This is an au/crossover idea that is a SW:R AU verse fic that incorporates ideas and elements of the anime show Buddy Complex. Yes, I know the name may sound funny, but I really like the series! But you don't have to watch it to read this fic! Right bellow are important pieces of information for the story, and more will be explained through out the fic! If you have a question, review or PM me and I'll do my best to clear things up for you!

Disclaimer is on my profile!

IMPORTANT STORY INFO:

- The universe is still at war, but Palpatine was discovered as the Emperor, and Anakin isn't bad. Also, while Lule and Leia are only babies, Ezra is fourteen. I know, the timeline seems a bit screwy, but I'm sure it'll make this story interesting! XD

-Kanan and Hera are a few years younger than they are in the original SW:R series. Just to make things a little interesting, I have adjusted their ages to twenty-three. Also, Sabine is nineteen!

-In this story, the Force, while still energy, isn't manipulated like it is in the general Star Wars universe. In this story, Jedi and Sith cannot move or manipulate things through the Force, as it instead heightens one's senses, reaction times, and in certain, extremely rare cases, can bind two Force-users (explained in later info point). Certain Force abilities are still in this story though, such as Force speed and Force jump.

- The main weapon in the war are mecha's that are in two types of categories (the names used are not from the anime series Buddy Complex, as far as I know).

Vaanguards: Large mecha's that are generally three to four, even five stories tall, with appearances that range widely, so no two Vaanguards are ever the same. Starting as simple, blocky forms that closely resemble Aviators, Vaanguard's change when they bond with a Jedi pilot. When this occurs, their plating will shift and change color. Their starting, bulky 'prototype forms' are found deep in old Jedi and Sith training temples, leading to the belief that they were once used in war before. Vaanguards' main weapons are usually a low power ion canon, and laser blade. Each Vaanguard is given a unique name, and therefore are rarely refered to as 'Vaanguards'. Vaanguards can only be used by Jedi and Sith, as the large and agile robots require not only a steady hand, but also one with the ability to make quick, hair-point turns and such. These are also fueled by the energy, the Force, which is naturally supplied through the mecha's connection with the Jedi/Sith who controls it.

Aviators: A smaller version of Vaangiards that are not fueled by the Force, and can be piloted by anyone (mostly Stormtroopers and Clones/Republic Troops), which is why they were first built. Aviators are generally two stories tall, and are bulky, with heavy armor and blaster canons as a main weapon. They rarely vary in structure, and are slower than their counterparts. Unlike the Vaanguards, they are not given unique names.

-Coupling (a term and general concept from Buddy Complex, all rights to them) is a rare ability, when two Vaanguard pilots are capable of forming a bond through the Force for a short time (roughly five minutes, though sometimes longer). For two Vaanguard pilots to successfully form this bond, they usually need similar brainwave patterns, and similar trait's (race, home planet, experiences, similar ages) can also aid in forming a strong enough compatibility. If a 'coupling' is forcefully broken off, it can have severe consequences, such as a mental breakdown (the bond connects the minds of the two pilots), temporary loss of control over their Vaanguard's systems, and weapon malfunctions.

-The bond through the Force (aka 'Coupling') allows the two Vaanguard pilots an even quicker reaction time, as well as stronger battle senses. This also allows their mecha's to reach their full potential (they are fueled by the Force, and the bond doubles the power the mecha recieves), and increases the mecha's speed, strength, and can even make their weapon systems stronger.

-Not all Jedi/Sith can do a Coupling. As mentioned above in one of the info points, it is a rare ability.

-I am horrible, I have found in writing this, at describing mecha/robots. Therefore I only mention the coloring of the Vaanguards. I will find pics that are like what I am envisioning, and put up links to those pics on my profile so that you all can see what they are shaped like and such.

/-/-/-/-/

And words that are bold AND italicized are com chatter!

That's all I can think of for now! Now, please Enjoy the story!


A large Republic cruiser drifted through the stars, its dark metal plating glowing dimly in the light of far away stars. Within the protective shielding several hundred troops, clone and Republic soldier alike, went about their duties. But it was in the tactical room that several of the strongest members of the crew stood.

Kanan Jarrus, a male human, member of the Jedi order, with the ranking of Jedi Knight, stood beside Jedi Master's Obi-wan, Anakin Skywalker, and Windu. Kanan stood rigid, his arms crossed over his chest, as he looked up at the hologram projected over the holoprojector table. Jedi Master's Yoda, Plo Koon and Luminara were looking back, their miniaturized projections glowing blue.

"Lothal?" Kanan spoke up, brow furrowing. "Why are the Sep's after Lothal?"

Windu glanced at the younger Jedi, a troubled frown on his face.

"Most likely because of it's positioning and natural resources."

Plo Koon nodded in agreement.

"Indeed. Lothal is known to have many rich veins of various types of ore beneath it's surface, and the planet is rather close to several large trading stations." The Kel-Dor sounded slightly worried. "With such resources close at hand, the Separatists could most certainly produce many Aviators to use at their disposal."

Anakin grimaced, looking down.

"Lothal's been staying Neutral in the war. The Seps won't care if innocents are killed because of them."

Yoda nodded. The small, elderly Master looked weary and saddened.

"True, your words are. Which is why stop them before they reach the surface, you must."

A grim silence fell for a long moment, no one saying a word. Finally, Kanan turned, walking to the door, his footsteps splitting the air.

"I'll get the Navigators to set our course." He stated, pausing to look back. "And check with the Engineers to see if the Vaanguards and fleet are ready for battle."

Luminara bowed her head.

"May the Force be with you four."

Kanan grimaced.

"May it be with us all." He muttered under his breath as he took to the coridors.


Lothal was a dusty planet. Resting on the Outterrim, it wasn't as nasty, warm or dry as Tatooine, but it was no where near a paradise.

Ezra knew this well. In his fourteen years thus far of life, he had never been anywhere off Lothal. The planet was bland, dull and...Well, any other word for 'totally and utterly boring'. But if anything, there was one thing Ezra could give it...

"At least we're Neutral." Ezra muttered, staring at the gigantic holoscreen that was on the side of a building.

Images of cities flashed across the screen, each place destroyed in the havoc of war, and a Twi'lek reporter was explaining the images. Ezra wasn't the only one who had stopped to watch, the entire city square was filled with people, all watching the screen with concern.

Blowing a black strand of hair out of his eyes, Ezra hiked his backpack up higher onto his shoulders as he continued to watch, brow furrowed. Some of the planets the reporter was speaking of were close to Lothal...

"Concerns along the Outterrim have been continuing to rise as Separatist fleets grow closer to the trading planet of Lothal. So far, no offer of allegiance has been sent to Lothal's leaders from either the Republic or the Separatists, and citizens are hoping that they will continue to be ignored in the war..."

Ezra sighed, shaking his head. Everyone seriously thought that the Imperials would 'make an offer of allegiance'? The Seps would simply waltz in, blow up a few smaller settlements and take everything of value.

Turning, the teen started walking the long path towards his home (if it could even be called that). He could hear people murmur amongst themselves worriedly, they were scared, he knew that. He was a little afraid too, though he was more concerned with just getting a meal in his belly at the moment.

Coming to one of the main speeder roads, Ezra paused, looking both ways before sprinting across. Once safely on the other side, his pace slowed, and he walked at a leisurely pace towards the city gates.


Kanan strode into the main hanger, looking for the members of his strike team. His three companions were up on the catwalks above, moving with practiced ease as they went about checking their Aviators. The tall, bulky mecha's gleamed under the many lights above, looking impressive.

"Hera! Zeb! Sabine!" Kanan called up, stopping and placing his hands on his hips.

Above, a head popped out over the rail, looking down at the Jedi. It was Sabine.

Sabine was a Mandelorian female, who had a fierce passion for art, explosions and fighting. At nineteen years of age, she had a youthful face, but was far more experienced than most that were twice her age.

The young woman smiled.

"Hey Kanan! What's up?"

Kanan's brow furrowed as he frowned.

"Where's Zeb and Hera?" He called back.

"In the Avi's! Hera's doing standard maintenance on hers, and Zeb's checking the com system on his!"

With a sigh, Kanan moved to the elevator (a floor panel that was lined with protective railings). Within moments, he was up on the catwalk, approaching Sabine.

"Hera! Zeb! Come on out here for a parsec!"

"Yeah yeah, hold on!" A gruff, deep voice rumbled from inside one of the three Aviators that were next to the catwalk. A moment later, Zeb came out from his own personal mecha.

Zeb was a Lasat, standing a good head or two taller than Kanan. The Lasat male had a love of battle and a quick mind, making him an effective Aviator pilot.

A moment later, from the third Aviator, a female Twi'lek with green skin and smart, sharp eyes jumped down.

Hera was one of the best Avi' pilots in the Republic. While she'd prefer peace, she had no qualms with taking down an enemy mecha who would dare damage her own Aviator unit. She was also Kanan's best friend, lieutenant, and they had, from time to time been...Intimate.

The Twi'lek approached, confusion on her delicate features.

"Kanan, what's wrong?"

The man sighed, wrapping an arm around the woman's shoulders when she stopped at his side.

"We have to prep for battle. The Seps are heading for Lothal."

"Lothal?" Sabine wondered aloud. "But they're-"

"Neutral, I know. But they have a lot of valuable resources that the Imperials want. Our team is going down to cut them off, along with Master Kenobi and Master Skywalker and their squads. The mission is to keep the Seps' mecha pilots from reaching the surface."

Zeb grinned, smacking his fists together.

"Can't wait to crack some Avi' heads."

Kanan rolled his eyes while Hera sighed and Sabine grinned.

"Point is, get ready. We have no clue when the Imperials will show up, so stay alert. Have Chopper make sure the Aviator's are all synced up."

The little astrodroid he referred to warbled, rolling away from Hera's mecha and bumping lightly against Kanan's leg.

The Jedi smiled slightly, then looked back at the others.

"I'll be in the Vaanguard hangar, getting everything prepped. If you need anything, just call."

"I thought our mission was to get that Vaanguard Prototype frame we found back to Courascant?" Sabine piped up.

Kanan nodded, face grim.

"That's the main objective, yeah, but we're the only cruiser close enough to intercept the Seps."

Hera grimaced, expressive eyes showing sadness, but also determination.

"We'll be ready and waiting for your signal."

Kanan smiled, giving her a peck on the cheek before turning, heading back towards the elevator shaft.

It was time to get his Vaanguard unit, the Stormbreaker, ready for battle.


Tall, dried out grass rolled like waves of water as a warm breeze blew past. Ezra smiled to himself, enjoying the touch of the wind as it ruffled his dark hair. The fields were empty, all workers having the day off. Ezra himself was only out there because he was going to his home, an old communications tower that had been long abandoned.

The teen was humming quietly to himself, his eyes, a bright electric blue in hue, gazed around wistfully.

Then the quiet air was split with a roaring sound that was like thunder. Ezra yelped, quickly ducking down low to the ground, eyes searching the sky.

He gasped.

"Woah..."

A humongous Separatist war cruiser drifted far above, the sound having been them coming out of light speed. Then there was another booming sound, and a Republic cruiser appeared, catching up with the Imperial ship.

The sky above was becoming a battle field. Ezra wasn't an idiot, he knew if he tried to run, he would more likely than not be hit by shrapnel, a destroyed Aviator or a stray blaster shot.

All he could do was stay where he was now...

And hope that he would survive.


Inside the Jedi cruiser, alarms blared, and the hangers were in chaos.

"All pilots, report to your stations." An automated, feminine voice announced over the ship's internal com system. "Repeat: All pilots, report to your stations."

Kanan grit his teeth as he ran along the catwalks, leaving Hanger Bay 001 and entering the Vaanguard hanger, Hanger Bay 000.

Four tall Vaanguard's stood, waiting. They were taller than the Aviator mecha's, and not as bulky.

Kanan ran past Obi-wan, who was climbing into the cockpit of his own Vaanguard, known as the Negotiator. The mecha's armor gleamed red and white as it waited patiently to be activated.

Next, Kanan ran past Anakin, who was giving his lieutenant, Captain Rex, final orders before they took to the sky. Beside where he stood on the catwalk stood his yellow and white Vaanguard, the Senator, named in honor of the young man's wife, Senator Amidala, who was probably with their two little twins now.

The Vaanguard beside Anakin's was empty. The purple and black mecha known as the Vaapad was Mace Windu's, and the Jedi Master was staying aboard the cruiser to help over see the battle and coordinate the strategy they would be using.

And finally, Kanan stopped beside the last Vaanguard, his Vaanguard, the Stormbreaker. The tall mecha was black with highlights of blue, and it stood regally, ready for battle.

Kanan jumped up to the cockpit with ease, and he pushed open the glass canopy. Climbing into the pilot seat, he slapped one of the many control buttons, and the canopy automatically shut and sealed, ensuring it wouldn't open at any point during battle. He then went about the almost instinctive process of switching on the Stormbreaker.

He pressed a hand to a panel beside his right elbow. A ping sounded, confirming that his Force signature had been recognized, and the Stormbreaker's systems came to life. In front of him, on the holopanel, several small video feeds opened. One showed Anakin, another was Obi-wan, and the third was of Windu in the cruisers bridge. The brown skinned Jedi was the first to speak.

"Vaanguard pilots, report."

"The Senator's online!" Anakin stated, his voice clearly ringing through the cockpit's com system.

"Negotiator online." Obi-wan confirmed.

Kanan began adjusting his mecha's controls as he, too, absently replied.

"Stormbreaker's online and running smooth."

Windu nodded, satisfied. The catwalks were being pulled in, and as the conveyor belts bellow took the three Jedi and their mecha towards the launching hatch, the man gave them a short briefing.

"So far three dozen Separatist Aviators have been launched and are heading towards the surface. Master Kenobi, you and your team are to protect the cruiser, we can't lose this ship to them. Master Skywalker, Jedi Knight Jarrus, you and your troops are to take down the Imperial mecha's and fire upon their ship, see if you can take out their weapon systems. Understood?"

Anakin grinned crookedly.

"You've got it."

Obi-wan rolled his eyes at his best friend's expression, but he nodded.

"We will do our best."

Kanan nodded once, eyes not on the holoscreen, but instead on the com system controls as he opened a sound feed with his small strike team as well as the other two squadrons. Judging by the video feeds, Anakin and Obi-wan were doing the same.

"Understood."

The hatch opened fully, revealing a clear blue sky, and Windu's video feed vanished with the now familiar parting words.

"You're free to engage."

Anakin was the first to take off (then again, he usually was, due to his level of enthusiasm).

"C'mon, boys! Let's show them what the 501st can do!" He exclaimed. His troops gave various words of agreement, a good dozen or so Aviators following the Senator from the other open hangers.

Obi-wan sighed, shaking his head, looking comically sad.

"He will never learn, will he?" The man muttered to himself before smiling warmly, his own Vaanguard moving forward. "Let's go, we've got a mission to complete. Cody! You're with me, watch my back."

"Yes'sir!" Another voice barked in reply. Kanan easily recognized it to belong to the Clone Commander, Cody.

Kanan watched as the second squadron took to the air, and only he and his team were left.

"Let's move!" He told his squad through the com, switching on his mecha's main thrusters.

Gone then, where the grey walls of the hanger, replaced by the blue, cloudless sky.

Sabine's voice was the first he heard through the com. The young woman gave a whoop of joy, and soon her Aviator unit joined Kanan's side. Hera soon followed, and then Zeb, who of course said the one thing no one sense would.

"Blast, this' gonna be fun!"

Rolling his eyes, Kanan shook his head.

"Zeb, focus. We're on a mission, we aren't here for fun." The Jedi's gaze flashed over the skies, taking in the battle that had just started. "Alright, here's the plan! We're splitting up, take out as many Seps as you can! If you can get a clear shot at one of that cruiser's canons, try and take it out! Sabine, try to keep close to Zeb, Hera, stick close to me just in case!"

"Ya got it."

"Clear as crystal!"

"Understood."

Nodding to himself, Kanan took off. He wasn't one of the fastest Jedi for nothing, after all.