A/N: Hello. :) Frankly, it has been 4 months since I saw the movie, and now, bconfer368 and I decided to start this story up off the ground since Frozen II: Rise of the Guardians is completed. And this time, there will be a bit of an update for how the characters' roles would work, especially with a certain OC that will serve as the main antagonist this time around (one who was created by Snowdog-zic, who deserves the credit for this ingenious enemy) known as Quynh the Dark Dragon, who will be voiced by Ian McShane, who voiced Tai Lung in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. And frankly, there would also be a very surprising change. This time around, Sisu would actually be Raya's mother as well as Banja's, another OC (bconfer368's this time), voiced by B.D. Wong., who voiced Shang in Disney's Mulan (1998), as we all know. :)
Disney's Raya and the Last Dragons
Chapter 1: The Day the World Fell Apart
It all started one day when something rumbled past a small stone platform, rolling across the dessert with two passengers on top of it, rolling past stone statues as far as the eye can see, although thankfully not on the road before someone's voice spoke up.
"I know what you're thinking. 2 lone riders. 1 dystopian world. A land that's gone to waste. How did this world get so broken? Well, that all began 500 years ago.", the voice began as it zoomed away from the two passengers, showing a full-scale map of the land before it then showed numerous, bountiful plants and livestock (mainly goats) as well as farmers, each using a sort of zen rake, and above all, dragons, one of which went underwater and went out past one of the humans, who was fishing, before it showed both humans and dragons together in one area.
"Kumandra. This is what we used to be. When our land was whole, and we lived harmoniously alongside… dragons. Magical creatures who brought us water and rain and peace. It was paradise.", the voice spoke as all that transpired.
"But then, the Druun came. A mindless plague that spread like wildfire, multiplying as they consumed life and turned everyone they touched into stone. The one behind those attacks was none other than Quynh, a dragon that harbored hatred for humans and sought to exterminate them. The dragons fought for us the best they could, but it wasn't enough. That's when the Mighty Sisudatu, the last dragon, concentrated all her magic into a gem and… blasted Quynh and the Druun away.", the voice added as it then showed a sort of dark purple creature made of purple mist passing through a human, turning said human to stone before multiplying with a sort of dark purple dragon appearing and going up against 5 dragons, all of which were turned to stone, leaving only one dragon left, Sisudatu, the one who then used the gem to send out a powerful pulse, sending both Quynh and the Druun away and then reverting the humans back to normal, although sadly, the dragons were still stone as vines then coated the stone dragons while there was at least one who was freed from his stoney prison.
"Everyone that was turned to stone came back. Except the dragons. Well, all but one, anyway. It should have been this big inspirational moment, where humanity united over their sacrifice. But instead, people being people, they all fought to possess the last remnant of dragon magic. Borders were drawn, Kumandra divided. We all became enemies, and the gem had to be hidden. But that's not how the world broke. That didn't truly happen until 500 years later, when my brother, Banja and I came into the story.", the voice narrated as it then showed a gem descending upon the land somewhat with all kinds of people forming a sort of circle with their hands only to then raise their swords with Kumandra then being split into regions with the gem then being inside a sort of temple before the doors of said temple closed.
That is where the adventure begins. Matter of fact, it started with a young girl putting on her gloves and long sleeves and getting her weapons with her getting two staffs ready before heading out for a moment and then noticing a golden hairband before applying it for her hair. A moment afterward, she jumped off the window and leaving the area before then arriving at a sort of cave with which on her left, she noticed a sort of glyph involving a dragon on it before looking ahead as she removed the mask over her mouth and saw the hallway with an entrance on the other side before cautiously feeling around for booby traps before she did, in fact, find one, with a net suddenly appearing to trap her in, but fortunately, for her, it didn't.
"Huh. Looks like someone's trying to be clever.", the girl smirked before getting out a sort of small armadillo as he unrolled out of his ball form with a gentle tap, squeaking.
"All right, Tuk Tuk, let's show 'em what clever really looks like.", the girl spoke before Tuk Tuk then eagerly rolled underneath the net, setting off two more net traps before stopping near a bug and unrolling, eager to eat his meal.
"Tuk Tuk! Come on! Focus!", the girl whispered before Tuk Tuk chuckled bashfully and then rolled forward as he was.
"Thank you.", the girl whispered in response before the last trap was set off, capturing nothing again with Tuk Tuk then turning around to face the girl and squeaked.
"Hey, bud, that was awesome. Give me some shell.", the girl spoke before Tuk Tuk then tried to reach for her only to tip backwards.
"I got ya.", the girl laughed in assurance while turning his friend around and getting him back on the ground.
A moment afterwards, the girl then got out her two staffs and then put them on certain holes of the ring, turning the gears on the other side and opening the door, revealing a sort of mystical shrine with water travelling upward on the stairs, which was like a water flowing downward, but in reverse, as the girl went up the stairs and then saw the gem in the center.
"Whoa… Wait a second.", the girl spoke before turning around as if to look for someone or something behind her.
"This feels too easy.", the girl spoke.
"It is.", a voice spoke before Raya then saw him walking up toward the girl.
"Hello, Banja.", the girl spoke.
"Right back at you, Raya. Oh, and I didn't come alone.", Banja responded before Raya turned around and saw someone else standing in front of the gem.
"Chief Benja. I know it's both your job to try and stop me, but you two won't.", Raya spoke.
"Don't mistake spirit for skill, young one. I promise you will not set foot on the Dragon Gem's inner circle. Not even a toe.", Benja warned.
"You might wanna take out that blade like Banja did. You're gonna need it.", Raya warned.
"Not today.", Benja responded before Raya then got out her two staffs and then went for the gem only for Benja to block her with Raya then going in another direction, only to get blocked again, this time with Raya then forcing her way though as best he could only to get knocked back, nearly touching the water before she then took a leap for an aerial strike, about to strike when Banja leapt in and blocked the strike with him and Raya striking each other's weapons with Raya getting closer to the dragon gem with Benja taking over again and eventually managing to dislodge the weapons from Raya's hands before pointing his sheathed sword at Raya, who panted.
"Boop. Like I said, not one foot on the inner circle. You lost, Raya.", Benja smirked as he then tapped Raya by the nose gently and removed his own mask.
"Did I?", Raya smirked before Benja noticed Raya's little toe touching the rock on which the gem floats over.
"Raya… I probably should have said two feet.", Benja spoke with a smile as he then helped Raya up.
"Yeah, maybe…", Banja responded.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up too much, Chief Benja. You gave it your best.", Raya assured.
"I won't. And it's either 'Father' or 'Ba' to you. You did good, dewdrop. You passed the test.", Benja grinned before Raya saw the beautiful dragon gem with dewdrops of water floating up near it.
"Wow. The spirit of Sisu.", Raya spoke with a chuckle.
"Yep. Beautiful, isn't it?", Banja grinned before he, Raya, and Benja then knelt to it and then formed a big circle with their hands for a moment.
"For generations, our family has sworn to protect the gem. Today, as your brother did before you, you will join that legacy.", Benja spoke before lifting up some water with his hands.
"Raya, Princess of Heart, my daughter, you are now a Guardian of the Dragon Gem.", Benja spoke before then pouring the water over Raya's head, the water of which then moved away from Raya's hair and then started floating around her before then heading for the gem.
Sometime after, the people inside were getting along quite well with a few people setting up flowers in a sort of shrine while others were getting the embroidery ready with Raya then rolling past a man with Benja and Banja taking notice.
"Well, someone's excited.", Banja laughed a bit.
"Well, yeah! I mean, anyone hoping to steal the Dragon Gem now has to face the fury of the three baddest blades in all the lands.", Raya smirked.
"I'm glad you feel prepared, dewdrop, because I have something important to tell you. The other lands, they're on their way here, as we speak.", Benja spoke
"They are?", Raya spoke in surprise, almost caught off-guard before she regained her composure just as quickly.
"Okay. Okay, no, we can do this. I'm ready. I know exactly how we'll stop them.", Raya spoke.
"Really? Tell me what you know about the other lands.", Benja responded before Raya then told her father the details as it showed each land with a certain group of undesirables in each one she mentions with Tail being a desert with a few oxen as well as a few warriors carrying sickles of sorts, Talon, a black market above the water, Spine, a cold, arctic-like place with snow, and finally, Fang, a sort of kingdom much grander than even Heart, with one of the rulers holding a cat that gave an angry hiss.
"First…, Tail. A sweltering desert with sneaky mercenaries who fight dirty. Second, Talon. A floating market famous for fast deals and fighters with even faster hands. Third, Spine. A frigid bamboo forest guarded by exceptionally large warriors, and their giant axes. Fourth, Fang. Our fiercest enemy. A nation protected by angry assassins, and their even angrier cats.", Raya spoke before the cat in said dramatization hissed.
"Okay, so we're gonna need some crossbows and catapults and… Ooh! What about flaming catapults?", Raya suggested.
"Or, how about shrimp paste from Tail, lemongrass from Talon, bamboo shoots from Spine, chilis from Fang and palm sugar from Heart?", Benja suggested.
"We'll poison them?", Raya asked.
"No, we're not going to poison them and we're not going to fight them. We're going to share a meal with them.", Benja spoke.
"Wait, what?", Raya and Banja puzzled.
"I invited them.", Benja responded.
"You did? But why?", Banja asked.
"Yeah, why? They're our enemies.", Raya concurred.
"They're only our enemies because they think the Dragon Gem magically brings us prosperity.", Benja responded.
"That's ridiculous. It doesn't do that.", Raya responded.
"They assume it does, just like we assume things about them.", Benja responded.
"Wait. Does that mean that…things aren't what they seem about them?", Banja asked.
"That is correct, Banja. And there's a reason why each land is named after a part of the dragon. We were once unified. Harmoniously as one. Kumandra.", Benja responded.
"That's ancient history, Ba.", Raya responded.
"But it doesn't have to be. Listen, if we don't stop and learn to trust one another again, it's only a matter of time before we tear each other apart. This isn't the world I want you or Banja to live in. I believe that we can be Kumandra again. But someone has to take the first step.", Benja advised before Raya and Banja sighed in agreement, smiling.
"Trust me.", Benja assured.
Some time later, the kingdoms of Tail, Talon, Spine, and Fang have arrived at the Kingdom of Heart.
"Things look a little tense, Ba.", Raya whispered.
"And I don't think they're exactly in a good mood.", Banja added.
"Don't worry, I'm gonna open with a joke.", Benja spoke.
"Please don't…", Banja sighed.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding.", Benja chuckled before stepping forward and speaking.
"People of Tail, Talon, Spine, and Fang, welcome to Heart. For far too long, we have been enemies, but today is a new day. Today, we can be Kumandra once more.", Benja spoke before someone from the tail kingdom did a slight slow clap.
"Nice speech, Chief Benja. But why'd you really bring us here? Are you gonna rob us?", the resident of tail asked suspiciously.
"Why would he need to rob us? The land of Heart already has everything.", the resident of Talon spoke up.
"Oh, it's easy to pontificate on Kumandra when you hold the mightiest weapon in all the lands.", the resident of Spine assumed with the crowd muttering.
"The gem's not a weapon. It's a sacred relic.", Benja urged just as Raya and Banja noticed a girl from the kingdom of Fang, looking quite a bit flummoxed.
"Kumandra! Kumandra's a joke!", the Spine Chief spoke.
"He brought us all this way to talk about fairy tales.", the Tail chief spoke.
"This is pointless!", the Spine chief added just before Raya and Banja, after the girl in the Fang kingdom smiled, walked over to her before then forming a heart.
"I have something to say. Who's hungry?", Raya asked before one of the residents of Spine raised his hand eagerly before lowering it with the girl then chuckling a bit.
"Go ahead. It's all right.", the mother assured before the girl stepped forward and walked over to Raya and Banja.
"I'm Namaari, of Fang.", Namaari introduced.
"Hi, Namaari. I'm Raya.", Raya greeted.
"And I'm Banja of Heart.", Banja added with Raya gasping in excitement upon noticing a sort of necklace on her.
"Is that Sisu?", Raya asked, pointing to the necklace with Nemaari nodding with a grin.
"Sorry, um, yeah, I might be a little bit of a dragon nerd.", Raya apologized.
"Hey, I'm the one wearing the Sisu fan necklace.", Nemaari responded.
"Come on. Have you eaten yet?", Raya asked, bringing Nemaari up the stairs with Banja looking on cautiously at the latter.
Sometime later, the three were inside with Raya and Nemaari hanging out together.
"Seriously? Your mom actually said that?", Raya asked.
"Awkward. Okay, next question. Hand-to-hand or swords?", Raya asked as she got the kabob out before Tuk Tuk could eat one of the decadent balls in it, giving a sour look when he missed his chance.
"Blades all day.", Nemaari responded.
"Right?", Raya asked with Nemaari chuckling.
"Okay, dressy or casual?", Nemaari asked.
"Only a monster would choose to wear this outfit on the regular.", Raya responded before she and Nemaari laughed together as Banja started to grin at the scene himself before the two decided to go for something else.
"Uh, rice or stew?", Raya asked before Nemaari failed to answer for a moment.
"I didn't think that'd stump you.", Raya spoke.
"Uh… This is actually one of the first times I've had rice in a while.", Nemaari responded.
"Really?", Raya asked.
"Fang may look nice on the outside, but we have some pretty big holes on the inside.", Nemaari responded.
"Oh.", Raya spoke.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to bring it down. So, where were we? We both have parents who are terrible at telling jokes. We're both warrior women who despise uncomfortable formal wear.", Nemaari spoke.
"And we're both Sisu superfans.", Raya added.
"Yeah. You know, Fang legend says she's still out there.", Nemaari spoke.
"Sisu? You're kidding, right?", Raya asked.
"Wanna see something?", Nemaari asked, showing a sort of scroll, making both Raya and Banja gasp.
"Are you supposed to have that?", Banja asked.
"No.", Nemaari scoffed before then opening it, showing Sisu blasting both Quynh and the Druun away before then going down the sort of river with her brother.
"According to this, after the Mighty Sisu blasted away Quynh and all the Druun, she fell into the water and floated downstream with her brother, Janto. Legends say she's now sleeping at the river's end.", Nemaari spoke.
"But which river? There's, like, hundreds.",
"I don't know. But if we could find it, could you imagine? A dragon back in the world. Things could be so much better.", Nemaari spoke before Raya looked back at her father as did Banja.
"Yeah. Maybe we really could be Kumandra again.", Banja spoke in agreement before Namaari then handed Raya her necklace.
"Here.", Nemaari offered.
"Whoa. Really?", Raya asked in surprise.
"From one dragon nerd to another.", Nemaari responded before Raya looked at the necklace and then turned back to Nemaari.
"Hey. Come with me, dep la. I wanna show you something.", Raya offered before she and Nemaari headed out.
Play Kung Fu Panda 3 Music: "The Legend of Kai" (0:20/4:01)
"Raya, wait. Are you sure this is a good idea?", Banja asked.
"Of course I'm sure. We're friends, aren't we?", Raya asked before Banja sighed in slight defeat with a grin.
"All right. But I'm going with you two.", Banja sighed before going with them just as Tuk Tuk picked up one of the dumplings and followed the three.
Later, the three arrived at the shrine of the dragon gem.
"The spirit of Sisu. I can feel it.", Nemaari spoke in wonder.
"It's the last bit of dragon magic left in the whole world.", Raya stated.
"I see why Heart guards it so closely.", Nemaari responded before then overhearing apparent dark whispers as they were heard only to her.
"Thank you, dep la. You've been…very helpful.", Nemaari spoke as she then suddenly kicked Raya in the back, worrying Banja.
"Nemaari, what are you doing?!", Banja asked.
"In a different world, maybe we could have been friends, but I have to do what's right for Fang.", Nemaari spoke before walking forward only for Raya and Banja to stop her as the former grabbed her by the shoulder with the two standing in front of her.
"You're not getting anywhere near the Dragon Gem.", Banja warned angrily before Nemaari then tried to fight the two with Tuk Tuk then noticing the scene before rolling over to Nemaari as if trying to ram her by the foot only for Nemaari to gently knock him aside to the wall, urging Banja to step in and knock her to the ground with a kick.
End Kung Fu Panda 3 Music: "The Legend of Kai" (1:55/4:01)
"Like I said. You are not getting near the dragon gem.", Banja repeated, urging Nemaari to get out a sort of flare and fire it.
"Oh, no…", Banja spoke in worry.
Meanwhile, Benja was speaking with the chief of Fang.
"Chief Virana, I'm so glad Fang accepted our invitation.", Benja spoke just before he heard a flare whistling from outside and turned to notice it exploding with someone heading for it before Virana then left just as quickly, worrying him.
"There is no way you're taking Sisu's gem.", Raya discouraged.
"Sorry. It's Fang's now.", Nemaari retorted just as an army then arrived, surrounding Raya and Banja as the two siblings were now back-to-back.
And then, all of a sudden, their father jumped onto the scene with his blade, using it to repel the invading Fang soldiers, forcing them back, as the blade even split into certain pieces and acted as a whip to force them back before the blade came back together.
"You will not set foot on the Dragon Gem's inner circle.", Benja warned just before the other 3 kingdoms arrived.
"What's going on?", one of the female Spine warriors asked.
"What is this?", the Spine chief asked.
"Fang's making a play for the gem!", another gueesed.
"No! Spine should have the gem!", the Spine Chief argued.
"Not if we get to it first!", the Tail Chief argued.
"Our blades say different.", one of the men spoke as Raya and Banja prepared to fight, that is, until Benja saw his children preparing to fight before then back at himself and calming down enough to lower his weapon and then speak up.
"Listen to me! We have a choice. We can tear each other apart, or we can come together and build a better world. It's not too late. I still believe we can be Kumandra again.", Benja assured, putting his sword back in.
At first, things seemed hopeful from here on out, but then, someone, one who heard dark whispers like Nemaari did, raised his bow and launched an arrow right at Benja, who then managed to stop it from hitting him, but not entirely as it hit his leg instead.
"Ba!", Raya and Banja shouted, heading for their father with the other kingdoms then running toward the gem, passing by the three, too focused on the gem.
"Out of my way!", the Tail Chief urged before everyone, all except Raya, Banja, and Benja, went for the gem, trying to get it for themselves.
"The gem belongs to Spine! Give me the gem!", the Spine Chief shouted just before the gem was dropped and then shattered into pieces, much to Raya, Benja, and Banja's shock before Banja ran over to the broken gem just as the area quaked.
"No… No…", Banja spoke in fear.
And then, all of a sudden, a rumble broke out and fractured the building to a point that the stone statue broke apart, unleashing in its stead, a dark being with a dark, glowing, purple complexion.
"Druun.", Benja spoke before it then turned the archer into stone just by passing through him with that archer entering a sort of pose as if he was holding something in his hands before multiplying and then heading for Benja next, only for him to grab a fragment and hold it in front of the Druun, holding it back.
"There's still magic in them!", one of the Spine warriors spoke.
"Get the pieces!", the Spine Chief urged.
"No!", Banja shouted before everyone ran past him and grabbed the remaining pieces with Virana getting a piece as well with the others running out before Raya and Banja ran over to their father.
"Ba! Come on, we have to go!", Raya urged as she and Banja helped Benja up and leave with a Druun headed right behind them only to step in water, forcing it back.
"They're repelled by water. Hurry! Get to the river!", Benja urged.
Outside, though, everyone ran as fast as they could go while Benja could not go on much longer as he dropped to the ground.
"Ba, get up! Come on!", Raya urged.
"You heard her. We have to keep moving. Get up!", Banja urged just as Benja then saw the people running from the Druun in a panic and then back at the Druun ahead just as Raya spoke.
Play Knives Out Music: "Blanc's Tale, Pt. 2" (5:00/6:12)
"Ba! We don't have time!", Raya urged just before two more were turned to stone by the Druun, which multiplied.
"Stand up! I'll help…", Raya urged before Benja stopped her.
"Raya, you have to listen. You and Banja are the Guardians of the Dragon Gem.", Benja spoke.
"Ba, why are you saying this?", Raya puzzled a crash erupted elsewhere.
"There's still light in this. There's still hope.", Benja assured, trying to hand her the fractured piece of the gem only for Raya to push it away.
"No! We can make it together.", Raya argued, crying for her father.
"You're okay…", Raya sobbed.
"Raya. Don't give up on them. Banja. Look after my daughter.", Benja urged.
Then, Banja, as much as he wanted to refuse, knowing what his words meant, couldn't help but hug him.
"We can't lose you, Father.", Banja spoke, hugging him before Benja spoke.
"Banja…, my drewdrop. I love you, and I will always be with you two.", Benja assured.
"Ba?", Raya puzzled before Benja then picked Raya up and tossed her aside to the water, his heart heavy with sadness and hope.
"No!", Raya shouted.
"Raya!", Banja shouted as he jumped to go to her, although as they fell, he turned back with both him and Raya watching as the Druun passed by Benja, turning him to stone before the duo then landed in the water and re-emerged form it with Raya gasping for air.
But when they did, Raya was no longer human, or at least, not her face. In fact, her skin color was now a bright teal color with a small snout instead of her normal nose, although Raya and Banja had yet to realize this.
"Ba!", Raya shouted as she turned to try and see him.
End Knives Out Music: "Blanc's Tale, Pt. 2" (5:50/6:12)
But when she saw her father on the bridge, she also saw some sort of dark, dragon-like being seemingly covered with black mists as its purple eyes gave off an eerie glow and an equally eerie growl before it then took off, although it could barely be seen.
"Ba…", Raya gasped and whimpered.
"There's nothing that can be done now. We need to go. Now. There should be a boat nearby for us.", Banja spoke as Raya then turned to Banja with her dragon face now back to normal by the time she turned around before nodding after a moment with the two then swimming forward.
This was the true start of their 6-year adventure.
A/N: And it looks like the adventure, as well as Raya's discovery about her ancestry, has just begun. What could it mean? I'm sure we'll find out when the next chapter gets out soon enough. Although, I don't have an exact release date for it yet. But it'll definitely be in the middle of the summer (middle of July, I think) before it comes out. Until then, I'll get a new episode for my Teen Titans 3rd Season Rewrite episode called "Revolution" ready for the 4th of July tomorrow. Until next time. :)