Hello again, everyone! Autobot Guardian here, and I'm just going to write up the next chapter while waiting for my trip today! Not much to say here, except that we finally get to see Phatrong, and just enjoy the story!

The writer does not own the Star Wars franchise. For other disclaimers, please refer to the first two chapters.

"Kyuzo Speech"

"Normal Speech"

'Kyuzo Thoughts'

'Normal Thoughts/Kirachi Speech'

"Reading"

:Kyuzo Comm:

:Normal Comm:

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"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls;

the most massive characters are seared with scars."

― Kahlil Gibran

"I like it when my mother smiles.

And I especially like it when I make her smile."

― Adriana Trigiani, Viola in Reel Life

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When the Guillotine came out of hyperspace above Phatrong, Embo took a few minutes to simply stare at his homeworld, excitement coursing through him. At his side, in the copilot's seat, Sugi was awestruck.

"Oh, Embo…" she breathed, "It's beautiful…"

"Yes…" he agreed softly, unable to take his eyes away from the green and white planet. "Home…"

Soon, the Guillotine descended into the humid atmosphere of the jungle planet, and Embo took the old route he always had, towards a large, round clearing in the jungle. Suddenly, a large, dark green and black shape flashed by, and Embo let out a breathless laugh!

"He's still here, after all these years…" he said, his eyes shining. He recognized the familiar greeting from the creature he considered as his oldest friend, and was elated to see him again. "Kirachidenai, the Father Dragon…"

"What is he?" Sugi asked, watching the creature glide beside the ship. He looked extremely similar to the Crystal Dragon she had seen a picture in one of Tanoka's D&D Monster Manuals, but he had large, feathered wings, a sharp-looking point at the tip of his tail, and his coloration was jungle green and black, with glowing patterns in intricate spirals that changed colors.

"He is a Kirachi; a rare subspecies of the Kirado, the Phatrong Dragon." Embo was grinning, and laughed when Kirachidenai roared in greeting. Then, he sent a pulse of Force energy back in reply, and the dragon's glowing patterns flashed sky blue in response! Then, a deep voice spoke in his mind.

'I have missed you, Hatchling,' it said, and Embo mentally chuckled.

'And I you, Dragonfather,' he replied, and brought his ship to a smooth landing in the clearing.

When he rushed through the ship to the loading ramp, Embo couldn't stop grinning, he was so excited. Once he got there, he took a deep breath to calm himself down a little, before activating the ramp. His friends were all behind him, Sugi at his side, as he waited for the ramp to lower completely.

The moment it did, he nearly sprinted down, his family being the first people he saw.

"Embo! You're home!" his mother cried, hurrying to meet him. She pulled him into her arms when he was close enough, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "You're finally home, my brave, handsome son!"

"I missed you too, mother," Embo said, hugging his mother tightly. Until he had overcome his greatest fear, he had never allowed himself to be this open with anyone, not even his family, so this was something he had worked hard for. "I'm sorry I was gone for so long… I…"

"Don't be," his mother interrupted, shaking her head. "I'm just glad you're safe, my precious son…"

"As am I," Embo's father said, coming over.

"Father…" Embo pulled away from his mother to stand before his father, who put his hands on his shoulders to hold his son at arm's length, studying him.

"You've been through many trials, my son," he said, noting the few new scars (acquired within the last three or so years) that he could see, and realizing that there were many more that were hidden by Embo's clothes. Then, he pulled his son into a warm hug, saying, "But you lived… you came home…"

"And I'm stronger than ever, father," Embo said, smiling and returning the hug. "I found who I am… who I was always meant to be…"

His father pulled away, compound eyes wide in realization. "You mean…"

"Yes," Embo answered, unclipping his lightsaber from his belt, holding it up to show his father. "I am a Bounty Hunter still, always will be, but now… I am also a Jedi Knight."

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Anakin and Rex stood at the top of the ramp, along with Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Cody, watching Embo's reunion with his family. It seemed like the entire village was there to welcome him home, all of them happy to see him…

Except for one.

A man in the back of the crowd was scowling, hate in his eyes. He looked to be about the same age as Embo, and wore a dark grey shirt, jungle green skirt, and dark brown boots and leggings, as well as a silver and black shield-hat.

"Who's that?" Anakin wondered aloud. Cad Bane, who was nearby, followed his gaze and glared at the Kyuzo in question.

"Shondu, a guy in Embo's old training group. Embo told me 'bout him; hates Embo for seemingly no reason at all," he snarled, and the others' eyes narrowed.

"We'll have to watch that one," Obi-Wan said, wary of the hateful Kyuzo. "He may try to disrupt the wedding or worse…"

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"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Sugi," Embo's mother said kindly to the Zabrak, who now stood beside Embo. Sugi smiled, her brown eyes sparkling.

"And it is an honor and a privilege to meet you, Honorable Mother," she replied, earning a chuckle from the older woman.

"I see Embo has taught you about ur ways," Embo's mother observed, and Sugi blushed a little.

"A bit, when we had some down time between jobs, but I still have much to learn," the Zabrak admitted, and the older woman laughed lightly.

"Unknowing or not, at least you're honest," she said, then offered, "Perhaps one of my daughters could tutor you."

"Thank you, that would be most appreciated."

Soon, Embo was introducing the rest of his friends, (all of whom could understand or hd a device to translate Kyuzoni) to his family, and letting them mingle with the villagers. His father quickly became friends with the Jedi, Lupinions, and Cad; even finding a great respect for Chancellor Chuchi and Senator Amidala. Embo's mother quickly got in an in-depth conversation with Tanoka and her female bounty hunters (including Dr. Suya Nahi), thanking all of them repeatedly for helping her son and being his friends. However, when it was revealed that many of them were also performers, the Kyuzos started to request a demonstration!

"Well, girls," Sihmi said to her teammates, a sly grin on her face, "you think we can handle it?"

"As long as we do a themed performance with Embo and one of the music videos Tanoka made of his adventures!" an electric-blue-haired Theelin woman piped up, her electric blue eyes alight with mischief. Sihmi grinned, and looked at Embo.

"Well, what do you say, Embo? You in?"

"You don't really expect me to…" he started, but was interrupted by Cad.

"Look at it this way, pal," the male Duros said, putting a hand on Embo's shoulder, "Your friends here will get their performance, my wife will not bother you about it for a few days, and you'll get at least one story out of the way without having to say a word."

"Well, when you say it like that…" Embo sighed, then threw his arms up momentarily. "I'll do it, okay?"

"Woo!" the performing bounty hunters cheered, then grabbed both Embo and Tanoka, then Sugi as a last minute decision.

"Let's go get ready!"

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HAH! I can't wait for next chapter! However, this is the last one I'm posting for a little bit, because I have a car ride in just a few minutes. The performance is in the next chapter, and I'm glad this one was longer!

May the Force be with you all!