Laval sprinted toward the Croc Swamp, crashing through prickly underbrush and pushing past low-hanging branches. The sun glinted off the Lion Prince's armor as he skidded to a halt.
"I know he's here, Cragger!" Laval cried out in a loud voice. "What have you done with him?"
Laval's words echoed out over the swamp. A moment later, several Croc heads rose above the surface of the dark water. They swam menacingly toward the Lion Prince. Cragger, the Crocodile King, led them.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Laval,"
Cragger said in a smooth voice as he came onto the shore. "I haven't done anything with anyone."
"You're a liar," Laval said. "I know it was you mud-lovers who kidnapped Longtooth. Where is he? If you've hurt him, I swear by Chima-"
“Kidnapped?" Cragger interrupted. A toothy grin spread across his face, "Laval, Crocodiles don't kidnap anyone. We do, however, welcome new allies."
Several Crocs chuckled as Cragger gestured behind him. Laval followed Cragger's gaze and his jaw dropped.
There was Longtooth, walking toward them, safe and sound.
"Longtooth!" Laval called out in relief. "Are you Okay? I was so..." But his voice trailed off.
Something about Longtooth’s manner didn't seem right. The way he was sauntering over seemed quite comfortable, almost smug. He didn't look at all like he was in need of rescuing.
"Longtooth?" Laval asked.
The old Lion Warrior smiled. "I’m fine, Laval. My new friends wouldn't hurt me."
“Your new ... friends?" Laval repeated. "I don't understand. I saw your guard post. It was a wreck, like there was a struggle. We thought-"
"That I'd been kidnapped?" Longtooth shook his head. "No, I was just in a rush to pack up and head to the Croc Swamp." He smiled. "I'm on their side now, Laval."
"What?" Laval gasped. He couldn't believe his ears.
Had his father's most trusted guard really abandoned his own tribe?
Cragger, for his part, was enjoying this show immensely. Having one Lion walk into his swamp under a flag of truce was highly unusual. Having two Lions wander into camp on the same day was incredibly entertaining.
"I guess no one needs rescuing after all, Laval," Cragger sneered. "Why don't you head back to your Lion Camp. We'll be seeing you soon enough."
A Croc named Crug laughed from beside Cragger.
"Yeah, that's right, Lion. With our new CHI-magnet weapon, your tribe doesn't stand a-“
"Shhh!" Cragger hissed at Crug. But it was too late. Laval had heard him.
"A new weapon?" Laval looked at Longtooth. "What's he talking about?"
Longtooth smiled. "Let's just say, I choose my allies wisely," he replied. "I heard rumors in the forest that the Crocs were about to become more powerful than ever. And I'll tell you this much. The new weapon on Cragger's Command Ship is quite . . . convincing." Longtooth and Cragger exchanged a knowing grin. "But I don't want to give away all the surprises."
Laval's eyes were wide with shock. "Longtooth, I don't understand," he pleaded. "You've been one of my dad's best guards for years. From before I was even born. We've fought side by side against the Crocs. For Chima, to protect the CHI! How could you do this?"
"Oh, that reminds me," Longtooth said. He reached deep into his satchel and handed Cragger a rolled up piece of parchment.
“King Cragger, I meant to give this to you. It's a map of the Lion Temple, its secret passages, its guard posts," Longtooth glanced at Laval and snickered, "and everything you need to know in order to steal its CHI."
With those words, Laval snapped. He growled and clenched his fists. "You're a traitor!" he cried at Longtooth. "I won't let you get away with this!" Laval charged, almost knocking over Cragger in his rush to get at the Lion Warrior.
Snarling and yowling, the two Lions grappled with one another and fell into the mud. They tumbled over again and again in the best Lion fight Cragger had seen in a long time. Crug and Crawley rushed up to pull them apart, but Cragger stopped them.
“Let them go. It's about time someone put Laval in his place, and our new friend Longtooth is just the Lion to do it."
Over and over, Laval and Longtooth rolled, tearing through branches, knocking over plots of swamp grass, and crashing through racks of armor. Crocodiles scattered to avoid the flashing claws as the Lion Prince and old warrior battled.
Hearing the commotion, Crooler walked over to where Cragger, Crug, and Crawley were standing. "Brother, what's going on?" she asked.
Cragger chuckled. “Laval just found out that Longtooth is on our side now.” he said. "And he was especially angry when Longtooth gave me this." Cragger held out the rolled up plans of the Lion Temple.
"Let me se that," Croler said, taking the parchmen away from Cragger. She unrolled it and studied the digram. A second later, her eyes went wide. "Have you read these notes?" she snapped.
Cragger, his eyes still riveted by the fight, replied, "I was about to when Laval attacked Longtooth."
"It's all a trick!" Crooled cried. "Look at this parchment! This note says, 'Here's the spot where the Crocs get stomped.' And this one says, 'If you can read this, a big thanks from Laval.'"
"What?" Cragger exploded, ripping the parchment from her claws. He snarled. "What does this mean?"
"It means you let two Lions into our camp and they're wrecking the place!" yelled Crooler. "And they're headed for -oh, no!"
Oh, yes the battle between the two Lions had cared them to where Cragger's Command Ship was docked. Longtooth grabbed Laval and flung him onto the deck of the vessel, right near where the CHI magnet was mounted. Then he leapt after the Lion Prince.
They smashed into the magnet, snapping the base in half. A few more slams and the whole structure fell apart, collapsing into the swamp.
Laval grabbed Longtooth's hand and pulled him to his feet. "Had enough?" he asked.
“I could keep this up all day," Longtooth replied, a knowing smile crossing his face. "But that weapon is finished . .. and it looks like we might be too unless we get out of here, fast."
Led by Cragger, the Crocodiles were charging the Command Ship. Laval gave a laugh and waved. "We heard a rumor you had a new weapon, but we couldn't figure out what it was and how to get close enough to wreck it. So thanks for inviting Longtooth in, Cragger, old buddy!"
With that, the two Lions sprang from the ship and ran as fast as they could through the jungle to where they had stowed two Speedorz. Behind them, they could hear the echoes of very, very angry Crocodiles. It was only when they had zipped well out of reach and back to the edge of the Lion Camp that Laval and Longtooth finally stopped, laughing uncontrollably.
"'Next time, you get to be the traitor," Longtooth said, out of breath.
Laval shook himself, sending clumps of dirt flying in every direction. "Next time, try not to be so convincing. For a second there, you almost had me going. And I knew it was all a trick."
Longtooth chuckled. "Hey, you don't get to be my age without learning a few acting skills along the way."
"They came in handy," Laval agreed. "Now we know what the Crocs were up to. Let's go tell the Eagles about the CHI magnet. They'll know how to build a counter weapon, in case the Crocs try this again."
Then, Laval looked Longtooth up and down and scrunched up his nose. "Next time, let's also fight someplace less mud. You smell of swamp."
"You smell worse," Longtooth said.
"You hit like a baby Croc."
"You would know. Didn't you lose a fight to one once?"
Together, the two friends raced each other back to camp.
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