Chapter 11: A Bloody Homecoming

Off-planet Mobius, 27th June 3256, 11:40 am…

"Home, sweet home." Roman remarked sarcastically as they exited hyperspace, and Mobius appeared once before them once again.

Tails frowned at Roman's remark, and made to say something. But upon noticing the bitter scowl on Roman's face, he thought better of it. He was returning home after fifteen years. He was allowed to reminisce. Despite how bitter that reminiscing was.

Roman's eyes scanned the planet, seeing everything as he had remembered it being when he had left it fifteen years before. He sighed as his eyes passed over a certain area of space as they approached Mobius. He remembered the sight of all the debris where a Star Destroyer had formerly hovered.

"Where everything went down…" Tails remarked as he noticed the spot Roman had affixed his eye.

"Where the full force of Sally's actions hit." Roman added bitterly. Shaking his head, Roman sighed. "Just seeing that spot's depressing the fuck out of me. Let's move onward to Mazuri." Keying his comms, he asked: "Demon Company, you guys cosy in those U-Wings?"

"The sooner we're out, the better!" The commander of Demon Company remarked, a tough captain named Brigman whom Roman had come to like.

Roman laughed and said: "Trust me, we're heading on in now." Before switching to the fighter squadron accompanying them: "Revenant One, you guys feeling good?"

"Just ready to bring the rain, Commander Roman." Revenant One replied. "Something I'm pretty sure my men agree with."

Roman heard shouts of agreement from everyone in Revenant Squadron, at which he laughed. "Well, here's the plan: You're all going to hit the field before we arrive, and hit it hard. Then me and Demon Company will arrived and raise all sorts of hell. You'll then simply provide air support as and when we need it."

"Good to know, Commander." Revenant One replied as she cut the comm.

"Your people sure seem enthusiastic." Tails remarked.

"Why wouldn't they be?" Roman replied. "This is the first action they've seen in a while. I bet some of them are salivating at the chance to take the fight back to the Empire. I know I am, in a manner of speaking."

Tails nodded. "So Revenant Squadron's getting the first bit of action, huh?"

Roman nodded. "And then we go in." He paused before adding darkly: "This is going to be a bloody homecoming."

Meanwhile, within Mazuri…

The sound of blasters rang out through the air as Acorn soldiers shot at the oncoming Imperial Stormtroopers. Fog clouded the street behind them as artillery relentlessly pounded their position.

Colonel Braddock rushed through the fog to find this predicament, and groaned. "They're back!" He shouted to the person following him: None other than Shadow the Hedgehog.

Shadow scowled. "Then we push them back. Again." He snarled. Drawing his dual pistols, he made to enter the fray, but Braddock caught his arm.

"Are you sure you should be fighting?" The colonel asked. "Your injuries…"

"Won't do anything to hamper me, colonel." Shadow snarled. "I've had a good amount of time to recover. Now let's show the Imperials what happens when you piss off the Ultimate Life Form." With that said, he stormed forward.

He could see the Stormtroopers steadily moving up towards their lines, and smiled. Just how he'd expected. Leaping over the barricade granting his men cover, he opened fire, steadily downing every Stormtrooper unfortunate enough to line themselves up in his crosshairs.

Seeing this fresh threat, the Stormtroopers started focusing their fire on the obsidian hedgehog, intent on gunning him down.

Braddock saw this and frowned. He wasn't too keen on following Shadow into the thick of battle: General Antoine's last orders before he had succumbed to his wounds were to hold position: They had lost too much ground to give any more up. With this in mind, Braddock grabbed the nearest blaster rifle and began to open fire on the Stormtroopers who, in the presence of Shadow, were now holding position.

Scores of them fell, yet as if they were just parts of a many headed Hydra monster, more seemed to take their place. It was as if it was an infinite puzzle, with more and more pieces filling in the gaps as more Stormtroopers fell.

Everything soon fell into a war of attrition: Both sides whittled away at one another's forces as they exchanged blaster fire.

Braddock scowled as he saw one of his men fall, victim of a blaster shot straight between the eyes. The back of the soldier's cranium burst apart in a mess of blood, skull and cranial matter, all of which exited the hole like water from a burst dam, covering those behind the soldier, as well as Braddock, with what remained. The body then slumped to the ground, more blood and cranial matter leaking out of either hole the blaster bolt had made in the soldier's head.

Braddock swore under his breath and shouted: "HOLD THE LINE!" As he resumed firing on the Stormtroopers. He had made a promise, one he planned on keeping.

Imperial Forward Operations Base…

"Lord Vader, it would appear one of those you defeated personally the night before last has resurfaced, fully healed." Frederick the Cat remarked. "At least according to reports from the field."

Darth Vader showed not a hint of surprise at the news. He'd suspected the black hedgehog he'd bested the night he had attacked the Mobian forces was made of sterner stuff. "Then I shall best him again." Vader said. "Only this time, I will ensure he dies." With this, he made to leave the area, but paused, turning to Frederick. "Ready yourself for battle, Agent Frederick. We may have need of your services. The same for your personal assassin." With this, Vader turned and swept away, leading his Death Troopers with him.

Frederick scowled and keyed his comm: "Alec, meet me by my office, armed and ready. We're heading into battle yet again."

"Will do, Mister Frederick." Alec replied on the other end.

Frederick ended the comm with a sigh. Fifteen years of serving the Empire had left him physically and emotionally drained, despite him still being relatively fit for a man of sixty six years of age. Walking over to his locker, Frederick opened it and began donning his armour, something he had not done in a long time. Grabbing the sword he had come to own, he paused as he gazed upon it, remembering whose ancestors it had belonged to: Roman the Fox.

Frederick's face turned to a distasteful scowl as he remembered the Fox who had taken so much from him. But then he shook his head. Roman was long gone. And with him, was any motivation Frederick had had to serve the Empire. Now all Frederick was anymore was Mobius' head of the Imperial Security Bureau, a role he still enjoyed, but felt that it was time for his retirement. He had been prepared to give his notice six months ago, but then the Acorns had invaded Efrika, and Admiral Okada had asked him to do the Empire one last service: Defend Efrika as best he could. And so he had.

Belting on the sword, Frederick pulled his helmet on over his head. Looking in the mirror, he let out a sigh. Once more, it was time to do something he no longer took pleasure in. Stepping outside, Frederick was not surprised to find Alec Devron Otranto, the man who had served him so well for so many years, standing outside his door. "Punctual as usual, Alec."

Alec nodded. As with Frederick, he too showed signs of having aged, even though he still looked younger than his fifty years of age suggested. His combat attire was still covered in the many weapons Alec used to perform his tasks. "One has to be." Alec remarked.

The pair shared another look before they nodded and headed out. It was yet another day of the ongoing battle to either defend or lose Mazuri.

Meanwhile, with the Rebel Forces…

"So you want me to help with the fight in the sky?" Tails asked.

"If it comes to that." Roman replied. "Besides, you're one of the best pilots I know. You'll get this ship out in one piece, I know it."

Tails nodded. "I'd be more comfortable in the Tornado." He remarked.

"You still fly that thing?" Roman asked in shock. How have you not been blasted out of the sky?!"

"Relax, I've taken the time your fifteen years of absence gave me to give the thing a few upgrades. Sooth to say; It's a lot better than it was."

Roman nodded. "Still, I want you in the Empire's Bane for this battle. I need an experienced pilot at the helm. Thankfully, Ashla's also on hand. Me and the others will head down and help Shadow take the fight to the Empire." Checking the time, Roman nodded. "Looks like we're not far out. I'll get Ashla in here." With this, Roman stepped out of his seat and headed out of the cockpit, walking down to the cargo hold to find Ashla waiting with the others. "Ash, get up in the cockpit. I want you co-piloting for Tails." He said.

Ashla nodded. "Okay." She said, getting up and rushing towards the cockpit.

Leaping down, Roman placed his hand on Owen's shoulder. "That makes you my second in command for this, Owen."

Owen nodded. "Sounds okay to me, dad." He said.

Roman nodded. "I have to warn you, though: This isn't another mission like in the past: This is full scale combat."

"Like when you were in the Clone Wars?" Owen asked.

Roman nodded. "Exactly like that. I'm giving you leave to use your lightsaber for this one, but do not on any account engage Vader if you run into him. Leave him to me, okay?"

Owen nodded. He understood that he was no match for the Dark Lord of the Sith. At least not yet.

Roman smiled and contacted Captain Brigman: "Demon Company, get ready. We're dropping down in T-minus three minutes."

"Yes sir." Brigman replied.

Roman nodded and contacted Tails: "Get ready to lower the ramp, Tails. I'd rather the Empire didn't know we're here until it's too late for them."

"Got it." Tails replied.

Roman smiled and cut the connection. Turning to his men, he smirked. "Once more unto the breach." He said.

With Shadow…

Shadow weaved and whirled around as blaster bolts cascaded past him, returning fire as he did. He made every shot he fired count, as a missed shot was bound to earn him a spot in a body bag.

Stormtroopers fell in their droves under his skilful attack, their training insufficient against the extensive training of Shadow the Hedgehog, former agent of G.U.N.

Those that found themselves in close proximity charged Shadow blindly, trying to blindside and bludgeon the self-proclaimed 'Ultimate Life Form' to death.

Yet Shadow caught them, and in a dazzling combination of moves, sent them flying back, fresh blaster bolts following and hitting their targets moments afterwards.

Behind him, Shadow was aware of the Acorn soldiers holding their positions. If they were under his command, which they technically were, he'd have ordered them on forward, in order to push the Imperial forces back. But he was aware of their orders; he'd been there when Antoine and breathed his last, telling Colonel Braddock to hold their position, no matter the cost. And despite his dislike of Antoine, he respected the coyote, and as such, would honour his wishes. This was where he and the remaining Acorn military forces would hold. This is where they would fight. And this was where the Imperial forces, numerous though they were, would die, battering against the Acorn's defences.

Suddenly, though, Shadow noticed amongst a sea of white as Imperial Stormtroopers fired on him and his men, a black figure stood out like a bloody white shirt.

Shadow recognised the figure instantly, his eyes narrowing as he remembered the helplessness he'd felt as the figure had soundly defeated him. Never again.

He let his pistols go, allowing them to clatter to the ground. He had no further use for them. Instead, he reached for his right hip, drawing the sabre gifted to him by a dying Antoine. He gazed along its cortosis alloy blade, seeing the reflection of his crimson eyes within. Soon, he thought, he would have it stained with the blood of the monster that had taken Antoine from the world, and robbed Antoine's unborn child of its father.

And just like that, the figure stood before him, his breathing having caused the entire battle to go silent.

Darth Vader had arrived.

Looking up, Shadow allowed his eyes to burn a hole through his foe, the hatred he felt for Vader to manifest itself, informing Vader of his intentions. Then, he said one thing: "I owe you pain."

With Vader…

Vader was not surprised when Shadow immediately attacked. What he was surprised by was the sheer ferocity and skill with which Shadow attacked.

Shadow immediately launched himself at Vader, slashing savagely at Vader's midsection in order to strike a debilitating blow to the area, and gain the early advantage in the fight.

Vader parried the blow with relative ease, despite his surprise at Shadow's attack, before parrying all that followed. Even then, he was taken aback by the sheer force of anger with which Shadow attacked: He was unaware that someone as calm and controlled as Shadow had been in their earlier battle could be capable of such rage. Finding himself on the defensive, Vader began his standard defensive strategy: Elbows locked at his sides, lightsaber held before him. He blocked and parried Shadow's attacks with small, uncomplicated movements, either swatting Shadow's blade away with a sharp slap of his blade, or simply stopping Shadow's sword in its tracks.

Shadow saw Vader's strategy, and his eyes noted Vader's chest, where a series of buttons and important mechanisms sat. Stepping back from his attack for but a moment, Shadow nodded. At last a weakness in an otherwise unstoppable machine. His pause however, lost him his early advantage, as Vader quickly struck, smashing Shadow's sword from his hand.

Immediately, Shadow stopped Vader from doing anything that could possibly end the duel, landing a brutal spinning back heel kick that knocked Vader back by some paces. Seizing his sword, Shadow again attacked, focusing his attack entirely towards Vader's chest.

Vader, having suspected this would be Shadow's next avenue of attack, blocked and parried much of what Shadow threw at him in turns of attacks. He had taken great care to train himself to protect his chest, as that was his weakest spot. He led Shadow's sword off to the right, before suddenly striking at Shadow's upper body, watching his blade cut into the ebony hedgehog's left shoulder. As Shadow backed away, having dropped his sword to register the wound, Vader struck again, slashing Shadow across his right flank, from beneath the hedgehog's right pectoral to behind his right hip.

Backing away from that as well, Shadow found himself completely open, as Vader slashed him from hip to shoulder, and then as Shadow spun around from the force of that blow, drove his lightsaber to the hilt into Shadow's back.

Shadow could not stop a groan escaping him as he fell to his knees, his eyes first on the blade protruding from his chest, before he looked up at the horrified faces of the Acorn soldiers, just as Vader yanked his blade free.

Vader raised his blade, preparing to execute the hedgehog that had dared to challenge him, and had failed twice.

Until suddenly, laser blasts cascaded past him and blasted all of the Stormtroopers around him into oblivion. Looking up, He immediately recognised the ships approaching:
An assortment of X-Wings and Y-Wings, accompanied by a cavalcade of U-Wings. At their head was a ship he knew well: The Empire's Bane.

Roman the Fox had come.

With Roman and the ground force, Outskirts of Mazuri…

Roman slid across the ruined chassis of what looked to have been a beautiful landspeeder as he and his allies traversed the landscape surrounding the outskirts of Mazuri. They could hear the roar of battle in front of them, explosions flaring up from the attacks of Revenant Squadron.

"Where do you think the source of the battle is?" Owen asked as he jogged up alongside his father.

"According to Tails' intel, our buddies are near the city centre." Roman replied. "They got pushed back a bit when Vader showed up the first time, so I imagine that's where we'll find them."

Owen nodded and continued running.

Suddenly, Roman stopped, pausing for a moment as a presence he hadn't felt since their attack on the Imperial cargo vessel days ago returned to his senses.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Owen asked.

Roman scowled. "Vader… He's in the city." Sighing, he shook his head. "I can only imagine what sort of damage he's doing. Come on, move it!"

Owen nodded and along with their men, they doubled their already blistering pace. They were not about to allow Vader this victory. Not now, not ever.

With Frederick and Alec, behind enemy lines…

"Alec, go over and join the fray." Frederick said as he watched the battle from the tank he and Alec were standing atop. "They may have need of your talents."

"With respect Mister Frederick, my place is here with you." Alec replied. "Is now, and ever shall be."

Frederick nodded. "I appreciate your loyalty. But it seems Vader is taking too long in eliminating the rest of those Acorn soldiers. I suspect your presence will speed things along rather nicely."

Alec scowled, but nodded. He wasn't fond of leaving his master's side in order to fight in a pitched battle, but he knew that he had to obey. Jumping off the tank, Alec began jogging towards the battlefield, checking and readying his weapons.

As he ran, Alec once again felt that sense of his energy draining, that frustrating thing called fatigue. He scowled at this. Age might not have dulled his ruggedly handsome countenance, but it had slowed his limbs, disallowing his body to move with the speed and agility it once had. And he hated it. He had not lived so far to simply be killed by old age: If he was to die, then he would die as he had lived: Serving a purpose. If that meant he died in the battle which he was now approaching, then so be it.

Frederick observed this from his position atop the tank. There goes my most loyal ally, Frederick thought. Then, he thought: And there he will die.

Frederick had noticed that age was starting to slow Alec down. That would be what ended Alec's life in the end. Either he would die by a blaster shot he was too slow to dodge, or at the blade he had failed to parry.

Frederick didn't hold it against Alec that the former assassin was getting slow with age. Even he himself was that way. But with Alec, that meant Alec's usefulness to Frederick was beginning to run its course. Maybe it already had, and the conversation he had just shared with Alec would be the final one. But either way, once Frederick had no further use for something, he discarded it. Just as he would discard Alec when the time came, if now was not that time.

It was nothing personal. Alec had served him loyally and to the best of his ability. But even the most loyal of pets had to be put down at some point, regardless of their faithfulness. Frederick's own wife had been killed, and she had been Frederick's most loyal. But she was a different matter.

As he reflected, Frederick noticed that Alec had disappeared. Frowning, he raised his binoculars. No doubt Alec had entered the battle. It was time to see if the old dog still had its bite.

With Colonel Braddock…

Braddock saw the approaching human before the human saw him, and drew his sword accordingly, raising it in challenge to the human he knew as Alec Devron Otranto, the Empire's chief assassin.

The man looked older now, but did not look any less dangerous then he had been in his prime.

Alec drew his sword as well, and raised it against Braddock's blade. He'd not had a proper swordfight in years.

Braddock attacked first, a simple probing jab in order to test Alec's defences.

Quick as a whisper, Alec slapped the attack aside. He felt the signature slowness of his attempt, and scowled. That was the last thing he needed. He quickly attacked himself, leading Braddock's blade off the right, before twisting his sword and slashing at Braddock's throat.

The bear was quick for his size and strength though, and knocked Alec's blade down before slashing down at Alec's exposed skull with his own sword.

Backing away, Alec blocked the blow, breathing a sigh of relief. Such a blow would have ended with his head being cleaved in two.

The assassin and the soldier circled one another like battling Nexus, their blades flicking, slashing and twirling in a spectacular display of swordplay.

Alec quickly gained confidence as the fight progressed, allowing himself to grow more aggressive with each attack. The colonel he was battling was an experienced swordsman, of that Alec had no doubt. But he hadn't the experience of Alec. He hadn't killed as many men as Alec. And he certainly wasn't a worthy opponent for Alec. Increasing his attack's aggression, Alec was quickly able to disarm Braddock, sending the Colonel's sabre skittering across the sandy terrain. As soon as this was accomplished, Alec spun around, and with the ease that he had enjoyed at a younger age, laid open Braddock's throat.

The large bear whirled around, choking on his own blood as it spilled out of the neat incision in his neck, before he fell to his knees, and then to the floor.

Alec nodded as he admired his handiwork, sheathing his sword and looking over at Braddock's sabre. It was finely crafted, and elegantly decorated. Perhaps he could take it as a trophy.

However, before he could make any form of movement towards it, it suddenly was lifted into the air, and flew towards the hand of someone in the corner of Alec's eye. Before he could turn and combat whoever the new threat was, he felt the all too familiar sensation of being stabbed. Pain erupted in his abdomen all the way through his body and out of his back, forcing him to grunt as he staggered back, looking down at the sabre he had just considered as a potential trophy, now buried to the hilt in his chest. He fell to his knees, looking up at the man who had bested him this way. As his eyes focused, his eyes widened in recognition of a Jedi he had tried to kill many, many times: Roman the Fox. "You." Alec growled, tasting blood in his mouth.

"Me." Roman replied, saying nothing more before raising his blaster pistol and executing Alec on the spot.

The back of Alec's cranium burst apart in a mess of blood, skull and cranial matter, all of which exited the hole like pus from a burst spot, covering the ground behind him. The remainder of Alec's head and skull appeared as if it were shattered terracotta, as along with the corpse, it slumped to the floor.

So ended the life of assassin extraordinaire Alec Devron Otranto.

With Roman…

"Who was he, dad?" Owen asked as the body of the human his father had just executed flopped to the floor.

"The personal assassin of your grandpa." Roman replied. "Your mom's dad."

"The gangster?" Owen asked.

Roman nodded. "Good riddance to bad rubbish, if you ask me." Looking over, he eyed the Stormtroopers, who had ceased fire at the appearance of Roman. Lowering his pistol, he looked back at them, letting them feel the full force of his stare.

"Sir, orders?" Brigman asked behind him.

Roman turned, seeing the rest of Demon Company awaiting orders. Looking away, Roman looked back towards the Stormtroopers, staring them down like a gunslinger glares at his opponent in a duel.

Suddenly, a black figure arose from the midst of the Stormtroopers, one Roman knew well:

Shadow the Hedgehog.

Smiling, Roman said two simple words: "Fuck 'em!" And raised his pistol, shooting the first Stormtrooper he spotted in his crosshairs straight between the eyes.

At that moment, the fighting began once again, as Imperial Stormtroopers found themselves firing back at Rebel troopers, which they had not encountered in a while.

Rushing to his father's side, Owen began snapping off shots like a true gunslinger, felling many Stormtroopers that were given the rotten luck of being in his crosshairs.

Roman too fired on the Stormtroopers, blasting his way towards Shadow, who now stood in a mess of Stormtrooper corpses. In his hand was a sabre Roman knew very well: The sabre Antoine had wielded throughout his life.

"You're a fucking sight for sore eyes." Shadow remarked.

"You look like hammered shit." Roman retorted.

"You look fifty years older." Shadow replied. The two stared one another down before cracking up laughing and embracing warmly. "Welcome to hell, Roman."

"I never left, asshole." Roman replied. Then, deadly serious, he asked: "Where's Vader?"

"Fucker fell back when your flyboys came in." Shadow replied.

Roman nodded. Gesturing to Owen, Roman said: "Shadow, say hi to my son, Owen."

Shadow regarded Owen with a narrowed eye, but nodded, realising what Roman was getting at. "I'll keep an eye on him Roman. You bet your ass I will."

Roman nodded and looked to Owen, sharing a nod. They'd shared their goodbye before entering the battle. Turning to Owen, Roman simply leaned in and kissed his son on the forehead, before turning and grabbing his lightsaber. He owed Vader two months' worth of pain. Pain he intended to inflict every second of back upon Vader tenfold.

With Vader and Frederick…

"Lord Vader, I see someone emerging from our men." Frederick called out as he saw Stormtroopers falling like dominoes as someone fought their way through them. Upon the figure fully emerging, Frederick nearly dropped his binoculars in disbelief. "It can't be…"

Walking towards them, lightsaber in hand and ignited, was Roman the Fox. Older, slightly greyer, and much more scarred than he had been the last time Frederick had seen him, but there was no mistaking the rage in the rogue Jedi's face as he stormed towards them.

Lowering his binoculars, Frederick reached for his blaster, but Vader raised a hand to stop him.

"I will allow you the final blow, Frederick." Vader said. "Until then, he is mine to duel." At this, Vader's lightsaber was in his hand, ignited and at the ready as he moved towards Roman.

Frederick watched as the two approached one another, drawing in a sharp breath. If Roman was here, then Alec was dead without a doubt. There was no way Alec would have turned down a final duel with the fox he had nearly killed multiple times.

He saw Roman suddenly break into a run, rushing Vader at full speed.

Frederick wet his lips. He had ben witness to only a select few lightsaber duels in his lifetime, all of them involving Roman in some capacity. He was well aware of how devastating an opponent Roman was for anyone looking to battle him blade to blade. But he also saw how Vader fought. If anything, this was going to get brutal.

They were metres away from each other now, Frederick saw. Just a few more metres, and the two would meet. And judging from the speed of Roman's approach, it would be quite the meeting.

Finally, he heard a loud roar escape Roman as the Jedi and Vader finally met, the sound of their blades meeting resembling a clap of thunder.

With Roman and Vader…

The moment their blades met, the sheer force at which their owners swung them was enough to send them both backwards.

Of the two, Roman recovered the quickest, immediately rushing Vader again, slashing at the Dark Lord with a strength not to be tampered with.

Vader raised his blade to meet the blow, shoving it away with ease. He closed in, jabbing his lightsaber forwards in an effort to pierce Roman at the abdomen.

Roman batted the attack aside and countered with a brutal series of slashes that seemed more appropriate for someone wielding a blunt weapon as opposed to a lightsaber.

Vader blocked all of them, finding himself surprises at the power behind them. He was aware of Roman's acute physical strength, but even this was surprising for Vader, considering that in their previous encounter, Roman had not attacked with this level of ferocity. He broke away from the enagagement, pushing out with his left hand in order to telekinetically shove Roman away.

Roman blocked the attack with his own use, and channelling all of his energy, he retaliated with one of his own, pushing both hands out at Vader.

The force of the Force Push sent Vader flying back a number of paces, but the Dark Lord was able to right himself just at Roman attacked, battering away at Vader's defences like a swordsman slashing at a shield, fully intent on shattering it.

Vader held firm, eventually pushing Roman's blade away and countering with a slash at Roman's abdomen.

Jumping back from the counterattack, Roman held his lightsaber out at the ready, as he and Vader began to circle one another.

"You shouldn't have come here." Roman said.

"You should not have returned." Vader replied as he swung at Roman, their blades meeting again.

With Shadow and Owen…

Rolling back to avoid oncoming shots, Owen snapped off several from his pistol, watching them thud into oncoming Stormtroopers. "Do us a favour, and stay the fuck down!" Owen snarled towards the Stormtroopers.

"You're pretty good with that thing." Shadow remarked, nodding in approval at Owen's marksmanship. "Wonder how good you are with that?" Shadow asked, gesturing to Owen's lightsaber.

Owen shook his head. "I'm still learning." He said.

"Why not put some of that learning to good use?" Shadow asked.

"In the middle of a battle?" Owen asked.

"Kid, trust me when I say that in my experience, some people learn best by doing what they're learning." Shadow replied. "So when you've got a second, break out your lightsaber. You might learn better that way."

Reluctantly, Owen ducked behind cover. Holstering his pistol, he grabbed his lightsaber. Rising out of cover, he ignited it, watching the blue blade burst forth from the hilt. Turning towards the Stormtroopers, who immediately began focusing their fire on him. Good thing his father had taught him both Soresu and Shien first, and it was these that he used to deflect blaster bolts back to the ones that fired them. After several of these, Owen felt himself growing in confidence, blocking blaster bolts more easily as he remembered the advice of his father:

"Let the Force flow through you." His father had said. "It will only help you get better."

And it did. Soon, Owen decided to experiment a little, beginning to incorporate Force attacks into his defence, sending Stormtroopers sprawling with a Force Push here and there, smiling at his success.

Due to this, Imperial Stormtroopers began falling more and more frequently, their blaster bolt ridden bodies piling up on the floor.

It got to the point where Stormtroopers were using piles of the bodies of their dead as cover.

Finally, two words were shouted, their meaning clear to all Stormtroopers that heard them: "FALL BACK!"

At this, the Stormtroopers that remained, of which there were still numerous, left their cover and fell back.

Owen looked up at Shadow with a smirk, asking: "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

Shadow nodded: "Onwards! Let's teach these motherfuckers how we fight!"

A massive roar escaped the Acorn forces as they left their cover and charged after the Imperials.

With Tails and Ashla…

"Looks like Roman's turned the tide." Tails remarked as he and Ashla looked down at the battle. "Then again, I'm not surprised. I still remember how he changed the tide during the Siege of Mobotropolis."

Ashla nodded. "I've heard the story a million times, Tails." She said. "I know exactly how my godfather changed the tide in that fight."

Tails nodded as they veered away. There was silence before he asked: "What is it that you've got against Owen, anyways?"

Ashla responded with a groan. "You too?" She asked. "What's Roman said?"

"That you think he needs to get better at piloting faster than he is at the moment." Tails replied.

"Yeah, because he does!" Ashla replied. "Over the two months he's been my co-pilot, he's nearly gotten us killed over a million times! He's nothing like his mother! At least she never came close to getting us killed."

Tails shrugged. "Can I give you some advice?" He asked.

Ashla frowned. "Sure." She replied.

"Give him a chance." Tails answered. "Sure, he's not his mother. Heck, he might never be at the same level as his mother. But what you've got to remember is that his mother had years to hone and refine her skills. Owen's only had two months." Placing a hand on Ashla's shoulder, Tails said: "Give him some time. He may not master everything, but he has a pretty good pilot helping him."

Ashla's cheeks went red. "Y-You think so?" She asked.

Tails nodded. "Take it from a guy who's been a pilot since he was a little kid." Tails said. "You're pretty damn good for your age. If I were you, I'd impart a little bit of your wisdom to him. Then, maybe he'll get better."

Ashla nodded. "I guess I could live with that." She said.

Tails nodded, and made to return to flying the ship, but Ashla interrupted:

"Oh, and what you said about there being a pretty good pilot around to help him? You're forgetting yourself."

Tails laughed. "The best don't share their secrets, Ash. Trust me on-"

"We got TIEs incoming!"

Tails and Ashla scowled, and they veered towards the oncoming fighters. Time to school them in the art of piloting.

With Roman and Vader…

Roman stepped backwards as he fended off Vader's attacks, all whilst searching for the proverbial chink in the armour of Vader's attack, waiting for that much required opportunity to counter an attack and seizing the advantage. He parried an attack that would have left him in two pieces and blocked another that would have caused his head to vacate its perch atop his shoulders. Pushing Vader's blade away, Roman lashed out with a kick that sent Vader back a number of paces, and spun his lightsaber, preparing to attack once again.

The sound of blaster fire behind him drew his attention, and he turned, seeing the retreating Imperial Stormtroopers headed his and Vader's way.

Seizing this opening, Vader swung his lightsaber, which was poised to cut through Roman's shoulder and into his chest, a wound which would be instantly fatal.

Seeing this in the nick of time, Roman spun into Vader's guard, pushing his blade aside and jamming his elbow fiercely into the Dark Lord's abdomen. It did not faze Vader, but it did double him over, allowing Roman to raise and bring down his lightsaber in preparation to behead the Sith Lord.

With quickness unbecoming of his size and mass, Vader swung up to meet the blow, their blades locking as they did. Vader's superior strength enabled him to push Roman back a step or two, but it was then that Roman decided to break the blade lock, pushing Vader's lightsaber aside and shoving Vader back with a Force Push. With the opening that this provided, Roman flung himself at Vader, leaping towards the Sith Lord with his lightsaber raised.

Looking up, Vader simply reached out, causing Roman to drop his lightsaber and grasp at his throat. He had tired of this. As soon as he was sure that no-one would attack, he flung Roman into the floor before advancing on the vulpine Jedi, crimson blade flashing.

Forcing himself to his feet, Roman drew his blaster pistol and began firing on Vader, steadily moving up as he did.

Vader blocked the majority of the shots with his lightsaber, absorbing some with Tutaminis as he did, all while walking towards Roman. The moment he was within striking distance of the Jedi, he raised and swung his lightsaber.

Dropping down, Roman rolled beneath Vader's strike, and rushed towards where his lightsaber lay, reaching out with the Force and calling it to his hand. Holstering his pistol Roman turned back towards Vader, igniting his lightsaber yet again. He wasn't done with Vader yet. Not by a long shot.

With Owen and Shadow…

"There they are!" Owen called out to Shadow over the din of the battle.

The self-proclaimed Ultimate Life Form turned, and saw where Owen was pointing, where Roman and Darth Vader were engaged in a deadly dance.

Roman and Vader hacked and slashed at one another, none of the strikes being meant with intent to maim or disable. All of the strikes, whether it was a jab, a slash, or anything else of that kind, it was with an attempt to kill.

Shadow looked down at Owen, who was watching wistfully, as if he longed to be by his father's side. "Trust me kid; Vader's not a guy you want to fight." Shadow warned, placing a hand on Owen's shoulder.

"I know." Owen said. "I remember what fighting him has done to us every day." He looked around, and saw someone standing atop a tank overlooking the battle. Upon closer inspection, Owen drew in a sharp breath as he recognised several similarities with his mother:

The ash grey fur, the icy blue eyes… The person he was staring at was essentially a male version of his mother, minus an arm and eye, that is.

"In case you're wondering: yes, that is your grandfather." Shadow said.

Owen scowled. "We might need to take him out before he rallies the Imperials." He said.

Shadow nodded understanding. "Go ahead, kid. But be careful. The old man may be an old man, but he's still as tough as he was when your dad left the planet."

Owen nodded and stepped away from Shadow, beginning to move towards the tank on which his grandfather was stood, remembering his father's tuition in such regards:

"Stay low and move slowly." His father had advised. "People who do that aren't easily noticed. Also, stay hidden throughout your approach. If you're approaching them in the open, it only takes a split second for your quarry to turn in your direction, spot you, and then attack you. And if your target's more skilled than you, then you're fucked."

It was this advice that Owen adhered to as he found himself hiding behind a stack of munitions crates. He considered drawing one of his weapons, but decided against it. It was a sunny day, and most of Owen's weapons would glint in the sun, which would be a dead giveaway if that occurred. Peeking cautiously around the corner of his hiding place, Owen sighted his grandfather, still atop the tank. It appeared as if he was watching the ongoing fight between Vader and Owen's father. Owen wasn't fooled, however; No doubt Frederick was keeping an eye on his surroundings. Looking around for cover, Owen sighted some; it was an average landspeeder, but it was large enough for him to hide behind. Looking towards Frederick, Owen waited for his grandfather to turn his attention away from Owen's father and Vader.

Thankfully, something seemed to direct Frederick, and he turned his head to face what was happening.

That was all Owen needed. He broke out into a massive sprint, not pausing until he was behind the landspeeder. Moving along it, he again peeked around the corner.

Frederick had returned his attention to Vader and Owen's father, who were still battling.

Allowing a sigh to escape him, Owen again looked around for any sign of cover, thankfully sighting some more munitions crates for him to hide behind. Also, they were just about close enough to Frederick for Owen to sense that he might have a chance to take out his grandfather from there. Smiling, Owen held his position, waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

With Frederick…

Frederick swore he had seen something move out of the corner of his eye, but he paid it no heed, instead eyeing the duel between Vader and Roman.

Neither Vader nor Roman had struck any blows that would prove decisive, but Vader was clearly the one with the advantage over Roman. Roman was still fighting effectively, defending himself well from Vader's attacks, but Frederick knew when a man was tiring. And Roman appeared to be tiring. It appeared to be only a matter of time before Vader struck the deciding blow.

And then Roman would be all his.

Frederick had spent the duration of the duel wondering what it was he would do to Roman once Vader was finished with him. He pondered doing what he had planned to do years ago now, shortly after first meeting Roman, which was cut out his heart and force Roman to watch it stop beating before he died. Frederick shook his head. That may have been what he wanted to do seventeen years ago, but that had been then. This was now. He no longer wished to subject Roman to a slow and painful death. Instead, out of respect for a Jedi he loathed, he would grant Roman a quick death: a cut throat, perhaps. Frederick shook his head. No, that would be a slow death as well. Maybe a blaster bolt to the head would be quicker. Just a quick pull of the trigger, and seventeen years of harboured lust for vengeance would be realised. And then Frederick would retire an Imperial hero, praised for his execution of a Jedi Knight.

It was then he suddenly felt something pressed into his back, and a youthful but hardened voice say behind him:

"Don't move a fucking muscle, old man."

Frederick sighed and simply raised his hands in surrender. He already suspected who was behind him. "Now, is that any way to greet your grandfather for the first time?" He asked, turning to face what was essentially a smaller version of Roman.

"When that grandfather's been nothing short of an asshole to my dad for the entire span of my life, I imagine I can be forgiven for us meeting like this." Owen replied.

Frederick shrugged. "I guess that's apropos. I imagine I would do the same in your position."

Owen scoffed. "More likely you'd have pulled the trigger the moment you got close enough." The twelve year old vulpine replied.

"You know me too well already." Frederick said with a low chuckle. "So why don't you?"

"Because I wanted you to see and know who I am." Owen said. "Call it what you want, l don't care. I just wanted to meet the man who put the lives of my parents through so much hell during the early stages of their relationship."

"Before killing him, I presume." Frederick replied.

Owen shook his head. "I'm just holding you here until dad finishes up with your buddy Vader. Then I'll let him do what he wants with you."

"Which is to kill me anyway." Frederick replied. "So why not save daddy dearest the trouble and kill me for him?"

"Oh, trust me, I'd love to kill you." Owen replied. "But it's not my place to. I barely know you, but my dad does. If anyone's killing you, it'll be him."

Frederick frowned. "Pity." He said, before suddenly kicking at Owen's legs, knocking the young man off of his feet, causing him to drop his pistol. "I was actually hoping you'd have the gall to do it." Frederick added before he leapt down from the tank, approaching a recovering Owen. Readying himself, Frederick smiled. He'd not had a proper fight in years.

With Roman and Vader…

Roman turned to see this latest development and felt his heart sink, but found himself blocking another attack from Vader, one which nearly sent him on one knee.

The Dark Lord of the Sith bore down on him with a vengeance, his attacks exclaimed by heavy cleaves, a staple of Vader's offence. Vader could sense that Roman was weakening. It was only a matter of time before Vader struck the blow that would end the duel.

That was until Roman managed to parry a cleave from Vader, retaliating with a fierce kick that knocked Vader back. Seizing an opening, Roman charged the Dark Lord, his lightsaber finally striking Vader himself as it gouged a deep wound into the black-clad shoulder of Vader.

Vader groaned in a rare show of pain from him, and responded with a Force Push that sent Roman sprawling. He lingered where he stood awhile, allowing the throbbing pain in his shoulder to sharpen the edges of the blade that was Vader's anger. After a short period, Vader surged towards Roman, renewing his attack with hard, furious cleaves and slashes, bearing down upon the vulpine Jedi with every ounce of his might.

Roman fell back under the vengeful attack, blocking what he was able to block, dodging when possible he could, and parrying however Vader's attack permitted him to. Yet it wasn't long before Vader finally struck a blow of his own, slashing at Roman's face with a savage cleave. Roman's blade met the attack, but the force of it caused his lightsaber to be forced down as the blow struck, allowing Vader's blade to cut deeply into Roman's face.

Roman shouted out in pain as the blade cut through, backing away as he hid his face from Vader. After several moments, Roman looked back up at Vader, a new wound having joined the scars that already mottled Roman's handsome countenance.

But what surprised Vader even more was when Roman started laughing. It started off as a chuckle, but became a full-blown guffaw after several moments. But Roman's mirth filled face quickly switched to a snarl as he gestured to the wound, and then to Vader: "We're even now; you know that, right?"

Vader didn't respond. It was true that Roman had managed to cut a similar slash into Vader's mask during their first duel on Mustafar, but Vader was wondering whether Roman was referring to a scar Vader had once bore in the same area, back when he had been a Jedi. Pushing the memory aside, Vader raised his lightsaber. "Perhaps we are." He said. "Yet I will continue to wound you until you are dead." At this, he approached Roman yet again, crimson blade flashing.

Roman was quick to meet him, stopping Vader's lightsaber with his strike for strike. The lull in the duel had allowed Roman to recover some of his strength, and thus, Roman was now better able to defend against some of Vader's attacks. Finally, with an ultimate strike, Roman knocked Vader's blade aside and cut another wound into Vader, this one from Vader's left shoulder, all the way down to Vader's left hip.

Another groan escaped Vader at this development, and he again threw Roman backwards to recover himself. He turned as a great roar arose from the ongoing battle behind him, seeing his troops in retreat.

The Rebels had won.

Turning to Roman, Vader snarled: "Enjoy this victory, Roman. For it will be the last you ever experience." Turning, Vader walked away.

Roman allowed an elated sigh to escape him. He had fended off Vader. At least for now.

He turned as he heard a loud grunt and thud emanate from behind him. And what he saw was something that made him smile:

Owen and Frederick were fighting, and Owen had just seized the advantage, pushing Frederick further and further back until Frederick was inches away from Roman. Leaning in, Roman tapped Frederick on the shoulder.

Frederick sighed and turned. But before he could say or do anything however, he heard the snap-hiss of a lightsaber igniting, and before he knew it, he felt the stabbing pain of a lightsaber in the chest. Groaning as he looked down to see the lightsaber, he watched helplessly as it was jerked out. Stumbling, Frederick found himself falling down into someone's arms. Looking up, Frederick found himself staring once again into the eyes of Roman the Fox.

"Roman…" Frederick said, as Roman lowered him to the ground. "We meet again, at last." Sighing, he added: "Though… not in the circumstances I would have preferred."

"So we do." Roman replied. "And I imagine your preferred circumstances have me at your mercy instead of yourself at mine."

"Amongst other things." Frederick replied with a groan. Noticing Roman's lightsaber was still in his hand, Frederick shook his head. "If you're going to finish me, you might as well do it."

Roman shook his head, placing his lightsaber back onto his belt. "Not yet." He said. "In another time, or another place, then I'd have gladly done you that favour. But no. I'm going to let you die in the arms of someone, since you probably wanted someone to."

"And of all the people it could have been…" Frederick groaned. "It had to be you."

"If she were here, it would be Ashley doing this." Roman said, feeling a pang of sadness at the mention of his late lover.

"Ah, Ashley…" Frederick murmured before breaking into a fit of coughs. His breathing was growing more ragged as he struggled to remain alive. "Tell me… Where is she?"

Roman sighed, fresh tears threatening to spill. "With the Force. Where… where you'll never be able to hurt her again."

Frederick sighed before coughing even more. Then his voice failing, he whispered: "Then… I will never see her again." At this, his breathing grew more and more ragged until he finally exhaled one last time, his eyes glassing over as Frederick the Cat finally passed on.

Roman shed a few tears as he closed Frederick's eyes, saying: "Give my regards to Elias, Alec and everyone else whose ass I've kicked in the past. Rest in peace." With this, he laid Frederick on the ground and stood up.

He and Owen lingered there awhile before Roman's comm came to life:

"Rome, you and Owen okay down there? Looks like you're both mourning Frederick's death."

"Not really, Tails. Just paying our respects to the asshole that brought me and Ashley closer together." Roman replied. "You gonna land at some point?"

"Yeah." Tails replied. "Then, I am going to call and inform Sally of our victory, and then start to make preparations to head home." There was a pause before Tails asked: "What about you?"

"Ah, I'll hang down here for a while." Roman said. "Help consolidate what we've gained. Who knows, we might have the whole of the city to ourselves now."

Tails chuckled. "I certainly hope so." He replied. "You go ahead and get on with that, then. I'll send Ashla over to you to assist."

"Cool. See you later, Tails." Roman said.

"Same here, old man." Tails replied with a chuckle.

Roman rolled his eyes. "I'm only thirty-five, Tails. That doesn't necessarily count as being old in my opinion."

"Getting pretty close, though." Tails replied with a laugh.

"Fuck off." Roman replied as the connection was cut. Then, as he saw the soldiers moving up, he and Owen moved to join them. There was work to be done.

I did say that there would be blood. And there will only be more blood.

With that said, thank you all so much for taking the time to read this chapter. If you enjoyed it, then leave a review in the appropriate section. In the event that you really enjoyed it, then favourite and follow this story in order to be amongst the first to read Chapter 12, due next Saturday.

Again, thank you for reading, and I will see you next Saturday with Chapter 12, which sees Vader begin to plot his vengeance against those that have wronged him.

T-Rock14