Chapter Text
The Razor Crest was approaching a greenish planet. Din was at the controls, and Grogu was playing with a small metal ball on his lap.
"Look, Grogu," a modulated voice said, "it's Mandalore".
The child peered curiously through the window at the rapidly approaching surface of the planet. The ship began to shake as it entered the atmosphere. Finally, the thick clouds cleared, and the outline of the ruins of a great dome came into view. They touched down on the landing pad near the Mandalorian starfighters. The ramp lowered with a hiss, and Din, with Grobu clinging to his jetpack, stepped out of the ship. They made their way to the large gate and entered the city.
"The last time we were here, everything was in ruins," Din spoke to his son. "It's hard to believe that this is the same place."
Indeed, a great deal has already been accomplished in the reconstruction process. The main walkways have been leveled and equipped with safety railings. Numerous construction droids were bustling around.
"Let's go to the forge, " Din said. "After all our adventures, I have a lot to repair."
They approached the enormous furnaces blazing with blue fire.
"Welcome, Din Djarin," the Armorer greeted him. "It's been a while since you've been here. I can see you definitely need my services."
"I do," he nodded and handed her the pieces of armor that needed repair. The Armorer got right to work.
"A new age of Mandalore is dawning," she stated, "just like the songs of eons past foretold". She turned to him. "Our leader saw the Mythosaur in the Living Waters and the Mandalorians no longer live in hiding. Remove your helmet", she ordered him.
Din stood for a moment, stunned.
"Why are you wearing a helmet then?" he finally uttered.
"For protection against the heat of the forge. Remove your helmet", she insisted firmly.
He hesitantly took off his helmet. His face conveyed confusion. Grogu gasped loudly as he stared at him in astonishment.
"This is the way," the Armorer stated.
"This is the way", Din echoed awkwardly.
He left the forge, clutching his helmet clumsily in his hand. Grogu touched his cheek, babbling cheerfully.
"I… uhm..." Din stuttered. "Let's go over here,” he muttered eventually, heading toward the entrance to the Mines.
§
Bo-Katan and Koska Reeves left the warehouse near the landing pad and headed toward the main corridor, chatting cheerfully.
“There’s only one person who would fly out here in a piece of junk like that,” Koska chuckled.
"That’s true,” Bo-Katan smiled, staring at the Razor Crest with a tenderness in her eyes.
Koska took a close look at Bo.
"No way," she gasped. "Really? This silly man?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Bo blushed slightly.
"Oh, I think you do know," Koska teased.
"Once you've had your laugh, head to Hangar C, where Greef Karga's envoy is already waiting. Let me know later how it went."
"Sure, boss." Koska carried on, leaving Bo at the main gate.
Bo headed towards the Civic Center, and shortly afterward she entered the forge. Din wasn't there anymore.
"Armorer, has Din Djarin checked in here?" She asked.
"He has," the woman replied without putting down her work. "He heard what he was supposed to hear."
"Thank you," Bo nodded and left, wondering where he might have gone.
Behind the door, she looked around and noticed the entrance to the Mines. She set off down the dark hallway. At the end, near the water, she saw the silhouette of a man sitting with his back to her.
Suddenly, a joyful squeak rang out, and a little green creature landed in her arms.
"Hello, Din Grogu," she smiled warmly. "It's so good to see you."
The child babbled cheerfully. Bo gently set him down on the ground and sat down on the rock next to Din. His face was hidden in the shadows as he stared at the silvery helmet he was holding in his hands.
"Did you really see it? The mythosaur?" He chocked out without turning his head.
“I did,” she nearly whispered. “When I was pulling you out of the water.”
Grogu curiously peered into the water, cooing to himself.
“That's a lot to take in, huh?” She glanced at him.
He raised his head and looked at her. For the first time, she could see his face in the dim light coming from the entrance.
“I can handle this,” he muttered.
§
Bo-Katan was talking to the armorer when she noticed Din, looking worried, walk into the forge and peer into every corner.
“Thank you, Armorer, this would be all,” she nodded goodbye and walked over to Din.
“What's going on?” she asked.
“I can't find Grogu,” he replied, hurrying on. “I've already checked all his favorite places. Someone saw him heading toward the Civic Center.”
“He's not here,” she said. “Maybe he went to the Living Waters?”
"Good idea."
Din left the forge, and Bo followed him.
"Grogu, are you here?" Din shouted as he walked down the dark hallway. "This isn't funny!"
When they reached the shore, he knelt down and picked up a small, silvery ball from the ground.
"It's Grogu's," he muttered, looking around helplessly.
Without waiting a moment, she quickly put on her helmet and dove headfirst into the water. She swam to the bottom, but saw no sign of the child anywhere. As she swam on, she noticed what looked like sunlight streaming into the cave from the other side. She set off in that direction and soon surfaced outside the city. After a moment, she heard Din panting beside her.
They looked around and noticed what appeared to be huge footprints leading through the damp ground. She gave him a meaningful look ― as much as she could with her face hidden behind her helmet ― and, after firing up her jetpack, set off in pursuit.
Just a moment later, she noticed what looked like a moving mountain in the distance. Soon, the mountain took on the shape of a giant horned animal.
"Dank ferrik," she heard. Din must have recognized it, too.
A second later, she was able to make out the little green figure sitting on the creature's neck.
"You grab your son, and I'll fly forward to divert the its attention away from you," Bo shouted to Din.
He nodded, and they split up. She could now admire the Mitozaur in all its glory. When it saw her, the animal slowed down and finally stopped. They looked at each other for a moment, and then she followed Din as he rushed away with the child in his arms. As she flew away, she glanced back over her shoulder to look at the mythosaur. It seemed to be watching her, then turned and walked slowly in the opposite direction.
They touched down at the landing pad shorty thereafter.
"How could something like that even cross your mind? You're grounded from cookies today," Din ranted angrily at Grogu, who looked at him with a wounded innocence.
"You're a true Mandalorian," she smiled and patted the child on the head.
Din let out a heavy sigh.
§
Din was securing the luggage in the Razor Crest, getting ready for takeoff, when Bo-Katan approached the lowered ramp.
“So you guys are leaving, huh?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s time for us,” he replied, tightening the strap holding the load in place.
Bo paused for a moment, trying to figure out how to put what she wanted to say into words.
"Remember what that droid on Plazir-15 said? That human life is so short?" She uttered eventually.
“Yes,” he turned toward her.
“Please, stay,” she breathed.
“I promised to serve you; your wish is my command.” Din responded solemnly, slightly bowing his head.
"Lady Kryze has no requests for you,” she blushed. “I'm here only as Bo, hoping you'll want to stay.”
“I'd like to stay, Bo,” he said and walked down the ramp toward her.
“I'm glad to hear that,” she smiled. “How about a job for a bounty hunter? I'm looking for a good one who could help me find the remaining Mandalorians scattered across the galaxy.”
"I'd be interested," he replied, "as long as I can bring my son along. He needs to learn, you see."
"I see," she looked him in the eyes. "You absolutely have to take him with you."