A/N: This is the first chapter of the rewrite of my ThunderCats/Jedi/Republic crossover story from the POV of the 2011 series. Chronologically it follows chapter 1 of "Plun-Darr Joins the Confederacy." Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own ThunderCats or Star Wars. They belong to Warner Bros. and Disney, respectively.
Introduction
It was the twelfth hour since the fall of Avista and the ThunderCats' loss of the Tech Stone. Lion-O and the other ThunderCats were sitting together in a circle discussing the situation at hand, while the Berbils continued to work on fixing Avista City. Surprisingly, the Birdmen were somewhat impressed by the way these "monkey wrenches" were able to work with the same technology they themselves were dedicated to.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" a Duck Bird asked Ro-Bear Bill, "Avista is a very cunning piece of work, and it took our ancestors half a lifetime to fully construct it and get it working."
Ro-Bear Bill replied, "Berbils can fix anything technological. Birds are not the only race on Third Earth who embrace technology."
"Coo," responded Horus the Pigeon Bird, Vultaire's former right hand Bird, who had narrowly survived the Battle of Avista while defending the city.
"Ro-Bear Bill does not know what that means," intoned Ro-Bear Bill, "But if it is a compliment, we thank you."
Horus nodded silently.
In the ThunderCats' circle, Lion-O was examining the Book of Omens, searching for answers to the next step of their journey. "With Pumyra no longer with us, at least we don't have to worry about Mumm-Ra tracking us directly anymore," he said. "But I just can't get the Book to show us what to do next, other than continue walking who knows where."
"Aw, come on, bro," said Tygra, "It can't be that hard. After all, didn't Jaga himself imply that the power of Omens is better than the power of Plun-Darr, if not stronger? We can still beat Mumm-Ra."
"Actually, I think the right word is 'purer' power, Tygra," said Cheetara philosophically.
"Whatever," said Tygra with a shrug.
"I think Jaga did hint at that, yes," said Lion-O, "But that doesn't mean the Book still can't be mysterious when it wants to be."
"Wherever your journey takes you, Lion-O," said Dobo the Dog, unexpectedly stepping up behind him, "since you have shown the loyalty I long thought was lacking in Cats, the Dogs will always have your back from now on."
"The same goes for the Elephants, Lion-O," said Aburn.
"And we Fish will not give up on the Cat who helped us overcome the Ramlak and restore our natural home," said a couple of Fishmen, one of whom was the one who didn't like traveling in the Forever Bag. "Even if your quest takes you very far from our home, we can sacrifice our normal lives temporarily to help you."
"And though they're a little busy to say it to you right now," said Jorma, "The Berbils and the Birds of Avista are ready to help when necessary, too."
Lion-O smiled. So did the rest of the Cats, especially the ThunderKittens. "That's good to hear, guys," Lion-O replied, "because I think this quest is getting a lot more dangerous now, what with Mumm-Ra having regained the Sword of Plun-Darr and one of the Power Stones."
Anet, the spiritual leader of the Elephant tribe, stood beside Lion-O. "Do not forget, Lord Lion-O," he said, "that the future of your journey may also be seen through the power of Sight Beyond Sight, within the Eye of Thundera. Surely you did not forget that?"
Lion-O smirked for a second. "Actually, no, but I wanted to see if you did."
Anet looked slightly critical of that remark. "I told you, Lion-O," he replied, "We Elephants may have bad memories, but we can always remember the things that are most important to us in life, and the spiritual power of the Eye of Thundera is one of them."
Lion-O's smirk vanished. "Uh, yeah, I forgot about that. Sorry."
Anet chuckled. "So why not give it a try, Lion-O? Perhaps Sight Beyond Sight may reveal something to you that the Book of Omens is blank on right now, perhaps even a clue to the location of the fourth Stone," he encouraged him.
"About time somebody came up with something better than just sitting around chatting," remarked Panthro.
Lion-O stood up and raised the Sword of Omens to his face. "Sword of Omens," he commanded, "Give me Sight Beyond Sight!"
An image soon appeared in Lion-O's vision. It showed the fourth Power Stone, in all its blue, glowing glory, held by a mysterious Animal hand. But then the hand cast the Stone away, and it appeared to fall into some other plane of existence, like the Astral Plane, except it wasn't the Astral Plane. The Stone lit up Lion-O's vision in a brilliant blue shimmer, as he saw many worlds in the deeps of space, gearing themselves up for a war. He also saw strange things he had never seen the likes of before, like various humans and aliens doing everything from everyday activities (whatever they were) to fearing for their future. He even saw what looked like two manufactured armies: a robot army on a desert world, and some sort of clone army on a watery world ravaged by endless thunderstorms.
Then the vision changed, and he saw glimpses of strange people, human and alien, dressed mostly in simple, monastic robes, with tech sword hilts of some kind hanging from their belts. He knew they were swords because he saw one of them ignite its plasma blade, which shone a wondrous green color. Finally, he got a look at three of these people in particular: a little, wizened alien walking with a curved cane, a young man with a short beard who looked very good and very sure of himself, as well as mature beyond his years, and another, younger man with a dashing face, but hidden behind his good looks seemed to be hiding a boy in constant self-conflict, as if he had something to be angry about much of the time. With him was a beautiful young woman who was beautifully tailored in a politician's clothes, who looked at him with something more than affection.
But then, suddenly, the Soul Stone vanished from sight, and the galaxy he seemed to be witnessing regressed from Sight Beyond Sight. The last thing he saw before it gave out completely was a location near the Fishmen Oasis where this strange wormhole appeared to be located, and he could've sworn he saw an all too familiar army passing into the portal and presumably into that galaxy. He snapped out of it.
"What did the Sword show you, Lion-O?" asked Tygra eagerly.
"Patience, my friend," said Anet, "Based on how long it took him to see that entire vision, he may need a little time to get to the point."
Tygra rolled his eyes but said nothing.
Lion-O started speaking. "I… don't know where to start," he said, "But it appears the Stone is in a far away location deep in space, rather than on Third Earth. And in that place, I saw a galaxy in conflict, two governments fighting each other for galactic control, and I saw three strange men who must have been important to this crisis."
Everyone looked around each other with surprised interest. "I don't recall anyone even hinting that the fourth Stone was on a world far from Third Earth," said WilyKat. "Did your vision say which planet it's on?"
"No," said Lion-O, "I wasn't able to get it before my concentration waned. But the big thing about it all is, Mumm-Ra and the Lizard army are headed straight towards that galaxy right now, which means Mumm-Ra must've already somehow learned of its presence there, and you all know as well as I do that Mumm-Ra is never up to any good."
"I agree, Lion-O," said Panthro. "So, what do you suggest we do now?"
Lion-O thought about it for a moment. "One thing's for sure. We know next to nothing about this seemingly distant galaxy where the Stone is. But I think we have to follow Mumm-Ra and the Lizards there, and do whatever we can to help the people of that place who are on the side of right, as well as try to find the last Stone as quickly as possible. But it's not just Mumm-Ra's army that we have to watch out for. In the vision, I saw two armies being manufactured for the galactic conflict, one robotic, and one that looked like a clone army. One of those armies, at least, is bound to be allied with Mumm-Ra and company, and we need to find out which is good and which is bad right away, too."
"A clone army and a robot army," mused Dobo, "Nothing a good smacking from a good Dog or Cat fighter can't handle. If we are going, I'm in, and so are the other Dogs who are willing to come."
"That's depends on how many of these clones and robots there are, Dobo," said Cheetara.
"You know all of us are willing to back you up, Lion-O," said Aburn. "Just give us the signal and we are all ready."
Lion-O nodded. "Let's go talk to the Fish, the Birds, and the Berbils, too, and make sure they're all right with this, before we go. Of course, that'll mean postponing the repairs of Avista for a while, unless some Berbils stay behind, but hopefully it'll be worth it."
After Lion-O went to talk to Ro-Bear Bill, Horus, the surviving Ravenmen, and the Fishmen, Anet said to the other ThunderCats, "I believe Lion-O is making a wise choice, don't you all?"
"Oh, yeah!" said WilyKit, "We need to find that Stone, and it sounds like destiny intended this for us."
"How do you know that, sis?" asked WilyKat.
WilyKit grinned. "You know how I know it, bro," she said. "I meditate with the Elephants. I think their clairvoyance has rubbed off on me."
"Clairvoyance?" WilyKat stammered.
"The ability to see the future," explained Cheetara. "The clerics of Thundera, myself included, also have that kind of power to one extent or another, although mine is much less well developed."
"We'll soon see how fruitful and worthwhile this journey will be," said Panthro, "It doesn't entirely appeal to me."
"Why?" asked Tygra slyly. "Afraid you're going to have to go flying again?"
Panthro trembled. "No, I'm not!"
"Are you sure?" Tygra pressed him.
Panthro flushed fiercely. "All right, maybe a little. But don't spread the news to everyone around us, Tiger boy, especially not the Birds. They might think I'm the most primitive savage ever among Cats if you do!"
Tygra put on an innocent look. "Hey! My lips are sealed, Panther man!"
Cheetara and the Kittens giggled. Anet and Aburn grinned. Dobo just huffed.
When Lion-O came back, he said, "Most of them are willing to come, too. All the Fishmen are willing. Many Birds are willing, too, except for some civilians who are completely unprepared for adventure and combat, which is all right with me; they may remain behind if they like. The Ravenmen managed to salvage many SkyCutters from the flight garage of Avista, too, as well as lots of other technology, which doesn't necessarily need the Tech Stone to work. The Feliner is still intact, too, and the Birds and Berbils can help us build any number of new ThunderTanks later. And some of the Berbils volunteered to come, as well, including Ro-Bear Bill, even though he regrets not being able to say goodbye to his wife and child first. The rest will stay here and finish fixing Avista."
"Sounds good to me, Lion-O," said Panthro. "Only, is there at least one ThunderTank at hand for me to drive? I'd rather not ride the Feliner again, and I think you know why."
"Don't worry, Panthro," said Lion-O, "The Berbils still have the blueprints for the ThunderTank intact, and they've made a few new ones, one of which is ready and waiting for you."
"Well, let's get going, then!" said the Kittens in unison.
"ThunderCats! HO!" Lion-O shouted, raising the Sword of Omens into the sky.
"Yes! Just one thing, Lion-O," said Aburn.
"What's that, Aburn?" Lion-O inquired.
"…Where are we going?"
WilyKat and Kit giggled. Lion-O and the other adult Cats rolled their eyes in amusement and annoyance.
It didn't take long for the Thunderian and Avistan vehicles and airships to get to the Fishmen Oasis. The Birds and Cats rode in their vehicles, while everyone else rode in the ThunderKittens' Forever bag, except the one Fishman who didn't like the Bag. He rode with Panthro in the ThunderTank. They made a quick stop to see if any other Fishmen wished to join them, and after some of them accepted, they soon came to the portal.
"Brace yourselves, everyone," said Lion-O just before they passed into it.
The trip wasn't as rough as anyone expected it to be. For about twenty seconds, they were surrounded by a bluish-white light that seemed to move faster than anything any of them could fathom. Then they came out of it, and into one of the most wondrous worlds they had ever seen.
Horus cooed loudly from his seat in his private airship.
"Simply astounding!" remarked countless Birds in shared wonder, for what they saw before them made even Avista pale in comparison.
The world they came out on was a planet-wide metropolis, filled will high-tech skyscrapers, streets in the air and on the ground, and airspeeders and landspeeders moving about on the streets noisily and efficiently. Needlessly to say, it was also a very artistically designed place, too, because the buildings weren't just rectangular or square boxes. They were curved in many unique ways and in many different shapes and sizes. Clearly, it was very, very top class.
The Ravenmen in their SkyCutters swerved their flight formation out of the way of coming traffic just in time. The Feliner was less quick, and so was the ThunderTank on the ground.
"What the-?" an alien screamed as the Feliner almost clipped his wings with its own.
"Oops! Sorry, pal," remarked Tygra, as he flew the ship away from the highway.
On the ground, Panthro almost crashed into a landspeeder driven by a Dug. The Dug yelled at him, "Hey! Watch where 'yer goin'!"
"Yeah, fine, sorry!" shouted Panthro back as he moved aside and tried not to crash into more traffic.
He didn't hear it, but after he had gone, the Dug growled to himself, "Feline poodoo!"
"Where do we go, Lion-O?" asked Panthro, "We can't just aimlessly travel around this city, especially considering we're total strangers here."
"Don't worry, Panthro," said Lion-O, "The Book of Omens seems to be telling me that our first destination is that ziggurat-like building over there." He pointed over to a large fortress, which also looked strangely like a temple. "In fact, I can't explain it, but something seems to be drawing me, or drawing the War Stone, to it."
Snarf meowed nervously from his back seat in the Feliner.
"Take us over there, Tygra," ordered Lion-O. "Panthro, you and the other Tanks follow our lead as best you can. Birds of Avista, follow the Feliner."
Soon they flew within sight of the mighty temple. There were several landing platforms sticking out of the building's exterior, some of which had wedge-shaped fighter ships parked on them. Suddenly, a stern, humorless voice broadcast over their intercom.
"Unidentified crafts, men are coming out to escort you to a landing. The ship with the feline head is to land on Platform 329, directly ahead. The fighters and other airships are to land at the platforms on the east side of the Jedi Temple. We will soon direct your ground vehicles to a parking zone, as well."
Lion-O blinked with interest. "The Jedi Temple? I guess the Omens meant for us to find these Jedi first. Everyone, do as that man says. It might be unwise not to comply with his orders."
"Copy that, Lion-One!" said a Ravenman pilot.
"I'll catch up with you as soon as I can, Lion-O," assured Panthro.
The Feliner was guided down to land on Platform 329, as the voice had said. The ThunderCats and the Fishman who hated the Forever Bag walked down the ramp. On a nearby platform, Horus' ship landed, along with several other Bird airships, and the SkyCutters were guided to a safe landing on some empty fighter platforms.
"As usual, be ready for anything," said Lion-O.
After they walked several meters ahead, a pair of security guards came out carrying large, metal hilts that ignited into double-bladed plasma swords, and held them at the ready. The ThunderCats and the Fishman drew their own weapons, thinking at first that a fight was coming. But then, two more figures not carrying weapons came out of the shadows and walked towards them. One of them was a bald, dark-skinned, rather grim-looking man who wasn't smiling, but nonetheless seemed to be welcoming their presence there. He was quite tall. The other was a diminutive, old, elfin alien with green skin and a slightly cheerier nature, smaller even than the Kittens, almost as small as Snarf. He hobbled along with the aid of a cane.
"Guards, your weapons. Lower them," he instructed the guards. "Sense these people are not hostile, I do."
The guards did as they were told.
"Strange, is it not, how a surge in the Force can make the most unusual and unique occurrences happen?" he said with good humor.
Lion-O and the other Cats were surprised. "You mean, you were expecting us, sir?"
"Indeed, yes," said the old alien, "We were. Foresaw your coming through the Force, I did. An unknown destiny in this galaxy, you appear to have. And 'sir,' I am not. Master Yoda I am, Grand Master of the Jedi Order."
"And I am Master Mace Windu, another high-ranking Master in the Order," said the tall, black man, bowing his head in courtesy. They could tell from the sound of his voice that it was he who spoke to them over the intercom.
"Uh, what exactly is this 'Force' you speak of?" the cleric in Cheetara wanted to know.
"Yes," agreed Lion-O, "It sounds like something with similarities to our own power, the Omens, but we know nothing about it. We've never even heard of it."
Yoda blinked slowly. "Hmm. Never heard of the Force, have you?" he mused. "Well, perhaps, more time to explain that later there may be. But for now, have an important appointment with the Republic's Supreme Chancellor, we do. Obi-Wan Kenobi, a noble Jedi Knight, tracks a bounty hunter who attempted to assassinate an important senator even as we speak, and yet to hear from him, we have."
"And Chancellor Palpatine is eager to make some progress on the vote of whether or not to create a Grand Army of the Republic for a possible war," said Mace Windu.
"Well, by all means, we can't keep a politician waiting," said Tygra, "Let's go!"
"Wait," said Yoda, "Sense there are more people here than just you, I do."
"Well," said Lion-O, "There are the Birdmen disembarking from their airships over there." He pointed to where the Birds were starting to join them. "Which reminds me, we haven't introduced ourselves. I am Lion-O, Lord of the ThunderCats, and these are my Cat friends, Tygra, my adopted brother, Cheetara, his girlfriend and a cleric, Panthro, a 'monkey wrench,' and the Kittens, WilyKat and WilyKit. And this is… what was your name again?" he asked the Fishman who accompanied them.
"I am Seaji," said the Fish. "I don't like traveling around in that big bag the Kittens carry around with them, so I rode with the Cats in the Feliner."
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Lion-O," said Mace, bowing his head.
"Same from me," said Yoda, nodding. "What? Traveling in that little bag, your other friends are?"
"Yeah," said WilyKat, "It's easy and efficient, especially since we didn't have enough big vehicles for everybody." He and WilyKit raised the Forever Bag and said the magic word:
"Rokenbass!"
The bag magically burst open, and out shot almost uncountable other Animal creatures: dozens of Fishmen, numerous Elephants and Berbils, and a small army of Dogs. Anet, Aburn, Ro-Bear Bill, and Dobo, needless to say, were among the passengers.
Yoda's eyes widened. Even grim Windu was taken aback by this magic.
"A magic bag?" said Yoda. "Carries all your extra companions, it does?"
"You bet!" said Kat and Kit.
"We heard some of the things you wear talking about from within the bag," said Anet, "And it is an honor to be introduced to other people who share our affinity for spirituality."
"And who know much about technology, like the Berbils," said Ro-Bear Bill.
"Coo!" agreed Horus, who had been standing with them longer than any of them knew.
"What did he say?" asked Master Windu, frowning.
"Oh, don't mind Horus," said Lion-O, "He isn't much of a talker. He usually coos like a pigeon when he wants to communicate. His former boss, Vultaire, did all the talking for him, not that we have any fond memories of Vultaire."
"Well," said Mace, "I think the Chancellor would frown on having so many strange people crowding his office at once, especially since many Jedi and senators will be at this meeting, too, but maybe some of the Jedi not attending the briefing can entertain the others while we take the high-ranking newcomers to meet everyone in the Chancellor's office."
"Suits us fine," said Panthro.
"Yeah," said Lion-O, "I'm sure that those not in positions of authority won't mind, although I'd like all of the Cats to be at this meeting, at least."
"Fine, then," said Yoda. "Now, no more chatter. Keep the Chancellor waiting much longer, we cannot."
In about fifteen minutes, the ThunderCats, Seaji, Dobo, Jorma, Ro-Bear Bill, Anet, Aburn, Horus, and a few Dog and Raven guards, had made the trip with Mace Windu and Yoda to the office of the Supreme Chancellor. Inside were about a dozen Jedi Masters, Knights, and Padawans, several senators, including one human, one three-eyed alien, and one amphibian-like alien who looked just plain weird, and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself.
The Jedi all wore solemn, almost emotionless expressions on their faces, although one young female Padawan looked a little tense. The senators looked anxious, especially the human and the amphibian, while three-eyes looked like he enjoyed making enemies. And the Chancellor? He looked calm and collected, almost as if nothing was wrong, and his bearing was almost casual. He seemed to be the only person in the room completely at ease with himself, although the two sinister-looking aliens standing by his sides didn't seem too bothered, either.
Everyone started at the unusual company that Mace and Yoda brought with them into the office, including the Chancellor. "Oh, Master Yoda," said a Jedi with a tall cone head, "Master Windu. Uh, you didn't tell us you were bringing company with you."
A woman wearing a pretty, flowing headdress and dark skin said, "Yes. And forgive my bluntness, but they look like bipedal animals. Where did you find them, and why are they here?"
"Worry not, Masters Ki-Adi-Mundi and Adi Gallia," assured Yoda. "On the Republic and Jedi side, these folks are. As for what they are, introduce themselves, I believe they can."
"My group and I are the ThunderCats," said Lion-O. "We are the noble warriors of the Code of Thundera, and we have authority over the Cat race back on Third Earth. I am Lion-O, Lord of the ThunderCats."
Each of the other Cats introduced him/herself in turn.
"I am Seaji, and I am a Fishman."
"A fisherman?" inquired the young Padawan lady.
"Barriss!" scolded the slightly older woman standing next to her, "Don't speak out of turn."
"I'm sorry, Master Luminara," said Barriss, blushing a little.
"That's all right, ma'am," said Seaji, "I don't mind kindly correcting her. I'm not a fisherman. I'm a Fishman, like a fish, and so are all my fellow people."
Barriss' mouth formed an O.
"We are Anet and Aburn, two members of the Elephant tribe, and it is our destiny in life to stay in touch with the harmony of the universe."
"Ro-Bear Bill is a Berbil."
"I'm Dobo, and this is Jorma. We Dogs are damn good fighters."
"Coo!"
"Wha' did ya say?" asked the amphibian senator.
Horus squinted at the goofy looking creature. A Raven guard quickly spoke up.
"I apologize on Horus' behalf," he said, "He prefers not to use sapient language when he communicates with others. He and my kind are the Birdmen of Avista."
This time, it was Palpatine who spoke. "Ah. This is all very good and well, but what are these Animal people doing here? I don't recall anything of their kind existing in this galaxy."
"That's because we come from another one, sir," said Lion-O politely, "The power of the Omens summoned us here because somewhere in this galaxy, there is a magical stone we must find in order to defeat an evil entity named Mumm-Ra the Ever-Living. At present, we have the War Stone and the Spirit Stone, but Mumm-Ra was able to get the Tech Stone before we could. And before coming here, it came to our attention that Mumm-Ra and his Lizard army, now also supplemented by Monkeys and Jackals, have come to this galaxy to search for the fourth Stone themselves. We intend to get to that Stone before Mumm-Ra does, and in the process, we wish to serve on the right side of this galactic crisis to help bring peace and hope back to it. And since the Omens led us to the Republic, it's our belief that this is the right side."
"Well, I certainly hope so," said the three-eyed senator, "Because those blasted Separatists are bringing my world and the Republic as a whole nothing but trouble. The Republic needs a strong military as quickly as possible to avert this crisis!"
"There you go again, Ask Aak," said the human senator, who sounded exasperated. "Our gearing up for war is only going to provoke the Separatists even more and ensure that we end up in an impossible war that will tear the galaxy apart. Fighting fire with fire only creates more fire!"
"Ah yes, of course," said Senator Aak, "Bail Organa, the righteous buffoon of pacifism. You're no better than the Council of Neutral Systems and that Duchess Satine Kryze, who think a necessary war is like the Black Plague! When will you learn that the Seps have already provoked us to war first?"
"Never, because it isn't true!" said Senator Organa.
"Please, calm down, everyone," said Palpatine soothingly, "Both of you two have a point. And we're still waiting for the next word from Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi on the tracking of this suspicious bounty hunter who has been hunting Senator Amidala. Let's wait for his latest report before we say or do anything rash, all right?" He smiled disarmingly and spread his hands.
Bail and Aak reluctantly shook hands. "But this isn't the end of the debate yet, Aak," said Bail.
"We'll see when it's over," sneered Aak. "Really, I don't know who's more ridiculous in the Galactic Senate, you, or Jar Jar Binks over there." He gestured to the amphibious senator.
"I think we all know the answer to that," said Bail. "No offense meant, however, Representative Binks."
"None taken, Senator Bail," said Jar Jar, who seemed a very irrepressible character. WilyKat and WilyKit giggled at him, until Panthro quietly silenced them.
"Is it always this pleasant in your senate, President Palatine?" asked Aburn.
Palpatine blinked, something he didn't seem to do as often as many other people. "It's Chancellor Palpatine, my Elephant friend. And I'm afraid it has been rather tense around the Galactic Senate for some time now. So many innocent Republic citizens are afraid of the Separatists, and the senators are very concerned about protecting them."
"Or about receiving protection," mumbled Bail.
"Ah, I see," said Aburn, "Well, I hope that changes for the better someday, Palatine."
Everyone in the room, including even Jar Jar, stared incredulously at Aburn. "Huh?" said Jar Jar. Palpatine looked like he was starting to lose patience just a little.
Anet quickly stepped in. "Sorry about my friend's bad memory, Chancellor," he said apologetically, "We Elephants are often forgetful of various things. It takes a while to get something right when someone says it to us."
Palpatine nodded his understanding.
"Mee sa thought all pachyderms never forget a thing," Jar Jar said quietly.
Anet heard him and smiled. "Oh, that's just an old wive's tale. Believe me, it's much harder for an Elephant to remember mundane things than you can imagine."
"It's a good thing the Elephants are the only ones of us with a poor memory, Lion-O," said Tygra, "Otherwise, we'd all be thrown out with the trash, like Vultaire wanted to do to us on Avista."
"I know the feeling, too," said Panthro.
"We all do," said Cheetara.
Suddenly, there was a beeping tone coming from a machine in the middle of the office. "Obi-Wan reporting again, that must be," said Yoda.
"Yes," said Mace. "Let's save the rest of this chat for another time and get down to business."
"My feeling exactly, Master Windu," said Palpatine. "Somebody switch on the hologram, please."
A second later, an image of a young human man dressed like the other Jedi appeared on the machine in the middle of the room. Lion-O remembered Obi-Wan Kenobi as another of the three men who had been prominent in his vision in the Eye of Thundera, and wondered what part their destinies would play with each other. If Obi-Wan noticed the Cats and their allies standing around with the Jedi and the politicians, he made no indication of it.
"I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to Geonosis," he started. "The cloners on the planet Kamino are growing a clone army from Fett's DNA, and they say that the army is intended for the Republic. Meanwhile, the Trade Federation and the Commerce Guilds are indeed gearing up for war under the banner of Count Dooku, and it is now clear that Viceroy Gunray is responsible for the assassination attempts on the life of Senator Amidala. The droid armies are being prepared in the Geonosian Industries' factories below ground. However, one curious fact that has come to light is that aliens from an unknown location have just joined the Separatists as well. There are several animal-like barbarians, a dangerous-looking woman with feline traits, and an odd entity who looks like a half-decayed mummy, but is alive and breathing. And they have added their own armies of creatures called Lizards, Monkeys, and Jackals to fight alongside the battle droids, which have brought their own fearsome war technology with them from wherever they came from. In addition, these Lizards and other creatures are setting up mines and other little bases of their own on Geonosis, to provide for their army's needs, and I- Wait. Wait!" He cut himself off as he ignited his lightsaber and started to deflect blaster bolts.
Everyone tensed up as a droideka waddled into view of the hologram, shooting at the Jedi. The Cats were impressed by the way he deflected those bolts. Then, they heard him cry out as he was tackled from behind and shoved to the ground by a huge, terrifying primate. The Jedi and senators didn't recognize him, but the Cats knew all too well that that was Addicus the Monkey.
Everyone was silent for a few long moments, until…
"The Commerce Guild and Corporate Alliance have readied themselves for war; that much is certain," said a frustrated Senator Organa.
"Count Dooku must have made a treaty with them," remarked Palpatine.
"This doesn't look good, bro," said WilyKit.
"No, it doesn't," agreed WilyKat, "Looks like we're going to be caught up in a war just like Lion-O thought we would."
"The debate is over," said a triumphant Ask Aak. "Now we need that clone army."
"What's all this about a clone army?" asked a curious Ravenman.
"Explain it to you later, we will," said Yoda, who wanted to hear what was being said.
Bail Organa was very tenacious. "Unfortunately, the debate is not over. The Senate will never approve the use of clones to fight this war!"
Suddenly, one of the aliens beside Palpatine, the one with the long horns and the appearance of a demon, said diplomatically, "This is a crisis. And a very serious one. I believe that someone on the Senate must step forward and grant the Senate's emergency powers to the Chancellor. Then, he can approve the creation of a Grand Army to oppose the Separatists."
The other alien, a spooky-looking woman with a head as bald as Windu's, said nothing, and did almost no movement, though her gaze on everybody was quite intense. She was as silent and implacable as Horus, it seemed.
"Indeed, Mas Amedda," agreed Palpatine, "But what senator would agree to do such a thing at this particular time?"
"If only… Senator Amidala were here," concluded Mas Amedda.
Palpatine nodded.
Jar Jar, of all the people in the room, looked the most thoughtful after what was said.
Lion-O and his friends were uncertain of the meaning of this. What would happen to the rest of the galaxy if this war took place?
A short while later, in the Senate chamber, the Cats and their allies watched the proceedings from a distance with Mace and Yoda. Representative Binks was speaking at the moment.
"It's a'clear, this is a time of great crisis in the Republic right now," he was saying, "And desperate times call for desperate measures, as we all a'know. And so, mee sa proposing that the Senate grant its emergency powers immediately to the Supreme Chancellor." He smiled well-meaningly.
The senators began to applaud enthusiastically. At least, most of them did. It wasn't hard to tell that some looked less thrilled with this course of action.
"Order! We shall have order!" shouted Amedda, Speaker of the Senate. Sly Moore, the sinister Aide to the Chancellor, was still silent.
Palpatine stood up. He looked sad but committed as he gave his reply to Jar Jar's proposal. "It is with great reluctance that I accept these emergency powers. I love democracy. I love the Republic. The power you give me, I will lay down when this crisis is over."
The Senate applauded again. Palpatine continued. "And as my first act with this new authority, I will create a Grand Army of the Republic to counter the increasing threats of the Separatists."
As the Senate applauded once more, Mace said to Yoda, "It is done, then."
Yoda nodded sadly. It was easy to tell, just by looking at him, that he was not at all fond of war, or even a small battle.
"There's something I can't figure out," said Dobo.
"What's that, Dobo?" asked Panthro.
"It seems a little too convenient that this clone army was being created, and completed, just in time for the Republic to need a new Grand Army. It's as if someone had planned this out."
"We don't have any evidence or proof of anything yet," said Mace, "But if your suspicions are right, I'm willing to bet Dooku has something to do with it."
"Yeah," said Dobo, "Maybe that's it. But it's still too weird."
"I know what it's like to think something's weird," said Lion-O, "I felt that way the entire time Pumyra was with us."
"In the meantime," interjected Yoda, "concentrate on what is happening now, we must. In peril, young Obi-Wan is."
"Yes," said Mace. "I will take all the able-bodied Jedi we have available and go to Geonosis to rescue Obi-Wan and try to stop Dooku's war."
"Visit, I will, the cloners on Kamino," said Yoda, "and see this army they have created for the Republic."
"I think most of my friends want to go to Geonosis, too, to prove ourselves to you in battle and to show that we're loyal to your cause as well as our own," said Lion-O.
"Count me in, too," said Tygra.
"You're not going anywhere without me," said a smiling Cheetara.
"I'll go, to keep you two from distracting each other," said Panthro.
The Fish, the Dogs, and the Birds wanted to help out at Geonosis, too, and said so.
"I, for one, would rather see this clone army with Master Yoda," said Anet. "I would like to see if there is anything existing within these clones that could disrupt the harmony of the universe."
"Same here, Anet," said Aburn.
"It'd be awesome to see a bunch of clone soldiers in action!" said WilyKat. "Can Kit and I go with Yoda, Anet, and Aburn?"
"Please?" implored WilyKit.
"That's not a bad idea, Lion-O," said Panthro, "Especially since I don't want them to get hurt by a massive number of battle droids, as I think they're called, in a fight."
"Yeah, that is a good idea," said Lion-O. "You have our permission, kids. But we're sending Snarf with you, for his own safety as well as for yours. He'll help Anet and Aburn keep an eye on you, so you don't get into trouble."
"Aw, we never get into trouble, Lion-O!" complained the Kittens.
"You know that's not true," said Cheetara. "You kids are natural-born troublemakers."
Kat and Kit groaned, but submitted to Lion-O's wish.
"You know," said Mace, " I just started wondering, where are young Skywalker and Senator Amidala right now? My intuition tells me they might get involved with this, too, even though I commanded Anakin to continue to protect her at all costs."
"Quite possible, it is, knowing Skywalker," said Yoda.
"Master Windu," asked Lion-O, "Who is Anakin Skywalker? And can you tell us more about this Obi-Wan Kenobi, too? For some reason, I feel like I have to know more about them."
"I'll give you a quick history lesson on them while we go to Geonosis," promised Mace.