It is with great sadness, but this is the last chapter. Never the less, there will be a sequel.
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Chapter 21: Duel of Destiny
Callum ran forward, falling to his knees as Janai fell into his arms. "Master." He muttered, watching as Janai focused her dying gaze upon him. Aaravos chuckled as he backed away, coming to a halt a few meters from the two.
"Padawan, there comes a time where all must part ways." Janai paused, coughing roughly as she grasped her lightsaber. "A time where we must follow our destiny alone. I was proud to have been your mentor. You have progressed fast in our short time." She gently raised the hilt of her lightsaber up to Callum. "Remember to trust in the Force, Knight of the Jedi Order." She said, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as her last breath left her lips.
Callum closed his eyes as a few tears rolled down his cheeks. He grasped Janai's lightsaber tightly. "I will never forget you master." He said, standing tall as he turned to face Aaravos. He took a deep breath, finding his centre of mind. His blood raced; the Force flowed throughout him.
He opened his eyes, gaze narrowed upon Aaravos as he ignited both blades. Orange and sapphire illuminating his face as crossed the blades before his chest. "You have harmed Xadia enough Arcturus. Today, you shall pay for your crimes."
Aaravos grinned as he held his blades tightly. "So you have chosen your side." He responded with disappointment.
Callum charged forward, leaping into the air with a battle cry before swinging down with his blades.
Rayla flipped back, her gaze fell upon TW-855. "That the best you got Mando?" He taunted, throwing another punch.
She moved to the side, grabbing his arm and throwing him into the wall. "Never taunt a Mandalorian, especially a Moonshadow Elf one." She replied, kicking him the stomach.
TW-855 backed away with a grunt. He cracked his neck as he rolled his shoulders. "Now it's on." He exclaimed, charging forward with speed.
Viren narrowed his eyes. "Inform Claudia to deploy Hunter Squadron." He ordered, eyeing the fighter fight closely as a few TIE's passed by the bridge window, followed by a Harvest Class Interceptor.
Claudia turned fast. "Orders from your father, we're to deploy and support our fighters in combat." SK-264 said, standing tall before her.
Claudia nodded. "Gather Hunter Squadron and deploy to the field." She ordered, marching off the bridge.
Arimar glanced over as the weapon batteries of The Calamity opened up upon a Vindicator Class Heavy Cruiser. "Ma'am, Hunter Squadron has entered the battle."
She smirked. "Well, Grand Admiral Doom never expected the TIE Phoenix to be used against the Empire, deploy Artemis Marshall and her squadron at once." Pausing as she turned quickly. "And inform Gren to bring The Centurion into the fight. But tell him to remain close to The Cascade." She finished.
"Right away Ma'am." Atalanta said with a nod, turning fast to rely the Arimar's orders.
Artemis Marshall smirked as he piloted the TIE Phoenix into battle, her eyes locked upon the fighters of Hunter Squadron. "Alright Carnage Squadron, Let's dominate the battlefield." She said. "Accelerate to attack speed and follow my lead."
Her fighter flew in fast, gunning down several TIE's as they passed by, the Red and gold colouration of the wings symbolised their allegiance to Katolis. Other fighters flew by, providing cover for the experimental fighters as they did so.
Aanya glanced at the front bridge of her Duren Class Combat Frigate called The Duren's Solstice. Her eyes fell upon The Neolandia's Pride, watching as the Star Destroyer entered the way of several of their ships. "Direct all power to the Engines and forward shields." She ordered, turning around fast as she pressed a button. "All hands, to the escape pods." She yelled, turning fast.
Kasef narrowed his eyes, watching the battle closely. "All batteries, tear that Startouch Frigate to pieces." He ordered. Watching as the batteries of his warship opened up upon The Dragon Star. His eyes remained locked as the frigate took critical damage. Small explosions went off along the hull before a complete explosion took it out of the fight.
"Captain, enemy frigate closing in fast!" Someone said with urgency.
Kasef turned to see The Duren's Solstice closing the distance rapidly. He blinked form shock before his eyes narrowed. "All batteries, target that frigate!" He cried, fear filled his voice.
Aanya turned fast, racing down the hallways. She felt the ship rock as The Neolandia's Pride tore into her flagship. Coming to a stop, she entered the last escape pod and launched with who had yet to escape. She turned to face the window watching as her flagship collided with the command tower of Kasef's flagship.
The bright light of the many explosions that rocked the entire ship filled her with great pride.
"Sire, The Neolandia's Pride is gone."
Viren turned fast to see the giant fireball that was once Kasef's flagship. "Idiot." He muttered. "Redouble our forces, protect the Aaravos Class Defence Stations." He ordered.
Callum ducked back as he avoided another swing from Aaravos. He leapt to the side, swinging out once more as the two clashed. Their eyes locked upon one another. "It is foolish to fight me child." Aaravos taunted.
Callum grunted as he was pushed back, he reached out with a hand, using the Force to push Aaravos back. "Destiny brought us here for a reason Arcturus, it's time you learned that you can't control it." He replied, resting his blades behind his back as he charged forward.
Aaravos grinned and leapt in, swinging his blades down at Callum who parried the blow. Aaravos turned, spinning on the spot as he slashed downwards.
Callum stepped to the side, moving his blade to parry the strike while moving the other to strike against his foe.
Aaravos smirked, adjusting to account for Callum's strike. The blades clash, sparks of colour flickered into the air. The two backed up before charging in once more. Dancing about one another as they clashed in a duel of destiny.
Rayla dived to the side, kicking TW-855's legs out from under him. She stood over him, pulling out one of her blasters. "Give it up, you've lost." She said.
TW-855 smirked as he quickly kicked Rayla in the leg, causing her to stumble back in shock. He leapt to his feet and threw a punch, knocking her blaster from her hands before spinning around and kicking her in the chest.
Rayla fell to the ground, she grunted from the impact but quickly got back to her feet. "You won't win this battle." TW-855 responded, rolling his fists as he came around for another strike. Rayla rolled to the side, moving in as she primed her vambraces.
TW-855 quickly moved, picking up a discarded blaster and throwing it at her. Rayla was knocked back by the weapon. She glanced at TW-855 as he threw another punch. She was quick to raise her left vambrace, activating an energy shield to block the blow. "You're not the only one who can play dirty." She said, using her right vambrace to fire a grabble at his legs. With a mighty pull, she tripped him.
TW-855 gasped from shock as he hit the ground, he glanced up at Rayla who quickly moved in. He rolled to the side, reaching down as he grasped a blaster and pointed it at her. "I say this fight has escalated quickly. But you won't win Mando. I have the advantage." He said.
Rayla shrugged her shoulders as she got onto a knee and raised her left vambrace. "If you say so." She said, activating a flamethrower.
TW-855 screamed in pain as he dropped the blaster, the flames consumed him, burning him from the gaps between the armour. His armour didn't help much either as he started to feel the fire on his skin.
Aaravos backed up slightly as Callum threw a kick. He narrowed his eyes and smirked. "You really think you can beat me?" He taunted, using the Force to push Callum back suddenly. He leapt into the air, moving his blades downwards.
Callum widened his eyes in shock as he felt the lightsaber's leave his hand. He watched as Aaravos' crimson blades cleaved through the hilts. "You are no challenge to me without a lightsaber." Aaravos finished taunting. Standing tall as he eyed Callum closely.
Zubeia widened her eyes slightly. She turned to face Tiadrin and Lain. "Tiadrin, Lain, take this and get it to Prince Callum at once." She said, shoving Avizandum's lightsaber into Tiadrin's hands.
Tiadrin glanced down. "King Avizandum's lightsaber?" She questioned.
Zubeia narrowed her eyes. "No time, go now." She ordered, turning back to the battle at hand.
The two Dragonguard members nodded at each other, racing down to the hangar bay as fast as they could.
Rayla stood over the burnt corpse of TW-855, smoke lifted off him as she picked up her blaster and tucked it away. She glanced over her shoulder to see Soren come around the corner. She watched the former General glance between her and TW-855 for several moments before he spoke. "Now that's a burnt way to go down."
Rayla groaned. "Just help me clear out the rest of this place of any Imperial forces." She said, turning fast as she raced down the hallway.
Callum leapt back, avoiding another strike from Aaravos, he narrowed his eyes watching him closely. "You can't win this fight Arcturus. I will defeat you." He said strongly.
Aaravos only shook his head in disappointment. "How can you beat me when you have no weapon?" He asked.
Callum pushed out with his hand, forcing Aaravos back a few feet. "Prince Callum, catch." Tiadrin said, throwing Avizandum's lightsaber to him.
Callum reach out, grasping the golden blade in his hands. He turned to face Aaravos as he active both ends of the lightsaber. Aaravos gasped. "Avizandum's lightsaber." He said, standing ready as he eyed Callum closely.
Callum charged forward, leaping into the air as he swung at Aaravos. The Startouch Sith Lord ducked back, diving to the side as he parried Callum's strike. Callum moved in from both sides, swinging the blades with ease as he pushed Aaravos back.
Aaravos soon felt the anger grow in his heart, he pushed out with his mind, forcing Callum back as he raised to his full height. "ENOUGH!" He yelled.
Callum felt himself slam into a wall. He grunted as he slid down the wall, his eyes focused upon Aaravos. A voice soon spoke in his head, one he hadn't heard before. "Jedi Knight Callum. Do not back down, for we shall lend you our strength to defeat Aaravos."
He thought for a long while before he heard his father speak. "Avizandum speaks truth, with our strength, you will defeat Arcturus and deny him the chance to rebuild his Sith Empire."
"Callum, use my teachings, fulfill your destiny to Xadia. Defeat Arcturus and end his reign before it has begun." Janai said.
Callum felt the surge of power through his veins, he stood tall as he eyed Aaravos. "Aaravos. Punishment for your crimes will be delivered. For today, you will find what it means to be bested in combat." He cried, charging forward with speed.
Aaravos widened his eyes, backing up as he brought his blades to block Callum's brutal swing. He felt the force being pushed into his blade. This strength was new, and he feared it. For the first time in his life, he feared someone else.
Callum pushed harder with his blade before pulling back, swinging in form the side as he sliced Aaravos' waist. Aaravos gasped as he dropped his lightsaber's. He eyed Callum closely. "No." He said as he fell backwards, he saw his legs fall to the side. He glanced up. "Curse you all!" He cried.
Callum stepped forward, lowering the lightsaber to rest upon his neck. "You've lost Aaravos." He said, slicing his neck clean off. He turned fast, eyeing Tiadrin and Lain. "We must gather any ships hidden on the surface and bring into the fight above." He said, running past them.
Viren felt Aaravos die, he widened his eyes as he watched his fleet get torn apart. "If I can't have Xadia. Then no one can have Xadia. Activate the Aaravos Defence Stations orbital laser!" He yelled.
Arimar widened her eyes as the large structure beneath the defence stations glowed brightly, a large red beam shot forth towards the surface. She gasped in shock at the sight. "Ma'am, we lack the ships keep the 9th fleet occupied and to deal with the defence stations." Atalanta cried, turning to face Arimar.
Arimar closed her eyes. "If we must sacrifice a fleet to save Xadia, so be it." She said.
Callum narrowed his eyes as he came from behind the 9th fleet. The large fleet of ships behind him deployed fighters rapidly. "For Xadia!" He cried.
"Queen Zubeia, a large fleet of Elven and Human forces has massed behind the 9th fleet." Someone said.
Zubeia blinked. "The people have been rallied." She said.
"Grand Admiral, several enemy ships are approaching from behind."
Viren widened his eyes. "How is this possible?" He demanded. "Get me Claudia now!" He hissed.
"Father, what is it?"
Viren took a deep breath. "I want you to leave now. Gather the Imperial forces and retake Xadia." He said.
"But father, what about you?"
Viren sighed as he felt The Aaravos rock from the oncoming fire. "I have given everything protecting Xadia from insurgents. But if they are determined to take me down, I will go down with them." He replied, ending the call before Claudia could respond.
Arimar smirked. "All batteries, tear those defence stations down!" She ordered. Watching as a brilliant show of firepower hammered into the orbital superweapons.
Viren watched, arms behind his back as his forces fell one by one. "For the Empire." He said.
Rayla glanced up alongside Soren as the remains of The Aaravos fell down to the surface, the people around them started to cheer as the massive lasers faded away from existence. She herself, allowed a small smile to form.
Callum stood down from the ramp of a small shuttle, his eyes glanced over the crowd of Elves and Humans each helping one another. He walked along the streets, coming to a stop as he eyed a large group of people. "Prince Callum." Zubeia greeted with a bow. Zym following suit.
"Queen Zubeia. Prince Azymondias." He greeted in return.
"CALLUM!" Rayla yelled, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Callum chuckled. "I'm happy to see you two Rayla." He replied, returning the hug.
Ezran walked alongside Soren and Aanya. The three bowed before Callum. "Prince Callum." They greeted.
Callum blinked, noticing that Rayla hadn't let go of him yet. "Ezran, Queen Aanya, Soren." He said.
"Peace has fallen at last." Arimar translated for Amaya, walking alongside her sister as they came to a stop before the group. Callum noticed how Amaya signed something, but didn't allow Arimar to translate. He chuckled lightly.
"Is something wrong?" Callum asked as he saw Fell stare at him alongside Tiadrin and Lain. He felt himself grow red before he turned his gaze to rest upon Rayla who didn't seem bothered at all. He smirked as an idea formed in his head.
Aanya realised what was happening fast and quickly covered Ezran's eyes as Callum slammed his lips against Rayla's. Soren quickly followed suit, covering Aanya's eyes as Atalanta came from behind and covered his much to his own displeasure.
Callum pulled back, watching Rayla's face go red. "I love you Rayla." He said.
Rayla beamed with joy. "I love you two Callum." She said.
Fell smirked. "The Empire may be gone for now. That doesn't mean they won't return." He said.
Zubeia nodded. "The Sunforge will be working overtime to produce new warships, never again will Xadia be caught off guard by threats." She said.
Claudia frowned as she stood aboard another Star Destroyer, she wanted to fulfil her father's wishes, but the Emperor had deemed Xadia to be of no use. She would have her revenge and avenge her father's death. Regardless of whether it took her life or not.
With the final conclusion, I will sadly say that this story is finished. Never fear, the Sequel, The Jedi Prince 2: Revenge of the Empire will come sometime soon.
And because I can, and it's something I'm going to do now, here's a list of all the characters that appeared in this story.
Jedi Padawan/Jedi Knight/Prince Callum
Rayla Ordo
General Amaya
Jedi Knight Janai
Bait
Prince/King Ezran
Queen Aanya
King Harrow
Grand Admiral/Lord/Governor Viren
King/Jedi Master Avizandum
Queen Zubeia
Prince Azymondias
Tiadrin
Lain
Count Fell
Captain/Admiral Arimar
Captain Artemis Marshall
Captain Atalanta
General Soren
Claudia/13th Inquisitor
TW-855
SK-264
Aaravos/Darth Arcturus
Nyx
Captain Kasef
Gren
Captain Katina
Admiral Renna
Commander Pry
General Manuk
Corvus
Grand Admiral Doom
Dolam Bridger
Unnamed Imperial Officers
Unnamed Imperial Pilots
Unnamed Imperial Stormtroopers
And for the fun of it, here are characters mentioned or hinted at.
Ezra Bridger
Grand Admiral Thrawn
Sabine Wren
Bo-Katana
Duchess Satine
Darth Maul
Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker
Emperor Palpatine
Senator Mon Mothma
Well, review and leave feedback. I will see you in the next sequel, or in the spinoff, or in A Father's Legacy. But be sure to check out my other works.