What is up Jedi and Sith! Its ya boy Dj Wolfenstein back again with another Chapter in A Jedi Warrior Of Peace and I hope everyone is having a good day plus I want to see some reviews because, no review is ignored unless it's just bad mouthing my story. That will be deleted and ignored. Anyway let's get back into it!
Chapter 21 - The Shroud Falls
"Always pass on what you have learned."
One year has passed and the Clone Wars continues to rage on as many jedi continue to fall in battle and star systems are all but, decimated in the conflict. Still a handful of jedi have fallen down a dark path manipulated by Count Dooku while some were secretly manipulated by Carole. The Jedi Order continues training more students to keep up their numbers and to advance more and more padawans to knights. Some padawans fail however before they can even begin more advanced training while many knights are thrusted into the war before having anymore time.
Despite all this the war continues as many worlds are either rescued or lost in the war as the war has moved towards the planet of Voss. The Separatists were marching through the forests as the Republic had a strike force adapting guerrilla warfare on planets like this.
"Voss..a beautiful untouched planet..has been brought down to its knees by the Separatists..now time is running out. As the Republic stands to face the enemy. For us clones. Their is but, one choice. We must fight to victory or death. For The Republic!"
Sev stood up on a small cliff launching two grenades from his launcher destroying to Droideka in a surprise attack. As he and dozens of clones from the 312th legion jumped down as they opened fire destroying over a dozen battle droids in the surprise attack. They all charged through as clones would roll across the ground tossing out thermal detonators destroying a group of battle droids. Separatists Commando droids came rushing through only the clones were ready as one would drop down lifting the droid over their head slamming it onto the ground before blasting it. Another would duck the serated blade it carried before kicking it an blasting its head off.
Sev was on the front as he ordered heavier fire. "Let's go move it out!" A clone trooper ran up and unloaded onto the battle droids with a gatling blaster. More Droidekas marched firing at the clones as Sev saw a flanking position. "Flank them!" Sev saw the Droidekas and blasted them with grenades destroying them. The clone standing beside him continued to fire his gatling blaster before an unseen force would pull him away. Sev watched as the clone flew through the air before seeing a red blade pierce the clones chest. Before the clones body was tossed to the side like nothing by the Dark Jedi Gorik who wore black robes with the hood up. Sev aimed towards Gorik and shot two grenades towards him only Gorik would knock both to the side only he didn't see Sev's third surprise shot.
Gorik was only scared by the blast as Sev would drop his launcher charging towards Gorik snapping the neck of a Droid Commando before flipping one over his head. He reached Gorik only to be stopped in place by Gorik's force lightning. Sev was protected by his armor and how weak the lightning really was and pulled out his own knife trying to fight towards him. Unfortunately he was sent flying back into a boulder rendering him unconscious.
Sev's blurry vision would begin to become solid as he was being dragged on his knees as he witnessed Groik cutting a clone across the stomach forcing him to his knees. Gorik would invert his grip and bring the blade down piercing the clones neck and body as he looked at Sev with a smile. A Droid Commando would walk into Sevs view weilding a serrated blade ready to decapitate Sev.
Only the blow never came as an unseen force would free Sev as a blur of motion would cut the three droids in half landing on the ground down on one knee. Gorik would quickly turn around quickly as rage filled his body. As the unknown figure revealed to be Artis Lendix wearing a new pair of robes of blue and black stood up while the hood covered his head revealing his blue eyes.
(A/N: Side Note! Artis's new robes are the Jedi Adventure Robes that Galen Marek wore at the end of the Force Unleashed. We good? Great. Back to the action!)
Artis stood holding a newly constructed lightsaber in his right hand activating a turquoise colored blade. He would twirl the weapon in his right hand now holding it in a Shien reverse grip pulling up a second shoto lightsaber. He would activate his shoto as a blue blade would come to life as he charged towards Gorik.
Sev would stand up as reinforcements ran through as the rest of Havoc Squad joined in as Sledge tossed Sev a rifle as he caught it running with his team to continue the assault.
Artis ran through the battle jumping over a downed tree jumping off another as he came down from the air he would slash a Super Battle Droid across the chest with his shoto while stabbing his turquoise blade into a Droideka destroying both droids. Artis would leap into the air as he brought his main weapon down onto Goriks red blade. Gorik fell back on Djem So as he threw out strong cross cuts and overhead cleves which Artis would sidestep and dodge. Artis and Gorik would battle as clones ran past them as Gorik would backhand Artis across the face. Artis would faint the pain spinning around heel kicking Gorik in the jaw.
Artis would duck another cross cut as he would slash and block with his shoto saber as Gorik brought down his lightsaber in another over head cleve which Artis blocked crossing both lightsabers in an X. Artis saw a tree and would maneuver his main lightsaber to keep the blade lock as he reached out with his off hand. The trees trunk would splinter and give out a loud crunch as Artis uprooted the tree kicking Gorik in the gut before backflipping away. The tree fell between them as both Gorik and Artis flipped up onto the tree to continue their duel. Artis would cartwheel dodging Gorik's slash before slashing at Gorik's sides with his blades which Gorik blocked. Artis would jump up slamming both blades down on the red blade. Gorik would grabb Arti by the throat as Gorik was a tall brute like man who loved to punch and elbow his opponents when he could.
Gorik would throw Artis against a nearby tree as he leaped up and went to stab Artis who rolled out of the way. Gorik kicked Artis in the back as Artis slammed against the uprooted tree as he lost weapons from the sheer force of the blow. Gorik would stab Artis only it was blocked by Artis's skill in tutiminus as Artis held his ground as Gorik continued to force through Artis's defense.
That's when Sev ran up slamming his shoulder in Goriks stomach rescuing Artis as Sev pushed Gorik back before Gorik kneed Sev in the face. Gorik would attempt to punch Sev who blocked the blow attempting his own only Gorik caught his forearm. The two struggled against one and other only Sev smiled under his helmet as he revealed a grenade in his right hand. Sev would detonate the grenade sending them both back as Sev rolled across the ground skidding to a stop. Gorik would be down on one knee before standing as his robes were smoldering. His face scared far more than before as he was hurt but, not dead.
Artis held both his lightsaber in his right hand and his shoto in his left as he focused the force into one powerful force push sending Gorik flying into a mountain slamming into the rock. Gorik would try to force his way out of the telekinetic attack screaming cursing Artis's name. Artis would focus one more force push in both his hands. He would thrust both his hands out sending a powerful force towards Gorik slamming him through the stone crushing him under its power and the weight of the stones ending the fallen jedi's life.
The Republic forces would destroy the last of the Separatists as Artis walked over to Sev whose armor was only scratched. As Artis would delay the explosion enough to pull Sev away from it while keeping Gorik in place with the force.
Artis put a hand on Sev's shoulder. "Glad to see our plan worked. Somewhat."
Sev would laugh at this. "Well if only someone didn't need to make his grand entrance. I could've been killed."
Artis smiled as he walked off. "But, you weren't." Artis would hook both blades on his belt as he opened his communications. "Master we've taken out our target and have a clear way through to the command centers."
Obi-wans voice came through. "Very good. We will be waiting for you at the rendezvous point. Then we will commence the next faze."
"Understood Master." Artis would round up his troops and move forward as the Republic were looking to take an important stronghold on the planet surface.
Artis jumped into a gunship as did Havoc squad and they lifted off the ground and into the air flying towards the rendezvous point. Artis was now seventeen years old spending the last year fighting in the Clone Wars and training with Master Yoda. While finding time to spend time with Ahsoka whether on diplomatic missions or on simple patrols. They continued to hide their relationship from the rest of the order and the council.
The gunships flew through the air as the calm ride was interrupted by cannon fire as Artis and the clones hung on. "Pilot take evasive actions and close those blast doors!"
"Yes sir!" The Pilot would try to close the blast doors as the gunships were under heavy fire.
Unfortunately they were hit and hit hard as the gunship was now smoking as one of the engines was hit as they were going down and Arts looked as a clone trooper slipped and was about to fall out.
Artis would grab the clone before he could fall out of the gunship. "Don't worry trooper I got you!"
Sev reached over and grabbed onto the clones other arm as they pulled him onto the gunship as a mere fifteen feet from the rendezvous point the ship crashed.
Rendezvous Point
Obi-wan was looking through binoculars as he saw Artis's shuttle go down as he looked over to Anakin. "Artis's gunship is down. We need to move now."
Anakin nodded looking to Rex. "Rex we need to start the attack."
Rex nodded. "Yes sir."
212th, 312th and, 501st legions began the attack as they charged as Separatists used heavy cannons to destroy any Republic walkers as they marched.
Crash Site
Artis held his head as he opened his eyes seeing Sev and the others were alright sadly the pilot was dead. Artis climbed out of the downed gunship as did Havoc and the other 312th clones did as well before coming under fire. The clones took cover by the gunship while Artis started spinning his main lightsaber in a circular motion deflecting blaster bolts.
Sledge saw a tanks coming and readied his rocket launcher aiming it at one of tanks before launching a rocket destroying the tank. "Tanks down!"
Lucky would snipe droids heads off one by one while Sev kept blasting droids with Jax kneeling in front of him blasting droids. Thankfully for them Republic forces came and gave them some assistance as Obi-wan and Anakin rushed up deflecting blaster bolts.
Artis looked at the two as he let out a sigh of relief. "Well glad to see I wasn't gonna be left behind."
"Well I see your portion of the mission went well except for the entrance." Anakin deflected blaster fire.
"That wasn't my fault." Artis used the force to pull a droid towards him cutting it in half.
"Can we focus on the mission at hand?" Obi-wan deflected another blaster bolt.
The Republic forces marched through breaking the Separatists forces as Artis cut through droid after droid along with Anakin and Obi-wan. The clones would throw thermal detonators destroying large groups of droids. Artis and Havoc squad broke through and ran through the clear pathway towards the command center as Obi-wan and Anakin would finish off the remaining forces. Once Artis and Havoc reached the main blast doors Artis signaled Sledge who ran up placing detonators on the doors. Artis and Havoc took cover as the detonators exploded blasting the entrance open rushing in and taking out the droid security.
One of the droids dropped its weapon. "Wait! I surrender!" Artis would cut it in half.
Artis looked around as they breached the command centers entrance before using his coms. "Havoc squad has breached the first target building and is about to take control of the station."
"Good job Artis. Anakin and I will proceed to the second station we will contact you once we're done." Obi-wan's voice came through the com link.
"Understood Master. Good hunting." Artis would switch off his com link before looking over at Sev. "Are the signals jammed?"
"Yes sir. The alarms are disabled as well right now we have the element of surprise." Sev looked over as Lucky and Sledge had pushed the destroyed droids bodies off the controls and onto the ground.
"Good. Let's finish this fight Captain." Arti put a hand on Sev's shoulder as he smiled.
In the last year Sev received the promotion to the rank of Captain and it was a promotion that was well deserved. "Yes sir."
Artis and the rest of Havoc began to sneak through the station tossing droid poppers only that way they can avoid detection. They would remain undetected as they made their way through the station until reaching the main control room to an unexpected surprise. Standing in the center of the room was none other than Count Dooku. At his side was obviously Carole and two others Mralsth and Ventress with Mralsth being a highly ranked jedi knight who lost his way and became Dooku's assassin.
Artis quickly took out his lightsabers activating both. "Dooku. I'm surprised you're even here to do your own dirty work."
The elderly man would smile as he stared Artis down. "Sometimes things are just that important to me."
Artis looked over at Sev and Havoc. "Take them!" The clones opened fire as Mralsth and Ventress would deflect the blaster fire before Dooku would send out force lightning sending the clones flying back as they landed hard alive but, unable to fight.
Dooku didn't even draw his lightsaber as he looked at Artis who stood alone. "I am willing to give you a chance if you simply surrender and submit to me."
Artis stood straight up and deactivated his lightsabers but, smiled. "Now!"
Artis would launch himself towards Ventress kicking her off the elevated platform and onto the door as out of the shadows Yula would launch herself towards Mralsth knocking him back. Dooku was shocked to see her as was Carole since they believed Artis was the only issue they had to deal with. Artis smiled as his plan was in motion and Yula's surprise entrance would make the odds a little better.
Artis and Yula would jump back as on cue Ahsoka Tano herself would join them making the odds three against four which was better since he knew Dooku would like to test his assassins. Ahsoka's attire had changed as she now wore a dark red bodysuit that left a section above her chest exposed. She also wielded her standard green lightsaber but, in her off hand she held a yellow shoto saber.
Artis looked over at Ahsoka and Yula. "Glad you two could come and join the fun."
Ahsoka smiled at her comrade/lover with a smile. "Well at least we didn't need a grand entrance like someone here."
Yula shook her head at their banter. "Uh can we focus on the task at hand please?" Yula held her blue lightsaber ready.
Artis charged towards Carole while Ahsoka would leap over at Mralsth who blocked her downward strike leaving Yula to handle Ventress. The six would engage in lightsaber combat as Artis and Ahsoka would use flank subversion to dodge attack while Yula sidestepped her opponents strikes. Dooku watched as he would not waste his time here. Artis kicked Carole in the gut as he saw Ahsoka get kicked in the gut herself as Mralsth went to strike her Artis would leap over saving her force pushing him away. Yula would kick Ventress in the jaw as the six stood across from one and other.
Artis leaped up kicking Ventress in the jaw as Carole's overhead strike was blocked. "Why would you come here!?"
Mralsth looked at them. "They know of the Artifact!" When he went to strike Artis Ahsoka ran up blocking his attack.
Ventress went for one of her own until Yula blocked her attack as all six entered a blade lock.
Dooku watched using the distraction to leave and Artis saw this force pushing Carole away and leaped for Dooku who blocked him with his lightsaber in one swift motion. Once Havoc regained themselves they would help their jedi comrades as Dooku would force push Artis away quickly escaping. Carole saw him leaving as did Ventress so they would leave Mralsth behind as he had Yula down only Artis stabbed him in the back.
Artis helped Yula up. "Come on! Let's hurry before they escape!" Artis, Ahsoka, Yula and, Havoc squad ran for the hangar only it was to late and they escaped.
Sev let out a frustrated groan. "The enemy lives to fight another day."
"Well at least we took the command center." Ahsoka shrugged.
"She's right. So it wasn't a total loss." Yula had come to agree with Ahsoka. "So we can count this as a victory."
"Victory?" They looked at Artis confused. "Victory Yula?" He shook his head as he hooked his deactivated lightsabers on his belt. "Yula this is not a victory. The shrouds of the dark side are falling. The light is finally shining through the darkness."
Republic cruisers came into orbit as Artis, Ahsoka and, Yula looked outside indicating a Republic success.
End Of Chapter 21
I hope you all enjoyed and I want to hear your guys thoughts on Artis's new look and here's a question for you. How do you think Artis got the Turquoise colored kyber crystal and how did he get his blue shoto? Leave your ideas in a review. Remember..peace..love..and may the force be with you..always.