Cavalry
A painful electric shock brought Hiccup to his senses. He cried out, eyes flying open before closing against the light of the room. He looked around, finding himself in what he figured was a holding cell or interrogation room. He was being suspended off the ground in an energy field. His legs and feet were locked together while his arms were spread out to the sides.
His head rung. He was thirsty. And he could feel what were likely bruises along his back along with dried blood on the side of his face. To make matters worse, Dagur was looking up at him. A triumphant and smug grin plastered on his face.
"Well good morning Hiccup!" Dagur greeted jovially. Hiccup glared down at him. "Hope you rested well. I made all the finest accommodations available to you my former friend," Dagur said as he gestured to the dark room they were in. "Now I got to say Hiccup, I mean I know you've always been prone to, lets just say bold plans. But coming in alone? Genius!" Dagur cried mockingly.
"Oh and I just wanted to say, congratulations brother," he said waggling his brows. Hiccup arched a brow in response. "I mean, scoring a princess! A red head! I mean have you seen that body? Grrrrr," Dagur said as he referred to Merida. He looked into Hiccup's eyes, holding his smug smirk. "But that isn't quite the Jedi way. Is it? Maybe now you understand why I did what I did. Maybe now you'll actually be willing to listen to my proposal."
"Proposal?" Hiccup breathed out hoarsely.
"Oh yes," Dagur said nodding enthusiastically. "Join me Hiccup." Hiccup's eyes widened in disbelief. He stared at Dagur like he'd grown another head. "You heard me. Join me Hiccup. And together we can kill the Emperor and rule the galaxy. Just think of how great a team we once were. Well we can have that again!"
"It'll be great. Ruling the galaxy, conquering everything we see, killing anyone who stands against us," Dagur rambled on manically. "You can even have the Princess Hiccup. Yep, I'm going to be that generous." He looked to Hiccup, eyes twinkling with some perverse hope that Hiccup would agree to this. When he saw the reluctance in Hiccup's eyes he sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Oh come on Hiccup. Just be selfish. Its ok to want things. To have ambition. Desires. Ever since I joined the dark side I've finally tasted everything I've ever wanted. Riches, glory, power, and women. Lots of women," Dagur said smiling. "Oh but if the monogamy thing is for you then I'm not judging," he said with a shrug.
"And Elsa? Rapunzel?" Hiccup asked.
Dagur's face fell. "Ah. Unfortunately there isn't quite enough room for them in this plan. I'm afraid they'll have to go," Dagur said casually.
"What about the Rule of Two?"
Dagur shifted his eyes around before leaning in. "We can kill the Inquisitor. There's only room for the strong among the Sith."
Hiccup frowned in disgust. He shook his head. "Betrayal. The way of the Sith. How long before you'd eventually stab me in the back Dagur?"
"Oh I would never Hiccup," Dagur said in fake horror. "Cross my heart." Hiccup cocked a brow skeptically.
"You may as well kill me Dagur. I won't join you."
Dagur scowled in response to his answer. He took in a breath, crossing his arms behind his back. "I'm going to give you time to think about my offer some more Hiccup. When I come back I want to hear a yes. Otherwise..." he paused to step in menacingly. "I'll make sure that before I kill you I'll take everything you hold dear to you. I will utterly destroy what remains of this pathetic man before me, and then I'll let you die," he growled. With that he stepped back and strolled out the door.
"Think about it!" he called back before the doors shut.
Hiccup snorted and closed his eyes. He was in a bit of a spot. To put it lightly. He really hoped Elsa was on her way. But he wasn't looking forward to that smug smile she always gave him when she rescued him.
He hated that.
Elsa stood in the flight deck of a Star Destroyer as it flew through hyperspace on the way to DunBroch. It had taken hours, but she'd finally gotten an audience with DunBroch's former allies and neighbors. Before her were the holograms of the lords and their heirs of the planets Dingwall, MacGuffin, and Macintosh. She had to convince them to join their cause.
"Lord Dingwall. Lord MacGuffin. Lord Macintosh. It is an honor to meet you all. I thank you for your time," Elsa said respectfully as she gave each of them a curtsy.
"Just get on with it Jedi. We nae have all day," Lord Dingwall said grumpily.
"Little dwarf," Jack muttered at Elsa's side. Elsa hid a frown as she proceeded to step on Jack's foot, causing him to wince and cringe, but get the message to shut up.
"My Lords. I have come to humbly request your aid in the liberation and rescue of DunBroch from the Empire's control," Elsa explained.
The Lords all stared at her in silence.
"Nope," Lord Macintosh said.
"Nay," said Lord MacGuffin.
"Not a chance lassie," Lord Dingwall said in agreement.
Elsa had been expecting this. But she wasn't willing to give up just yet. With a bit of help from the Force she could get them to listen and at least hear her out. "But My Lords, DunBroch and its people have been your allies for generations. You've defended each other countless times."
"Aye, we DID." Lord Macintosh said.
"Until Fergus' girl ran off and broke the terms of treaty," Lord Dingwall said with a frown.
"And what were the terms of this treaty?" Elsa inquired.
"She was to choose between three suitors. One of our sons. That boy would become king and we'd remain at peace as we always have. But she ran off, breaking the terms. Thus none of us have any reason to help Fergus and his people."
"I can see why she ran off," Jack said under his breath as he looked to the heirs. "They're all dorks. OW!" He winced as Elsa once again stepped on his toes. She looked over to him, eyes narrowed into a stern stare. He clamped his mouth shut and nodded.
Elsa sighed. She could see what the real underlying reason was. They all had a wounded pride. Merida had insulted them by running off, not choosing any their boys who they certainly believed were perfect. Elsa looked to each of the sons, who looked more or less like their fathers. Expect for Wee Dingwall who was busy staring off at...something.
"The story or your system, your planets, your peoples, is a powerful one," Elsa began. The Lords all arched a brow, wondering what an outsider possibly knew about their own system. "Your planets used to be enemies. You were constantly at war. That is until invaders from outside your system attacked. Left with no other choice you banded together after the old King of DunBroch rallied your forces."
"Your ancestors were victorious and you made the King of DunBroch your king. Peace and prosperity lasted for centuries to come."
The Lords listened on, finding Elsa's words compelling.
"I remember during the Clone Wars the separatists tried to invade as well," she paused to smile at all of them. "And when the Republic offered you its aid in repelling them you refused, because you said you all had each other. You fought for each other."
"Lord MacGuffin, during the space battle King Fergus saved your flagship from being destroyed as you rushed to aid Dingwall's fleet," she said to the bulky and bushy browed Lord.
The Lord bowed his head at the memory. "Aye. And I'll never forget it."
"And Lord Macintosh, you saved the King of DunBroch during the ground battle. Rushing in with your dropships to hold off the droids' advance." The tall Lord smiled fondly at the memory and waved his hand as if it had been trivial.
"And Lord Dingwall, you broke the advancing line-"
"With one well placed shot from your tank!" Lord Macintosh called out.
"I was aiming at you, you numpty," Lord Dingwall told Lord Macintosh with a laugh and a smile. The Lords chuckled together, the way they'd done countless time on and off the battlefield. Save one man was missing. A man whose presence inspired them. Made them laugh. And made them remember why they were friends and comrades.
"Are the bonds you all forged in bravery and battle so easily forgotten? Do they mean so little if not sealed by a marriage? Does one of your sons on the throne mean so much to you?"
The Lords exchanged more glances, their resolves weakening.
"And if Merida had chosen one of your sons over the others, would the rest of you have left the alliance?" she challenged. "Your friend and the people of DunBroch need your help. Will you help them, as you did for each other in the past? Or is your pride stronger than your compassion and sense of justice?" Elsa finished. The Lords and their sons looked down at their feet in thought, guilt and slight shame welling up within them.
Elsa stood back and remained silent, hoping her words would get through.
Jack stood at her side, smiling at the side of her face. "Thats my girl."
"So what will you do if he says no Lord Dagur?" the Inquisitor asked the Sith Lord.
"Hmmm. Good question. Well I'll probably torture him to death," Dagur said with a shrug. He sipped at his ale at the DunBroch table with the Inquisitor at his side.
"Oh."
Dagur pasued, cocking an eyebrow at the Inquisiotr. "'Oh' what?" he asked.
The Inquisitor shrugged. "Nothing. Just seems a little..." the man paused to waved his hand around as he searched for the right word. "Unimaginative?"
Dagur rubbed his chin in thought. He hummed to himself. "You're right. I really need it to hurt. But how?"
"Perhaps the girl?"
"Oh yes. The Princess," Dagur said with a dark smile. He rubbed his hands together evilly. "I'll kill her right in front of him."
"I'm not sure thats a good idea," the Inquisitor said. Dagur looked at him in question. "You saw how the citizens reacted to the execution. They nearly went into a full on revolt when you were about to have the Queen and Princess executed. I think if you were to kill her, that would be the spark that sets off the flames of rebellion on this world."
Dagur sighed in annoyance before sitting back. "Alright, so tell me what you think I should do?"
The Inquisitor bowed his head and began to pace around the table. "Perhaps its time to start amassing power for yourself Dagur. And I think DunBroch can be a good place to start. We can tell Drago how you subjugated this world, you can rule it, it can be the start of your new Empire," he proposed. Dagur nodded in understanding.
"And the way to do that will destroy the Knight."
Hiccup opened his eyes as the doors to his room opened. And to his surprise and delight, walked in Merida. He smiled weakly at her. She attempted to smile back, but it faltered and she looked away. When she reached him it was deathly quiet. She stood there before him, shifting and fiddling with her hands awkwardly.
"I'm glad you're ok," Hiccup finally said.
"Only because you came to save me," she muttered in shame.
"I like saving you," he said with a smile. She blushed but still couldn't meet his eye. After a pregnant pause he took a breath, preparing to say what might be his last words to her. "Merida, I wanted to say I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry about," she said shaking her head.
"But I do. I'm sorry I hurt you Merida. I'm sorry I said what I did. I'm sorry I let my fear control me," he insisted. Merida still had nothing to say. "Merida I love you," he finally said. That finally made her look up. Her blue eyes were wide in shock and glistening with tears.
He smiled at her, letting her know he'd meant what he said and that he was not ashamed of it. To his surprise Merida started to cry. He wasn't sure of they were tears of joy or sadness.
"Why now? Why do you have to say that now?" she whispered as she rubbed at her eyes. "Why were you willing to surrender for me? Even though I did something so unbelievably stupid?"
"There's a simple explanation really...I'm an idiot," he said with a grin.
Merida looked up at him, eyes red. "Hiccup I'm going to marry Dagur tomorrow."
It felt as if Hiccup had been hit in the stomach. He was completely and utterly unprepared for that news. He stared at her in disbelief, but he could see the horrible truth in her eyes.
"Oh so you finally told him hunnybun? Phew, I thought I was going to have to do that myself."
Hiccup looked up with a glare to the entrance to see Dagur standing there, smiling wide in glee. He sauntered in before stopping at Merida's side and wrapping an arm around her. "What can I say. I just had to have her. I mean she's got spunk this one. And look at this face," he said as he cupped her cheeks harshly and gave it a rough jerk to the sides.
"It will be such a pretty event. There will be food, music, dancing, and a big celebration. All to celebrate our special day," Dagur taunted as he stared into Hiccup's eyes. He grinned, teeth flashing. "Of course I could call it all off. Cancel everything, if a certain someone had taken more consideration of my offer?" he said looking to Hiccup.
Hiccup remained silent. As much as he wanted to stop this from happening, he couldn't give into the dark side. He couldn't let Dagur win. Even if it meant Merida would have to marry this monster. He looked away, giving Dagur his answer.
Dagur narrowed his eyes and scowled. "Fine then. Your choice. Now you're going to have to watch as I marry the woman you love. I'm going to make you watch as we become joined forever, and you'll know that you could've stopped it, but didn't." Dagur spat at him. "Lets go woman," Dagur commanded as he began to drag Merida out of the room.
Merida struggled, looking back to Hiccup one last time. "I'm sorry Hiccup. He threatened my people! He said he'd kill hundreds of them if I didn't agree. I didn't want to I swear!" she called back, hoping he'd believe her.
Hiccup smiled at her. "I figured. You did the right thing Merida," he said with an approving nod. Tears came to her eyes as Dagur dragged her out of the room, as the door closed Hiccup mouth a goodbye, and the tears fell because Merida knew she'd probably never see him again.
A day passed, and the citizens of DunBroch filed into the castle to attend the wedding of their princess and Darth Skrill of the Empire. They all felt disgusted that an Imperial would be their king, they had no idea why the royal family would agree to this, but they were sure it was with their best interests at heart.
In her room Merida stared at her reflection. To her disdain, she looked beautiful. Her hair was perfect. Her makeup was perfect, making her eyes pop and sparkle dazzlingly. The forest green dress hugged her body, accentuating her waist and curves.
Merida sighed. She always figured that her wedding day would be a happy moment. But it felt like she were on death row, about to meet her executioner. Though death would be welcome at this point. It would be much better than being joined in matrimony(blech) to that...psychopath!
"You look so lovely dear," Merida's mother said behind her. Merida forced a smile as she looked up into her mother's eyes. Her mother smiled sadly at her.
"Thank you mum. I bet my husband to be will love it," she muttered in disgust.
Elinor opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She had no idea what to say. What could possibly make his better? With a sigh her daughter rose. "Its almost time. May as well get this over with."
Elinor gave a nod. She came to her daughter, turning her around and grasping her shoulders gently. She looked into her eyes, struggling to cry. "I'd give anything to stop this."
Merida smiled in appreciation. "I know mum," she said with a nod.
There was a knock at the door, the women looked to it as a shadow guard entered. "Time to go ladies," he said gruffly. Merida swallowed the lump in her throat and steeled herself for what she was about to do. All the while she couldn't help but think of the man she should be with.
In his cell a shadow guard stood guarding Hiccup. In front of the Knight was a video showing him what was going on upstairs. As Dagur had promised he was going to make him watch. And once their vows were exchanged the shadow guard would finish him.
Hiccup watched Merida being led by her father down the aisle. She looked beautiful. Fit to be called a princess. He smiled, glad to be seeing such an image one last time. But his stomach began turning and twisting into knots as he wished he could stop it.
Merida only half listened as she stood before Dagur, the bishop giving his speech on matrimony as per protocol. All the while she wished for a miracle. Something, anything to stop this.
"Do you, Dagur, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold in sickness and in health. For richer or poorer. Until death do you part?"
Dagur smiled at Merida, reveling in the fact that it was almost over and she was powerless to stop it. "I do."
The bishop repeated the question to Merida. Who paused. Dreading what she was about to say. Bile started to rise in her throat. She was forced to swallow it down, nearly retching again in the process. She looked to her parents, both of whom looked sad for her. She gave them a smile before taking a breath and closing her eyes.
She let out the breath, resignation coursing through her.
She licked her lips and opened her mouth. "Brrrrrrrrrrrr," she suddenly said with a sudden shiver. Suddenly she was freezing. She could feel the goosebumps breaking out along the skin of her arms and shoulders. She thought it was a mental reaction, a way to stall her fate. But with a breath she exhaled a visible mist.
Dagur furrowed his brows, suddenly noting the strange drop in temperature. His own breath was starting to come out in frosty mists.
He suddenly looked up to see the skylight frosting over with ice, blocking out the sun and shrouding the room in darkness.
And then it shattered as a figure burst in, robes flapping as she fell, bringing in a biting chill with her. The guests screamed and leapt back from the circle of falling glass, clearing an opening for the figure to land.
Dagur seethed in rage and shock as he stared into the blue eyes of the Jedi Knight.
"Sorry we're late Merida," Elsa said with a smile.
Suddenly cables fell from the opening in the roof, Dagur looked up to see clone troopers dropping in, dropping canisters of smoke in the process, forcing the citizens to start evacuating in a panic.
"Switch to heat!" Olaf shouted.
"Yes sir!"
So many things happened next as the room became filled with smoke. More glass shattered, and Dagur looked to see Hiccup's Padawan burst through another window, followed shortly by the Mandalorian through another. Dagur growled in annoyance as he thrust his palm forward, clearing away the smoke, only to reveal the clones had the king and queen secured.
"Olaf, get them out of here!" Elsa called out.
"Right!" the royals were ushered to the cables where they were pulled up and to safety as their brothers provided cover fire.
"I DON'T!"
Dagur blinked before glancing back to Merida. She was smiling wide and happy."I don't! Do you hear me you madman! Shove that up your arse!" she shouted as she flipped him off. Dagur growled in annoyance yet again. Then with a hand gesture he threw Merida back into some stormtroopers and a shadow guard.
"Take my bride to be to her quarters," he commanded. His subordinates nodded before carrying her off and down an hallway at the side of the room. Leaving her shouting to her comrades. That left only Dagur, the Inquisitor, and at least five of the remaining shadow guard.
Rapunzel, Anna, and the clones formed up on Elsa. Standing at her sides with their weapons at the ready. They waited for her to give the command. "All of you, after Merida," she commanded.
Everyone gaped at her in shock. But her face was serious.
"Ma'am?" one of the clones choked out.
"I did not stutter trooper. Now!" she ordered with more force.
"Elsa, I can help you," Rapunzel whispered as she eyed the darksiders.
Elsa shook her head. "You need to find Hiccup. I'll hold them off."
"Sis thats crazy!" Anna shouted at her.
Elsa looked sternly at her sister. "No arguments. All of you go. NOW!" she shouted, using the Force to echo her command. With that everyone obeyed. Shuffling to the side down the entryway Merida was taken. The shadow guard tensed to give chase, but with a wave of her hand they found their path blocked by gnarly icy spikes.
"By yourself Elsa. Really?" Dagur asked with an arched brow. Elsa smiled. "You remember what happened the last time you were outnumbered?" he asked with a smirk.
"I learned a little something," Elsa said as she grabbed both her lightsabers. She held her saberstaff by the middle in her right hand and her white lightsaber in her left hand. She ignited both blades, holding them at her sides as she stared them all down.
"Rushing to battle isn't the way of the Consular Elsa," Dagur commented.
"Well you know me Dagur. I always enjoyed playing with the boys," Elsa said with a smile. Dagur arched a brow as he assessed the Jedi Knight. She was serious. Her eyes told him she was confident she could take them all on by herself.
Dagur raised a hand up, prompting the shadow guard to activate their pikes.
"Kill her," Dagur said as he pointed at her. The shadow guard surged forward, prepared to cut the Jedi Knight down.
Elsa took a battle stance, focusing her mind as they came. Despite the odds she was unafraid. She just smiled as she waited for them to come.
Outside DunBroch Gran stood in the middle of the standing stones. She could sense conflict. Both at the castle and in DunBroch's orbit. But what had her main focus was the familiar presence of Jedi. Two more of them. Lights in the darkness. Gran looked toward the castle, knowing the Jedi were still outnumbered.
But Gran had long since given up fighting. So she wouldn't aid the Jedi. But...
Knowing her former apprentice's son was among them made her want to do something to help. Gran shook her head and sighed. With a huff she dropped, sitting on her knees as she tapped into the wellspring of the Force in the center of the stones. She closed her eyes and began to meditate, invoking an ancient Force power that would allow her to affect the battle.
With it she could shift the moral of both sides. Draining one while bolstering the other. And once an enemy was defeated in their mind, the battle was won.
"That boy of yours Valka. Look what he's got me doing? That boy better get his head on straight and marry that girl if he survives this."
who can tell me what Force technique Gran is going to use?
also now might be a good time to say what Forms each Jedi specializes in.
Elsa, being a Consular, tends to use the more conservative Forms of lightsaber combat. Including Shii-cho, Niman(which is commonly seen as a Consular style), and Soresu. Though she is knowledgable in the basics of every style.
Hiccup, being a guardian, uses more agressive Forms, such as Juyo, Ataru, a Djem So. though is quite good at Soresu as well.
Rapunzel, who's being trained by both Knight has taken a bit of a middle ground stance to the forms. Combining principles from Niman, Ataru, and Djem So and soresu.
silverwolf: yeah, saw that. Total coincidence. Well they aren't siblings in this AU obviously
