Finally, we're on the edge of the S1 Finale. I 've been eager to introduce our favorite girl and her wolf. When you read the end of this chapter, you'll see where I'm going with Ellis.


"...Lycan's foe was a conniving moonshadow mage who conjured the most deceitful illusions. But his werewolf instincts allowed him to see through the deception. To the illusionist's aggravation, Lycan's touch could even dispel his illusions. And so Lycan crossed the Silvergroove without falling for any of the mage's traps…"

Excerpt from the Chronicles of Lycan, the First Werewolf.


"Alright, but this better be a quick stop." Rayla put on a long cloak that Ezran offered her.

Following their misadventure over a frozen lake and Ezran's meltdown, the two slowly made their way back up the mountain. That time, at a much slower pace for the prince's sake, who handed the egg for Rayla to carry. Atop the mountain, while they rested, Rayla noticed several trails of smoke in the sky; they were near a village.

With food rations meager, he voted they could try to buy something to eat. Rayla was obviously against it, but the offer of a cloak from Ezran persuaded her.

"If anyone becomes suspicious, just do your Human!Rayla impression. It's very convincing!" Ezran said with absolute sincerity, it almost made Rayla giggle.

"Oh, Hey, hey, there!" a sudden call made Rayla almost jump out of her skin. Ezran turned around to see a little girl, in thick winter clothing, riding on top of a big female wolf. The quadruped approached them peacefully. "Hello, new friends! What are you doing around here?"

Before the prince could offer a reply, Rayla got ahead of him. "Oh, we're just a couple of human friends travelling through our lovely homeland, doing our own human thing." In her rushed declaration, she almost revealed her hands in frantic gestures, but hid them behind her back at the last moment.

The little girl seemed to think nothing of it. "Oh, so you like exploring? That's great! I love going to new places!" then she eyed Rayla up. "But you should know up here it's best to wear gloves. Don't you have any?"

"She...forgot her gloves at home." Ezran hastily made up.

Ellis hummed and took off her own furry gloves and handed them to the disguised elf. "Here, you can have these. I have plenty at home. My mom makes clothes for a living."

Rayla hesitated initially and then snagged the gloves with a quick movement. "Thank you kindly! My fingers were freezing, all ten of them." she clumsily put on the gloves behind her back, all the while smiling wide and innocently.

"That's nice. But if you need to warm up or something else, my village, Sagess' Cottage, is just a short walk away."

"That sounds nice, uh...I'm Ezran, by the way. And this is Rayla."

"I'm Ellis and this is Ava." she pointed to herself, than patted the wolf's head.

With the gloves properly put on, Rayla relaxed enough to ask. "So, Ellis and Ava, what are you doing around here?"

"Oh, the same thing you were. Taking a walk and exploring. Just last week we found a path that goes around the Cursed Caldera." she motioned to the wide, tall mountain with a flat top.

"Was it named after the famous explorer Phineas Kirst?" Ezran asked.

Ellis shook her head. "Nope. It's because it's filled with indescribable horrors and monstrosities."

The wolf and the girl took the lead as guides. Rayla gave Ezran a look and whispered. "And why exactly are we going to a place chock full of elf-hating humans, again?"

"Well, I'm a bit hungry." he shrugged apologetically. Rayla sighed, irritated with him and herself. During their operation to safely transport the egg out of the frozen lake, her flask of moonberry juice fell in it. Leaving them with no supplies other than the hard, stone-breaking bread the prince brought from the Banther Lodge.

Rayla sighed and reluctantly agreed. As they walked, Ezran seemed to exchange a few words with the wolf. Whilst Rayla stole a few subtle glances at the girl and the wolf, trying to pick anything that indicated they were on to them. Nothing seemed to indicate that. However, an interesting detail stood out; the symbol of the collar of the animal.

"The insignia of the Moon Primal?" She would recognize that symbol anywhere. Why was it there, though? She had no clue, and thought nothing of it.

Sagess' Cottage looked reasonably welcoming, as long as no one suspected of an elf walking in their midst. A kindly woman working at a barbecue sold Ezran a piece of rare cooked meat on a stick, which he paid with a silver coin. The lady offered Rayla one for half the price but she nervously declined.

The pair was now sitting by an alley. Not the best place to rest and eat, but they weren't about to take any chances. Rayla often turned her gaze around to spot any would-be eavesdroppers.

"So some of the stories about humans are true. You really eat the flesh of animals." She tried her best not to look at the pieces of meat that Ezran ripped from the stick with his teeth.

"Well, yeah. We have to. It's not like we can live off of just fruits and vegetables. Then again, I used to be kind of vegetarian. I never liked causing any distress to animals. Jelly tarts were my favorite snack!" He paused. "But then the curse started, and I began to crave meat and rare steak. Now, I rarely feel like touching a jelly tart." He put the half eaten kebab away.

Rayla inquired. "So, this curse pretty much turned your life around, aye? I mean, even your eating habits have changed?" she stressed the last part. The last thing she wanted was for him to bring back what Ezran confessed to her in tears after they escaped the frozen lake.

The prince turned a brief look to the leftover meat. It tasted good and smelled so tempting. "Yeah. And sometimes I think things are still changing. That I'm still changing. Before the curse I'd never ask for a snack of meat." he looked again at the meat. It was quickly growing cold due to the weather. Oh, he truly wanted to finish the tasty snack. Yet, when he ignored the hunger and thought about the poor cow he never got to meet, he felt a pang of self-loathing.

Ava and Ellis approached them, the former eyeing the leftover meat on the stake. Ezran happily gave it all to her. The conversation robbed him of his appetite.

"Gratitude, little alfa." The wolf licked his hand as appreciation.

"Alfa?"

"Your smell tells me you have the blood of a born alpha. A leader of his own pack."

He shrugged. "Well, I don't have a pack. Unless you count Rayla and Zym."

Ava paused, likely gathering her thoughts. "The potential of an alpha, yet you chose to live as an omega..."

"What's an omega?"

Ava exhaled through her nose. "You truly are a cub. An omega is, like me, without a pack. Outcast, either by force or by choice."

Ezran gasped, feeling he just made her touch a sore subject. "I'm so sorry…"

"It's alright, little cub. I am fine being an omega to my kind. I have found my own pack." She gave a glance to Ellis, whom was chatting animatedly with a reserved Rayla.

"A miraculous healer?"

"She showed up and healed Ava. Thanks to that lady, she has a fourth leg now."

When Ellis mentioned a miraculous healer had grown Ava a new leg, Rayla became more engrossed in the conversation. She asked the little girl to divulge it.

"If this miracle healer exists, could she heal…" Rayla slowly turned to the object of her train of thought; the cursed prince. However, said prince had his gaze fixated somewhere else. On an imobile cat, which was glaring widely at the boy. Ezran just glared back.

"Oh, no." Rayla whispered, fearing what was coming.

"Cat!" The prince broke into a run after the stray, which shot out of there and away from the pursuing boy.

Rayla went after him. Ezran followed the cat until he lost it on a populated street. His frenzy disappeared, along with its target.

"For Primal's sake, Ezran, don't do that again!"

"Sorry, I don't know what came over…"

There was a sudden scream from a woman pointing at them fearfully. "An elf!"

Rayla realized too late that in her pursuit of Ezran, her hood had fallen back. "Oh, for the love of the moon!"

The passersby quickly gathered into a mob, some raising objects they had at hand as makeshift weapons.

"It's one of those elves!"

"Kill it!"

"Wait! It has a boy hostage." Someone cried out. Seeing an opportunity, Rayla put her blades to her friend's throat.

"That's right. I'm a big, bad elf assassin and if you want your prince alive…"

"Hey, his hair is changing!" Someone amidst the crowd shouted, pointing a pitchfork at Ezran. True enough, out of the corner of her eye, Rayla could see a lock of Ezran's brown hair becoming white.

What on Earth…

"It's one of them! That is no boy!"

The crowd turned hostile to both of them and were on their tail. So they ran to the one place nobody dared to follow. To the Cursed Caldera.


"I think we lost them." Ezran confirmed, looking behind them to see no angry mob.

"More likely, they're too afraid to approach the caldera." Rayla looked at the enormous mountain before them. Just from their point of view, it looked desolated and unwelcoming.

Ezran turned to her, apologetical. "Rayla, I'm sorry for that."

She waved it off. "It's fine. I was tired of that place, anyways."

Ezran looked at the mountain. "Guess we walk around it."

"Maybe…" Rayla was thoughtful. "That girl Ellis told me her wolf was missing a leg until they found a miraculous healer, here, at the Caldera."

"Neat, what about it?"

"So, maybe she can heal your curse."

Ezran looked intrigued, but looking back at the inhospitable mountain made him change his mind.

"Isn't getting Zym to Xadia a priority? Scaling that mountain will slow us down."

Rayla crossed her arms. "Yes, but it might be worth it. Your curse will keep giving us trouble, if we don't do anything about it. And with that hair color, we will stand out even more." She pointed at his streak of white hair. Ezran pulled it down so the tip reached his eyes.

"This is definately new. Is my curse going to give me wrinkles, next?"

She shrugged. Ezran sighed. "Ok, so where do we find this healer?"

"Uh, I have no idea. Ellis was going to tell me, and then…"

"So, no clue, then?"

"I have some." Ellis just appeared out of nowhere, riding on Ava. The two egg couriers , Rayla expecioalally, became wary.

"How does she keep sneaking up on us?"

Ellis continued. "We can take you to her."

"Really?" Rayla's skepticism couldn't be any more audible.

"The healer found us hiding on a hollow tree, near the top of the caldera. If we can get there, maybe she'll find us again."

"Wait, that' all we have to go on?" Rayla went from skeptical to disappointed. Ellis shrugged and Ava whined.

"Maybe we should give it up and move on to Xadia." Ezran suggested. Rayla gave him a kind look.

"Ezran, we're not on a tight schedule."

He didn't want to admit it, but the idea sounded appealing. "Okay, let's give it a try."

Rayla's gaze wandered to Ellis. "And you are alright with this? Or are going to tattle on us?"

"Nope. Ava likes Ezran, so I'm guessing you guys are great. But I got to wonder; why are you looking for the healer?"

"Oh, it's because I'm…" Ezran stopped himself and stammered for an answer. Luckily, Rayla beat him to it.

"Because he's going white! See, his hair is turning white." Rayla pointed with both hands to his hair. Ellis gave him a frowning look, then shrugged.

"Okay, let's go! But, in my opinion, your hair looks more silvery than white."

Ezran brought the mutated lock of hair to his face. Uh, it did look more like silver than white, unlike Rayla's. He turned to said elf, who just shrugged.

As the group marched on, with the two new members at the helm, Ellis began to hum. Soon, Ava joined her, producing a whine in synchrony with her rider. Then the girl began to sing.

Tell everybody I'm on my way

New friends and new places to see

With blue skies ahead, yes

I'm on my way

And there's nowhere else

That I'd rather be

The elf and prince exchanged a look. He smiled and softly began to whistle along.

Tell everybody I'm on my way

And I'm lovin' every step that I take

With the sun beating down, yes

I'm on my way

And I can't keep this smile off my face

Ellis and Ava soon proved to be helpful guides. Their knowledge of the caldera's terrain allowed them to take shortcuts and avoid paths that would lead to dead ends. When asked, Ellis divulged she and Ava had been exploring the mountains and woods surrounding Sagess' Cottage.

So tell 'em all I'm on my way

New friends and new places to see

And to sleep under the stars

Who could ask for more

With the moon keeping watch over me

That last line prompted Ezran to look upwards. The sky was darkening, the last specks of sunlight peeked over the mountainous horizon. One by one, stars were becoming more visible. Fortunately, the waning moon provided enough light for them to see.

The waning moon…Ezran wasn't one for having bad thoughts, but he couldn't avoid a twingue of anger at the heavenly body. When he believed his curse may have finally become manageable, it threw him another surprise. He just hoped hair changing color was the worst thing he had to worry about.

So tell everybody I'm on my way

And I just can't wait to be home

With the sun beating down, yes

I'm on my way

And nothing but good times to show

I'm on my way

Yes, I'm on my way

Ellis was finished with her song, so Rayla took the opportunity to inquire:

"You alright, Ezran?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." his reply was a bit oblivious.

The march continued until they arrived at a plateau. The moon light painted the cloudless night sky in a white, silvery hue. The snow reflected the moonlight, adding to its beauty.

It would have been a spectacle to admire, yet Ellis informed them that from that moment onwards, they would see why the caldera lived up to its name.

"So, in order to get to this tree, we need to pass a territory infested with nightmarish monsters?"

"Pretty much."

Rayla made a deadpan face. "Alright, let's go then."

"Stop! Maybe we should turn back, Rayla. We shouldn't have to deal with monsters just for my sake."

"Well, to be honest, the monsters didn't hurt Ava or me. Mostly, they were just terrifying. In that one time, they wouldn't even touch us." Ellis added her two cents.

"So they're all bark and no bite? I can live with that."

"I'd be more at ease if we had a plan."

"Okay, here's our plan: we go in cautiously. If something doesn't go well, we turn back. How about that?"

"Hmm, it's something, but I was hoping for something more...well, more." he shrugged. "I wish Callum was here. He's the guy with the plan."

"Since the Plan Guy isn't, that's the best I can come up with."

"Okay, let's go with that."

They walked in interrupted silence, mostly by Ellis, who was quite the conversationalist. She would either speak about places close by she Ava had explored, or ask question about the egg couriers. Once, Ezran divulged an abridged version of how he and Rayla met.

"By the way, who's Callum? The Plan Guy you were talking about."

"He's my brother. I asked him to come with us, but…" Ezran trailed off. Callum was a subject he had barely touched since the journey.

The fact that his brother didn't join them had hurt. Felt almost like a betrayal, really. Whether he didn't believe him or because he distrusted Xadia in general, Ezran would have thought his brother would have stuck by him, no matter what.

His train of thought halted when they came across a monstrous carcass with a large bite mark. And yet…

"There's something wrong with it…"

"Well, it was drained of all its blood." Rayla retorted with just a speck of sarcasm.

"No, I mean, the creature itself. I feel something off…" his hand reached out.

Before he could make contact, there was a loud snarl. From behind the carcass, a monstrous leach appeared. It reached higher than an elephant. Three red eyeballs glared down at them, so angrily.

"RUN!" Rayla cried out.

The group scattered and the leech pursued one at random, that just turned out to be the girl and wolf pair. Ezran turned around and, under fear, under the pressure, again there was something that just felt wrong. Out of place.

The giant leech snarled and…wait, leeches don't snarl!

Not thinking it through, Ezran went against some of his instincts and began shouting and hopping, trying to get the monster's attention. And it worked. The creature noticed he wasn't moving and picked him as a new target.

"EZRAN, RUN!" Rayla called out.

He stood his ground, though, ignoring the better part of his judgement that ordered him to use his legs before he was without them!

The fast crawling monster came at him and…stopped. It snarled again, that so uncharacteristic sound. The prince responded somewhat in kind. He howled at it.

"What in the Primals?" Rayla approached, not taking her eyes from the creature. Ellis and Ava right behind her.

"It's not a real leech monster. I could tell something was different about it. Leeches don't snarl, for one." he subtly moved his hand to touch the creature. When contact was made though, the leech vanished in a cloud of golden wisps. Needless to say, everyone was stunned.

"It…it wasn't real? It was just an illusion!" Rayla realized.

"Guess so." Ezran replied. "But does this mean the monsters here are all illusions?"

"Maybe so." Ellis shrugged.

Rayla looked pensive. She turned her gaze to the girl and the wolf, then to the stone on the collar the latter wore. "Ellis, when did Ava got that collar?"

The girl looked confused but answered, nonetheless. "From the healer herself. It was a gift."

"So this healer gave Ava a new paw and that collar. Have you ever removed the collar?"

Ellis shook her head. "Ava won't let anyone do it. Not even me."

"So that collar never came off since she got it?"

"Rayla, what's this about? You know something, don't you?" Ezran approached, wearing an expression that bordered on suspicion.

She couldn't turn away from it. "I'm already guarding a secret from him. Best not to pile them up." She looked sadly at him. "Ezran, I'm sorry, but I think there is no healer here."

The statement was followed by confusion. Ezran couldn't make heads or tails what she meant while Ellis claimed the healer did exist. Rayla divulged. "I've noticed some details. That collar," she pointed at Ava. "has a moonstone attached to it. Back in my hometown, there are moonshadow mages, illusionists. They specialize in casting all sorts of illusions, some even feel solid and have weight. And those complex illusions can be maintained long-term by one of such moonstones." she casted a meaningful look at Ava's paw.

"So you're saying the healer was a fake?" Ellis looked between her best friend and the elf.

"I'm saying there's a good chance, yes. Those monsters being illusions just made me figured it out."

Ezran finally spoke. "Ellis, can you please try to take off the collar?"

"I can try, but she won't let me." the explorer approached Ava, whom had remained aloof during the entire revelation. The moment her hands got too close to the collar, the wolf snarled, though made no attempt to bite. Ellis didn't flinch but did withdraw her hands.

The Prince walked up to the wolf. He held her muzzle in his hands and looked her in the eye. "Ava, we need to know if the healer is real, or else, this all thing is for nothing. Please, just tell me, did she heal your paw?"

The wolf whined, her yellow eyes pierced his own.

Unbeknownst to everyone, the symbol of the moon primal shone on Ezran's pupils. Ava whined mournfully and lowered her head. She was giving him permission!

The prince slowly removed her collar. There was a strange hum and the front right leg vanished in a cloud of golden whisps.

Ellis looked stunned. Rayla felt regretful for being proven right. Ava whined in shame. But Ezran was stone faced. He replaced the collar and walked away back in silence.

"Ezran…"

"Let's go, Rayla." His tone was cold and void of any cheer.

"I'm sorry…"

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry." The prince said, confusing everyone else. "We've been wasting a whole night when we could be closer to get Zym to Xadia. And its because I gave in."

"Wait, who's Zym?" Ellis interjected.

"Actually, I did…"

"...and it's all because of this stupid curse!" Ezran continued his outburst without a care.

"Curse?"

"Ezran, we…" Rayla first thought was to plead with him to quiet down, but then something more alarming caught her. More and more streaks of Ezran's hair were turning silver. "Ezran, please try to stay calm."

Ezran glared at her, teeth baring. The moon primal glowed on his pupils. "Why? Why should I be calm? I have a rIgHt tO bE uPsEt!"

For the first time in 400 years, a Silver Wolf-type werewolf rose and howled under the moonlight. Ezran looked at the frightened girls without any recognition.

"Ezran?" Rayla pleaded.

The silver werewolf howled, his fur glowing like the moon above. He snarled and lunged at them.

The battle ended shortly when Ellis cried out in pain, as the werewolf's teeth sunk in the flesh of her arm.


Next chapter, the season's finale, will be a short epilogue. We see how Team Ezran escapes this, how was he able to turn in a non-full moon night. Also, an short poin of view from Callum. And Viren will finally meet the TDP fandom favorite purple elf.

Ava's definitions of alpha and omega come from Teen Wolf. It's on Netflix. As for the song, it's from Brother Bear of Disney. I love that song!

Also, I added a bit of characterization to Ava by making her feel ashamed of her missing limb and never wanting to take off the collar. Which reminds me, the logic of TDP is faulty in some details. Like, did Ava never take off that collar? Because Ellis was just as surprised to find out her paw was an illusion. Furthermore, Ava got the collar when she was a cub. Did the collar expand to accomodate her growth?