Episode IX.- The Rise of Skywalker (Zombie Edition)
Emperor Palpatine has managed to secure an area by annexing fringe solar systems that have historically been disputed by the Trade Alliance and the Republic, creating a new area known as the Imperial Belt. The Sith Council has managed to annul the resistance from the Jedi Order, but the Trade Alliance still faces a great menace from the Imperial Belt, which has caused a widespread famine. With an uncertain future, Leia Organa has still to find a way to regroup the Republic in order to ensure peace across the Galaxy.
ACT I. A change of heart
The Sith Council is in session. Order of the day: treatment of the Jedi prisoners. The proposed motions are three: execution, slavery, or conversion. Lord Maul has the floor.
"My fellow Sith Lords," Maul states. "We are facing a higher threat than the Republic and the Jedi right now. The Sith traitor, Lord Sidious, has killed one of us, Lord Snoke."
BOO!
"I have another proposal…" Maul says. "Let's use the prisoners to stage a joint attack with the Republic. If we use their forces, we might erode the Imperial belt."
INTERESTING…
A BOLD MOVE, I'M EAGER TO WATCH YOU FAIL…
USING THE REPUBLIC AS CANNON FODDER, I'M IN…
It so seems that Lord Maul's proposal is viable. Submit to voting. Motion conceded: Jedi prisoners shall be put under Lord Maul's vigilance to outsource an attack against the traitors. LONG LIVE THE SITH COUNCIL!
LONG LIVE THE TRADE ALLIANCE!
Elsewhere, in the Imperial Belt, Kylo Ren walks impatiently in the bridge of the Main Imperial Destroyer.
"We must invade Naboo at once!" Kylo Ren demands. "Destroy the remaining rebels!"
"Patience, my boy…" Palpatine says. "We have more enemies than a fallen Republic. The Sith Council… They have turned their back on us. Deal with them swiftly."
"Yes, Master," Kylo Ren says.
ACT II. The extremes of the Galaxy
"Seek the weakest of the prisoners and heal him," Maul orders.
Jaylen Rax, Padawan, a slave grown in the mines of Mustafar, is healed and brought before Lord Maul. The defiant hostage spits at Lord Maul.
"Whatever you want, I just won't help you," Jaylen says.
"I will offer you a chance of rescuing your fellow Jedi," Maul says. "Unless… you want me to torture them until they give in to the Dark Side."
Jaylen lowers his head, in full defeat. Maul shows a Galaxy map. And in it, a flow map, with currents of Midichlorians.
"Do you know what this means?" Maul asks.
"Yes..." Jaylen answers. "The galaxy is dying... To maintain those two abnormal Force signatures…"
"One of them is the Emperor," Maul says.
"Impossible," Jaylen answers. "The Emperor is dead."
A Force Ghost appears in the conversation. He looks like a Jedi.
"Death is only the beginning, Jaylen," the Ghost says.
"Who are you?" Jaylen asks.
"I'm Master Kenobi," he answers.
"You killed my grandfather!" Lord Maul states while trying to choke the ghost. However, the ghost is gone. No need to engage a Sith Lord.
"How can I help you?" Jaylen asks.
"Draw a route to the second abnormal point," Maul demands. "I ignore its nature, but it's in Republic territory. You may find allies there. All I ask is that you help us avoid Republic or Imperial warships."
DEAL.
The joint Jedi-Sith mission starts with an Imperial interruption. The First Order has chosen the House of Maul as a first target. The weak link of the Sith Council, those who dare forge alliances with the Jedi shall be no more. And so, First Order forces, led by Kylo Ren, start ravaging Lord Maul's stronghold. And then, they get to the main chamber, where the escape route is being devised.
Lord Maul hands Jaylen a lightsaber so they can protect each other. It's a 6 v. 2 match. Five First Order warriors and Kylo Ren surround Lord Maul as they take down his guards. Jaylen turns his new lightsaber on.
"Why red, man?!" he complains.
"No time for complaints," Lord Maul says.
Kylo Ren goes for the frontal strike, and Maul holds him back.
"A double edged saber…" Kylo says. "It won't be enough to stop a full frontal charge."
Yet, frontal strikes are hard to deliver as the double edged saber allows for fast counter attacks. Kylo's footing is being messed up with.
"I can sense it…" Lord Maul says. "Your potential is being blocked by someone else. I wonder why…"
"What do you mean?" Kylo Ren asks.
"You are a Skywalker, but your latent power isn't there," Maul says. "It has been taken."
Jaylen is managing the other five First Order soldiers as he can, but five against one is bullying. They aren't even trying to kill him. They are just playing around, taking turns to torture him. "Weakling…" they say.
However, imbalances sooner or later get corrected, and a First Order soldier is tossed to a side by an unexpected party crasher. While Jaylen lies on the floor, almost defenseless, a Force Ghost calls the attention of everyone.
"I have once fought against your grandfather and lost," the Force Ghost says. "Now, I will fight by your side and win."
It's no other than the Force Ghost of Master Qui-Gon Jinn. The one who fell under Lord Maul's demise in Naboo a long, long time ago.
"I can sense your warrior blood, Master Jinn," Lord Maul says. "Put your Order into safety."
The problem of a mortal fighting against a ghost is that you never know how to hit something that lacks a body. The training of the First Order has not been that profound, and it starts to show. Irrespective of the fact that it is still a five versus one fight, the First Order warriors start to be tossed around, almost rendered unconscious. Then, it's a one versus one again.
"It doesn't matter," Kylo Ren says. "I will beat you without them."
"You have done enough damage, Lord Ren," Palpatine says. "Come back to the Imperial Belt."
Lightning ablaze Lord Maul's stronghold, as they destroy all of Maul's equipment and allow Kylo Ren to escape safely. The weaker link of the Sith Council has been neutered. Lord Maul is now a man without an army. That should destroy the Trade Alliance morale. This is just a bit of the power of the new Empire.
"I have it," Jaylen says. "A copy of our route. Let's execute your plan while we still can."
It seems that lying on the floor doesn't mean surrendering. He has managed to secure a copy of the devised route before all the equipment was destroyed.
Her Royal Highness, the Queen of Naboo, is hosting an audience. Please welcome our honorable guest, Her Excellency, Chancellor Organa, Leader of the Republic. Leia enters the main royal hall escorted by Luke and Anakin.
"Your mother was once a Queen of Naboo, Luke," Anakin whispers.
"Thanks for the fun fact," Luke answers.
"I failed you…" Leia says while bowing.
"You are bowing to the wrong person," Anakin says.
The true Queen of Naboo steps forward from among the Queen's escorts.
"Your mother would be proud of you," the Queen says. "But you haven't failed at all. Thanks to your leadership the Death Star protocol was successfully implemented. Plus, you've led a mission that successfully destroyed the Starbreaker. We were all waiting for you, Chancellor Amidala."
"But I'm Organa…" Leia says.
"It's time you embrace your true identity, Leia," the Queen says.
LONG LIVE THE CHANCELLOR!
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC!
WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU BACK!
LEAD US KINDLY, YOUR EXCELLENCY!
Leia starts crying as all surrogate Senators hail for her leadership. Then she boldly stands and states: "Let's bring peace to the Galaxy together again!"
FOR PEACE!
When stakes are high, the only chance of winning comes through training. Thus, Luke guides Finn; while, Anakin does the same with Rey. Two styles, two schools of the Force.
"When am I going to be able to do things like that?" Rey asks. "It looks funnier."
Finn is following an obstacle course, but he's failing to keep balance in the hardest parts.
"He's as green as you," Anakin says. "You need to be either highly talented or balanced to complete that course. But if you are highly talented and unbalanced, such kind of training will have no positive effect. You'll just be a monkey with a lightsaber."
Luke looks at Finn with high disappointment.
"Let go of your worries," Luke says. "Focus on the tasks at hand and become one with the Force!"
"Easier said than done…" Finn complains, while getting shot by a flying droid.
And Rey is falling deep into yet another illusion. Anakin starts gently, but he sees it on the other side. A ghost, and a dark smile. Palpatine. He's also found a gateway to Rey's mind. Anakin tries to shut down the illusion, but it seems almost impossible. It's getting too vivid. Rey's lackings, wants and desires. The happy family she never got. So Anakin overrides it with his greatest fear. The fear to lose Padmé.
LIAR!
NO!
Rey snaps out of the illusion by sensing Anakin's pain. Once again, she's crying, with her heart broken, and hitting the floor. Even your dreams can be shadowed by fears. Happy families may just be another illusion. So, what's even true?
"Palpatine has found you," Anakin says. "I can't go any further with teaching you the Force until you sort yourself out. Break the illusion of your dreams, before your dreams consume you. Because if you think my illusions are maddening, you just aren't ready to face Palpatine's schemes."
Anakin approaches Luke, and both sigh. Being a master isn't as easy as it looks.
"Hard lessons are always learned the hard way," Anakin says. "Now I know Master Kenobi a bit better."
"Something's coming," Luke says.
"Lord Maul," Anakin says.
Father and Son approach the Sith ship landing on Naboo. A permit to return prisoners of war was accepted by the Queen of Naboo. "Lord Vader!" Maul says as he goes off his ship. "I now understand…"
Jaylen runs to his master. "Master, Luke!" he says as he hugs him. "I need your help to grant medical assistance to the other Jedi!"
"Need an audience before the Queen?" Anakin asks.
"Yes," Maul answers. "But, my Lord… your physical imprisonment. Someone's using Midichlorians and the raw power of a Sith to keep you like that. You need to undo it, before life starts fading away from the galaxy…"
"It's those two," Anakin says. "Their fixation on me has caused this. Follow me, the Queen will want to hear what you have to say."
An audience before the Queen of Naboo is granted to one Lord Maul. In compensation for his humanitarian mission of rescuing Jedi victims of the Sith Council's Trade Alliance Unification, the original lightsaber from his grandfather, who died in Naboo, is granted to him. Lord Maul receives this lightsaber with great pride, and turns it on. He feels the beauty of that double saber, and then turns it off. A sign of peace for times to come.
"Your Majesty," Lord Maul says. "I request a joint attack against the Imperial Belt before all life from the Galaxy goes extinct."
"Motion granted," the Queen states.
ACT III. Balance of the Force
Thus, the joint attack begins. On one side of the belt, the forces of the Trade Alliance, including what is left of the House of Lord Maul start attacking Destroyers in their borders. The same goes for the Republic. The Imperial Belt fleet has also made it to the border shared with the Republic.
"How big is this fleet?" Leia asks. "It seems endless."
The Imperial Belt makes its first strike against the Republic fleet. It's Starbreaker technology introduced in manyfold Star Destroyers. Luke and his padawans raise a Force shield to prevent their lives being sucked out by the Imperial fleet.
"What is it, Master?" Rey asks.
"Hopelessness," Anakin says. "That fleet is unreal. We need to find Palpatine at once, before their morale is broken."
"I overheard you," Poe says. "Grab some X-wings. Chewie and I will cover you with the Millenium Falcon."
Thus, the infiltration mission starts. But the illusion is also strong against our heroes, as endless TIE-fighters start to ambush them.
"Not all of them are real," says Anakin in the comms. "Use your instinct to cut the wheat from the chaff."
Of course, by this time, it's not only instincts but also experience. A fake TIE-fighter doesn't fly like a real one, and Chewie knows how to tell the difference. Palpatine and Kylo Ren sense our heroes' impertinence, and Palpatine tries to shock them with lightning as well.
"This isn't an easy ride, Anakin," Poe says.
"Don't worry," Anakin says. "If you can steer that old junk properly, you probably are a better pilot than me."
IT'S NOT JUNK, YOU WANNABE SITH LORD, IT'S THE BEST SHIP IN THE GALAXY!
"It seems Chewie got mad at you, Master," Rey says.
Then, it starts to kick in. As Rey tries to focus on not being hit, Kylo Ren tries to place an illusion in her mind. One of a happy family. One of whatever she thinks she lacks. And Rey allows herself to enter into the illusion, only that she's not alone. Anakin has also entered there, and is mechanically breathing in Kylo Ren's back.
FOLLOW ME INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE DARK SIDE!
But Kylo Ren gets scared of that mechanical voice. Padmé's pain, Obi-Wan's pain, Anakin's pain, all of that is just too much to handle for a regular boy playing warlord. He's been well raised by Leia. He hasn't had to hustle like Anakin did. His heart is unprepared for pain, and thus he lets it slip. His whereabouts. The heart of the new Empire.
"I've got them," Anakin says. "Follow my jump."
Our heroes arrive at the Main Imperial Destroyer. It hardly resembles its old self. Now, it seems like a mechanical beast of sorts.
"What is this?" Poe asks.
"Antimidichlorians," Anakin answers. "State of the art Sith technology. It's useful for killing; but, out of control, it can spur a mass extinction event. It's the principle behind Death Star technology, but next-gen."
"It's impossible to infiltrate this warship," Poe says.
"But Rey and I are getting invited," Anakin says. "Greed and overconfidence is still at their heart. I'd rather you went back to the Republic fleet and maintain their morale high. Keep their hope alive while we end this."
ROGER.
Enter into the bowel of the beast, they say. Rey looks scared as she enters the maze of tunnels and lightning cast by the outer hull of the Main Imperial Destroyer.
"Lord Vader, Miss Rey," the Communications Official says. "You are allowed to peacefully dock your X-wings at our docking station. From there, you will be kindly escorted to the Emperor's quarters. You are being awaited with high anticipation, Sir."
And so, our heroes arrive at their final confrontation.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Vader," the Emperor says.
"I like the new body you made for me, Master," Anakin says.
Rey pulls her lightsaber.
"I like that eagerness," the Emperor says while striking lightning against her.
Rey manages to block it thanks to her training, but she's starting to seem exhausted.
"Let me test her, Master," Kylo Ren says.
"Go ahead, my boy," the Emperor orders.
While Kylo Ren commences with his great strike, Anakin calmly stays in front of the Emperor.
"That smile bothers me," the Emperor says.
"No lightning?" Anakin asks.
"Unnecessary," the Emperor says. "Our forces are even. We cannot defeat each other, Vader. But that young boy can keep you crippled for eternity."
"Rey will defeat him," Anakin says.
"Not without giving in to the Dark Side of the Force," the Emperor says.
Anakin turns around to watch what the Emperor has foreseen. Rey is actually struggling to hold against Kylo Ren. So, Anakin is starting to see it as well. With each strike, Rey loses a bit of her patience. In exchange, a bit of her raw power is released. And soon, defense turns into offense, and Kylo Ren can barely stop her.
"Kill him!" the Emperor says. "Kill the legacy of the Skywalkers and recover your family by my side!"
Of course, she's being infused with Palpatine's illusions, and as Anakin has warned, she wasn't ready. It's in her eyes now... By giving way to her desires, she has now reached a greater power. One beyond her understanding. And then, she coldly kills Kylo Ren, whose illusion was shattered like a house of glass.
HA, HA, HA! THE SKYWALKERS SHALL BE NO MORE! EVERYONE SHALL ABIDE BY THE EMPIRE!
Rey turns against Anakin, and they start dueling. Of course, there's a caveat. You can't have an equation if one of the components is gone. Without Kylo Ren's fixation and raw power, there's nothing that can keep Anakin's Force Ghost trapped in a physical body. Thus, the body decays and gives way to the soul. But not before Anakin manages to cut all of Rey's limbs without warning.
I HATE YOU!
"You should copy my teachings, not my lines," Anakin says with a calm smile.
"Nothing has changed, Vader," the Emperor says. "We are still evenly matched. You can't stop me."
"You may be right, Master," Anakin says. "But I also have very good friends who think your time as a Force Ghost is up."
MASTER SKYWALKER.
ANAKIN.
THE CHOSEN ONE SHALL BALANCE THE FORCE AGAIN!
All Jedi Force Ghosts who fought the Clone Wars besides Anakin enclose the Emperor in a semicircle and, together, they cast a wave of Force in the form of white light, which destroys the Emperor's Force Ghost. The expansion of the wave destroys all of the Imperial fleet, and also makes Rey's maimed and angered body drift into Lord Maul's feet.
WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE, DARTH REY.
The Republic fleet cheers as the Imperial fleet falls down, then a message is broadcast across all the corners of the Galaxy:
MY NAME IS LEIA ORGANA, CHANCELLOR OF THE REPUBLIC, AND I COME TO REUNITE THIS GALAXY FOR AN EVERLASTING PEACE.