Author's Note: Please read this author's note before reading the story.

This story is a request by a fellow fanfic writer, Nitro zeus, who wanted me to use one of his OCs, a Mandalorian named Leon. This took some serious back-and-forth discussion before we managed to settle on this. When they first requested this story, I thought it was too different, but the more I thought about it, the more it fit perfectly. So I decided to go along with it.

Though Leon is Mandalorian like the Star Wars character, Din Djarin, Nitro zeus wanted it to be known that he is different. For example, Leon is allowed to remove his helmet in front of others. So don't be confused if that comes up.

It took a lot of creative thinking to put the Mandalorian culture into the Dragon Prince fantasy setting, but I believe I can make this work. And if this story gets enough love, I'll see if I can continue it. Thank you in advance if you lend your support.

Anyway, let's begin the story. Any and all comments are welcome.

Long ago, Xadia was one land rich in magic and wonder. In the old times, there were only six Primal Sources of magic: the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Earth, the Sky, and the Ocean.

But thousands of years ago, a human mage discovered new magic, the seventh source: dark magic. It used the essence within magical creatures themselves to unleash dark power.

Horrified by what they saw, the elves and the dragons put a stop to the madness. They drove every last human to the west. And so, the continent was divided in two. In the east, the magical lands of Xadia. And in the west, the human kingdoms.

For centuries, the King of the Dragons himself defended the border. The humans called him Thunder, for when he spoke, his voice shook the earth and the sky. But on the eve of last Winter's Turn, the humans used unspeakable dark magic to slay Thunder. Then, without mercy, they destroyed his only egg, his heir, the Dragon Prince.

Now, the world stands on the edge of all-out war.

It was a dismal day at a small, unnamed village. But in this village, the tavern will have a very interesting visitor. It was filled with patrons who drink and converse until the doors opened. Everyone stopped what they were doing to get a full look at the armored person who walked in.

This guy wore a full-body armor made of a strange metal. It was complete with a helmet that covered his entire head and face, a plated vest, two pauldrons, two cambraces, two gauntlets, two greaves, and two boots. He also had bandolier, a cloak, and a belt which held a hatchet. On his back, he carried two scabbards.

Everyone kept staring at the guy walked in. He slowly turned his head around to scan the room. His eyes were fixed on a skinny man with a small beard. The armored person approached him as he looked nervous.

"Are you Jack?" the armored guy asked.

The skinny man shook with a drink in his hand. He kept spilling drops of it as he answered. "Y-Yes."

"Do you know what I am?"

"Y-You're a… a Mandalorian, right? A bounty hunter?"

"That's right. The name's Leon. Let me tell you a story. A few weeks ago, a wealthy duke was robbed. Someone broke into his home and cleaned out his vault. He caught the bandits and got his stuff back, but he wants an example made. But as it turns out, one of the bandits escaped. So the duke hired me to find him and bring him in." Jack kept getting more and more nervous. "Next time, Jack, don't rob noblemen. If they hold grudges, it never ends well."

"But…"

"No buts. I can bring you in warm…" Leon slightly moved his robe revealing a sword at his hilt, "…or I can bring you in cold."

Jack stopped shaking and took a breath. Suddenly, he thrusted his drink up splashing it on Leon's helmet temporarily blinding him. Jack took his chance and ran right out the tavern door. Once the Leon wiped the ale from the front of his helmet, he gave chase. No one else at the bar was wanting to get in his way.

The chase didn't last long. As soon as the Leon barged out of the door, he saw Jack running as fast as he can. He didn't bother chasing him. He just pointed one of his gauntlets and let loose a mechanism built inside. A cable shot out before wrapping itself around Jack's leg. The bandit tripped and fell flat into the dirt. The cable retracted dragging Jack's body toward Leon.

Once he was brought to his chaser, Jack turned to his back and started begging. "Please! Don't take me! You don't know what that man will do to me!"

"Actually, I do." Leon said. "That's why I'm actually going to enjoy this. I never liked bandits anyway." The bounty hunter knelt down over Jack and threw a punch at him to knock him out.

After delivering his bounty and getting paid, Leon rode his steed over to the guild hall. Once he entered inside, he got leering eyes from other bounties hunters everywhere. Thankfully, he found the man he was looking for. A dark-skinned man waited for him at a booth table. Leon sat across from him.

"Is it done?" he asked.

"Of course." Leon replied.

"Well done, Leon. I'll have him sent to the duke immediately. Here's your reward." He presented a bag of gold to Leon.

"Thank you, Greef." Leon said. A wooden mug full of drink was given to him by the waitress. Leon removed his helmet revealing his young face which had a long scar across it. He had other scars around his neck along with black hair and blue eyes. He took a sip of the drink given to him.

"So what's your plan now?" Greef asked. "I imagine everyone at your covert will be waiting for you."

"Yes." Leon said. "But first, I want my next job."

"Already? Kid, you've been requesting jobs at great frequency. You know I have other mercenaries in this guild, right? And they all want coin as much as you do."

"Then give me your highest pay."

Greef sighed blowing out a small breath. He thought for a moment tapping his finger on the table. "Well, there is this one job. Some people came by offering a job to whoever can deliver a high-value asset to them."

Leon leaned over the table with interest in his eyes. "What's the target?"

"They didn't say what they were after. They only said they want to talk to the mercenary face to face. But when I asked them for the bounty, all they said was… 'Money is no object'."

Leon leaned back at his chair focused on his curiosity. He picked up his helmet and secured it on his head. "Well, guess that's worth a look."

The directions that Greef gave him lead Leon to an nondescript building. He knocked on the door and a hooded man opened the door. The Mandalorian only saw the pale lower half of the man's head as he guided him in. Without any word being said, Leon followed the hooded man into a room which only had two chairs and a table. One chair was empty, but the other was occupied by another robed man. But unlike the other man, this guy had his face revealed: elderly and thinning gray hair.

"Ah. You must be Greef's Mandalorian he told us about." The old man greeted. "Have a seat."

Leon didn't take the empty chair. He just crossed his arms. "I prefer to do business standing up."

"If that is your wish. Now, I assume you're interested in the job I have for you?"

"Tell me what it is and I'll consider it."

"Very well. We have our eyes on something special and very rare. We need you to retrieve it for us. You can find it within the walls of the royal castle of Katolis."

Leon dropped his arms at the sound of that. "You want me to rob from the king of Katolis?"

"No. Just his high mage. We believe it to be in his possession."

"It doesn't matter. Whatever you want is still inside the castle which is loaded with guards." Leon said stepping closer to the table. He leaned over with his hands planted on the wooden surface. "What could you want that I have to risk my life for?"

The old man looked at Leon with an unfazed expression. "Unfortunately, it is something we cannot tell you. Discretion is our number one priority. If you decline the offer or if you get captured, we cannot risk you giving all the details of your job to anyone else. All I can tell you is that what you're looking for is very special. So special, that you'll know what it is when you see it."

Leon removed his hands from the table. "Still, how do you expect me to pull it off? I may have skills, but even I have limits."

The old man gave a grin. "Luckily for you, you have the perfect opportunity tomorrow night."

"Why?"

"The guards will be preoccupied with Moonshadow elves."

"Moonshadow?"

"Yes. Dangerous assassins of the night. Last winter, King Harrow took the life of the Dragon King and destroyed his egg. The Moonshadow elves will be sent to take his life in exchange. During a full moon, the Moonshadow elves will be at their full power, which will preoccupy the guards just enough to give you a straight path into the high mage's chambers."

Leon stared for a long moment. He considered the costs and the benefits of this particular assignment. It was after all the most dangerous job he ever had. Still, it did seem like he would have all the odds in his favor if he was careful enough.

"Fine. I'll get it."

"Excellent." The old man grinned. "I hope I am not disappointed."

Leon said nothing else. He simply got up and walked out.

There was a whole day before he was ready to make his move for the job, so Leon thought it best to stock up on necessary supplies, which is why he returned to his Mandalorian covert hall. One small door lead him to an underground tunnel which he then followed until he found who he was looking for. All along the widened hallways, several people in similar armor as him Probably twenty Mandalorians were in the same room alone.

Leon walked across when he stopped at a door. He peeked through the window upon it and looked inside. There, he found several young children playing and studying. One of them even wore a childish cut-out version of Mandalorian armor. Underneath his helmet, Leon couldn't help but smile at the kids before continuing down the hall.

At the next room, he approached a stall where a woman in Mandalorian armor awaited him. "Well, it's about time you returned, Leon. Some of the others gambled half of their savings that you were gonna die."

"You can tell them I'm sorry for cutting their wages, Broker." Leon said. "But first, I need to resupply."

"Got another job?" the Broker asked. "Very well? What do you need? More throwing knives? Spare cables for your grappler?"

"You got anything special? Maybe for stealth?" Leon asked. "This new job needs me to be careful."

"Careful, huh?" the Broker asked. "I'll have to check my enchanted stock." She turned to the cabinet behind her and opened it up. Looking through each item, she kept muttering to herself. "Nope. Nuh, uh. What's that doing there? Definitely not. Wait…" She returned to the counter to show offa leather strap with a blue rock in the middle. "How's this?"

"Is that a belt?" Leon asked. He removed his helmet to get a better look at it.

"The belt isn't important. It's the stone itself. It's imbued with moon magic. Moon mages are masters of illusion, so this will give you the perfect disguise. Mimicking the effects of Moonshadow elves under a full moon, this will grant you invisibility. However, the magic can only work if you're standing still."

Leon found the irony in where the product came from and took the belt. "It'll do." He then pulled out his new bag full of gold coins and dropped it on the counter. "Take however much you need and give the rest to the foundlings."

The Broker took the bag and smiled. "Sure. Foundlings are the future. This is the Way."

"This is the Way." Leon repeated. "And one more thing. Is Scar here?"

The Broker gestured her hand to the other side of the room. "Right where you left him."

Leon followed her hand across the room where another door was. He entered it stepping into a dark room which came with a made bed, a weapons rack, and even a corner where a living creature rested. It was a wolf with gray, dusty fur. It popped its head up and walked on over to Leon, who knelt down to pet its head.

"Hey there, Scar." Leon greeted with a soft smile. "Did you miss me?" The wolf nodded. "I knew you did. Sorry I can't stay long though. Got another job." Scar wagged his tail excitedly. "Oh. I'm afraid you can't come. I need to be careful with this job and a wolf is going to draw attention." Scar lowered his head. "But don't worry. Once I'm done, we can go out together. Perhaps a hunting trip. Would you like that?" Wolf panted with a smile on his face. "I knew you would. Be back now. Take care."

The next day, Leon set up camp right outside of the castle walls. He took the time to rest before the evening. His plan counted on the timing. And sure enough, his time came.

The sun was beginning to set. The sky began to change into the orange of the dusk. Leon knew this was his chance. He shot his grappler to latch onto the ledge of the outer wall. Using it as leverage, he pulled himself up scaling it until he reached the top. Thankfully for him, there were no guards anywhere in sight.

After determining the coast was clear, Leon crossed the hallways careful not to get caught by anyone. He was almost seen, but thanks to his charm purchased from the Broker, he stood still completely safe from their eyes. Once theyu passed, Leon continued until he found the room he was after: the study of Viren, the high mage of Katolis.

Entering the empty office, Leon took a look at the area. There was a full-length middle on one side of the room and a large portrait of Viren and the king on the other. In the middle was an empty desk littered with scrolls and open books. The books likely belonged to the bookshelf that stood at the last wall.

Leon groaned as he searched the area. "'You'll know it when you see it'. You'd think they'd be less vague about it." That's when he heard the sound of a young boy yelling. Realizing he was heading to the door, Leon tapped the charm on his belt and vanished. He stood still as everything played out in front of him.

The door burst open and a young teen boy in a blue jacket and a red scarf ran in. He tripped onto the desk and looked up at his attacker, a female elf with a sword in each of her hands. She had Moonshadow outfit, dark stripes under her eyes, white hair, and blue horns on top of her head.

"You don't have to die." The elf said. "We're only here for two targets."

"Wait, two?" the boy asked.

"Yes. We're here for the king, and his son, Prince Ezran."

The boy's eyes widened with fair. "What? Why? It's not fair! Why would you hurt someone who's done nothing wrong?"

"Humans cut down the king of dragons and destroyed his only egg, the Dragon Prince. Justice will not be denied. Your king and prince will pay for what the humans have done!"

The boy hesitated to answer before he looked into the eyes of his attacker. "I see. Well, you found me. I am Prince Ezran."

The elf narrowed her glare and approached him with the intent to kill. Leon wanted to step in, but if he moved, it would blow his cover and the job would be compromised.

"I have to do this." The elf said. "I don't want to, but I have to."

"Why?" the prince asked. "You know this is wrong!"

"An assassin doesn't decide right and wrong. Only life and death." The elf recited. "This is justice. The humans attacked us unprovoked."

"So it's okay for you to do the same thing?"

"Well, no. It's not the same thing. Because we are attacking you provoked."

"Then it's a cycle. You hurt me, someone will get revenge against the elves. It won't end."

"We'll just have to see, won't we?" the elf asked raising her swords. The defenseless prince closed his eyes ready for the final strike.

"Forget this!" Leon cried out as she reached for his sword. Doing so made him visible again, but he didn't care. As soon as he pulled out his sword, he stepped in front of the elf and blocked both her swords with it. He then pushed away the elf who looked at him with intense shock. The young prince shared in her surprise.

"Uh, I'm confused." He said. "Who are you?"

"Leon."

After a good look, the elf gasped. "Beskar armor… You're Mandalorian, aren't you?"

"You catch on fast." Leon said. "Now, step away from the kid."

"Why are you protecting him?" the elf asked. "This isn't your concern."

"This is the Way." Leon recited.

"Well, you are in my way." The elf raised her swords ready to fight. The two of them were about to clash swords when…

"Callum?"

A high-pitched kid's voice was heard. Everyone stopped looking around seeing no one but each other.

"Hey, Callum."

The prince looked at the large painting and stammered. "Go away."

"I found something."

"Are you talking to the painting?" the elf asked the prince.

"Uh, why would I do that?" the prince asked. "It's not a good time!"

"Is it because you're with a girl?"

Keeping her blades pointed at the prince and the Mandalorian, the elf went to the painting and pulled it by its frame revealing a secret passage behind it. A dark-skinned, little boy stood in the entrance. He had a yellow toad in one hand and a sweet treat in the other.

"Uh, jelly tart?" the boy offered his treat.

"Kid, get out of here!" the prince yelled.

"Callum, what's going on?" the boy asked.

"Callum?" the elf asked. "I thought you said your name was Ezran."

"Wait a minute." Leon said looking over to the boy. "You're Prince Ezran? Then who's this kid?"

"Oh. That's my brother, Callum."

Realizing she was tricked, Rayla gave an angry look at the older prince. "You lied to me!"

"How is that worse than trying to kill someone?" Callum asked.

"Look, I don't care who is who." Leon said keeping his sword up at the elf. "I'm not letting you kill any of these boys."

"That's not your decision to make." Rayla said.

Ezran stuffed the last jelly tart into his mouth before holding his yellow toad in his hands. "Have you met Bait? Say hello to my little friend."

All of a sudden, the toad expelled a bright flash of light from its body. Callum and Ezran covered their eyes, but without any warning of what was coming, the elf and Leon were blinded staggering backwards.

"Callum, follow me." Ezran said. "I have to show you something."

Knowing the armored man was trying to protect them, Callum grabbed Leon by his wrist and pulled him to the dark passageway with Ezran and Bait.

When he regained his sight, Leon found himself following Callum and Ezran down a dark tunnel with glowing crystals as lamps.

"Where are we?" Leon asked.

"I found these passages months ago." Ezran said. "I just found something pretty cool."

"Now's not a good time!" Callum said continuing to run. "We've got a crazy elf chick after us!"

It was true. After regaining her sight, the elf followed the three of them down the passageway. So they kept on running until they stopped in front of a stone wall.

"Dead end." Callum said worried.

"Don't worry. It's just a puzzle. Let's see…" Ezran said. He then tapped different parts of the wall in a certain order. "Rock, rock, stone, stone, rock, stone, rock…"

"Wait, what's the difference between the rocks and the stones?" Callum asked.

Ezran groaned. "You made me press stone instead of rock." He started over tapping on the wall. Once he was done, the ground began to shake.

The stone floor grinded apart revealing a spiral staircase. Once it stopped, the three of them raced downstairs. After that, Ezran grabbed a lever and pulled it down causing the staircase to return to its original position.

"You sure she can't follow us down here?" Leon asked.

"Positive." Ezran replied. "It took me months to figure out that combination."

Suddenly, the sound of stones shifting returned. The spiral staircase returned down with the elf riding on it.

"What the… How did you figure it out?" Ezran asked in shock.

"I just pressed all the stones with the jelly handprints." The elf replied. Leon looked at the youngest prince's hands and saw stains from jelly tarts.

"Oh, for goodness sake." Leon groaned.

As the elf walked slowly toward the boys, she took in the room they were all currently in. She gave a mortified look at all the animals in jars, bits of creatures preserved, bones, and other things that further angered her.

"Humans are terrible. Runaan was right. There's nothing in humans worth sparing."

"You can't judge all of the human race for the gruesome acts of a few." Leon said raising his sword.

"I don't have to take that from you, Mandalorian." The elf glared. "Humans destroyed the egg of the Dragon Prince. There must be justice, and I, Rayla of the Moonshadow elves, will bring it."

Leon was just about ready to fight back. But Ezran stopped him. "Wait! You need to see something!"

"I'm not falling for that flashy frog trick again." Rayla said.

"Bait's a glow toad, and it's no trick. It's right over there." Ezran pointed his thumb behind him which lead to something covered by a white sheet.

"Fine." Rayla said. "You uncover it, slowly."

"I can hear something inside. Something alive." Ezran pulled the sheet off. Upon its revelation, everyone dropped their guard and looked in complete surprise. They couldn't believe their eyes at what they were seeing together.

At that moment, Leon's mind went back to his job, the reason he was sent to the royal castle in the first place. His client was right. He understood what he was after as soon as he saw it. It was right before him. He even removed his helmet to get a clear look at it.

It was an egg, a blue egg that shined in the dark room. Its magnificent presence made everyone know exactly what it was.

"It can't be." Rayla gasped in astonishment.

"It's the egg. THE egg. The egg of the Dragon Prince." Leon said.

It wasn't destroyed. This changed everything.