in time. The blast caused the ground to collapse and Laval flew down the hole. Lucilia tried to grab him but just ended up falling with him.

Cragger: LAVAL! LUCILIA! NOOOO!