Author's Note: I'm back with the latest chapter of this fanfic. Now, before we begin, I'd like to address a comment given by Amit Berabi. This reader is worried that this fanfic will play too similar to the canon story. Well, rest assured, this will not be identical. If anything, I'm going to add in some liberties, which is what the crossover is for. Sure, I will follow through the original plot, but with the additional details I add, it will have an appropriate amount of differences. I'm trying to keep careful since the canon show hasn't ended yet. So long story short, this fanfic will be a mix of canon and liberties that I'll add.
That'll be all. Enjoy the story. Any and all comments are welcome.
Leon lead the way down the trail of the forest with his wolf companion, Scar, right beside him. Behind him, Rayla and Ezran walked side by side with the dragon egg within the latter's backpack. Callum, who was in the back, focused a bit of his attention at the storming Primal Stone in his hand.
Rayla looked back and saw Callum observing the orb. "Hey, Callum."
"Huh?" Callum asked raising his eyes up. "Yeah."
"Would you please pay attention? Rayla asked. "We don't want to pry you off a tree if you bump into it."
"It's a shame. That would be funny." Leon stated.
"Sorry. Just trying to figure this thing out." Callum said.
"The Primal Stone?" Leon asked. "I'm honestly surprised we forgot to show the Broker that. She'd be over the moon to see something that rare."
"Well, all I know is that it has a primal spirit inside." Callum said.
"It's Primal Source." Rayla corrected. She picked up a stick and drew six symbols on the ground. "You see, there are six original sources of magic: the sun, the moon, the stars, the ocean, the earth, and…" She pointed at the stone.
"The sky."
"Yes. As long as you're connected to it, you will be able to use the full force of sky magic."
"That's pretty neat." Ezran said. "What about you, Leon? Do you have a Primal Stone?"
"Oh, sure. I always keep one in my pocket in case of emergency. No, I don't have a Primal Stone."
Callum continued staring at the symbols that Rayla drew on the ground. Suddenly, a thought flashed in his eyes. "Wait a minute. I've seen those symbols before."
"You have?" Leon asked.
"Yeah. At the Banther Lodge." Callum said. "There was a cube with those symbols on the side. Maybe it's magic or something. We should go on by and pick it up."
"What?" Rayla asked in surprise. "No! Remember, we have a mission. Return the egg. Stop the war."
"You said Xadia's at the east." Callum said. "So is the Banther Lodge. It's on the way."
"Need I remind you that we might not be welcome?" Leon asked. "Me and Rayla in particular. If any humans there catch us, our quest is dead on arrival."
"But it's the winter lodge." Callum said. "It's only occupied in the winter. It's summer now, so there's no one there."
"That does make sense." Ezran said.
Neither Rayla nor Leon could come up with an argument. They just decided to accept it.
"Fine. But no more detours." Leon said. "Just point the way."
"I'm tired." Ezran said on the way through the forest.
"No breaks." Rayla said. "Especially not when we're on a human-led detour."
"But I'm really hungry. And thirsty."
"I don't… Wait." Rayla said as she reached into her pocket. "I actually have something that'll help." She pulled out a glass bottle filled with red liquid and offered it to Ezran. "Here you go."
"Whoa, hold on." Callum interrupted. "Sorry, but we don't really drink… that."
"That?" Rayla asked. "What are you talking about?"
"You know… blood. We don't mean to be rude, but you can keep it. The blood, I mean."
"Blood?" Leon asked glancing at the vial in Rayla's hand. "Kid, that's moonberry juice."
"Moonberry juice?" Ezran asked. He took the vial and smelt it before taking a sip. "It's refreshing, filling, energizing, and tangy."
"Oh." Callum said slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, I just thought…"
"What? That elves were bloodthirsty monsters?" Rayla asked taking her vial back. "Do all you humans have such scary views about elves?"
"Next, I suppose, they'll say that Mandalorians hide their faces because they have a death glare." Leon said as he continued making his way through the forest.
Just then, a large clearing was within sight along with a river. At the center of the clearing was a large, wooden cabin.
"This is it." Callum said. "The Banther Lodge. And as you can see, there's no one there. No winter, no humans."
"I still don't feel good about this." Rayla said. "The three of you wait here. Just tell me where the cube thing is, and I'll be in and out."
"Fine. Just let me draw you a picture to help you out." Callum said. He pulled out a sketchbook and made a quick drawing inside. "This is the second-floor bedroom From that room, walk into the hall, go past the suit of armor, then the game room is the first door on your left. The cube should be in there, packed away in a toy chest."
"You've got a nice touch at drawing." Leon complimented.
"I'll be quick as lightning." Rayla assured before heading to the cabin.
"So that's the winter lodge, huh?" Leon asked observing the cabin.
"Yeah. Pretty weird to see it without all the snow." Callum said.
"It's also weird that there's no one here," Ezra said, "Since this is the place where Dad told us to go."
Underneath his helmet, Leon widened his eyes. "What? You mean you two were expected to be here?"
Callum suddenly realized his mistake, but it was too late. In the distance, a bugle sounded followed by a group of soldiers on horseback. They began their approach to the Banther Lodge when the princes ran up to them. Leon tried to grab them to stop them, but they were too far out of reach.
Once the princes were in front of the soldiers, their leader stepped up. She removed her helmet revealing her cropped, black hair and long scar on her cheek.
"Aunt Amaya!" Ezran greeted before being hugged by his mother's sister. Callum was in the embrace as well.
"Aunt Amaya?" Leon gasped silently from the bushes. "You've got to be kidding me."
Once Amaya set the princes down, she used her hands to make sign language. Her second in command, Gren, translated.
(Author's Note: I will be writing what she says as if she is saying it herself.)
"I'm so glad you're safe. You are safe, right?"
"Extremely safe." Callum said forcefully. "Safe and alone."
Amaya looked up and saw an open window. She had a suspicious look on her face and proceeded to the front door. Callum jumped in front of her fearing she would find Rayla.
"Wait! The… door is locked. So why don't you wait for a second or a minute or… however long it takes and I'll find a key."
Amaya picked up her oldest nephew and set him aside. She then raised her foot and violently kicked the door so hard, the doors flew from their hinges.
"I don't believe in locks." Amaya signed as she marched in with everyone following her inside.
Still in the forest, Leon removed his helmet only to smack himself in the forehead. He had an annoyed look while Scar walked up to him worried.
Leon sighed and put his helmet back on. "That's just perfect. After we save the kids, I'm going to kill them."
As soon as night began to fall, Leon made his move. He saw two guards posted on the side door that appeared to lead downstairs. He gestured to Scar to make a move.
Scar russled around the bushes just loud enough to get the guards' attention. They raised their swords defensively ready for whatever might come out. Scar then casually walked out and stared innocently at the guards, who exchanged confused looks.
"It's a wolf."
"Aren't wolves dangerous?"
"He doesn't look vicious. Actually, he looks a little endearing."
"Good word."
"Thanks. So what do we do about this?"
"You could always fall unconscious."
That last voice didn't come from either of the guards. They looked behind them to find Leon towering behind them. Before they had time to react, Leon grabbed both of their heads and bashed them together immediately rendering them unconscious. Wolf barked silently twice before walking up to his master.
"Good distraction work, Scar." Leon said. "Now, we gotta get inside and save the kids."
Leon turned back to the door and kicked it open. He ran down afterwards with Scar following him.
After a minute, he reached the basement where he stopped when he reached a corner. Looking around it, he was surprised to see Rayla bound by her hands to a wooden post and watched over by two guards who looked more vigilant than the ones that Leon knocked out before.
Leon examined the room trying to find an opportunity or a chance to save the Moonshadow elf. That's when a sound came from behind the two guards. Leon saw a dumbwaiter that was lowering itself. Bait was perched inside confusing the guards. But Leon and Rayla both knew what was going to happen. The Mandalorian averted his eyes.
"Have you met Bait?" Rayla asked. "Say hello to my little friend."
Like what happened at Viren's office, Bait flashed so bright, the guards were blinded. That's when Leon finally made his move. He tackled both guards at once knocking them out as they hit the ground.
"Good to see you here." Rayla said. "For a couple of dorks, the princes have good timing."
Leon got up and began to untie her. "What happened?"
"I got the weird cube thing for Callum, but then, that human general ambushed me. I fought the best I could, but it was all about experience in the end, and she had way more experience than me."
"Well, let's not keep the princes waiting."
Leon and Rayla ran up the stairs where the princes were waiting. Callum and Ezran retrieved Bait and followed the Mandalorian outside. Scar waited for them eagerly.
"This way! To the river!" Callum said. They were about to head to the boat that was docked there, but they were immediately surrounded by Amaya's troops. The general herself stepped up ready for a fight, but first, her attention was to the boys.
"Callum, Ezran, step away from the elf and… Is that a Mandalorian?" she signed.
"Ma'am, I have to tell you that this is all just a misunderstanding." Leon said. He slowly stepped toward Amaya. He stopped when she pointed her sword at him. "You have to listen. We're not the enemy. If you just let us explain…"
Instead of listening, Amaya charged forward and swung her sword at him. He used his beskar wristbrace to parry the sword before pulling out his own. He pleaded again, but Amaya didn't listen. Instead, she immediately struck again. Leon blocked with the sword without any intention of fighting back.
"She's deaf!" Callum called out to Leon. "She can't hear you!"
"She can't read your lips either because of that helmet!" Ezran said.
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Leon exclaimed, but his annoyance was what distracted him. Amaya took the opportunity to deliver a kick strong enough to land him on his back. She raised her sword ready to deliver the finishing blow, but something stopped her.
Amaya felt something latch onto her leg. When she looked down, she could see her youngest nephew hugging her leg tightly. She could see the pleading look in his eyes.
"Aunt Amaya, please, stop. He's not a bad guy. And neither is Rayla."
Amaya read the words off his nephew's lips and looked confused. Leon returned to his feet un sheathed his sword. Once he was sure everyone was calm, Ezran let go and returned to his brother.
"Boys, what's going on?" Amaya signed.
Callum laughed nervously. "Okay. So… it's a long story."
Everyone gathered in the kitchen. After Callum and Ezran finished telling their aunt the full story, she was skeptical at first. But all that doubt disappeared as soon as Ezran opened up his backpack and showed her the Dragon Prince egg. Her eyes glistened at the sight of what was once thought to be destroyed.
"So the egg's alive?" Amaya asked.
"Yes. Viren kept it from everyone, even our dad." Callum said.
"As soon as I saw it, I knew this was the key to preventing the war." Rayla said.
"But in order for there to be peace, it has to be the boys, the sons of King Harrow, to bring the Dragon Prince home." Leon continued. "So that's what we're doing."
Amaya looked back at the boys still with confusion on her face. "If this is true, why didn't you boys tell me?"
"Well, we knew how much you hated elves, especially Moonshadow elves." Callum said. "We thought that if you knew there was an elf with us…"
"Boys," Amaya signed, "I don't hate elves. I'm just cautious because I love this kingdom and you. If you boys trust these two, then I'll lay down my arms in front of them."
Ezran elbowed his brother to the side. "Told you so."
Amaya turned to Leon who had his helmet removed to he could speak to her. "And what about you, Mandalorian? What stake do you have in this?"
"Mandalorians come from Mandalore." Leon said with. "Once the humans were cast out, we were forced to leave. If we bring peace between humans and Xadians, maybe we Mandalorians can go home."
"So where does this leave us?" Rayla asked. "We can't stop this war without the princes, and they'll need me and Leon to survive the trip."
Amaya took a long moment to scan everyone with her eyes. She then looked back at the egg with deep thought. When she was ready, she signed her answer.
"Your father did regret allowing the egg to be destroyed. If he could take it back, I'm sure he would. And if your mother were here, she would slug you both. Then she'd wish you the best. So I'll go back to the castle to let your father know you boys are okay and that Viren has a lot to answer for. Once we are done, I'll dispatch one of my best hunters, Corvus, to catch up with you."
"So you're letting us go?" Ezran asked.
"Something tells me you're going to go no matter what I say." Amaya signed with a smile. She then looked serious toward Rayla and Leon. "And you two. I don't know you that well, but I trust the boys enough to let you protect them. But if any of them get hurt and any of you could have stopped it, then I will have your heads on spikes."
"She seems nice." Leon commented with a shiver down his spine.
"Thank you, Aunt Amaya." Callum said. "Wish us luck."
After she did, she and her fellow guards saw the Fellowship of the Mythosaur to their rowboat which they used to travel down the river. The troops them got on their horses and made their way toward the castle.
"See, Callum?" Ezran asked. "I told you we needed to be honest with Aunt Amaya."
"I got it." Callum said. "I can admit when I'm wrong."
"Well, now that we all learned that honesty is the best policy…" Rayla reached into her pocket and tossed a small, handheld cube to Callum. As he described, it had a different primal symbol on each side. "It's a toy."
"A what?" Callum asked.
"You heard me." Rayla said. "There's nothing special about it. It's probably a die for a children's game."
"I'm not sure about that." Leon said. "It's not like any die I've ever seen. Maybe we could show it to the Broker when we return. If there's anything special about it, she'll know."
Callum nodded and put the cube in his bag. That's when he noticed something strange. The Sky Rune on the cube began to glow just as it was near the Primal Stone in his bag. This just got curiouser and curiouser.
Tradition says that when a ruler of Katolis dies, his people are to mourn for seven days before a funeral can be held. However, Viren became impatient. He held the funeral the same night as his king died and told everyone that the princes have died too. His decree also stated that he would hold a coronation in their stead to fight back against the Xadians.
Above his people, Viren made his declaration from the castle balcony. "People of Katolis. King Harrow's death has wounded us deeply, but the loss of his sons—our princes—is a greater injustice. By eliminating both heirs to the throne, our enemies sought to leave us without a leader. It would disgrace Harrow's memory to allow the kingdom he loved to be lost in darkness. Though it is a heavy burden, I will humbly take up the battle in Harrow's name. I will become Lord Protector of the realm."
Viren turned to the chief advisor, Opeli, and knelt down. With immense disgust, she approached him readying to place the crown on his head. But before the crown can be placed, a voice echoed over the crowd reaching everyone's ears.
"STOP!" Gren yelled out as he arrived with his general. As Amaya signed, he translated for her. "STOP THE CORONATION! THE PRINCES ARE ALIVE!"
A loud uproar of confusion came from the crowd of citizens. Opeli displayed a proud smile while Viren had a very disappointed scowl.
Back at the Mandalorian covert, Rukas was sharpening his sword with a whetstone when his door opened suddenly. Another Mandalorian rushed in with heavy breath. Though he wore a helmet, Rukas knew there was fear on his face.
"Rukas, we got trouble! There are people just outside of the door demanding to see us!"
Rukas looked determined. He sheathed his sword, put on his helmet, and followed his fellow Mandalorian to the door. Other Mandalorians were gathered in that area.
When Rukas looked through the door hole, he noticed several people wearing robes concealing their bodies. They all had swords and bows and arrows at the ready.
At the center of the robed men, a man with black armor and a black cape stepped up. He removed his black helmet revealing the face of a middle-aged man with dark skin. He stepped up and spoke.
"My name is Gideon. I have come with one question and one question alone. If I do not get a satisfactory answer, I guarantee a very unhappy outcome for all of you. Now… where is the Mandalorian we hired to bring us the dragon egg?"
