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moonriddles · 2 years ago

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Heyyy just finished translating all of this, it's mostly cultural stuff for each tribe cuz i wanted to give em' their own individual spark. I mean they had so much potential but in the series aspects of some cultures were used for comedy relief and i'm starting from there 👍👍

So i'm putting their individual designs and their descriptions or sum.Sorry if i mispelled things, english ain't my first language.

Lagravis Leonard VII inherits the throne upon the death of his father King Leonard VI. Strict, he firmly believes in tradition, rules and can be quite stubborn at times, which causes him to clash with his son's quirky personality.

Trustworthy and a good advisor, he is often approached by other leaders for opinion.

•The lion was the first creature to drink from the chi water, completing its transformation immediately ran to warn the other animals that the water was safe. They were given as a gift their great sense of honor, justice and democracy. Their wise leaders and ability to roar for help make them a trustworthy tribe that others turn to in times of trouble.

•Robust land machinery adaptable to any type of terrain.

• Ruled by a hereditary absolute monarchy. It is the only modern tribe whose population is built entirely of males.

•There is an unspoken code of loyalty to help the Lion Tribe should they roar for help against threats. And the Lion Tribe will roar to defend any tribe against injustice.

•Every dawn, the lions gather in the citadel to roar and prepare for the next day. The roar banishes fatigue and awakens the spirit of the warriors.

•Young lions go through initiation rites to become warriors. They endure fasting, injury, and defeat opponent warriors to show courage and strength. Only a successful check grants them the rank of a warrior.

•In the citadel, statues and emblems of heroes of the past are venerated. The lions honor them with offerings, prayers and roar in their name, believing that their spirits guide the tribe.

• Lions can become blood brothers through a ceremonial cut and a mixture of blood. This unites them as a family and they defend each other with their lives, even over their own relatives.

•Developmental milestones such as the first roar, first kill, and scars symbolize a lion's growth into a strong warrior. These tests and rites make them defenders of the pack.

•Body paint and scarification is used to mark important events in the life of a lion, something that has marked his life as a warrior, friend, partner or family member. They are symbolic witnesses to important intertribal treaties, oaths, and events. Their presence seals the legitimacy and permanence of such agreements and alliances.

•During the long winter nights, the elders gather the cubs together and share stories of legendary heroes, myths, and prophecy. The stories help convey wisdom and unite the tribe through stories of shared glory and struggle.

•When a lion gives birth to its cubs, the whole tribe gathers to welcome the new life. The cubs are marked with paint and given signs of status/responsibility in the tribe.

Grumlo is the chieftain and wise old man of his tribe. He has led for many years and guided with his deep knowledge and experience, he is a strong but patient leader, helping to hold the tribe together in difficult times. The tribe admires Grumlo and respects his judgment in important matters. He serves as a mentor to the younger members, passing down their traditions and skills. Grumlo was not born into leadership, he came from a long line of hunters and gatherers in the tribe, but he did not inherit any special status. He had to earn the respect and trust of the tribe for many years.

• They live in large huts in the treetops, woven with vines and other materials from the jungle. These cabins are made of edible fruits and are constantly discarded.

• Tremendously strong but also incredibly sensitive, empathic and mild-mannered. They can instantly feel the pain or feelings of other creatures.

•Their culture deeply revolves around nature, spirituality and maintaining harmony with the jungle environment. For each harvest, the fruit-bearing tree is thanked, and each hunt is thanked for the prey for lending its meat so that they can live another day.

•Most gorillas braid their long fur, and those with shorter fur use natural vines, flowers and rope. Braiding is an important part of their grooming and cultural practices.

• They practice meditation, spirituality and union with nature. They have a state of "Great Mellow" that they energetically train to achieve, where they feel deep relaxation and unity. This takes place in the Flower Tower.

•As their strength suggests, they can hold their own against enemies, but are distressed by any conflict and damage to the environment. They only fight as an absolute last resort.

•Their lives revolve around the changes of the seasons, the cycles of nature and the maintenance of balance in the jungle ecosystem. They see themselves as servants of the land.

•Family groups and the elderly/experienced are highly respected. Harmony, empathy and sensitivity are the most valued traits.

•They have festivals to celebrate the blooming of rare jungle flowers, the ripening of fruit, the beginning of the rainy season, etc. These often involve meditation and dance.

•The tribal leader guides meditation rituals to commune with the spirit of the jungle, see hidden truths and gain wisdom.

•They carry out ceremonies to honor their ancient ancestors and heroes. Stories are shared, chants are made, and tokens of respect are left on clan totem poles.

•After violence, illness or anguish, rituals are performed to purify the body, mind and spirit. This includes meditation and herbal baths. •Regular rituals, prayers and performances are given as tribute, thanks and honor to the forest, the land and all aspects of nature that sustain them. Flowers, leaves and natural symbols are incorporated.

•The gorilla tribe believes that when they die, their spirits do not disappear. They merge again with the forest that has nurtured them. Their essence will flow in every tree, leaf and flower. The forests are their eternal home, and even in death they would always remain, scattered throughout the wild places they held dear. No tree was alone, for within its wooden heart will beat the spirits of long-deceased elders.

•For important events in each family, a bead or ornament is added to their braids, events such as: the birth, the death of a loved one, the achievement of the great mellow, etc...

Leader of the Eagles' Ruling Council, Ewald is prone to endless deliberations about everything from battle strategy to what they should eat for lunch. He's always looking for the perfect solution to everything, which prevents him from achieving something solid. The truth is, he loves the debate about the action MUCH more than the action itself. He spends his days in pursuit of knowledge, often with his beak in a book and his mind far from everyday concerns.

•The Governing Council meets regularly to discuss the welfare of the tribe, solve any problems and make decisions collectively. They lead by example and consensus.

• The laws are few and simple, focused on the good of the community, equity and sustainability. Punishments are rare and usually consist of community service.

• The ruler, elected from the Council, helps facilitate discussions but has no special privileges. They can be quickly removed if they abuse their power.

• Everything is shared in the community: food, tools, housing, etc. No one "owns" private property. The goods are distributed according to the needs.

• The community market is primarily a place to exchange knowledge, skills, arts, and occasional surplus goods with other tribes. They rarely use currency as they are more inclined to barter.

• Most construction and building is done through collective effort and sharing of skills. The defense of the people is a shared responsibility.

• As the most knowledgeable tribe, they share libraries, education, arts and innovations freely with other tribes. Knowledge is for the benefit of all.

• Most activities revolve around the community, including meals, ceremonies, arts, sports, etc.

• Deep bonds and loyalty are formed through the interdependent and shared way of life. The community comes before the individual.

•As a tribe of scholars and guardians of history, stories, lessons, myths, and legends are often shared through recitations, plays, songs, and images. Oral history is central to their culture.

•Have few deeply held beliefs or spiritual philosophies. Their rituals and symbols are superficial, focused more on tradition and community bond than deep meaning.

•Their knowledge and wisdom seem trivial or common sense. While they are book smart, they lack deeper insights or new perspectives. Concrete skills and practical knowledge dominate abstract thinking.

• Emotions and relationships seem simple. They are missing complex social hierarchies, deep emotions, psychological depth, or character arcs. Interactions reflect a simplistic "family first" mentality.

• Morality is very simplistic, based on general concepts of "sharing," "fairness," and "harmlessness" rather than dealing with moral ambiguity, nuance, or deep ideas of justice, virtue, or the greater good.

Everyone to your posts, they are attacking the temple of Cavora!... Oh no, it's just Belkar's snoring.

Don't let his large size and hoarse voice confuse you, he is a great warrior but as soon as his companions turn around he is already lying on the meeting table taking his sixth nap of the day. The position of star guide became his by selection of the legendary beast itself, just as it happened with his father and his father's father. Could it be that the stellar family has a special connection with dreams?

• Bears are the strongest tribe physically, with their size they could surpass even the numerous and coordinated tribe of wolves... Luckily for all of them, they are a peaceful tribe and have no bad intentions.

• Robust and heavy land machinery, first tribe to implement piloted mecha.

• Able to fall asleep anywhere and even drive their speedorz in this state, they have an instinctive feeling to maneuver while their conscious system is off. Even when they're asleep, their bodies can still react to sensory input like touch, sound, smell, and balance.

• Due to their ability to fall asleep at the least opportune moments, the bear developed a defense mechanism that keeps it safe while it is within the realm of dreams; while sleeping, they are immune to evils such as poison and controller plant pheromones.

•The tribe believes that dreams are not just a product of the individual unconscious mind, but can be a place where community and shared experiences emerge. Any outsider would think they are lazy, but within their dream world they are quite active; They have collective dreams, which means that they all share the same dream, and within these they can have normal conversations, meetings and discussions.

•A star guide, a highly trained dreamer, can access the dream of an animal outside of his tribe in times of emergency with a ritual.

•They are beekeepers, farmers, collectors and artisans.

Rhigor adopts the title of Highhorn, making him the toughest and strongest of his tribe. Although intelligence is not his best virtue-just like the rest of his tribe-command became his by right of seniority and earning the title after the defeat of the former leader.

• Leader chosen under combat.

•The Rhino tribe lives in the rocky canyon and their dwellings are simple huts made of mud and stone.

•Heavy and robust earthen machinery, perfect for drilling and rock harvesting.

• Their entire culture revolves around the rocks because it is believed that they house the memories of centuries and centuries of ancestors; each rock is a friend, family member or companion, and devotion is shown to them through frequent interactions and greetings. Upon reaching maturity, young rhinos must show their strength in a ceremonial rite that consists of hitting the family pillar with their horn. The fragment that breaks off is considered good luck and is carried as an amulet. It takes the name "crack". The cracks can combine when a rhino finds a mate, thus forming a new family pillar.

•Rhinos are notoriously clumsy, mainly due to their poor eyesight. They are always falling over things, and each other, because they can't see clearly and because their bodies are so big and unwieldy.

•Violence with the intent of malice is not common, and fights are often a sign of joy or a greeting between members of the tribe.

•Because of their low intelligence and great charisma, rhinos are considered the friendliest of the tribes. Just ask any animal in Chima! They will surely tell you that they have a horned colleague.

•Their sheer size and brute strength make them excellent battle partners, always ready to lend a friendly hoof..Just be careful to provoke them, conflict excites them and they can unintentionally cause great disaster.

The wolves were the last tribe to join the council, becoming formal members just as Wakz's rise to power began. Being a tribe always isolated and distrustful and kept their distance from others, Wakz decided to join the guards for the benefit of his people.

She is extremely cunning and isn't afraid to throw overwhelming force at an opponent, fair or not. Not many wolves survive to such a distinguished age, much less being as small as her, Wakz has achieved her position by being more cunning, fiercer and stronger than any of her opponents.

•Flexible hierarchy due to the strong ties between them: the position of Alpha and ambassador is awarded to the strongest warrior and the best spokesperson.

•Known for their great skill as hunters and their love of battle; most of them have scars as a result of previous fights. His main strength is his coordination.

•Wolves live in your camp, but they are a traveling tribe and never stay in one place for long.

•The pack hunts, rests and travels together. They depend on cooperation and teamwork to provide food for all. Disagreements are quickly resolved so the pack can present a united front. •Betrayal of the pack is almost inconceivable and punishable by exile.

•Robust earthen machinery.

•They sleep in piles on top of each other to keep warm and protect their backs. Everyone in the pack is someone's brother, sister, or cousin. So they will do anything for each other.

• Main metal workers, they are dedicated to blacksmithing and welding, as well as being hunters and warriors. In the community market they barter with furs, weapons and pure metal.

•During the full moon, the bestial nature of Wolves emerges, increasing their power, aggressiveness and strength. It fuels a heightened ferocity in battle, their senses, and skills as a hunter. During this period his mind is affected and outside tribes are not recognized as allies.

•When the first new moon rises, the wolves gather to give thanks for the return of light. They share dreams/visions, play animated games, and demonstrate skill through competitions. The pups are given names at this time.

•They are intensely loyal to their pack. They form strong emotional and physical bonds with their tribe, as they depend on each other for survival. If pack members spend too much time apart, their health and well-being suffer.

•The Mother Tooth is the most sacred relic of the Wolf Tribe. Named for being the front fang belonging to the legendary beast, it is a symbolic reminder of the pack's history.

• They do not share their meat with members of other tribes, the hunt is by and for the tribe.

The leaders of the Raven tribe had no established title until Rawsom's arrival, her incredible skill and stealth earning her the respect and loyalty of her tribe and she took the title "Queen of Thieves", ushering in a new order. Ravens are hoarders and live by the belief that "more is better", Rawsom makes this clear under her passion for decoration and great sense of fashion, wearing gold trim and unnecessary accessories...If the queen approves then it has style!

• Leader elected by the people.

• Robust aerial machinery. Simple ground machinery for travel and quick escapes.

•Ancient legends paint the crow as a servant, collector and messenger of the mythical phoenix, it was never satisfied with it's position because the greedy bird always had it's eye on something else; the chi of fire. Its magnificent radiance was impossible to ignore due to its greedy nature, and the first ravens tried to steal from their masters and escape the temple with their treasure.

Clearly they were trapped, and as punishment their wings were taken from them and their heirs so they would never make the same mistake. That legend was lost over time and no raven today seems to remember its true origin, the wings of a raven are considered a myth.

•The Crow Tribe is known primarily as a tribe of unscrupulous thieves and inventors, concerned only with making maximum profit at the expense of others.

•With a few exceptions, raven technology is generally improvised from items and vehicles they steal from other tribes. Their general strategies consist of disorienting their victims with hit and run tactics and disruptive devices before moving on to hit/robbery.

• They use the scarification and modification of their bodies using prostheses as a symbol of beauty and status.

•Master thieves, they only want one thing, and that is a good profit. They are not prejudiced about who they steal from, targeting friend and foe alike in their pursuit of financial gain. Most other tribes agree that it's best to avoid the Crows altogether, and if you don't, check your pockets before leaving their company!

•First tribe to implement dyed fabrics. Their enormous creativity makes them excellent craftsmen, inventors, seamstresses, etc.

•No crow can steal from another, it is considered a crime and is punishable by stripping other people's property.

•Very superstitious, they have rituals and amulets to ward off bad luck.

•If you help a crow, it is very likely that it will never forget you, it will show its gratitude and friendship with gifts that for anyone are insignificant objects, but for a crow, giving one of its shiny gifts is a symbol of loyalty.

After the death of King Crominus and Queen Crunket, Prince Cragger takes over as tribe leader at the age of 16, being taken under the guardianship of King Lagravis and treated as a son. Cragger is proud to be able to represent his tribe and help protect Chima as a guardian of the Chi.

Competitive like no other, Cragger's only goal in life is to win. He is the youngest leader among the guardians of Cavora at only 18 years of age. Love interest of Prince Laval.

• Hereditary monarchy.

•Mainly aquatic machinery. Simple earth machinery.

•Crocodiles are a tribe of hunters who primarily fish and hunt other aquatic prey. Their weapons, tools, and artifacts feature the bones of the creatures they hunt. Fish would be their main source of food.

•Despite their fearsome appearance, the Crocodiles appear to be a peaceful tribe. They are simple fishermen and hunters instead of aggressive warriors.

•The double-bladed sword is a weapon passed down to kings from generation to generation.

•An annual fish throwing competition is organized to demonstrate their hunting skills and support the tribe. Whoever can hunt the largest and heaviest game wins the honorific of leading hunter; taking command of the fishing until the next competition.

•Crocodiles perform ceremonial songs and dances around large bonfires, used as a celebration.

• They revere their ancient ancestors and the wisdom they have passed on to them. They make regular offerings and prayers to honor the ancestors and ask for guidance. In the sanctuaries, the legendary beast is also asked for good fortune.

•Although peaceful, crocodiles engage in non-lethal head-butting and wrestling competitions to demonstrate their strength and skill. These fights provide entertainment and a chance to gain status and a partner. Weapons are not used to avoid injury.

•Before going hunting the close ones-Family, friends or partner-of those involved place a carved stone on a mound to wish them good luck and safety. They offer prayers to the spirits of water, fish and prey for abundant fishing.

• Main stone workers; carving, inscriptions and paintings are made on these.

•An essential accessory for members of royalty are macaw feathers, an ancient tribe that fell under the clutches of their ancestors.

And that's all for now, i still need to do the designs for the ambassadors and other characters but for now i'm giving my hands some rest zzz

#my art #lego chima cragger #lego chima #lego legends of chima #legends of chima #cragger the crocodile #lego chima lagravis #lego lagravis #lagravis the lion #fanart #cragger parents don't come back from the death lol #insert tag here #furry artist #furry art #guardians of cavora #GoC chima

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chimachapterbooks · 3 months ago

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There are many things in this world that can be measured the length of a day, the number of lions in a pride, the distance from one end of a valley to the other. And then there are those things that cannot be measured, no matter how hard one tries... the courage in an animal's heart, the cleverness of his brain, or the daring of his spirit. Only through experience can one learn the true amount of each of these in any living creature.

- King LaGravis

"Muskrats?" exclaimed Laval, the Lion Prince, in disbelief. "Moles? Hedgehogs?"

"Yes," said LaGravis, king of the Lions, to his son. "And beavers and rabbits and mice, as well."

Laval shook his head. "You want me to go talk to all the small creatures in Chima and ask for their help in fighting the Crocodiles? You have to be joking, Dad!"

"I'm the king," LaGravis reminded him. "Kings do not joke. Very rarely, we may laugh at something, but only very rarely."

"The Crocodiles and their allies attacked us!" Laval said angrily. "They want control of the CHI that it is our duty to guard and distribute. We need powerful friends among the tribes to help us in this fight, and you're suggesting moles and mice?"

"All of the tribes have their role to play," LaGravis replied. "They may not all be as strong as the Gorillas or soar as high as the Eagles, but that does not mean they have no worth. Laval, as the future leader of the Lion Tribe, am trusting you to talk with them. Ask if they will be our allies in this fight. Explain that we need their help to defend Chima."

Laval sighed. "Fine, Dad. I'll go talk to them. For Chima."

But later, as Laval went to get his Speedor, he was still frustrated.

"What matters now is strength and speed and power," he muttered to himself. "That's all the Crocs understand, and that's what we need in allies."

Laval respected his father more than anyone. But. sometimes his dad's thinking was a little ... old-fashioned It was great to say that everyone had the same value, big or small. But in a fight, Laval would vote for "big" friends every time.

He climbed aboard his Speedor and raced off into the jungle. There were a lot of mice and moles to find.

Speaking to all of them would take all day. Laval grumbled.

He had made plans to practice fighting with Eris and Rogon that afternoon. Now he wouldn't be back in time.

As Laval sped deeper into the jungle, he began to calm down. Driving fast always made it easier for him to think. Soon he was zipping through trees and bushes far from the Lion Compound. It's very quiet out here, Laval thought to himself.

Too quiet...

Suddenly, four Crocodiles on Speedorz roared out at him from both sides!

"Well, well, what do we have here?" one of the Crocs snarled. "A Lion Prince deep in the jungle with no allies." Another Croc laughed. "How much CHI do you think a Lion Prince is worth?" he asked.

The first one revved his engine. "Let's take him to King Cragger and find out!"

Laval looked back and forth between the Crocodiles.

Escaping was going to be tricky, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. It looked like he would get some practice-fighting in today after all!

"Sorry, mud-lovers," he said as he shot forward. "I've already got plans!"

The Crocs snarled and gunned their engines. "You can't get away from us, Lion!"

Soon they were hot on Laval's trail.

Laval raced his Speedor under a low branch, kicking up a cloud of dust as he flew.

"Take that, Swamp Boys!" he cried, shooting around a corner and out of sight.

But the Crocs weren't giving up that easily. The lead Croc motioned to his partners, and they split up to the left and right. When Laval looked back, all he could see was the cloud of dust he had made.

"Now, where did those mud-lovers go?" he said. Just then, one of the Crocs tore out of the bushes and charged at him from the right. Laval whipped his Speedor around.

But another Croc was already blocking that path, too. The two other Crocs closed in from the front and back. Laval was boxed in!

"Looks like we've made a Lion-sized trap," the lead Croc laughed.

Laval quickly looked all around him. The Crocs had him cornered . .. but not captured just yet.

"Here's a lesson for you," Laval said with a grin. "When you make a trap, always check it for escape routes first." Gunning his engine, Laval sped toward a flat, angled rock just in front of the lead Croc... and zoomed up it like a ramp, right over the Croc's head!

"Woo-hoo!" he cried, zooming off.

The Crocs growled. Now they were really angry. "Get him!" their leader shouted.

They chased Laval farther and farther into the jungle.

Soon, the trees and plants began to thin out, and the ground grew dusty. Laval realized he had never taken his Speedor out this far before. And a moment later, he remembered why. Up ahead, stretching as far as they eye could see, was the border of the desert. It was nothing but sand and dust and rocks.

Uh-oh, thought Laval, screeching his Speedor to a halt.

This is very bad.

If he turned back, he would have to fight the four Crocs. But if he went forward into the desert, his vehicle would stop working. Like all Speedorz, the wheel was made from an ancient stone powered by nature. In the barren desert, where no green plants grew, the machine wouldn't last long.

Laval would be stranded.

Laval looked behind him. The Crocs were gaining. He knew he was a good fighter, but four-to-one odds were enough to make him think twice. So he revved his engine and headed into the desert.

The vehicle managed to make it only a short distance before it sputtered and died. "I'm a sitting duck out here,' Laval said to himself. "I have to hide."

The Lion Prince quickly pushed his Speedor over a large sand dune and out of sight. Luckily, the wind behind him blew fresh sand over his tracks, covering them. Laval peeked over the mound to the edge of the desert.

The Crocodiles had just stopped at the border. They couldn't see Laval hidden behind the sand dune, and their leader was angry.

"Ga! Where did that Lion go?" he asked.

The others shook their heads. "Must have headed into the desert, boss."

All four Crocs gulped. They didn't want their Speedorz to die out as well. But they also didn't want the Lion Prince to slip from their claws.

"Maybe we should wait him out," one suggested. "In this heat, he won't last long."

"Or maybe he went back into the jungle?" another said. "I don't see any tracks."

Laval didn't wait to hear any more. He quietly slipped away, still out of view of the Crocs. His best bet was to try and sneak past his enemies in a little while, when they started to get bored. If they got hungry, they might even head back to the swamp. "I need to find shade," Laval said to himself. "If I'm going to save my strength, I can't let the hot sun get to me."

Laval started walking south. After a while, he became tired and thirsty. He was about to sit down and take a rest when heard a very small voice from below say, "Hey, watch where you're sitting!"

Laval stopped and looked down. There was a little desert mouse waving a tiny fist at him.

"You big guys think you can do whatever you want!" said the mouse. "Well, this is my property, right here, not yours."

"This is your property?" Laval asked, surprised.

"Where?" Laval looked left and right, but all he could see was sand.

"From that pebble over there," the mouse said pointing to the north. Then he pointed south. "Then all the way to that sand dune down there."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know," Laval apologized.

"It's okay," said the mouse. "Hey, you're a long way from home, aren't you? There aren't any Lions in the desert."

Laval explained why he was there. "I won't be staying any longer than I have to, but I had better find water pretty soon."

"Stick with me," the mouse said with a smile. "I know all the best places. My name is Alonz, by the way."

Alonz scampered off, with Laval following. After a few minutes, they came to an outcropping of rocks that provided cool shade from the desert sun.

"Thanks," said Laval. "I'll need to stay here a while: and wait out the Crocs."

"That might be hard," said Alonz, pointing past Laval.

The Lion turned to see that the four Crocs had advanced into the desert and were heading in his direction, though they hadn't spotted him yet.

"Show yourself, Lion!" one of them called. "You can't hide out here forever!"

Laval looked back down at the little mouse. "You'd better find a place to hide," he said to Alonz. "There's going to be a fight, and I don't want you to get hurt. You're too small to stand up to Crocs."

"Ha!" said Alonz. "You don't have to be big to win a fight... and sometimes you don't even need to fight to win. Those Crocodiles are in my territory now. I'll show you how to handle them!"

Before Laval could stop him, the mouse darted off toward the Crocodiles. "Wait!" cried Laval. "I'm coming with you!"

"You'll just get in the way," the mouse yelled backe cheerfully.

"Stop!" Laval said, using a hand to block the mouse's; path. "You can't take on four Crocs by yourself! You're just a mouse!"

"This is my home." Alonz puffed out his chest. "I'm going to defend it. Besides, did you ever stop to think that maybe around here, you're 'just' a Lion?"

While Laval was thinking about that, the mouse raced away. When Alonz was about ten feet from the Crocodiles, he started jumping up and down and waving his arms.

"Hey, Crocs!" he yelled. "What's big and dumb and smells of swamp? You guys!"

One of the Crocodiles glanced at another. "It's a mouse," he said.

"No kidding," said the other Croc.

"Should I step on him?"

"Nah, just let him squeak. It's good for a laugh."

But the Crocs weren't laughing for long. Alonz ran around them, insulting their looks, their intelligence, and their body odor. After a while, the Crocs started to get annoyed. They chased after him, and Alonz took off as fast as his little legs could carry him.

Alonz was fast, but the Crocs' big legs covered more ground. They were about to catch him! Laval sprang out to help his new friend when, suddenly, the four Crocs sank into the sand up to their waists!

Alonz stopped running. He turned around and laughed.

"See, Laval? I told you. They might be bigger and stronger but they don't know the desert. I do, especially where the patches of soft sand are."

Laval walked up to the four Crocs, chuckling. "Looks like you've been beaten ... by a mouse."

The Crocs squirmed and glared at Laval. "We'll get you!" they snarled. "As soon as we get out of here."

Laval laughed. "I'd say the only thing you'll get is waist-deep in trouble when Cragger finds out about this."

All four Crocs gulped. They had wanted to please Cragger by capturing Laval. But the king wouldn't be happy to hear they'd been defeated by a mouse!

"So, this is what's going to happen," Laval continued,

"I'll help you out of that sand before you sink up to your snouts, and you'll go back to the swamp. In return, I won't tell your king about what happened here today. Deal?"

The Crocs grumbled a lot, but agreed.

With Alonz's help, Laval returned to the edge of the jungle and grabbed a long vine. He brought it back to where the Crocs were still stuck in the sand.

Then he tied the vine to one of the rocks and left it within reach of the Crocs. They would be able to use it to pull themselves out of the sand and make their way back to the swamp. But not before Laval and Alonz were long gone from the desert.

As the Crocs slowly pulled themselves free from the sand, Laval dragged his Speedor back to the edge of the jungle. Alonz went with him, perched on the seat. As soon as they were near the trees and plants, the engine roared to life. Startled, Alonz jumped onto Laval's shoulder.

"Why don't you come home with me?" Laval asked

“We could sure use your help defending the CHI against the Crocs. And I have to say I'm sorry to my dad—he was right about something, and I didn't see it until just now. I think he'd like to meet you."

"Will there be cheese?" asked Alonz.

"Probably," said Laval.

After a minute, Alonz said, "So, what do you have to apologize for?"

"Oh, I had this idea that only small things come in small packages," answered Laval. He smiled.

"Turns out I was wrong."