Teeth & Tails

by Rayeverydangday

Summary:

When many in Chima are disappearing and Laval’s acting strange, our heroes may have to face one of their own to save themselves

Chapter 1: Visions

Dear Diary,

I think something’s wrong with Laval! 

I don’t know what exactly but he’s been acting off. It started a week ago. His eyes would change but only for a few moments. I would just brush it off as a trick of the light but as it kept happening I couldn’t help but wonder. They would just shift to pure white before going back to yellow. 

I was ready to brush it off as nothing but that’s not everything. 

Sometimes I feel like he says things wrong. Like his mouth isn’t used to saying certain words. And it’s not names or anything, it's basic words everyone knows! But he’ll say them in such an odd way like his voice is trying to go for a deeper or higher pitch. Cragger joked about it being puberty hitting him with its few last strikes but I don’t buy it. 

Then there’s his neck… it looks like it was snapped in half and then just haphazardly placed back on his head! 

It’s not like that everyday. Sometimes it’ll happen when he’s turning his head and it’ll look as if it’s grown an inch longer! It would bend in ways a neck shouldn’t bend. 

One time I was trying to get Laval’s attention and he was facing away from me. I swear on Mount Cavora his head turned but his body was still facing away from me! His neck would have snapped! I swear I blinked and he was perfectly fine. 

I’ve talked to Cragger about this but he doesn’t believe me. Li’Ella seems to be taking me somewhat seriously. She did ask if these were visions though but I’m not sure. 

I’ve been learning to control my visions more. Learning to activate them through dreams or be able to watch them in a mirror. 

It’s been taking a lot of focus but it’s better than crashing my jet into the lion temple again. 

I wonder if I should tell Lagravis about this. At least he’d make sure Laval’s okay. Though I can’t help but think…

That isn’t Laval at all…

 

-

 

Eris put down her diary and fiddled with the quill in her hand. What if it wasn’t Laval? 

The question haunted her. If it wasn’t Laval who else would it be? A shapeshifter? The idea sounded so stupid but what else was the answer? 

It felt like everyone knew everyone after the Illumination, having made a stronger community amongst themselves. She may not know all the lions personally but she felt like she would have recognized one that resembled a striking resemblance to the literal prince of the lions. 

Eris got up from her desk. One more night of sleep wouldn’t hurt her before she came up with an actual conclusion. She changed into some pajamas and was about to remove her crown when she stopped herself. Staring into its golden reflection. 

She was able to see visions in mirrors but was also able to see them in almost any reflection. She kept staring into its shimmering surface, clearing her mind of anything and everything as she did. No worries to care for, no lies to linger on, just truths to be. 

It felt like five minutes had passed before she swore she saw herself going crossed eyed. Maybe there would be nothing to see tonight?

But before she could put down her crown, she saw a hand. 

One that had razor sharp claws. 

One that wormed its way to lay on her shoulder.

And one that looked as if it had just finished a kill.

Eris gasped, dropping her crown the moment the hand made contact with her shoulder. Her eyes darted around the room in fear but there was no one around. 

She stared at the golden reflection at the tiara on the floor. No hand. No bloody hand wrapped around her shoulder. 

But it still made her sick to her stomach. A bloody hand… was there going to be a murder? Did this… have something to do with Laval? Was he gonna…

Taking a few deep breaths, she picked up her crown (but refused to look in its reflection) and placed it on her bedside table. 

Now she wasn’t sure if she wanted to go to bed. Maybe a book would help. Something lighthearted to keep her mind off of that… 

In the morning she’d tell her friends everything. 

Chapter 2: Nerves

Summary:

Someone does their best

“So have you liked confessed or something?” Worriz turned to the croc. Cragger exaggeratedly groaned and rolled his eyes. 

He couldn’t look the wolf or raven in the eye to tell them. 

“Can we not…” he muttered, turning his attention back to his marshmallows on a stick, leaning back on the forever rock. 

Worriz shrugged, turning his eyes back to the deer meat on his. “Just wondering after last night.” 

Razar chuckled at the other end of the fire much to Cragger’s dismay. 

The other day Cragger told Worriz and Razar he was finally going to confess to Laval after everything they’ve been through. He had told the two about his crush during the ice hunter fiasco as the three of them had grown closer as friends. Which meant they would tease whenever he decided to be a coward about it. Their words, not his.

He said that after they all went into the Outlands. He said that after he found out Laval and Li’Ella decided to be just friends. And he said that the other day. 

But of course he would always chicken out. 

“How’d you two get together?” Cragger asked. He just remembered one day the two declaring themselves as a couple but not remembering them explaining what happened. 

“We made out one time when we were all in the Outlands.” Razar admitted casually. 

A marshmallow flew his way, hitting him in the beak. He laughed despite the attack, Worriz shooting him a mischievously playful look as he chuckled along, Cragger doing the same despite his predicament.

“I wish it was that easy. But I don’t know why it feels so hard!” Cragger choked out between giggles. 

“It’s only hard because you're making it hard. You just gotta go up and ask him like you're gonna die the next morning.” Worriz explained.

“Or trick her into a picnic date.” Razar added. 

Another marshmallow was thrown his way as Worriz yelped, “THAT WAS ONE TIME!” 

The Cragger and Razar burst out into laughter once again at the wolf's outburst. 

As the three continued their chat and wrapped up their campfire, something couldn’t help but bug Cragger…

“Have you guys… noticed anything odd about Laval?” 

Razar and Worriz turned to him with confusion. 

“Why would you say that, my friend?” Razar asked as the wolf tilted his head. 

“It’s just… Eris kept telling me about all this odd stuff going on with him. His eyes changing and his neck looking weird. I didn’t want to believe her but ever since she said that I can’t help but be a little worried.” 

“You sure this wasn’t one of her visions?” Worriz growled softly. Cragger didn’t like the idea either. More visions just meant more trouble and they had enough of that.

“I’m not sure but I thought I’d just let you guys know. Just in case.” Cragger said. 

 Maybe he should just ask Laval directly. That he could handle, unlike the other thing…

”Hmmm maybe I could sell something to him to fix up those eyes of his. He’s probably just… tired heh heh…” Razar laughed nervously, trying to lighten the mood. 

But after Cragger’s warning, the three parted ways into the night, with a little bit of paranoia in the back of their heads. 

 

-

 

It was night but there was still so much to do. 

Lothar shuffled through the halls with a handful of paperwork as he muttered to himself. His fellow elders had already retired for the night, along with the king but he was always one to go above and beyond for his work. He just needed to get a few more things looked over and then he would head to bed. 

The moon provided him with some light to guide his path. He may be able to see in the dark like any other lion but he was getting much older and his eyes weren’t as good as they used to be. He shuffled through his stack of paperwork one more time as he began to head up a set of stairs, squinting at the words.

“Parking rules changing, requests for new supplies, a list of-“

*Clink*

He stopped in his tracks as his ears perked up at such a small sound. He turned behind him but there was nothing there. He shrugged and continued up the steps. 

But when he reached the top he couldn’t help but notice it was a little darker than usual. Even with his limited night vision he could barely see beyond his feet. A small part of him, a part that made him feel fear like that of a child, ate away at him as he stared into the abyss. This didn’t feel right.

*Clink*

There it was again. It sounded like metal lightly hitting the temple floor. 

“Hello?” He called in confusion. It didn’t sound like a lion… 

*Clink*

*Clink*

*Clink*

It went off again and again as Lothar came to the realization that whatever was making that sound was heading straight towards him! He stumbled back, almost falling down the stairs in the process. He grabbed a nearby handle but dropped all his paperwork in the process. 

Forget the paperwork, he had to get a guard or something! This didn’t feel right! 

But before he could even call out for help something whipped right in front of him and in a second dug itself into his eyes. He cried out in pain, holding onto a small hope that at least someone would have heard him scream. 

But whether anyone ever did he would never know, as the thing that dragged him towards its teeth. 

-

 

Dear Diary, 

Someone was killed and I think I know who did it.

Notes:

Sorry if this one feels too short :’3

Chapter 3: It’s Prey

Summary:

In which, Eris informs the gang of her theory and is met with a new vision.

Predator and prey dynamics would often be taught at the spire. How before Mount Cavora when their tribes were just like their legend beast protectors and how differently they worked back then. These dynamics still existed today, through fish and small birds such as chicken being eaten by the tribes. But that was just it.

It was the non-evolved animals that would be eaten. The ones that didn’t display any sort of intelligence. The wolves may brag about supposedly eating a lion here and there during the war but that was all bark and no bite. 

This was different.

It had been three days after the attack. Lagravis had ordered a shutdown of the temple in an attempt to catch whoever did this. Or whatever did this…

But that didn’t mean he couldn’t stop any lion from telling a few tall tales of what happened. 

Eris had not seen the body herself but she had heard enough of the rumors to get the picture. Some said he had no head. Some said all that his organs had been spread around the hall haphazardly like party decorations. Others claimed he was nothing more than a skinless limbless carcass with the only identifiable thing left being the shredded remains of a bloody lion elder’s robe. 

But even if the stories didn’t line up one thing would always stay the same. 

The lion was eaten, as evidenced by the bite marks. 

No guard had found the murderer or any evidence of a break in. Which meant whoever did this could very well be still inside the temple…

 Eris looked up at the lion gate as she walked up temple steps. What had once been a place that made her feel safe now gave her a shiver run down her spine. And the sharp teeth mounted on the lion head weren’t helping. Nor did the many guards lining the area. Seems they wanted a bit more protection. 

She followed Ewald into the temple, noticing his attempts to keep himself together despite the situation. All the leaders of the tribes had gathered to discuss what had happened, in case such an attack would happen to any other tribe. She had been asked to tag along, since “as the future leaders of Chima” she was meant to know about things like this and how to handle it. No matter how grim it may seem, she had to stay strong. For the tribes, for Chima, and for herself. 

Luckily that meant that her friends would be there. Which also meant Laval would be there…

But was it really Laval that had caused this? Between the mannerisms, the vision, and now this, there’s no way it couldn’t be connected. But she couldn’t warn anyone now when she had no evidence and the murder was maybe possibly right there. 

When they entered the throne room they saw Lagravis and Longtooth talking with a few of the elders, who were dawning black robes instead of their usual blue. From the looks on their faces it clearly wasn’t good. 

Lagravis gave them a nod of acknowledgement before continuing with the conversation. 

Lavertus lounged on the throne, chewing at his claw with an irritated expression. But when he noticed the eagles, he gave them a grin as others started filing in. 

Gorzan and Grumlo, Bladvic and Balkar, Rogon and Rhigor all came around at the same time. She ushered Gorzan, Bladvic, and Rogon as their respective leaders talked amongst themselves. Speaking in whispers in order to keep Bladvic awake and to make sure no one heard them.

“You think LAVAL did this? Dude…” Gorzan struggled to keep a low volume. 

Eris shushed him. “Haven’t you noticed him acting weird? Looking weird?” 

Rogon and Gorzan turned to each other, muttering a dude and bro under their breath respectfully. But it was Bladvic who piped up in the end.
“I guess his dreams are feeling a little weird.” He yawned. 

Eris blinked at the bear. “What- Dreams? What do-” 

She whispered right into the bear's ear in order to keep him wide awake. Her words must have made him realize what he just said as his eyes grew wide. 

“Oh! Uh…I- Oh well, it should be fine to tell you all. But we bears can travel into others dreams, we even share a big great dream with each other. And… sometimes I go visit you guys. Just to hang out.” He looked a little guilty as he finished, staring at his feet, hands behind his back. 

Eris tried to think of every dream she could remember, pacifically ones that featured Bladvic in any way. She could vaguely remember him coming up to her in dreams and asking if he could join along in whatever odd scheme her brain decided to cook up. She considered getting a dream journal alongside her diary.

Rogon’s eyes lit up. “Bro, that's so cool! Were you in my dream last night?! I found a lot of cool gravel rocks!”

“Hopefully you weren't in my dream last night.”

Eris’s heart skipped a beat at Razar’s voice, making her realize just how jumpy she felt the entire time. 

“How long were you there?” she grinned, playfully sticking her tongue out at the raven who made a face back at her. 

“Long enough to wonder if the passwords to our safes are indeed safe, my friend.” The raven smirked, turning towards the bear.

Bladvic shrugged. “It should be fine. We don’t really care about those kinds of things. But for Laval, I tried going into his dreams a few times and it’s clear he’s been having a few nightmares here and there. Or he’s just sleeping dreamlessly some nights. But I tried going into one of his nightmares to see if I could calm him down. And…”

Bladvic stopped for a moment. Pondering his next words. 

“He looked as if he had come out of… a fight? All scratched up with bite marks…” He whispered the last part, remembering the whole reason they were here. 

“Did you ask him about it? In real life?” Eris whispered back. 

“I did. But he said he was fine. Just a bad dream.”

No one was too convinced. 

“Okay, here's the plan. We just need some evidence to prove that… him and the murder are connected. But don’t bring it up to anyone yet. Just keep an eye on-“

“HEY GUYS! HEY LAVAL!”

Once again Eris found herself resisting the urge to jump out of her skin as Cragger happily joined their little group, along with his sister, Crooler who looked as miserable as ever. He waved over towards the throne then back to their little group. But Cragger’s smile wavered as he got a look at their faces. 

“Hey. What’s wrong?” He tilted his head. 

But Eris’s eyes (along with everyone else’s) drifted over to the newly present prince. He was standing right next to Lagravis, who snapped his claw to get the checky Lavertus off his throne, who grinned mischievously with a shrug. Laval smiled a normal smile, looked at them with normal eyes, and titled his head with his normal neck. She must have been staring for a long time because Cragger remarked. “Geez, did you stalk him last night? You look like you’ve barely slept.” 

“Yeah, those are definitely bags under her eyes.” Crooler added. 

But before Eris could make any remark to the croc twins, Lagravis announced for the meeting to begin. She and her friends had been so caught up with their conversation they hadn’t even noticed that everyone was here. 

Including the crawlers, former hunters, Tormak, and Bezar. Worriz already stood in as spokeswolf for his tribe though looked as if he was interested in what their little friend group was talking about. 

“I’ll fill Worriz in later, my friend.” Razar whispered to Eris, clearly noticing her staring. 

“And I’ll try checking on Laval’s dreams again tonight.” Bladvic added.

Eris nodded to the two as they all regrouped with their respective superiors.

The meeting, immediately, was very boring.

 Eris appreciated Lagravis as a good king and a good leader, but leave it to him to make a murder mystery boring. Her lack of sleep was definitely not helping as she found herself drifting off here and there as he listed fact after fact. Sometimes she found herself being awoken by the sound of someone yelling, usually Worriz or Scorm. Who both already looked like they didn’t want to be here. 

Scrom seemingly a bit more as his own eyes seemed to occasionally drift close. Spinlyn being the only thing that made sure he stayed awake. He would suggest some outlandish take on the situation or make a suggestion here and there. Her favorite had to be when he suggested tasting the body to be able to see who else had eaten it. It was probably a scorpian thing but she could see that many others didn’t find it helpful. 

Meanwhile Worriz occasionally shot a loving glance at Razar, who was sitting next to Eris.

Though that was the least of her concerns as she would continue to stare at Laval any chance she got. She didn’t want to make it too obvious, still glancing at whoever was talking but her eyes were still locked on the lion. 

Who still looked normal but did he look too smiley? Or was that- Wait! He’s opening his mouth! Oh, he was just yawning. She guessed even murderers get bored.  

As the meeting was almost brought to an end, everyone having their say Crominous brought up an interesting point. 

“And we sure this was a lion who did this?” 

The croc king didn’t intend it but something changed in the room.

Eyes shifted around the table, almost accusingly, as the possibile reality of some other tribe member committing such a crime. Especially one that involved cannibalism. 

Lagravis noticed the brewing tension immediately and shot it down.

 “I’m not going to point any fingers. If it turns out that the murder is indeed not a lion then I will discuss it with the leader of that tribe privately. I’m sure this was not intended to be an act of war.” 

He said the last part softly with kindness in an attempt to reassure the room. 

The war was over. No one wanted to fight again. But whoever did this didn’t care for things such as peace. 

After a few more words here and there the meeting was adjourned, leaving Eris tempted to speak to Laval. 

But what would she say? If too many people were asking if he was sick then he’d start to grow suspicious. 

But she began to head over to him anyway, noticing Cragger was doing the same. At least he’ll be beside her even if the croc didn’t agree with her theories. But something soon caught her eye.

 

Some sort of black shadow scurried out of the temple, attempting to stay in the shade of the lion statues as best she could. She couldn’t tell what it was as it dashed around but it was pretty small. Maybe it was just a mouse? 

Then why did she feel the need to follow, calling out to Ewald that she’ll meet him at the jets as she did. 

As she lightly sprinted after the shadow, she noticed there weren’t that many guards around. Was she having another vision? Then the unseen guards must have thought she looked crazy, as she leaped over the shadow and caught it in her hands. 

“Ha! Got- AHHHHH!” 

In one swift motion, the little shadow had turned to an arm emerging from the ground. Claws scraped at the floor as Eris flew into the air to avoid its attack. 

This was just a vision! She was fine! SHE WAS FINE! But all the training she had put herself through, all the self remedies she came up with were failing her as she watched, the shade soon revealing itself to look just like her best friend.

“Laval? What's happened to you?” She whimpered. 

The shadowy creature didn’t answer. It raised its head as if to stare at her, despite its lack of eyes. The all too similar looking mane flowing down his shoulders. But it sooned opened its mouth to grin at her and it seemingly was filled to the brim with teeth. 

Well at first glance. She squinted and noticed that its teeth weren’t teeth but weapons! Weapons from all sorts of tribes, of all sorts of varieties. 

A wolf sword and a lion sword made up its fangs while the fists of a pair of gorilla gauntlets made up the bottom and top of its front teeth. A rhino and bear hammer sat in the back of its mouth while a croc spear and raven axe acted as its bottom fangs.

Wait a minute. 

These were her friend's weapons! What did this thing do? What will it do?! 

The creature's eyes finally opened and Eris’s horrified look reflected in their glossy white surface. 

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!” She screeched, baring her claws. 

The creature did not answer as it shot one of its own claws straight for her. She wasn’t fast enough as it caught her, digging its nails deep into her flesh. She screamed at the pain and at the anger she felt. This thing took her friends, it took them, and she was going TO KILL IT! 

Any logic left Eris’s brain as she was able to yank her arm out of its grasp and scratch at the oddity’s flesh. But all her effort and all her anger was futile as it continued to drag her into its waiting mouth. 

But she just kept screaming in rage, she just kept fighting with all her might. Refusing to go peacefully into it’s waiting mouth.

…

…

…ris…

…Eris…

… Hey… Eris…

ERIS!

“ERIS!” 

The eagle gasped at the sound of her name. Two hands firmly held her shoulders and she smacked it away still reeling from the vision. But immediately felt bad when she was met with the amber eyes of Li’Ella, whose face was filled with concern.

“Are you okay?”

Chapter 4: A Steady Hand at Play

Summary:

Another friend would be helpful

Eris took a breath. 

“Yeah…yeah I’m okay.” She choked out. In the corner of her eye she saw a few guards attempting to divert their gaze. 

Li’Ella made a gesture to put her arm around Eris’s shoulder as if to ask if it was okay. The eagle allowed it and the lioness guided her to a much quieter place in the lion city. 

Eris didn’t know much about the lioness but despite Laval and Li’Ella breaking up she would hang out with their little friend group from time to time. They walked along the Temple walls as the sound of busy town life echoed from below. Guards chatted amongst themselves, people traded goods, families called out to their laughing children. 

It all made Eris fear whatever they were facing more and more as she looked down at the many happy lives being led. Which one of them would they strike next? Would it even be someone living in the city? The first person to die was a government official so maybe they were just striking those in positions of power. 

But what would a shape shifting monster (if it even was that) need to gain from this? 

“Was that a vision?” Asked Li’Ella, as they stopped to take in the city.

Eris nodded. “A bad one too. I thought I could handle them now but that one just snuck up on me.” 

She laid her head in her arms, leaning on the balcony for support. Tears started to fall from her eyes. Why did this have to be so hard sometimes? She thought she was doing better!

Li’Ella patted her back reassuringly.

“How come you weren’t in the meeting?” Eris asked, wanting to change the subject. 

Li’Ella’s hand seemed to flinch. “I was going to go in with my Dad but I guess I couldn't really handle it. I just felt all sick at the idea of someone from my tribe dying so horribly.” 

How would she feel when she found out who did it?

“I’m so sorry to hear that. I can’t imagine something like that happening to a member of my own tribe.” 

The idea terrified her even more. Would Laval, or this thing playing Laval, try to get up to the Eagle Spires? Could it climb its way up there? She shuddered at the thought. 

“I’m sure it’ll be okay. There's no way someone who did that messy of a murder couldn’t have left some clue.” 

Eris hummed in false agreement with Li’Ella’s statement. Should she tell her? She told her other friends but it always felt like Eris’s bond with them was greater than it was with her. But what if the creature came after her? 

Honestly it felt wrong to keep such a secret from so many people but she didn't know what to do! If she told everyone Laval did it would that make it better? But if she had yelled it to the whole meeting, wouldn’t that thing just kill everyone in the room?

If it could do damage like that to a lion elder, what else was it capable of?

A million things swarmed in her brain, and Li’Ella must have noticed her making a face. 

“Eris?” 

The eagle turned to Li’Ella, staring into her amber eyes. 

Maybe telling one more person wouldn’t hurt…

 

-

 

When Cragger finished talking to Laval, Worriz and Razar were waiting for him. 

“I purpose a break in, my friend.” Razar whispered as the three walked out of the temple together.

“WHAT?!” Cragger cried out. The wolf and raven shushed him, all the while getting odd looks from a few guards. The croc clearly didn’t know the definition of an inside voice. 

“What?” Cragger whispered quietly as they walked down the stairs, away from the many guards. 

“I was just thinking that we could try to find some evidence to see if our feline friend really is the killer.” Razar explained.  

“That sounds like a really bad idea.” Cragger started but Worriz cut him off. 

“Well do you have anything better?! So far we only know of suspects and I don’t know about you but I don’t want any of my wolves getting eaten alive.” 

“Nor do I want any of my ravens. Even if it would eliminate some competition when it comes to sales.” Razar chuckled at his grim joke. 

Cragger sighed. He couldn’t really argue with that. And if Eris was right and Laval really was the killer…

“Ok… Tomorrow I’m gonna go hang out with Laval. I could invite him to the swamp while you two sneak in.”

The wolf and raven let out sighs of relief. 

“Thanks, Cragger.” Worriz muttered. “You better not tell anyone I said thanks.” He immediately threatened. 

“And I will give you any evidence of Laval’s feelings being mutual, my friend! For a small price of course.” Razar smiled.

 

-

 

Crooler placed her piercings back into her jewelry box and sighed. Today has been a long day.

Her parents had insisted that both Cragger and her came along to the meeting out of fear one of them would be next to be killed. As much as she didn’t like the idea of going to the meeting in the lion temple she did enjoy the attention just a bit. 

At least it meant that they still cared…

After putting on her pajamas, she stared out into the night, slightly hating how self-reflect-y she felt. She decided to just focus on the peaceful swamplands before her. Instead of cringing at her past mistakes. 

Crickets sang out in the distance, the water ebbed and flowed about, and she couldn’t help but smile a little when she noticed bunches of fireflies here and there. 

And-

Wait. Those ones weren't fireflies.

She squinted her eyes and stared at two white orbs floating in the distance. But as they crept closer and closer, she realized that they were eyes! The body they belonged to blended into the night perfectly. But from what she could make out, it had very long stick-like legs. And as it neared the water it continued onward, simply walking along the bottom of the lake. Which only reached up to its knees…

Crooler blew out the candle light in her room in hopes that whatever that was wouldn’t notice her. To her luck, it simply continued its stride forward, heading past the crocodile fort. Despite it being in the water it barely made a sound as it continued its stride. It wasn’t until they were out of sight that Crooler finally snapped out of her trance. She had to warn someone! Tell a guard or something!

She practically threw herself onto her bedroom door as she opened it. No guards were in the hall however. She dashed out of the room and called out, “Hello? Anyone!? Something’s wrong!”

Over her screams she heard snoring. Turning a corner she found Crawly and Crug both leaning against each other as they snoozed away. 

She grabbed them both by their chi harnesses and shook them awake. 

“Wha- what’s? What’s going on?!” Crawly sleepily muttered.

“Hello, Moss for brains! There’s some kind of monster creeping around the fort and you’re both sleeping on the job!” She growled in frustration.

“Just a little nap.” Was Crug’s rebuttal. 

Before she could scold them anymore however, there was a call. 

When push came to shove, many throughout the tribes would resort to using their animal calls instead of words. This would happen in moments of anger, joy, or even pain.

This time it was the last.

Crooler, Crug, and Crawly weren’t the only ones. By the dock a group of guards had gathered by something. While others hopped on their own jet skis to catch up with whatever was still screaming into the night. 

She shoved aside guard after guard, using her royal status to get through. When she got to the front an arm prevented her from getting any closer. She was about to let out a verbal lashing to the guard, when she realized it was Cragger, his face plastered with worry and horror. 

Crooler softened her angry expression when she saw him and turned to see what he was looking at. Her face mirrored her twin as she stared at what laid before her.

The bottom half of a croc guard’s eaten body.

Chapter 5: Fight or Flight

Summary:

Crooler and Cragger met up with Laval

Now Cragger could say he was scared. Hearing about the murder of a lion was one thing, actually seeing the dead body of someone from the crocodile tribe was another. 

The body was identified as General Crokenburg, who was simply going out for a bit of fresh air. When a few guards nearby heard the sound of the poor croc screaming as he was being dragged away into the swamp. They were never able to find the top half of his body…

But they did find his bottom metal jaw.

His Dad decided it would be best to cremate the remains and began to plan a proper send off to honor all the help he had been in the war of ice and fire. 

Cragger had never knew the guard personally but now that he had seen what-

…

What Laval had done… he was now even more terrified than ever to go and hang out with him.

A small part of him still wanted to think this wasn’t Laval’s doing. But after last night, he was starting to brew theories of his own. What if Laval was possessed and being forced to eat his people by some ghost! What if he was being manipulated to help someone kill these people for him, and in turn he gained super weird traits like that neck thing Eris was talking about!

The last two seemed so outlandish but there was one that made his mind wander.

What if… what if this really was Laval’s true self?

 If Eris could be born with visions, could Laval be born with a hunger that was so great he had to consume other citizens of Chima? It made Cragger's guts twist and turn in his stomach. His best friend, someone he loved and craved for turning into a cannibal king! 

Cragger looked out the window, waiting for any sign of the lion showing up at his door. He still had to do his side of the plan with Razar and Worriz. 

He wasn’t sure what on Earth they could find but he hoped it was a way to end this nightmare.

A knock came at the door and Cragger jumped. Luckily, it was just his sister, which was a little less scary.

“Heeey.” She said it as if she was trying to hold back some venom but it unfortunately slipped into her speech.

“Hey. Are you okay? After last night and all-“

“Yeah.” Crooler cut him off. “But I saw something last night. And no matter who I tell, no one believes me.” She huffed out a breath then muttered. “Guess that’s what I get after everything…”

Cragger slightly wanted to agree but he’d be a hypocrite since he was friends with two other people who had caused disharmony in Chima. Ones he hoped would return safe…

“What did you see?” He asked.

Crooler gave him a serious gaze, as if she was examining him for any hint of insincerity in his face. He patted the side of his bed, motioning for her to take a seat.

It seemed to do the trick as the crocodile princess’s expression softened and she sat next to him. When she explained what she saw last night, Cragger’s stomach did a somersault. 

“So something like that could be Laval?”

“That was Laval!” Crooler gaped at the thought. 

“Yeah. I didn’t really believe it at first but from the way he’s been acting with this all going on there’s no way it can’t be him.” 

“What else has been going on?!” 

“Well Eris said sometimes he doesn’t look right or sound right. She said she’s at the library right now to do some research but I don’t know-“

“Hey Cragger, Laval’s here to see you!” Crawly called out from the halls.

The royal twins both turned to each other with expressions of horror. 

“Can you come with me?” Cragger asked, hoping, praying his sister would say yes.

A look of confliction flashed in her eyes for just a moment before she nodded. 

They said goodbye to their parents, who were surprised to see them together but nonetheless grateful they were.

“Stay out of trouble you two.” Their Father said, but looked at Crooler as he did so.

“And bring your weapons along just in case.” Their Mother added. 

They didn’t have to be told twice. Cragger had already put his spear behind his back, while Crooler carried her whip.

Waiting for them at the edge of the waters was Laval the… someone… 

Well it still looked like Laval.

“Hey Cragger!” It still sounded like an excited Laval. 

“Hey Laval.” Cragger said with uncertainty. “Hope you don’t mind that I brought my sister along. My parents are pretty worried after yesterday's attack.” 

Laval just smiled. “It’s fine with me. Maybe she can join us in a speedor race!” 

Crooler blinked at the suggestion but Cragger just seemed to go along with it. 

“Yeah that doesn’t sound too bad. We were still tied last time, remember?” Cragger tried to hide any accusatory remarks in his words. In an attempt to test the lion. Though he wasn’t exactly sure when Laval was maybe swapped out. He wished he had listened to Eris’s rants about the subject now.

“Are you sure? Cause I remember winning that round last time!” It felt like such a classic Laval line and Cragger couldn’t help but find himself smiling. Damn it, this thing was good! 

If it even was something else. UGH! Why did this have to be so confusing!? 

Regardless, the croc twins grabbed their speedors and raced the would-be lion around the swamp. 

Cragger won a few rounds. Laval won a few rounds. Even Crooler won some, happily bragging about it. 

“You just got lucky!” Cragger retorted playfully. 

“I don’t need luck to beat either of you.” She smiled. 

Cragger couldn’t remember the last time his sister actually smiled. Not a scheming smile or a smile that formed after seeing someone’s whole world shatter before her. But a genuine smile. And Cragger smiled back, even more grateful she was playing with them. 

 

“From here to swamp.” Crooler declared. It was their last race before it got too dark. The sky had already been dyed pink and orange as the sun set. 

“You're on.” Cragger agreed. Laval nodded. 

She counted to three and they all dashed forward. 

Cragger quickly surpassed her, cackling along the way. Crooler revved up her engine ready to shoot after him. But Laval had quickly done the same, dashing in front of her. Before she could maneuver around him however he quickly slammed on his breaks. 

With no time to stop her speedor rammed right into his. She was sent into a free fall and soon found herself sinking into the river. 

Laval had rammed her! She couldn’t believe it! Lions loved rules and ramming people off the track was a pretty sneaky trick. She should know, she paid Worriz to do it to him. 

Which meant this was definitely not Laval! 

The world seemed to spin and everything was a bit blurry as she sunk to the shallow bottom. Crooler wasn’t worried about drowning but she was worried about her brother. She quickly collected herself as she paddled up to the surface as quickly as she could. She gasped when she felt the cool night air on her skin. Has it always been this dark during the race? 

“Cragger!” She cried, shrilly.

No response.

She swam to land and quickly looked around. She saw her speedor laying on its side, with Laval’s park a few inches in front of it.

Crooler didn’t know much about the lion, but if Cragger’s words rang true, then she knew the lion loved his speedor and would never abandon it like this. 

“Brother!” 

Again no answer. She continued calling out to him, hoping that maybe, just maybe he’d be okay.

As she followed along the race's intended path she found his speedor. It laid there on one side and now dawned a few claw marks on the other. As if someone had been trying to hold on tight.

“Brother…” she whimpered. 

Crooler knew no matter how loud she cried, he would never be able to hear her. 

-

 

“You sure know your way around here, huh?”

“I’ve been meaning to come back and grab a few things, my dear.” Razar picked up a duck toy before tossing it aside as Worriz sat by the window. They hadn’t heard back from Cragger yet on Worriz communicator but since the croc said he would message them when Laval is coming home they decided it would be fine to stay a little longer. 

Leave it to the sneakiest and stealthiest to find any clues on the lion. Though they had been here for over an hour and there was nothing to be found. 

“Think we should just go?” Worriz asked. 

“Let me just… AH-HA! Found something!” 

Worriz immediately got up from his spot and looked over to see what the raven had found.

“The shadowind chronicles?” Worriz read out loud. The two remembered Laval talking about how his Uncle had given him a journal of his time in the Outlands. He shared it with them, allowing them to borrow the book occasionally. Except for Razar. 

“How’s this gonna help us?” Worriz asked. 

The wolf realized the raven was holding open a place with his hook and revealed Laval’s chicken starch writing. 

“I believe this will be of help, yes?” 

Worriz let a soft smile creep across his face as he kissed his partner on their forehead. 

“Great now let’s get-“

The two turned to find a pair of amber eyes staring at them. 

Worriz froze in place, the only movement he made being his hand hovering over his sword. Razar, the more vocal of the two, quickly pulled his jaw off the floor and began to make excuses. 

“My-my friend! Why- We just came-“

“Shhhh.” Laval whispered, instantly silencing him. “You know this is actually very fortunate.” 

“What?” Worriz said, in as loud of a voice as he could. He’d rather get caught by a guard than by Laval right now.

The sound of bones shattering echoed throughout the room as Laval’s limbs twisted in length. As if something inside him was trying to free itself within the lion's very bones. A smile carved itself into his face, one that seemed to show way more teeth than the average lion had. In a blink, his eyes turned from amber eyed to pure white pupiless eyes. 

Whatever this thing was, it was most certainly not Laval. 

The creature seemed to stand there for hours as Razar and Worriz gaped at it in horror, seemingly waiting for it to make the first move. Unfortunately Razar was the only one that saw it. 

The creature's arms shot forward, ready to grab the two. Razar instantly flew into the air, letting the things right arm crash into the wall. Worriz, however, was not so lucky as claws dug into the wolf’s flesh. 

Razar attempted to fish for the axe on his back but struggled with the book in his hand. 

“Razar! RUN-“ Those were the wolf’s last words as the thing bit down on the wolf’s head. Worriz’s own sharp nails attempted to dig into the creature’s face in an attempt to get the thing to let him go. 

“WORRIZ!” The raven shrieked.

But all he could do was watch as his partner, his lover, his dearest’s arms fell limp. 

The horrid sound of teeth chewing away at blood echoed throughout the room. The wolf’s once lively body, full of nothing but fury and fight, was now only supported by the creature's grasped. His neck oozed out gushes of bright red blood that splattered to the floor. 

Razar wanted nothing more than to drop everything and tear this thing apart. To cut off its head! To rip it apart as if he could still find Worriz trapped in its horrible stomach! As if he could still save him! If he just- 

But…

If this thing could take down Worriz so easily then he knew he would not stand a chance. It was fight or flight, and he was much better at flying the fighting.

So with a heavy heart and all the might he could muster, he flew out the window, not daring to look back to see if the thing would dare chase after him. 

But as he dashed into the night, all he could hear was the sound of flesh and bone being eaten away.

Notes:

I hope I wrote a good death scene those can be pretty hard

Chapter 6: Raven Tears

Summary:

Three down, five more to go…

Once again, Crooler found herself staring at the window. She couldn’t take the sounds of guards rushing about, boat engines revving up, and her father barking orders. 

She knew it was all pointless. No matter how many guards they sent to search the swamp they would never find Cragger. 

For all she knew that thing had already eaten him up! Though it did feel unusual for the creature to steal him away instead of eating him up then and there. They always left some sort of remains. Did that mean Cragger was still alive? Or did he take him away to be eaten elsewhere since she was still around.

Well why not eat her too?! Not that she minded too much; she liked being not eaten. 

More and more questions ran through her brain, along with her replaying the moments just before Cragger’s disappearance. 

Didn’t he say Eris was trying to find a way to stop this thing? Guess that meant she would have to take a trip to Eagle spire. Sweet chi, at this point she’d throw herself into the Gorge of Eternal Depth if it meant getting her brother back-

“AHH!” She yelped when she saw two yellow eyes staring down at her at the top of her window. But she quickly realized it was just Razar, a very shaken Razar at that.

“What are you doing here?!” She quietly yelled at him. He crawled into her room, clutching onto some book like it was a lifeline. 

“Where- where’s Cragger?” He almost asked timidly. 

Crooler put a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to reassure him despite the troubling news she had. 

“He’s gone! Laval took him!”

He looked as if he was ready to fall to his knees. 

“No… No. NO! Not him too!” He whimpered. 

“What are you talking about?” 

It was such a simple question but it practically shattered the bird to pieces. Gone was the confident, cocky salesraven. Now replaced with a shivering, broken wreck falling to his knees in tears. 

“Razar?” Crooler knelt down to the raven’s level, as Razar curled up around the book in his lap.

It was a bit difficult to make out his words through his cries. Only vaguely making out “gone” and “Worriz”.

Oh no.

”Razar what happened?” She asked in as calm a voice as she could muster. 

“Worriz… It… It killed him.” 

Crooler gasped. 

Worriz was DEAD?!

Worriz the wolf, the one who was always ready for a fight, the one who growled first and asked questions later, the headstrong representative of the wolf tribe, was gone…

She couldn’t believe it! She could barely grasp the idea of Cragger being gone, not Worriz too! 

She tried to think back to the last time she talked to the wolf. It must have been around the time they came back from the Outlands. But she couldn't remember a single word he said. Was it just some passing by greeting? 

She didn’t know.

Razar continued to sob away as Crooler rubbed circles into his back. It must have been a much harder bit for him than it was for her. Neither of them spoke for what felt like hours but was probably nothing more than ten minutes. 

Just them sitting together, mourning the loss of their friend.

Soon Razar took a breath and sat up. His yellow eyes tinted red at the edges. Slowly, he finally presented the book in his lap. 

“This *sniff* This was Laval’s journal. We thought maybe there could be some answers to what happened to him.” He said, doing his best to talk through his tears. He handed it off to Crooler, who flipped through the book with furious intent.

Anything to distract herself from the now!

The first chunk of the book was dedicated to Lavertus’s daily life in the Outlands. But after a few good flips the handwriting changed and it began to describe Laval own. 

Dear journal

Hi, 

Laval’s Log day

I’m not really sure how to start this. But I figured since my Uncle didn’t complete writing in this book, I thought I would! Hi, I’m Laval

 

Crooler immediately began flipping through the pages again, trying to find answers. 

 

We beat those Hunters again today!

 

Nope.

 

Gorazn tried to teach me how to use his mech again! But I think I’ll stick with my tank.

 

Still no. 

 

I think I have feelings for my best friend.

 

Wait…

Crooler gaped at what she was reading. Tonight was just full of surprises, huh? Razar must have noticed her shocked expression as he wiped at his eyes. “What?” he simply choked out.

Crooler handed him the book, her jaw still hanging out as she replayed what she just read. 

Razar skimmed it, mumbling a few words as he read. He let out a laugh that held no humor. 

“Guess he had nothing to worry about. But we don’t have time for needless gossip.” He spat, closing Crooler’s still open jaw. 

The bird was right, “will they-won't they” affairs can wait. They kept flipping through page after page, skimming past descriptions of lunches, playdates, lectures his father had given him.

They must have been somewhere in the middle of Laval’s ramblings when they found something of interest. 

 

I think I saw something lurking by the temple walls last night. I thought it was just a guard but when I approached it, it flew away. I asked if anyone saw it but they didn’t. It looked like a mix of a mouse and a bird. With white eyes and black fur. 

I’ll have to ask any mice if they know who it is.

 

Razar and Crooler turned to one another. 

“White eyes and black fur! Just like I saw last night!” She whispered with excitement. Finally! A clue!

Razar nodded. “Laval had white eyes when he… keep going!” 

But it seemed that was where the clues ended. 

The last entry was about him hanging out with Eris and Gorzan, with no mention of a mouse-bird. 

“So that thing replaced him? Some mouse bird?” Crooler whispered. Not exactly the two most intimating combinations. No offense to the bird in the room. 

“Or is controlling him.” Razar added. 

Neither argued with the other. For all they knew both theories could be correct for how outlandish of a situation they were in. 

Crooler closed the book and stood up. “Cragger told me about Eris. We have to go tell her! Before that thing does anymore murder!” 

Razar nodded. As he stood up he looked at her sheepishly. 

“May I spend the night here? I just don’t want to get caught by that thing. Or even lead it to my home.” He asked. 

“Of course!” Crooler didn’t even blink. She already lost Worriz and Cragger, she couldn't lose Razar too. 

“Rawzome won't be worried that you vanished to, riiiiiiight?”

“I told my father the plan. We ravens are no strangers to laying low for such things.”

Huh, must be nice to have a father who you can talk to AND who trusts you.

“Ok, then… Maybe- I- Uhhhhhh.” She thought for a second. Should she just tell her parents about hiding Razar? They’ll probably ask why he was here, which would open up a can of biters eventually. But she didn’t feel like dealing with that tonight just yet. (And she doubted the poor lion tribe didn’t want to deal with the inevitable questions her parents would demand to be answered that very night. Wait, was she giving… SYMPATHY TO THE LION TRIBE? Tonight really was full of surprises!) 

Oh right, Razar.

“How about you just stay in my room and in the morning I’ll just tell my parents you came to tell me the news.” 

“What if they come to kill me here then?!” Razar quickly realized in a frenzy. 

Crooler gulped. She didn’t want to give that thing any other reason to come crawling back. 

“Then I’ll hide you here. You can just stay in my room for tonight and tomorrow… I could hide you in the dungeon?”

It didn’t sound like the greatest vacation stay but the raven seemed grateful nonetheless. 

“Thank you, my friend.”

Crooler allowed Razar to freshen up in her bathroom before setting up a makeshift bed for him on the floor as she gathered supplies for her quick trip to the Eagle Spires. 

She knew of a stream that could lead her straight to it. She’d just have to sneak past the many many guards looking for their lost prince. 

Easy. 

Razar yawned and removed his mask and prosthetic beak, heading over to the makeshift bed.

“Ok, I’m leaving. Just stay out of sight if a guard comes and… DONT TOUCH MY STUFF!” She whispered loudly remembering just who she was giving shelter.

Razar put his prosthetic back on to speak properly to her.

“It’s a good thing I’m accepting spending a few nights as payment then.” 

It seemed the raven's cheeky grin had returned for a split second before Razar removed it both figuratively and literally. Giving Crooler a good look at his real beak.

It was a light gray just like his father’s but looked as if it had been shattered, just before his nose. 

She’d have to ask what the story was behind that at a later date. 

For now she grabbed her bag as Razar formed a nest with the pillows and blankets she had given him. 

Laval’s journal tucked safely inside. As she exited through the window, she could hear faint sounds of tears being shed. 

Notes:

This chapter was gonna be a bit longer but then I started rethinking some stuff
Hopefully next one won’t take too long

Chapter 7: Lying like a Dream

Bladvic closed his eyes and focused his mind on one thing. Concentrating with all his might to try and find the dreams of one of his friends. He tried sleeping at a tree near the temple to make it easier for him but it felt like he was still struggling despite the distance. 

But eventually he made it through.

Opening his eyes to be greeted by a void. The endless darkness of this dream didn’t phase him as he focused once again. Trying to find any spark of the lion's mindscape. 

“Laval.” He called out in a loud and strong voice, in order for the mind to find him. 

He opened his eyes once again and this time found himself in the lion's room. 

Or an imitation of it.

It was much bigger than the real one. The toys on the floor seemed to blur as if they were just in peripheral vision. The lion prince’s trusty dummy, Sir-Punch-a-Lot was the only one keeping its shape. But it looked as if it had been torn apart, scratches revealing stuffing underneath and a missing left arm laying on the floor.

Pictures of events in Laval’s life shifted in their imperfect frames while the view in the window showed nothing but a blue sky with no land beyond it. 

Finally on the bed was the very lion Bladvic had been looking for.

He wore a black tank top and shorts with his mane puffed up around him as if he hadn’t been combing it for days. He was curled up in a ball, his legs close to his chest and his arms covering his face. 

Bladvic walked up to the lion and gently put a paw on his shoulder. Laval violently jumped at the sudden contact and stared up at the bear. 

Bladvic gasped.

It was natural that someone's appearance would change in the dreamscape but this made him worry.  

He still had a few scars here and there but now he was missing an eye! 

His mouth moved but no sound came out of the poor lion. Was he still too far? Was Laval not in the temple? 

“Laval? What’s going on?” Bladvic called out, even though he knew it was useless. 

The lion didn’t hear him either, tilting his head in confusion. Even looking around the room in surprise, as if he wasn’t supposed to be in his own home. 

Laval stood up on his bed and started to search for something, opening drawers and closest doors.

He stamped his foot in frustration. Bladvic saw the clear panic and desperation behind his single eye. He was about to try and comfort the Laval again but he was pushed away. 

When Laval couldn’t find what he was looking for, he turned to the wall behind his bed and scratched into walls.

Clearly cringing at the sound. Bladvic looked over his shoulder in confusion but quickly realized what he was doing. 

Two words had been carved by the lion.

Help

Trapped

“Trapped? Where? Can you show me? Maybe dream it?” Bladvic made a few motions as he spoke. Pointing to Laval’s head, then his own eyes.

The lion prince didn’t seem to get entirely what he was saying but he tried carving some more words. 

The-

A violent quake shook the room, making Laval’s claw scratch violently across the wall. Bladvic knew the lion was beginning to wake up as everything began to fade to white. 

“We’ll help you Laval! Whatever’s going on we’ll help you!” Bladvic said, reaching  his hand out to his disheveled friend. 

Laval held it tight, till the dream faded away.

 

Bladvic had been in plenty of nightmares before, but this one kept him wide awake. 

Notes:

What do you mean it’s almost been a YEAR?!? What!!?!
I THOUGHT I UPDATED LITERALLY THREE MONTHS AGO AT LEAST :0

Small chapter but just think of this one as a kinda opening arc or something
Cause more shits about to go down >:3