"Chima falls."
Eris

In the magical world of Chima, a mysterious black cloud surrounds Mount Cavora. Eris tries to find Shadow Wind, who has a strange connection to the cloud. Cragger also sought Shadow Wind about how he got the Pledge of the Pact, his only connection to his parents. After both were unable to find Shadow Wind, they met with the other leaders to discuss what to do about the black cloud. The tribes work together to shoot down the black cloud. But at what cost? These are the legends of Chima?

POV Eris

'The falls, what happened?' That was the only coherent thought in Eris's mind. Never in her life or the history of Chima has the falls of Mount Cavora stopped. Now, right after all the tribes had banded together, the worst tragedy struck. Slowly the rest of the crowd below was realizing what she saw. Within seconds the cheers of triumph, comradery, changed to a hopeless silence.

"Nice job Lions! Working together we destroyed Mount Cavora." Cragger's voice shouts from below. 'No! Not no! I have to stop him!' Eris realizes. Cragger, is with a crowd of confused citizens of Chima. The lies he could say, could easily spark a war. Placing her jet in hover mode, Eris, opens the cockpit and leaves. She needs to stop him before blood is shed.

"We followed their lead, and blasted Mount Cavora, and now we don't have chi. This is all your fault." Cragger points accusingly at Lagravis. The old king looks up towards Mount Cavora. A look of confusion and terror etching itself upon his face.

"Our precious chi water gone?" Lagravis asks. His voice reflects the confusion of all the animals. Most of the lions start to looks towards the king, despair going on their faces. These last few days had aged their king, to a shell of his former self. Many of them wished to go toward him, to support their kind king. The thing preventing this comfort was the angry Croc shouting at him.

"Without chi water, there's no chi, no power, no life force, no nothing. Everything depends on chi!" Cragger shouts causing the crowd to murmur and despair.

"Dudes this is a major bummer." Gorzan states. Many of the other members of the tribes nodding their heads in agreement.

Egor pulse out an abacus and starts to move beads around. After 5 seconds he delivers news that scares everyone. "By my calculations all of Chima will dry up and crumble within two full moons, if the chi is not restored."

"How could you do this? The lions have tricked us again. They have made us destroy our only source of chi. They made us destroy all of Chima." Cragger accuses Lagravis. The animals start to turn towards the lions, growling. The lions grip their lances and swords preparing to defend themselves and their king, if it becomes necessary.

"Stop it Cragger!" Eris shouts, as she lands right in front of Cragger. Eris had never, ever been so angry in her life. Cragger has crossed a line! He is calling for a massacre of the lions. She was not going to let that happen!

"You said this was your idea! I heard you say that! All of Chima heard you say that!" Cragger frowns and starts to growl at her. Normally this would have caused Eris to back away, always striving for peace, but she wasn't going to back down. "You accuse the Lions of causing this problem, when it was you Crocs!" Eris took a step forward placing her face against Craggers, narrowed golden orb peering into glowing red ones.

"You caused this Cragger! This is all your fault!" Eris shouts. The crowd becomes silent. No one had ever stood up to Cragger like this. Eris words begin to sink into the minds of the citizens of Chima, as they start to direct their fury towards the wayward king of the Crocodiles.

Cragger's face becomes one of indescribable fury. Reaching forward, he pushes Eris away from him.

"What do you know, feather brain?!" Cragger shouts. Eris stumbles backwards, but stops as she collides with one of the eagle elders. He smiles at her, while other eagles come closer towards their princess. The eagles glare at Cragger, threatening the princess of the Eagle Tribe was never a good idea.

"The Lions are supposed to protect Mount Cavora, and this happened on their watch!" Cragger continues to shout, seeing as the crowd starting to turn to favor the Lions. "So this is all their fault!" A growl ripples behind Eris. Looking up, she sees Lagravis jumping over her and landing in front of the flock of Eagles. His eyes narrowed and a look of absolute hatred plastered on his face.

"Get out." He growls.

"What?" Cragger stares at the king in disbelief.

"You heard me. I said, GET OUT!" the old king ends with a roar. It was if nature responded to the king's wrath, as an earthquake started. All of the tribes fell as the ground moved. Everyone, including Cragger and Eris, fell to the ground. Everyone except Lagravis. Even with the ground shaking beneath him, the king of the Lions looks upon the fallen king of the Crocodiles. Eris could see fear growing in the croc's eyes. She was frightened too. It was as if the king had spoken the will of Mount Cavora.

"Leave, and never return." Lagravis spoke. Turning around he starts to run towards his lion tank. Many of the citizens regaining their footing. "Nature is out of balance, the ground is reacting, retreat, retreat." The old lion shouts. Eris, starts to flap her wings and take to the sky.

Her world stabilizes now, that she isn't stuck to the ground like other species. Looking around, she sees all the tribes returning to their homes. Looking towards the Lion's City she sees the Lions on their tanks and speedorz, riding back to the city.

'Laval. Where are you? Please be safe?' Was Eris last though, as she races after the Lions. She could only hope that Laval was safe right now, and still alive. She hopes that the outlands aren't having this earthquake as well.

"There is no doubt in my mind. That one day is now. The heart of Chima beats no more." Lagravis states with his gazing towards Mount Cavora, a look of despair plastered on his face. Eris moves next to the king. She could feel his burden. The burden of everything crashing around you, and the desire to make sure nothing else is lost.

"King Lagravis." Eris says, before bowing to the king. Eris didn't know what else to do. They needed a solution, and maybe the old king would have a possible answer.

"Eris, why do you bow to me?" Eris looks up questioning at the Lion King. "You have never bowed to me since you were a chick. I also remembered when I told you to call me Lagravis, any friend of my son, doesn't need to bow to me or call me king." Lagravis spoke, with a bittersweet smile on his face.

"Sorry, Lagravis, but we need you. Chima needs you." Eris tries to rally the king. Her disappointment grew as she sees the old king only slump down on the castle walls.

"No Eris. They don't need me." Lagravis spoke. "During my reign as king, I had to banish both my brother, and son, had the temple raided many times, and now Mount Cavora as stopped flowing. What we need is a miracle, not me."

'A miracle.' Eris's mind racing as a memory of Laval riding on the Lion Legend Beast rushes to her mind. "That's it." She shouts. Happiness and hope feeling her heart, as she realizes there may be a way to turn this around.

"What's it, Eris?" Lagravis questions. Eris smiles and responds. "We need a miracle. We need the Legend Beasts. They came once before, maybe they'll come again?"

"Eris, I don't know what to believe in anymore." Lagravis states, while staring out towards the Outlands. "I once believed that Mount Cavora would never stop flowing, that clouds wouldn't steal chi, that the tribes of Chima would come together in a crisis, and that my son would grow to take the throne when he was ready. Now I don't know about that stuff anymore." Eris could feel her heart drop as the king spoke those hallowing words. Much had changed in this last year. Many things which she thought were impossible, had occurred and many of them weren't good.

The king starts to growl, startling the princess out of her thought process. "The only thing I know for certain is that if the Crocs attack us, to get to the chi, then I'll spill their blood on the battlefield. They took so much from me, and I won't let them take anything else!" Eris stares in horror at the king. She could see a mirror between herself and him. They were both suffering. The only differences were while her rage came out in spurts, the king's was slowly consuming him. She knew she had to find the Legend Beasts and quickly. If she didn't then Chima may not be standing before the two weeks were up.

"Lagravis, please remain calm." Lagravis stops his growling, but scowls at Eris, his hatred pouring into everything he sees. "Please be the king that we all remember and admire. We need that king to defend the Lion City, not one bent on revenge." Lagravis sighs and lets his shoulders drop.

'Good he is calmed down; I better get going.' Eris thinks to herself.

"I'm going to search for the Legend Beasts. They may be able to turn the tide, and prevent a war. Please Lagravis, don't do anything that would shame you or Laval." Eris froze at her own words. She just entered very dangerous territory. She doesn't know how the king will respond. Will he get angry again, sad, or shut down?

The king's shoulders slump as he starts to make his way back into the temple. "Please Eris, be safe. I don't know what is going to happen, but the Crocs are still trying to start a war. Please, just remain safe." Eris nods her head, and starts to fly outside the city towards her jet. Surprisingly no one had touched it since we left it to confront Cragger. She was grateful for the earthquake. Without it, the Eagle's would have lost a jet, and she would have had a lecture from the Eagle Counsel.

Eris was frustrated. She had several other Eagles, and Lions patrolling the forest and the borders of the Outlands, but no one has seen any sign of the Legend Beasts. 'Where are they? The legend says they would return when Chima needs them the most. So where are they?' Eris only sighs and shakes her head in frustration. Doubling her efforts, she could see, several ships trying to get close to the Outlands as possible.

These jet would go into the green fog and would immediately go up. The plants in the fog would attack any jet that tried to approach or get below the fog cover. For all they know the Legend Beasts could be stuck inside of there. She could only hope that if they were in the fog, that they would be able to travel through it.

Turning her jet, she starts to circle toward the Crocodile Swamp. She might as well see if any beasts have shown up there. Looking over the swamp she starts to see trails of broken brush. Looking towards the Crocodile's home she decides to check the last place where she saw Shadow Wind. Maybe he would know about the Legend Beasts.

As Eris flies near the Crocodiles Keep, she realizes that there are a huge amount of wolves in the area. Knowing that wolves have sensitive hearing, Eris lands her jet, and starts to glide from branch to branch of the swamp until she spots where all the wolves have gathered. 'What's going on here?'

As she flies she starts to recognizes Cragger talking to Wolves in his swamp. From his croctankr, she could hear his pompous voice talking to the Wolves. Eris could feel her anger at the Crocodile growing with each word he spoke.

"Now who controls the last few chi orbs in the sacred pool? The Lions. And they can use that chi to destroy us all." Cragger proclaim to the combined crowd of Crocodiles and Wolves. While the Crocodiles are quick to accept what Cragger is saying the Wolves seem hesitant on what Cragger is saying.

"Come on Cragger. I don't like the Lions either, but destroying us is not their thing." Eris could see that Worriz, the alpha of the Wolves is speaking. Eris couldn't help but sigh in relief. If any tribe was going to attack the Lions besides the Crocodiles, she figured it would be the Wolves.

"Better safe than sorry. We defeat the Lions, we keep the last few orbs for ourselves." Cragger tries to reason with the Wolves. Unfortunately, his offer is quickly rejected, much to his disappointment.

"I don't know. We're kind of tired of fighting. Can't we all just share and get along for once?" Eris could only smile at that. Maybe she could try to get the Wolves to support the Lions, or at the least, not go to war.

"Never. Not while I have this!" Cragger shouts back in rage. He then holds up an old brown piece of cloth. Eris couldn't make out much, but she could see a wolf paw print on the cloth. While she didn't know what the item, was it apparently was important, because the Wolves were gasping in horror when they saw it.

"The pledge of the pack, but we had that thrown into the gore and nothing escapes the gorge." Worriz, stutters. Eris could feel her eyes bulge at that information. The pledge of the pack was what Cragger used to make the Wolves follow his schemes. She thought it was resolved when Cragger's sister tossed it into the gore. Apparently Cragger got it back or faked another one. Either way this didn't bode well.

"No. Nothing escapes my destiny." Cragger answers back, triumph oozing from his response. That word sparked something in Eris. Destiny! Destiny is what caused so many problems. It caused Cragger to go crazy, it caused Laval to leave, it made her friends act like idiots, and for her it showed her leading her friends into fire. Destiny, what a joke and an excuse to hurt everybody.

"No seriously, how did you get it?" Worriz asks, still dumbfounded.

"I am more powerful, than the gore, more powerful than you can ever imagine." Cragger gloats. The gloating causes several of the Wolves to mutter and tremble. Despite the anger growing in Eris she could see the reason why the Wolves were confused and scared. Nothing escaped the gore, but now, something did. 'How did Cragger do that?' Then she remembered what Lagravis said. Shadow Wind had the pact. He then gave it to Laval, and then Laval gave it to Skinnet, to trade from his father's freedom. With that realization, Eris feels her talons start to dig into the bark of the tree she was hiding in, to suppress her rage.

"I will use this great power to rule Chima. I now that I have the pledge, you Wolves must assist me. Whether you like it or not." That did it. Eris's vision turns red as her eyes narrow at the pledge. Without thinking, she skyrockets toward the Crocodile Prince. As he laughs at his triumph over the Wolves morals, he didn't see the angry Eagle zooming in at him.

Eris reaches the Crocodile, and seizes the pledge from his grasp. Cragger's red eyes instantly narrows at her. Eris could feel her instincts telling her to fly up, Eris could only agree with them. Half a second later, Cragger's lance slices the area her body was occupying. Cragger and Eris lock glares with each other, each one asking for the others death.

"Eris, you have something of mine. Give it back right now!" Cragger shouts at the Eagle Princess.

Eris scowls at Cragger. "Cragger, this is a new low, even for you."

Cragger, growls at the princess, and replies curtly, "Eris, this is between me and the Wolves, so please return my pledge and leave."

"I will not. You are forcing a tribe, that wants peace, to fight. Cragger, you just crossed a line, that shouldn't have even existed." Eris shouts

"So what, that pledge was made between the King of the Crocs and the Wolves. As long as it exists these fluff balls have to do what I say. Cragger responds

"These Wolves have feeling, and want something better than war. I will not let you force them to fight."

"To bad, even without that pledge, the Wolves have to obey me. Get her."

The Wolves start to grumble and turn towards Eris. Worriz comes up front to face Eris, an apologetic look on his face.

"Sorry Eris, I don't want to do this, but he's right, as long as that pledge exist, we have to do what he says."

"In that case." Eris, flies of over to the edge of the swamp, and to Cragger's horror, he sees Eris holding the pledge of over one of the torches. The Wolves and the Crocodiles halt when they see the pledge so close to the fire. "Worriz, did you make a deal with Crooler, to fulfill the pledge, and render it null and void." The wolves, just shrug at that, looking confused.

Sighing in frustration, she restates. "Did you do something for Crooler, and in return, she would destroy this cloth?"

Worriz steps forward, and answers, "Yes we did."

Cragger laughs, "Yes, but read it Eris, the pledge says the wolves have to obey the King of the Crocs. And I am king, so they have to obey me."

Eris smiles at this. "Cragger, I have a question for you, are your parents alive?"

Cragger growls at her, "Yes they are alive, my Mommy and Daddy are alive, and once we take care of the Lions, and you Eagles, I will bring them back."

"How do you know they are alive?" Eris smiles back.

"Skinnet told me, that there is new writing from my parents on the scroll. It says, 'never give up hope.' Even your eyes have to see that." Cragger, starts to laugh at her.

"Then by your own confession you aren't king." That immediately shuts Cragger up. "By what you say, Cragger, your parents are alive, making you the Prince of the Crocs, not the king! So you can't use this to send the Wolves to attack the Lions." the wolves start to murmur.

"What!" Cragger scream. "I am King of the Crocs, it's my destiny to rule Chima. These Wolves will follow me whether they like it or not."

Eris responses, anger lacing her words and actions. "Your FATHER, Cragger, the REAL king, would never have asked the Wolves to do this! I'm not going to let you do this either!" Eris releases pledge into the fire.

"Get her!" The Crocodiles rush forward, Eris, stays still for a minute, making sure the cloth burned and turned completely black, and at the same time grabbing her halberd. When the cloth turned back, she elevates her gaze, to see the Crocodiles are only a meter away.

Eris soon entered a dance of death. She swung her halberd to block, blocking some croc's lances, she blocks low, blocking a croc with her halberd. She spins and blocks a croc attacking with blaster. These motions continued, Eris, blocking, and parrying blows, while searching for an exit from the sea of Crocodiles surrounding her. Seeing a Croc in the corner of her eye heading to strike her in her side. Eris, ducks low, and slides towards that Croc. The yellow Crocodile trips over her, and crashes into the Crocs on her left. Bouncing off the ground, Eris jumps to the left and flapping her wings.

Freedom, was what she felt. Being trapped on the ground is murder on the Eagle's instinct. Eris's instincts have been shouting at her to take to the air, since she dropped the cloth into the fire, but she chose to ignore them. Her feeling of freedom, was short lived as the Crocodiles started to use blasters to attack her. Dodging left and right, the blasts were just barely missing her. Moving into the tree's she found sanctuary in the dense leaves.

"Wolves, you are free from your pledge to the Crocodiles. The pledge is gone, and if Cragger says otherwise, remember he isn't the king, only the prince. Remember that Worriz!" Eris shouts before fleeing the tree. Racing as fast as she can, Eris gets to her jet and starts it up. Getting her jet airborne, Eris speeds off to the Lion's City. Now free of the anger she felt when she was around Cragger, the feeling of anxiety and worry overwhelm the young eagle. 'I have to rally the tribes, the Crocs aren't going to stop until the Lions, and now the Eagles are destroyed.'

The walls of the Lion Temple blur pass Eris as she races to Lagravis. The Crocodiles are making their move, and war is on the horizon. Eris realized that Lions and all the other tribes of Chima need to be rallied to fight against the Crocodiles and their forces.

Arriving at the sacred pool of chi, she spotted Lagravis. The king looking downcast at the dried up pool. A gasp escapes Eris's beak. Never in her life had seen the pool in this condition, completely empty of water and chi. Returning her gaze to the king, she could see, how the king seems to have aged further. The wrinkles on his face, from worry, show through his fur now, painting the king at least 20 years older than he actually was.

"Lagravis, you alright?" Eris asks. Lagravis and Eris, lock eyes a chill runs through Eris's spine. The king's eyes reminded Eris of the darkest caves of Chima, devoid of life, without any life or light inside. The king, breaks eye contact and sighs.

"Everything I ever believed about Mount Cavora, the Legend Beasts, and Chima itself as it all be a lie?" The king asks her. Eris paused at that, considering the most basic lessons she learned while she was a chick.

Mount Cavora would always give the life giving chi to Chima. 'But the falls have stopped for about a day now.' The Legend Beasts would come when Chima needs them the most. 'But, where were they?' And lastly, Eris had never found any history of war in Chima. 'And now it seems like war is going to break out any day.'

"I do admit Lagravis, I don't understand what's going on right now." Eris replies. The king looks at the young princess. Hoping her words would bring some life back into the king Eris continues. "The falls may have stopped, and war is at our front door, but we can't give up hope." Eris could spot a flicker in the king's eyes. She knew she had to continue.

"No matter what happens, there is always hope. The Legend Beasts aren't here now, but they are on their way. The falls may have stopped, but they can flow again." Eris grips Lagravis arm and whispers to him, "And just because Laval isn't here right no doesn't mean he won't return."

Eris could see the king's eyes shine once more, for a second at least. Lagravis looks down at the pool, and stands up. "You're right Eris, there is always hope." Lagravis, smiles at her. Looking back at the pool, he asks, Eris, "What can we do?"

"I'm going to rally the tribes. I need you to prepare the Lions, and the Eagles." Lagravis nods at that, and starts to walk towards the temple guards.

"One last thing." Eris shouts after the king. Lagravis turns around, and faces Eris. Sheepishly Eris asks, "Can I borrow Longtooth for a bit." Said lion's face contorted into one of disbelief. Questioning, why she needs him?

Walking forward, the scarred Lion asks, "What can I do for you, miss Eris?"

"Longtooth, I need you to talk to the Beavers. We need to fix mount Cavora, and they are our best chance to do that." Eris says, and starts to walk away. She allowed a small smile to grow on her face, at the look of disbelief plastered on Longtooth's face.

Walking around the Sanctuary Tree Fruit was actually very comforting to Eris. The feeling of herself high off the earth, the cross breeze from the windows, made Eris feel at home. The fruity odor and the squish floor gave the opposite feeling, reminding Eris, this wasn't home. This was the Gorilla's home, and if the Lions and the Eagles were going to survive, the battle, she was going to need to get their help. She was currently talking to her friend, Gorzan and Grumlo.

Eris was more familiar with Gorzan, the Prince of the Gorilla's than Grumlo the Shaman of the Gorrilla Council. Eris had known Gorzan since she was out of the egg, and they met each other when she perched in a tree he was napping in. They became fast friends, the Gorilla's relaxed attitude helped Eris calmed down in tense situations. While she didn't know much about Grumlo, she knew he was a mellow leader, but did lead the Gorillas into the swap when the Cragger destroyed the tower flower.

"Gorzan, we need to work together to stop the Crocodiles. They are about to attack the Lion Temple and after that the rest of Chima." Eris spoke quickly. Being raised in Eagle's Spire, she was taught about first introducing yourself to people first, then talk about serious things later, but the Crocodiles were on the move. She didn't have much time, and she had to rally as many tribes as she could, while Lagravis prepared the Lion's defenses and Longtooth try to fix Mount Cavora.

"But dude, why the bumber dude? Fighting again so bogus?" The dark haired prince said, looking down in the center of the fruit. Gorzan looked tired, and Eris could understand why. Gorillas were more sensitive to the balance of nature and the falls stopping was having a 'bummer' effect on them. Eris still hoped that she could rally them to the cause, and save Chima. After the fighting and the falls gets fixed, the Gorillas would return to their happy selves.

"We don't want this either Gorzan, but the Crocodiles are stilling blaming the Lions for Mount Cavora's falls stopping. You don't think they made the falls stop. Do you?" Eris asked. This was a loaded question. She hoped that they would see reason, about the Lion's being innocent about the lies Cragger was spreading.

"Lion's no did bad dude. Lion's tried to help, like Crocs and Gorillas too dude." The elderly silver gorilla said to Gorzan. A light sparked in Gorzan's eyes, as Gurmlo spoke.

"Yeah, no dudes did bad. Gorillas no fight, dudette." Gorzan stated with a smile on his face.

'This can't be. We need everybody. Who knows what the Crocs can recruit right now.' Eris though. If she couldn't recruit the Gorillas and with Cragger's force's size still unknown, the outcome for the Lions wouldn't be good. They needed the Gorilla's support. Without them, there was no chance of the Lions and Eagles winning.

"I get that Gorzan. I wish we didn't have to fight either, but Cragger is still going to attack. He doesn't care if nobody is at fault and he is going to hurt the Lions. He is even trying to force other tribes to fight." Eris spoke. Her voice starting to rise in pitch as memories surface of the Cragger trying to force the Wolves to fight. She still wasn't sure if they would fight or not for Cragger, and that wasn't an idea she wanted to entertain.

"We need to come together, and make sure our friends don't get hurt, dude. Because letting one's friends get hurt isn't" Eris squirmed on the last word, she didn't like using this word, because it isn't a word to her. "groovy."
Gorzan looks towards Grumlo. The silver leader looks out to the other fruits, and homes of the Gorilla's. Eris wished she could know what was going on in that Gorrila's head, but she could only hope for the best. "Letting one's friends, get hurt duded, isn't good. We help make sure dudes stay groovy."

Eris was puzzled. She couldn't understand what Grumlo said. Was it good or bad? Gorzan walked up to her smiling.

"Yeah, we'll so totally be your battle buds dudette." Eris, let a sigh of relief escaped her beak. She had the Gorilla's support. She had three tribes banning together. Cragger would need soldiers as hard has rocks to beat this team. Eris's heart froze at that thought.

'Rocks?! The Rhino tribe!' She had to get there. Who knows if they would be able to avoid Cragger's manipulation. At the thought of fighting the Rhino tribe, Eris's heart shuddered again, and image of Rogan fighting her appearing in her mind. She didn't want to fight him. She had to get the Rhino's Quarry and fast.

Eris was currently flying through the trees of the Gorilla's Forest. Gorzag told her that going east would lead to a short cut to the Rhino's Quarry. Unfortunately for Eris the Gorrila's directions weren't exactly clear.

"Are you sure this is the right way Gorzag." Eris shouts in frustration. It wasn't the fact that he had to travel through the tree's and not the sky that was her problem. Gritting her beak, she hears Gorzag's response.

"Dudette, chill. All we have to do is pass the gnarly tree, turn right at the mellow stream, and then head west at the tranquil tree."

'Those aren't directions! I have no idea what a gnarly or tranquil tree looks like! This is going to take longer than I thought.' Eris sighs. They had to get to the quarry. Cragger would definitely try and trick the Rhinos and she couldn't let, Rogon get hurt. 'Rhinos!' Eris quickly reminds herself. 'Not just Rogon, all the Rhinos, no matter how dreamy, and strong, and simply …..' Eris snapped out of her thoughts as a shout is heard from above her.

"FIX IT!" A Beaver lands on Eris's Jet still shouting at her. "Fix it!" Pulling back on the yok, Eris sets her jet down for an emergency landing. Her uninvited passenger slid off the cockpit window as soon as Eris landed her jet.

"What in the?" Eris questions. Had the black cloud return? Did it attack the beavers because they were trying to get to Mount Cavora. Looking up, she could see more Beavers and even a Lion falling out of the sky , but no black cloud. 'I guess the Beavers are responsible for them flying. The real question is now, do I want to know what happened?'

"Dudette, it's raining Beavers." Gorzag states, his voice and eyes filled with wonder. A crash catches both of their attentions and a familiar clawed Lion is seen.

Gorzag continued. "And Lions too."

"Longtooth?" Eris asks, flapping over to the head of the temple guard. Longtooth was currently looking over his legs and arms. Eris could tell the Lion was making sure that he didn't break any bones. The fact that no one was complaining about broken bones was a miracle itself.

"Dudes, this is the weirdest weather ever." Gorzag comments. Eris could only roll her eyes. Gorzag always did have problems with understand the probable causes for weird events.

"Hello Eris." Longtooth responds, getting to his feet. Shaking his head in frustration he continues, "I'm sorry but I give up. I draw the line at being slingshotted into the air." 'Sling shot! Glad I wasn't there for that.' Eris thought.

"Someone else needs to deal with these Beavers." Long tooth continued, while brushing the dust and leaves out of his fur.

"I'll do it. Those dudes are awesome." Gorzag, said cheerly. Eris rolled her eyes. Gorzag was always one to play first then business later. Maybe it would be good for him to hang with the Beavers. She could get to the Rock Quarry a lot quicker without him. While in thought, several Beavers climbing onto Gorzag's gorrilla machine, and all of them, including Gorzag start to chant. "Fix it! Fix it! Fix it!"

Eris shook her head. She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she went with the Beavers, but if Gorzag would be happy working with, it would probably save her a headache. Turning to the Lion, whose mouth was open, in confusion of seeing the Gorilla head off willingly with the Beavers. "It's right Longtooth, I'm going to need to you to accompany me to the Rhinos." Eris spoke. Longtooth snapped out of his stupor and managed a single question.

"Why is he willing going with those Beavers? They shot me out of a sling shot, and he goes with them willingly?" Eris giggles out of embarrassment. Apparently she didn't pair Longtooth too well with placing him in charge of the Beavers. Maybe Gorzag would have better luck.

"That's the way he is, Longtooth." Moving back to her jet and helping Longtooth enter in it, she continues. "Now let's get going to see the Rhinos."

"A wise decision Eris, they are one of the strongest tribes in Chima." Longtooth spoke as the jet started to ascend.

"They may be strong, but are unfocused and can be easily manipulated." Eris said worry echoing into her face and voice.

Longtooth laugh behind her. "That's the polite way of putting it Eris, even the Rhinos themselves would say dumb."

"Longtooth, it still isn't nice." Eris said with a sigh as they sped away from the clearing.

Longtooth looks at the mountain where the Rhino's Quarry is. Fear etching into his voice. "Eris, are you sure that I am needed to accompany you here. Cragger has probably told the Rhino's a lot of lies to make them hate the Lions."

"I need you to come, so it looks like the Lions are gathering the tribes and not just me." Eris says. She could feel a new fear swelling up in her chest. Rhinos fighting against Lions, and Eris being forced to fight Rogan. That could happen. 'I won't let it happen.'

"I understand that, but the Rhinos shouldn't have a problem with you coming, they may have a problem with me though. They wouldn't hurt you, your Gorgan's girlfriend." Longtooth speaks. Eris feels her mind grind to a sudden halt. In her mind, she only repeats girlfriend. Her cheeks feel warm and blush starts to show through her white feathers.

"Girlfriend?" Eris squeaks out. Longtooth gives the princess a curious glance. "Girlfriend." Eris starting to giggle.

"Where? Where did you get an idea like that?" Eris continues to giggle, as Longtooth realizes the denial that Eris is clinging through.

Looking away in embarrassment, Longtooth mutters, "Um, Laval said something along those lines."

A lone princess screeches in anger over the sounds of the engines. "LAVAL!"

Eris smiled as she and Longtooth walked towards the quarry. They haven't seen any signs of war, or Rhinos with weapons. Eris could feel her spirit soar. 'We made it.' The feeling soared as she came into view of the Rhino's on sentry duty. The genuine smiles they wore, made Eris happy. 'That's a good sign, because of what I did to Cragger, if he was here, he would have gotten them mad against me, not the lions.'

Her happy feelings plummeted as soon as the Rhinos viewed the Lion following her.

"Hey guys." Eris talks to the muscle laden warriors. While the Rhinos still smiled at her, but instantly frowned at the Lion and with a swift motion places their hammer's point at Longtooth.

"You not welcome here Lion." One of the sentry's spoke. Eris felt her heart drop even further. 'Not, now. Not when we were so close. Rogan! Rogan is the prince here. He can sort this mess out.'

"But you are welcome to leave." The Rhino continued pointing his weapon to push Longtooth back.

"Okay boys. No need to be harsh. I'll back away." Longtooth still facing the armed Rhinos as he walks slowly backwards. The Rhinos didn't even relax now that Rogan was 10 meters away. They still had their hammers pointing at the respected Lion. Eris could only shake her head in dismay.

"Eris, a word for a moment." Turning her back to the sentries, Eris makes her way to Longtooth. With each step her mind races. The Rhinos attitude towards Longtooth, a respected temple guard and councilor didn't inspire confidence. "What did Cragger say to them, to get them to act that way to Longtooth."

"We're too late, Cragger must have already gotten to them." Longtooth, whispers to Eris. "It's all up to you now Eris. You need to get them to change their minds." Eris nodded. Determination strengthening her resolve she couldn't help making one last remark. "He is not my boyfriend you know?"

Longtooth blinked at that. "Eris, I wasn't talking about Rogan." Eris could suddenly feel her determination be replaced by a warm uncomfortable feeling, that seem to settle right on her cheeks. Scratching the back of her head, she giggles. "Right, what was I thinking."

Longtooth looked once more at the Rhinos frowning at them. Turning back to Eris he whispers, "Good job with your instincts though. If any Rhino would be willing to hear you out it would be him. Good luck." Eris could feel the heat in her cheeks intensify as she moved away for Longtooth. 'Great, now he thinks I have a crush on him.'

Standing in front of the two muscle bound guards, Eris could only feel even more embarrassed. Knowing she needed an in, she sighed and assumed the position. Skewing in her shoulders, hands behind her wings and leaning her head forward, she starts to bat her eyes at them. The effects were obvious, as the two Rhino's smiles went from sincere too sappy.

Eris's mind soon flew south for an unknown amount of time as that hunk of a prince came barreling towards her. Seeing his muscles, welcoming posture, and his charming smile made Eris's wings droop, and her knees feeling weak.

Shoving his elbows into the two sentries Rogan smiled at her, with his cute, charming, hunky smile. "Eris I can't believe it's you, and you look so beautiful too." Eris couldn't explain it, but it as if she was about to collapse and float away at the same time. The way he was looking at her, she just wished that they could be alone, for just a few moments.

She could feel the giggles before they escaped her beak. The mere thought of Rogan always made her giggle in special way. "Oh Rogon. You're so sweet." She didn't know how, but her mind's worries were erased from her mind. Even a quick memory of Lagravis, and his tired state, melted before that perfectly horned prince in front of her.

"Can we come into your quarry."

Eris couldn't be sure if she wanted to be in there for diplomatic reasons or personal. 'He's so dreamy, okay, if anyone asks, it was for forging an alliance. Just keep telling yourself that girl.' Eris talked to herself.

"No you aren't welcome here, but I'm so glad you're here." The Rhino Prince replied with that goofy expression still on his face. Eris realized she should have been mad, but looking at him, made it hard to be mad. 'Why do I feel like I should be mad?'

"Oh that's okay, maybe we can hang out here for a while." She could be happy just staying here forever.

"That would be awesome, now leave." Rogan chides. Eris could only smile, his mouth said one thing, but everything else was just telling her to say. Eris could only giggle at the idea of her and Rogan alone for a while.

Rogan's mind seemed to follow the same track as he starts to chuckle. Eris didn't know how long she was there, maybe a few minutes maybe an hour, but just hearing that chuckle and seeing Rogan here, made her feel so happy.

"Excuse me." A voice interrupting the moment. It was like the crocs attacking the Lion Tribe the same day they got their chi. Looking to her right, she could see Longtooth looking at the two of them worryingly.

"You're not welcome here Lion." Rogan spoke harshly. It was as if she was splashed with cold water. The shift in tone and his aggressive stance towards Longtooth shook Eris out of her day dream. Remembering her mission, and how Rogan was treating one of the Rhino's biggest advocates in the Pride Counsel was smothering those warm feelings.

"Did Cragger tell you to say that?" Longtooth looked at Rogan sadly.

"Yes, but he also told me to keep it a secret. And one thing we Rhinos do well is keep a secret." Longtooth was looking more and more sad as Rogan spoke each word. Eris turned her head back to face that hunky…. Rogan. Breathing in she steeled herself. She had a mission to do, and she needs to get this sweet innocent Rhino to not hurt anyone. Thinking quickly Eris asked.

"What did he give you to keep this secret?" Maybe they could bribe the Rhinos or maybe get them to not want the gift from the Crocs.

"You don't see it. It's over there." Rogan replies looking to see a pile of rocks where several Rhinos are banging their heads against those rocks.

"A pile of rocks?" Eris could only stare. Of all reasons the Rhinos could fight against the Lion, this had to be the stupidest of reasons.

"It was so generous of him." Rogan swoons obvious of the irony of the situation.

"Rogan. You live in a quarry that is full of rocks. Don't you think that this gift isn't that meaningful?" Eris says trying to reason with the prince. 'Please Rogan, I need you to see reason.' The image of Lions fighting Rogan was only growing more clearly in her mind.

"Yeah, but these rocks are free." Eris could hear the facepaw from Longtooth. She really wanted to join Longtooth in the facepaw. Of all the reasons and logic, this left her speechless.

"All rocks are free. Rogan, please listen. Cragger is just trying to trick you." Longtooth steps forward. After the second step Eris's instinct screeched to her. 'Danger!' Looking forward she saw all three of the Rhinos tense up and looking angrily at the respected Lion.

"He said you say that too." Eris braced herself at Rogan's reply. But nothing could have foretold what happened next. "Then, I'm supposed to do this." Eris's eyes widen as she sees Rogan take a hammer from one of the guards and swings it at Longtooth.

Eri's felt her heart stop. The war was going to start right there, with Rogan swinging the hammer.

Her heart restarted when she sees Longtooth jumping back from the dimwitted Rhino. Stumbling a bit Rogan lifts back up the hammer and swings again at the Lion. Longtooth keeps on stepping away from Rogan with every swing. Eris's mind starts to race as she realizes that Rogan is starting to get closer to his target.

"Rogan what are you doing?" Eris speaks. Rogan looks back her shaking his head. He did seem a bit remorseful at his actions. She had to stop this she had to make him understand. There may still be a chance.

"I'm so sorry Eris, I didn't mean to hurt Longtooth. I just made a secret promise to hurt any Lion that comes her." Rogan speaks as he chases Longtooth.

"Rogan, please stop this. I don't want to fight." The Lion tries to placate.

"I don't want to fight either. We can all still be friends right." Rogan says still swinging his hammer. Each swing starts to tinge Eris's vision red. How can this cute, simple, Rhino do this? Each swing seems to smash her heart.

"Rogon, I can't be your girlfriend you're going to act like this!" Eris snaps at Rogan. Much to her shock, instead of stopping, all he did was start to swoon at her and cheer.

"What, you're my girlfriend? for real? This is awesome. She likes me she really likes me." Rogan cheers. Eris felt her jaw drop as Rogan kept on swinging his hammer at Longtooth. 'How can he be this dense?' Eris could feel her anger growing with each swing.

"Rogon stop! You need to stop swinging that big hammer around." Eris scolds. She could feel her feelings for Rogan twisting from caring to anger.

"Rogan stop!" It was as if Eris had swallowed a snake whole. She could feel a fight hot serpent coiling in her gut and it was ready to strike at the prince. When Rogan's hammer touched Longtooth's mane, that snake lunged.

"That's it, I'm leaving." Eris shouts. This caused the love struck Rhino to stop. While it made Eris marginally happy, it didn't stop the torrent of rage in her. Stopping away, she found Longtooth was quickly at her side. His panting barely registering in Eris's mind.

Of all the dumb, idiotic, crazy Rhinos out there, why do I like him? The stupidest, idiotic, thick headed, dim witting Rhino of them all. How does he not get this? How does he not realize they all got tricked? Cragger, I'm going to get you for this.

Flying in her jet, Eris felt better. The meetings with the Bears could have gone better. At least they agreed to help. Then they fell asleep on top of her. At least she could smile at Bladvic's last remark.

"Bear's Lions best friends forever."

While the Bear Prince may take naps, at least he understood how much Lagravis had pushed for equal chi distribution in Chima, regardless if the tribes used it or not. Getting them on their side was easy.

"At least they agreed to help, and I didn't have to charm anyone." Eris found herself grumbling.

"What was that Eris?" Eris felt her face heat up at Longtooth's remark. She can't believe he heard her. Stupid Lion hearing.

"Nothing." Eris replied. She looks at the cockpit wondering if her face is as red as it feels it is. 'I can't believe he heard me say that. He already has the wrong idea about us. Stupid Laval and his stupid mouth.'

"I was wondering Eris, do you have a plan for when we get to the Ravens. They aren't the easiest tribe to get to do what you want them to do." Eris sighs. The tension in her body draining, causing her to realize the hard task ahead of her. Sure she outsmarted the Ravens twice, but the score was two to about a thousand in Raven's favor. Steeling herself she replies.

"I don't have one. We don't have time to develop one. I just have to hope I can out barter Cragger." Longtooth looks at her disbelievingly.

"Eris we don't anything to bargain." His reply only aggravating Eris.

"I know that, but we have to do something." Eris replies curtly as she flies close to the Raven City. Landing close to it, both she and Longtooth get out of the jet.

"Why are we landing out here and not in the city Eris?" Longtooth asks, "I understand we got here faster than if we use the land rovers, but why are we walking the rest of the way."

Memories race to Eris's mind of Laval losing his Speedor to Raven thief. She didn't want that to happen to her jet. "I don't want to risk some bird stealing my jet. I just want to be safe." Eris sighs, feeling her spirits drop, at the memory of Laval.

Entering the city wasn't a problem. All the Ravens were busy and rushing around. Though when Eris and Longtooth entered they all stopped and looked at them. Eris feared that they were about to get attacked, but a quick word that they wanted to make a deal with Razar, got the Raven to calm down. Within no time both Longtooth and Eris were in Razar's main office made of scrap metal.

Despite being able to talk to Razar, Eris felt her inner Eagle screech in warning. She was in an enclosed space, with Razar and six other Ravens. Razar claimed they were notarizers and witnesses, she couldn't shake the worry about the sheer number of them. She couldn't help but shake the looks they were giving them. It was the same look Razar gave her when he read to her that Eagles items were communal. That look was plastered on each Raven, and it was causing her to be on edge.

"My friends, what can I do for you today?" Razar spoke in his sickly sweet voice.

"Well Razar, I'm sure you remember what happened at the Lion City earlier." Longtooth was the one to answer the question. Eris's predatory eyes did a quick glance at the Lion, while he looked calm as was his voice, Eris could see his neck fur was standing on end.

'Not good.' Eris thought, 'if Longtooth can feel this too, then we are in great danger.'

"I remember well my friends." Razar said, picking up a gold piece from a sack on his deck and starts to flip it into the air. "Quite a few nasty things were said."

Razar seem to pause, while flipping his gold. The silence that developed wasn't a welcoming one. Eris could see all the other ravens giving them a smug look. Her inner Eagle screeched louder at her to run. Eris took a calming breath and talked to the prince.

"That's good, if you recall correctly Cragger said some nasty things about the Lions."

"Yes he did." Razar answered.

"Afterward we were checking around, and we found out that Cragar has been gathering tribes to attack the Lions."
"Has he now?" Razar asked. His face started to twist from confident to smug. Her inner Eagle's cry nearly had Eris fly towards the door, but still she kept herself in check.

"We wish to know, if Cragger has made any deals or offers to you and your tribe?" Longtooth spoke the question.

Eris knew the answer before that sickly honeycombed words left the Raven's break.

"Yes."

Her Eagle cried, and Eris listened to it, extending her wings to fly. Longtooth reaching behind towards his sword. Sadly, neither would make it in time.

Eris felt something slam into her back, causing her wings to lock, while hearing a grunt and then a thud from her side. Looking up, a group of three Ravens were on her back, effectively pinning down her wings, arms and legs. Looking up, she scowled at Razar. He was now standing and flipping his gold coin again. A victorious smirk plastered on his beak. How she wanted to rip that beak from his face.

"My friends, why did you try to flee when I simply answered your question?" Razar spoke with false Crocodile tears.

"Why are do you this Razar?!" Eris screeched. She didn't like her wings being pinned down. The feeling of claws all over her body, it just didn't feel right!

"It's simple really. Cragger came to me, and offered me a deal. First was a nice bounty of gold for my tribe." Eris looked around the room and realized several different bags all revealing the same golden coin that Razar was still playing with.

"Then came the second part of the deal, if we help the Crocodiles take over the Lion temple, and the Crocodiles take possession of the chi pool, we, the Ravens, will get one third of the total chi." Razar smirked.

'This can't be happening. He has the Rhinos and the Ravens, and now Longtooth and I are trapped.' Eris worried thoughts soon became angry as she looked at Razar. 'When I get out of here, that bird brain will never be able to fly again.'

"Men, bind them in chains and then leave us." Razar smirked at the two captives. Eris then felt cold metal brushing around her wrists and legs. She could tell she couldn't move them very well. She also felt her halberd be taken from her back. What she felt next made her feel true terror.

Her wings were soon bound in a cold feeling as chains were placed on them. Her Eagle screamed warning her of death. A down bird is a dead bird. Eris knew not to try to use here wings though. She remembered the stories of Eagles trying to break these chains, the result was usually flightless Eagles.

Eris was shoved back to her legs as she and Longtooth were bound to the wall. Eris looked at the Ravens to see several of them looking at the gold as they started to leave the room. Soon Razar was the only one remaining.

"Razar you won't get away with this!" Longtooth roared at black bird. Razar kept his confident smirk on his face, as the last Raven went out the door.

As soon as the door was shut, Razar went back to his desk, and pulled out a piece of paper.

As Razar spread the paper on the table, Eris's Eagle eyes could make out the writing. It was a contract, the contract between the Ravens and the Crocs. Soon she heard muttering as Razar was rereading the contract. Her anger flared again. Another contract, another way to get people to do what Cragger wanted.

"Razar, you won't get away with this." Eris's vision started to tint red again, as Razar ignored her.

"You stupid chick of mud. You have gone too far this time. When I get out of here, I will separate your wings from your body." Eris continued to threated, throwing as many insults she knew at the prince.

"You may want to stop struggling so hard if you want to keep your wings." A harsh whisper from Razar hissed.

Razar did a scan of the room and very cautiously went back to the stacks of coins. A feeling of sadness crossed his beak.

"Eris, do you think I want to do any of this.?" That question cut through the haze of anger, and Eris truly noticed the tired look on Razar's face.

"My tribe is a business tribe Eris. We aren't warriors, sure war is profitable, and at times we work as mercenaries, but ultimately war is bad for business. War doesn't last forever and when it is over the market usually collapses."

Slamming his claws on the table Razar continued. "Cragger forced my hand into joining with him. He came with these sacks of gold. You know us Ravens, we see gold we must have it. I myself felt drawn to the gold when Cragger offered it. Cragger expected me to join him just because he offered gold. Eris I didn't join him because of the gold. I joined him for my tribe. If I refused his offer, there would have been chaos in the streets, several Ravens would have taken the gold and then have them attacked their own neighbors and friends. To maintain our unity, I had to accept the contract."

Eris felt her anger ebb and soon pity was in its place, which she tried to stamp out.

"You still should have refused. You are sending your people into battle, and lives will be lost. Do you want that blood on your claws?"

"Of course not." Razar yelled at her. "I'm a businessman not a murder."

Returning to the contract Razar once again looked over it, then back that his captives, a worried expression on his face.

"Eris, Longtooth. While the contract obligates me to capture you, as per Cragger's demands, I deliberately left out what would happen is you two were to escape or about helping said escape. I'm saying that is you were to escape we are under no obligation to go after you."

Longtooth's and Eris's faces twisted with surprise.

"But before I do anything, I want your words. Promise me on your tribe's honor that if the Lions beat the Crocs and their allies, we Ravens will still get out original share of chi."

"Razar, I can't promi…." Longtooth spoke.

"Swear to me this, or you will rot here for all of your lives."

Looking at Longtooth, Eris tries to reason, "Longtooth, he wants things to be kept the same. He isn't asking for any bigger share."

Longtooth looked at Eris in sadness. "I can't make promises on behalf of the king. He is a shadow of himself, since Laval was banished. I don't know if he even would give the croc chi, despite the possible consequences after to Chima itself. He could punish the crocs like that or any of their allies."

"We have to try. I have faith that Lagravis will still make the right choice." Eris spoke.

Nodding, both turned to Razar and spoke, "I swear, that if the Crocodiles are defeated, the Ravens will still have the same portion of chi given to them, as they always have."

"Good." Razar spoke, throwing the key to the ground. I am going to leave now, and tell everyone to go the north entrance. Make your way towards the south entrance, try to stay hidden."

Razar almost fully left before turning around to face the two still bound people, "For Chima." With that Razar left the room

Getting out of the city was easy. With everyone gone with Razar, Longtooth and Eris were able to make their way from building to building until they got to the southern entrance. Now in her Jet, the two made their way as fast as the possible to the Lion's City.

"Eris. You have been quiet since we escaped. What's troubling you?" Longtooth spoke.

"I never thought it would have come to this. Chima at war. The time where we need to be unified the most, we are all divided." Eris spoke

"True, I never could have predicted this either." Longtooth spoke with a sigh.

"Ever since that stupid fog of destiny happened everything fell apart." Eris spoke.

"First Laval gets exiled, then Cragger kidnapped Lagravis." Eris could feel her blood start to boil. Each tragedy though it stung, only fed her rage. "Then he tries to force the Wolves to fight, turned the Rhinos on their friends, and now bribes the Ravens to fight with him as well. Cragger, he has done all of this." Approaching the Lion's City Eris's blood turns from boiling hot to icy cold.

On the other side of the valley around the Lion's City, Eris saw dust clouds form. 'No it can't be, they can't be ready to attack yet. None of our allies are here yet.' They had to get to the city, they had to defend Chima.

A flash of red light, and soon Eris world was spinning. 'We've been hit. I have to try to get us out of here." Working frantically Eris tried to stabilize the Jet. She knew she didn't have much time.

Hey everyone. Storywriter here. I just want to apologize for the long wait on this story. I definatley underestimated the workload from school this year. I want to thank all my viewers. I do hope you like this chapter. I will try to get the next chapter out in a month, maybe two. I can't promise anything though. Look at what happened last time. I hope you like the twists I added this time. While I am working with the same plot, I'm trying to add my own twist as well. And if you are wondering if the wolves are going to fight, I guess you'll have to read the next chapter when I release it. Good luck everyone. Also if anyone wants to be a prereader for me in the future, I would like that. Also please review.

Storywriter out.