Chapter 53 – Beginning of the End

As the Ghost was on its way back to Home One, Sabine told the group, "The empire has some new project called 'Blacksabre'." Tarre, Fenrir and Zeb were in the common area playing dejarik.

"Did you find what it is about?", Ahsoka asked.

"We did copy all of their files, so maybe. We also found large containers full of vibranium and holocrons.", Sabine answered.

"What!?", Kanan said shocked, "Please tell me you destroyed them."

"No. Weren't you listening before.", Sabine said with a roll of her eyes, "Fenrir stole them Kanan."

"Oh, guess I wasn't paying attention back then.", Kanan said.

"How many containers were there?", Ahsoka asked.

"Around twenty, maybe more.", Sabine answered.

"How would he steal all of them?", Kanan asked.

"His mould, remember.", Sabine said.

"Right.", Kanan said quickly.

"Some day you're having.", Sabine mumbled to herself.

"What could the empire want with them?", Ezra asked.

"We'll find out more once the information you copied is analysed.", Hera said. At that moment Zeb entered the cockpit barely able to contain his laughter, "Tarre found out about his hair." At that precise moment there was a loud whacking sound followed by Fenrir yelling "OW", at the top of his lungs.

"You screw with me again and it'll cost you a few teeth.", they heard Tarre say.

"What are they doing out there?", Hera asked exasperated, walking out of the cockpit. Ahsoka rolled her eyes at the antics of the two eldest on the ship.

Sabine then left. "Where are you going?", Ezra asked.

"Going to paint.", she answered evenly. Ezra then decided to follow her.

"He follows her like a lovesick puppy.", Zeb said in an undertone.

D190/0 ABY

In the dojo onboard Home One, Sabine and Ezra were sparring. The husband-wife duo was using Ezra's lightsabres (in training mode). In the recent days, Sabine had repainted her armour to incorporate the most recent missions on Naboo, Mandalore and Vorzyd V. Though the base of her armour was still the same, it now included fighting undead, giants, and at the centre was a holocron (A/N: The base is from her paint in Season 4). She hadn't changed her hair yet, unable to decide what colour to use, and had scoffed at Ezra's suggestion of using orange. She had also painted the scene of Fenrir throwing pink-haired Tarre at the stormtroopers on a canvas.

Both had worked up quite a bit of sweat. Ezra then pulled a move and in one instant Sabine was on the floor.

"When did Kanan teach you that?", she asked with a bit of surprise.

"He didn't. Tarre taught me that move.", Ezra replied with a smirk as he lifted Sabine up.

She groaned at this, "How come I haven't had a training session with him yet?" Ezra just shrugged at this.

The door of the dojo then opened and entered Fenrir and Bruce carrying boxes filled with holocrons in them.

"So, we recovered a butt-load of holocrons from Vorzyd V.", Fenrir said to Ezra and Sabine.

"Any information on what they were using them for?", Sabine asked.

"None whatsoever.", Fenrir said, "But Bruce has a theory."

They all turned to Bruce as he began speaking, "Bendu told me that you had once brought holocrons of opposite nature together?", he gestured at Ezra.

"Yes.", Ezra nodded at this.

"Well, we have examined these holocrons. They are an equal mixture of light and dark. So, bringing them together will provide a clarity of vision and more. Using vibranium can help stabilise whatever they produce and enhance it in many ways.", Bruce said.

"How does that work?", Sabine asked.

"The energy released from bringing two powerful objects together is a lot. Vibranium is known as an absorbing and amplifying metal.", Bruce said.

"Bendu had told me that by bringing the Jedi and Sith holocron together, I would be granted a clarity of vision. What more can it produce?", Ezra asked.

"When you brought the two holocrons together, you were able to activate one of its many functions. Now, when you put vibranium in the mixture, you are able to stabilise the connection between the holocrons, make it stronger and use it for many more things. For example – creating a portal.", Bruce said.

"That is not good at all.", Ezra said.

"Which is why, the Chancellor has ordered Republic agents to prioritise finding these lost artefacts on other worlds and to bring them here on this ship.", Fenrir said.

"There is a silver lining in all of this.", Bruce commented.

"What could that be?", Sabine asked sarcastically.

"Atleast, it's not Uru.", Bruce said.

"Uru?", Sabine and Ezra asked.

"A divine metal. There have been four divine metals in all of creation and Uru is the most versatile and most dangerous of all of them. Prince Issho's sword is made of Uru, Mjolnir – the hammer that Tarre wields is made of Uru and so is his metal arm.", Fenrir said.

"Oh.", Sabine said, thinking about when she had accidently touched Prince Issho's sword. "What would happen if a non-force sensitive tried to pick up an Uru weapon?", she asked after a moment. Ezra understood why she was asking this, but Fenrir and Bruce didn't.

"First of all, there are no non-force sensitives. Everyone is force sensitive, people are divided between force-wielders and non-force-wielders. Secondly, if a non-force-wielder happened to pick up a weapon made out of Uru and held it for a long duration of time, then they would spontaneously combust. If held for a short duration, nothing life threatening would happen.", Bruce said. Sabine and Ezra's eyes widened when they heard the words 'spontaneously combust'.

"Why would you ask such a question?", Fenrir asked Sabine.

"Well, when we were rescuing Prince Issho, his sword was on the ground and I had tried to pick it up but had dropped it almost immediately.", Sabine said nervously. Fenrir and Bruce nodded at this.

"Where would the holocrons be stored now?", Ezra asked.

"The dojo would be a good place for them, help you with your lightsabre practice.", Fenrir said.

"Don't you think it's a little bit risky. What if someone tries to steal them?", Sabine asked.

"We have taken security measures to ensure against thievery. Firstly, the holocrons have now been modified to include tracking devices. Secondly, we have incorporated a bit of Aesir magic on them, so if someone ever tries to take them off the ship, the holocrons would immediately return back to this dojo.", Bruce said.

"What about if the ship is destroyed or when it is returned back to Thor?", Ezra asked.

"As long as Thor is alive, the ship can't be destroyed. As for it returning back to Thor… that wouldn't happen as Thor has given Hera the command of this vessel.", Fenrir said. The two youngsters then nodded.

"I'm actually a bit jealous. My dad never gave me a warship.", Fenrir said jokingly.

"He did. You destroyed it within the first hour.", Bruce said rolling his eyes.

"Oh… right.", Fenrir said.

D200/0 ABY

Seventeen relatively peaceful days had passed ever since Vorzyd V. Clone Force 99, Cassian Andor and Jyn Erso had returned two weeks after going on their mission to Coruscant. What they had reported was deeply disturbing on all accounts – the population of Coruscant was now zero, the planet itself was horribly scorched and rendered uninhabitable. The Emperor himself had just disappeared. The good thing that came from this was that the Republic was able to use this information to rally more systems towards, showing the galaxy that even the Empire's capital was not safe from Palpatine's rule. But they had no answer as to what or who could cause something like this.

Hera was in her and Kanan's quarters onboard Home one. Kanan was off on a relief mission with Rex and Zeb. For the first time in many days, Hera was dreaming, "Hera", she heard the voice of a man and with a jolt she woke up realising that it was Thor's voice. Looking around in her room she saw an old man standing in front of her bed, his face and body were partially hidden from view with only one eye and one hand visible.

"Dad!?", Hera said uncertainly and with her surprise, "What happened to you?"

"As the All-father, I now represent the state of the nine realms, which is not good at the moment.", Thor said, "Hera, I know I promised never to leave again… I am truly sorry for breaking my promise."

Hera picked up Thor's datapad as she got up from bed and walked towards him, "I know that you never meant to leave me. This allowed me to see what had happened on Scarif.", she spoke pointing to the datapad. "Dad, are you really here this time?", she then asked uncertainly.

Thor's face softened and he looked tired and weary, "I am here in spirit, Hera. My body is in another galaxy fighting a long, drawn out battle. I want us to spend time as father and daughter, but…", Thor sighed, "right now I have come with a warning. The enemy is planning to attack Ryloth. I have sent help which should be arriving at the planet within the next hour. Hera, I will also be there as soon as possible."

Hera's eyes gasped at this, "Are you sure?", she asked.

"I am.", Thor nodded.

"What can we do?", Hera asked desperately.

"What you have always done, fight for a better future and have hope.", Thor said in Ryl. Afterwards all of their conversation were in Ryl.

Hera sat down and looked uncertain. She then took a deep breath and said, "I will rally the Republic's forces and go to Ryloth." Thor kneeled in front of her, put his hand over hers, which she grasped and thought, 'It feels so real. But he said that he was here only in spirit.'

"Hera, do you trust me?", Thor asked.

"Yes.", Hera almost immediately yelled, angry that he should even ask her something like this.

Thor smiled and Hera felt a warmth encompass her, "I will be there as soon as possible. I only ask that you take this vessel to Ryloth. It will help tremendously."

"I will dad, I will.", she said, then in an even voice she asked, "Do you know when they will attack?"

"I believe that the attack will come within a day or two. We will meet on Ryloth and our enemies will taste a bitter defeat.", Thor said.

Hera nodded at this and then asked, "Dad, why can't I see you completely?"

Thor looked a little uncertain at this, but said, "Due to the distance, I am only to project part of myself.", he then flickered a bit and from the background he heard someone yelling, "THOR, IMCOMING."

"I have to go now.", Thor said apologetically.

"Dad, please be safe.", Hera said.

"I will. Promise me that you will be safe Hera.", Thor said.

"I will.", she said, after which Thor vanished. Hera bit back a sob and heard her commlink ringing. She answered and was summoned to the ship's bridge, where she was shown a fulcrum transmission stating that Ryloth was about to be under attack. Hera silently thanked her father for informing her before the Republic. Within the next hour, Republic forces were dispatched to Ryloth, with Home One leading the fleet. They had also requested help from other systems. Lothal and Mandalore had answered their calls.

On reaching Ryloth, Hera found the angel Castiel talking to her uncle Cham. She had met her other uncle – Issho on the way, who was coordinating the planetary defence with Admiral Ackbar, and the forces from Lothal and Mandalore. The Aesir were equipping everyone with weapons that could kill demons.

"I am delighted that you all could join us, Master Angel. That your king in his comfortable throne and palace has deemed our humble little world worthy of his help, after enjoying its hospitality for so many years.", Cham said sarcastically to Castiel, while Hera was standing nearby. She menaced at her uncle's tone.

"Have you forgotten that my father helped break the Imperial rule on Ryloth?", Hera said in her native accent.

"And now when we need help, he is not here. This is what is wrong with you child, you place your trust and hope in these outsiders.", Cham retorted pointing at Castiel.

"These outsiders as you call them are here to help us. They are my father's people and so am I.", Hera said back in her usual accent. "They have been helping us for some time now. If it wasn't for them then the Republic would have still been the Rebellion."

"Where were these outsiders when the Death star destroyed Alderaan? I seem to remember that your father conveniently disappeared just a day before that disaster.", Cham asked.

"My father did not disappear, he was abducted.", Hera responded calmly.

"You believe him?", Cham said.

"Yes.", Hera said.

"Why, because he told you?", Cham asked sarcastically.

"Because I saw it happen with my own eyes.", Hera answered, her eyes narrowed in anger and raised her father's datapad.

Before Cham could respond, Castiel interrupted, a chill emanating from him that caused Cham to back away in fear.

"Our numbers are not unlimited.", said Castiel as he walked slowly towards Cham, who was now shrinking in fear. "In this week alone, hundreds of my brothers and sisters died in the field of battle. You think the armies of Asgard and the Aesir should follow you around, remain perched on your shoulders." Castiel was now standing so very close to Cham, that despite the two being of equal height, Cham seemed to be smaller now. "You should show us some respect. My mate's world, her whole galaxy is under siege, yet she and I are here because King Thor ordered it, because he cares for this world and its people."

"CASTIEL.", Issho yelled rushing towards him and pulling him back. As he was pulled back Castiel turned to Hera and said, "King Thor's actions have allowed us to come ahead in this war. Princess", he said bowing slightly to Hera and calmly addressed her, "If not for your father, we would have lost the entire realms of Vanaheim and Alfheim, two very large galaxies. He has been fighting continuously, for days on end ever since his return and will be here shortly." Castiel then turned around, bowed slightly to Issho and walked away.

"Don't mind him, his heart is in the right place but he is tired. Tired of this war.", Issho said. Cham had recovered from his previous bout of fear.

"Was he telling the truth, has dad really been fighting for days on end?", Hera asked. Cham scoffed at this and Hera glared at him.

"He has. My brother is very stubborn. Few possess his resolve and fewer are able to stop him when he sets his mind on something.", Issho said.

"Your brother?", Cham asked incuriously.

"Yes… I am Thor's brother Issho.", Issho answered.

As Cham was about to say something, Issho interrupted him, "Do not judge him harshly. He was thrown headfirst into this mess. We all were."

Cham opened his mouth but was interrupted by Hera, "If you don't have anything good to say, then please don't say anything." She then turned to Issho and said, "How is the defence coming up?"

"Quick and efficient. We are currently arming those who wish to fight and have identified locations to serve as sanctuaries for those who either can't or won't fight." As Issho was saying this, his eyes snapped to the air and he saw Bor flying towards them, his face showing the signs of a recent battle but not betraying any signs of fatigue.

"Thor sent me ahead.", Bor spoke as he landed on the ground acknowledging Issho and Hera, then turning towards Cham who had a confounded look on his face.