Chapter 9: Attack on the palace
The Finalizer blasted the area surrounding the Greartok palace, focusing mainly on its defenses.
Lyra on the bridge watching as the star destroyer pummeled the ground.
"Remind me again why we don't just destroy the palace and Snoke with us?"
"If we thought Snoke could be killed that easily we would." Anakin said over the com link.
"…..True." Lyra said.
"Admiral, air defenses are down."
Lyra took a deep breath.
"Deploy ground forces!" Dozens of transport ships flew from the Finalizer the Errant Venture and other nearby ships.
They landed in and around the palace's outer defensive areas as well as the courtyards.
The Je'daii landed with Thousands of 501st stormtroopers, and Mandalorian warriors backing them up.
In the main courtyard Ben Solo was with two dozen other Je'daii and most of the 501st. An AT-M6 and two AT-AT Mk IIs behind them.
Echo slowly walking up beside Ben as they saw droves of drones and warriors rush out to meet them.
"You fought beside my grandfather during the clone wars general?" Ben asked.
"Yes sir, I'm proud to fight beside you and the Je'daii."
"Show my why they called you the best soldiers in the republic and empire."
"Vader's fist always get's the job done, right boys!" The 501st began chanting before Ben ignited his black and blue lightsaber. The Je'daii around him doing the same, some igniting two lightsabers,a dn some igniting double bladed lightsabers, each having the same design as the dark saber.
As they charged forward, the 501st went to work, easily taking down the drones in droves. Showing more elite precision and skills than any other First Order Stormtroopers.
Ben saw a Greartok warrior approach him and took a deep breath. The warrior forming dozens of liquid metal blades around him before hurling them at Ben. The Je'daii master unleashed a telekinetic blast that shattered the metal and knocked the Greartok back, the warrior surprised that the force attack had effected him as he stumbled backwards.
Ben now leapt through the air, the force guiding his movement as he slashed with his saber. The Greartok tried to form a metal blade and slash Ben, but his new lightsaber cut clean through the Greartok's blade and arm.
The Greartok screaming in pain and horror as he saw his arm severed at the elbow.
Ben quickly came back and slashed the Greartok across the waist. The warrior convulsing before the top half of his body fell off the lower half.
Ben felt the air around him grow hotter as he turned to see a column of fire soaring at him.
Ben leapt away as fast as he could , narrowly avoiding the fire. Two more Greartok warriors coming before him. One with fire in his hands, and the other having energy blades forming out of his armor.
The one with energy blades ran at Ben and slashed at him, Ben's lightsaber catching each blow as he avoided the others. The second Greartok unleashed more fire at Ben, who used a force repulse to knock the first Greartok back before using the force to hold the fire in place.
The first Greartok made a mad dash at Ben who raised his other hand and held him in place. Ben grunting as the two Greartok tried desperately to complete their attacks.
"Master!" Ben heard before he felt the fire get pushed away in the center and the second Greartok knocked back.
Ben then saw none other than Zen rushed at the second Greartok with his green and black lightsabers ignited. The young wolf Je'daii leaping over two incoming fire blasts before pushing the Greartok's arms away and slashing across his chest.
The Greartok grunted as blood poured out and the alien fell onto his side.
Ben was now able to focus all his attention on the first Greartok, knocking away each of his strikes before slashing up and across his chest, then face. The Greartok backing up before falling onto his back.
Zen quickly rejoined Ben.
"Nice work, let's stick together." Ben said as the other Je'daii showed similar progress against the other warriors. With their force powers effecting the Greartok and their lightsabers able to cut through their armor, the Je'daii were clearing up the warriors with relative ease.
Echo and his 501st were similarly clearing up the drones and combined drones. The walkers destroying any vehicles or warriors the Je'daii missed.
Inside one of the upper courtyards Ashoka lead the charge with Arkanes, and Arkorous beside her. Dozens of other Je'daii and 501st stormtroopers supported them , with mandalorian warriors flying over head providing cover.
Ashoka saw two warriors rushing at her, one with two cannons in hand and one with spiked bombs.
The two fired and unleashed their bombs, Ashoka using the force to keep the explosive force and blasts of energy away from her and her allies. When Ashoka reached the two, she acrobatically leapt up and slashed through one's neck before kicking off the body and doing the same to the other Greartok.
A Greartok with a large spiked hammer swung effortlessly at Arkorous who avoided the strikes before unleashing a concussive force blast into the Greartok. As the Greartok tumbled on the ground , Arkorous held him in place with force stasis. Arkanes leapt over his brother and slashed down through the Greartok's armor.
As the alien fell down, a second Greartok holding two lightsaber esk weapons slashed at Arkanes who leapt over the Greartok. Arkorous rushed forward and exchanged strikes with the Greartok who furiously slashed at the Je'daii.
Arkanes held his hand out at the Greartok who felt it get harder to breath, the force tightening on his throat as he gasped for breath.
Arkanes pulled the Greartok down by the throat and allowed Arkorous to lop his head clean off.
Taul and his Mandalorians battled on the other side of the platform. Taul deflecting incoming blasts from a Greartok who formed the energy in his hands.
Another Greartok rushed at him from the side with hatchets in hand. Boba Fett flew under the Greartok and fired a grapple around his legs at the same time he fired a device onto its back. Powerful electricity surged through the Greartok as it cringed in pain before being swept off its feet by Boba.
Taul flew through the air on his jetpack, continuing to deflect the incoming blasts before using the force to pull the Greartok into the air. Taul coming down and slashing though him.
Boba flew back in the direction of the Greartok who tried to get up, only for Boba to fire two devices onto his neck.
Boba detached his grapple before detonating the explosives. The Greartok's helmet landing away from his body.
Taul and Boba landed as another Greartok slammed his feet into the ground, causing a small quake.
The two turned to each other before flying up again. The Greartok lowering his arms in realization as he saw the two fly at him.
Overheard, Han and Chewie lead the mandalorian and Je'daii pilots as they shot down several Greartok craft trying to support their forces in the palace.
Chewie roaring as they shot down another.
"Yeah I see it too Chewie, Lyra I think there's a carrier nearby."
"I copy General Solo, we'll try and find it."Lyra said.
Han kept his focus on protecting the area over the courtyard Ben was in.
Occasionally firing blasts down into groups of drones.
Ben and Zen cut down another warrior together before two energy nets flew at them. Zen was ensnared as Ben used to force to knock his away. Zen grunting as a Greartok held his hands out and shouted, the Je'daii filled with electricity causing him to cry out in pain. All the while Ben used the force to deflect more nets that flew at him.
Another Je'daii cutting the Greartok's hands off.
Zen felt a relief as the cages retracted, Tenel Ka stabbing the Greartok through the chest.
"Honestly, you call yourself a master." She said before Ben hurled his lightsaber through the air, using the force to guide it as it cut two warriors in half that came at Tenel from behind.
The lightsaber returned to Ben's hand as he smiled.
"As a matter of fact, I do." He said as Tenel shook her head, joining her husband and his former student as they continued the fight.
As they continued to push forward, another Greartok came into sight, this one different than the others.
This Greartok was slightly larger and a bit sleeker, his armor being gold with a silver staff that had bronze blade ends. He knocked away the lightsabers of three Je'daii before cutting two down. The third unleashing force powers on him only for the Greartok to vanish and reappear behind the Je'daii, stabbing him.
A series of blasts from an AT-AT tried to hit the Greartok, but the alien vanished and reappeared beneath the walker. The Greartok leaping up and off the front to legs before reaching the head of the AT-AT and cutting it off with his staff blade.
The Greartok reappeared near Ben and his companions.
"Zen, get back." Ben said as he and Tenel held up their lightsabers.
"But master."
"Now!" Ben shouted as the Greartok vanished and appeared right in front of Ben, who unleashed a force repulse that blasted the Greartok back. However, the Greartok vanished and reappeared behind Tenel.
The Je'daii turning just in time to block his blades, Tenel exchanging a few strikes with the Greartok before he vanished as Ben tried to join in.
"Back to back!" Tenel shouted as her husband got behind her. The Greartok appearing in mid air as he came down on Ben. The Je'daii master knocking the end of the Greartok's blade away before he vanished. Tenel came to the side with her lightsaber, narrowly blocking a strike from the staff.
Ben and Tenel did their best to try and sense the Greartok as he vanished and reappeared around them. Even when they successfully landed attacks with the force, the Greartok simply vanished after and then reappeared.
"I have an idea, follow me lead." Ben said as the Greartok reappeared. Tenel blocked his staff as Ben hit him with force stasis. The Greartok vanished, but more slowly. As he reappeared Tenel caught him with force choke, the Greartok again vanishing more slowly.
When the Greartok appeared again, Ben unleashed a force scream blast that knocked him to the ground. When the Greartok vanished, Tenel hurled her lightsaber and guided it as it flew in a circle around them. The Greartok appeared in front of the saber's path and tried to slash Ben who blocked the strike with his own saber while also pulling Tenel's blade forward.
The Greartok convulsed as he saw Tenel's black and cyan lightsaber impaled through his stomach. Ben deactivated the lightsaber and allowed it to fall to the ground. The Greartok's helmet filling with blood before he dropped his weapon.
Tenel pulled her lightsaber back to her hand before feeling the ground shake , lightning begging to form above them as well.
"No! You dare!" A dark and powerful voice roared in their heads.
"Snoke sounds angry." Ben said.
Mara Jade fought with the other Je'daii masters as they cut down several warriors. Mara herself unleashed a powerful blast of white force lightning into two Greartok who cried out in pain before master Torish leapt forward with his double bladed lightsaber spinning.
When he landed the two Greartok fell apart into two pieces.
"Come on! Clear the way for my children!" Mara shouted seeing more warriors rush from the palace with a group of drones.
As the warriors tried to disperse, a series of fast lightsaber strikes and force attacks hit each , causing the warriors to fall to the ground. Tratha standing over the bodies with Walkin, Malik, and the three sith purebloods beside her.
Anakin and Rey revealing themselves from a hidden ship with R2 and BB-9 beside them.
"Go! Stop Snoke! Save the galaxy!" Tratha shouted as the four rushed into the palace.
As Ashoka and the mirilan brothers continued to fight off the Greartok defenders they saw two different opponents ahead of them.
One was a very sleek and small looking Greartok with black armor that looked lighter. Beside him was a female Greartok who had silver armor and a golden sword in each hand.
The female Greartok fought off two Je'daii while the smaller one levitated in the air , using telekinetic abilities to break apart debris and hurl them into Je'daii, doing the same with energy blasts. The two killed four Je'daii before Ashoka unleashed a blast of force energy into the two.
The Greartok saw her with Arkanes and Arkorous before approaching.
"You dare intrude on our father's sacred home. Your sacrilege will be paid for in blood ,you ha-" The black armored one said before Arkorous blasted him with force lightning.
"I hate monologues." Arkorous said before Ashoka lead him and Arkanes in a charge.
Ashoka and Arkanes slashed at the woman Greartok who moved incredibly fast and acrobatically, knocking away each of their lightsaber strikes while also delivering powerful kicks to their bodies.
Arkorous tried to reach the second Greartok, but he floated up again and ripped up pieces of the ground with his telekinetic abilities before unleashing them at Arkorous like a storm.
Arkorous used the force to deflect the debris before unleashing more force lightning.
The Greartok's hands glowed blue as he deflected the lightning back into Arkorous.
Arkorous grunting as he was hit by his own force lightning and knocked back.
The Greartok began pulling debris up into the shapes of arms and blades at Arkorous who furiously slashed them apart with his lightsaber.
The first Greartok continued her barrage of attacks before Ashoka blasted her back with the force. As she flipped through the air, Arkanes brought her down. Unfortunately as she landed, a burst of red lightning flew through the ground and enveloped both Je'daii who grunted in pain.
The Greartok woman leapt to her feet and slashed her swords forward, red energy soaring at the two Je'daii before Arkanes caught it and held the energy in place. Ashoka leaping up and into the Greartok. The two exchanged blows before Ashoka knocked her back with a force repulse, Arkanes unleashing the lightning back into the woman who grunted from the pain of her own blows.
Ashoka caught her swords and forced them up, Arkanes coming under Ashoka and thrusting up with his lightsaber, stabbing the woman through the chest.
The ground shook again as the lightning got worse.
"Ghawwww! Insolent insects! You dare strike a god's chosen!"
Arkorous and the black armored Greartok continued their fight as the Greartok projected a swarm of energy spheres before unleashing them at Arkorous in every direction.
Arkorous took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He slowly walked forward, avoiding each burst effortlessly.
"What is this!?" The Greartok shouted as he increased the number of blasts. Arkorous using the force to guide his movements before unleashing a blast into the Greartok who tumbled across the ground.
When the Greartok got up, he saw Arkorous sprinting at him and tried to pull the pieces of the ground under Arkorous up. However, Arkorous acrobatically leapt off each before coming down at the Greartok who lurched away just in time to avoid Arkorous's lightsaber.
Arkorous turned and blasted the Greartok with force lightning and telekinetic energy, the Greartok screaming as he flew off the platform and fell to the ground below.
Tratha used her force speed to get in close with one Greartok after the other, cutting them apart with her new lightsaber. That was when she saw two dead Je'daii go flying through the air. A massive Greartok , larger than any she had ever seen standing across from her.
The larger Greartok had bronze armor with large horns on his helmet and other animal like features, such as claws, hooves , and fangs from his helmet.
Tratha made a whistle sound before the Greartok saw two warriors fly through the air. The ground shaking as Small Fang came up behind Tratha and roared.
"Small fang, attack." She said as the monster Je'daii revealed two lightsaber blades on his gauntlets before he charged at the Greartok monster.
The two clashed, Small Fang trying to overpower the Greartok only for each of his strikes to be knocked away. Small Fang was struck several times before Tratha sped over and slashed at the inside of its legs. Her lightsaber damaged the armor, but didn't cut clean through, the Greartok crying in pain as Small Fang struck back.
Small Fang crashing his blades and fists across the Greartok's face. The Greartok grunting as he smashed his head into Small Fang, knocking him to the ground before Tratha and Small Fang both unleashed a blast of force energy.
The Greartok was pushed back, but got on all fours and scraped the ground. Roaring as he charged forward with his horns out. Tratha slid under the Greartok and spun her lightsaber, cutting the insides of his arms and legs before Small Fang leapt up at an angle, coming down right onto the Greartok's back as he forced his lightsaber's through its back.
Small Fang roared in victory before the ground shook again , lightning nearly striking him and Tratha.
"All deaths will be avenged! My ascension will cleanse the galaxy!"
"I hope Anakin cuts his tongue out." Tratha said as Small Fang smiled and nodded.
As all of this happened, The Finalizer located the Greartok carrier Han had spotted and began firing at it.
Taul and Boba continued fighting through the Greartok before feeling the ground shake. The two slowly turned to see none other than Yok-Vor standing behind them.
In his hands, over a dozen Mandalorian helmets.
"I'm sorry, does this upset you?" He said in a mocking tone as Taul and Boba felt their rage boil.
"No matter, it's not you I wish to bring down to my level. It's your dammed lover. Once I drag your lifeless corpse before her feet, force her to see your rotting body, I will finally be able to smile again." Yok-Vor said before Taul recognized one of the helmets.
"Wallace." Taul said shaking.
"Kid, we have to be smart about-" Boba started before Taul unleashed his rage in the form of a force blast. Yok-vor dropped the helmets and drew his blades, planting them into the ground as he kept his position.
Yok-Vor got up as a dozen dragon like drones flew over him.
"Hm hm , show me this power of yours. Show me how you intend to kill the Omni." Yok-Vor said as Taul flew at Yok-Vor, his lightsaber reaching one of the warmaster's swords before being knocked to the ground.
Yok-Vor raised his swords up, but Taul jumped back and unleashed the force into Yok-Vor who stumbled. The dragon drones began firing until Boba flew over, shooting down as many as he could with his carbine.
Boba fired an electrical device as well as some tracer explosives.
Yok-Vor slammed his foot into the ground, causing Taul to get knocked off his feet. Yok-Vor now turning and spinning his swords around, smashing apart each device.
As Boba flew back, Yok-Vor held his hand out, catching Boba with telekinetic abilities before pulling him into Taul. The two mandalorians tumbling as they crashed into each other.
Yok-Vor deployed more drones over his body as Taul hurled four devices onto the ground. Boba firing at them as the blasts bounced off each other and crashed into all of the drones. Taul flew under Yok-Vor before firing a rocket at the back of his head.
Just as the rocket his, Taul used some force lightning, Yok-Vor grunting as he felt part of his armor shirt circuit. He tried to deploy more drones, but that part of his armor was no longer working. Yok-Vor now growled as he detached that part of his armor.
Boba flew around Yok-Vor and fired a grapple around his -Vor about to break them with his swords before Taul fired another grapple around his legs, the two flying together as Taul unleashed a force blast. Yok-Vor was knocked off his feet and dragged across the ground. Boba now able to fire three electrical devices onto him.
Yok-Vor grunted in pain before bursting out of the grapples and grabbing them. Taul and Boba were hurled to the ground, their jetpacks disabled as they hit.
Yok-Vor tried to pull them in , but Taul slashed both the grapples before rushing at Yok-Vor, the two exchanging strikes as Boba slowly got up. He saw a pair of dead Je'daii nearby with their lightsabers close.
He looked back at Yok-Vor before taking a deep breath.
"My granddaughter is going to hate me for this." Boba said before he used magnets on his armor's wrists to pull the lightsabers to his hands.
Taul was knocked to the ground by Yok-Vor, the warmaster roaring as he loomed over Mandalore.
"Die!" He shouted before fire flew into him. Boba screaming as he blasted Yok-Vor with his flamethrowers while also holding two lightsabers.
Yok-Vor turned and brought his swords down while Boba brought his lightsabers up. Boba was stabbed by the two blades as the lightsabers went through Yok-Vor's hands.
Yok-Vor cried out in pain as he dropped his swords and backed up.
Taul's eyes widened as he saw Boba drop to the ground. Yok-Vor ran at Taul again, trying to punch and kick him with surprising agility. Taul avoided each strike before blasting Yok-Vor onto his back.
Taul held the dark saber out before screaming and leaping through the air with the force.
"Mandalore!" Taul shouted as Yok-Vor tried to smash him down, only to be stabbed through the heart.
Yok-Vor wailed, Taul bringing him down as the warmaster tried to grab the lightsaber, Taul burring it deeper into Yok-Vor.
Yok-Vor moved his hands and let out a breath.
"It makes no difference now." He said before removing his helmet, Taul not seeing anger or fear in Yok-Vor's eyes, only sorrow.
"Your lover already tore it out long ago." Yok-Vor said before his body fell to the ground. Taul nearly collapsing with him as he tried to catch his breath.
He then tried to get over to Boba, using the force to pull the swords from his body.
"Boba." Taul said slowly taking off his helmets. Boba having a very tired expression on his face. Looking up at the young man who took his own helmet off.
Boba gave a smile.
"This is a good death."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry, you were right, you showed me not what Mandalore was, but what it could be. Farewell Mandalore." Boba said before his eyes closed.
Taul felt more pain when he saw Wallace's helmet earlier, but now he felt only regret. The man before him having truly been what a mandalorian was. At the same time, the Finalizer brought down the Greartok carrier, the ship crashing into the ground near the palace and the remaining craft above it shutting down.
The ground shook again, not from the ship or Snoke. But from the black armored Greartok. The small Greartok used his telekinetic abilities to rip the destroyed carrier apart , as well as any nearby destroyed centipede tanks.
"I will not let them succeed father. I will destroy them!"
The Je'daii watching in horror as they saw the Greartok form the metal around him in the shape of Greartok armor. The black armored Greartok int he center of the titan.
Lyra's eyes widened.
"Fire!" The Finalizer's guns crashing into the metal giant.
However, more metal simply formed around it before it smashed one of the coalition ships out of the air.
"Move back!" Lyra shouted as their ships pulled away. The Greartok giant now slamming his feet and hands into the ground, trying to kill as many Je'daii and Mandalorians as he possibly could.
Ben and Tenel ran, the feet getting closer to them.
"Ben!" Han shouted as he saw this, Chewie roaring as the Falcon fired everything they had at the giant, only managing to blow open an area near the mouth.
Han saw the strikes get closer and closer to his son before turning to Chewie.
"There's only one thing we can do."
Chewie let out a low growl.
Han gave a sad look.
"This is where we part ways old friend. Take the last escape pod." Chewie shook his head, grabbing Han and hugging him.
"You always were too sentimental." Han said before he flew the Falcon through the mouth of the giant. Ben saw this, his eyes widening.
"Father! No what are you doing!"
The Falcon flew through the inside of the giant Greartok towards the center, where the black armored Greartok was floating.
Han looked around at the Falcon.
"It was a simple job, take an old man, a farm boy, and two droids to Alderaan. I never would have imagined what it lead to."
Chewie let out one final roar.
"I don't regret it, any of it." Hand said as the Greartok opened his eyes and saw the Falcon.
"No!"
Outside, the Je'daii, 501st, and Mandalorians saw an explosion from inside the titan. The beast falling apart into nothing.
Ben fell to his knees, the world slowing around him.
In orbit, Wedge and Lando saw Leia collapse to the ground.
"Leia!" They shouted as she braced herself against a terminal, Leia unable to breath as the two men saw pain in her face, pain they had never seeing her before.
"Oh my, mistress!" 3P0 shouted as he hurried over to Leia.
Anakin and Rey felt it as well. The two stopping and turning to each other.
"We don't have time, let's go." Anakin said as Rey reluctantly agreed and rushed forward with her bother and their droids.
Author's note
Yes, Han and Chewie are gone, they sacrificed their lives for Ben and the others
I think Harrison Ford would approve
Next chapter Rey and Anakin confront Snoke
So until next time,
Please review, comment, suggest, or ask(VIA PM)